VOL. XXXV. No. 4.
THE
AMERICAN MISSIONARY.
* * * * *
“To the Poor the Gospel is Preached.”
* * * * *
APRIL, 1881.
_CONTENTS_:
EDITORIAL.
PARAGRAPHS 97
THE INAUGURAL AND THE SOUTH 98
TOUGALOO UNIVERSITY 99
ARTHINGTON MISSION 100
GROWTH OF NEGRO POPULATION IN THE SOUTH 101
TONIC SOL-FA SYSTEM OF TEACHING MUSIC 102
SUCCESS, REAL AND APPARENT 103
BENEFACTIONS 104
GENERAL NOTES—Africa, Indiana, Chinese 105
ITEMS FROM THE FIELD 107
THE FREEDMEN.
VIRGINIA, HAMPTON—Pastor’s Testimony 108
GEORGIA, ATLANTA—Revival Interest 109
GEORGIA, SAVANNAH—John the Baptist of the
Church—Genius for Piety 109
GEORGIA, MACON—Southern Winter of 1880-81 110
ALABAMA, TALLADEGA—Accessions to the Church 111
MISSISSIPPI, TOUGALOO—Burning of Boys’ Dormitory 112
TENNESSEE, NASHVILLE—Statistics of Teaching by
Students in Fisk University 114
THE CHINESE.
HOW SPEEDS THE WORK? Rev. W. C. Pond 115
WOMAN’S HOME MISS. ASSOC’N
MONTHLY REPORT 118
RECEIPTS 120
CONSTITUTION 126
AIM, STATISTICS, WANTS, ETC. 127
* * * * *
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.
American Missionary Association,
56 READE STREET, N. Y.
* * * * *
PRESIDENT.
HON. E. S. TOBEY, Boston.
VICE-PRESIDENTS.
Hon. F. D. PARISH, Ohio.
Hon. E. D. HOLTON, Wis.
Hon. WILLIAM CLAFLIN, Mass.
Rev. STEPHEN THURSTON, D. D., Me.
Rev. SAMUEL HARRIS, D. D., Ct.
WM. C. CHAPIN, Esq., R. I.
Rev. W. T. EUSTIS, D. D., Mass.
Hon. A. C. BARSTOW, R. I.
Rev. THATCHER THAYER, D. D., R. I.
Rev. RAY PALMER, D. D., N. J.
Rev. EDWARD BEECHER, D. D., N. Y.
Rev. J. M. STURTEVANT, D. D., Ill.
Rev. W. W. PATTON, D. D., D. C.
Hon. SEYMOUR STRAIGHT, La.
Rev. CYRUS W. WALLACE, D. D., N. H.
Rev. EDWARD HAWES, D. D., Ct.
DOUGLAS PUTNAM, Esq., Ohio.
Hon. THADDEUS FAIRBANKS, Vt.
Rev. M. M. G. DANA, D. D., Minn.
Rev. H. W. BEECHER, N. Y.
Gen. O. O. HOWARD, Washington Ter.
Rev. G. F. MAGOUN, D. D., Iowa.
Col. C. G. HAMMOND, Ill.
EDWARD SPAULDING, M. D., N. H.
Rev. WM. M. BARBOUR, D.D., Ct.
Rev. W. L. GAGE, D.D., Ct.
A. S. HATCH, Esq., N. Y.
Rev. J. H. FAIRCHILD, D. D., Ohio.
Rev. H. A. STIMSON, Mass.
Rev. A. L. STONE, D. D., California.
Rev. G. H. ATKINSON, D. D., Oregon.
Rev. J. E. RANKIN, D. D., D. C.
Rev. A. L. CHAPIN, D. D., Wis.
S. D. SMITH, Esq., Mass.
Dea. JOHN C. WHITIN, Mass.
Hon. J. B. GRINNELL, Iowa.
Rev. HORACE WINSLOW, Ct.
Sir PETER COATS, Scotland.
Rev. HENRY ALLON, D. D., London, Eng.
WM. E. WHITING, Esq., N. Y.
J. M. PINKERTON, Esq., Mass.
E. A. GRAVES, Esq., N. J.
Rev. F. A. NOBLE, D. D., Ill.
DANIEL HAND, Esq., Ct.
A. L. WILLISTON, Esq., Mass.
Rev. A. F. BEARD, D. D., N. Y.
FREDERICK BILLINGS, Esq., Vt.
JOSEPH CARPENTER, Esq., R. I.
Rev. E. P. GOODWIN, D. D., Ill.
Rev. C. L. GOODELL, D. D., Mo.
J. W. SCOVILLE, Esq., Ill.
E. W. BLATCHFORD, Esq., Ill.
C. D. TALCOTT, Esq., Ct.
Rev. JOHN K. MCLEAN, D. D., Cal.
Rev. RICHARD CORDLEY, D. D., Kansas;
Rev. W. H. WILLCOX, D. D., Mass.
Rev. G. B. WILLCOX, D. D., Ill.
Rev. WM. M. TAYLOR, D. D., N. Y.
Rev. GEO. M. BOYNTON, Mass.
Rev. E. B. WEBB, D. D., Mass.
Hon. C. I. WALKER, Mich.
Rev. A. H. ROSS, Mich.
CORRESPONDING SECRETARY.
REV. M. E. STRIEBY, D. D., _56 Reade Street, N. Y._
DISTRICT SECRETARIES.
REV. C. L. WOODWORTH, _Boston_.
REV. G. D. PIKE, D. D., _New York_.
REV. JAS. POWELL, _Chicago_.
