usly and thoroughly prepared by these consecrated
missionaries, the tree is watered and nourished and tended the year
round, and the harvest _expected_, and it comes.

Are there no spiritual frosts to blight? They are impossible, if the
{134} spiritual atmosphere be kept clear, and the Holy Ghost be a
daily and hourly companion and friend.

It is by no means unusual in Talladega for every unbelieving pupil in
the boarding department to be converted. This year there were over
forty hopeful conversions, and Rev. James Wharton, an English
evangelist, by his earnest preaching was of very great assistance. It
is noticeable that if any who have had little _previous_ training are
converted through the preaching of an evangelist, they are not likely
to hold out well.

On the first Sunday in March, twenty-seven of the converts were
received into the college church, with two from the Baptist Church.
More will come later as the fruits of the revival, while a few will
join other churches. Eighteen of the number were young men, and among
them were the two sons of Pres. DeForest, one fourteen, the other
nine, years of age.

Prof. G.W. Andrews, D.D., the pastor this year, conducted the
services; there was no sermon proper and no time for any, but there
was much of the beautiful music of these colored people; they sing out
their fervid souls with their rich and powerful voices. Nearly all
were baptized, and much more was made of the right hand of fellowship
than is usual in any Northern church. And it is needful for these
children, for they will call for constant help months and years to
come. With few exceptions, they are not reared in Christian homes, are
not educated from the cradle in the Christian faith. The services were
both solemn and joyful, and very tender and touching.

Such an avowal is the most significant of all things, anytime,
anywhere, but here we know that every life is to be one of toil and
bitter struggle, a fight in which the odds are, to appearances, all
against them; more than all, that this young man, that young woman,
with the dusky face, the mellow voice and the eager spirit, now in
covenant with us, is to be a missionary to the heathen, and of his own
people. What may he not accomplish? What may she not do for Christ?
And these heathen are in our own country; they are our own people.
These young missionaries are very peculiarly ours, and it is through
the Northern churches that they are trained for thei