sentences, as one after another reported, which will show what
kind of work has been done by our students during the summer.
One young woman said, “When I first spoke to my scholars about
temperance, they did not know what I meant. I would not allow any
one to sign the pledge until I was sure he understood it. I read
temperance stories, etc. I found one lady using snuff and toddy,
who said she didn’t know as there was anything about _drink_
in the Bible. She thought the Lord would forgive such a little
thing. A minister said he never saw drink to be such a bad thing.
He would not sign the pledge, but I have since heard that he is
going to try to establish a temperance rule in his church. I got
28 signers to the pledge.”
Mr. T. said: “I got 48 names to my pledges; most of them were
young people, some of them children. I tried not to receive any
unless they thoroughly understood it. I met some opposition from
the old folks, but some of them signed. One young man fifteen
miles away came in and signed. He was afterward taken sick, and
the doctor prescribed toddies, but he stoutly refused them. I
think many can be depended upon. There is no other such work
being done in the county.”
Mr. H.: “My work was not so great as I think it should have been.
The community was very wicked, most of the older ones hung back,
24 signed, most of them my scholars. I took my pledge to school
every day, and to Sunday-school. I told them very plainly what is
meant by signing the pledge, or more would have signed, I found
the very small ones understood it as well as the older ones. Some
are so poor they cannot get drink.”
H. T. T.: “I have not much of a report. Did not find one who
believed in temperance. Went to the older ones first, but they
were not willing to sign. I secured 12 signers. Might have had
more, but did not take the small ones. One minister said he had
looked at it a long time, and thought it would be well to present
it to his people, but would not sign. Another minister _did_.”
There are ministers here as well as elsewhere who are willing to
preach, on the Sabbath, a purer type of Christianity than they
exemplify in their home life during the week.
C. J. T.: “I did not make an effort at first. I was invited
to their “Loving Society.” I went with my Bible, pledge and
statistical essay in hand. I put in _a good deal of vengeance_
and converted a good many right there. Got 25 names. At close
of school I got some more; in all 47. We must keep this subject
before them. A Baptist Convention was held there. I got three
ministers to sign. Mr. Tanner labored with one minister who wrote
out a resolution, and secured its passage in Convention, that
their members should not drink.”
Miss C.: “I presented the subject to my Sunday-school. Had a
meeting at night. Many of the parents came. I read about Daniel
_purposing_ in his _heart_, and then sung ‘Dare to be a Daniel.’
The first one to sign was a man about fifty years old; 24 signed.
The next Saturday I went ten miles into the country and spent the
Sabbath. 26 signed there. One man, who had no children and was
well off, but spending his money rapidly for drink, signed and is
now saving his money. I went to Lake to help Mr. T. Many signed
his pledge there. One little boy at Forest wanted to be a Daniel
and signed. He was snake-bitten, whiskey was prescribed, but he
refused to drink it even after he was told that that would not be
breaking his pledge. He recovered. Most of my signers were among
the older ones.”
Other reports were as interesting as these, but I am afraid I am
writing too much now. I have taken these reports in the order in
which they were given. After hearing from all our students, I may
send you the number of signers to the pledge, secured during the
summer by them.
* * * * *
AFRICA.
* * * * *
MENDI MISSION.
A Heathen Bundoo Dance and a Retreat.
BENJAMIN JAMES, M.D., GOOD HOPE STATION.
Dr. James, who accompanied his two children to Freetown, whence
they returned to this country, in care of Mr. Snelson, on his
way back to the mission, made a brief visit to Mr. Gomer and the
Shengay Mission of the United Brethren. After speaking of the
excellent religious and industrial work accomplished at that
mission, he gives this account of a Bundoo women’s dance, which
he chanced to see in that vicinity.
