The day of the corn-field and blacksmith preachers, is past.  Some of them were good men.  They have been exceedingly useful in holding the people together in church organizations and maintaining the forms of worship, even where gross errors were allowed.  The present generation must have and can have intelligent preaching from the lips of men above reproach.

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THE CENTRAL SOUTH ASSOCIATION.

BY REV.  B.A.  IMES.

Another “best of all meetings” has occurred.  The Union Church at Fisk University, Nashville, Tenn., together with the combined population of that interesting institution, was “our host,” and was most cordial in the entertainment of guests, from April 3d to 7th.  Jonesboro, Knoxville, Chattanooga, Sherwood, Memphis and Nashville, Tenn., with Louisville, Ky., Sand Mountain, Florence and Athens, Ala., and Little Rock, Ark., were represented by from one to three delegates each, including pastors, except in cases of Louisville and Sand Mountain.

Rev. Samuel Rose of Jonesboro, gave the opening discourse—­“If ye love me, keep my commandments.”  Friday morning devotional meeting found a good number of one accord in one place, asking for the renewed anointing of the Holy Spirit.  The business session began with Brother Yancy B. Sims, of Little Rock, as Moderator, Rev. S. Rose, Recording Secretary.  After roll-call, the narrative of the state of religion in the churches showed not any flattering condition of prosperity, but in general a state of hopefulness.  Some of the churches are evidently becoming established, while pastors, laboring amid all the trials incident to the common poverty, the want of general culture, and of experience in self government, have occasion to walk by faith oftener than by sight. “To patience, experience,” is a phrase we are studying in the original.

“Christian Benevolences and their Administration,” was the title of a paper presented by B.A.  Imes of Memphis.  The general discussion was animated.  It was agreed we should understand that contributions to the cause of religion are not gifts.  When we offer to the Lord we only pay what we owe.  Religion has too long been made to go a begging.

Prof.  H.S.  Bennett spoke on “Ministerial Support.”

On Friday night, members of the Association found themselves “complimented” with tickets, and crowded in the chapel of Livingstone Hall, where Prof.  Spence and the Mozart Society, of Fisk, treated us to an excellent rendering of Haydn’s great oratorio, “The Creation.”  Many came over from the city, whites from “best families,” all crowding in—­listening, wondering, enjoying!  How the music of those well-tuned instruments and voices caught us up and carried us away!  Color-line melted and faded out!  How we wished the politicians all might have been brought under that magic spell of solos and choruses!  Next morning yet they were ringing in our heads, and stirring our hearts with the praises of God.