[Illustration: JANUARY, 1883.
VOL. XXXVII.
NO. 1.
The American Missionary]
CONTENTS
PAGE.
EDITORIAL.
ANOTHER YEAR 1
PARAGRAPHS 2
RETIREMENT OF REV. DR. LADD—MENDI MISSION, JOHN
BROWN STEAMER 3
PARAGRAPHS—HOW LONG IS THIS THING GOING ON? 4
BENEFACTIONS—GENERAL NOTES 5
GROUP OF MONGOLIANS (CUT) 7
TRAINING COLORED GIRLS. MISS ANNA M. CAHILL 8
INDUSTRIAL WORK AT MEMPHIS. MISS ELLA HAMILTON 12
THE SOUTH.
AVERY NORMAL INSTITUTE, CHARLESTON, S.C. 13
NEW BUILDING AT ATHENS, ALA. 14
TRINITY SCHOOL BUILDING (CUT) 15
THE GEORGIA ASSOCIATION 16
THE CENTRAL SOUTH ASSOCIATION 17
WYTHEVILLE, VA.—DEATH OF REV. W. H. ASH 18
THE INDIANS.
STATEMENTS RESPECTING INDIANS AND THEIR NECESSITIES:
BY GEN. S. C. ARMSTRONG 19
THE CHINESE.
HUMBLINGS: BY REV. W. C. POND 22
WASHEE WASHEE 24
CHILDREN’S PAGE.
THE LITTLE DINING-ROOM 24
RECEIPTS 25
FORM OF BEQUEST—AIM AND WORK—STATISTICS—WANTS 28
* * * * *
NEW YORK.
PUBLISHED BY THE AMERICAN MISSIONARY ASSOCIATION,
Rooms, 56 Reade Street.
* * * * *
Price 50 Cents a Year, in Advance.
Entered at the Post-Office at New York, N.Y.,
as second-class matter.
PUBLICATIONS OF EUGENE R. SMITH, NEW YORK.
GOSPEL IN ALL LANDS.
THE GOSPEL IN ALL LANDS was commenced in February, 1880, and was
continued during 1880 and 1881 as a 48 page monthly. The only
numbers of these years that can now be furnished are as follows:
1880.
_August_—Palestine, Syria, and Jewish Missions.
_Nov._—Australasia and Malaysia.
_Dec._—Siam and Burmah.
1881.
_January_—American Indians.
_February_—Papal Europe.
_March_—Africa and Africans.
_April_—Papal America.
_May_—China and the Chinese.
_June_—The Oriental Churches.
_July_—Japan and the Japanese.
_August_—The Jews.
_September_—India.
_October_—The Mohammedans.
_November_—The Malays.
_December_—Unoccupied Mission Fields.
Single numbers, 25 cents. Twelve numbers, $2.00. There are two
volumes a year. The twelve numbers of 1881 bound in cloth, $3.00.
By mail, $3.50.
* * * * *
1882.
_Sixteen pages a week._
Jan. 5—Christian Work in Cities.
Jan. 12—Home Missions.
Jan. 19—Missions among Freedmen.
Jan. 26—China.
Feb. 2—Woman’s Missionary Societies.
Feb. 9—The West Indies.
Feb. 16—Mexico.
Feb. 23—Central America.
Mar. 2—American Missionary Societies.
Mar. 9—Missionary Concerts.
Mar. 16—The Progress of Missions.
Mar. 23—People and Religions of India.
Mar. 30—Christian Work in India.
April 6—English Missionary Societies.
April 13—Medical Missions.
April 20—Siam and Laos.
April 27—Burmah.
May 4—Northern Africa.
May 11—Eastern & Central Africa.
May 18—Southern Africa.
May 25—Western Africa.
June 1—Bible Work.
June 8—Greenland.
June 15—Canada.
June 22—Indians of the Northwest.
June 29—Indians of the U.S.
July 6—Continental Missionary Societies.
July 13—Roman Catholic Missions.
July 20—Brazil.
July 27—South America.
Aug. 3—Missions and the Sunday School.
Aug. 10—Independent Mission Work.
Aug. 17—Missionary Methods.
Aug. 24—Japan.
Aug. 31—False Religions.
Sept. 7—Money in relation to Missions.
Sept. 14—Russia, Greece, and Bulgaria.
Sept. 21—Persia & adjacent regions.
Sept. 28—Turkey.
Oct. 5—Missionary Literature.
Oct. 12—Protestant Europe.
Oct. 19—Roman Catholic Europe.
Oct. 26—General Missions.
Nov. 2—Polynesia.
Nov. 9—Liberty.
Nov. 14—Resources of Missions.
Nov. 23—Syria and Palestine.
Nov. 30—The Jews.
Dec. 7—Educational Mission Work.
Dec. 16—Malaysia and Australasia.
Dec. 21—The Sandwich Islands.
Dec. 28—The Missionary World.
Single numbers, six cents. The 52 numbers of the year, $2.00. The
52 numbers bound in cloth, $3.00. By mail. $3.50.
* * * * *
1883 Gospel in All Lands.
_Sixteen pages a week._
Jan. 4. Monthly Review of Missions.
Jan. 11. Missionaries.
Jan. 18. China.
Jan. 25. American Episcopal Missions.
Feb. 1. Monthly Review of Missions.
Feb. 8. Children and Missions.
Feb. 15. Mexico & Central America.
Feb. 22. American Lutheran Missions.
