Your brethren in Christ,
GEO. V. CLARK, HORACE BUMSTEAD, GEO. C. ROWE, L.B. MAXWELL, EVARTS KENT, FLOYD SNELSON, C.F. SARGENT.
EVANGELISTIC LABORS.
REV. JAMES WHARTON.
You last heard of my work, I believe, from Memphis, Tenn., where God revealed his gracious power among the students of LeMoyne, and also at the Congregational church. Altogether, some one hundred and thirty-four professed a hope in Christ during my visit there. I then went to Jackson, Miss., to hold services in the new church there; a pretty little building, situated in a very central and prominent part of the city. For eleven nights, I preached to not a very large, but to an interesting congregation. Twelve professed conversion, their conversion proving a source of great joy, not only to themselves, but to their friends and acquaintances.
I also visited Tougaloo University and spoke to the students. Between fifty and sixty at the close of the address arose for prayer. I feel sure if I could have spent a few days with them, that most of them would have decided for Christ, but they remain under the good and wise instruction of the President, Rev. F.G. Woodworth. I hope to visit them again.
I then went to New Orleans, to find the Central Congregational Church recovering itself under the leading of the pastor, Rev. Geo. W. Henderson. We believe that it will steadily grow, and be a great influence for good in that large and wicked city. At Straight University, I found the religious interest going on quietly and steadily under the care of Professor Hitchcock and Rev. W.L. Tenney, some cases of conversion taking place during the week of prayer.
I came to Montgomery three weeks ago, and a revival there has surpassed any I have seen for the last thirteen years among the colored folks of the South. In fact, many of the old-time people say they never saw such a deep interest manifested in this city. The third night the church was filled to overflowing, and hundreds were outside the door who could not get in. The power of God came down upon the people in such a way that at the close of the preaching the seekers fairly ran to the front benches, taking them by storm. All around the front they sat or knelt. We placed chairs in rows on the platform, and the crowd was so thick I could scarcely get a place to stand. The pastor, Rev. R.C. Bedford, and the Christians, worked hard among the unconverted, and now at the close of the three weeks' services, more than two hundred are rejoicing in a new found hope.
One case was that of a young man, the son of a Methodist preacher, both deaf and dumb, who gave reasonable evidence of conversion as the love of God filled his heart, and another was a young man who had been a wild young fellow, who had at the time of his conversion a five barrel loaded revolver in his pocket, and which I now have. One whole family is now rejoicing that God has brought salvation to that house; father, mother, son and four daughters are among the converts. Another father rejoices over four of his sons and daughters converted. Husbands and wives have started together on the road to Zion. On the streets and wherever you go, the people are talking about, and rejoicing over, the conversion of some of their friends or relations.