CHILDERSBURG, ALA.—Rev. Alfred Jones writes: “My work is in a lively condition. I have a full house. My people seem to study the Bible with greater interest than they ever have before. Some come to my church who did not like it at first.” ANNISTON, ALA.—Rev. P. J. McEntosh has been the victim of a very pleasant “April Fool.” On returning from Conference he was invited into the chapel, and found, to his great surprise, that an excellent stand for the choir had been erected, with banisters and place for books. The work had been done with the proceeds of a surprise party given while he was away. * * * * * THE FREEDMEN. REV. JOS. E. ROY, D. D., FIELD SUPERINTENDENT, ATLANTA, GA. * * * * * A TOUR OF THE CONFERENCES. It took six weeks. Other pens were engaged to write up the details. Some notes by the way, may be in place. The Kentucky Association did not elect delegates to the National Council. There will be yet another chance at the July meeting. Rev. John G. Fee is opposed to any representation in that body beyond that of an honorary character. Membership in it, he thinks, would be an endorsement of the sect principle, and inconsistent with the position of the Kentucky Association, which is simply a body of Christian ministers and churches. He claims that testimony must be borne, if only in a small way. At the National Council in Oberlin, I was delighted with the catholic and non-sectarian spirit with which the delegates of this body were welcomed to membership. I should say now: Keep on sending delegates to encourage and emphasize that testimony. That is the only ecclesiastical body in the United States that would offer such organic fellowship. You have been told of the new era in our work, marked by the opening of half a dozen of the homes of the first families in Selma, Alabama, for the entertainment of the white members of the Conference. It was not merely the offer of their houses as eating and sleeping places, but it was a delicate and attentive Christian hospitality, which invited the guests around from home to home in order to the extension of acquaintance. When grateful words were said to Major Joseph Hardie for having led the way, he answered that that gave him too much credit; that the places had all been opened cheerfully, and that, after the sessions were over, other families had said: “Why didn’t you give us a chance? We would like to have had some of those folks.” Another host, referring to the mutual satisfaction, said: “It is just because we are getting better acquainted.” In the same line was the opening of the Presbyterian pulpit, morning and night. The exercises of the Conference, with a printed programme and prepared articles, were of a high order and well sustained throughout. It was much like one of the Western General Associations.