[special Correspondence of the Dispatch.] Marion, Ala Nov. 8, 1861.
It is truly refreshing to a traveler to be able to sojourn a few days in such a village as Marion.
It is located in the centre of the State, surrounded by a country peculiarly rich and fertile, and inhabited by an intelligent and refined community.
Howard, Judson, and several other literary institutions of note are located here.
The Judson not unfrequently has within its walls from three to four hundred young ladies, most of whom have an interest in large cotton plantations.
As these institutions are under the control of the Baptists of Alabama, that denomination frequently holds its annual meetings here.
The State Convention is now in session. Rev. H. Talbird, D. D., has been elected President, and Prof. Goodhue, of the Howard, Clerk. Rev. C. Manley, a popular young man, and son of Dr. Manley, preached the introductory sermon. Rev. A. M. Poindexter, of Richmond, Va., is here as the representative of the Foreign Mission cause.
Rev. H. A. M. Henderson, late of Kentucky, is now canvassing this portion of the State, raising a regiment. He is a Methodist clergyman, and was driven from Kentucky because he would not take upon him the Lincoln yoke. It argues well for the Southern Confederacy to see the clergy flying to arms. It is stated here that one-half of the Baptist ministers of this State are in the army, so that in the Convention many vacant seats are to be found.
Rev. B. Manly, sr., D. D., who for eighteen years was the President of the Alabama University, is here. On the opening of the Alabama Legislature he was requested to lead in prayer. While supplicating the Divine favor on this young nation, the Dr. prayed especially that we might be saved from the fleet then in daily expectation on our coast, and that as we had no navy with which to withstand them, that the God of Heaven would send to our aid the waves and winds, and that thus they might be torn to pieces and defeated in their wicked designs. Soon after this earnest supplication a mighty storm begun its desolating effect, and thus the artillery of heaven came to our aid. Prayers were also offered in the Presbyterian Synod in Raleigh, N. C. that the Divine ruler would thus interpose to save our coast from the desolating tread of the enemy. Thus far we have heard of not a few members of this great fleet in regard to which these supplications have been answered.
