never known before. Water-pipes burst, fruits, flowers and vegetables
were frozen, and general distress ensued. The chilly rain still
continues, though ice and snow have disappeared. I doubt if the
“blizzards” and “Arctic waves” of the North cause much more real
suffering than this chilly, damp, freezing winter here brings to the
inhabitants so unaccustomed to this weather.
Most Southern houses are very loosely built, generally warmed with
fire-places or coal grates, over which you may scorch one side and
freeze the other. Water froze one day within six feet of our stove.
Much suffering, sickness and death have resulted among the poor in
their wretched cabins. Fortunately for some our kind friends North
have this winter sent us an unusual amount of clothing, which has been
distributed judiciously among those most needy, and has done much to
alleviate distress. My wife has given away over 400 garments within the
past three mouths, and many shivering bodies have been warmed. From our
own good State of Wisconsin we have had no less than seventeen boxes
or barrels, containing books, clothing, magazines and newspapers. From
friends in other States there have come eleven packages of various
sizes, with the same acceptable help for our poor people. And how
helpful these timely gifts have been!
Although my wife has had no special commission as missionary, she has
done considerable in that line. During three mouths past, she has made
over two hundred and fifty visits, being confined to the house by
illness for one month of that time, and being much hindered otherwise
by the incessant stormy weather, which has also greatly interfered
with our evening meetings and Sunday services. Besides the clothing
above referred to, she has distributed hundreds of papers, tracts,
cards and texts, reading and talking with the women and children. Her
sewing-school, meeting weekly, has steadily increased, until it now
numbers ninety-three girls, of whom sixty were present at the last
meeting. Cutting and basting work for so many occupies a good deal of
time.
At our annual church meeting, the reports showed that eighteen persons
had been received on profession of faith during the year 1880, and $256
raised for church purposes. The Sunday-school reported 220 names on the
roll, of whom 175 were present at one time, and the average attendance
for the year was 115. Ten of the scholars united with the church, and
the school has raised about $60 in weekly contributions. The pastor
and wife gave away 8,500 religious and Sunday-school papers during the
year. One of the papers has a story. It was given to a little girl in
our infant class, who took it home and carefully preserved it. Her
father, not a Christian man, was soon after arrested and confined in
jail for several months for stealing. The little girl carried him her
Sunday-school papers to read. One of these told the story of Joseph and
the baker in the Egyptian prison, and suggested that every prisoner,
and every sinner, had a divine intercessor at the throne, Jesus Christ,
the Saviour, who would not forget his friends in trouble, as the baker
did. So he began to pray, and when released from jail soon after, was a
converted man.
We have received a great many papers from Northern Sunday-schools and
other friends, and shall be glad to receive many more. Much good may
be done by this means, as the above incident illustrates. From the
incessant storms, floods and cold of this winter, the people need more
help than ever by way of clothing for the destitute, and all other
aids. All kinds of business have suffered, and the high prices of
fuel and other necessaries have caused many to be perplexed as to the
wherewithal of eating and putting on. Many of the country churches have
hardly been able to keep up services at all, owing to storms and floods.
I have collected over 1,000 volumes for my “Lewis Public Library,”
and it is doing good work. I expect soon to issue a little missionary
paper. Our Lewis High School is increasing in numbers.
* * * * *
ALABAMA.
Accessions to the Church.
REV. G. W. ANDREWS, TALLADEGA.
Twenty-three connected themselves with our College Church yesterday
March 6th; twenty-two of them by confession, and one by letter: fruits
of a revival scarcely yet ended. All but two of them are children or
young people; twenty-one are members of the Sabbath-school and of the
College. Twelve are children of church members, now a long time with
us. Two are wives for whom faithful and godly husbands had hoped and
prayed, lo! these many years; there had been the secret hope but never
before the open confession. Two were baptized by immersion, the rest
followed the better way, choosing less of the outward and formal,
and more of the inward and spiritual. Of the thirty girls boarding
at Foster Hall, all are Christians, as are the forty boys, with two
or three exceptions. Very few of those who come under our Christian
influences so far as to be members of our family and Sabbath-school,
fail to indulge a hope in Christ.