H. W. HUBBARD, ESQ., _Treasurer, N. Y._
REV. M. E. STRIEBY, _Recording Secretary_.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.
ALONZO S. BALL,
A. S. BARNES,
C. T. CHRISTENSEN,
CLINTON B. FISK,
ADDISON P. FOSTER,
S. B. HALLIDAY,
J. A. HAMILTON,
SAMUEL HOLMES,
CHARLES A. HULL,
EDGAR KETCHUM,
CHAS. L. MEAD,
SAMUEL S. MARPLES,
WM. T. PRATT,
J. A. SHOUDY,
JOHN H. WASHBURN.
COMMUNICATIONS
relating to the work of Association may be addressed to the
Corresponding Secretary; those relating to the collecting fields to
the District Secretaries; letters for the Editor of the “American
Missionary,” to Rev. G. D. PIKE, D. D., at the New York Office.
DONATIONS AND SUBSCRIPTIONS
may be sent to H. W. Hubbard, Treasurer, 56 Reade Street, New
York, or when more convenient, to either of the Branch Offices, 21
Congregational House, Boston, Mass., or 112 West Washington Street,
Chicago, Ill. A payment of thirty dollars at one time constitutes a
Life Member.
THE
AMERICAN MISSIONARY.
* * * * *
VOL. XXXV. APRIL, 1881. NO. 4.
* * * * *
American Missionary Association.
We call special attention to our appeal for the funds needful for
re-building the dormitory recently destroyed by fire at Tougaloo
University. The demand is immediate and imperative, as will be seen
by the account of the fire given by Mr. Hatch in this number of the
MISSIONARY.
* * * * *
Mayor Hall, of Cambridge, Mass., who has made an extended tour in the
South, recently stated in an address at Dr. McKenzie’s church that he
considered the moral and religious character of the schools of the A.
M. A. a model of missionary work, and that he believed certainly for
the next ten years the work of the Association was the great work of
the churches, and that no cause has a higher claim on their charity and
prayers.
* * * * *
The communication found elsewhere concerning our Chinese work on the
Pacific Coast is timely and pertinent. Mr. Pond’s efficiency, economy
and success will leave no doubt in the minds of those who know of
him and his work that his request is reasonable. While we cannot ask
that money intended for our treasury, and which we need to meet our
appropriation for Bro. Pond’s work, be diverted, we commend his appeal
to the prayerful attention of the friends of the Chinese, and assure
them that whatever may be sent to him will be properly applied, and
meet an urgent necessity.
* * * * *
The “Missionary Herald” for March contains a map of that portion of
Africa selected for the new mission of the American Board on the west
coast. It also gives an account of the arrival of Messrs. Bagster,
Sanders and Miller at Benguela. These brethren write very cheerfully,
and anticipate an easy and early journey to Bihe, the point of their
destination. The sadness caused by the death of Mr. Pinkerton while on
his way to Umzila’s kingdom, of which a full account is given in the
same number of the “Herald,” is somewhat relieved by the hopeful aspect
of affairs on the west coast.
A benevolent gentleman offers to duplicate any excess of $50 or
more over last year’s contribution by any churches to the American
Missionary Association, up to the aggregate amount of $2,500.
* * * * *
The “Gospel in all Lands” for March, published by Eugene R. Smith,
at the Bible House, is devoted to Africa and the Africans. It gives
a resumé of the missionary endeavors prosecuted in Africa by the
different denominations of Christians, covering a period of about 150
years. It also contains four maps and numerous illustrations. We know
of no one pamphlet likely to be so helpful to any one who may wish to
possess himself of the present attitude of missionary affairs in the
Dark Continent as this.
* * * * *
It is gratifying to have testimony to the progress of the colored race
at the South from witnesses outside of our missionaries, confirmatory
of their evidence.
One of the missionaries of the American Sunday-school Union writes
from South-western Virginia: “In Pulaski County I attended the best
Sunday-school Association I was ever in. It was among the colored
people. They are intensely in earnest in Sunday-school work, and
anxious to learn. They are very poor, yet buy more books than their
white neighbors. Some of them are quite intelligent. They take hold of
the International Lesson System well. Most of the Sunday-schools which
are kept up during the winter here are colored schools. They ought to
have a Sunday-school missionary of their own color.”
* * * * *
THE CLASS OF ’80, FISK UNIVERSITY.
Ernest H. Anderson has been elected Principal of the State Normal
School for the training of colored teachers, located near Hempstead,
Texas. This is the most important position open to a colored teacher in
the State. It gives a large field of usefulness for which Mr. Anderson
is well qualified. Laurine C. Anderson is in charge of a school in
Chapel Hill, Texas. Joseph Anderson is at the head of a school in
Leesburg, Camp county, Texas. J. J. Durham is studying medicine at the
Meharry Medical College, Nashville. J. E. Porter is teaching in one of
the public schools of Jeffersonville, Ind. R. P. Neal is in charge of
the school at Humboldt, Tenn. Here is a practical answer to the inquiry
that is often raised by our friends, “What do your students do after
graduating from college?”—_Fisk Expositor._
* * * * *
THE INAUGURAL AND THE SOUTH.
President Garfield’s inaugural has very properly given special
attention to America’s great problem, the condition of the colored
people in the South. His fitly-chosen words may well be repeated:
“Bad local Government is certainly a great evil which ought to be
prevented; but to violate the freedom and sanctity of the suffrage is
more than an evil—it is a crime which if persisted in will destroy the
Government itself. Suicide is not a remedy.”
