Texas Association, held at Cleburne. Tillotson church, on
application, was cordially admitted to membership. The same
cordiality and courtesy were extended to Brother McLean, late of
Talladega College, who applied for membership in his own behalf. Rev.
J. W. Roberts, representing the colored church of Dallas, was also
present. The dignified, scholarly bearing of both these brethren won
for them golden opinions from all who listened to their reports and
remarks. Not a few of those who were present at the various sessions
were Southerners, but apparently none the less interested on that
account. It was my fortune to be entertained by an ex-slaveholder,
who served in the Confederate army through the war, but who
nevertheless is a warm friend of the Congregational church in his
town, and contributes to its support.
The moderator and scribe of the association, seated side by side
through the meetings, presented a striking contrast. The first was a
business man, born in New England, quick, keen, decisive and
energetic, an officer in the Union army through the war, since that
time engaged in business in Texas, now the possessor of a large
fortune, and thoroughly identified with, and enthusiastic concerning,
the material and spiritual interests of his adopted State.
The second was the pastor of the leading Congregational Church of the
State, born in the South, educated for the law, a soldier in the
Confederate army, for a time almost a wreck morally and physically,
but now, by the grace of God, "clothed and in his right mind,"
dignified, magnetic, an earnest, reverent student of the Bible, an
able preacher and a beloved pastor.
Thus, with representatives of the North and the South, the East and
the West, the white race and the black, America, Sweden and Ireland,
we had at least one marked feature of the Pentecost. But aside from
that, the manifest presence of the Spirit, and the consequent harmony
and good-fellowship, rendered our meeting in a still more important
degree like that season which was the beginning of such a wonderful
regeneration in the history of the world. It may be accepted, I doubt
not, as one of the signs of the regeneration that is going on in the
South, which is less wonderful only in the fact of being local rather
than world-wide.
* * * * *
THE OLD COMMISSARY BUILDING.
We held a series of revival meetings at South Williamsburgh, in the
old commissary building. Wish some of the good people of the North,
who meet in churches and chapels, plastered and nicely warmed, and
comfortably seated, could have dropped in upon us and spent an hour.
Of course, they would have had the back-ache and cold feet, and,
perhaps, carried away a flea or two, even in March, but they would
have gone home saying, "If people can meet in such a place, some
refined, intelligent ladies even, and continue to go night after
night, I ought to be very, very willing to go to my church whenever
the Lord calls a meeting and my presence and voice are necessary."
But that you may appreciate the contrast with your pleasant place of
meeting, let me take you to the old commissary building.
It's a _box-house_; that is, it's made of boards set upright and
nailed at the bottom and middle and top to joists. Over this crazy
structure sets a roof made of long oaken shingles hewn with the broad
axe. Step inside of the building, which will hold 125 people, and see
the whole construction. Rough boards with the curve of the circular
saw on them and now dingy with smoke, make the sides; oaken shingles
black with smoke, slope above.
A "cannon stove" sends most of its smoke through a rusty pipe up
through a piece of sheet iron to the air. The sparks, and now and
then a star, shine through about the pipe. Newspapers pasted over the
widest cracks on the sides of the room keep out the heaviest drafts.
I remember one night when it was snowing (even here, in March), a
flurry of wind brought down a glistening shower on the shoulders of
the congregation. The roof usually turns water, however.
Please stand here by the door and talk to the people. Feet get cold?
I don't wonder. The door was made an inch and a half too short. You
ask "why in the name of health don't you fix it?" Well, just sit
there against the wall. You sit down, and a projecting horizontal
joist takes you right in the back of the neck and makes you crane
your head forward in a most uncomfortable way. Poor place to get
asleep; one would pitch right forward on the floor. You see, if we
commenced to "fix up," we wouldn't know where to begin, for one lack
is as great as another. One night we held a meeting in that building,
and before morning the thermometer fell to zero. We need a good
stove; that one is full of cracks in front, so we always left a boy
to watch after meeting till the fire died out. We just make the house
do; strips have been laid on the floor, paper pasted over the wall
gaps, seats of rough boards set in the building, windows tightened,
and there we gathered. God's Spirit met us in spite of cold and
dinginess and needs. I believe ten or twelve rose for prayers during
those two weeks. Since warm weather Brother Myers has continued the
meetings, and I trust a score or more have given their hearts to the
Lord.
