Up to the Sabbath previous to Christmas we were undecided as to whether it was best to have a Christmas tree; but I found so many willing hearts and ready hands eager to help, and particularly some not members of the church, but friendly to it, that I threw all my influence in this direction to make it a success. At first we planned to have it in the church; but finding that the building used for our Sunday services was too small, it was removed to the court-house, where we had ample room. The church would only accommodate about one-fifth of the people who came with their children to receive the gifts, for we had something for nearly every Methodist and Baptist boy and girl, as well as every Congregationalist in town. On Friday night, the ladies of our church gave an entertainment to aid in defraying the expenses incurred by the burial of a member of the church who had died very suddenly. He would have been buried by the town but for a few loyal and faithful brethren who revolted at any such idea, and at once assumed the responsibility, though there was not one cent in the treasury. At the supper they cleared enough to pay the debt, and quite a little sum in addition. Our polity is guarded with the same _sacredness_ as in New England. * * * * * LOUISIANA. =Straight University and the Central Church—A Week of Prayer and Work of Grace—Revival Incidents.= REV. WALTER S. ALEXANDER, NEW ORLEANS. New Orleans, La., Feb. 1st, 1879. The terrible epidemic which held this city in its relentless grasp for five months and created general gloom and depression, delayed the opening of the University till December 1st. When we closed the last term and planned for another year—our first year in the new University building—our hopes were strong and enthusiastic, and we said, “With the attraction and novelty of a fresh, beautiful building in a central position, and the tide of public sentiment strongly in our favor, the new year will be a marked period in the educational interests of our State.” These brilliant expectations were changed to grave uncertainty and anxiety. But God is with us, and our fears are already dissipated. In the first place, the colored people were wonderfully exempt from the ravages of the fever. There were instances of the fever, but the mortality was slight. The only disadvantage was the uncertainty regarding the time of opening the term, which induced a large number to enter into other school arrangements. At this writing we have in the Academic Department 175, and in the Law Department 25. New students are enrolled every week, and we have great occasion for satisfaction and gratitude. Our friends will be glad to know that the new University building suits our needs to perfection. We could hardly suggest a change in the arrangement of rooms. In many respects it is a model house. If our friends could understand how earnestly we desire