The reports from the churches showed a steady growth and hopeful outlook, in spite of the hard times. These churches of Southern Louisiana are in the black belt of the State on plantations and in towns adjacent to the large sugar plantations. Many of the planters have become bankrupt by the changed conditions of giving up the sugar bounty, while the poor colored laborers have been the greatest sufferers. The stories of their hardships and struggles in their efforts to live and carry forward their church work are full of pathos, heroism and self-sacrifice. Laborers have had to take fifty cents a day and board themselves, to keep the wolf of starvation from their door, and many of them are unable to get work at any price. It was a revelation to the brethren to hear the report of Rev. James Herod, of the American Missionary Association meeting at Lowell, Mass., and of Mr. E. H. Phillips, of the Cleveland Christian Endeavor meeting. It was the first time these colored men had been North or East, and had come in contact with Northern civilization. First-class trains, hotels and Christian hospitality from "our brother in white" were all new to them. Mr. Herod is a graduate of Straight University, and is our pastor at Abbeville, La. His face beamed with grateful joy as he told the story of the meeting and the wonders of the North, and of the warm welcome of Northern friends, while the brethren of the Association were held spell-bound by his graphic recital. It is hard to tell which was the happier, the speaker or the audience. Mr. Phillips, of Morris-Brown Church, New Orleans, is a zealous Christian Endeavor worker. The State of Louisiana was represented at the Cleveland Christian Endeavor Convention by two colored delegates, Mr. Phillips and Dr. Nelson. The reception these colored Endeavorers received at Cleveland made all of our hearts glad. It was so refreshing to see this star of hope rising in the hearts of our long oppressed brethren, and to have them realize somewhere in the land the meaning and sweetness of the words of our Lord, and the Christian Endeavor motto: "One is your Master, even Christ, and all ye are brethren." The report made by our field missionary of the Sunday-school Convention held in London, Eng., also inspired the brethren with the hope that the good time coming will come ere long, when they will be measured by their worth and _work_, and not always be despised and oppressed because of the accident of birth and condition. The Woman's Missionary State Union, with Miss Bella Hume as president, held an interesting meeting. They are assisting in the support of a missionary at our Indian Mission at Santee, Neb. The Sunday-school State Association, Rev. J. W. Whittaker, moderator, also held an inspiring meeting. Mr. Alfred Lawless, Jr., was appointed general Sunday-school superintendent to visit needy Sunday-schools in the State, and especially to assist in organizing Sunday-schools on the sugar plantations.