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THE AMERICAN MISSIONARY.
AUGUST, 1889.
VOL. XLIII. NO. 8.
CONTENTS
EDITORIAL.
ANNUAL MEETING
FIGURES STILL IMPROVING
PARAGRAPH
EXTRACTS FROM LETTERS
CIVIL RIGHTS IN COURT
TIMHAKA TA IVANGELI
THE SOUTH.
WHAT I FOUND IN THE CUMBERLAND MOUNTAINS, ILLUSTRATED WITH CUTS
OF MOUNTAIN CABINS, A NATIVE MOUNTAIN CHURCH AND THE ACADEMY
AT WILLIAMSBURG, KY.
ANNIVERSARY EXERCISES:
FISK UNIVERSITY, NASHVILLE, TENN.
TALLADEGA COLLEGE, TALLADEGA, ALA.
STRAIGHT UNIVERSITY, NEW ORLEANS, LA.
LE MOYNE NORMAL SCHOOL, MEMPHIS, TENN.
AVERY INSTITUTE, CHARLESTON, S.C.
NEW CHURCH AND SCHOOL AT ALCO, ALA.
CHILDREN'S DAY AT CHATTANOOGA, TENN.
THE INDIANS.
LETTER FROM MISS COLLINS
THE RAMONA INDIAN SCHOOL
THE CHINESE.
OROVILLE, MARYSVILLE, PETALUMA
BUREAU OF WOMAN'S WORK.
WOMAN'S STATE ORGANIZATIONS
THE LOCAL SOCIETY--ITS MEMBERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT
RECEIPTS
* * * * *
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.
PRESIDENT, Rev. WM. M. TAYLOR, D.D., LL.D., N.Y.
_Vice-Presidents._
Rev. A.J.F. BEHRENDS, D.D., N.Y.
Rev. ALEX. McKENZIE, D.D., Mass.
Rev. F.A. NOBLE, D.D., Ill.
Rev. D.O. MEARS, D.D., Mass.
Rev. HENRY HOPKINS, D.D., Mo.
_Corresponding Secretaries._
Rev. M.E. STRIEBY, D.D., _56 Reade Street, N.Y._
Rev. A.F. BEARD, D.D., _56 Reade Street, N.Y._
_Recording Secretary._
Rev. M.E. STRIEBY, D.D., _56 Reade Street, N.Y._
_Treasurer._
H.W. HUBBARD, Esq., _56 Reade Street, N.Y._
_Auditors._
PETER McCARTEE.
CHAS. P. PEIRCE.
_Executive Committee._
JOHN H. WASHBURN, Chairman.
ADDISON P. FOSTER, Secretary.
_For Three Years._
J.E. RANKIN,
WM. H. WARD,
J.W. COOPER,
JOHN H. WASHBURN,
EDMUND L. CHAMPLIN.
_For Two Years._
LYMAN ABBOTT,
CHAS. A. HULL,
CLINTON E. FISK,
ADDISON P. FOSTER,
ALBERT J. LYMAN.
_For One Year._
S.B. HALLIDAY,
SAMUEL HOLMES,
SAMUEL S. MARPLES,
CHARLES L. MEAD,
ELBERT B. MONROE.
_District Secretaries._
Rev. C.J. RYDER, _21 Cong'l House, Boston._
Rev. J.E. ROY, D.D., _151 Washington Sheet, Chicago._
Rev. C.W. HIATT, _64 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio._
_Financial Secretary for Indian Missions._
Rev. CHAS. W. SHELTON.
_Field Superintendents._
Rev. FRANK E. JENKINS.
Prof. EDWARD S. HALL.
_Secretary of Woman's Bureau._
Miss D.E. EMERSON, _56 Reade St., N.Y._
COMMUNICATIONS
Relating to the work of the Association may be addressed to the
Corresponding Secretaries; letters for "THE AMERICAN MISSIONARY," to the
Editor, at the New York Office; letters relating to the finances, to the
Treasurer.
DONATIONS AND SUBSCRIPTIONS
In drafts, checks, registered letters, or post-office orders, 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 151 Washington Street, Chicago, Ill. A payment
of thirty dollars at one time constitutes a Life Member.
NOTICE TO SUBSCRIBERS.--The date on the "address label," indicates the
time to which the subscription is paid. Changes are made in date on
label to the 10th of each month. If payment of subscription be made
afterward, the change on the label will appear a month later. Please
send early notice of change in post-office address, giving the former
address and the new address, in order that our periodicals and
occasional papers may be correctly mailed.
FORM OF A BEQUEST.
"I bequeath to my executor (or executors) the sum of ---- dollars, in
trust, to pay the same in ---- days after my decease to the person who,
when the same is payable, shall act as Treasurer of the 'American
Missionary Association,' of New York City, to be applied, under the
direction of the Executive Committee of the Association, to its
charitable uses and purposes." The Will should be attested by three
witnesses.
* * * * *
THE AMERICAN MISSIONARY.
VOL. XLIII. AUGUST, 1889. No. 8.
American Missionary Association.