As to the remedy, the President says:
“For the North and South alike, there is but one remedy. All the
constitutional powers of the Nation and of the States, and all the
volunteer forces of the people, should be summoned to meet this danger
by the saving influence of universal education.”
A sounder utterance could not be expressed if the word “_education_” be
made sufficiently broad. The training of the common school, reaching
only the intellect, is not enough. There must be the awakening of the
conscience and the purification of the heart as well. _Character_ is
the foundation of manhood, and hence of a worthy citizenship.
The A. M. A. has from the first acted on the necessity of this broader
basis, and hence its school and church work have been blended—the
school has been religious and the church intelligent.
The President’s remedy of “universal education” has been criticised as
requiring too long a time. Perhaps somebody can find a legislative or
legal remedy that will work the cure more speedily. The past does not
make us hopeful in this respect, and hence we, as one of the “volunteer
forces,” which the inaugural mentions, will push on as vigorously as
possible. This is the great work of the age for this nation, and we
hope the strong and clear language of President Garfield will give a
new impulse to it.
* * * * *
TOUGALOO UNIVERSITY.
The recent burning of the boys’ dormitory at Tougaloo, Miss., compels
us to build anew, and the over-crowding of students compels us to build
larger.
We must rebuild or abandon the school. The latter we dare not do. The
colored population in the State exceeds the white, numbering 652,221,
and has increased over 46 per cent. in the last ten years. Tougaloo
University is seven miles north of Jackson, the capital, and there is
no similar school of higher grade admitting colored students nearer
than about 200 miles south, east, or north, and none much nearer west.
The Institution has 500 acres of land attached to it, giving employment
to the students, and it has the good-will of the State Legislature,
which makes an annual grant to support teachers.
The school at Tougaloo has long been over-crowded. It has comfortable
rooms for 32 young women, but 60 are in attendance, three being put
in the small rooms, and sitting-rooms being converted into sleeping
apartments. One room needed for the accommodation of teachers was
taken and ten young women put into it. Some applications were refused.
There were, before the fire, accommodations for 28 young men, with 50
in attendance, the overflow being crowded into most unsuitable and
inconvenient quarters.
The students, in summer vacations, teach about 4,000 pupils in day
schools and Sunday-schools, and secure from 1,000 to 1,500 names to the
temperance pledge.
The Executive Committee, a few months since, authorized the gradual
enlargement of the girls’ dormitory as funds would permit. For a
new boys’ dormitory it was hoped that $10,000 might be spared from
the generous gift of Mrs. Stone, but the definite pledges to other
institutions and the increased price of labor and materials forbid
it. We had scarcely more than realized this disappointment when the
boys’ dormitory was destroyed by fire. The best temporary arrangements
possible have been made, including the use of the barn, which the boys
have occupied cheerfully, calling it “Ayrshire Hall,” but they have
suffered much from cold in inclement weather.
Fourteen thousand dollars is the lowest sum for which a boys’ dormitory
and chapel can be erected. Three thousand dollars will be required for
the enlargement of the girls’ dormitory. Two thousand dollars will be
necessary for furnishing; making a total of $19,000. Three thousand
dollars, the insurance on the burned building, will reduce the sum
needed to $16,000.
The building and improvements should begin at once, to get them ready
for use in the fall. The Executive Committee, feeling the call to be
imperative, will go forward immediately, relying upon our friends to
furnish the means _as a special contribution_: for our ordinary income
will be taxed to the utmost to carry on our current work.
We make an earnest appeal to the friends whom we believe to be both
able and willing to aid us effectually and promptly in this pressing
emergency.
Funds may be sent to H. W. Hubbard, Treasurer, 56 Reade Street, New
York.
* * * * *
ARTHINGTON MISSION.
Extracts From Recent Correspondence.
We trust it will be of interest to the friends of African Missions to
learn that Mr. Robert Arthington, of Leeds, England, has paid over the
£3,000 pledged by him to this Association, for a new mission on the
Upper Nile.
The following extracts from letters give a comprehensive view of the
present attitude of affairs relating to the mission:
“Leeds, England, December 14, 1880.
“Dear Brethren in our Lord Jesus, our Saviour: For some time I have had
it in my mind and heart to write to you and say I thought it time—I
do trust the Lord’s time—we should begin the mission. If, therefore,
your faith is fully with my faith, I propose to send you the £3,000 at
once. How does it seem with you in the Lord’s sight? Without Him we
can do nothing, and we must have Him with us from the beginning to the
end of this enterprise.
“Let all the true people of God in the United States understand
this, our view and feeling. We are all one family—they who are ‘the
children of God scattered abroad.’ So I ask them all throughout the
States, yea, and the world, to go with us heart and soul and prayer
always in this undertaking. Surely in the mighty God of Jacob we shall
overcome. We shall win many for Christ, and they shall stand amidst
the multitude of the redeemed with palms in their hands, out of every
kindred and nation and tongue and people.
“With my Christian sentiments to your committee, and asking the
blessing of God on all their deliberations, yours and theirs, ever
in Him, whom not having seen we love, in whom believing we have joy
unspeakable and full of glory,
“ROBERT ARTHINGTON.”
“56 Reade Street, January 14, 1881.
“Robert Arthington, Esq., Leeds, England. Dear Brother: * * * *
Further information about the requirements of the mission and the
territory to be occupied have been gathered, so that on the receipt
of your letter, we felt called of God to take definite action. Our
Executive Committee, with prayerful gratitude to God, interpreted your
communication as an indication from Him that the time had come for us
to go forward. Accordingly they voted to accept your bountiful gift
and to undertake the preliminary work needful during the coming year.
