Many cases of interest come to notice in connection with our school, showing the eager thirst for knowledge which these colored people have. One incident to-day illustrates this. A young man, twenty-two years of age, who has been connected with the school for a few weeks, was obliged to go home a few days since, to attend to matters of business. So anxious was he not to lose his position in his class, that he started at 2.15 in the morning and walked about forty miles, reaching Macon at 5 P.M. and this in the severest N. E. rain-storm of the season. It makes our hearts sad to know of many who would gladly come to our school, but cannot find boarding places in town. The young man mentioned above has since found Christ to be his Saviour. Rejoice with us! God is visiting us with His Spirit. The Church is quickened to newness of life, and sinners are converted. We observed the Week of Prayer; have continued the meetings every night this week. Some of our strongest and best young men were the first to start in the new life. All is quiet, but deep and earnest. * * * * * ALABAMA. Breaking Ground for the New Emerson Institute Building. PROF. T. N. CHASE. On the 26th of December, ground was broken for the new Emerson Institute building at Mobile, with appropriate services. A portion of Scripture was read, and brief addresses were made by Rev. Mr. Ash, pastor of the Congregational Church; Rev. Mr. Owens, Baptist; Rev. Mr. Taylor, Methodist; Mr. Koons, principal of the school; and Prof. Chase, of Atlanta University. Led by Miss Stevenson, Miss Lord, a former teacher, and Miss Sawyer, of Talladega College, the pupils of the school sang “Hold the Fort,” “Thank God for our Country,” “Labor On,” etc., and Rev. Mr. Davis led in prayer. In the remarks, Mr. Ash spoke of education in its relation to the individual, to society, to government, and to the Church. Mr. Owens said that ignorance was our greatest enemy, and that the building which was to be erected might be regarded as a fort, from which guns were to be aimed at this inveterate foe, and exhorted the people to sustain the teachers who were leading them in their intellectual and moral warfare. Mr. Koons made a few statements concerning the school, saying that its aim was not to advance the interests of any political party or religious sect, but to develop character and cultivate the minds and hearts of the people. Mr. Taylor said he had been taught that the negro could not be educated—that his brains lay in his heels, etc.; but he was glad to see proof to the contrary in the speeches that had just been made by Mr. Ash and Mr. Owens. Mr. Chase alluded to the burning of the old Institute, the causes of delay in rebuilding, the fact that the school was needed now, and the probability that it always would be.