* * * * *
The next Annual Meeting of the American Missionary Association will be
held in Chicago, Ill., at the New England Church, commencing at three
o'clock Tuesday afternoon, October 29th. Rev. R.R. Meredith, D.D., of
Brooklyn, N.Y., will preach the sermon. Details regarding the reception
of delegates and their entertainment, together with rates at hotels, and
railroad and steamboat reductions, will appear later in the religious
press and in the next number of the MISSIONARY.
* * * * *
THE FIGURES STILL IMPROVING.
Our receipts for nine months to June 30th are: From donations,
$147,213.31; from estates, $50,121.54; from income, $8,117.96; from
tuition, $30,239.62; from United States Government for Indians,
$15,219.37; total, $250,911.80. Our expenditures for nine months to June
30th are, $265,526.59. Debtor balance, $14,614.76.
The improvement is seen in the following figures: Debtor balance at the
close of April, $28,318.14; at the close of May, $25,795.07; June, as
above, $14,614.76. This improvement is due, in large part to legacies,
and yet there has been marked improvement in the donations as compared
with last year. We trust our friends will be encouraged to still further
increase their contributions, and enable us to rejoice in a triumphant
balance sheet.
* * * * *
OUR PRACTICAL, THOUGHTFUL FRIEND.
Nearly a year ago, we had the satisfaction of referring to a friend who
contributed regularly to all the Congregational Societies, and yet
reserved one hundred dollars for the society standing in need of special
help. We are glad to say that was not a transient purpose, for the
friend has appeared again this year and has doubled his special
contribution. We trust that he stands not alone in this thoughtful and
practical watchfulness over the missionary societies.
* * * * *
EXTRACTS FROM LETTERS.
"Enclosed find my draft for ---- for the good work doing among the
Freedmen. For nothing do I give money more cheerfully than for the
advancement of that race."
"The earnest plea of Mr. Pond for help in his California Chinese work
was brought to the notice of our Chinese teachers yesterday. We would
hereby pledge you fifty dollars. His work must not stop. Would that we
could do more towards its support. Would, too, that we could have one of
his earnest Christian Chinese workers in our own city."
"I have just been reading the June number of the MISSIONARY, and do what
I can at this time toward paying the debt. I am specially impressed by
the extract from Mr. Pond's letter, and shall be pleased if you see fit
to assign the enclosed to his work. However, please to use it at your
discretion in any way."
"I have been able to do so little for your society of late that it has
been a grief to me, but as I am in receipt of a little money I send you
---- as a thank offering. May it do a little for the cause my husband
and myself have had so much at heart. With best wishes and prayers for
your _abundant_ success."
* * * * *
Rev. C.J. Ryder writes:
After the work of the Association had been presented in a comparatively
small church near Boston, the pastor arose, and with earnestness and
deep feeling said, "What are _we_ going to do about it? Shall we let
this great work be delayed because of our inaction? Let us now take a
collection of one hundred dollars!" This seemed an impossible thing to
do to the visiting Secretary. They brought back in the bags one hundred
and ten dollars, the extra collection of this comparatively small
church!
It makes a heap of difference whether the pastor follows the Secretary's
address with such cordial and enthusiastic endorsement or not. I am glad
to testify that there is a good deal of this cordial co-operation on the
part of pastors in New England.
* * * * *
CIVIL RIGHTS IN COURT.
During the National Council at Chicago, three years ago, Rev. S.P.
Smith, a delegate from Knoxville, Tenn., applying for a dinner at a
restaurant, was refused service. He prosecuted the proprietor. A jury in
Chicago has just given him a verdict of $125 damages. The defence asked
for a new trial on the ground that the judge had prejudiced the jury by
his instructions; the judge denied the motion, stating that if he had
been on the jury he would have made the fine $500. The defence is
seeking a compromise, with the threatened alternative of an appeal. Mr.
Smith, standing for the principle, will abide the final act of the
court.
* * * * *
TIMHAKA TA IVANGELI.
We are very proud of this book as being the first literary production in
an African language of one of our graduates at the South, the Rev. B.F.
Ousley, now of the East Central Africa Mission. The missionaries there
have already reduced the language to writing, having formed a vocabulary
of over three thousand words, and from it have printed a few books.
Among them, is the one whose title appears above. It is a translation of
"The Story of the Gospel," in a little volume of two hundred and six
pages. We have read it with great interest so far as we have been able
to understand its dialect. Within our comprehension we find Jesu, the
one word in all languages for all people, Simone Petro, Johane, Marta,
Maria, and Lazaru and many other such proper names. We congratulate our
young people at the South that so soon they have a representative
performing such literary work for the people of Africa. Much of such
work seems drudgery, but it is necessary to opening the light of life to
the people who sit in darkness. A booklet in the same language gives a
catechism and some of the songs of the gospel, ten of which are
translations by Mr. Ousley of some of the dearest of the gospel songs.
* * * * *
THE SOUTH.
* * * * *
WHAT I FOUND IN THE CUMBERLAND MOUNTAINS.
BY REV. C.W. SHELTON.
