The church here is the one church of the place, undenominational, unsectarian. All who here profess faith in the Lord Jesus as their personal Saviour from sin, and are baptized in His name as His true followers, are recognized as in the body, and their fellowship is cherished whilst they maintain Christian character.
The present membership is 171; number added during the past year, 13; average attendance at the Sabbath-school, 192. Four other Sabbath-schools are under the supervision of members of the church; in these there is a total average attendance of 208.
During the past year we erected here a neat plain building as a church house and college chapel. It will seat some 500 people.
We have here, conducted and managed chiefly by members of the church, the most vigorous temperance association in the state, including over 1,600 pledges. Our relations to the churches and people around us are eminently friendly and pleasant. There is to us an open door that no man can shut. To God be the glory.
The church at Union Chapel, Jackson County, has just entered into a new church house; has the aid of two resident elders, and a monthly visit from Bro. Bunting, associate pastor at Berea. The churches in Bracken and Lewis Counties are without a pastor; they sustain a regular prayer meeting and Sunday-school.
The church at Camp Nelson, Jessamine County, is without a regular pastor. The members keep up frequent meetings and a promising Sunday-school. We expect the presence and aid of Rev. J. T. Browne as a pastor to some of these churches. Many useful fields could be occupied if we had support for pastors.
LITTLE ROCK, ARK.
REV. B. F. FOSTER.
Our work here, as you know, is in its very infancy; organized 27th of February, 1881, with 40 communicants. Since then we have received by recommendation or letter 32 more. Our Sunday-school is in excellent condition, averages 80 scholars, besides teachers, &c. Our greatest need is competent Christian teachers. We have purchased a lot in a very desirable part of the city (corner lot) at $400. Have paid $140 toward it. Have laid the foundation on it for a church. We are now negotiating for lumber, &c., with which to erect the superstructure. Hope to go into it November 1st, and also to lay the corner-stone very soon. Have raised since organized $468 for church purposes. Hope to send one pupil to Fisk next fall. Probably we may send two. Mrs. Foster (the pastor’s wife) expects to begin missionary work here next fall. We pride ourselves on being among a benevolent, generous class of Christians. All are hopeful of success. Some certainly will be Congregationalists. Will some Christian philanthropist help us?