When I was in the North and heard or read descriptions of the condition and mode of living of the colored people of the South, I often thought that those descriptions were very highly colored, but I am now perfectly cured of all my doubts. My visits furnish me with the most plausible attestation of the facts. Squalor, with its long train of attendants, may be commonly seen in every direction, and perhaps not confined to the lower-conditioned of our people either. The desecration of the Lord's day is actually frightful. It is very literally used as a "day of rest from labor." On every hand the people are seen resting--resting from labor in the houses, on the stoops and on the streets, instead of being in the house of God. In very many instances, however, we succeed in getting some of them to attend church, but the work is somewhat uphill. I trust that this abnormal condition to which slavery has reduced them will eventually succumb to the effective educational weapon that is being brought to bear upon them, that of the American Missionary Association especially, and may the time soon come for the South when the Holy Spirit working in and through the various missionary Boards, and also other agencies, shall spread righteousness and education and the true art of living, among these benighted people. I am praying, others are praying, and you, too, must help us to pray and to wait for the quickening influences and a fresh baptism of the Holy Spirit. * * * * * TALLADEGA FRUIT. BY MISS E.B. EMERY. The missions of the American Missionary Association at the South are like orange trees, perennial, evergreen, and continually bearing golden fruit, and of these there is none more abounding in vitality than Talladega. All the year round the foliage glistens, the blossoming sheds its fragrance, and every winter there is an ample harvest. Sometimes one from abroad comes in to shake the tree and gather the fruit, and sometimes not; but however that may be, the soil is previously and thoroughly prepared by these consecrated missionaries, the tree is watered and nourished and tended the year round, and the harvest _expected_, and it comes. Are there no spiritual frosts to blight? They are impossible, if the {134} spiritual atmosphere be kept clear, and the Holy Ghost be a daily and hourly companion and friend. It is by no means unusual in Talladega for every unbelieving pupil in the boarding department to be converted. This year there were over forty hopeful conversions, and Rev. James Wharton, an English evangelist, by his earnest preaching was of very great assistance. It is noticeable that if any who have had little _previous_ training are converted through the preaching of an evangelist, they are not likely to hold out well.