First. There are living in this mountain country two millions of white
people, until recently isolated from, and untouched by, the civilization
of which we are so proud. No centennial anniversary commemorates their
growth in wealth and intellect. As their fathers lived, so until
recently, have they. One hundred years have witnessed but little
progress, almost no change, in their condition. The open fire-place, the
spinning-wheel and the home-spun jeans are familiar sights. Forgotten by
the rest of the world, they, in turn, forget that beyond these mountain
peaks, marking the limit of view and generally the limit of interest, a
nation has pressed forward to take its place among the foremost of the
earth. And yet no color line has excluded, no reservation boundary
separated, this people from their fellow countrymen. Their lack of
energy and the stagnation of their minds, is the explanation of this
condition of things.
Secondly. I found this mountain people naturally American; in deepest
sympathy with our free government; loyal to the old flag in the hour of
its greatest danger; fighting, suffering, dying, that the Union might be
preserved. To one who has spent any length of time on our western
prairies settled so largely with an emigrant people, the great
difference between the American born and educated people of the
mountains, and the naturalized American of the prairie, constantly
emphasizes itself. Here no new language has to be acquired, no new form
of government understood. A common interest, a common sympathy, a mother
country, binds one at once to this people as it never can to the
American importation which is found at the West.
Thirdly. I found homes and a home life, or rather the want of it, which
one would hardly believe possible among a white population in this
country.
The following illustrations are correct representations of what I
found to be average mountain cabins. Seldom do they contain more than
two, often only one, room. A single window, an open fire-place, and a
few home-made articles of furniture, comprise the whole. The home is
begun when its founders are yet children. Ignorant and poor, the boy
has "took up" with the girl, and it may be they are legally married. A
building-bee is announced, a little cabin erected, a few pigs bought
or given, a few trees girdled, some corn planted, in so crude and
shiftless a way that even an Indian, in his first attempts at farming,
would be ashamed to own it, and home life is begun. Into this home of
poverty and ignorance come the children. The families are
large--eight, ten, twelve, and sometimes more. The mother is too
ignorant herself to instruct, and had she the ability, neither time
nor strength to accomplish it are at her command. Life to her is a
struggle. At twenty she looks thirty-five, at thirty-five she is old.
Always she has a tired, hopeless expression, which simply to look at
almost starts the tears. The children have something of the same
expression; the babies even seem to realize that it is a sober, sad
world they have come into. I do not remember seeing a laughing, cooing
baby in all the cabins I visited.
[Illustration: MOUNTAIN CABIN.]
[Illustration: MOUNTAIN CABIN.]
Educationally, I found this people far below the emigrant on the
prairie. Seventy per cent. of the whole two millions cannot read or
write. The schools are the poorest. The school houses are built of logs;
a hole is cut for the window; the ground serves for a floor, slabs for
seats, and the teacher is strictly in keeping with all. Bare-footed,
hair unkempt, snuff stick in her mouth, scarcely able to read herself,
she is the example--the ideal toward which her pupils are to strive.
Religiously, I found that these people, almost without exception, were
"professors," and "had jined" not a Christian church, but some one of
these native mountain pastors. The accompanying illustration gives a
good idea of the mountain church; it is built of logs, and is without
windows; the pulpit is an unpainted board; the seats slabs from the
nearest saw mill, turned flat side up, with pegs driven in for legs.
The ministry is in strict keeping with the church, and intellectually
little in advance of the people. They take pride in the fact that
"These yer home-spun jeans have never brushed no dust from off no
college walls," and exultantly declare that "The Lord taught me how to
preach: and when the Lord teaches a man how to preach, you may just
reckon he don't make no mistakes."
[Illustration: A NATIVE MOUNTAIN CHURCH.]
On every hand, I found indications that the day of isolation for this
people is rapidly passing away. Yankee inquisitiveness has discovered
that these mountains are full of the best coal and iron--Northern
capital has already begun to strip them of their rich forests of black
walnut, oak and pine. The rivers are carrying these logs by the
thousands to the immense mills, which in turn are making the large
towns, toward which already the railroad is hastening.
Engineering skill is bridging streams, crossing valleys, climbing
mountains or piercing them through. On every hand we see the change.
From their long sleep of a century, these valleys, these homes, this
whole people are awakening. A new life is beginning, a new future,
opening.
And as a result of all this, I found a field of missionary work, which
for opportunity and need has perhaps no equal in our country. Amidst all
this change, a people, startled from their long separation, find
themselves suddenly called to face, to compete with, to become a part
of, our life, our intellectual advancement; to move with our energy, and
work with our skill. Realizing their weakness, suddenly roused by their
necessity, they are sending across their valleys and over their
mountains the Macedonian cry, "Come over and help us!" Our duty to this
people, whether we look at it from the standpoint of the Christian or
the citizen, is beyond the measure of words.
Here, as everywhere in the South, I found that the American Missionary
Association, as representative of our Northern Christian sympathy, was
at work. Its normal schools, fitting teachers to go out and displace the
bare-footed, ignorant, snuff-stick-chewing school mistresses; its
churches, fitting mothers and fathers to enter upon their duties
conscious of their responsibility; and its missionaries, bringing
in an intelligent Christian life, and driving the curse of the
country--intemperance--out of the home, community and the county, are
thus meeting the need, and answering the cry, and fulfilling the
obligations. Below is a cut of one of the buildings of the Academy
at Williamsburg, Ky., recently erected among these people.
