American Missionary | Page 8

usually heard.
As a further result of this revival, the church has been greatly quickened, the members have been brought closer together in brotherly love, and God has given a fresh outpouring of his spirit.
On Easter morning, when a special communion service was held, twenty-nine of the new converts were received into our church, amidst the most touching and impressive services. But the revival has not stopped with the special meetings. After every Sunday evening service, an after-meeting has been held, in which several have been led to give their hearts to God. All of these meetings have been marked by the earnestness with which the church has labored for the salvation of those who were yet without, and more fervent prayers never ascended to the throne of grace.
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FACTS ABOUT BALLARD SCHOOL, MACON, GA.
The opening of the New Year saw manifestations of the Holy Spirit in our midst, and during the week of prayer there appeared to be a deep interest among the pupils. Our prayers seemed to take a new meaning, and we felt that they were about to be answered.
Nothing but God's Spirit could have laid the burden of souls upon so many hearts at once, or have bidden us speak to different ones, while our movements were almost unknown to one another.
In the meetings that were held in the different rooms, and those conducted in the High School, which were attended by some of the pupils from other grades, a large number expressed a desire to become Christians; and there were about sixty who gave their hearts to Christ. We rejoice greatly over the work of the Spirit, and have the assurance that "there is joy in the presence of the angels of God."
The study of the Bible is an important feature in the school work. One hour each week is set apart for it. A visitor, passing from the lower grades up, on Friday afternoon, would find Bible work going on in every room. The work of the little ones is largely memorizing. The older ones have a systematic course. The outlines of Bible history are first carefully studied, then the more important events and characters in detail. Work in map-drawing is done in connection with all the lessons.
A short time ago, a middle-aged woman applied for admission to our school. She had been teaching for several years, but wanted to prepare herself for the teachers' examination by taking a short course of study. She was permitted to try the sixth grade examination and failed; then the fifth with like results; finally she was placed in the fourth grade, where it was discovered that she did not know the multiplication tables, and evidently had never heard of division. Her knowledge of spelling would not exceed that of an average third grade pupil, and she is called one of the best colored teachers in the county from which she came.
In the Industrial Department nearly two hundred and fifty girls sew from a half hour to an hour every day. Excellent work is being done and they are very much interested, some of them begging for the privilege of sewing at other times than those designated for that purpose. The industrial teacher finds difficulty in keeping the supply of work equal to the demand.
Friends have kindly sent us donations of work, and much more will be acceptable. Sheets, pillow cases, underclothing or patchwork, basted ready for sewing, will be very thankfully received. The work in the sewing classes includes patchwork, the making of dresses, all kinds of other garments, and quilting.--_From the Ballard Record._
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A DREARY PICTURE OF PLACE AND PEOPLE.
BY AN A.M.A. WORKER.
The country is low and flat, with here and there a small elevation on which is a house or log cabin. For miles and miles the country is dreary and monotonous. The swamps have a funereal aspect as one looks upon the live-oak and cypress, hung with long Spanish moss swaying to and fro in the gentle breeze.
Back in these pine woods are hundreds who have never seen the railroad, a boat, carriage, or even a mail-bag. Sometimes a few will go to the little obscure station on Saturdays and stand gazing at the train as it goes thundering by, and many comical remarks are made, as: "Dat am de train 'pon which no darkies nor crackers kin ride; dat am all de heben dat dem buckra want and am gwine ter git."
Most of the people own their homes, which are poorly constructed of pine poles with clapboards to cover the cracks, through which the dampness and cold winds make it uncomfortable for the occupants, who are seated before a clay chimney and a great lightwood fire. Very few of the houses have any windows. A lightwood torch furnishes