Among the persons with whom we had been in communication was Rev.
Henry M. Ladd, the son of a missionary, who had spent 17 years of his
early life at Smyrna and other localities in the East, before coming
to this country to study for the ministry, and who was presumed to
have peculiar fitness as the leader of the new mission. On receiving
your letter, we obtained an interview with Mr. Ladd, and after a full
and prayerful deliberation, we tendered him the superintendency of our
African Missions, and this week he writes us as follows: ‘I hereby
accept the position, praying the great Head of the church for His
blessing on the arduous work undertaken in His name.’
“We learned last spring from Gordon Pacha, the late Governor-general
of the Soudan, that it would be necessary to secure certain privileges
from the Egyptian Government, assuring protection to the missionaries,
the privilege of navigating the Upper Nile, etc. This we trust may be
accomplished in part, at least, by correspondence, upon which we can
enter directly. Meanwhile, inasmuch as the best season for starting
from Cairo and the mouth of the Sobat commences about the first of
October, we desire Mr. Ladd and a physician to be on the ground at
that time, to take advantage of the favorable weather of the latter
part of autumn and the early winter, to visit the territory it is
proposed to occupy, and determine about the location, and the men and
facilities needful in order to insure the success of our new work.
“We are seeking prayerfully and most earnestly under God, to lay
enduring foundations, and to build up a work which may extend over
the utterly destitute region of country, included in the boundaries,
marked out, we believe, so wisely and prayerfully by yourself. We
now most cheerfully, and relying upon God hopefully, are ready to
undertake the great work you have suggested to us.”
* * * * *
GROWTH OF NEGRO POPULATION IN THE SOUTH.
The negro most perversely and persistently refuses to do what has been
prophesied of him, or to conform to the general rules enumerated as
applicable to him.
The census reports for 1880 reveal the last and most striking phase of
this, perversity, as may be seen in the following table taken from the
_New York Herald_, comparing the colored population of the old slave
States, except Texas, in 1870, with that of 1880:
STATES. 1870. 1880.
Alabama 475,510 600,141
Arkansas 122,169 210,622
Delaware 22,794 26,456
Florida 91,689 125,262
Georgia 545,142 724,654
Kentucky 222,210 271,462
Louisiana 364,210 483,898
Maryland 175,391 209,896
Mississippi 444,201 652,221
Missouri 118,071 145,046
North Carolina 391,650 531,316
South Carolina 415,814 604,325
Tennessee 322,331 402,991
Virginia 512,841 631,756
West Virginia 17,980 25,729
The increase in these States during this decade has been more than 33
per cent., and at the same rate will give us at the beginning of the
next century more than ten millions of negroes in these States alone.
During the same time, the per cent. of increase in the white population
has been less than 28 per cent., which will give something over
eighteen millions as their total white population in 1900.
It is manifest that the negro has come to stay, and must be taken into
our calculations in all estimates for the future of our national life.
He need not fade away before us despite heroic efforts to save him.
He does not perish even under our discouraging frowns. He will not be
suppressed by a somewhat rigorous repressive policy. He has withstood
all this, and flourished under it, as did the Israelites under the
discouragements of Egyptian legislation.
It is not for us humanely to consider, therefore, how we can make
comfortable in their decline the lingering remnants of this perishing
people. The more momentous question is how this vast and rapidly
increasing mass of humanity is best to be fitted for the large part
it is to play in our national life. It is not a question whether we
shall have it with us or not, but whether we shall allow it to remain
a festering, death-exhaling corruption, or whether it can be converted
into a much needed element of strength. It could not be a matter of
indifference to the most despotic government what is the condition of
such a vast body of its citizens. Even when they were slaves, wholly
under control of their masters, with no rights to claim and no duties
to perform, their very presence as an ignorant and licentious mass of
chattles gave great cause for anxiety to the intelligent lover of his
country. But now they are citizens and voters, and whether exercising
their rights as such or deprived of them, are equally, almost, a source
of dangerous power which cannot but fill us with grave apprehensions,
if we but think of it.
The census tables proclaim loudly that death nor destiny will mitigate
this danger; is it not time for a wise statesmanship to undertake
seriously the task of dissipating it by a good and ample system of
education which will qualify the negro for the duties thrust upon him?
* * * * *
THE TONIC SOL-FA SYSTEM OF TEACHING MUSIC.
BY THEODORE F. SEWARD.
That music is one of the special gifts of the colored people has long
been known and recognized. How to develop that gift in the wisest manner
and to the best advantage of the race, is a question which ought to
receive a practical answer, and as speedily as possible. If they are
peculiarly susceptible to the refining and elevating influences of such
an art as music, it is very desirable that these influences be brought
to bear upon them just now, while in the formative stage of their
history.
Fortunately, or as I like better to say, providentially, the way is
now opened for that result. A system has been devised and perfected
in England, and is now beginning to be generally adopted in this
country, which so simplifies the study of music as to bring it within
the comprehension of a little child. That system bears the name which
stands at the head of this article. A technical description of the
system would be out of place here. It is enough to say that the result
is accomplished and the study of music now is made easy and delightful
where it was formerly perplexing and confusing. How much this means
for the colored people, with their musical gifts and inspirations, it
is impossible to imagine. It is not to be supposed that such special
powers were bestowed upon a whole race without some very important and
far-reaching purpose. The unfolding of that purpose was begun in a very
wonderful way by the Jubilee Singers. But their mission was among the
Caucasian races rather than among their own people. The Tonic Sol-fa
system comes to fill a widely different sphere, viz.: to give to the
masses an intelligent possession of the world of music.
