One brother from the Territory heard of the Association, but was not able to pay his way on the train to Paris.  So, as he said to me, “I left my wife and children in the care of God, and I put myself into his hands and came; and I walked every step of the way.”  This brother walked forty miles to meet the Association, and his fidelity had a great effect upon the whole meeting.  We tried to make it pleasant for him, and took up a special collection to send him back home on the train.

Space will not allow me to speak touching the spiritual strength and interest of the meeting.  We had many valuable papers read and discussed, and closed our session on the Sabbath with the following programme:  “Sabbath morning from 9-11 o’clock, Sabbath-school; 11-12:30, Sermon, ‘Congregationalism in the South,’ Rev. J.D.  Pettigrew; at 3 o’clock P.M.  Sermon, by Rev. A. Gross, from the Indian Territory; 7:30 o’clock P.M., Quarterly Sermon, by Rev. M.R.  Carlisle, followed by the administration of the Lord’s Supper.”  The brethren left for their fields of labor filled with encouragement and enthusiasm.’  Those from the Indian Territory seemed to be especially strengthened.

Our next meeting is to be with the Bois D’Arc church.  We have now eight churches and mission stations represented, and it is only a question of time before our Association will be a power for God and Congregationalism in this part of the State.  I think we have a bright future before us here.

* * * * *

A MISSION CHURCH.

REV.  GEO. C. HOWE, CHARLESTON, S.C.

The work at Tradd Street Mission in our city is carried on now in just the same way as since its organization.  After Sunday-school is over at Plymouth Church, about 11 o’clock, a number of our young people, including the Pastor, Superintendent Herron and Miss Deas, who acts as organist, go immediately to the mission about a mile away, and conduct the Sunday-school there.  We have eight classes, with an average attendance of eleven to a class.  One class is composed of adults.  We finish work there at one o’clock.  On Thursday night, I go down and preach, and in case I am unable to go, Deacon Hollens takes the service for me.

Last Thursday night, an Irishman about thirty-five years old came in while we were singing, and when I began to speak on the temptations of Christ, he sat and listened in open-mouthed wonder.  Before I finished he arose and came forward, his eyes glistening with tears, and gave me his hand, saying:  “I belong to the Catholic Church, but they never told me that truth from the Word, never explained it that way.  That is the truth, I know it.  I was just going after a drink, but I shall not do it now.  I thank you, and hope I have not intruded by coming in.”  It was quite an incident to see a strong man of an opposite race and creed, in a place where the “Jews desire to have no dealing with the Samaritans,” coming up and acknowledging with tears that he had never heard the truth of God’s word before.