At the closing exercises of my school, there were people present from ten or twelve miles in several directions. They were all pleased with the exercises, both the white and the colored people. The whites have been assisting me in getting up my independent school. A white man sends one child and pays for it himself. Some of the whites suggested that it would be a good idea to have a high school here for the colored people. The editor of the paper sent to my room for me Saturday, and I had a long talk with him. He said he had not known very much about Tougaloo University. There was such a gathering at the church on Wednesday evening that they could not all get into the house. I extended an invitation to all the people in the county to be present: it was well represented. I invited the people to sign the temperance pledge after a temperance concert. The invitation was responded to by a great number. A still greater number have stopped chewing tobacco, but have not signed the pledge, because they prefer giving themselves a trial before doing so. There will be quite a number of others who will sign the pledge soon, I think. W. H. L. AFRICA. * * * * * THE MENDI MISSION. Religious Progress, etc., at Avery. REV. A. E. JACKSON, AVERY. I am glad to say that there is an increasing interest religiously among the people. They seem to be growing more and more in the love of God, and to exhibit it in their lives. They have begun to be a more Sabbath-observing people. They are also attending church more regularly than usual, and give better attention than ever before. These are all features of encouragement in our work. Sunday, May 11, was our communion day, and the Lord seemed to be present with us in the Spirit’s power. Two adults were added to the church, and five children christened. There is also a growing interest in our prayer meetings; several are inquiring the way of salvation. We earnestly ask the united prayers of your church for our work. The tornadoes are fast coming to a close, and the rains are rapidly approaching. There will doubtless be very great suffering on the part of the natives this season, on account of the scarcity of rice. This comes from the fact that the rains came on much earlier than usual last year. The agricultural work is progressing quite nicely. The coffee farm is in quite a good condition, and Brother Anthony is now having it cleaned. * * * * * Travels into the Interior--The Heathen--The Country--The Opportunity. REV. ALBERT P. MILLER, GOOD HOPE.