itself as representing the American Missionary Association, and
is faithful to the trust. Nowhere can teachers be found more
earnestly evangelical, laboring often beyond their strength
to bring souls to Christ. To their honor be it said, however,
that both Unitarians and Friends have not only contributed of
their means in large proportion, but have also served in the
work of education and Christian culture with the most unselfish
devotion. They reap a far richer reward than that of theological
proselytism. Their noble spirit, scorning all partisan ends,
seeking only for an opportunity to do good, has greatly increased
the humane and beneficent influence of the school; has caused it
to be widely felt outside of its own walls, and to become every
day more and more an instrument of peace and reconstruction.
There is a world of kindly deeds and neighborly acts which cannot
be enumerated, but which prove to the community the kinship of
our Northern Christianity, and they meet with a _response_.
When a petition was presented this winter for the purpose of
subjecting the school to taxation, a large majority of the most
influential citizens in Hampton entered their protest, and the
petition fell to the ground. It was a sign of the times.
The religious work of the school has been well directed,
although not a thing that could be put in figures. It is
largely an endeavor to counteract the tendencies of ignorance
and prejudice in the colored churches and so give free play
to the spirit of grace. A large proportion of the students
are professors of religion when they come. The emotions and
prejudices have been trained to excess by an ignorant but fervid
system of religion which has exercised but slight control
over immoral practices. The effort is to balance this by the
cultivation of the conscience and understanding in Scriptural
truth; especially to hold up before their minds the idea of an
every-day religion and a practical Christian manhood.
The interest this winter has not reached the revival point, but
students have been led to Christ from time to time. Our hope
is not in transports, but in that steadily increasing lump of
leaven, a practical, self-denying piety. It shows itself in the
_morale_ of the school. We have 316 students--214 boys and 102
girls; of these, 56 are Indian boys, and 9 Indian girls.
In such a mass of human nature, fresh from uncivilization,
one might expect serious disturbances and scandals, not to
say rowdyism; yet Washington’s birthday was celebrated on the
open green by Negroes, and Indians who had just taken off
their blankets, with an Arcadian good behavior, while blacks
and aborigines met together in the school parlors and played
games together, boys as well as girls, without indecorum. It
is a frequent comment how little trouble they make, for so
miscellaneous a collection. There is a spirit, an atmosphere of
Christianity that pervades everything.
Perhaps the most striking fact of the winter is the Indian work.
It is a pity that people at the North do not see the great
importance of this, for it is much in need of funds. Four years
ago a party of hostile Indians of the most intractable sort were
captured and sent in irons to St. Augustine, under charge of
Capt. Pratt, U. S. A. They were desperate fellows; one killed
himself rather than submit. Under the Christian treatment of
Capt. Pratt they experienced a wonderful change, laid aside
their savage propensities, and heartily embraced the principles
of civilization. A year ago it was proposed that they should be
brought to Hampton. The experiment was tried successfully. They
mingle in a kindly way with the negroes, and have manifested
an earnest disposition to learn what they call the white man’s
road. They have given up their tobacco and their whiskey; they
hold prayer-meetings together, where one may hear their tones
of earnest entreaty, pleading with God in their own language.
Furthermore, they show their faith by their works, and may be
seen digging ditches or picking potatoes with all the energy of
an Anglo-Saxon. This for aboriginal gentlemen who, four years
ago, accounted manual labor to be the deepest degradation to
which a warrior could submit.
Best of all, they have manifested repentance toward God and
faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. At the first communion in March,
eleven of them are, at their own earnest desire, to be admitted
to the church. Last summer the experiment proved such a success
that the school offered to take 50 more, and educate them for
Government, at the low rate of $167 apiece. It was too low an
estimate; but it was thought that friends would help, especially
in the erection of a building. They came last fall--40 boys
and 9 girls--bright-faced, ready to learn, full of response
to kindness. They are better than could have been expected;
already some of them have shown an interest in Christ. No work
could promise better. They have a great desire to learn, and are
especially interested in the mechanical arts that will help their
people toward civilization. Mr. Corliss has offered one of his
engines for a machine shop, but there is no money with which to
put a roof over it; even the Indian dormitory is yet unpaid for.