Have patience with me while I relate a curious sight that I
accidentally witnessed at a town near the mission, showing
the power for good exercised by this little band of Christian
workers. About ten o’clock in the morning on Tuesday, the beating
of a country drum was heard afar off. My boy Joseph said to me,
“Let us go and see them cut rice by the beat of the drum,” to
which I consented. We followed the sound of the drum until we
came to the town of Debia, much larger than the one under the
Christian charge of our mission, and governed by a female chief
of the noted Caulker family. In a grove near this town, within
which no male was allowed to enter, proceeded those sounds from
mystic drums which attracted us to this place. Madam Caulker gave
me a very cordial welcome; indeed, her dignified manners made
me almost forget that she was the representative of a heathen
clan. Edibles were set before me, although brought by a little
naked girl; which circumstance was not calculated to improve a
relish for the seemingly palatable food, yet I do assure you I
devoured it greedily. Soon after eating, the drumming ceased
from the forest; then came out a large number of women, with
white cotton bands, two and a half inches wide, tied around
their brows, led by an old woman with a white country cloth
around her, and a white handkerchief tied, covering the frontal
and occipital portions of her head. When they saw me they were
amazed and appeared timid, but this perplexed condition of the
organization was soon removed by the head-woman, who had been
previously summoned into the presence of the chieftess. Soon the
drums, which had attracted me, began to rumble out their peculiar
sounds to dancing thumps, beaten by female drummers, arranged in
dancing order, with their backs towards us, coming from where
they were placed in this array. These same women, who appeared
timid, bashful and reserved a little while before, sung, beat and
stepped to time slowly, motioned with their hands to something
apparently to me in the sky, and moved towards a place where they
were soon to stand.
As they gently and elegantly wheeled in regular order into their
respective places, three well-formed and comely girls, about
nineteen, side by side, tossing their bodies right and left, to
and fro, in a very graceful manner, danced together for nearly
a quarter of an hour. After the triple dance there was a double
one; this was succeeded by a single dance. These three girls were
then withdrawn and other members of the order were selected to
fill their places. Many feats of skill in dancing were performed
by the first three. I noticed that when they danced their supple
limbs were tossed in many enigmatical postures, which drew forth
applause and great laughter from the bystanders, who understood
them. After dancing for an hour before us, the leader of the
mystic sisterhood ordered it discontinued, and they retired to a
capacious bamboo-covered hut to partake of refreshments, which
seemed to have been prepared and furnished by every village
for miles around. Before taking my departure I inquired of the
chieftess who these women were. She replied that they were the
Bundoo women, who were about to remove their place of meeting to
Carter, farther into the interior, because they were molested or
hindered by the advance of Christianity, which is continually
increasing about their old meeting bush. All must acknowledge
this as a triumph for Christianity, and those who contribute to
the support of the Shengay mission ought to rejoice that they
have had the privilege of being instrumental in causing one of
the greatest evils to Africa’s social and Christian advancement
to move back into the forest, there to await the coming day of
its inevitable dissolution, which, I trust, is not far off.
* * * * *
A Visit to the Interior.
REV. A. E. JACKSON, AVERY.
Avery is situated at the head of navigation on the Little Sherbro
river, a beautiful site overlooking a vast scope of country. It
is about forty-three miles from Good Hope, and quite accessible
to any point where we may wish to push our work in future; and
it is hoped that this station will be the centre from which
many stations may be planted still further into the interior at
no distant future. The Little Sherbro river, with its rippling
stream, glides within a few hundred feet of Avery, and flows into
the Big Bargroo river, and the Big Bargroo, with its tributaries,
opens an avenue to any part of Africa accessible by water.
We have a very beautiful little chapel, and it is very well
filled each Sabbath by persons from the surrounding villages
as well as our own. For the most part, all appear attentive to
what is said to them, and when questioned seem to have quite a
clear idea. Through the blessing of Divine providence, three
of the chiefs have come into my church, and I think that they
are hopefully converted. They add very greatly to the interest
of the church, because where the chiefs go their subjects will
follow. By this means I am enabled to reach a great portion of
the heathen element. I have now about thirty-six enrolled upon my
church book, twenty-five of whom I have baptized. It is really
remarkable to see how readily they take hold of the truths of
Jesus. I am also glad to say, that in many of them one can see a
marked improvement in their lives. They are a people that delight
to engage in palavers or quarrels, and I mark a very great change
in many of them in this respect. They seem to desire peace,
and when a palaver comes up they frown upon it with seemingly
sincere indignation. They are also beginning to see the wrong
of polygamy. That of itself is one of the best signs of reform,
for polygamy is one of the prevailing sins of this country. Mrs.
Jackson has been holding meetings for the women, in which great
interest was manifested. So the Lord has been greatly blessing
both sexes.
