It was at least a noticeable coincidence that out here upon these western prairies two of those worthy representatives should confront the preacher, who found his response to be, “Well, I didn’t say anything bad about John Sevier, did I?” What a grand coalescing of blood was that which in the gathering of our nation brought Knickerbocker and Huguenot, Scotch, Irish and English and Germans, with congenial Danes and Swedes, into our people’s life.  It was also a bond of union, North and South, too strong to be separated by civil strife.  It is an element in the make-up of the South that will ever be a conservative force in behalf of theology, of law and order, of Puritan institutions.

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PROMISING OPENINGS FOR SCHOOL AND CHURCH.

FROM A MOUNTAIN MISSIONARY.

I write to acquaint you with the facts concerning Columbus, N.C., both as regards church and school work.  You are already aware of the good work accomplished there by our Brother Olinger.  Something like thirty young people were converted through his efforts, and now the call comes for the organization of a church.  The only church organization there has monthly meetings only and a minister uneducated.

The County Commissioners have signified their willingness to turn over the upper room in the Court House for church purposes, until some other arrangement could be made.

The most active person in the new enterprise is a member of another denomination, but is in favor of a Congregational church, as it would most likely meet the wants of new-comers of different churches.

As regards the school matter, I understand that a friend proffers to give to any church or individual who will establish and maintain a college an excellent site of ten acres, on a prominence affording a beautiful view of the surrounding country; and it is further reported that he will give, in addition to the site, one thousand dollars.

Columbus is situated in a very thickly populated section of the country, and Mr. Stearns, of Cleveland, Ohio, has erected two school buildings suitable for primary work, and already has employed two Congregational teachers at his own expense.  The results obtained after two years’ work are marvelous, thus showing that the mountaineers are extremely anxious to obtain an education; and in proportion to the increase of facilities for so doing, the results would increase.

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SOUTHERN FIELD NOTES.

BY REV.  GEORGE W. MOORE.

Three thousand people were present at the Commencement exercises of LeMoyne Institute, Memphis.  That vast audience paying an admission fee on an inclement evening to attend the closing-exercises gives evidence of the strong hold LeMoyne Institute has on the people.

The essays and orations were thoughtful addresses on the practical questions of the day.  The meeting of the alumni association evinced the high regard in which Professor Steele and his corps of teachers are held by the graduates.  The association expressed their intention to aid Professor Steele to sustain departments of the industrial work that had to be given up on account of hard times.