We had meetings every night for three weeks, Pres. DeForest preaching
with great tenderness and power, while all the teachers and workers
did faithfully what they could. So far from interfering with regular
school duties, these meetings quickened to highest endeavor in study,
and led to the most careful and conscientious use of time. Never before
have our pupils been so conscientious and so well-behaved. Among the
thirty girls at the boarding hall there has been but a single case of
discipline since the present school year has begun, and that grew out
of a voluntary confession, a sign of a very tender conscience.
All the meetings have been unusually quiet; not a case of noisy
demonstration, no great “sights,” no “dreams,” but a thoughtful
surrender to Christ, very much, I think, as in the revival meetings I
have been accustomed to all my life. In them God has honored preaching,
which has been so plain, practical and tender that few could resist
it. There were not many hard hearts or dry eyes when the sermon on the
“Prodigal Son” was ended and the invitation given to all prodigals to
return to an injured Father’s house.
Through all these meetings unusual honor was put upon the Spirit, and
on prayer, and there was more than the usual amount of preaching to the
church, and with excellent results. God has done great things for us,
whereof we are glad.
* * * * *
MISSISSIPPI.
Burning of Building at Tougaloo.
REV. A. HATCH.
Sunday, Jan. 23d, at half-past seven o’clock, the students of the
University assembled as usual in the chapel for the evening worship.
The pleasant afternoon had given place to a chilly night. In a warm
but not overheated room all were attentive to the opening exercises.
In the midst of the second hymn, which all had arisen to sing, one or
two young men near the door were seen to pass out quickly from the
room. Several others followed at their heels, when, immediately, as by
a common instinct, both divisions of the assembly turned and pressed
down the aisles toward the two front doors. Not a word of alarm was
spoken by an individual and the order, “back!” “back!” which was given
from the rostrum, checked for a minute this sudden movement, and some
at the doors hesitated whether to pass out or to return. A moment more
when a quantity of water fell from the ceiling through the thimble of
the stove pipe, simultaneously with the cry of “fire” without, all in
the room became aware of the real cause of alarm. The young men who
first passed out ran to the hall above, and, with what water was found
in three or four rooms which they burst into, attempted to put out the
fire. It was found to have broken out, however, above them, beneath
the roof and very close also to the open bell-tower. This tower, with
the long, straight hall, which, at one end, opened into it, and at the
other had an outside stair door—the only entrance—provided at the start
a powerful, furnace-like draught to the flames, which had they not been
out of reach, could have been with difficulty brought under control.
Within one hour our chapel was entirely consumed. During this time the
young men managed to save a trunk, in some cases, a handful of clothes,
a few books, or whatever else they could snatch out of their rooms the
quickest. A number lost everything except what they were wearing at the
time. In several instances what was thrown out of windows and carried
to a safe distance from the burning building was stolen by enterprising
neighbors.
No sooner was the chapel well in flames than the attention of everybody
was centered in the effort to save adjacent buildings, and especially
the mansion, the most valuable of all. This and the chapel stood
broadside toward each other, 37 yards apart. We had, however, the
advantage of a flat iron roof easily accessible to work upon. To keep
the northern side of the building thoroughly wet with water thrown from
the roof, from the ground, and from the second-story veranda, was the
work of a long half hour, each moment of which we expected to see the
building take fire. The working force of our institution was put to
its utmost strain for the whole of this time. This and all the other
buildings were saved.
