He finally wrote to Leavenworth, Kansas. From the pastor of a Congregational Church in that city came a letter, enclosing literature which gave Brother McLean a definite idea as to the polity and faith of Congregationalism. He carefully read and studied this literature, and was led to believe very positively that this form of government and broad, comprehensive faith, were what his region needed.

In response to an invitation from him, I visited him at his home. Here is certainly a providential movement, and an opportunity for doing large Christian work. A school and church planted at this important center in the North Carolina mountains would be productive of incalculable good. God has opened this new door of opportunity in this interesting mountain region. The Congregational churches, through the American Missionary Association, can occupy and hold this field. I plead for large gifts for this interesting mountain region.

ITEMS.

At Burrell school, in Selma, Ala., a shop has just been built with ten benches and sets of tools. It is the first building of the kind in that city, and will probably provoke others to good works. Most of the money for its erection was from special contributors, who will be glad to learn from this paragraph that in their shop the sound of hammer, plane and saw is to be heard five days in the week, and sometimes on Saturday.

Loud "amens often dwindle down into a deathlike quietude when the truth begins to take hold in real earnest, and cuts like a two-edged sword. Here is a true anecdote showing a very practical way of testing the character of Christian profession: An old Methodist preacher once offered the following prayer in a prayer-meeting: "Lord, help us to trust thee with our souls." "Amen" was responded by many voices. "Lord, help us to trust thee with our bodies." "Amen" was responded with as much warmth as ever. "Lord, help us to trust thee with our money;" but to this petition "Amen” was not forthcoming. Is it not strange that when religion touches some men's pockets it cools their ardor at once, and seals their lips? We often hear men talk of the "peace of God in the heart," and to the phrase we raise no objection; but it has often occurred to us that if the "peace of God" could get in some people's pockets it would be a blessed thing.—(Selected).

Our Congregational Sunday-school and Publishing Society issues an excellent Children's Day Exercise, entitled, "My Country." It includes an appropriate song service with poetic recitations. It deserves the highest recommendations, and will undoubtedly be used by a great many schools. Any pastor or superintendent can secure a sample copy by sending his address to Secretary Boynton, Congregational House, Boston.

THE SOUTH.

REVIVAL INCIDENTS.

MACON, GA.-The like has never been seen. We have not been able to have any school to-day. The spirit of the Lord came down in such power that the teachers could do nothing with the scholars. They just gave the matter over to the Lord, and we all went to the church, and such a time I have never seen. We don't know how many were converted this morning, but there must have been at least forty. We are having a blessed time.

NEW IBERIA, LA.-Sunday, April 2d, was a great day with St. Paul's Congregational Church. The Lord has blessed us during our revival with eighty new-born souls. Three of them could not join our church, the rest made application for membership with us. On Easter we fellowshiped sixty-nine of these persons. The others could not get ready, but will soon be admitted. Even a deaf mute, twenty-one years of age, gave her testimony by signs and joined the church. She is one of the smartest girls I ever met. After filling every spot in the church where a chair could be placed, our building was too small. Many nights during our revival the church was crowded. There are seventeen young men among the converts. The Spirit of the Lord is surely with us.

The Y. P. S. C. E. has forty-eight active and two associate members. The attendance at their prayer meeting is large. Wednesday night there were ninety-five persons at the church prayer-meeting. New families have been brought to our church. Our people will never forget Dr. Beard's able address to them on February 9th, and they are very glad he asked Brother Moore to come here. I know I am glad for myself, for he taught me some very important things in revival work. The attendance in all our work, church, Sunday-school, etc., has more than doubled. On Monday, the 10th, the Sunday-school will send some money to the American Missionary Association. The church also is raising funds for the Association. Religion in the heart brings the money out of the pocket.

RALEIGH, N. C.-I dropped my sewing-classes last month to attend to the revival meetings held three and one-half weeks; for children in the afternoon, and adults at night. We do not number the children converted, as it is not easy to do so. Five adults professed conversion, but the greatest good seems to be in the church. The members appear to be more earnest in Christian work than I have ever before seen them. A better spirit prevails among them. Mr. Curtis's work is certainly being blessed to the people. Several have been converted by his visits at their sick beds; others are very serious. The outlook is encouraging.

GOLIAD, TEX —The closing of a series of meetings yesterday, the third Lord's day, marked a new era for the Congregational Church of Goliad. On the morning of the 12th the Sunday-school lesson was very interesting, the subject being "Sanctifying Self," and the same interest was kept up through the sermons of Rev. Mr. Thompson during the day. Brother Thompson's morning sermon was so heart-searching and soul-stirring that it was the means of seven conversions. The Methodists had been holding their meeting all the week previous, but one of their members remarked: "More interest is shown in your meeting of an hour's duration than we have had all the week, even with the visiting minister.

