But look at my third picture, and you will see both how we can like our work, and what is one of the things that make a difference between the second home I have described and the first. The large school-room is filled. More than one hundred and twenty-five students are arranged in classes, most of whom are standing in their places ready to pass to recitation rooms. One of their number is at the piano. Another stands at the desk to give the word of command. Now he strikes the bell and the pupils in long file pass out, marching with their heads up. Not a teacher is in sight. Everything is orderly and is running of itself, as it does every day. This is nothing wonderful, of course, though I know some white schools which could not be trusted to this degree to the control of monitors. But it is only a sign of the influences that here lead to self-reliance and self-control. Every year a new set of uncouth and undeveloped young people come shambling in, looking around with bewildered eyes. But they soon begin to straighten up and fall into step. Their vague ideas get settled, and their minds, slow at first, wake up. In a few years they will be made over new, not perfect, but vastly improved. They will be out teaching, spreading light from scores of new centres, and sending new pupils to "Old Le Moyne."
THE EVANGELIST AT WORK.
The last night of the three weeks' series of meetings at Marion was a memorable one. Every night the church, which was a large-sized building, was well filled with an attentive congregation, hungering and thirsting for the bread and water of life. After singing and prayer and hearing the testimonies from the young converts present, who told with unmistakable clearness how they had given their hearts to God, a few words were spoken, especially to them, showing what God requires of them now they have become Christians. Afterwards the gospel was preached to the unconverted and an invitation given for those who wished to become Christians to signify their desire. A number responded, including an old man supposed to be at least ninety years of age. The old man had long thought of being a Christian, but never could get to the point of decision until now. He looked back upon his long life of sin; he wept, he prayed, he arose and confessed that he had then and there taken Christ as his Saviour. Was not he a brand plucked from the burning?
It was most encouraging to see a young lady bringing along to the pastor's house nearly every day some two or three of her school companions or friends, to be prayed for and spoken with about the way of salvation. The Christians worked faithfully visiting the houses of their friends to pray and speak with them and to bring them out to the meeting at night.
At Mobile, although the first week it rained six days in succession, yet the people came out well and were repaid for their faithfulness. Every night for the past three weeks large numbers of all classes have been personally interested, and with the exception of one service, we have had cause to thank God for conversions. Fathers and mothers are rejoicing over sons and daughters brought to Christ. A large number of young people from the Sabbath-school as well as from the day-school have started on the new life. The teachers say that a marked change is observable and that the young converts seem to be trying their very best to live up to their profession. Forty-six were received into the church and will have the instruction that is so much needed by young converts.
One of the teachers and myself, while visiting some of the converts, found five young women in one house rejoicing in the pardoning love of God. "Truly," said the old grandmother, "salvation has come to this house." We found that, some years ago, three mothers had died and left five orphan children, who were taken by the grandmother and who had now grown into womanhood. Two sisters first became Christians and the others soon followed. One said, "I used to be so fond of going to the theatre, but now I have no heart for that sort of thing; I mean to live a good Christian life and do all I can for my Saviour." They were all received into church, and joined as well the Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor, which is a good thing for young people, as it trains them for future work, and to be active and useful in the service of Christ.
JAMES WHARTON.