The Association met with this church in April. Great congregations flocked to the meetings, and immediately upon the adjournment of the Association, a revival of peculiar grace and tenderness was enjoyed, and some precious souls “given their liberty.”
Terrebonne Station (Rev. Benjamin Field, licensed Preacher, acting Pastor). Lafourche Crossing (Rec. Wm. Reid, Pastor).—These two churches are under the general supervision of Bro. Clay, and look to him for counsel as to a father. There is a peculiar bond binding these little churches of like faith together. When the Lord’s work is revived in one, the others hasten to share in the blessing, and when trouble is developed in one, the others are quick to sympathize and help. The Lafourche church are proposing to buy a new lot and build a pretty chapel. They have very great faith in their prospective growth.
New Iberia.—St. Paul’s church is one of the strongest and most stable in the Association. The September gale leveled their old building. It was a blessing in disguise, for a new and substantial church has risen in its place. How much the stimulus of necessity will accomplish!
Rev. W. R. Polk, a protege of Dr. Cuyler, is the pastor. The services are orderly and intelligent. Situated in the midst of one of the most fruitful sections of the state, and almost every colored man owning his homestead, and some of them in the realization of the freedman’s ambition, “forty acres and a mule,” there is a look of prosperity about church and people that is refreshing. They are now self-supporting. They are also rejoicing over several additions to the church on profession of faith.
We must now group together a few churches, small as yet, but giving promise of great usefulness. They are situated in important centres with respect to colored population, and the absence of churches except at great distances.
Lockport and Harangville—Under the missionary supervision of Brother Ward, of Gretna. He pays them a monthly or semi-monthly visit, and they do the best they can in the interval. When they get stronger they will require and can pay for the regular services of a resident minister.
Peteance and Little Pecan—Under the pastoral care of Rev. Wm. Butler. Mr. Butler teaches a day school at Peteance, five miles from New Iberia. Both these churches have houses of worship, and are full of faith in the increase of future years. God grant their faith may be rewarded.
Churches at Bayou Du Large (Rev. Humphrey Williams, Pastor), and at Grand Bayou (S. Williams, Pastor), are new churches, organized within the year, attracted by the simplicity, liberty and spirituality of the Congregational mode of government. They have cordially united hands with us.
Abberville—Needs a house of worship, and until it is built we cannot begin to write its history. A church without a shelter is a church in the wilderness indeed; and in this part of the world is no church, but a scattered flock seeking a fold.
Lake Peigneur (Rev. C. E. Smith, Pastor).—This church enjoys stated preaching. When the pastor is absent, some layman who has the “gift” of exhorting calls the people together. The homes of the people are often far apart. It is a rich prairie section, and all or nearly all come on horse-back. There is very little abject poverty. The labor of the men and women is sought, and commands a living price. The land itself can be purchased from $10 to $15 per acre, and so our friends are driving down the stakes into their own soil. Once the negro had a right only in “God’s acre,” and not that till he was dead. Now he holds the title-deed to his own property, sealed with the great seal of Louisiana. God be praised! How restful to the tired laborer is a bed in his own cottage! How much better Christian he can be, with his own home, with all the amenities and domestic comforts of the family circle, and with the inducements thus supplied to be good and to do good!