The A. M. A. has done a very wise thing in taking steps to test at once
the value of this system for its constituents. They have commissioned a
teacher to go to the Fisk University and teach it during the remainder
of the school year. The method is so easy and natural that a thorough
knowledge of its fundamental principles can be imparted in that time,
and not only that, but _all who learn it can teach it intelligently in
their schools during the coming summer_. Its advantages will thus begin
to be felt in remote country districts, and the reform will be carried
on just where such reforms should always begin, among the masses of the
common people.
The teacher who has been appointed to this important post, Mr. J. W.
Adams, is one who is singularly fitted by his history and antecedents
to engage in this special work. Born in England, he was taken by his
parents to the island of St. Helena at the age of three. When nine
years old he accompanied his father, a sea captain, on one of his
voyages. The vessel was wrecked on the coast of South Africa, and the
young lad remained there for eighteen years. He traveled extensively
throughout the country on trading expeditions, and thus became
thoroughly acquainted with the manners and usages of the native tribes
as well as of the British and Dutch settlers. He learned the Tonic
Sol-fa system there and became so interested in it that at length he
resolved to qualify himself as a teacher. It is certainly a singular
and interesting fact, that the person who is first to introduce the
system among the Freedmen of America should have learned it in Africa.
* * * * *
SUCCESS, REAL AND APPARENT.
It is often difficult, not to say impossible, to know just what success
has been achieved by any special missionary effort. After years of
faithful labor the missionary, if challenged to do so, may not be able
to adduce a single satisfactory proof that he has not labored wholly in
vain, so far as the results he has been seeking are concerned.
On the other hand, changes so remarkable, so exactly in the line of
what is sought and hoped for, follow the very first proclamation of the
Gospel, which we gladly attribute to Divine grace; we grow confident
that at last the promise is nearing its fulfilment when “a nation shall
be born in a day.”
Now, it should be understood that we are in danger of mistake as to the
real condition of things in each case; a mistake which breeds despair
where there may be good reason for rejoicing, or excites hopes that are
fatally false on the other hand.
Doubtless many a faithful toiler has spent his whole life in laying
foundations, deep and broad, but out of the sight of ordinary
observers, upon which shall rise, in magnificent proportions, a temple
to our God after he has gone to his reward—to the reward of one who has
been faithful, rather than of one who has been observed. The merest
accident may place another in such relation to this man’s toils that he
shall seem to be the creator of all the results for which he labored,
while he bears no other relation to them than the minnow does to the
swell and roar and irresistible rush of the wave by which it has been
caught and upon which it rides.
Again, men possessed of certain gifts, but devoid of needed restraints
in their use, may arouse the enthusiasm of their fellows, sway their
passions, play upon their imaginations, excite their emotions and
propel them along certain lines of activity until confidence is created
that now, at last, the kingdom is coming with millennial celerity and
power. But a reaction from all this is certain, and the Gospel ship
which just now was riding with grace and beauty upon the crest of
the wave lies half buried in mud and sea-weed to await the rising of
another tide. The whole movement has been that of an anchored boat,
without the possibility of advance, and worse than useless, for in this
case it has been with the waste of spiritual force.
There are two facts which all who are laboring for the coming of the
kingdom of our Lord should regard as fixed, and being fixed some good
degree of fixedness will be secured for their hopes with reference to
its progress. One of these is the amazing ignorance and wickedness of
those over whom this kingdom of light and love is to be established;
and the other is the Divine power of that kingdom and the Divine
purpose to establish it, and hence the certainty of its establishment.
The Gospel will never gain its conquests in such way as to relieve the
Church of the duty and labor and self-denial and discipline of carrying
it and proclaiming it to the heathen, who will find it, as all people
have, opposed to all their habits and pleasures and traditions, and
will, therefore, when they understand it, resist it before accepting
it. The cheering news which so often comes to us from Central Africa
and other lands will doubtless be followed by most discouraging news of
disappointment and seeming disaster.
On the other hand, it must be remembered that in all really substantial
buildings, especially if erected on doubtful ground, a large proportion
of the cost and of the most valuable material, and also of the time,
must be expended out of sight before it becomes a feature of the
landscape.
In all religious movements it is especially true that much of the best
material, and much of the cost, is utterly lost to sight before the
world sees any result. In the South, for the past fifteen years, the
foundations have been laid for a superstructure which is to arise in
grand and glorious proportions, the joy of our land and the praise
of all people. We are just reaching the surface, and others than the
workmen themselves are now able to see that something has been going on
during all these years.
If structures, however beautiful, which have no foundations, must
topple, and we should feel no disappointment when they do, we would yet
understand that much has been done when a foundation broad enough and
strong enough has been laid.
The work will go on now with apparently tenfold rapidity, for, since it
attracts attention it will also attract helpers, and those who doubted
and sneered will co-operate in carrying it forward.
* * * * *
BENEFACTIONS.
It is reported that John I. Blair has recently given $40,000 to
Lafayette College.
Hon. Levi Parsons has given $50,000 to Union College for the benefit of
worthy students.
Mrs. Orra Bolles, of Hartford, Conn., has given $15,000 to different
benevolent enterprises, mostly under the auspices of the Baptist
denomination.
Ex-Secretary Delano has given $10,000 to Kenyon College.
The Botanical Department of the Cornell University has recently
received a donation of $10,000 from the Hon. H. W. Sage, of Ithaca, N.
