The Southwest Texas Congregational Association. REV. B. C. CHURCH, GOLIAD. The General Association of Congregational Churches, of Texas, at its seventh annual session, doffed its name, and hereafter will be known as the Southwest Texas Congregational Association. Three churches were represented by their delegates and pastors. Rev. Geo. Whitefort, of Red River Association, and agent of the American Tract Society, added to the interest of the meeting, and found himself more interested than in any other association. The Rev. A. J. Turner, member of West Texas General Conference, and pastor of the Congregational Church of Schulenburg, requested, with his church, to be received into the Association. The church, consisting of fifteen members, with Sabbath school of ninety-eight scholars, had been gathered by him since last January. They left former associations to find a church home of purity and morality, and a more simple and Scriptural government. After examination, conducted mostly by Rev. S. M. Coles, a graduate of Yale Divinity School, he and the church were received. At our morning and night sessions of each day we had preaching and other devotional services. Sabbath morning, Rev. Messrs. Coles and Whitefort spoke most earnest and profitable words to parents and children. This was followed by a love-feast, in which we had forty-five talks, which, with singing, occupied about an hour and a half. If several rose at a time, each waited for his turn. When the people have been educated to speak of Christ and the joy of faith, rather than of themselves, and “these low grounds of sorrows” coming from their emotional nature, it is not strange that you see smiles and tears, or that sinners’ hearts get into their throats. When the opportunity was given, seventeen rose, saying, “Pray for us.” After the Association adjourned, religious meetings continued for a week, as a result of which, seven persons united with the church. The Helena Church was organized four years ago with three members. Now there are fifty-four members, twenty-three of whom united within the last twelve months. During the same time they have raised seven hundred dollars, with which they have built a house and furnished it. The other churches have had but little growth in membership, but in Bible study and intelligent worship there has been commendable improvement. A Christian Church, worshipping God according to Bible rules, is a light of untold worth in any country. This feature of our work is encouraging. Even those who hate and persecute us gradually adopt our views and modes of worship. * * * * * KENTUCKY. A Vacant Church—The Seed Wafted—The National Problem. REV. JOHN G. FEE, CABIN CREEK, LEWIS CO. I am here, in the field of my early ministry, on my regular quarterly visit. Twenty-four years since, I left this for my present home in Berea, Ky.