I went there for a brief service.  The first night the church was full, although the weather was stormy.  The spirit of God brooded over the meeting and five came forward for prayer.  The next night still was unpleasant, yet some of the congregation came several miles, and at the close eleven inquirers asked for prayers.  A brother in the congregation rose, and, in pleading terms, his voice faltering, begged, “Oh, brodder, please do stop wid us; see de mourners; see de work de Lord is doing; please you brodder don’t go away and leab us.”  After such heartfelt words I could but stay all the week, when sixteen professed to have accepted Christ, or, as they put it, to have “found religion.”

Miss Smith, at her home for motherless girls, is doing a noble work here.  Rev. J.B.  Grant is highly respected by all in the village and has a good name, which is worth more than great riches.

  IRONATON

was the next place visited.  It was exceedingly muddy and dark, yet the people came out well.  At the close of the first meeting the congregation arose en masse and asked that I would remain a day longer, which I did.

  MARION, ALA.

I went to Marion with some doubts upon my mind as to the results.  The first evening after my arrival I was very sick and threatened with a severe attack of chills and fever, but I was helped to strength enough to preach with difficulty.  Twenty-five inquirers asked for prayers.  Some that night became “new creatures in Christ Jesus,” and every night as the meetings progressed the interest deepened and spread, until other churches were reached by the influence and their services given up that their members might come to our church and share in the work and blessing.  Every night large numbers of seekers came to Christ.  On one night twelve expressed their faith in a new life.  Among the many inquirers was one who for twelve years had been an anxiety to her friends on account of her state of mind, and her conversion caused great joy in the church.

Short morning meetings were held in the various schools in the town, and in a town-school seventeen seekers found the Lord Jesus precious to {103} their souls.  Up to this time, during two weeks, more than one hundred profess to have been converted.

I am happy to report that now, with the exception of two or three of the students, all in the new A.M.A. school have been reached by the gospel and are rejoicing that God’s love has been shed abroad in their hearts.  This blessing can be traced in a great measure to the faithful Scriptural teaching which Rev. A.W.  Curtis and his devoted wife had been giving previous to my coming among them, prayer meetings having been held in the church for some time beforehand, and women’s meetings at the pastor’s home, led by Mrs. Curtis, thus preparing the way for the nightly preaching of the gospel.  I go next to Mobile.

JAMES WHARTON, Evangelist.