[Illustration: WILLIAMSBURG ACADEMY, KY.]
I found one worker where the field called for a dozen; one school where
we should have twenty; one church where we should have a hundred; one
scholar received into an over-crowded school house, when its doors
should open to scores. I found one missionary with nine organized
churches on his hands, and he the only pastor; the extremes of his
parish being seventy-five miles apart.
And lastly, on returning to New York, I found an empty, a worse than
empty, a debt-burdened treasury, forbidding all advancement in this
field.
* * * * *
_Anniversary Exercises._
* * * * *
FISK UNIVERSITY, NASHVILLE, TENN.
BY DISTRICT SECRETARY C.J. RYDER.
Fisk University fills a large place in the educational institutions of
the South, and commencement week occupies an important place in the
college year at Fisk.
When the inhuman caste prejudice passes away, the Congregationalists of
the North will discover the encouraging fact that the American
Missionary Association has planted Congregationalism in the South to
stay. Fisk University and other such institutions, filled as they will
be by young men of every class and color, will be strongholds of our New
Testament faith and polity. Such a Commencement as was observed at Fisk
this year does much to bring about that blessed day. This Commencement
week, beginning Thursday, June sixth, and closing the evening of June
twelfth, was crowded with literary and musical exercises of high order.
President E.M. Cravath, D.D., delivered the baccalaureate sermon, taking
for his subject, "Building on the Rock." It was a sermon of great power.
Rev. Dr. Gray, a Southern Episcopal clergyman, preached the missionary
sermon. On Thursday evening, came "The Senior Preparatory Exhibition."
On June seventh, tenth and eleventh, the various class examinations were
held, and in the evening of Friday the seventh, the anniversary
exercises of the Literary Societies were given. There are three healthy
and vigorous societies at Fisk, and it was difficult to tell which of
the three gave the best evidence of the superior quality of its drill,
in the exercises presented.
The Normal Department graduated a class of four, each presenting an
essay. Rev. C.W. Hiatt, of Cleveland, Ohio, delivered the address at the
close of the exercises of the normal department, taking for his subject
"Earnest Living," and the address was spoken of with high appreciation
by those who heard it.
The graduating exercises of the Collegiate Department were of unusual
interest. There was not a poor oration or essay presented. The breadth
of training given to the students at Fisk was especially noticeable in
the wide range of subjects selected.
The anniversary of the Alumni Association gave evidence that the
graduates of Fisk are true to the instruction of that institution, when
they take up their work in the world. Sixty-seven have graduated from
this institution; forty-two are teachers; eight, ministers; three,
doctors; two, editors; two, foreign missionaries; eight, lawyers; one is
a student; and one a real estate agent. Pretty good showing for Fisk!
The annual oration was delivered by the writer, subject, "The Student's
Workshop, Tools and Work."
The rendering of the Hallelujah Chorus by the full choir of trained
singers was especially fine, and reflected great credit upon the
director.
* * * * *
TALLADEGA COLLEGE, TALLADEGA, ALA.
BY MRS. H.S. DEFOREST.
Talladega College observed its nineteenth anniversary June 9th to 13th.
The large gathering of students, alumni and friends, the enthusiasm and
interest manifested, and the report of what has been accomplished during
the past decade, showed the hold it has obtained on the hearts of the
people.
The exhibitions of Cassady School, which is the feeder for the higher
grades, were held the week previous. Large and delighted audiences
listened to the creditable performances of the young people, who showed
in their parts the faithful work of teachers.
On Sabbath morning, the baccalaureate sermon was preached by Secretary
C.J. Ryder, of Boston. Many valuable and practical lessons for the
graduating class were drawn from his somewhat unique text, "And falling
into a place where two seas met," Acts 27:41. Various currents in life
will bear us hither and thither unless we are founded upon the rock and
there abide. The closing words telling of the inscription upon an
ancient cross, _teneo et tenior_, will long abide as an inspiration and
help with those who heard.
At 4 P.M. the Sabbath-school prayer meeting gathered together students
and teachers in a tender farewell, and at night the missionary sermon
was preached by Rev. E.J. Penney, of Selma.
The examinations of Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday gave evidence of
thorough work and of painstaking study.
On Wednesday night, four young men, graduates of the Theological
Department, were ordained. The sermon was preached by Rev. A.F. Beard,
D.D., the ordaining prayer offered by the President, a most appropriate
charge given by Pastor Snell of Birmingham, and the right hand by the
Moderator, Rev. J.R. Sims, of Shelby Iron Works.
The graduating exercises were held on Thursday morning. Six students
received diplomas from the Normal Course, and five were graduated from
the Theological Department. Essays and orations showed thought and
originality, and were well delivered. If all the noble sentiments
expressed are carried out in the lives of the speakers, a class has gone
out from our walls who will make a stand for truth and righteousness,
manly men and faithful womanly women.
After the conferring of diplomas and the awarding of prizes, President
DeForest gave a _resumé_ of the growth of the college during the ten
years of his connection with it. The number of students has increased
from 203 to 427, instructors from 9 to 18. In this time, theological
graduates have passed from 7 to 28, and normal from 18 to 64.