Mar. 1. Monthly Review of Missions.
Mar. 8. Woman and Missions.
Mar. 15. Incident and Narrative.
Mar. 22. India.
Mar. 29. Ceylon.
Apr. 5. Monthly Review of Missions.
Apr. 12. Missionary Concert Exercises.
Apr. 19. Siam and Laos.
Apr. 26. Christianity in Relation to Other Religions.
May 3. Monthly Review of Missions.
May 10. Giving and Missions.
May 17. People of Africa.
May 24. Missions in Africa.
May 31. American Methodist Missions.
Jun. 7. Monthly Review of Missions.
Jun. 14. Missions in North America.
Jun. 21. The American Indians.
Jun. 28. Missions in the United States.
July 5. Monthly Review of Missions.
July 12. The Bible and Missions.
July 19. Missions in South America.
July 26. American Presbyterian Missions.
Aug 2. Monthly Review of Missions.
Aug 9. Missionary Obligation.
Aug 16. Burmah.
Aug 23. Japan.
Aug 30. American Baptist Missions.
Sept. 6. Monthly Review of Missions.
Sept. 13. Mohammedanism.
Sept. 20. Persia.
Sept. 27. Missions in Asia.
Oct. 4. Monthly Review of Missions.
Oct. 11. Missions in Europe.
Oct. 18. Catholicism.
Oct. 25. The American Board.
Nov. 1. Monthly Review of Missions.
Nov. 8. Armenians and Nestorians.
Nov. 15. Turkey.
Nov. 22. Syria and Palestine.
Nov. 29. Missionary Literature.
Dec. 6. Monthly Review of Missions.
Dec. 13. Missions in Oceanica.
Dec. 20. Missionary Societies.
Dec. 27. Progress of Missions.
Single numbers, six cents. One year, two dollars.
* * * * *
=THE LITTLE MISSIONARY= is the Children’s Missionary Paper. Four
pages a month, filled with pictures, stories about heathen lands
and people, and stories that will increase the interest of the
children in missions.
The principal part of each number is devoted to pictures and
stories on the following:
_January_: General Missions.
_February_: The People of China.
_March_: The People of Mexico.
_April_: The People of India.
_May_: Siam and Burmah.
_June_: The People of Africa.
_July_: The American Indians.
_August_: South America.
_September_: The People of Japan.
_October_: Persia and Turkey.
_November_: Syria and Palestine.
_December_: Oceanica.
One copy, 25 cents. Six copies to one address, 50 cents. Twenty
copies and over to one address, each six cents a year.
* * * * *
=MAP OF CHINA.= It is on paper, 17 by 18 inches, showing each
of the 18 provinces colored, and giving the names of mountains,
rivers, and more than 5,000 cities and towns. The most complete map
of China published. Price, twenty cents, postage paid.
* * * * *
THE MISSIONARY WORLD,
a missionary monthly for young people. Sixteen pages a month,
profusely illustrated, containing interesting and instructive
reading concerning all lands and all people, and stories that will
awaken and develop the missionary spirit. It can be made a local
paper by removing the four outside pages, and putting on it a cover
containing local name, news, etc. One copy, 50 cents a year. Twenty
copies and over, each 30 cents a year.
* * * * *
1883 MISSIONARY ALMANAC.
It contains a list of missionary books, missionary periodicals,
missionary societies, with names and address of their secretaries,
names and stations of all the foreign missionaries from the United
States, maps, and other valuable information relating to missions.
Price, 25 cents.
* * * * *
=SUNSHINE= is a beautiful little eight page monthly paper,
containing little pictures, little lessons, and little stories for
little children. “A little treasure.” One copy, 25 cents a year.
Six copies to one address, 50 cents. Twenty copies and over to one
address, each six cents a year.
* * * * *
=Inter-Seminary Missionary Alliance.= A pamphlet of 64 pages,
containing the proceedings and the addresses made before the first
Inter-Seminary Missionary Convention (1880). Price, 25 cents.
* * * * *
INTERNATIONAL LESSONS.
=My Picture Lesson=, a beautiful four page weekly, (mailed
monthly), containing pictures, lessons, and stories about the
International Lessons for the children. “The Best for Primary
Classes.” One copy, 25 cents a year. Ten copies, $1.50 a year.
Twenty copies $2.60. One hundred copies, $13.00 a year.
=International Lesson Quarterly=, 16 pages a quarter, containing
Scripture Text, Questions, Reviews, Hymns, Brief Notes, Opening
Exercises, etc. Three cents a quarter; twelve cents a year. Twenty
copies and over, each seven cents a year.
=Light on the Lesson Quarterly=, 33 pages a quarter, containing
Scripture Text, Revised Text, Questions, Reviews, Hymns,
Explanatory and Devotional Notes, Opening Exercises, Illustrations,
etc. Five cents a quarter; 20 cents a year. Twenty copies and over,
each fourteen cents a year.
=Lesson Helper Quarterly=, 48 pages a quarter, containing
Scripture Text, Revised Version, Questions, Reviews, Hymns, Maps,
Illustrations, Opening Exercises, Explanatory, Illustrative, and
Devotional Notes, Opinions of the Best Commentators on the Lesson,
etc. Eight cents a quarter; 30 cents a year. Twenty copies and
over, each twenty cents a year.
* * * * *
All Lesson Helps are stopped at close of time paid for.