The conduct of our students was truly admirable. Each young man worked
with a will, wherever he was placed, or at whatever needed to be done
at the moment, whether it was at the pumps or carrying water, guarding
a roof, or taking out furniture and books. None worked harder than some
of those who had rooms in the chapel building and were losing nearly
all they had, forgetful even of the trunk or handful of clothing that
lay somewhere scattered about in the yard—all that was left of their
possessions. Many of the young women, also, showed much presence of
mind and were of great service. One was found upon the roof of the
mansion with a bucket of water.
We received much assistance, too, from friendly neighbors both white
and colored. One old colored woman was the means of saving a great deal
from the burning building, running in and out carrying away the books
and loose furniture.
Previous to the fire every available room was occupied by our students,
and many apartments which were barely comfortable for two had to
accommodate three. At ten o’clock that Sunday night our main dormitory
for young men was in ashes. Thirty were without a place to sleep.
For that night fifteen were stowed away on the floor of one of the
teachers’ rooms in the mansion, five were put similarly in one of the
offices, and the rest managed to squeeze themselves into the ten beds
at the “Barracks.”
It shows the earnest disposition of the class of students which are
attracted to Tougaloo University that we were able the next morning,
promptly at nine o’clock, to go on with the regular school work. The
classes all recited as usual, though school books had been scattered
upon the campus and our school room and two recitation rooms had been
turned to ashes by the flames. The Monday writing-class, however, did
not meet. Pens and desks were burnt.
The fire has indeed seemed to result in a moral blessing, softening
the disposition of many, and teaching a lesson of unselfishness. It
has served, we think, to attach our better class of students to the
institution as perhaps never before.
Students have been arriving every week since the fire and we have sent
none of them away. The very week following brought us half a dozen
young men. In addition to this, about the first of March quite a number
of young men as well as young women are expected to return to us from
their winter schools.
* * * * *
TENNESSEE.
Statistics of Teaching by Students now in Fisk University.
From reports carefully made out by students now in attendance on Fisk
University, the following facts are ascertained:
Ninety have at some time been engaged in school teaching. Of these,
sixty-two are members of the collegiate department and twenty-eight of
the normal department. The time taught in all, including the past year,
is 1,630 months, or reduced to school years of nine months each, 161
1-9 years.
It is found that during the year 1880, seventy-two have taught school,
the sum of the months being 309. This reduced to school years of nine
months each, gives 34⅓ years.
The sum total of salaries earned in 1880, is $9,129. From this must be
subtracted for cost of board and travel, $3,236, leaving a net gain of
$5,893.
The entire number of pupils taught during the year is 5,641, and the
sum of average daily attendance is 3,717.
Of the seventy-two who taught these schools, sixty-seven did labor in
Sunday-schools, forty-four as teachers, seven as superintendents and
sixteen as both teachers and superintendents. The total attendance
on these Sunday-schools was 3,963. Besides this, four did labor in
preaching, twelve held prayer-meetings and one held Bible readings. The
number of conversions reported is 151.
Thirty-two taught in Tennessee, twenty-two in Mississippi, eight in
Texas, four in Alabama, four in Arkansas, two in Georgia, one in West
Virginia, and one in Missouri.
Inferences drawn from these statistics:
1. Nearly all the students in Fisk University of sufficient age and
advancement in scholarship, teach during their courses of study. It
is found that eighty per cent. of the students in the collegiate
department have taught. Those who have not taught are too young to take
charge of a school. The per cent. of those in the Normal department who
have taught, is less, because the advancement in scholarship is less,
as is also the average age.
2. The average salary per month is $29.54. The average cost for board
and travel, not calculating other expenses, is $10.47. This leaves the
net gain per month of $19.07. This in reality is reduced somewhat by
loss of time often incurred in securing a school, or in waiting for it
to begin after it is secured.
3. It is seen that the students are making very praiseworthy efforts to
gain an education, and that they earn annually a large sum of money to
secure that end. Still, at a net gain of $19.07 a month, the student
cannot entirely support himself. Parents should consider well this
fact, not fully understood, as it would appear, by some of those able
to assist their children. Those kind friends who have given to the
Student Aid Fund of the University, will see that their benefactions
are needed and well bestowed.
