I am sure we went to prayer meeting in the evening with very thankful hearts.  Some of the scholars said it was the happiest day they had ever known.

It is a constant wonder to me to see the improvement in our girls, and their interest in their work.  They are so eager to learn to do things well that I cannot think of my work as one of sacrifice, as some work may be, for the joy of it overcomes all such thought.

* * * * *

STRAIGHT UNIVERSITY, NEW ORLEANS.

REV.  C.H.  CRAWFORD.

Much interest is manifest in our meetings for prayer, a number of students having expressed a desire to become Christians.  I have organized a class for the instruction of Christian workers.  It is composed of both teachers and students, and numbers about twenty-five.

A young man came to my study to be shown how to become a Christian.  After instructing him and showing him the promises, there still seemed to be something in the way.  Questioning him, I found that he was expecting some wonderful experience.  He had specially in mind the remarkable conversion of a certain young man of his acquaintance.  He was hoping for the same.  I said to him, “Now you want to know that you are a Christian.  Which would you rather have for evidence, an experience such as that young man had, or God’s word for it?” After waiting a moment to take in my meaning he replied, “God’s word.”  “Do you believe on Jesus Christ?” “Yes.”  “Well, here you have God’s word, John, 3:36, ’He that believeth on the Son hath eternal life.’  Will you take God’s word?” After a moment’s deliberation came the answer, “Yes, I will.”  Then we knelt down and prayed.  This, I trust, was a soul born into the kingdom.

One of our theological students reports the following admonition from an ignorant preacher much older than himself:  “You go to school and get education.  In five or ten years the people will not listen to such preachers as I am.”

TILLOTSON INSTITUTE, AUSTIN, TEXAS.

Our school is opening very auspiciously.  Never before have so large a number been here at the beginning of the term.  And the requests for the privilege of coming are numerous, so that if all come who are asking to do so, we shall be over-full.  We are greatly pleased with the spirit with which the new year’s work is taken up.  There are more each year who come prepared to enter the higher grades, which shows that the common schools of Texas are improving.

The Christian Endeavor Societies, of both the young men and the young women, have elected their officers and are ready to begin work again, and the Temperance Society will do the same, this week.

One of the students who has been with us from the beginning of our school, has left us this year and gone to Oberlin, where he has entered the Sophomore class.  We miss him much, but bid him “God Speed,” for the need of workers is great, and we are hoping much from him in the way of work among his own people.