For want of $18,000 the work is checked; but it is a vital work.
If there are two classes of men to whom the people of the United
States owe a helping hand, they are the Indians and the Negroes.
Besides, it is God’s time; both races have been awakened to their
needs; there is a cry for help. Even from the far neighborhood of
Puget Sound have come letters asking if there is room at Hampton.
The time has come for the elevation of the Indian race; the
fulcrum is at Hampton. Here, too, is part of the lever; what we
want is the other part.
“Freely ye have received,” Christ says, “freely give.” We cannot
wash away our national injustice; God does not expect that. We
can show penitence by our helpfulness toward those who have been
its victims. So much God will expect, and it is likely to be sad
for us if we fail to meet the expectation.
* * * * *
GEORGIA.
A Beginner’s Reflections--The Gospel--Congregationalism--The
Negro.
REV. S. E. LATHROP, MACON.
I have been at this post for about three months, and as it is my
first experience with the colored people, I may be pardoned for
offering some impressions that have come to me since entering
on the work. Having preached eight years to white people in the
North, I was somewhat curious to compare the results of the
same Gospel as applied to different races. The comparison thus
far is entirely satisfactory. I am more than ever convinced of
the priceless value of the Gospel as an elevating, purifying
power in human hearts, no matter what is the color of the skin.
Judging medicines by their results, we say that this or that is
a specific for certain diseases; so judging Christianity by its
results, as applied not only to different individuals but to
different races, it is a specific for the deep-seated disease of
sin everywhere.
As different doctors have formulæ of their own, differing more or
less each from the other, so are the different sects or schools
of religious thought. I, as a Congregationalist born and bred,
the son of a Western Home Missionary, with Puritan ancestry
running back to the days of John Robinson, am, as a student of
human nature and of theological therapeutics, convinced more
than ever of the value of our Puritan ideas, modified, mellowed
and improved as they are by the additional light which has
broken forth out of God’s word. I think Congregationalism is
adapted to African as well as Caucasian Christians; both from its
lack of iron-bound traditions and mannerisms, and “theological
slang,” and also from its flexibility, its adaptedness, its
“sanctified common sense,” which does not make a Procrustean bed
of inflexible length for tall and short alike, nor like that
which the prophet mentions, “shorter than that a man can stretch
himself upon it, and the covering narrower than that he can wrap
himself in it.” Its covering is, like Christ’s seamless robe,
broad enough to envelop in its generous fold every forlorn heart.
I have also verified what I had before heard, that the Negro
race is not all composed of Uncle Toms--that, in fact, such
transcendent characters are rare. The negro is neither a prince
in disguise nor a hero in rags. He is exceedingly human,
fallible, ignorant, childlike, fickle, improvident, thoughtless.
We could easily lengthen this catalogue of failings, painful
things which oftentimes tend to discourage the Christian
worker. But hence is all the more need of the Gospel among
them. Their animalism makes necessary the proper antidote of
spiritual training. Their unsteadiness calls loudly for patience,
perseverance, courage, on the part of teacher and missionary.
Past centuries mightily influence the present. When I consider
how far from perfect is our boasted Caucasian race, and how
the home pastors and home missionaries toil unceasingly amid
difficulties to teach sobriety, self-control and an embodied
Gospel among the world’s dominant race, I can have more patience
with the lower strata of humanity.
