The Indianapolis leader. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1879-1890, 1880-08-07
Richmond Letter.

Richmond Letter.
have just returned from trip to Pitts
burg, Pa, where / was called to meet the
Parent Home and Foreign Missionary Board
of the African M. +. Church, which con-
vened in the above-named city, at Wylie ST..
A. M. +. Church, July 23d. Bishop Short
er, the President of the Board, was the
only Bishop present. The other Bishops
were unavoidably prevented from coming
Bishops Payne and Turner were reported
sick; Bishop Brown telegraphed the death
of his mother; the other Bishops were scat
tered far South and West. The result was,
a large amount of business was left undone.
Rev. Townsend, the Corresponding Secreta-
ry of the Missionary Board, was sadly disap-
pointed at the meagre attendance of Bishops,
as he had previously prepared, and
published in the Christian Recorder, a
very interesting programme, and was anxious
for it to be the starting point for the mission
ary work. Notwithstanding the failure of all
the Bishops to put in appearance, the meet
ing was a success, financially. Over $50 was
contributed as free-will offering to aid the
missionary work. Sunday, 25th, was big
day. AT 10:30a. M, Bishop Shorter preach
ed an immense discourse Text 7th chapter,
5th verse, Paul's letter to the Romans. At
3 p. m, was the Union Sunday-school meet
Jag. There was an immense out-pouring of
the people, the large and commodious church
being filled to its utmost capacity. Pro-
gramme of exercises: Singing by the SUM-
day-school Choir, under the lead of James
Banks, opening hymn, awake for the
Trumphet is Sounding" A very impressive
prayer was offered by Rev. Anderson. Rev.
Thompson, of Wylie Street Chapel, read a
select portion of the Scripture. After few
pertinent remarks by Rev. Townsend, p.
Outland, of Richmond, Ind, was introduced
and he addressed the audience upon the i'm
portance of Sunday school work, and its re-
lation with missionary work At the close
of the address the choir sang proclaim the
Wondrous Story" etc.
Mrs. Whitfield, of Portsmouth, Ohio, a
lady of fine culture and lively attainments,
followed with an address; subject, Mormon's
Work and Woman's influence The choir
sung Worship the Lord" in the beauty of
holiness. A missionary collection was then
taken up, Mrs. Whitfield and p. Outland
being selected to receive the contributions.
The church going people of Pittsburg do not
require any begging. They respond cheer
fully and give evidence by their liberality
that they feel deep interest in the mission
ary work
At 7:30 Rev. Townsend occupied the pull
pit. His subject was missionary work, and
his remarks were forcible and impressive
and were listened to with profound attention
by very large and intelligent audience.
The board held an informal meeting Mon
day, the 26th, and closed its business. The
colored people in Pittsburgh are progressing
in every respect. They have fourteen
churches, including Allegheny City. The
most prominent are the Wyle Street and
Browns Chapel, Allegheny City. Rev.
Thompson is pastor of the former and Rev.
Asbery pastor of the latter. The day
SCHOOLS are mixed. Children go to the school
in the ward where they reside. There are
some excellent families, amongst the promi-
nent are Mr.. and Mrs Guither Mr.. and Mrs.
Brown, Mr. and Mrs. Halliburton, Mrs. May
Murray, Mr.. and Mrs. Judson, Miss Austin,
Miss Ellen Lonette, w. l.. Burks editor of
the Times, colored newspaper. 1 feel un-
der many obligations to Rev. Asley the
genial Christian gentleman for his kindness
in escorting myself and Elder Townsend
over the city, showing us the many attrac-
tions, including the beautiful parks of Ale
ghany City, with its lovely flower beds, min
iature lakes, sparkling fountains, and the
surrounding picturesque scenery, which
make man feel he is in paradise on earth.
Your correspondent took leave of the
smoky city," as it is rightly called, Monday
evening, 11:45 p. m, for Columbus, favora-
bly, impressed with Pittsburgh, and the cor
dial reception and kind treatment of the
people given to the members of the
Missionary Board. The members of
acknowledgements to Rev. Thoryson, the
halnua1 Of Nvl;a
for his untiring efforts to make the mission
airy meeting success Monday evening
IL: 40 left for Columbus, O., and after ar
irving there was the guest of Mr.. Allen
johnson who resides on Long St. He has an
amiable congregation, and also very accom-
plshed daughter, graduate ofthe High School
of that city, has been teaching in Washing
ton d. G. Through the politeness of Mrs. A.
johnson l was taken to the residence of Mr..
Hickenbothem East Long ST. who lives in a
beautiful brick mansion elegantly furnished,
his own property. His estimable wife es-
corted me through their cosy residence and
felt proud to see my people getting along
so we'll, which is creditable and elevating to
our race. After leaving Mr.. Hickenbothem's
] was taken to the colored Fire Depart.
ment, solely under the control and
management of coored officers and
was taken all through its different
departments by Mr.. Hickenb bothem, who took
great deal of pains to explain minutely the
workings of the department which was a
gratifying source of information to the wri-
ter At night in the colored A. M. 4. Church
Long street. l witnessed the presentation of
a beautiful silk flag, to the colored Odd Eel
lows, by Miss May E. knight and responded
to by Mr.: L. Spenser in neat speech. We'd
nesday 26th, in company with Mr.. A. John
son, went to the Armory, the headquarters
eighty, and as gallant appearing company of
| men as ever donned the blue. Thev were
for a ten days encampment at Newark q.
W. Brown, very affable gentleman, is
| Captain. p, OUTLAND.