The alumni dinner was partaken of with relish by graduates and invited
guests, and after the physical man had been refreshed an intellectual
feast was spread. Older graduates testified to their indebtedness to the
College which by one, quoting the words of another, was said to be "de
main spring ob de fly wheel ob de whole conjunction." Visiting friends
spoke of their interest and satisfaction in the work of the school, and
Drs. Beard and Haygood, with appreciative and hopeful words, fittingly
closed the festivities.
On Thursday night, Dr. A.G. Haygood, Secretary of the Slater Fund, the
steadfast friend of the black man, gave an address. His eloquence, wit
and earnestness held a large audience in close attention for more than
an hour, and he left with them much matter for thought.
Teachers and pupils have now said good-bye and college halls are vacant,
but the work of the year will bear fruit as scores of students go out to
the labors of vacation in the dark and needy districts of the South.
* * * * *
STRAIGHT UNIVERSITY, NEW ORLEANS, LA.
BY PRESIDENT R.C. HITCHCOCK.
The interest shown by the public in the annual exercises of this school
increases each year, and for those of more general nature it is quite
impossible to obtain a room large enough to accommodate the audience
that assembles.
The baccalaureate sermon was preached on Sunday night by President
Hitchcock at Central Church. On Monday night, the Sumner and
Philomathean Literary Societies and the Band of Mercy held their
anniversary meeting, and listened to a very interesting lecture on "Life
at a German University," by Rev. G.W. Henderson. Wednesday night, came
the annual concert and exhibition. This has for two or three years
gradually taken more and more the character of an exhibit of the
gymnastic exercises, singing, etc., from each grade, and with so large a
school, gives a long programme; but since people here have learned that
at Straight University, when the appointed time comes the exercises
begin, every spot where a chair could be put in an aisle, or a foot
stand, besides all the pews both below and in the spacious galleries of
Central, one of the largest churches in the city, was occupied at the
moment assigned for opening, and the attention was grand until the very
last.
On Thursday night, the Alumni Association met at the University Chapel
for election of officers, adjourning later to the parlors for a social
meeting. These Alumni meetings grow each year in numbers, interest and
importance. Papers were read by several members, the usual history,
prophecy and poem were given, remarks were made by others and some good
music was rendered. Many who could not come sent interesting letters.
Friday night was the _great_ occasion. The crowd was no less than on
Wednesday night, and that such an audience should sit, giving close
attention, from 7:30 to 11:30, to the orations and essays of the
graduates, with no sign of weariness, was to me a wonderful thing and
showed a deep and heart-felt interest, in the community, for Christian
education, which is grandly encouraging.
Two of the graduates were from Mexico, one from Mississippi, one from
Plaquemines Parish, one from Baton Rouge and five from this city, the
proportion from the city being larger than usual.
Members of the Trustee Board and others who have heard these exercises
for many years, without hesitation pronounce them as a whole far better
than those of any previous year. It is certain that each year there is
shown a marked advancement in general intelligence and culture, and in
the depth and arrangement of thought. The venerable Judge Whittaker, who
seldom leaves his home at night, was on the platform, and at the close
of the valedictory, which was given by Leonidas Burbridge, of
Greenville, Miss., he jumped from his chair, seized the young man by the
hand and expressed his wonder and gratification at all he had heard and
seen, saying that in all his fifty years of life in New Orleans he had
seen nothing that so filled his heart with emotions of astonishment and
joy.
I neglected to speak of the meeting on Sunday morning, May 26th, of the
College Y.M.C.A., which has had a very prosperous year. The Association
was addressed by Mr. Fred S. Hitchcock on Y.M.C.A. work in the great
cities, and by Mr. Perry on College Y.M.C.A. work. The year has been a
good one, notwithstanding many adverse circumstances. The establishment
of a regular graded course of study, from the lowest primary grades to
the college, and close adherence to such course are being felt more and
more each year. More than half the graduates of this year began their
education in the school, and all interested are proud of them. There is
all along a marked difference between those who have come through our
own primary schools and others equally capable who have had no
systematic early training. For the first time since the course of study
was adopted, every class this year has thoroughly completed the work
assigned, and in most cases reviewed it.
The State has been in a condition of great excitement during most of the
year, nearly one-half the parishes being under a complete reign of
terror, and it has been a frequent thing to see one of our students from
the country, especially from the southern parishes, in tears in
consequence of the intelligence of some friend, father or brother
perhaps, having been the victim of some dastardly outrage from the
"regulators." Tales of sorrow and suffering could easily be gathered to
fill volumes. Iberia, Terrebonne and Lafayette parishes have been
especially noted as under this reign of terror, and from these we have
many pupils. Three sisters of Sammy Wakefield, who was shot at New
Iberia, are in our school, and many others closely connected with
suffering families. It has been very difficult for the colored people to
get a living, and the sacrifices they make to keep the children in
school are wonderful.
* * * * *
LE MOYNE NORMAL INSTITUTE, MEMPHIS, TENN.
BY PROF. A.J. STEELE.
Another year has passed in the history of our work at Le Moyne
Institute, and its eighteenth anniversary has been celebrated with the
graduation of a class of eleven, and the tenth reunion of an alumni
association numbering some seventy five members. Recalling sixteen years
of experience in connection with this work, I can fix upon scarcely a
single event or circumstance that has not been made to conduce to the
advancement of our work and influence in the community, and looking over
results in all directions, they have surpassed the dreams and
expectations of the most hopeful.
