The American Missionary — Volume 36, No. 6, June, 1882 — John Shaqi
The American Missionary — Volume 36, No. 6, June, 1882Various
History
The American Missionary — Volume 36, No. 6, June, 1882
Various
Congregational churches -- Missions -- Periodicals; Home missions -- Periodicals
To do justice to the interest of the Convention on Saturday would
require all of the space allotted me. Sunday-school reports given
by delegates from the various schools were never more interesting.
The work of temperance in all the schools was a chief feature. One
colored brother expressed it pithily, if not grammatically, when he
said, “Dere seems to be a skim ober de eyes of mos’ of my brederen
on dis gret subjec.” In the temperance work among the children, to
save them we must keep this “skim” from forming.
In the afternoon an interesting map-lesson, “The Journeys of our
Saviour through the Holy Land,” was given by a colored brother,
though of the Anglo-Saxon race. If a query arises in the minds of
my readers, it may help to make it clear when I say that though
black he is white.
The Conference opened Saturday night with a glowing and effective
sermon by our Field Superintendent, Dr. Roy. How easy it seemed,
while listening to him, to make sacrifices for the dear name that
every Christian loves.
In the much regretted absence of President DeForest, of Talladega
College, Rev. G. W. Andrews filled his place, and as it was
communion Sabbath, spoke from the words, “I am the bread of
life.” That it satisfied the hunger of many new disciples was
evidenced before us by the nineteen who were taken into the church
that morning and partook for the first time of this emblem of
the life-giving power of our Saviour. The beating rain without
only made the comfort, security and sweet peace within the more
precious. As we looked into one and another of the formerly hard
faces of these new travelers in the narrow way we felt how great
the reward of the faithful laborers who have been instrumental in
putting the new song into their mouths. It added to our personal
interest in them that the pastor and wife had told us of the
especial efforts on the behalf of each one.
Sabbath afternoon was given to the children, but the rain kept them
at home and also hindered the night service. Rains in Alabama are
surely as emphatic as Miss E. B. Emery with her impressive pen,
claims they are in Boston, and this season the disposition of each
rain is to develop a flood.
On Monday, after the very spiritual devotional exercises which
preceded the beginning of each morning session, the business
of organization was attended to, followed by reports from the
churches. I have wondered why it is that these reports so often
considered “dry” in the North, should in this Southern work always
be so full of interest. Is it that the Spirit here is “poured out
like water”?
An interesting paper upon “What caused the intellectual darkness
of our ancestors and how shall we avoid a like repetition?” by Mr.
Y. B. Sims, was well spoken of by all as thoughtful, earnest and
suggestive.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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