Once at Marion, how cordial and hearty the greetings! We forgot our tribulations by the way in the warm hearts and friendly tones of co-laborers. The houses of some of our Southern friends were open to us for entertainment, and we very much enjoyed their sincere and graceful hospitality.
The Sunday-school Convention, held previous to the Conference, but in connection with it, was opened by a sermon from Rev. G. W. Andrews; text, “The word of the Lord is tried.”
To do justice to the interest of the Convention on Saturday would require all of the space allotted me. Sunday-school reports given by delegates from the various schools were never more interesting. The work of temperance in all the schools was a chief feature. One colored brother expressed it pithily, if not grammatically, when he said, “Dere seems to be a skim ober de eyes of mos’ of my brederen on dis gret subjec.” In the temperance work among the children, to save them we must keep this “skim” from forming.
In the afternoon an interesting map-lesson, “The Journeys of our Saviour through the Holy Land,” was given by a colored brother, though of the Anglo-Saxon race. If a query arises in the minds of my readers, it may help to make it clear when I say that though black he is white.
The Conference opened Saturday night with a glowing and effective sermon by our Field Superintendent, Dr. Roy. How easy it seemed, while listening to him, to make sacrifices for the dear name that every Christian loves.
In the much regretted absence of President DeForest, of Talladega College, Rev. G. W. Andrews filled his place, and as it was communion Sabbath, spoke from the words, “I am the bread of life.” That it satisfied the hunger of many new disciples was evidenced before us by the nineteen who were taken into the church that morning and partook for the first time of this emblem of the life-giving power of our Saviour. The beating rain without only made the comfort, security and sweet peace within the more precious. As we looked into one and another of the formerly hard faces of these new travelers in the narrow way we felt how great the reward of the faithful laborers who have been instrumental in putting the new song into their mouths. It added to our personal interest in them that the pastor and wife had told us of the especial efforts on the behalf of each one.
Sabbath afternoon was given to the children, but the rain kept them at home and also hindered the night service. Rains in Alabama are surely as emphatic as Miss E. B. Emery with her impressive pen, claims they are in Boston, and this season the disposition of each rain is to develop a flood.
On Monday, after the very spiritual devotional exercises which preceded the beginning of each morning session, the business of organization was attended to, followed by reports from the churches. I have wondered why it is that these reports so often considered “dry” in the North, should in this Southern work always be so full of interest. Is it that the Spirit here is “poured out like water”?
An interesting paper upon “What caused the intellectual darkness of our ancestors and how shall we avoid a like repetition?” by Mr. Y. B. Sims, was well spoken of by all as thoughtful, earnest and suggestive.
Next there came a masterful paper by Rev. O. W. Fay, of Montgomery, on the “New Revision, its excellencies and defects.” Some of us had listened to Dr. Schaff on this subject of the revision last summer at Chautauqua, and we felt that the Dr. Schaffs were multiplying. The remainder of the afternoon was spent in examining three candidates from the Theological Department of Talladega College for licensure. As it was not my privilege to hear the examination, I noted the words of a very competent judge who said that their careful and correct answers showed the thoroughness of their theological training. The harvest is plenteous and the laborers are multiplying.