Subscriptions amounting to fractions of a dollar can be paid in one
cent U.S. postage stamps. Canadian stamps cannot be used. Address
orders to Eugene R. Smith, Publisher,
74 Bible House, New York.
THE
AMERICAN MISSIONARY.
* * * * *
VOL. XXXVII. JANUARY, 1883. NO. 1.
* * * * *
American Missionary Association.
* * * * *
ANOTHER YEAR.
With this issue THE AMERICAN MISSIONARY greets its readers the
thirty-seventh time on the threshold of a new year. For more than a
generation it has participated in mighty struggles for the welfare
of the church and the nation.
There is no more lofty tower of observation than that builded
on the foundations of righteousness. From this eminence, the
MISSIONARY has cast its eye to the end of the earth and recorded
the progress and change in events that have brought about this glad
day.
The horrors of the slave trade, now happily passing away, have
been unceasingly exposed and deplored. American slavery, so
recently abolished, has been opposed with righteous and relentless
warfare, and the elevation of the Freedman has been urged by every
patriotic and Christian consideration. The rights of the Indians,
now so generally recognized, have always been advocated; and the
Heaven-given opportunity to evangelize the persecuted Chinaman on
the Pacific coast, has been set forth without stint or abatement,
while all along the line of the work which this periodical
represents, the yoke of prejudice has been lifted from the necks of
millions, and the curse threatened by national injustice, beaten
back that it blast not the life of our free institutions.
The furrow of time is rapidly burying beneath the sod what is left
of “unconquerable will, the study of revenge, immortal hate, and
what is else not to be overcome.” The new generation, forgetful of
the past, is concerned for its future. The flood of misjudgment and
distrust that ingulfed the Southland is rapidly subsiding, and the
peaks and hill tops are tipped with the effulgence of the Sun of
Righteousness.
Surely those who wait on the Lord have reason to renew their
strength and double their diligence for the toil, the sacrifices,
and the rewards of another year.
We would respectfully call the special attention of our readers to
the statement on the fourth page of cover, relating to our monthly
magazine. Subscription price, 50 cents a year.
* * * * *
IN common with other benevolent societies, we find many people
quite ready to vote and to give sentiment for missions who are not
willing to pay a cent for their support.
* * * * *
WE are happy to make room in this number of the MISSIONARY for
copious extracts from two valuable papers read before the Woman’s
Meeting in connection with our annual meeting at Cleveland. The
gathering of ladies was so large as to fill the chapel where they
assembled to overflowing, and the interest manifested such that the
time allotted for the service was extended to occupy nearly all
the forenoon. We commend the papers as worthy of the most careful
consideration.
* * * * *
In an appeal sent to the churches from our office in Boston,
Secretary Woodworth calls attention to the following facts, which
are timely and suggestive:
“An average of one dollar each by the members of our churches would
amount to more than $350,000. But when it is remembered that a
large percentage of our churches are not annual contributors to our
treasury, it will be seen that the ratio of giving, on the part of
those which _do_ contribute, must be considerably increased.
“That this matter be brought under the eye at a single glance, we
tabulate below the number of _giving_ and _non-giving_ churches for
the year closing September 30, 1882, for the New England Department:
GIVING CHURCHES. NON-GIVING CHURCHES.
Maine 62 Maine 176
New Hampshire 87 New Hampshire 101
Vermont 113 Vermont 84
Massachusetts 310 Massachusetts 218
Rhode Island 12 Rhode Island 15
--- ---
584 594
“It will be seen, therefore, that less than one-half of these
churches are on the giving list for the year. If this shall prove
a surprise to the pastors, we are sure they will bear with us
if we earnestly ask them to see that their people do not fail
to contribute through lack of opportunity to do so. May we not
reasonably ask two things? 1. A regular _place_ and _time_ for the
American Missionary Association on the benevolent programme. 2. One
annual contribution to its treasury. Grant us these _two_ things,
and we will have a reliable basis for our income, and an amount
sufficient to meet the present and prospective needs of our work.”
OUR annual report for 1882 will soon be ready for distribution. We
shall be happy to forward it to any of our friends who will send us
their name and address, signifying their wish to have it.
* * * * *
RETIREMENT OF REV. DR. LADD.
EXTRACT FROM THE MINUTES OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.
The Executive Committee of the American Missionary Association, in
accepting the resignation of the Rev. Henry M. Ladd, D.D., wish
to express and place on record their high sense of his worth as a
man, his intrepid courage and perseverance as an explorer, and his
skill and accuracy in reporting the details of his observations.
His success as an explorer gave the strongest assurance that he
would have been eminently fitted as Superintendent of Missions,
had Providence permitted the Association to enter upon the work in
Eastern Africa, and to continue that on the Western coast. But, as
it now seems the call of God to the Committee to retire from the
foreign field, it commends Dr. Ladd most warmly to the churches for
any work in their service to which the Master may call him.
* * * * *
MENDI MISSION.—JOHN BROWN STEAMER.
Pursuant to the instructions given at the Annual Meeting, this
Association has made arrangements with the United Brethren to
conduct the Mendi Mission, giving them the income of the Avery
fund for a term of five years. Mr. Flickinger, the Secretary, and
Mr. Billheimer, the Treasurer of the Society, were at one time
missionaries of the American Missionary Association in the Mendi
country, and thoroughly understand the necessities of the mission.