Quite recently I had a pleasant tour in the Bargroo country. I
was very agreeably surprised to see everything so favorable. In
the first place, the people were as hospitable as one could wish,
and far more so than one could have expected in a heathen land. I
am persuaded to believe that the tribes further in the interior
are much more docile and far more industrious and a finer class
of people than those living on the coast. I visited eight of
their towns, and, with very few exceptions, their villages were
as clean and neat as any I ever saw. Their houses were made of
mud and sticks and covered with bamboo, but all seemed to have
been done in taste. Some of their villages were laid out in a
perfect system. One that especially attracted my attention for
its neatness, and the systematic plan on which it was laid out
was Do-do. It has a population of about fifteen hundred persons.
It is a very beautiful town, situated on a peninsula, with a
fine view of a large extent of country. It is densely populated
and the houses are built close together. Three tall lines of
barricade enclose the entire town, with only three large gates
through which persons can enter. I chanced to stop there all
night. I found the chief a very hospitable man. He entertained me
as best he could, and gave me my supper and a bed to sleep on.
Next morning he sent me my breakfast, which consisted of a goat,
chicken and some eggs. On going to the door I found three men
ready to slay and dress the goat. The interpreter of the chief
accompanied these gifts. He said that the king did not know how
to cook English fashion, and therefore he would advise that I
have it cooked in the English way. This being rather more of a
breakfast than I could consume, I only had the chicken and eggs
cooked. I had the goat made fast and carried him home to my wife,
who I knew would be delighted to have him for a pet.
After I had eaten, the king came to see how I enjoyed my
breakfast. After talking a while he told me that he would be glad
to have a missionary station planted at or near his town, so
that he could send his children to school that they might learn
about God’s law. He then took me around the town and showed me
the barricade. Then he took me on the outside of the barricade
and pointed out to me a very beautiful spot of ground, which he
would give for a mission station. I could only thank him for his
hospitality toward the mission and his seeming love for the work.
On Sunday I preached in a very large village, and I really
believe that every man, woman and child was present, and it
seemed as if they were completely spellbound during the entire
service. It inspires one to put forth greater efforts when
he chances to penetrate into the interior and there see the
difference between these tribes and those living on the coast.
They are not so corrupt in habits from association with the low
class of traders. One thing very remarkable about this people is
that they are not at all hostile toward the light-skinned man
nor the dark-skinned man, but will soon learn to put implicit
confidence in either, and more especially if he speak to them
about Jesus Christ. They, from some source or other, have learned
that there is a Saviour. Even those who have never seen or heard
a missionary themselves seem to be thoroughly informed as to the
objects of this mission.
I am impressed more and more each day that the many years’ work
of our missions in Africa has been a great success. Not only
blossoms but fruits are already seen in the immediate vicinity of
the mission, and far into the interior there has been a silent
influence for good that we knew not of. The labors of the dark
days of our missions were not in vain, but are now being crowned
with the glorious fruits of righteousness, which will only be a
brighter crown for those who have fallen asleep at their post of
duty.
* * * * *
THE INDIANS.
* * * * *
SCHOOL AND CHURCH WORK AT DUNGINESS.
REV. MYRON EELLS, S’KOKOMISH, WASHINGTON TERRITORY.
We have an excellent young man at Dunginess as school-teacher.
Although I never met him until he took charge of the school, I
learned that his reputation was good where he had previously
taught, and he has taken hold of the work among the Indians
wisely and earnestly, and also satisfactorily to the Agent and
the Indians. He has earned an excellent reputation among the
whites in the neighborhood, and has grown in their estimation as
a conscientious Christian since he first went there about nine
months since. Last summer he was married to a lady whose heart
is in the work, and who assists him as she is able. Her health,
however, does not admit of her doing as much as she wishes to do.
In addition to his day-school for the children, he has lately
begun an evening school, three evenings in the week, for half a
dozen of the older Indians who wish to learn. These older Indians
are accustomed to talk English, more or less, some of them quite
well, and hence find it easier to learn than wild Indians would.
He holds services regularly with them on the Sabbath, and on
Thursday evening a prayer meeting has been sustained since last
May; the only one in the county.
The last Sabbath I spent with them, I baptized two of the older
Indians and received them into our church--the first-fruits of
our work there. I have been tolerably well satisfied for a year
that they were suitable candidates for church membership, but
preferred to wait until our teacher could become thoroughly
acquainted with them, as I thought that he could form a more
intelligent opinion after almost daily intercourse with them,
than I could by semi-annual visits. But we agree in our
conclusion.
