and sixty at the close of the address arose for prayer. I feel
sure if I could have spent a few days with them, that most of them would
have decided for Christ, but they remain under the good and wise
instruction of the President, Rev. F.G. Woodworth. I hope to visit them
again.
I then went to New Orleans, to find the Central Congregational Church
recovering itself under the leading of the pastor, Rev. Geo. W.
Henderson. We believe that it will steadily grow, and be a great
influence for good in that large and wicked city. At Straight
University, I found the religious interest going on quietly and steadily
under the care of Professor Hitchcock and Rev. W.L. Tenney, some cases
of conversion taking place during the week of prayer.
I came to Montgomery three weeks ago, and a revival there has surpassed
any I have seen for the last thirteen years among the colored folks of
the South. In fact, many of the old-time people say they never saw such
a deep interest manifested in this city. The third night the church was
filled to overflowing, and hundreds were outside the door who could not
get in. The power of God came down upon the people in such a way that at
the close of the preaching the seekers fairly ran to the front benches,
taking them by storm. All around the front they sat or knelt. We placed
chairs in rows on the platform, and the crowd was so thick I could
scarcely get a place to stand. The pastor, Rev. R.C. Bedford, and the
Christians, worked hard among the unconverted, and now at the close of
the three weeks' services, more than two hundred are rejoicing in a new
found hope.
One case was that of a young man, the son of a Methodist preacher, both
deaf and dumb, who gave reasonable evidence of conversion as the love of
God filled his heart, and another was a young man who had been a wild
young fellow, who had at the time of his conversion a five barrel loaded
revolver in his pocket, and which I now have. One whole family is now
rejoicing that God has brought salvation to that house; father, mother,
son and four daughters are among the converts. Another father rejoices
over four of his sons and daughters converted. Husbands and wives have
started together on the road to Zion. On the streets and wherever you
go, the people are talking about, and rejoicing over, the conversion of
some of their friends or relations.
This finishes another winter's work among the dear colored people, which
has been one of the happi
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