We wish to add our congratulations, to the many which have already been given, to Gen. Howard, upon his final release from the legal difficulties that have so long perplexed him. It is not easy to understand the reasons for the persecutions heaped upon Gen. Howard’s head. His Christian life, so kind in its spirit, and so efficient in its activities, should not, in this day, provoke enmity. His record as a soldier, making one among the bright pages in the history of our Civil War, and his recent campaign among the Indians, in which he was conspicuous for his active energy, as well as for his courtesy to a brother officer, do not find critical censors. It is in his connection with the Freedmen’s Bureau that the rock of offence is found. We claim to know something about that Bureau, and, therefore, speak the more freely. We believe that no appropriation made necessary by the results of the rebellion was more wise, nor has any trust under the Government been more conscientiously executed than that of Gen. Howard in its administration. So far as any part of the sum was used to relieve physical suffering, it was divided impartially; and, in the appropriation of the larger part of it to the education of the colored people, there was the clearest comprehension of their highest wants. The money was appropriated with just reference to the claims of the different religious bodies co-operating with the Government, and the educational institutions founded by it will be perennial sources of blessing to this people, and will bear their testimony more and more distinctly, as the years roll on, to the wisdom of the Government in its bestowment, and of Gen. Howard in its disbursement. * * * * * NEWS FROM THE CHURCHES. RALEIGH, N. C.—“About twenty united with the church April 6th. Seven were members of the choir.” WOODBRIDGE, N. C.—“A wave of the Gospel temperance revival has reached Woodbridge. Brother Peebles printed two large pledges, one for the ‘Band of Hope,’ and the other the ‘Murphy Pledge.’ He also promised to print all the names that would sign either pledge, and to-day there are upon the chapel walls the names of eighty under the Band of Hope pledge, and it is expected soon to have fifty names under the other. Already more than half that number have signed.” MACON, GA.—The church and Lewis High School have, after an interval of a little more than a year since their buildings were burned, a home again, in a substantial brick building, together. The upper story is for the church. The hall will seat about 450 persons, and is neat and tasteful. It was dedicated a few weeks ago, with appropriate services. Rev. S. S. Ashley, of Atlanta, preached the sermon. A description of the lower part of the building, which is designed for the High School, we hope to furnish in our next issue.