The year past has been a remarkable one in our history. Our attendance
has varied little from four hundred pupils in all grades of the twelve
years' course, while our enrollment for the year has reached five
hundred and twenty different pupils.
Every interest of the school has been prospered and greatly blessed and
strengthened. The utmost harmony and earnestness has marked the work of
the year, both among teachers and pupils. During the past session, as
many as sixty of our pupils have started out in the Christian life,
giving evidence of change of heart and an earnest purpose to live for
Christ and His work in the world. We rejoice over this more than over
all other results of our year's work.
The whole spirit and tone of our work has been such that even our trials
and losses, from fire and from breaks in our working force, have seemed
to be turned to means of blessing and sources of strength. Our trials
and difficulties have been to us opportunities. We look forward
hopefully to the future, as we look thankfully back to the past.
Our partially destroyed building, from the fire of March 3d, is rebuilt
and greatly improved. We hope our corps of instructors, so uniformly
faithful in the discharge of duty, may remain unbroken, the same for the
coming year.
At the close of the term, the promotions were made in all grades by the
principal, and the pupils given the "forms" they are to occupy the
coming year. In truth, the formal "Commencement" for the year was made
at the close of this session. Every pupil knows exactly his grade and
place, and few will be absent at the opening, October first.
* * * * *
AVERY INSTITUTE, CHARLESTON, S.C.
Anniversary week of this Institute is always an occasion of the deepest
interest to the colored people of Charleston and vicinity; and those who
succeed in obtaining tickets of admission to Avery Hall consider
themselves most fortunate. This year proved no exception, and the demand
for tickets, and the enthusiasm of those in attendance, have never been
surpassed in the history of the school.
The exercises throughout the week were of a high order. The Sub-Normal
Exhibition and the Prize-Speaking Contest by the normal classes were
unanimously declared to be the best ever given in Avery. At the
commencement on Wednesday, every foot of space within sight or hearing
of the platform was filled by intelligent and appreciative listeners.
Eleven graduates--ten ladies and one gentleman--received the diploma of
the Institute and joined the hundreds who have preceded them in the
grand work of elevating their race.
* * * * *
THE NEW CHURCH AND SCHOOL AT ALCO, ALA.
BY REV. R.C. BEDFORD.
Brewton is the county seat of Escambia County, Alabama. It is on the
Louisville & Nashville Railroad, one hundred and six miles north of
Montgomery, and seventy-four north of Mobile. It has a population of
about two thousand five hundred, and is quite thrifty. Alco is a mile
and a half further south, on the same road, and is a nice little village
of five or six hundred people, that has grown up within the last three
years, and almost wholly out of the Peters Lumber Company. The property
of the Company consists of one of the largest and finest mills in the
South, with nearly 200,000 acres of yellow pine surrounding it. Some
three hundred colored men, most of them with families, are employed in
the various operations of the mills. Mr. Peters is engaged most of the
time in his large lumber and salt interests at Manistee, Mich., but
comes South two or three times a year to look after the business at
Alco. From the first, it was the purpose of the Company to do something
to improve the church and school facilities of the colored people, and
last spring, while Mrs. Peters was spending a few weeks at Alco, she had
a building 35x60 erected, and nicely arranged for church and school
purposes. This she turned over to the American Missionary Association,
and they at once sent down Rev. W.P. Hamilton, of Talladega, to open a
school and begin preaching. The second Sunday in June, he was joined by
Prof. G.W. Andrews, of Talladega, Rev. R.C. Bedford, of Montgomery, and
Rev. F.G. Ragland and Deacon Godbold of Mobile, to assist him in
dedicating the building.
Though but little was known of Congregationalism in that part of the
country, the services were entered into most heartily by all classes of
the people. Most of the ministers at Brewton, in charge of colored
churches, closed their places of worship and joined with us, partaking
in the services, and speaking with great delight of the coming of an
educated preacher and teacher among them.
Mr. Hamilton starts off with over fifty pupils in Sunday and day school,
and hopes soon to have members enough so that he can take steps to call
a council and organize a church. The brethren of Alabama are greatly
encouraged by this movement. Heretofore we have had no church or school
between Montgomery and Mobile, one hundred and eighty miles. Now the
distance is divided, Alco standing about half way between the two
places.
* * * * *
CHILDREN'S DAY.
BY REV. J.E. SMITH.
The 9th of June last was a grand day for the young people in the First
Congregational Church at Chattanooga. The church was tastefully
decorated with appropriate Scripture mottoes, choice evergreens,
beautiful flowers and sweet singing canaries. There was present a large
number of adults and a larger number of clean, sweet, hopeful children,
and many laughing, cooing babes in the arms of their Christian parents,
who like faithful Hannah and good Mary of old, had brought their babes
to the house of God to present them to the Lord. After the rendering of
a beautiful voluntary by the organist, the whole congregation joined in
singing that grand hymn, "Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty!" The
pastor then read a few passages of Scripture selected for the occasion,
giving a short comment on the same, and prayed for God's blessing on the
young. While the congregation joined heartily in singing, "Heavenly
Father, send Thy blessing, On Thy children gathered here," Christian
parents who desired to present their offspring to the Lord, having been
invited, came forward and stood before the altar with their little ones
in their arms. Six bright-eyed, innocent babes were, on the faith of
their believing parents, consecrated to God in the Christian ordinance
of infant baptism. It was a most beautiful, pleasing and impressive
service.