Mr. Flickinger sailed Dec. 9th for Glasgow, to provide for the
construction of the John Brown Steamer. After the contract for
the steamer is given out, it is the purpose of Mr. Flickinger to
proceed to Shengay, on the West coast of Africa, where the United
Brethren have a mission. When the steamer is ready, this point
will be within easy distance of the principal stations of the
Mendi Mission. During Mr. Flickinger’s visit to the Coast, he will
complete arrangements for the continuance of our work under the
auspices of his society.
We shall place at the disposal of the United Brethren the money
contributed for the steamer. We hope the funds we have on hand,
with what has been pledged, will be sufficient to pay for the
boat. We request, therefore, that those who have made pledges or
collected money through Sabbath-schools or otherwise for this
purpose, will forward their gifts to us as early as possible, in
order that there may be no uncertainty as to the amount that can be
relied upon.
THE GOSPEL IN ALL LANDS has completed its first year as an
illustrated missionary weekly. As a power for good we believe it
has been of great value. Its editorial department, which not only
canvasses the missionary fields at home and abroad, but gives
attention to principles underlying the work, and current events
and questions of interest, has been much improved. Persons seeking
information concerning the work of Protestant missions throughout
the world can readily find what is wanted in its files. May it have
the encouragement it so richly deserves.
* * * * *
“HOME LIFE IN THE BIBLE,” by Henrietta Lee Palmer, is the title of
a large and attractive book of 401 octavo pages, illustrated with
two hundred wood cuts, and printed on good paper, with handsome
type.
The book is full of the family.
What is known of the habitations of the ancient Hebrews is brought
out by the author—their mode of life, their food, their cookery,
their dress, their amusements, their customs in marriage and in
mourning, their education and their religious worship. We believe
the book is worthy of study in every American household, and
especially among the colored people of the South.
* * * * *
HOW LONG IS THIS THING GOING ON?
In a New England village, not many years ago, the custom prevailed
of making personal solicitation from the members of the church
there located, for contributions to the several benevolent
societies in regular order and at stated times. To this end certain
persons were designated in each of several districts to visit all
the resident members. A visitor in one of these districts relates
that, after a strong presentation of the claims of the heathen
world had been made from the pulpit, he was encouraged to visit a
member of the church who had not been noted for his liberality,
and to solicit funds in behalf of the work of evangelizing the
dark parts of the earth. In response he received a donation of
twenty-five cents. No other call was made on the individual
referred to during the remainder of the year; but when the usual
season for soliciting aid for foreign missions recurred, the
visitor called again upon him asking for a contribution. He was
met by the inquiry: “Didn’t I give you twenty-five cents for this
last year!” Answer was made in the affirmative, when the rejoinder
came, “Well, how long is this thing going on?” Of course, there was
but one answer to make, and that to the effect that so long as men
are born with depraved hearts, this process of the more favored
children of the Highest contributing funds and efforts for the
elevation and conversion of less privileged ones should not cease
“going on.” Deut. xv., 11: “For the poor shal never cease out of
the land. Therefore I command thee, saying, thou shalt open thine
hand wide unto thy brother; to thy poor and to thy needy in the
land.” * * *
* * * * *
BENEFACTIONS.
The late Hannah G. Russell, of Boston, willed $2,000 to the Boston
University, to be used in clothing poor students of theology.
Mrs. Sarah B. Jacobs, of Boston, has given $5,000 to the University
of Vermont, for the endowment of five scholarships.
Columbia College gets $500,000 from the estate of Stephen Whitney
Phenix, making its aggregate endowment $5,300,000.
Roanoke College, Va., is to receive $1,000 from the estate of Rev.
Andrew Bigelow, D.D., of Southboro, Mass.
The University of Vermont is to receive the valuable library of the
late Hon. George P. Marsh, of Italy, a gift purchased by the Hon.
Frederick Billings, of Woodstock, an alumnus of the University.
The late Edward Clark, of Cooperstown, N.Y., left $50,000 to
Williams College, his alma mater.
Howard University has received $5,000 from the estate of the late
F. P. Schoals, Esq., of New York.
Mr. Thomas Beaver, of Danville, Pa., has given $30,000 to the
endowment fund of Dickinson College, as a memorial of his father.
The Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tenn., will receive $125,000
from the estate of the late Mrs. Sarah E. Atkinson, of Memphis,
Tenn., of which it is the residuary legatee.
McGill University is to receive $40,000 from the estate of Miss
Barbara Scott.
Mrs. William E. Dodge has given $2,000 to found scholarships for
the daughters of clergymen in the Mills Seminary of California.
_The emancipation proclamation was issued January, 1863—twenty
years ago. Since then 800,000 colored children have been enrolled
during a single year in the schools of the South. The demand for
a higher education for some of these, in order that they may be
competent teachers and leaders in society, is not only urgent but
imperative. The institutions founded by the A. M. A. to promote
Higher Education, however, are almost entirely without endowment._
* * * * *
GENERAL NOTES.
AFRICA.
—An official journal of Tripoli reports, from a letter received
from Fezzan, a large repository of minerals of different sorts.
Lead, tin, zinc, iron, copper, silver and gold have been discovered
between Tripoli and Fezzan, and even diamonds.
—The new steamer, Henry Wright, destined to the mission at Mombas,
has been finished and will soon commence its trips between Mombas
and Zanzibar.
—Late letters from Freretown say that fear reigns in that station
on account of the near approach of a rebel named Mbaruk, who has
established his camp near Rabai. He declares that he is not hostile
to the mission, but his friendship would be much more dangerous for
it than his hostility, in exciting the suspicion of the people of
Mombas.
