The reports from the churches do not show any rapid increase. “We must expect the churches to be small, perhaps, for twenty years yet,” said one who has grown up with this work. There are obstinate prejudices in the way, and there is a great educational work yet to be done. A lay delegate sagely remarked: “When the ground is rough we must go slow, or there’ll be trouble,” adding also his personal testimony that, in seeking to bring others over to his way of thinking, he found it “mighty hard to sense them into anything better than their old ideas, that a man cannot have religion without making a great big fuss about it, and cannot pray without hollering as though the Lord was deaf;” but still he was sure that “if we kept pulling at the wheel and rolling on the chariot we should gain the field.” TWO COUNCILS. On the way down to Conference, some of us stopped at Macon, according to letters missive, for the examination and ordination of Preston W. Young, acting pastor at Byron; and during the sessions of Conference another council examined and ordained two others, A.J. Headen, of Cypress Slash, and T.T. Benson, of Orangeburgh, S.C. These three young men passed very creditable examinations, and, with Rev. J.R. McLean, moderator of the second council, formed a very interesting and promising group—all Talladega men and classmates—a fine illustration of the good work done by the school for the church. Putting all things together—Conference and Councils, and acquaintance with the teachers and their excellent work in Macon and Savannah—it was with us all a grand week, quickening in its Christian fellowship, and profitable in its revelations of work already done, and of harvests yet to be gathered. * * * * * THE CENTRAL SOUTH CONFERENCE. Education—Discipline—The Exercises. REV. HORACE J. TAYLOR, ATHENS, ALA. The Central South Conference embraces the Congregational churches of Tennessee, North Alabama and Mississippi. Last week we enjoyed the rare privilege of welcoming to our homes some of the members of this Conference, and the Field Superintendent of the A.M.A. On Thursday evening, Nov. 20th, Rev. G.W. Moore preached the opening sermon from Psalm lxxiii. 24, “Thou wilt guide me by thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.” The subject was clearly and forcibly presented. On Friday morning an organization was effected by electing Rev. J.E. Smith, of Chattanooga, moderator. That morning was spent in hearing the narratives of the churches. The reports generally showed progress. Athens alone reported a less membership than last year; but in this church there has been a growth in grace in many of its members.