JAS. T. FORD.
* * * * *
STUDENT'S LETTER.
TALLADEGA COLLEGE, Talladega, Ala., April, 1885.
It is wonderful to notice how many and what interesting changes may
take place during the few years of one's life. The first eleven years
of my life I spent as a slave, but I have lived to see these glorious
days of freedom. I was born upon my master's plantation in Monroe
County, Ala., where I lived till 1865, when I was set at liberty with
the rest of my unfortunate brethren.
While living upon that plantation I saw many of the horrors of
slavery with my own eyes. One of the mean and degrading things I
remember was the way the slaves had to live, crowded together in one
house. There were three or four different families, consisting of
twelve or fifteen persons, all living in the same room. There was
only one house for colored people, and it had only one room.
Although my master did not have so many slaves and was not so mean as
some other slave-holders about him, still, the treatment which his
slaves received was shockingly cruel. I remember very distinctly the
paddling block, the paddle, and the great whip used upon that place.
There comes very vividly before my mind the whipping of a hired man.
I know just how every rag of clothes was taken off, and how he was
tied down in the front yard between the gate and the house, so that
he could not move hand or foot, and how the master would whip him a
while and walk about and smoke his pipe a while, as the poor hired
slave lay upon the ground and cried for mercy, but there was none to
help him.
Whenever my thoughts go back to those dark days, I recollect the time
when my own brother ran away because he was not willing to take the
whipping which the master wanted to give him late one afternoon. I
think of how the bloodhounds came, and how they chased him, while
mother, brothers, and fellow-slaves stood trembling, and how glad all
were when we learned that the dogs could not catch him.
If I could forget all other heart-rending scenes of those dark days,
I could not erase from my memory the cruel treatment which I saw my
own mother receive. Though I was small, I think of how I used to see
her work hard, and how she was scolded and cursed as she was driven
about like a dog. I saw her laid upon that paddling-block, and I
heard her distressing cries, but, like the rest of her children, I
could do nothing.
I love to contrast my present condition with what it was a few years
ago, and as I do so I do not forget the A. M. A., whose workers found
me in the lowest depths of ignorance and helped me up. When
liberated, soon after the surrender, I could not read a word and did
not know a letter. I do not remember that I had ever seen the inside
of a book of any kind. It was in 1867 that I learnt the alphabet upon
the plantation by the light of pine knots. During the years 1868 and
1869 I was a rag-picker in the streets of Mobile. God has led me on,
and now I am a student in Talladega College, and expect soon to have
finished a course of study which will enable me to go forth to lead
men to Christ and to teach them better methods of living. I speak of
this contrast not boastfully, but humbly and with deep gratitude to
God, who took me from the woes and degradation of slavery and has
given me a double freedom. I am so glad for the schools the A. M. A.
has in the South; I am so glad for what they have done for me.
Through one of these schools I was led to Christ. Soon after that I
felt called to the ministry; and in Talladega College I am permitted
to finish a course of study, and to some degree equip myself for the
work of life. All praise to an organization that seeks for poor,
ignorant and sinful men, leads them to Christ, instructs them, and
then sends them out to bless the world.
A STUDENT.
* * * * *
OBITUARY.
* * * * *
MRS. H. M. STEVENS.
Another veteran teacher of the A. M. A. has been called home to her
rest. On the morning of May 7, at her home in St. Albans, Vt., Mrs.
H. M. Stevens, known to A. M. A. workers as Miss E. M. Barnes, of
Bakersfield, Vt., fell asleep after a severe and painful sickness of
several mouths.
Miss Barnes entered the service of the Association in 1865 and left
it in 1882, to minister to her devoted friend and fellow laborer,
Miss Sarah A. G. Stevens, in her last sickness. When released from
this service of love her own health prevented her return to the
Southern work. Her first year was spent at Arlington, Va. She spent
six years in the Lewis High School, Macon, Ga., four years in the Le
Moyne Institute, Memphis, Tenn., and her last six in Fisk
University--seventeen years of devoted, earnest and fruitful labor in
behalf of the colored youth in the South.