After singing, "Take my life and let it be, Consecrated, Lord, to Thee,"
the pastor invited all children, calling them by name, who were ten
years of age and had been baptized in the church when infants, to come
forward. The church, then, through its pastor, at a cost of twenty-three
dollars, presented to each child, (nineteen in number) a beautiful,
well-bound copy of the Bible, with the following written on the fly
leaf: "This Bible was presented to ---- by the First Congregational
Church at Chattanooga, in commemoration of his infant consecration to
God at her sacred altar, by his Christian parents. John 5:39."
After taking a collection of ten dollars and twenty-four cents for the
Congregational Sunday-school and Publishing Society, we sang "God be
with you till we meet again," and the benediction was pronounced. Thus,
a very interesting and we trust profitable service of an hour and twenty
minutes was ended.
* * * * *
THE INDIANS.
* * * * *
LETTER FROM MISS COLLINS.
No facts in this field can be of more interest to the readers of the
MISSIONARY than those contained in the following thrilling account of
the conversion of three young Indians in Miss Collins' mission field. We
give the facts as written by this self-sacrificing missionary.
Last Sabbath, Mr. Riggs came up from Oahe and we had communion, and
there were five children baptized and seven grown people, and seven more
were examined and advised to wait till the next communion. It was a most
interesting season.
Three of the young men were the leaders in the Indian dance. They have
always been the head ones in all Indian customs. A year ago, one of them
said in the dance that he should follow the Indian customs a year
longer--give himself up to them wholly and try to be satisfied, and if
he had in his heart the same unsatisfied feeling, the same longing, that
he then had, he should throw it all away.
On last New Year's day, the same young man, "Huntington Wolcott," came
to me and said--"Last night I arose in the dance and told them that I
had given the old customs and the old Indians a fair trial, and that
they did not satisfy, now I should leave them forever and give myself to
God, and if any others were ready to follow to arise and so make it
known. The other two leaders arose, stood silently a moment, and walked
out." From that time they have given themselves up to singing, praying
and studying the Bible. They had, for two years, been halting between
two opinions, attending the school, church, etc., and the Indian feasts
and dances, too. These three having come out so boldly on God's side,
has made a great change in our work here.
Poor old Running-Antelope feels very sad. It is his desire to keep the
young men from learning Christianity and civilization as long as he can.
He wants them to have everything in common, and to feel that for an
individual to accumulate anything is a disgrace. As long as they feel
so, of course squalor and suffering will be the natural consequences.
The young men are working hard to build up homes and to accumulate
something for their families during the winter. One young man has cut
logs and is building a house. I try to teach them that long prayers and
loud singing is not all of Christianity--that however regularly a man
attends to his church duties, if he fails to provide for his family, his
religion is vain; and if he gives all his goods to his friends and lets
his wife and children cry for bread, that their cries will reach the
ears of God, and his prayers and hymns will be lost in this round of
wailing of the hungry. All this is very different from their old Indian
doctrine and hard to understand.
Elias, our native teacher, has formed a class of young men who meet
every Tuesday night and talk and pray and sing together, and he directs
their thought. I think it will prove very helpful. Then on Thursday
night I have my Bible class, which now numbers about twenty. It is
formed of the young men and women who wish to follow Christ's example,
and band themselves together to learn of him. It has been the _training
school_ of the young Christians.
* * * * *
What could be more encouraging than such facts as these? An Indian
unattended by any white person, dissatisfied with the religion of his
fathers, walks out of heathenism; out of sympathy and connection with
his tribe; out of the religion and customs of his fathers and into the
customs of civilized life, into the Kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ! In
the words of that quaint old Negro hymn, let those who so earnestly
desire the conversion of the Pagans in America exhort one another to
"Pray on: Pray on."
C.J.R.
* * * * *
THE RAMONA INDIAN SCHOOL.
BY DISTRICT SECRETARY JOS. E. ROY.
