Indeed, this long care of our churches and schools is awakening many new movements among the colored people of the South. Our churches are generally small and poor, but they have stood steadfastly for human rights, for Christian equality and freedom of church membership, and for moral and religious education. While their work has been slow, their influence has been deep and pervasive, as has been that of our schools, small and great. [Illustration: NORTH CAROLINA STATE ASSOCIATION, McLEANSVILLE.] NORTH CAROLINA STATE ASSOCIATION, McLEANSVILLE. [Illustration: AT THE CHURCH DOOR, OAKS, N. C.] AT THE CHURCH DOOR, OAKS, N. C. It is an interesting and important fact that the great work of Christian education in behalf of the colored people which has been carried on by the Association is now producing results in a new direction. Our former students and pupils, grown into manhood and womanhood, find the church life of their communities greatly inferior to that in which they were trained in our schools. They are reaching after something more pure, free and spiritual. The leaven of their intelligence and higher standard of morality is taking hold of many families about them. From many centers the call reaches us for the organization of Congregational churches, churches which shall stand for morality, equal membership rights and a more rational type of piety. At the same time there is an uprising in various churches against the centralized forms of church government, which they feel to be oppressive. They refuse longer to be bound to systems which, as they believe, invade individual Christian rights. From these and other causes appeals are coming to us from different quarters for the recognition of churches which have become independent. A number of these churches have already been received by council into Congregational associations, and the indications are that this number will be largely increased during the year to come. [Illustration: THE SPRINGS CABIN AT LOWELL.] THE SPRINGS CABIN AT LOWELL. [Illustration: THE LOWELL CHURCH RUINS.] THE LOWELL CHURCH RUINS.