Last Sabbath we had the privilege of receiving another of our
school-boys into our church here. He is one of our older pupils,
an elder brother of one already a member.
The report of our Sabbath-school for this place, read on
Christmas, showed that three Indian girls had been present every
Sabbath on which there was school during the year, it having been
necessarily omitted on three Sabbaths, and on every one of these
Sabbaths they had recited at least six verses of the Scripture
lesson, and without making a single mistake. This is better than
has ever been done before in the history of the school, only one
having been perfect last year. The average attendance during the
year has been fifty-seven.
* * * * *
THE CHINESE.
* * * * *
CALIFORNIA CHINESE MISSION.
Auxiliary to the American Missionary Association.
PRESIDENT: Rev. J. K. McLean, D. D.
VICE-PRESIDENTS: Rev. A. L. Stone, D. D., Thomas C.
Wedderspoon, Esq., Rev. T. K. Noble, Hon. F. F. Low, Rev. I. E.
Dwinell, D. D., Hon. Samuel Cross, Rev. S. H. Willey, D. D.,
Edward P. Flint, Esq., Rev. J. W. Hough, D. D., Jacob S. Taber,
Esq.
DIRECTORS: Rev. George Mooar, D. D., Hon. E. D. Sawyer,
Rev. E. P. Baker, James M. Haven, Esq., Rev. Joseph Rowell, Rev.
John Kimball, E. P. Sanford. Esq.
SECRETARY: Rev. W. C. Pond. TREASURER: E.
Palache, Esq.
* * * * *
OUR CHINESE HELPERS.
REV. WM. C. POND, SAN FRANCISCO.
I am trying to contrive how, while keeping within our limited
means, to increase our force of Chinese helpers. I am sure that
with reference to immediate results, these who know by experience
the darkness of heathenism, who have themselves trodden the path
out of that darkness into the light of Christ, are better fitted
to lead others along the same path than we could possibly be,
even though we had their language at our tongue’s end. But it
is not easy to provide for these helpers the things needed for
their best efficiency. They ought to be entirely supported by
us, so as to give their whole time to study and to Christian
work; and they need special teachers, since they cannot be taught
in school-hours. First of all, they ought to study the Bible,
and learn how to interpret it; but should add to this, constant
attention to our language, and to the rudiments of geography,
astronomy, and history. I have ventured thus far to appoint only
five: Wong Sam and Chung Ying for schools in this city, Jee Gam
for Oakland, Lee Haim for Sacramento, and Hong Sing for Petaluma.
Besides these, there are many volunteer helpers who, in the
schools, in the Association, in the Bible and prayer meetings,
“instant in season and out of season,” bear their testimony, and
do whatever work they can; for most of our Chinese Christians, I
rejoice to say it, are witnesses and workers for their Lord.
Readers of the MISSIONARY have heard from Jee Gam and
Wong Sam several times heretofore. Hong Sing is the one last
added to our list;--for five years a Christian, and during most
of that time the leader among the pupils in our Bethany school,
and my interpreter when I spoke to them. He understands English
well; talks it quite easily and intelligibly; but when he comes
to write it, like most of our brethren, he gets it twisted badly.
The idioms of his native tongue are very unlike ours. He went to
Petaluma, expecting, for the most part, to support himself as a
house-servant, accepting, however, low wages in consideration
of having time for missionary work; but he found that the
house-work crowded the Lord’s work so hard that he seemed to be
accomplishing little, and was almost discouraged. He wrote, a
month ago, as follows: “I write a few words to let you know that
I have a place and been working a few days; but not a steady
work, because that man was sick; so I take his place till he get
well. It is pretty hard to get a place. And I tell you about
the school. It is very small. Evening I be present at 8 o’clock
and explain to them. After school close I take fifteen minutes
for Bible lesson. I try to explain to them as I can. I thought
I come back to San Francisco, but I will wait a little longer,
as much our people here [many of our people are here], but most
all like gambling. I do not know what is the matter, they wont
come. I heard somebody say, because they have been learning for
awhile, and not understand the words what it meant; so they don’t
come any more. I hope soon to have time to go out to ask come
again. I am very sorry and expends [since you expend] so much
for the school. It seems to be sow, having no reap [seed-sowing,
but no harvest]. Yet ‘my sheep hear my voice.’ We must try
to do the best way.” He concluded that the best way was to
abandon everything else and give himself to mission work, asking
only--since we could afford nothing more--that we pay the cost of
his board; and it is on that basis he is working now.
