CENTRAL CHURCH, NEW ORLEANS, LA.
BY REV. JOHN W. WHITTAKER.
We have just passed through a precious season of revival. We began a series of meetings during the week of prayer. God's presence and blessing were manifestly with us, so we were constrained to continue them another week, holding meetings every night. Fifteen were turned to God. Nine of them have united with our church and have begun service for the Master. The meetings were well attended, and our whole church was stirred up to more faithful work for God and humanity. Our church is steadily increasing in strength. Almost every Sabbath some one is taken into membership. We have on our books nearly two hundred and fifty people who have pledged themselves to give weekly on an average ten cents or more toward the support of the church. We love the American Missionary Association, and appreciate all that it is doing for us. We need its aid just now. We cannot get on without it. But we do not mean to make what you do for us an excuse for doing less for ourselves.
ITEMS FROM THE FIELD.
Denominational Fraternity.--From High Point, N. C., we have the following:
One of the great hindrances to the evangelization of the colored people in the South is the constant flaunting of denominational banners by ignorant and unprincipled preachers. But I am happy to say, that at our special services on Lincoln Memorial Day, this spirit of evil was buried in High Point, at least for one day. It was pleasant to see Methodists, Baptists, and Congregationalists working harmoniously together to make the occasion successful. One brother and wife gave us 45 cents, and the pastor of the Baptist Church, after speaking a word in behalf of the American Missionary Association came forward and deposited a quarter on the table, at the same time urging his members to give liberally to help it overcome its great burden of debt. I am pleased also to note the self-denial of two faithful members, a mother and daughter of our own church, who out of their poverty gave 50 cents each. Both of these good women are out in service, and although their earnings are very small, they never give less than 25 cents each whenever special efforts are made to raise money for the support of the work.
Grateful Remembrances of the Past.--Rev. James Brown, of Anniston, Ala., recalls some memories of the past:
When we met as a church on October 22, to pray for the success of the American Missionary Association, it was touching to hear the testimony of people from thirty-five to fifty years of age as to the self-sacrificing spirit of the missionaries of the American Missionary Association, as they came from Talladega to this section more than twenty-five years ago. Some told how the missionaries had to hide from place to place to keep out of the reach of the Ku Klux, the speakers being almost eye-witnesses to the murder of Mr. Luke, a few miles from this place. If some of our Northern friends could have heard the words of gratitude for the work of the American Missionary Association, and seen the tears of joy over what has been accomplished, they would know that their labors and gifts had not been in vain.
Liberal Giving from a Small Income.--Rev. A. L. DeMond, of Lowell, N. C., writes: