From a recent visit, I am able to write more fully of one of the meetings of the Young Men's Christian Association. The hour was early, but the room was well filled. The leader took but little time and used it well. Prayers followed, with volunteer singing; other prayers, brief and earnest, and then a quartet sang a touching evangelical hymn. Seldom have I spoken to more attentive hearers than were furnished by these fifty young men. It was an inspiration to look into their faces and to feel that in a few years they would all be scattered, if they live, to the four quarters of the world and wielding a large influence among[pg 165] men. I could but hope that that influence would be for good. Many earnest prayers followed, and when an opportunity was offered three young men requested prayers. They were tenderly remembered. It seemed to me that some of these petitions had in them the fervor of Pentecost. Two young men were received into the Association, and when the hour was through I felt that we had been sitting together in heavenly places in Christ.
And now as a Roman could not end his speech without adding Delenda est Carthago, so I cannot close without saying that if this part of the world needs Christian schools, if Christian education is the hope of these regions, then Talladega College ought to be enlarged and endowed. Some who are giving themselves to this most blessed reconstruction wish that they had money to add also. May those who cannot come themselves send on supplies.
STORRS SCHOOL, ATLANTA, GA.
BY MISS ELLA E. ROPER.
We are so sure of your sympathy in our spiritual prosperity that I write you informally in relation to it.
Sunday, February 10, was a peculiarly happy one for us. In the morning we had studied together how the Saviour had set the little child in the midst. At the communion service following there was a large group of candidates for admission to the church, and then again were the children "in the midst." Eight were our present pupils; another, a last year's graduate. Still another was a young man who came to renew his allegiance to the church of Christ. We wished that all interested in their welfare in years gone by could look upon them. Several of the younger people admitted became interested under the preaching of Mr. Moore over a year ago, and have stood to their post manfully ever since. The present severe weather causes much acute distress. A recent case had its humorous, as well as pathetic side. In the bitter zero weather of Friday's blizzard a microscopic male beggar unfolded a doleful tale, as he basked in the warmth of the kitchen fire. He gave very unsatisfactory directions to his home, and we were unsuccessful that night in locating it. Early next morning he appeared again, and we made immediate preparations for running him to cover. As we started into the street he said hesitatingly, "Mother's better now." "That's good; run along." Presently, "She's up and dressed now." "Run along," we admonished, and took care to keep our eyes upon him lest he vanish, since he was evidently trying to patch up a peace with his conscience. He presently darted within a cabin, and there we found a state of things to which he had hardly done justice, notwithstanding his remorse that his mother wasn't exactly as he had represented her. A single stick[pg 166] of wood was wasting in the fireplace. Four children, smaller than the mite, were as near it as possible without being on it, eagerly scraping a tin dish with a spoon. A fifth, who had recently made the acquaintance of this world and its woes, was vigorously proclaiming his unfavorable opinion of it from the bed. "I cannot take him up in this cold," the mother explained.
I left them to see what could be done. On my return the last spark of fire had died upon the hearth. It was zero without and within. Our family of teachers had made up a sum sufficient for the present needs, however, and the family were soon made comfortable. At our last visit that day the room was warm, the baby was up, and evidently had changed his mind. As we were endeavoring to sort out and fit some garments, the mite (ten years of age, but apparently about eight) came to me, and, looking up with great solemnity, said, "If you want any work done, I'll do it for you for nothin'." So you see there will be a man of business in that house as long as the mite lives.
We have our usual experience of pleasant classes in Storrs this year. The same families continuing with us, year after year, seem like our own. Our Junior Christian Endeavor Society, already quite large, received nine new members at the last business meeting, and is reaching out for more. Our industrial department is slowly working in the direction of a modest exhibit at the coming Atlanta Exposition, and doing considerable toward clothing the needy with plain garments.