Page:Eleventh annual report of the Association for the Religious Instruction of the Negroes, in Liberty County, Georgia.djvu/25

21 made the best arrangements, for the time, in their power. Some have fitted up rooms and others are intending to do so. I have long since settled it in my mind, that the place of the Minister is with the people of his charge: and wherever they can and are willing to meet with him, there should he be, and quietly and naturally adapt himself to circumstances. The Divine Master preached every where—in the wilderness, on mountains, in the Temple, in Synagogues, in the streets, on the sea-shore, in private houses, by day and by night: and to all classes and conditions of people.

I will now call your attention to

A REVIEW OF THE WORK IN THE UNITED STATES AT THE PRESENT TIME.

The Religious Instruction of the Negroes has made remarkable and rapid advances throughout the Southern and South Western States during the past year. My correspondence has furnished me, in part, with proof of the fact. Let me proceed to notice the evidences of the progress of which we speak:—

For several years past our country has been blessed with but few, but during the past year, the Lord has visited the Southern and South Western States in many places, with the gracious outpourings of His Holy Spirit. Let us briefly notice what has come to our knowledge.

Within Kentucky, there have been some revivals : in one part of the State, sixty-eight conversions are reported at different meetings: and in another—"a powerful revival and sixteen conversions." The Synod of West Tennessee, hold the following language:"The glorious Gospel is preached and with effect — -many have been its triumphs over the enemy of souls. The means of grace have been signally blessed with a revival of Religion in several of our Churches, imparting new zeal and activity to their members and adding to their number such as shall be saved. New Churches have been organized: new Church edifices erected: and fields of Christ's heritage once sterile are now verdant with fife and beauty." A Minister speaks of one "powerful revival" and another among the Baptists, which numbered "twenty hopeful converts." Although the Synod of North Carolina say that " the general aspect of our Zion at present (1845) is unusually discouraging," yet there have been some revivals in other Denominations