Y.
Mr. Spurgeon is reported to have recently received $200,000 for his
Pastors’ College, and $125,000 for his Orphanage.
Mr. Amasa Stone, of Cleveland, Ohio, has offered $500,000 to the
Western Reserve College, conditioned on its removal to Cleveland.
James Mackey, of California, has signified his intention of giving
$50,000 to Bowdoin College. It is said his example is likely to be
followed by a gentleman in Philadelphia.
The will of Mrs. Maggie Embry, of Eleton, Ky., which has been admitted
to probate, gives $200,000 in Louisville and Nashville Railroad Stock
to the Vanderbilt University at Nashville.
Judge Forbes, of Northampton, Mass., has left $300,000 to found a
second free library in that town.
* * * * *
GENERAL NOTES.
Africa.
—King Meneleck, who rules in Southern Abyssinia, has recently abolished
the slave-trade in his dominions.
—Tunis and Algeria are now united by a daily postal service, and
letters are transmitted at a cost of fifteen cents each.
—M. Lombard, corresponding member of the Norman Society of Geography,
has been charged with a scientific mission in Abyssinia. He has arrived
at Massoua.
—The caravan of the missionaries from Algeria, bound for Lake
Tanganyika, has arrived safely at Karéma, near the Lake. Those that
started, however, for the Victoria Nyanza, have been pillaged on the
route.
—The Chamber at Paris has approved the grant made to a company for a
railroad from St. Louis to Dakar and voted a credit of 1,700,000 francs
for laying a cable from Dakar to St. Vincent. This last line will place
Senegal in direct communication with Europe.
—The Church Missionary Society has received an offer from Mr.
Arthington, of Leeds, of $25,000, the income of which they will be at
liberty to use towards maintaining a steamer and staff of agents on the
Upper Binué and Lake Tchad. In returning thanks to Mr. Arthington, the
Society was obliged to inform him that the amount would be insufficient
for the purposes mentioned.
—Mr. J. M. Cnouwer, a Hollander, has undertaken a journey from
Alexandria to the Cape of Good Hope. It is announced that he will
be joined on his way by a Frenchman who has lived a long while
in Abyssinia. He possesses considerable fortune and has had much
experience as a traveler. It is not his purpose to take with him more
than a single servant and a small amount of luggage. If he succeeds in
his endeavors, his name will be placed by the side of the most renowned
African explorers.
—Stanley continues his travels towards the interior without allowing
himself to be stopped by the difficulties of his enterprise. The 7th
of November he was rejoiced to meet H. Savorgnan de Brazza, who, after
ascending two tributaries of the Congo and establishing a station,
traversed the territory of Apfourous and reached by land the shores
of the Congo. Resuming navigation he descended the course of the
river half way to Stanley Pool, where he founded a new station. Then,
continuing to follow it, he rejoined Stanley. It appears that the
journey made by Brazza, which traversed a territory north of the lower
Congo towards the interior of Africa, is a much more practicable route
than the one up the river itself.
—Praggia, who is engaged in exploring the Soudan south of Khartoum,
between the Blue and White Nile, is said to have met a large caravan
with thousands of oxen, cows, goats and sheep. The children held
in their arms the lambs and kids and even the little calves. The
chiefs were mounted upon mules and asses, while their commander,
upon a beautiful dromedary, ran hither and thither and superintended
everything. These troops of quadrupeds were accompanied by bands of
birds, which flew over their backs. Praggia estimated that the caravan
would count 50,000 living beings. He also met other and smaller
caravans of the same character. The object of the emigrants seems to
have been a purpose to escape from the flies and particularly the
tsetse. The region from whence they came lies a little northeast of the
territory where it is proposed to establish the Arthington Mission.
* * * * *
The Indians.
—A small congregation of full-blooded Chickasaw Indians lately gave
$400 for the Foreign Missions of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.
—The largest tribe of Indians in the United States is the Sioux, or as
they call themselves, the Dakota. Since the Sioux were first known,
they have occupied a large portion of the center of the American
continent, including the head waters of the Mississippi River.
—In the last Annual Report of the educational work of the Friends among
the Indians, it is stated that at the Osage agency there are 2,745
Indians. Of these, 205, on the average, are in attendance at the two
boarding-schools sustained at that point.
—The American Sunday-school Union has planted 121 Sunday-schools in
the Indian territory. Next year they are to have a Sunday-school
camp-meeting of ten days in August, at Atoka, in the Cherokee Nation,
where a large gathering of full-bloods, who are averse to meeting in
houses and among strangers, is anticipated.
—The laws of the Indian Colony at Metlakahtla, British Columbia, under
the auspices of the English Church Missionary Society, are fifteen in
number, and worthy to be imitated by those laboring for the Indians
everywhere. These have been summarized as follows:—1. To give up their
Indian magic. 2. To cease calling in conjurers when sick. 3. To cease
gambling. 4. To cease squandering their property. 5. To cease painting
their faces. 6. To cease using intoxicating drinks. 7. To rest on
the Sabbath. 8. To attend to religious instruction. 9. To send their
children to school. 10. To be clean. 11. To be industrious. 12. To be
peaceable. 13. To be honest. 14. To build neat houses. 15. To pay their
village tax.
* * * * *
The Chinese.
—In one district in Japan seventy-one Buddhist temples have been
diverted to secular uses since 1873, and over 700 in the whole empire
since 1871.