—The British Association has made a grant of 500 livres sterling
to a naturalist, Mr. Atchinson, to take part in the expedition of
Mr. J. Thomson, to the Victoria Nyanza by the country of the Masai.
Mr. Atchinson will remain at Kilimandjaro to make botanical and
zoological collections, while Mr. Thomson will proceed to Victoria
Nyanza.
—Mr. Farler, missionary at Magila, has sent to the London
Geographical Society an original map made by him from data
furnished by the natives, and indicating the routes as far as known
from the Pangani to the southeast side of Victoria Nyanza, across
the country of the Masai.
—Dr. James Petrie, a graduate of the University of Aberdeen, has
been sent to Magila, as medical missionary for Eastern Equatorial
Africa.
—The missionaries sent out to reinforce the stations at Victoria
Nyanza and Tanganyika have arrived safely at Zanzibar. Mr. Stecker
had everything prepared for them to continue their journey without
delay. The Sultan, Said Bargasch, has given safe conduct and
letters of recommendation to Mtesa to those who go to Roubaga.
They will go as far as Mamboya, the first station of the Church
of England missions, with the missionaries of the London Society
destined to Tanganyika under the conduct of Mr. Hore, accompanied
by his wife and young child, who will probably remain in this
healthy station while Mr. Hore will return with Mr. Swann to
Zanzibar, to receive the steel steamer sent from England.
THE CHINESE.
—The steamship Coptic sailed for Hong Kong in November with nearly
five hundred Chinese passengers, three hundred and seventy-five of
whom had secured return certificates.
—The Japanese government has determined to establish 53,760 primary
schools. The empire is divided into eight departments, with one
college to each. Children are to be compelled to attend the primary
school.
—Although Mongolian is the term usually applied to all people
living in the Chinese Empire, yet the Mongolians proper live in a
territory bounded on the north by Siberia and number only about
2,000,000. But few, if any of these, it is said, have emigrated to
America.
[Illustration: GROUP OF NATIVES IN MONGOLIA.]
THE INDIANS.
—Thirty-one Indians, five of them girls, were returned to their
homes in Dakota from the Hampton Institute last year. They are
employed at different agencies at salaries of fifteen or twenty
dollars per month. Of these, seven are farmers and herders, nine
carpenters, three teachers, two office boys.
—The number of acres cultivated (not including the civilized
tribes) by Indians in 1879 was 157,056; in 1881 it was 205,367.
In 1879 they cut 48,333 tons of hay; in 1881, 76,763 tons. There
has been from year to year a steady gain of products of all kinds
among this class. Indians who are so inclined can earn money by
freighting and as drovers.
—Private charity has already given $55,529.14 to buildings for, and
expenses of, Indian education at Hampton. Meanwhile, the Government
has furnished $33,128.04.
—The Indian Office cannot give a decided opinion as to whether
Indians are increasing or decreasing, but think that they are about
holding their own.
—The number of Indians at boarding schools, not including those in
the Indian Territory, who attended one month or more in 1881, was
3,888. The number who attended day school one month or more, was
4,221.
—Rev. John P. Williamson, of Yankton, Dak., writes: “Give Indians
protection of law. There is no earthly court having any authority
to punish our Yankton Indians for murder, rape, arson or any
other crime committed against the person or property of another
Yankton Indian. And with a few exceptions this is the case with all
these nations. This is a matter of immense importance, demanding
immediate action, even more than education.”
* * * * *
TRAINING COLORED GIRLS.
MISS ANNA M. CAHILL, FISK UNIVERSITY.
If an astronomer wishes to show to any one through his glass the
celestial visitor whose presence brightens our morning sky, he must
arrange the instrument from his point of vision. Then, stepping
aside, his friend will see the object nearly as he sees it. If now
I am to bring nearer to you the work for the women of the South,
whose interests are uppermost in our hearts to-day, I must adjust
the glass from my own standpoint, at the risk of touching upon
points that have been presented at other meetings, and without
showing you some of the features which you are, perhaps, anxious to
see.
Were I a physician among the people for whom I speak, I should urge
upon you the physical wants, many and terrible, of that people, for
which the ignorance of the women is so largely responsible, and
from which they especially suffer.
Were it my mission to carry help and counsel to the lowly homes
of our city, I might tell you such tales of the wretchedness and
discomfort of many of these homes as would fill your hearts with
pity—a wretchedness growing out of an utter lack of comprehension
of the meaning of home, and showing the need of instruction in the
simplest facts of household economy.
To carry so much of light and knowledge into these homes as would
make them abodes of health and thrift is a work worthy the noblest
effort of any Christian woman.
But I come from no such special work among the women of our people.
Only a few hours ago I stepped from the platform of my school-room,
where were gathered before me a room full of upturned faces, some
of them familiar from years of acquaintance, some just stamping
themselves upon my memory by the interest they are awakening as I
meet them in these first days of their stay among us. To an unusual
extent this year the numbers on the boys’ side and on the girls’
side are the same, the one side gaining, then the other, as new
pupils are added to the school. September’s report showed exactly
the same total for each. I like this; it looks as if our girls are
to stand side by side with their brothers in life’s battle; as if
both were stretching out their hands for the same weapons to help
them in the strife.