Remembering the defalcations, the immoralities, the outbreaking
evils which so often come to light among the white Christians,
who have many centuries of Christian ancestors behind them, I can
surely have more charity for these sable people who themselves
dwelt in bondage so long, whose ancestors were slaves, and
whose history shades off into the dim, remote, unknown past of
savage Africa. Even the Jews, that remarkable people, known as
they always have been for shrewdness, intelligence and business
prosperity, after being enslaved in Egypt for some hundred
years, were fearfully debased and demoralized, wandering in the
wilderness many years, and even when they had conquered their
promised land, were in turmoil and confusion. Can we expect
better things of the sons of Ham? No nation can be “born in a
day” whose minds and hearts are degraded by bondage for so long.
But there is evident progress. The colored people of Macon
deserve praise for their efforts after a truer life. There are
10,000 of them in this city, and among them is much poverty and
want. But others have, “since emancipation,” laid up property and
secured comfortable homes of their own. Their children in school
compare favorably in most respects with white children. Some
of them walk three or four miles each way to attend our Lewis
High School. The extravagance and effervescence of religious
gatherings is becoming more and more toned down as intelligence
increases. They are more and more winning the respect of the
whites, and I think there is more disposition on both sides to
live peaceably than at any previous time since the war. Our
church and school have had various trials, but now the prospect
seems more favorable. One man has united with the church on
profession.
* * * * *
ALABAMA.
Revival in the Church and College.
REV. G. W. ANDREWS, TALLADEGA.
On March 2d thirty were received into our church, the fruits, in
part, of a revival still in progress. It is the custom in the
South to admit converts to the church on the first convenient
opportunity, as in apostolic times, according to Acts ii. 47.
Of these thirty, seven were baptized in infancy, mostly by our
own missionaries, ten years ago; three were immersed; the rest
followed Ezek. xxxvi. 25. The youngest was not quite nine years
old; the oldest was between sixty and seventy, and as happy a
new-born soul as one often meets. Several were from forty to
fifty. Five are heads of families, one of whom I have heard
called “king of men,” because of his commanding influence. He
says: “I mean to be as faithful in the service of Christ as I
have been in that of Satan. I am now ready for any duty the
church may impose upon me; be it easy or hard, it makes no
difference to me.” His conversion has startled everybody. One
little boy scarcely ten years old often prays intelligently and
touchingly for a dear uncle and aunt, and asks others to join him.
All but two of the girls at Foster Hall are hopeful Christians;
and of the forty-five young men who board at the same place, but
four remain without a hope in Christ. Two in the higher normal
room still refuse to enter upon the better life, and fourteen in
the common school normal, out of the ninety in that department.
The community outside of the college, our people say, was never
before so awakened since the college was established here.
The meetings have been characterized by a wonderful freedom from
excitement; indeed, I was never in a revival before where there
was so little. It has pleased God in this instance to magnify
preaching in a wonderful manner. Dr. Roy was with us a week
lacking one day, and preached every night and on the Sabbath,
interesting and profiting every one. One night many hearts were
deeply moved by his tender recital of the “Old, old story of
Jesus and his love.” We held extra meetings for two or three
weeks. During the “week of prayer” and the remainder of January
there were no conversions save one, that of “reckless George,”
as he used to be called. He was one of our brightest young men,
and his conversion made a deep impression. The revival did not
commence in earnest until the first week in February, when there
were twenty who turned to the Lord from the ways of sin. Since
then the work has gone steadily forward.
This whole region seems ripe for a spiritual harvest; but whence
are to come the reapers, as there is a limit to strength, and
other duties press sorely. We cannot have many more extra
meetings, though there are many inquirers; still we do not
despair, as God has shown us how easily He can brush away all
obstacles to the progress of His kingdom. He has again and again,
during the continuance of these meetings, rebuked our want of
faith.
The theological students have rendered excellent service by
visiting from door to door. Christians have been fully awake.
It is a glorious work to be instrumental in starting a soul in
the better way; but there remains the work, greater if possible,
of development through a wise Christian culture. We constantly
remember Paul’s advice, recorded in Acts xx. 28.
