In 1867 the Knox Institute is built, a large two-story frame structure, with four school-rooms in it. For four years this is occupied by our Northern teachers. Meantime students are going forward from the “Knox” to Atlanta University; and then some of the advanced students of the latter institution are sent one by one, to serve as principals with colored assistants. In this way came S. B. Morse, John McIntosh and J. G. Hutchins. The last-named receives an appointment to a clerkship in Washington, and a recent graduate of the University, Paul E. Spratlin, is appointed as Principal with three lady assistants. Morse has now a position in the Custom-House at Savannah, and McIntosh is a representative of Liberty County in the legislature.
The Superintendent finds that the time has come to start a church. The building is repaired and one of its rooms fixed up for a chapel. Mr. George V. Clark, a student of the “Atlanta” and a graduate of the Theological Department of the Howard University, is secured. He, with his yoke-fellow Spratlin, starts a Sunday-school, a prayer meeting and preaching services. Affinity draws to them friends who are longing for something more quiet, orderly and intelligent in church life. Then a revival this spring adds eight disciples to the nine who are ready to come into a new church by letter. And so a Council meets here on the 14th of April to recognize the church and ordain the pastor. They find everything in an orderly condition. There are present from Atlanta Prof. C. W. Francis, Pastor Evarts Kent and his delegate, Deacon A. J. Delbridge and Superintendent Roy; from Marietta, Pastor E. J. Penney; from Macon, Pastor S. E. Lathrop; from Orangebury, S.C., a delegate; also Rev. Dr. C. W. Lane, Pastor of the Presbyterian Church in this city. Professor Francis is made moderator and Rev. E. J. Penney, scribe. The church process and the examination of the candidate are heartily approved.
By the courteous invitation of the African M. E. Church, the public services are held at night in their house of worship, which is packed with an assembly of 500 people. The sermon is an eloquent portrayal of the Apostle Paul’s desire and prayer to God for Israel that they might be saved. The moderator propounds the Confession and Covenant and gives to the new church the right hand of fellowship. Mr. Lathrop then presents a royal octavo Bible printed in Boston in 1822 and bearing in gilt letters on the front cover the inscription “Mary Walker, 1828,” who has herself now reached the age of four-score and five. The book seems to be good for another fifty-four years of service. Mr. Lathrop also presents from the Congregational Church at Chagrin Falls, Ohio, a communion set in good condition, although it has been used by that body of believers for forty years. Deacon Delbridge makes the best suggestion, namely, that as they are now enjoying the fruit of the prayers and labors of the abolitionists, of whom at the time they had known nothing, so now the new church is to enjoy this hallowed service for the Lord’s table which has come to them from Christian friends whom they had never known. Professor Francis states that Rev. Mr. Walker, who at the University had taught some of these same members, had come from that church in Chagrin Falls, and so had doubtless used these same communion vessels before them. The crowning gift of the occasion is that of Mr. S. D. Smith, of Boston, of one of his American organs, which is used for the first time on this occasion. It would do him good if sometime he could catch the voice of these lowly poor as they bless God for his thoughtful and abounding beneficience in this line. The prayer of ordination as offered by Rev. Evarts Kent is apposite and touching. The charge is delivered by Prof. Francis, who, alluding to his having led this man to school, to Christ and along the paths of learning, says that it is no new thing for him to be charging this candidate, but as this is about his last chance he must improve it well. The right hand is given by Mr. Penney, a cousin and schoolmate of the new pastor. The address to the church is delivered by Dr. Lane. His venerable appearance, his cordial manner and his gracious words are a benediction to the occasion. Dr. Lane having been baptized by Dr. Edward Payson, was thirteen years of age when he was removed with his father’s family from Portland, Me., to Georgia. When I first came to look up this matter, I went to him for advice and found him ready with sympathy and co-operation. When Mr. Clark came the Doctor offered him the use of his library, gave him judicious counsel, and, by a writing, turned over to him a monthly appointment three miles out, in a house which his church had built as a union place of worship for the colored people.
On the Lord’s day, the eight who come by profession receive baptism at the hand of the pastor by immersion in the Oconee, which flows by the city. At night I have the privilege of participating with the church at their first communion season, when the ancient vessels of the Lord’s house, new to this band of disciples, enter upon their new round of service.
After the sowing, the reaping. The Knox School and the Atlanta University have been growing the timber for this house of the Lord. Several of the members have had that training and the teachers were thus prepared. It takes time to raise up a native ministry. A few years ago a boy who was a porter in an Atlanta hotel was started on his way to school, and now the same comes along the Christian pastor, ripened under the sun of our Southern institutions, an able minister of the Word. Much of our fruitage has been gathered into other churches. Now we garner up something of our own harvest.
THE ALABAMA CONFERENCE.
BY MRS. H. W. ANDREWS.
The day came at last for our annual pilgrimage to the Mecca of Congregationalism in Alabama—our Congregational Conference. It was perfect, as Southern spring-days are apt to be—woods and fields bright with flowers and merry with bird songs. The pastors and delegates, filing from many directions, met at depots, their very greetings the happy premonitions of a good time. Selma seemed to be the place of rendezvous, and the cars from thence to Marion were quite well filled, as in the latter place the conference was to convene.
I regret to mar my recital here by that which alone I take no pleasure in writing. Some otherwise excellent railroad officials thought we were anxious to ride in the same car with our pupils, teachers, and church members, because they were black, while really the young people were only asking for what their first-class tickets called for. I would like to raise a question here. What can be done about these first-class tickets sold to colored people, compelled to take passage on them in second-class cars? We missionaries are most heartily in favor of a peaceable solution of this question. A quarrel takes time and nerve, and hinders Christian development and progress; yet some apt person has said, “If you have got to have one, there is nothing like it.” I hope that we shall be wise enough not to have one.