Since leaving the South her life has been a pleasant and useful one
as Mrs. Stevens, the wife of a devoted husband and an earnest and
zealous Christian woman in the city and the church where her lot was
cast. The testimony to her nobility and earnestness of character was
manifested in signal ways by the church and people during her
sickness, and she has evidently left behind a precious memory of her
short life in St. Albans. I have before me a letter written to a
teacher in Fisk University less than three weeks before her death,
and it will interest her friends to learn how the years of her life
which she spent in the work of giving help to the struggling colored
youth of the South looked to her as she lay upon her dying bed in her
pleasant home surrounded by the friends that loved her so well.
She wrote: "I thank the Lord for the years He gave me in that
Southern land. Those seventeen years were the hardest, happiest and
most satisfying of my life. I have ever thanked God for giving me a
place among that noble band of workers. I have arranged to establish
a permanent scholarship at Fisk, so that my influence will still live
there after I am gone. I loved the work there more than any other I
have ever done. In all my weakness I am resting in the Everlasting
Arms, and find there strength sufficient to support, trusting
entirely to the blood that cleanseth from all sin and saves unto the
uttermost."
The news of Mrs. Stevens' death was telegraphed to Fisk University,
and on the Sunday night following, an impressive memorial service was
held in the chapel of Livingstone Hall. The story of her life and
labors, as told by those who knew her well, produced a deep
impression upon the students, and will bear in their lives fruit in
greater consecration and the spirit of self-sacrifice. The testimony
borne by several of the young men who were about to graduate, and one
who had already graduated, to the influence exerted on their lives
and character by Mrs. Stevens was the highest tribute that could have
been paid to the gentleness, nobility and spirituality of her
character. To her counsel, encouragement and sympathy they felt they
were indebted for their best inspiration. Her influence lives in the
world, and will continue to increase through the lives and labors of
others whom she led to the feet of their Lord, and to consecration to
the uplifting of their race. May the spirit of Mrs. Stevens continue
to be the spirit of those who represent the A. M. A. in its work for
the uplifting of a depressed but struggling race!
E. M. CRAVATH.
* * * * *
MISS O. E. GOODRIDGE.
Died, at Talladega, Ala., May 25, 1885, Miss O. E. Goodridge, of
Saratoga Springs, N. Y.
Miss Goodridge was born in St. Lawrence County, N. Y., of a godly and
New England ancestry. She became a Christian in her earliest years
and joined the church when but a child. From the beginning she was
instructed in the Scriptures, which can make wise unto salvation, and
her nature, less rugged than that of some, was well perfected by
grace. Seeking usefulness in needy fields, she offered herself to the
A. M. A., and last year began her work in Talladega, where she proved
herself a devoted and successful teacher, a woman of great refinement
and goodness, and a faithful servant of Christ. Herself a disciple
sitting at Jesus' feet, she never forgot her Master in her teaching,
while her unconscious influence was powerful for good. Her illness
was but of a few days' duration, nor was it considered fatal until
within a few hours of the end. Winning in person and of rare beauty
of character, she has greatly endeared herself to her associates and
to all who knew her. Though death came suddenly it did not find her
unprepared. Her hope was in Christ, and her end was a peaceful
falling asleep.
H. S. DE FOREST.
* * * * *
BUREAU OF WOMAN'S WORK.
* * * * *
MISS D. E. EMERSON, SECRETARY.
We are glad to report a movement in favor of State organizations for
woman's work in our own country in co-operation with the Am. Home
Miss. Soc., the Am. Miss. Assoc., the New West Ed. Com., etc. At a
special meeting called at Saratoga on June 4, action was taken by the
representatives of the several Woman's Missionary Societies,
advocating the formation of State societies, whose object should be
to co-operate with the established societies of the Congregational
order, in raising funds and increasing intelligence respecting
missionary work in this country.