I have time only for this hasty word concerning the work of grace
here. I hope some one else may furnish you a full account. We
all feel grateful for this quickening of our religious life, and
this seal of our labors in the Lord, and our prayer is that an
army of Christian young men and women may be raised up from this
beginning of new life. While we “watch, work and pray,” we want
to see the “desert rejoice and blossom as the rose.”
* * * * *
Revival Work--A well-organized Church.
REV. C. B. CURTIS, SELMA.
An interesting work of grace is now in progress in our church. We
began by observing the week of prayer, remembering especially the
request for a concert of prayer with the officers and workers of
the A. M. A., and with great blessing, we felt, to those of us
who met together to claim the promises.
As the white churches held union meetings during the week in
the afternoon, I attended some of them also, and was cordially
received and invited to lead one of the meetings. It chanced to
be the day of prayer for nations, and I improved the occasion to
set forth as strongly as I was able, not only the obligation,
but the _necessity_ that lies upon all Christians and all
patriots, state or national, irrespective of denominational
or political affiliations, to engage earnestly in the work
of Christian education, if we would avert the terrible evils
already impending. I was listened to with respect and evident
appreciation, and there seems to be a growing spirit of
cordiality and co-operation.
After another week of preparatory meetings, we opened the
audience-room and began preaching every night, except Saturday,
which we have kept up for three weeks with considerable success,
having over thirty hopeful conversions and an uncounted number
of inquirers; in fact, almost all express a desire, more or less
earnest, to become Christians.
I find but few of the difficulties that trouble us so much in
the North. There is but little skepticism, or the so prevalent
idea of salvation by mere morality, and no Universalism that I
have met as yet. The colored people are emphatically a religious
people, and the difficulty is not so much in getting them to go
forward to the anxious seats, or enter the inquiry-room, or to
weep over their sins and cry for mercy, as it is to show them the
simplicity of the way of salvation. They have been taught that
they must see visions and dream dreams, must be _held by the hair
of the head over the bottomless pit_ and then _taken to heaven_,
before they can be soundly converted; and though they are, in
many cases, beginning to distrust this old-time teaching, yet it
is hard for them to see that all they need to do is to “repent
and believe the gospel.” Indeed, it is the universal testimony
of the converts that their faith is continually tried by the
declarations of their friends, that they haven’t any religion,
because they haven’t “been to heaven or hell,” or “come through
shouting.” We try to teach them that simple reliance on the word
of God is far better and safer than dreams or feelings, and that
“by their fruits ye shall know them.”
We are now holding three services during the week, and dislike
very much to give up while there are still some who have been
seeking ever since the special meetings began, with seemingly
great earnestness, and yet cannot see the way clearly. Many of
those who have been converted naturally belong to other churches,
so that the addition to our membership will not be large, but we
feel that the work is genuine, and those who go to other churches
will carry a warmer feeling of interest in us which will help our
work greatly in the future.
I enjoy this work exceedingly, and have been, from the first,
favorably impressed with the condition of things in my field. The
church has been thoroughly organized, and has a good record. Its
influence is being felt in this community. Temperance and virtue
are necessary to church membership, and as much cannot be said
of all the colored churches in the South. The church building
is commodious and pleasant, with reading-room and lecture-room
in basement, cumbered with no debt, and upon its sweet sounding
bell (the gift of the Sabbath-school) is engraved the fitting
invitation, “Come, and let him that heareth say come.” For a
church of its size I have never seen so many ready and efficient
workers. Indeed, nearly all the members are workers, not drones,
as has been thoroughly demonstrated during this revival.
Neither can too much be said in praise of the work of the
teachers of Burrell School, who, though no longer under the
commission of your society, and necessarily undenominational in
their efforts, do much real missionary work. Such an intelligent,
faithful and efficient corps of coadjutors it has never been my
fortune to meet before.