My interest and work are thus divided; justice to the school
demands that I consider the good of the whole; that I assign
lessons not for one side nor for the other; that I chide or commend
without special reference to sex—in short, that I consider all as
members of a common society, and plan for them as having common
rights and responsibilities.
When, therefore, I bring this subject to you, it is that you may
look at it from the teacher’s standpoint, that you may consider
the colored woman of the future—the colored girl of to-day—in her
relations as a part of the social organization of the new South.
That the South is new no one who even passes through her great
centres can doubt. New railroads are opening up her resources and
carrying her trade; the flames of her furnace light up the darkness
of many a mountain valley; even her fields are blooming with new
abundance under the improved husbandry and greater diligence of her
sons. As the morning sunlight strikes the brick walls of factories
in view from my window, and nearly all of which have grown up
within a few months, I can almost imagine myself in a New England
town.
Woman’s place in Southern society (I use the term _society_ in
its wider sense) has always been quite different from that which
she holds in the North. Accustomed to be protected, and taught to
consider a limited social life as her only sphere of activity, she
was often beautifully womanly, but lacking in self-reliance; having
no confidence in her own mental powers, and not considered as being
able to plan or execute any important measures. This feeling is, I
think, gradually giving way before a more just appreciation of her
own power, and as that power is developed, to a change in public
sentiment as to her capacity and her duty.
It was my privilege to count among my friends a young Southern
girl, who not content with the average boarding-school of the
South, has already partly finished a thorough course of study in a
Northern school with the expressed intention of becoming a teacher
at her own home.
In an Eastern city during the past summer I found several young
ladies who were spending the three hot months at the North, and
while there were hard at work on music and other branches of study.
They were taking care of themselves, and with eyes aglow with
enthusiasm were apparently enjoying their new experience.
Such cases, multiplied as they will be, show that a new leaven is
working out an ambition on the part of the Southern lady to win her
way by an intelligent and self-reliant womanhood, not simply to
charm by her helplessness and amiability.
But all this has reference to white society; you are ready to ask
what is its bearing on the colored girls? The humbler life in
the old days reflected the ideas of the superior, as the second
rainbow reflects the coloring of the first. It will tend to do so
now. When, by a sudden revolution the cords of the colored woman’s
bondage were broken, and a new society of her own people sprang up
around her, especially in the cities, the impress of old ideas was
plainly seen. How quickly she copied the more artificial part of
her white mistress’ life, exaggerating her elegance into display
and her intellectual languor into utter indifference.
In the colored society of to-day, so largely an image of the old
order of things, the colored woman does not realize what she has
a right to expect or what she ought to require from the other
sex among her own people. She has no knowledge of her womanly
power or worth; why should she object to the outside gallantry
which addresses her with flattering nonsense while it covers an
underlying lack of genuine respect, and a sense of superiority that
practically leaves her to do all the hard work and regards her as
of lower intellectual grade?
Thus, from the impulse to imitate, the colored girl has a source of
hope in the advanced position held by her white sister. But her new
power of independent self-direction, unshielded by the safeguards
that the white girl has, unguided by the intellectual culture that
the other can obtain, may work incalculable harm.
What the colored woman’s place was under the old dispensation
you know too well. Body and soul the slave of her owners; while
her delicate mistress was shielded by all possible safeguards
from evil, she was left exposed to all the storms of passion and
sin, daring not to have any sense of her own value, her will for
resistance growing weaker with each generation. What an element of
moral weakness to both races this state of things was, neither race
had any conception.
With the changing character and views of the South the colored
woman’s position must change also, and she is an important agent in
the change. She is no longer a captive, bound to the wheel, obliged
to advance or retrograde with the chariot of her master. The place
which she will take in the new civilization; the light in which she
will be regarded by the white man, and her position among her own
people, will be the result of her own choice—a choice which she, in
the person of her best and most intelligent representatives, shall
make within the next fifty years.
What choice she will make is a question of breathless interest. How
to help her make the choice wisely and in time is the problem upon
which we are at work. That she labors under great disadvantages in
this decision of her destiny is plain. The vain and foolish life
of a shallow society has all the ignorance of her nature to work
on, to lead her to a life of the most empty frivolity. The door to
greater evil is wide open at her feet. The tempter can no longer
command, but he may allure—allure with deadly certainty, because
inherited tendencies and customs of the past aid him to gain an
easy victory. Over many a poor girl who comes to my thought now I
could raise the prophet’s lament: “Oh, that my head were waters and
mine eyes a fountain of tears, that I might weep day and night for
the slain of the daughters of my people!”
Sometimes it seems that the colored woman is willingly—or under
the irresistible pressure of circumstances—making her choice so
rapidly and so fatally that the slow processes which are her only
safety cannot reach the surface in time to save her. But the final
decision in this matter does not rest with the present generation;
the young girls who are now in our schools, and the children whose
ideas they will mold, shall make the choice of her moral standing
in the South in relation to both races, and of her intellectual and
social standing among her own people.
Our question is how to help her most toward the end we wish.
Realizing that the foundation of a strong moral nature must be laid
first of all, as the basis of true womanhood, shall we concentrate
our work upon giving her religious instruction, and seek to bind
her by bonds of Christian duty? Let me not seem for a moment to
question the power of God’s grace to illuminate the heart and
change the will; but until she better understands the force of
Bible truth and has a nature more sensitive to receive it than is
the case with many who come to us, religion, as she comprehends it,
will do her no good. So divorced is it from morality, so satisfied
as to the future, and so reckless as to the present are many who
suppose they possess it, that I dare not present this last great
motive of Christian principle until I see the moral sense working
under direct and pointed Bible teaching, so that the Christian
life may be grasped in its true meaning. Even then it will not do
simply to see her converted and then to send her out to battle with
evil, any more than Christian could have met Apollyon without the
armor that was added to him after he had entered the wicket gate.
