Church Dedication at Huntsville, Ala.
By C. B. Stephenson
It was my privilege to attend the dedication of our church for colored people at Huntsville, Ala., yesterday, March 20. The program was well arranged. The Oakwood Manual Training School students gave valuable assistance in music. Elder Dasent, Brother Roberts, and the local elder, Brother Wilson, had been holding meetings for a few days, which were well attended. This offered an opportunity to give publicity to the dedication. The church was crowded. Some of the most prominent citizens were present. Elder T. H. Jeys delivered the sermon, which was deeply impressive. The church is on a prominent street, and will be a strong factor in building up the work in the city. Students from the Oakwood School who are taking the ministerial course will fill the pulpit from time to time, and thus get a splendid experience in connection with their school work. The school is about five miles from the city. We are pleased to report that the work is moving along in a satisfactory manner here at the school. The plant presents indications of industry and thrift. The farm is taking on rapidly the signs of preparation for the coming crops. Brother Swofford, the farmer, expects to produce this year a better crop than has ever been grown on the place. I have just visited the poultry yards with Professor Boyd. He expects soon to have a thousand hens of the most choice stock. The incubators are filled with about five hundred eggs. It requires several buckets to hold the eggs which are gathered every evening. The tent factory is running at full capacity most of the time. Large orders are coming in every week. We hear only good words about the work done at the school. The work in the Negro Department is making progress. The workers are planning to put forth every effort the coming summer to extend the message.