From a membership of 35 in 1876, almost all of whom were old people, the membership has been increased to 210. Hardly a year has passed without witnessing in this church scenes of revival interest. Every winter has had its harvest months.
During the past winter, a revival of great power occurred in the church, resulting in 50 conversions. Mr. James Wharton, of Barrow-in-Furness, England, was an honored agent of the Lord in this blessed work.
The annual expenses of the church, averaging $650, are always paid promptly, and this year, in addition, the church has remitted $100 to the treasury of the American Missionary Association.
Spain St. Church, New Orleans (Rev. Henry A. Ruffin, Pastor).—Mr. Ruffin was a student in the theological department of Straight University for four or five years, and was in charge of the church at the same time, as he is to-day.
The church has been disturbed during the year by a few bad men, ambitious to rule, and so obstructing the progress of the Lord’s work and restricting the influence and usefulness of the pastor; but by patience and wise counsels the difficulty seems to be tided over, and the church started on a new career of prosperity.
Morris Brown Chapel, New Orleans (Rev. Isaac H. Hall, Pastor).—Mr. Hall was a delegate of the S.W. Association to the National Council at St. Louis. He was a student for several years at Straight University. The church has had a constant though not rapid growth. Its membership of 110 represents a good deal of hard work in prayer. A few converts are gathered in every year. The church has a small debt of about $250, which it is struggling bravely to discharge. Whenever a dollar can be transferred from the fund for ordinary expenses to sinking fund it is done, and the church will celebrate its jubilee when the last dollar of indebtedness is paid.
Algiers and Gretna.—There are two churches across the river from New Orleans, one in Algiers and the other in Gretna. Rev. James Craig is pastor at Algiers, and Rev. Putney W. Ward at Gretna. With better schools in these two places, there would be better churches. The mass of the people need enlightening, and until it is done the church will dash against the breakers. Ignorance is never in accord with quiet, progressive and spiritual church life. These churches have now reached a crisis in their history which means either fatal disaster or a new and better lease of life. May God guide and bring order out of confusion. In the parish of St. Mary we have an interesting and hopeful group of churches.
Terrebonne (Rev. Daniel Clay, Pastor).—The house of worship is new, tasteful and admirably fitted for its purposes. Neatly painted, with good bell, the church-yard surrounded by a whitewashed fence, and in the rear the pretty cottages of the pastor and his son, nothing more could be desired. It is really beautiful. And how happy Bro. Clay is—how proud of his church and immense congregation! He feels that God has been good to him, and after many fierce storms, has conducted him to a peaceful and happy old age.
This church was built and paid for by the voluntary offerings of the people. I think they have never solicited a dollar of outside aid. They have built just as fast as they could pay for the work. No shadow of debt has ever dimmed their joy.