This is a department of the University of New Mexico at Santa Fé,
occupying separate buildings and a separate locality, and managed by the
American Missionary Association. A recent visit to the school it may be
worth while to report. It is for the Apache Indians and the youth who
are gathered into it are of the Jiccarrilla band. Their reservation is
about two hundred miles west, and is reached by railroad or by pony
transportation. The teachers deem it better to have the school some
distance from the people so as to make its impression the more positive,
and yet near enough for the parents to visit their children occasionally
while at school. This keeps up the interest and prevents the children
from being educated away from their elders. Two good sized buildings are
used. In one there are the school rooms, the accommodations for the
teachers, and the lodgings for the boys. In the other, under a matron,
there are lodgings for the girls, work rooms for the same, and the
boarding department for all. The Indian girls do the cooking for the
establishment. I saw them getting dinner and I saw many loaves of
beautiful white bread made by them. In their work shop they make their
own clothes. The boys, under the lead of the principal, Prof. Elmore
Chase, work at cobbling, making ditches and cultivating the soil, and
also do something with carpenter's tools. The Government pays over a
hundred dollars a year for each student toward the expense of board,
clothes, etc. The American Missionary Association appoints the teachers
and directs the school. The scholars, thirty in all, have made very
creditable progress in their studies, considering the short time the
school has been in operation, from three to four years. Prof. Whipple,
now of Wheaton College, who for a time was principal of the Ramona,
testifies: "I never saw on an average such aptness, docility and
faithfulness in school and industrial work." The religious influence
of the school has not been interfered with by the Government. I heard
the scholars recite with promptness and evident understanding the
Twenty third Psalm, the Beatitudes, the Commandments, the Lord's
Prayer, and portions of a catechism introductory to the Westminster
Shorter. Daily worship is maintained among them, the Sunday-school
lesson is thoroughly taught, while the Bible is freely used in the
school. The Professor thought that several of the youth gave such
evidence of an experience of grace as would satisfy us concerning
white children. I was permitted to see half a dozen letters written by
the scholars to be sent to their parents and brothers and sisters,
without the supervision of their teachers, in which were many
expressions of love for the Saviour and the Bible, and of a desire
that their friends at home should be made acquainted with the same,
and the purpose, when they should go home, to communicate those good
things.
The following are four of those letters:
RAMONA INDIAN SCHOOL, SANTA FÉ, NEW MEXICO.
June 16, 1889.
_My Dear Father:_
I am very well and happy all the time. I am very sorry that my
step Mother was dead. I want you to come after me in July. And
come early. I had such a lovely time on our picnic. I want you
to learn about Jesus and His love. So when you die you will go
to Him. Where you shall be happy evermore.
From your loving daughter, MARY ARMSTRONG.
RAMONA SCHOOL, SANTA FÉ, NEW MEXICO.
June 10, 1889.
_My Dear Father:_
I was very glad to get your letter, and I am going to answer it
right away. I am so anxious to go home this Summer. I love you
all very much, and I love my Father in Heaven too. I love my
Saviour very much. He is your Saviour too. Jesus is a Saviour
of all the people in this world. I am glad that you are all
working. I am working too but I am in school now. I am reading
in the Third Reader. Give my love to all of my folks and Miss
Moore and Miss Clegg[1].
From your loving daughter, MARY GRIMES.
SANTA FÉ, NEW MEXICO.
June 15, 1889.
_My Dear Brother A.G.:_
I would like to see you very much. We have a nice time here.
The children are all well and happy. How is my little cousin?
Is he well and happy? We are all writing a letter this morning.
We are all going home in July, so you know I am very happy
every day. How are all my brothers. I would like to see them
too. How is my father. Is he well and happy? I have not seen my
father for a long time. Why don't he come to see me? I wish you
knew about our dear Saviour. I wish some one will come and tell
all the people about Jesus. God is our Father in Heaven who
loves us very much. He loves all the people in the world. He
wants them to love Him. I will tell you about him when I go
home. I wish you would read the Bible so you would know about
Him. Our corn is beginning to grow. Some children are going to
speak in the church to-morrow. Please give my love to all my
people. I am going to say good-bye.
From your loving sister, IRENE BANCROFT.
RAMONA SCHOOL, SANTA FÉ, NEW MEXICO.
April 12, 1889.
_Dear Father Monarcha:_
I am very glad that you are working; that is just what I want
you to do. You must build a house for your children, and you
will have a place to stay when the weather gets cold. And every
body must build houses for themselves; that is just what the
Government wants all of you to do, because that is right and
everybody thinks that it is right, and they were very much
pleased when you do so. I am very glad that all my folks are
well and happy if all of you are happy then I am happy too.
Your letter pleases me very much. And you must do just what Mr.
Bishop asks you to do. You must not do like other men do that
don't build houses; they just run off from the Reservation and
go hunting and sell all the things that the Government gives
them. You must not do that because that is wrong, not right.
Miss Moore will tell you what I say to you. Write another
letter if you have time, if you don't have time, why just go on
and finish all your spring work then you come after me when
school is out; if you don't want to come then you send somebody
after me.
Your loving son, JESSE GREENLEAF.
The writer of this letter has attended school two and a half years,
spending one-half day in school each day and working half a day. He is
now fourteen years old.
[Footnote 1: These were former teachers at the Ramona, who are
now doing mission work among the Indians. They read these
letters to the parents and in turn write back for them.]
* * * * *
THE CHINESE.
* * * * *
OROVILLE, MARYSVILLE, PETALUMA.
BY REV. W.C. POND, D.D.
Early on Monday morning, June 17th, I left home for a visit to our
missions at Oroville and Marysville. I reached Oroville at about 7:30
P.M. As soon as possible I was at the Mission House, where warmest
greetings from teacher and pupils awaited me. The lessons of the evening
received our first attention, for it is a principle with us that each
scholar shall have the English lesson promised him, whoever may be
present and whatever else we may desire to do. This is the demand of
good faith, and not less of good policy. It is the English lesson that
holds them where the gospel can reach them, so that this we must never
forego.