The meetings were kept up through the week, and many more became anxious, and we are hopeful of their early conversion to the Christian faith. Communion service was held on the following Sabbath, the 19th, and the young converts were fellowshiped in the church in full; a blessing the church has long been waiting and watching for, and we feel the Lord has come in His own time. With new members coming in we shall soon be in need of a better and larger church edifice. We had, by last report of the treasurer, $201 of church building fund already on hand. We hope some friend will help us in the effort to erect a structure that will reflect credit upon Congregationalism in this part of the country.

REV. B. FAY MILLS AT FISK UNIVERSITY.

Fisk University has had a great blessing in the birth of some fifty souls into the kingdom of Christ. Not only this, but a new impulse has been received toward more earnestness of consecration, and a greater consciousness of the presence of the Spirit. The entire city of Nashville is being moved. When Mr. Mills had been in the city four days, it was estimated that about seven hundred persons had expressed their desire to become Christians.

SOUTHERN ASSOCIATIONS.

BY SECRETARY WOODBURY.

The Mississippi Association met with the church at Meridian, Miss., March 23d and 24th. The meetings were small but very interesting. Pres. Frank G. Woodworth, of Tougaloo, was Moderator, and Rev. C. L. Harris, Secretary. The churches made full reports of their work for the year, as did also the Sunday-schools and Christian Endeavor Societies. Discussions on current church work, and on temperance and educational work were held. The Association adjourned to meet next year with the church at Jackson, Rev. S. P. Smith, pastor.

The meeting of the Alabama Association, at Birmingham, began on Saturday, March 25th, and continued through the next Tuesday. The opening sessions were those of the Woman's Missionary Union and the SundaySchool Association. At all these meetings there was a full attendance, both from the churches throughout the State and from the local congregation.

Rev. J. S. Jackson was elected Moderator. The opening sermon was preached by Rev. S. S. Sevier, of Selma. The most prominent discussion of the meeting was elicited by a paper from E. C. Silsby, of Talladega, on the extension of Congregational work in the South. Pastors contributed suggestions from their own experience, and it was evident that the general conviction was in favor of a vigorous campaign of development in starting new missions and in strengthening the churches

The Alabama Association owes a great deal of its interest to the work of Talladega College. Most of the pastors are ministerial graduates from that institution, and the President and professors have contributed largely to the organization and efficiency of the churches. Pres. DeForest and Profs. Andrews and Cutler were present at these meetings and shared in their discussions, giving inspiring addresses and papers. The reports of the churches showed a good degree of interest, and in some cases, much enlargement of the work. The brethren parted with new encouragement for their labors, and with a definite intent to make the coming year one of greater progress than ever.

DEDICATION OF THE NEW CENTRAL BUILDING OF STRAIGHT UNIVERSITY.

REV. GEO. W. HENDERSON.

The dedication of the new building of Straight University was an event so significant in the history of the school as to deserve more than a passing notice.

Sunday, Feb. 4th, the new chapel was set apart as a church by a special service. The weather was beautiful; and the large audience of Alumni and other friends, representing in eminent measure the culture and attainments. of the race, was one befitting the occasion.

The sermon was by Rev. A. F. Beard, D.D., Corresponding Secretary of the A. M. A, in which he set forth, with apt illustrations, the thought that life in its highest conception means opportunity for Christian service; that all true culture is the handmaid of religion, and that this new building means for the school, enlarged power for usefulness, commanded the closest attention. The prayer of dedication was by the General Missionary of the A. M. A., Rev. G. W. Moore; other parts by Revs I. H Hall, J. W. Whittaker, C W. Thompson, of Vermont, and President Atwood.

On Monday came the dedication of the new building as a Christian President Atwood made a short introductory address, in which he set forth the spirit and purpose of the school as one where the education of the conscience goes hand in hand with that of the intellect, the primary aim being not scholarship, but manhood and character.

The main address, by Dr. Beard, was an eloquent presentation of the achievements of the race during the twenty seven years of its freedom, re

markable for its comprehensive treatment, and for its philosophic breadth and insight. The effect of this discourse upon the audience was to increase their respect for their own race and their hope in its future destiny.

Judge Whittaker, a former slave owner, but now a stanch friend, spoke for the Trustees; Mr. R. L. Desdune, a lawyer of the city, for the Alumni; and Presidents Mitchell, of Leland University, Adkinson, of New Orleans, and Hill of Southern, brought the congratulations of their respective institutions The music for the occasion. which gave such general satisfaction, was furnished by the teachers and students.

A specially interesting feature of the exercises was the reading of a most excellent letter from Hon. Seymour Straight, of Hudson, Ohio, in whose honor the institution is named.

The faculty and friends of Straight University gratefully receive this new building that has risen out of the ashes of the old, as a mark of the divine favor, and regard the discipline of our temporary misfortune as a helpful test of our faith, and of the loyalty of our students, who have submitted cheerfully for more than a year to the inconvenience incident to holding school in reading-rooms, parlors, and even in dormitories.