4. This condition of things, if the strain is not allowed to be too
severe, has a compensating benefit to the student, who grows strong by
contending with difficulties. He learns the value of education by its
cost. He obtains that practical experience which students ordinarily
have to acquire after graduation. He is also kept in sympathy with the
people among whom his future labors are to lie.
5. These statistics show that, while in the midst of their own arduous
labors as students, these young people are accomplishing a great amount
of good in a field to which now, happily, the eyes of the nation are
turned, the education of the colored people. During the last year,
when, for reasons not necessary now to give, a less number of students
than usual were engaged in teaching, they had under their training an
army of between five and six thousand children, and performed the labor
of more than the ordinary lifetime of a man; and, including former
years, they have done the work of more than a hundred and sixty years.
6. But the whole good is not to be estimated in years. The great mass
of the teachers among the colored people, as among the white, teach
with little if any more preparation than what is gained in the common
schools. The coming into a community of one who has enjoyed superior
advantages, introduces a better idea to which others will seek to
attain. One of the most threatening obstacles in the way of colored
education has been the great lack of competent colored teachers. The
paying of incompetent teachers is almost, if not entirely, a waste of
the public money. Viewing from this standpoint, the long and expensive
journeys necessarily taken by the students of Fisk University to reach
their schools, may not be a loss but a benefit, by scattering further
the good influence of the University. In a region where one good
teacher is sent, ten schools will be made better.
7. In addition to the devotional exercises held in their schools by the
greater majority of the students, much other religious work is done.
During the last year six preached, twelve held prayer-meetings and one
Bible readings, while ninety-six per cent. of all are now engaged in
Sunday-school labor. A more accurate knowledge of the Scriptures and
better idea of Christian living must be the result of these labors.
8. From a list of institutions of learning where some of those, now
students in Fisk University, studied before coming to it, many of them
of high standing and scattered over the land, it is seen that this
University cannot claim these good results entirely as its own. It
shows also that the University, situated as it is, midway between the
gulf and the lakes, is becoming a great central school of learning.
9. No mention is made in these statistics of any students not now in
attendance on the University. The exact number of those in that class
who are now teaching, is not known. It is known, however, that many
such are devoting their entire time to teaching and some of them are
already occupying positions of honor and importance as educators.
According to estimates derived from reports given by former students
not now in connection with the University, the number of pupils taught
annually by them cannot be far from 10,000, making a total, with those
before mentioned, of more than 15,000.—_Fisk Expositor._
* * * * *
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.
SECRETARY: Rev. W. C. Pond. TREASURER: E. Palache, Esq.
* * * * *
II.—HOW SPEEDS THE WORK?
In the February number we gave a brief chapter of replies to this
question. We make no apology for giving a second chapter now. It is
just what our readers want to know, and what we equally wish to tell.
And—
1. _The Finances._—It was at this point our former chapter closed. I
announced that we were laying out work with reference to raising, over
and above the regular appropriation from the parent society, $5,000
this year, in place of $1,610.70 received last year. I am glad and
grateful to be able to announce that of that $5,000, fully $2,600 are
already in sight, either in cash or in reliable pledges. It has been
made easy to raise this, because all except the hundreds (_i. e._,
$2,000) has come in a single donation from the grand English house
of Balfour, Gunther & Co., in this city. That is to say, $500 from
the senior partner in Liverpool, Alfred Balfour, Esq., $500 from his
Liverpool associate, Hon. Stephen Williamson, M. P., and $1,000 from
the house as a whole, among the partners in which is a worthy son of
Chalmers’ great successor in the Free Church of Scotland—that prince
among preachers, Dr. Guthrie. This great gift is proffered in the hope
and expectation that the balance of $3,000 will not be found wanting,
and, God helping us, it _shall not_ fail. There has been a painful
sense, all along these years, that we were reaching only the outer edge
of the great necessity touching, so to speak, only the bare fringe
of our great opportunity, though we have done the utmost possible
for us, with the means at our command. I can with a clear conscience
claim that not a dime has gone forth needlessly; that every minutest
item of expense has been carefully scrutinized; and, while it would
be “too good to be true” if we said that _no_ mistakes had been made,
that every experiment had proved a success, or that no fields have
been entered from which we were compelled to retire before the harvest
came to view, still, I speak the simple truth when I say that I know
of nothing that to-day I would extract, or, so far as _our endeavor_
is concerned, essentially change. The constant prayer has been for
the Master’s guidance; is it vain or presumptuous to believe that
the prayer has been answered, his _promise_ fulfilled, his guidance
vouchsafed? It would be meanly ungrateful if I did not thus testify for
Him.
