The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-10-25
AMERICAN MfSSIONiRTES.
The Associations Report on Work Accom-
pli-hcd-The Negro.

DETROIT MICH. oct. 2i.-The Ameri-
can Missionary Association has selected
Boston as the place for holding the jubi-
lee annual meeting next year.
The report on the church work Of the
association in the South was presented
by Henry Martin Ladle. ID. d., OF CleVc-
land He reported that In the one state
OF North Carolina alone the association
has last year organized more churches
than it had organized all through the
whole South during any one or the pre-
ceding ten years. Thirty-four churches
for cOlorcd people and eight mountain
churches, a total OF fOrty-twO new
churches in one year. is the unique re-
cord.
The first mountain church to assume
sclf-support Is the one at Whittier. y. G.
The most surprising and the most en-
couragirg feature OF the work at the
South has been the apparently spontan-
cOus generation or congregational
churches among a people and under con
dit.ons where such development would
science may know nothing OF spon-
taneous generation, as a fact, but Con
The "free churches" Of Georgia and the
CarOinas like the free pligrimships or
the North, have attained their freedom
solely by the truth. They have sought
ont no ism or policy Dut revolving against
ecclesiastical oppression and an unworthy
ministry. they have declared Tor simple
principles. and have awakened 10 the
fact that they belong 10 the Congrega-
iional sistorhOOd. The now movement In
Georgia is most interesting as illustrating
how Congrcgationalism springs into be-
ing not only IN New England. but among
negroes of the black belt.
Ihere vas a gam OF ~ new members
in these churches during the past year.
There has been remarkable progress or
church work among the mountain whites,
or American hignianders.' resulting in
40 a. ne. Sc
ing membership.
\ gain In membership OF over % per
cent in three years. Of tine valuations,
which remains practically stationary, UNI
affected by booming towns and cr0wdlns
settlers. is probably unparalleled in any
section OF our country.
Some of the incidents OF the past year
are the first mountain church coming to
self-support the ordination Of the first
Chinaman as a Congregational minister.
the spontaneous development Of the Con-
gregational idea in the black belt. and tho
largest accession OF churches ana new
members in many years.
Rev. Rowe. pastor Of Plymouth church.
Charleston. :. c.. said that the work OF
the Missionary Association IN the organi-
cation Of church work among the negroes
began nearly thirty years ago. We now
have l6] churches. The majority Of them
are still weak and unable to carry their
financial burdens without outside help
Now and then one missionary becomes
vannah First church. the Atlanta First
church. and Plymouth churches Charles
ton. s. c., which Mr.. Rowe has served
about ten years.
The newspapers OF the day leave the
impression that the life of the nero race
Is inseparably connected With lawless-
ness and crime. While enumerating the
faults OF the worst class. they overlook
the quiet but rapid development In re-
ligious. moral, intellectual and indus
trial life that Is going on
They overlook the life Of steady. up
right citizens led by so manv members OF
the race. and select the criminal. vicious.
law. ignorant. and worthless classes as
REPRESENTATIVES OF a people who are RS
ing and developing every department or
life and effort
The church and school work Of TIE
American Missionary Association has
wrought NIGHTLY in the southland In
character and i'm intelligent building.
The Methodist church In all its branches.
the Bapfist. the Presbyterian. and the
.Tn'scora' churches have all been at work
doing valiant service.