A directory of the negro in business reports: four physicians, two dentists, two lawyers, an editor, two undertaking establishments, several groceries, a drug store and other business enterprises, besides mechanics, farmers, etc. They support a home for orphans, and maintain a number of benevolent organizations.
The colored people of Lexington hold an Annual Fair at the State Fair Grounds, which is a most attractive feature of Kentucky life. During the week of the Fair the city is crowded, and the daily attendance numbers thousands of the best people of both races. The Negro Fair Association is entirely under the management of colored men, and has a paid-up capital of several thousand dollars.
The thrift and intelligence of the colored people can be seen by the large number of neat and well-appointed homes owned by them.
Plymouth Church, at Louisville, is making hopeful progress under the ministry of Rev. E. G. Harris. Among the members of this church are three teachers of the Colored High School, who are Fisk graduates. The president of the Christian Endeavor is Dr. Whipple, a physician of note, and the superintendent of the Sunday-school is Professor Perry, the principal of a large public school of over a thousand pupils. Some of the most active workers are mechanics and people in humble life.
Rev. Gilbert Walton was present at one of our meetings and gave an interesting address on the work among the people of the mountains of Kentucky and Tennessee.
The colored people of Louisville are also making encouraging, material progress. Dr. Whedbee and other colored physicians have opened a medical school under the auspices of the Colored State College. They have also opened a free sanitarium in the central part of the city, which is supported by the colored people.
Our school at Florence, Ala., is crowded with boys and girls who are eager for an education. Many of them walk in from the country a distance of several miles. Among the pupils are two men who are preachers. Miss M. L. Corpier and Miss Nicholson are in charge of this school. They are both graduates of Fisk University. A revival of great spiritual power was held in connection with the Florence church and school. Four men of mature life and heads of families were among the converts. The church is growing in numbers and influence under the ministry of Rev. R. J. McCann, a graduate of Talladega College.
We visited eight families of the church who lived in the country. In one of these country homes we held a service in which four persons were converted, whom we baptized. Two small children were also baptized. There was joy in that home.
One of the most unique institutions of Birmingham, Ala., is the Penny Savings Bank, under the management of colored men. This bank has stood the storms of several panics and has been in successful operation for more than a decade; it has the confidence of the entire community. Mr. B. H. Hudson, the cashier, a graduate of Talladega College, is a leading member of our Congregational Church.