* * * * *
Two years ago the ladies of Vermont pledged the support of one
teacher at McIntosh, Ga., but increased their contributions until
they assumed the entire support of the school. A year ago they
undertook the expense of an addition to the school building, to be
called the "Vermont School." In connection with the State
Association, at Bellows Falls, a ladies' meeting was held on
Wednesday morning, June 10, in behalf of the American Missionary
Association, addressed by their teacher, Miss Plimpton, and by Miss
Emerson, Secretary of the Woman's Bureau. The following report was
submitted by the State Committee:
The committee re-appointed by the convention held at St. Albans
last June, to raise money for the school for the freedmen in
McIntosh, Ga., desires to present the following report for the
year:
FOR THE YEAR ENDING MAY 31, 1885.
Total contributions $848.86
Expenses of postage and printing 11.16
Remitted to H. W. Hubbard 837.70
Add balance on hand May, 1884 259.28
----------
Total $1,096.98
Estimated expense of school this year $856.00
To apply on new building 240.98
-------- $1,096.98
Acknowledgment was also made for barrels and boxes of clothing,
papers, books, toys and materials for sewing school, with money sent
to pay freight. Additional contributions are expected before Sept.
30, to apply on the new school building.
* * * * *
At the recent meeting of the State Association of Illinois, held in
Rockford, the ladies organized the "Illinois Home Miss. Union." The
constitution adopted embraces all home causes as embodied in the
following form:
ARTICLE 1. This Society shall be called the Woman's Home
Missionary Union of the State of ----. Its object shall be to
promote missionary and evangelistic work in all parts of our
land by forming auxiliaries in the churches of the State, and
through them collecting money for the various existing societies
of the Congregational order.
* * * * *
A TRUE INCIDENT.
At a little junction in Wisconsin, a score of passengers alighting
from a train were told that the one they wished to take was four
hours behind time. A big washout had swept away a bridge or
embankment. There were a few exclamations of dismay and impatience,
as that four hours delay meant the losing of other connections, the
failure of many plans and appointments. It was a cold, rainy day,
with a raw, penetrating east wind that speedily drove them all into
the close, dismal waiting room. One woman, taking writing materials
from a satchel, which she contrived to use for a desk, became utterly
oblivious to everything as her pencil flew over the letter that would
carry comfort and cheer to a far-off loved one. Suddenly she became
conscious that a score of people were sitting in complete silence
around her, with not a book or paper to read, looking as forlorn and
miserable as possible. Laying aside her writing, she said, "My
husband and I are missionaries among the colored people in Alabama. I
am now on my way back to the work. Perhaps you might be interested to
hear something about it, and if you care to ask any questions, I will
be very happy to answer them."
An old lady sitting near, bounced up in a great rage. "_I_ don't want
to hear a _word_ about the niggers." The rest of her muttered
exclamations were lost as she rushed out, slamming the door behind
her.
The missionary began to tell them about the climate, the tropical
luxuriance of fruit and flowers, and of the great cotton fields. By
that time questions began to pour in thick and fast, and in less than
five minutes she had an eager audience listening to every word. She
went on to tell of the condition of the colored people at the close
of the war; ignorant, utterly destitute, with no more knowledge than
a baby of how to shift for themselves; of the hard struggle it had
been and still was for many of them to live; of the miserable
pittance they generally received for their labor; of their home life,
their peculiarities, and other things of interest.
About that time the irate woman, unable longer to endure the
discomfort of the weather outside, came quietly in, looking rather
disgusted at the prospect of being obliged, after all, to hear
something about "the niggers."
The recital of some special incidents of peculiar trial and hardship
which had come under the missionary's own observation brought tears
of sympathy to many eyes; but best of all was the sudden conversion
of our wrathful woman, who exclaimed: "I declare that's too bad! What
makes them stand it? Why don't they all come North, where they could
have a fair chance?" As she was told "the reason why," she grew full
of sympathy and interest, and was even more eager than the others in
suggestions and inquiries. But when they were told of what had
already been done by the American Missionary Association and others
toward establishing and maintaining schools and churches among them,
of the devoted missionaries and teachers that had carried already so
much of comfort and help into their sad lives, of the steady upward
progress they were making in knowledge and intelligence, in the
acquirement of homes and ability to care for themselves, all seemed
to appreciate as never before the importance of the work that is
being done in the South.
