There is but one way to meet this strain of the coming century, and that is by the education of the blacks.  The task is great, but if the American people will awake to its urgency and put forth the needed effort, the crisis may be averted.  We call upon all Christian people, and upon all patriots, to begin this new century with the purpose to increase their contributions for this great object.  We ask them to begin at once and to continue steadily—­in church contributions, in personal gifts, and, not to forget the object in the making of wills.

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CONGREGATIONALISM IN GEORGIA.

Our readers are aware that there are two Congregational Organizations in the State of Georgia.  The Georgia Congregational Association was organized in 1878, and is composed of about a dozen colored churches, some of their pastors being white and some colored.  The United Congregational Conference of Georgia was formed a little more than a year ago, is a much larger body, and is composed of white pastors and churches.  With a view to a possible union of these two organizations, committees have been appointed by each, and, in another column, we lay before our readers the propositions to that end, made by the Committee of the Georgia Association.  We cannot withhold our expression of satisfaction with the Christian spirit exhibited in this document, and the readiness to accept any possible alternative to secure the union.  The Congregational Churches of the country will feel an interest in marking the progress of these negotiations, and will hail with delight a consummation that will relieve the denomination from the embarrassment of sanctioning two organizations in the same State that seem to be separated only by the color-line.

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NOTES FROM THE SOUTH.

BY SECRETARY A.F.  BEARD.

Once more in Nashville.  There is no question in my mind but that Nashville is the educational leader in the South.  It is a city of hills which are crowned with institutions for white and black.  These are the beginnings of greater and better days for this part of “our country.”  My duties have taken me to Fisk University.  It is a college which has justly won very high praise.  Jubilee and Livingstone Halls are significant names.  One speaks of an historic event, and the other of an historic person, but the work that goes on in both these large buildings does no dishonor to one name or the other.

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When Congressman Kelley, of Pennsylvania, was in Nashville, he visited Fisk University.  He afterwards told me that he could not conceal his surprise at what he saw and heard and only with difficulty his emotion when he arose to address the students.

I have now visited Fisk several times.  I am each time more impressed with the fidelity and quality of the work on the part of the students, and the patient enthusiasm of the professors and of the teachers.  If there were to be no other or greater results than those of the past and the present, all that has been done for Fisk University would be justified.