The conscience, now in shattered ruins, must be built up that it
may again perform its office in distinguishing right from wrong.
A sense of her own worth—a genuine self-respect which recognizes
degradation and flees from it; that will not even listen to evil,
must arise as she comes gradually to know the duty and dignity
to which God created her. But if we bring our girls to the point
where they are inclined to choose honor and uprightness, we must
make this choice possible by putting into their hands the means of
supporting themselves; we must train them to habits of industry and
to right ideas of labor.
The practical question is, “How shall we produce the results we
seek?” Whatever of experience and knowledge I have of any one of
our girls bids me answer, “Do with her just what you would do for
some young girl in the North whom you wanted to save from the most
corrupting influences. Take her early away from the home that
oftentimes is no protection to her, and as there are no proper
homes open to her, transplant her to as good a Christian home as
our schools will afford; furnish her work to do when she has not
money to meet the expense, and supplement this work by aid in money
when necessary. Make her life in these homes as simple and true and
elevating as genuine Christian culture will make it; throw around
her the refinements of taste, that her own tastes may be improved;
give her reading-rooms with wisely-chosen reading matter, music
to refine and inspire; treat her with the courtesy and deference
which she must learn to consider her due; give her training under
suitable instructors in the industrial arts; and keep her through
it all to a strict adherence to duty and a close and accurate
course of study. Patiently and perseveringly hold her to this life
until there begins to dawn upon her a vision of the noble and
beautiful womanhood to which she may attain, and then help her to
strive after it, through years of discouragement on the part of
teacher and pupil, until a strong and true Christian character is
built up to withstand the temptations and resist the tendencies
that beset her.”
If you are tempted to say this is asking too much for our girls,
that we ought to be content with less, at less expenditure of time
and money, remember that the girls for whom I speak are the best
among their people—the few who will ever have a chance to attain
to higher things. Look just behind them and see the throngs, who,
in ignorance and woe and sin, are turning their eyes toward you.
Listen to them mutely pleading, “Do not set your standard too low,
lest we who can only get a small part of our sister’s share of
help, should be left to perish in our degradation.”
The objection is sometimes made that such training unfits our girls
for their homes and surroundings. This is too often true. I used to
think any education which placed them out of sympathy with their
own lowly homes was false and wrong, but more extended knowledge
of some of these homes leads me to the belief that in the struggle
which must go on to save these people, the Scripture shall again
be fulfilled—the mother shall be divided against the daughter, and
the daughter against the mother; the mother-in-law against her
daughter-in-law, and the daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.
Much misunderstanding and suffering must result, perhaps to
both sides, from this clash of the old and the new. In heathen
countries, we find it unwise to change the customs which are
foreign, unless some principle is involved; in our work, the
differences that arise are wholly matters of knowledge or
principle. The English civilization exists throughout our country,
and what our girl finds as she goes to her home, that is contrary
to her improved ideas of home, is the result of ignorance, or
indolence, or sin. These, in a quiet, modest way, she must change.
God grant her grace to be patient, true and firm through it all.
* * * * *
INDUSTRIAL WORK AT MEMPHIS.
BY MISS ELLA HAMILTON.
Two years ago, through the kindness of friends in the North, two
rooms were fitted up in our building, at Memphis, for use in the
industrial work among the girls. Will you visit these rooms with
me this morning and see what is being done there? As we enter,
we find ourselves in the midst of a dozen girls between the ages
of 12 and 16, whose eyes and fingers are busy with their work,
while their tongues are making sweet music as they sing some
simple Sabbath-school hymn. Let us walk about among them, and
see what it is that so engrosses their attention. Here, at our
side, is a bright-eyed, pretty girl, who is patiently working
on the long over-and-over seam, which, it may be, was quite as
great a bug-bear to some of us in our childhood days as it is to
this little one. Near her is another, busy with a child’s apron,
destined, perhaps, for her own little sister. Another still is
darning a stocking, while here, at the long table, stands a girl
who is taking her first lessons in cutting. There is very little
rest for the pleasant-faced teacher during this hour. She must
straighten the gathered seams, show the awkward fingers how to
take the tiny stitches, give the word of advice or encouragement
where it is needed, and see that each one of these active girls is
busy upon the task assigned her, and doing that task just as it
ought to be done. This work has its place in the course and upon
the programme of the school, just as any other school work. The
class receives instruction forty minutes each day, for at least one
school term. They are taught how to do plain cutting and sewing,
and usually become quite expert with the needle. The materials for
work have been obtained for the most part from the boxes sent our
lady missionary. I had word, however, just before I left home, that
these supplies were exhausted, and that they were very much in need
of calicoes, needles and threads. Perhaps there are those who can
help them in this need.
Adjoining the sewing-room is a kitchen, furnished with a range, a
sink, a table and such other articles as are needed by the young
ladies who are being initiated into the mysteries of cooking.
