Just as in days gone by, many benighted ones outside of us believe that “gettin’ religion” consists in the seeing of visions and the dreaming of dreams, and those who have been taught the truth in our Sunday-school are often interrogated; “How far did you go?” “What did you see in your travels?” “How long did you stay in torment?” and when they have no answer but the unvarying one, “We are trying to do Christ’s commands,” they are taunted with “You’re no Christian!” “Bible religion ain’t no religion.” Yet they show only a feeling of pity for such ignorant ones. There is still among us a spirit of inquiry. At our usual Monday after-school prayer-meeting many said, “Pray for us!” Through all there seems to underlie a current of earnestness and desire for holier living in God’s children, and more, much more we crave of willingness and strength, that so we may— “Joy to find in every station Something still to do or bear.” * * * * * ALABAMA. Temperance—First Impression—First Fruits. REV. A. W CURTIS, MARION. The temperance agitation here has not been without fruit. A monster petition was sent to the Legislature, praying for prohibition, and a law was passed prohibiting all traffic in intoxicating drinks within five miles’ radius of the court house. The word _Bar_, printed prominently over several places of common resort, has found at last its legitimate meaning—to bar out all drinkers. Everything is very quiet, and it seems probable that a great crowd of loafers will have to go five miles for their liquor or reform. One man died from over-drinking the last night of open traffic. Yet another loud lecture on temperance was given us a few weeks ago. An old colored man, going home late Saturday night, intoxicated, fell about eight feet into a gully and broke his neck. The effect of the new law upon the colored people has proved very salutary. Knowing that this people have little opportunity for finding out the news, I have adopted the plan of giving a brief resumé, such as will afford them some idea of the world’s progress in all the great reforms of the day, at the opening of our Sabbath evening service. It works well, if intense eagerness in listening is a fair indication.