But the point is that now we must go deeper. We cannot rest on the
outer edge of the great work. We must avail ourselves to the utmost of
our opportunity, and for this we must have a marked increase of means.
Toward this, now that God has inclined these English brethren to give
so largely, I cannot believe that American Christians will fail to make
fitting response. And inasmuch as I cannot see how more than $1,500
out of the $2,400 remaining to be raised, can possibly be gathered in
California, I venture to press it on the thoughts and hearts of Eastern
friends, to furnish over and above their regular contributions to the
parent society, at least $900 for its California auxiliary. Let the
gifts be sent directly to me at 940 Copp Street, or to our treasurer,
Deacon E. Palache, 218 Front Street, San Francisco.
2. _Our Schools._—In the February MISSIONARY I spoke of 13 schools in
operation, a larger number than ever before. The first of March will
see the number 14, a school being prepared to start on that date, at
Tucson, Arizona. It will be, by far, our most distant out-post, but
gives promise of being a very useful mission. Several of the pupils who
had become Christians in connection with our Santa Barbara mission,
work failing at that place, moved on towards the front, and were
scattered among the villages of Arizona; one, at least, even crossing
the line into Mexico. We had letters from them occasionally, such as
encouraged us to believe that, though in exile from what had been to
them a very house of God, and often standing alone, as Christians,
among a crowd of ungodly and profane Americans, they were still walking
in the truth. At length, from one of them who had settled at Tucson,
came, in behalf of himself and eight or nine others, an urgent request
for a mission there. At the suggestion of some excellent Christian
ladies of that city, to whom I appealed for advice, and who kindly
pledged their personal co-operation, the school is to be placed in the
care of Rev. Mr. Messenger, once a missionary of the Episcopal Board
in Africa. He is pronounced to be “a _good_ Christian, who can sing
well, can play on the organ, and will work earnestly” in the liberty of
Christ and not in bondage to any ritual or liturgy. The pupils attest
their zeal by pledging contributions sufficient to pay the rent of
the school-room, $15 per month, and, perhaps, the incidental expenses
likewise. Pray for the success of the first Chinese mission in Arizona.
Among the new schools reported in my last was that at Oroville.
Its teacher is a daughter of Rev. Alvin Ostrom, pastor of the
Congregational Church in that place, who himself was once a missionary
in China, and has, in his enforced return to this country, been hungry
these many years for an opportunity to preach Christ again to the
Chinese. I hardly need say that with such a spirit in the work tokens
of a coming harvest begin to appear. Two or three of the pupils began
to venture in, on Sabbaths, to the half empty church, and to sit in
unoccupied pews. Whereupon an irate Caucasian vents himself in the
village newspaper in this wise:
“ED. MERCURY—‘What are our places of divine worship coming to?’ is a
question with many. Are we to give way our places in the pews to the
long-tailed Mongolians, or shall we be obliged to take sides with
them? We answer, ‘No!’ Better send them and our pretended leaders away
together to their proper places. We have no objection to his teaching
them, but for the sake of common decency and the respect due to us, let
it be a separate matter.
“CHURCH-GOER.”