From one of the letters of Lee Haim, from Sacramento, I give the
following extract: “Now I will tell you the
TRIALS OF WONG THONG
by his father. He has been a member of our Association four
weeks. Three weeks ago his father came into our Association rooms
to find out who leads his son to be a member of our Association,
I made reply to him, ‘It is I.’ Then he answered me unpleasantly,
and said he do not know the regulations of our Christian
Association; but only he knows, whoever believes in Christ
Jesus, they don’t want to worship or serve their own fathers
from generation to generation. That is very bad. And disobey the
parents. Then I ask him: ‘Would you rather your son to serve you
or take care of you in your lifetime, or rather to have your
son’s worship when you died? I perceive that you would rather
your son serve you personally. Nobody needs to be worshipped
after death.’ Then he said he would not converse with me. Then
I said, ‘Well, sir, please to hear me in these few words: Every
one ought to be punished by God who did not put their trust
in Him, and also transgressed the commandment of God by their
tradition. For God has commanded: ‘Honor thy father and mother.’
And another thing; God commanded us not to worship any false
gods. But our fathers, from generation to generation, did not do
as God commanded. For that fact we are in great fear of God. So
we are turned from the bad thing which we did before, and now
are transformed by the renewing of the mind.’ Then he felt very
bad at my words, and departed from me immediately. On Friday,
after Wong Thong was dismissed from school and went back to his
old home, then his father chased him with a hatchet, attempting
to kill him, for his father disliked him to become a Christian.
But Wong Thong’s heart never be fail, I think the Lord God Jesus
Christ is near to protect those who will put their trust in Him.”
OUR SAN FRANCISCO ANNIVERSARY
was held last Sunday evening, February 16th. _The Pacific_ has
the following notice of it:
“At Bethany Church, last Sunday evening, the fifth anniversary
of the Chinese Sunday-schools and Mission schools connected with
that church was celebrated. It was an occasion of rare interest.
Nearly one hundred Chinese were present, and forty-two took part
in the exercises. These consisted of recitations of Scripture and
other religious selections, short original addresses, several
dialogues, and the singing of hymns in English and Chinese.
A quartet of Chinese sung in English with a distinctness of
utterance and harmony which some choirs composed of persons ‘to
the manner born’ might profitably imitate. But the best and
highest joy connected with the occasion lay in the confident
hope that almost all these Chinese had passed from death unto
life--from the selfish and slavish worship of demons to a loving
loyalty to the true God.”
It illustrates the fact that, in spite of adverse prejudices
and public sentiments, men brought face to face with a good
work cannot refuse it the tribute of their appreciation and
sympathy; that our new church has never been so full since its
dedication as on that evening; and that, after two of the brief
original addresses, the applause, though discountenanced, was
irrepressible.
I had proposed to write a thought or two about recent
anti-Chinese legislation; but I fear I have trespassed too much
on your space already; and I am sure that if Congress and the
country can bear the sin and shame such laws involve, our work
can bear whatever of hindrance it may bring to us. It isn’t the
first time that King Canute has tried by his royal chair to
breast a rising tide; but I have been slow to think such folly
was reserved for my own country and this nineteenth century after
Christ.
* * * * *
RECEIPTS
FOR FEBRUARY, 1879.
MAINE, $223.90.
Augusta. Cong. Ch. and Soc. $27.50;----$10 $37.50
Bath. “Cash” 100.00
Falmouth. Second Cong. Ch. and Soc. 7.40
Hampden. H. S. and J. L. 1.00
Limington. Cong. Ch. and Soc. 6.00
Newport. M. S. N. 1.00
Norridgewock. S. D. and J. S. B. 1.00
North Bridgton. Cong. Ch. and Soc. 5.00
Orland. Mrs. Buck and daughter 30.00
Scarborough. “A Friend” 30.00
Winthrop. C. Fairbanks 5.00
NEW HAMPSHIRE, $1,174.67.