The distant whistle of the train surprised them all, and as they
crowded about the missionary to take her hand and bid her God speed
in her blessed work, one woman said: "I used to give pennies to the
work of the A. M. A., but they shall be dollars now."
MRS. A. W. C.
* * * * *
CHILDREN'S PAGE.
* * * * *
THE LITTLE BLACK GIRL'S SACRIFICE.
BY MRS. M. E. SANGSTER
Little Ida had been invited to attend a party made by white children
at the school house. To her mother's mind the question of her going
turned on her having a scarlet sash to wear. By the kindness of a
child in the family where Ida and her mother, who figures in our
story as "Aunt Chloe," had their home, the want was finally met.
Now for the story of the scarlet sash, after it became Ida's
property. She wore it to the party, where she laughed and sang, and
played games, and looked like a poppy among the roses. She behaved
very politely, too, like a well-trained child whose mother had lived
in the "fust families."
After that, she wore it in church and to Sunday-school. It looped
itself beautifully over her best, brown striped dress, and gave her
the sense of being equal in appearance with the other children.
Miss Raymond, her teacher, told me that Ida really seemed to
understand the lesson better, and to take more interest in reciting
her golden text, after she came into possession of her precious sash.
It was so thick and soft and rich; it felt so nice to the little
black fingers, which every now and then stroked it lovingly. I am
sure the sash was a means of grace to Ida.
Children who have everything they want, who are clothed in purple and
fine linen every day, cannot imagine how much delight a poor child
sometimes takes in an innocent bit of finery.
Now, I want to tell you what became of the sash at last.
One day the superintendent at the Sunday-school asked the children to
come to order, because a lady was about to talk to them.
The lady was a missionary; her work had been somewhere a great way
off, among people who had hardly any money, and had a great deal of
trouble to get bread and meat. Their minister, the lady said, had to
live in a house dug right out of the side of a hill. She had lived in
such a little bit of a house herself for a great many weeks. Poor as
these people were, they had built a little church, and were trying
very hard to pay for it. They had not any singing-books nor Bibles
for their Sunday-school, nor any library-books; but the children
thought nothing of walking five miles or more to go to Sunday-school.
What would the children here in this lovely room give for those
children in the far, far West?
It happened that Ida's teacher had lately talked to her class about
the meanness of giving to the Lord that which it cost them nothing to
give. So when the collection-box was passed around, they dropped in
their pennies and silver-pieces, and those who had nothing with them
were told to bring their share on the next Sunday. And some of them
began to plan their little sacrifices.
Ida's dusky face was a study. Once or twice she paused, irresolute.
At last, when school was over, she whispered;
"Teacher, may I stay a moment?"
"Yes, dear," said Miss Raymond.
When the two were by themselves in the little half-circle where their
class usually sat, Ida, with trembling hands, untied the beloved
sash, and, laying it on her teacher's lap, said, "Please, Miss
Raymond, this is the prettiest thing I've got, and I want to send it
to the children who haven't any Bibles."
"But the sash will do them no good, Ida."
"The worf of it will," replied the child; "and it's worf free
dollars, any way; mammy said so."
Ida stooped down and kissed it; it was not giving what cost her
nothing to part with her treasured ribbon.
Mass Raymond took it with a tender look, rolled it up and carried it
home.
One evening, in her parlor, she told its story to a party of young
people, and then remarked: "The sash ought to bring more than three
dollars, when that little black girl gave it up so cheerfully."
In a few moments there lay a little pile of silver and paper on the
centre table, and Ida's sash had brought eight dollars for the good
cause. Before the week was over it had gone from hand to hand, and
the eight dollars became twenty without much difficulty.
Fanny said she thought we ought to send the sash back to Ida, or give
her another one; but no, that would have taken the sweetness from her
self-denial.
She came to school without her ribbon, having been scolded by Aunt
Chloe, who could not understand her action, and thought it great
folly; but all winter long there was a brave light in Ida's dark
face, and a contented expression in her eyes. She had given the
scarlet sash for Christ's sake, and he had blessed her deed, and
owned her as one of his little ones. Happy Ida!
ABRIDGED FROM S. S. TIMES.
* * * * *
RECEIPTS FOR MAY, 1885.
* * * * *
MAINE, $278.87.