I wish to acknowledge through your columns the receipt of a large
quantity of second-hand Sunday-school papers, well preserved,
and greatly appreciated by our children, as they have been only
partially supplied before. The package came, prepaid, by express
from Cairo. Our heartiest thanks to the unknown donors, and may
other schools be moved to “go and do likewise.”
* * * * *
A Thoughtful Congregation--Personal Work.
REV. F. BASCOM, D. D., MONTGOMERY.
The church has been quickened in its spiritual life and activity,
but no pervading revival influence has gone forth into the
community. A good proportion of our members seem to be earnest,
growing and happy Christians. Our social-religious meetings are
very enjoyable. Some who have been delinquent now promise better
things. One or two have just begun a new life of faith in Christ,
and some others have promised to take the subject of their
salvation into serious consideration. By following up such cases,
I trust some of them may be won to Christ by personal effort. I
learn, on inquiry, that most of our members were brought one by
one to the Saviour by persevering and judicious pastoral labor.
The colored people are very accessible to such effort; and what a
boundless field for it they furnish! But “the laborers are few”
that care to gather such a harvest.
I still enjoy my work, and the privilege and importance of it
grow in my estimation. Last Sabbath I preached three times: twice
for my people, and once for the A. M. E. church. Quite a large
congregation.
* * * * *
MISSISSIPPI.
A Praise Meeting.
REV. G. STANLEY POPE, TOUGALOO.
Soon after the opening of the school we gathered together in our
chapel, to tell a few of the things for which we were _thankful_.
I wish some of our friends had been present to share the
enjoyment of the occasion with us.
One said: “I have had the severest sickness of my life, but it
proved a good thing for me. It kept me from going to my second
school at Lake, where the fever was so bad afterwards. I see a
great change in the people. They have been more thoughtful. I
have not prayed once without asking God to protect and bless the
teachers and scholars of our institution. My prayers have been
answered.”
Another said: “I am thankful that I have been blessed with more
light than many others. I never before saw how great the darkness
is in our country. The condition of the people where I have been
teaching is dreadful.”
Another, who is not a Christian: “I am thankful that I have at
last got here, where I have so long desired to be. I hope I may
be blessed spiritually as well as in my studies.”
Another: “I see the need of _good_ teachers and preachers as I
never did before. I am thankful for this, and that I am spared to
get back under these kind instructors.”
“I have been in a very intemperate place, but the Lord has helped
me to do good work. Secured a good many signers to the pledge.
I am thankful for this, and that I have been spared during the
sickness.”
One who was converted last winter said: “I am thankful that I
have been with Christians who have led me to the Lord. I don’t
know how to tell my gratitude. I am just beginning to know what
it is to be upright and truthful.”
“When I left here last summer to go to a new place, I felt that I
needed God’s aid. I asked Him to be with me. He has kept me and
made my work successful. I thank Him for it. I will continue to
thank Him.”
“The _old mother_ thanks the Lord that she has been able to get
here to hear the Bible read, and see the teachers back again.”
“I was teaching near Grenada. That was my P. O. The fever was on
three sides of me. Some of my scholars had to leave school; but
amidst it all God spared me, and I am thankful for it. There were
some white young men came into my Sunday-school. At first I was
afraid, but I spoke to them, and asked them if they would like
some papers. They kept coming, and seemed just as much interested
in what I said, and in getting the papers, as any of my pupils.”
“‘He leadeth me.’ I cannot begin to tell all the things for which
I am thankful. Aside from the health of my own family, nothing
rejoices me more than to see these faces. Our friends at the
North cannot begin to realize the gloom that settled down over us
here. It seemed as though we were breathing in death continually.
I am thankful that God has spared us, and that I have had such a
pleasant family during the summer.” To this effect spoke Brother
Miner, who remained here during the summer with several of the
young people to take care of the farm.
These are only fragments that were jotted down. An hour and a
half was spent in this way. A few of our students had the fever,
but we have not heard of one who died with it. This continues to
be the cause of great thankfulness.
OUR TEMPERANCE MEETING,