to do something
to improve the church and school facilities of the colored people, and
last spring, while Mrs. Peters was spending a few weeks at Alco, she had
a building 35x60 erected, and nicely arranged for church and school
purposes. This she turned over to the American Missionary Association,
and they at once sent down Rev. W.P. Hamilton, of Talladega, to open a
school and begin preaching. The second Sunday in June, he was joined by
Prof. G.W. Andrews, of Talladega, Rev. R.C. Bedford, of Montgomery, and
Rev. F.G. Ragland and Deacon Godbold of Mobile, to assist him in
dedicating the building.

Though but little was known of Congregationalism in that part of the
country, the services were entered into most heartily by all classes of
the people. Most of the ministers at Brewton, in charge of colored
churches, closed their places of worship and joined with us, partaking
in the services, and speaking with great delight of the coming of an
educated preacher and teacher among them.

Mr. Hamilton starts off with over fifty pupils in Sunday and day school,
and hopes soon to have members enough so that he can take steps to call
a council and organize a church. The brethren of Alabama are greatly
encouraged by this movement. Heretofore we have had no church or school
between Montgomery and Mobile, one hundred and eighty miles. Now the
distance is divided, Alco standing about half way between the two
places.

* * * * *

CHILDREN'S DAY.

BY REV. J.E. SMITH.

The 9th of June last was a grand day for the young people in the First
Congregational Church at Chattanooga. The church was tastefully
decorated with appropriate Scripture mottoes, choice evergreens,
beautiful flowers and sweet singing canaries. There was present a large
number of adults and a larger number of clean, sweet, hopeful children,
and many laughing, cooing babes in the arms of their Christian parents,
who like faithful Hannah and good Mary of old, had brought their babes
to the house of God to present them to the Lord. After the rendering of
a beautiful voluntary by the organist, the whole congregation joined in
singing that grand hymn, "Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty!" The
pastor then read a few passages of Scripture selected for the occasion,
giving a short comment on the same, and prayed for God's blessing on the
young. While the congregation joined heartily in singing, "Heavenly
Father, send Thy blessing, On Thy