—Mr. D. Smith, of the Presbyterian church of England mission at
Formosa, has lately been privileged to baptize nine natives, making in
all thirty-two members of the Peh-tsui-Khan Church. There has besides
been a considerable amount of inquiry here, so that the congregation of
hearers has greatly increased. Other places in this island have also
had blessing and additions to the churches.
—Dr. Happer thinks that Prof. S. Wells Williams over-estimates the
population of China at the present time. The loss of life in recent
years, caused by wars and famines, has been considerable, and the
recuperative power of the Chinese people has greatly decreased
on account of the use of opium. Mr. Happer estimates the present
population as 300,000,000.
—The singular idea prevails among some in China that the reason why
Chinese become Christians on reading the Bible is, that they are
stupified by the ink used, in consequence of which they lose their
reason and are thus ready to believe what is false. People are warned,
therefore, against buying or reading foreign books.
—The students sent by the Chinese government for study in this country
live in American families, and visit the headquarters at Hartford at
certain times for inspection, and for drill in their own language.
The number is distributed at present as follows: Boston Institute of
Technology, 8; Troy Polytechnic Institute, 5; Lafayette College, 2;
Lehigh University, 5; Bethlehem, Pa., 2; Institute of Technology,
Hoboken, 2; Yale College, Classical, 9; Scientific, 5; Amherst, 1;
Harvard, 1; Columbia, 1. The greater number are in Hartford and
vicinity.
* * * * *
ITEMS FROM THE FIELD.
FLORENCE, ALA.—Rev. W. H. Ash, with aid from this Association, is
putting up a neat parsonage by the side of the new and tasteful
church-edifice.
NASHVILLE, TENN.—The new enthusiasm in Fisk, at present, is over the
novel “Tonic-sol-fa system” of vocal music. By means of this excellent
voice culture, Mr. Adams is bringing out the strength and beauty of
voices for which nature has already done so much. The first interest
does not abate, and very perceptible improvement daily increases.
Livingstone Missionary Hall is now building, and over this is much
rejoicing.
LOUISVILLE, KY.—On the Sabbath, Feb. 20th, Superintendent Roy preached
for the Congregational Methodist Church of this city, as well as on the
two preceding nights. The church, which has 95 members, a Sunday-school
and a class-meeting along with the prayer-meeting, and which worships
in a hall, owning its own organ, voted to unite with the Kentucky
Association, and invited the A. M. A. to furnish them with a pastor. A
similar church at Junction City, Ky., is moving in the same direction,
having its own modest church property.
LITTLE ROCK, ARK.—On the 28th of February, after preaching on the
Sabbath previous, in the “Sons of Ham” Hall, the Superintendent
organized the First Congregational Church of that Capital and of the
State, with forty-six members and ten more educated and influential
persons ready to come, and “more to follow.” Rev. B. F. Foster, a
former student of Fisk University and a licentiate of the Central South
Conference, was invited to serve the church for three months. The
people are moving at once to purchase a house of worship. As would be
the right of any Congregational Church, this one incorporated the class
meeting into the constitution found in Roy’s Manual. A Sabbath-school,
thoroughly organized, with one hundred scholars and seventeen officers
and teachers, started off at the first.
MARION, ALA.—Our large room is filled every Monday afternoon at the
ladies meeting, and all hearts are full; and the dark faces look
beautiful to me, shining through smiles and tears, as we talk of the
dear Saviour. The same room is filled to overflowing with young people
and children Saturday afternoon. The interest has been so evident
that Mr. Curtis has held a few extra meetings. Twelve children have
been forward for prayer, and we believe they have given their hearts
to Jesus. Mr. C. will hold meetings next week also, and we hope for a
great blessing.
* * * * *
THE FREEDMEN.
REV. JOS. E. ROY, D.D.,
FIELD SUPERINTENDENT, ATLANTA, GA.
* * * * *
VIRGINIA.
Pastor’s Testimony.
REV. H. B. FRISSELL, HAMPTON.
I have very pleasant meetings with the Indians here. I let them read
the verses from the English Bible and then explain them. When I first
came I used to read myself, but I found that they liked better to take
a part in the services. Then we sing together from Dr. Robinson’s Songs
of the Sanctuary. After that I give the meeting into their hands. They
suggest their favorite hymns and lead in prayer, usually in their own
language. They all seem attentive and devout. It is very pleasant to
see their faces light up as they get some new thought from God’s word.
I have seldom seen men more earnest in the study of the Scriptures.
One of those who united with the church at the last communion has
been confined to the house with sickness. The nurse tells me that he
often sits for two or three hours at a time patiently spelling out the
words of the English Bible, and asking her the meaning of that which
he cannot understand. I am pleased to see that they are interested
to work for one another. I found the other day that one of the older
boys, Jas. Murrie, had been accustomed to get a number of the others
who were not Christians together, and read the Bible and pray with
them. Excellent work, isn’t it, for a young chief who will soon go back
to take charge of his own tribe? They have a meeting of their own on
Wednesday evening, of which they take charge themselves. I could give
you instances of how these Indian boys have resisted temptation in a
way which seems to me really remarkable.
My work among the colored students progresses very pleasantly. It is
hard to get out of their minds wrong conceptions as to what a Christian
life is. They expect to see visions and dream dreams when they enter
upon it, and seem to look upon the entering as the all important part.
They haven’t been used to thinking of the Christian life as a struggle
against sin. It is a real pleasure to preach to them, and they are
earnest to know the truth.
I am trying to make the Christian boys and girls feel their
responsibility more. I am trying to make them work for others. We
have started a Missionary Association for work in the country about.
