To meet the growing demands of the field, and in answer to the urgent request of the churches, it was decided, after faithful examination regarding the character, doctrinal views and qualifications of the candidates, to license for the term of one year Mr. Squire Williams, of Thibodauxville, and Paul Martin, of New Iberia. In the case of Father Benjamin Fields, of Terrebonne, who has suffered for his faith in Christ and his fidelity to His service in the darkest days of bondage, the association, by a unanimous and cordial vote, granted him a license without limitation of time. The relation of his personal experience was very affecting. When he had spoken of the torture inflicted upon him by the lash, the paddle and the stocks, the Moderator asked him if while he suffered for his faith he prayed for his persecutors. He said: “I should not have been a Christian if I had not prayed for them.” One of the new churches received, the St. Rock Congregational church, earnestly requested that Mr. Humphrey Williams, one of their number, be set apart to the work of the ministry by the solemn rite of ordination, that he might serve them as pastor, and administer to them the sacraments of the church. The examination of Mr. Williams was approved, and his ordination secured in the evening. The Moderator preached the sermon and Dr. Roy gave a most excellent charge to the candidate. The ordaining prayer was offered by Rev. J. K. Jones, of Napoleonville, and the right hand of fellowship given by Rev. W. R. Polk, of New Iberia. After the ordination service, Rev. Isaac H. Hall, of New Orleans, the delegate of the association to the National Council at St. Louis, made his report. His address was grand. As he described his visit to the Annual Meeting of the American Missionary Association at Norwich and to the National Council, giving the salient features of each as they impressed his own mind, the audience were aroused to a high state of enthusiasm; smiles and tears were commingled; and one loud “Glory to God!” broke forth from hundreds of lips. I must relate one incident in Mr. Hall’s address. Speaking of the election of a colored man as one of the vice-presidents of the National Council, he said: “Just think of it, dear brethren! There was Dr. Dexter on one side, and Dr. Sturtevant on the other, and a colored man in the middle, saying, ‘Are you ready for the question?’” You should have heard the hallelujah which greeted this announcement. There was a colored Baptist minister in the audience, with more enthusiasm than learning, who said: “Do you hear that? A white man on one side, and a white man on the other, and a nigger in the middle, saying, ‘Is you ready for de question?’ O Lord! is we riz so high?”