This class meets four days of the week, two of which are used by
the teachers in familiar talks on various subjects, such as the
nature of the different foods, their adaptation to the wants of
the body, the choice of meats, vegetables, etc. The other two days
are used by the girls in actual experiments in the preparation
of foods, of course under the supervision of the teachers. They
learn how to prepare soups, to cook meats and vegetables, and to
make bread, cakes and pies. Better still, they learn how to do
this work neatly and economically. Whenever any cooking has to be
done, the two girls who have had that in charge are expected to
wash the dishes, sweep, dust and air the rooms, and have everything
in order for the next day. Sometimes the class gives lunches at
noon to their schoolmates or supper in the evening, inviting in
their friends. In this way they have raised money enough to pay
for all materials used. At one of these entertainments they gave
us sandwiches, coffee, chicken salad, cake and strawberries. The
bread made by one of the girls was as light and sweet as any I
ever ate. To make such bread is an accomplishment of which any
one might be proud. Besides the cooking and sewing, we teach our
girls how to care for the sick. They have books, and prepare their
lessons in this subject as in any other. They learn how to care for
the room, and person of their patient, how to prepare such light
foods as may be used without harm, the simple home remedies to be
administered for ordinary diseases, and the preventatives for such
diseases. About all this industrial work the girls themselves are
very enthusiastic, seeming to enjoy it quite as well as any other
school work. The mothers, too, are very glad that their daughters
are having an opportunity to learn how to do these necessary things
which they have not the time, or ability, to teach them. In the
homes of their parents the girls try to put into practice that
which they learn in the school, and as they come to have homes of
their own we are sure that they will be better in many ways than
they could have been, but for the work they are doing now.
No people can be made very much better except as we reach that
center of power and influence, the home. The schools can do
something in this direction, and we believe that out from the
homes, touched by our A. M. A. schools, will go an influence which
will elevate and purify to some extent this whole mass of society.
* * * * *
THE SOUTH.
REV. JOSEPH E. ROY, FIELD SUPERINTENDENT.
PROF. ALBERT SALISBURY, SUPERINTENDENT OF EDUCATION.
* * * * *
AVERY NORMAL INSTITUTE, CHARLESTON, S.C.
BY A. W. FARNHAM, PRINCIPAL.
With us the second of October dawned warm and bright. Before the
last tardy risers were awakened, our school flag was hoisted over
the building to beckon children and youth Averyward. And how they
responded! Soon after the first stroke of the bell which announced
that the gates were to be opened, more than three hundred children
either walked, ran, or crowded, into the school yards. How they
talked! Four months of vacation had dissipated all regard for
established rules and usages. And who could scold the first day?
It is true that many had been in summer schools during the greater
part of vacation, but in many instances they were sent “just to
keep them off the street, you know, sir.” Then the private houses
in which these schools are “kept” have not school dignity nor
school atmosphere, because they are not school buildings; hence
they lack molding influence.
Another reason why the children _talked_ was that a new principal
(new and yet old) and five new teachers were to be met, measured,
and, if possible, mastered. Every boy wants to know just how strong
his teachers are; and as their strength is, so his respect will be.
Again the bell sounded, this time to announce the hour for
devotions. As the pupils filed into the chapel their eyes fell
upon a new crayon likeness of Prof. M. A. Warren, a former
principal. This work of art, costing about $50, was presented to
the school by the Alumni at their last annual meeting, July 4th. It
is a generous expression of their love for a faithful teacher and a
true man.
With the children came a large number of patrons “to start them,”
of course, but little was done the first day but to exchange
greetings, hold chapel exercises, take names and addresses of
pupils, assign former pupils to the classes which the previous
principal had named for them, and to examine and grade a part of
the new ones. Other examinations and grading, with the selling of
books, and the collection of tuitions for the month, hindered our
programme of work from being fully taken up before the second week.
It is now four weeks since our opening. In the time we have
registered three hundred and thirty-six pupils, collected $332.85
for tuition, sold $462.64 worth of books, organized in addition
to the common-school branches, classes in physics, chemistry,
mineralogy, botany, zoology, physiology, school economy, political
economy, history (U.S. and ancient), algebra, geometry, rhetoric,
Greek, Latin, French, German, music, gymnastics, sewing,
stenography, and Bible study. We have also had our monthly written
reviews. A good number of pupils are fitting for college, some
of whom will be ready to enter next October. Other pupils are
preparing for teaching, and will enter upon their work after
leaving us. Others still are intending to follow trades, and are
studying that they may become intelligent tradesmen.
In response to our circular of information which we have sent out
to friends, we have already received a box of chemical apparatus, a
scroll saw with lathe attachment and a book of patents, a quantity
of basted patch-work, fifty magnifying glasses, and a box of
minerals. In addition to these gifts from abroad, our pupils are
daily contributing to start natural history cabinets. Among our
pupils’ contributions are many fossils, some of which we would like
to exchange with other schools. We need several more scroll saws,
and more work for our sewing class.
In the senior class, one of the incentives to study is the Alumni
Prize of $50, which is to be given to the student who makes the
best record this year, and intends to pursue his studies at some
higher institution of learning.
The morning of the 25th (October), we met to join in the concert
of prayer for the A. M. A. As a part of the exercises twelve
members of the senior class gave brief recitations, in which much
information of the Association was given. The recitations, each of
which was closed with an appropriate Bible text, were in answer to
the following questions: What occasion do we observe this morning?
What is the object of this observance? When was the American
Missionary Association organized? What led to its organization?
What is the character of its work? What is the extent of its work?
Name some of the results of its work. What relation do we bear to
the A. M. A.?