On Sunday afternoon twenty-five go out into the cottages to read
the Bible and pray with the poor families. Many of them work in the
Sunday-schools in Hampton. One goes out to the poor-house, another
to the prison. They all make the reports of their work to me. We are
talking of starting a Sunday-school in the Butler School House. We
think we could get in many who do not now attend, and it would give
our students a chance for work. I am anxious to make them feel that
they are not merely to be recipients. There is a good interest in our
meetings, and although I don’t feel at all contented with what is being
done, and look for much greater things, yet I am thankful for the
evidences of God’s favor which I see.
* * * * *
GEORGIA.
Revival Interest.
REV. C. W. FRANCIS, ATLANTA.
We have great reason to rejoice in all the good things the Lord has
done for us in this school. Since the day of prayer for Colleges on
the last Thursday of January, we have had a very marked and general
interest in religious things, and we have reason to believe that very
many have become reconciled to God and taken up the service of Christ.
Nearly every one in the family, numbering about two hundred students,
who was not already a follower of Christ, has been affected and
confessed an interest in the subject, and not many have drawn back thus
far. About sixty have attended inquiry meetings, and we hope a large
proportion of them will hold on their way.
There has been a great quickening of those who bore the Christian name,
and many of them have taken up the work as though for the first time.
We have held meetings every night for five weeks, and there has been
the steady presentation of the truth and much personal effort, and so a
great harvest gathered, which fills our hearts with gladness.
Regular school work has not been broken in upon to any great extent
and there has been no tendency toward undue excitement but a deep and
solemn attention to the claims of God has characterized the experience
of most.
We cannot tell how many have become decided Christians, certainly more
than twenty, and perhaps twice that will upon trial be found steadfast.
Some have already gone away to distant places to open schools, and
will, we trust, carry the light with them, and others will go soon. If
they had not been reached just at this time we should probably never
have had opportunity to lead them again. Next month we hope quite a
number will unite with our church, and many more will in due time unite
with other churches. We are aware of the tendency to over-estimate
immediate results and to be mistaken in regard to the permanent effects
of such a work here; but it is the testimony of all that this is the
most thorough and general work for years in this school. It has been
blessed to be here and to have a share in it. “It is the Lord’s doing
and marvelous in our eyes.”
* * * * *
The John the Baptist of the Church—Genius for Piety.
REV. B. D. CONKLING, SAVANNAH.
Having some friends who read the MISSIONARY—when sufficiently urged to
do so by their pastors—I would like a little space to give them, not
some conclusions, perhaps, but some impressions of the A. M. A. work.
I remember hearing a zealous brother, at the Chicago Annual Meeting,
earnestly urge that the A. M. A. push more vigorously the “Church
work,” that the conversion of the Freedmen was the thing to be aimed at
rather than their education, etc.
A few months of experience impress me with the conviction that the
school is the “John the Baptist” of the church. We cannot do without
each of them. But we are still in the “school” state; and if either is
to suffer, it must be the church work. Each, in fact, bears the same
message to the masses. The church is doubtless to “increase” greatly;
but it will yet be many days (years) before the school will “decrease,”
if we are wise.
It has sometimes been said that the colored people have what has
been called, “a genius for piety.” How much this means can only be
understood by one who has been with them in their religious assemblies
of the better sort. They have a faculty for getting hold of, and being
interested in and by, the things which are most elaborate and profound
and spiritually significant in thought, which continually surprises
one. They know “meat” from “milk,” and are ready every time for the
former. They might not follow one who gave them Rowland Hill’s fine
“river of words, and only a spoonful of thought,” but if any man can
speak thoughts in words which accurately mate each other, I invite
him to my pulpit, assuring him that he will have an attentive and
appreciative hearing such as delights the heart of the messenger who
has something to say. My impression is that the Negro is to have a
decided and beneficent influence upon the Christianity of America, if
not upon that of the whole world:—but in precisely what direction I am
not clear.
I have a truly noble little band of co-pastors in these churches
scattered here-abouts. They do not know what they are doing—nor do any
of us, I think—in planting the seeds of a decorous and an intelligent
church life, and one which insists upon honesty, sobriety, “whatsoever
is of good report,” etc., as fundamental therein, among these people
who are slowly but surely getting into a secure and respectable place
in the body politic.
In view of their position and its opportunities one cannot help
feeling—and no one can feel it as keenly as they themselves do—that
it is a pity that their early advantages had not been greater.
Nevertheless it is my impression that the next fifteen years of A. M.
A. work will be more important, if possible, than the last fifteen
years have been; and this, whether we consider negro or white, State or
Nation, America or Africa.
Conclusion: Prayers and gifts were never more needed, or more likely to
do lasting good than just now.
* * * * *
The Southern Winter of 1880-81.
REV. S. E. LATHROP, MACON.
For this season, at least, the name of “Sunny South” is a misnomer.
Beginning in November last, there have been almost four solid months of
cold, sour, dismal, cloudy, stormy weather.
For ten days the thermometer stood constantly below the freezing point.
One night it touched zero. Everybody kept roaring fires, and cowered
over them in their loosely-built houses. Soon the coal-yards gave out,
and the wood market was empty. The smooth-shod Southern horses could
not climb the icy hills to bring supplies. Fuel became steadily scarcer
and higher—wood going up from four dollars (the usual price) to fifteen
dollars per cord, and very scarce at that.
Rich and poor alike suffered. Many burned the fences, fruit trees and
shade trees. Poor people burned their board partitions, bedsteads,
tables, even chairs and trunks, and some, after all, had to go to bed
as the only means of keeping warm.