school for colored boys were adopted, to engraft it upon Hampton,
or upon any of our present schools, should be thoroughly weighed
before decision. But we are glad to hear what Mr. Lockwood, who
established our first Freedmen’s School at Hampton, has to say,
and print his letter not alone for the interesting anecdote of
our lamented Lincoln, but also as suggestive of thought on this
important subject.—ED. MISSIONARY.]
As the first missionary among the Freedmen (then refugees), at
Hampton and Fortress Monroe, Va., in 1861–2; I take a great
interest in the problem of colored cadetship.
After the persecution to which these cadets have been subjected
at West Point, I think wisdom dictates the wide circulation of
a petition to Congress, to have a National Military Academy
established in connection with the Hampton Institute, under the
Presidency of General Armstrong, who has already given that
Institute a national reputation. Would not this peaceful way of
bringing about the desired end be better than to battle with West
Point? In illustration, I offer an unpublished fact that showed
Lincoln’s common sense. After his proclamation about the arming of
colored troops in 1862, I went to Washington, and in company with
Senator Pomeroy, informed the President that the colored people of
Hampton were ready to enlist. His memorable reply was: “Yes, but
Fortress Monroe is not ready. Pennsylvania is not ready. New York
is not ready. The Country is not ready. My proclamation meant this
much and no more: Gov. Andrews, of Massachusetts, wishes to arm the
Yankee negro; Generals Hunter and Saxton wish to arm a few South
Carolina negroes to occupy a post, and relieve the soldiers for
active duty. Let them do it. But the rest must bide their time.
Please leave your statement with the Secretary of War, and when we
are ready we will let you know.” This “making haste slowly” was
what brought us through that tug of war, and I would recommend the
same common sense in reference to the cadetship. And I hope some
influential friend of the cause will second my suggestion, and
leave West Point alone in its unenviable glory.
* * * * *
M’LEANSVILLE, N. C.
Revival Interest.
REV. A. CONNET
Our revival commenced on the Sabbath, August 15. That night there
were four or five inquirers. Monday the interest increased, and
Monday night there were thirty inquirers. Tuesday there were twelve
or fifteen conversions. Tuesday night, 28 or 30 inquirers and
three or four conversions. The number of inquirers continued to
be from ten to twenty till the close of the meetings. The whole
number of conversions was about 25. The congregation on the
15th was the largest, we are told, that it has ever been. Only
about two-thirds of the people could get into the church, even
by the closest packing. Sunday, the 22d, between the sermon in
the forenoon and communion in the afternoon, we examined 23 new
candidates for membership, one to be restored and two for renewing
their covenants. In the afternoon they were publicly received, and
more than half of them baptized. I also baptized two infants. The
communion was then administered to a large number of communicants.
The house was full, forenoon and afternoon. One man, 56 years old,
and his wife as old, or a little older, walked ten miles Sunday
morning to attend the communion. Another man walked ten miles,
or over, to the meeting, both the 15th and the 22d. Three of our
pupils came about 35 or 40 miles to the meeting, by rail; another,
a young woman, came by private conveyance 20 miles; and another, a
young man, walked 12 miles, and came forward as an inquirer. Four
of the converts were members of my daughter’s Sunday-school class,
a number of them were members of my class, and nearly all young
people and members of our school. Two are married men. One young
woman came to us by letter from the Methodist Episcopal church.
It was truly a season of refreshing from the Lord. The people held
a prayer-meeting Sabbath night, the 22d. We were too tired to go
out. We were told that all the non-professors in the congregation
(and the house was full), except three or four, came forward for
prayer.
More than a dozen bade us good-by at the depot. Seven girls walked
three miles to bid us good-by. We were greatly rejoiced that Miss
Douglass was with us to share in our labors and in our joys. Some
of the converts are among our brightest and most advanced scholars.
* * * * *
SOUTH CAROLINA.
MR J. D. BACKENSTOSE.
During my recent vacation (spent in the State of New York) the
question most frequently asked me was, “Are the Freedmen as anxious
to obtain an education, as they were when schools for them were
first opened?”
I have answered these inquiries by relating some of my experience,
and fearing lest Christians at the North have the impression that
they are less eager, and so are becoming weary in aiding these poor
people in their struggles for an education, I now relate it for the
benefit of the readers of the MISSIONARY.
In the fall of ’73, two young men from distant part of the county
came to our Institute at Greenwood, S. C., and asked permission
to occupy a vacant room in the building and cook their own meals
while they attended the Institute. I consented, and assisted them
in furnishing the room. From the wood-shed we procured lumber for a
bedstead and table, had boxes for chairs, and newspapers for window
shades. They were delighted with this, and immediately wrote to
their friends that there were excellent accommodations for boarders
at Brewer Institute, and before the winter had fairly set in, there
were nineteen men living in that room, which measured only 30×32.
Another raid was made on the wood-shed, and three more bedsteads
hastily built after the pattern of the first, and on these four
bedsteads the nineteen men slept four months. Part of them would
retire at an early hour and sleep till midnight, then arise and
let the others take their places. While some were sleeping, the
others were cooking and preparing their lessons for the next day,
in the same room. During all this time, I never heard a complaining
word from them. Our rooms are now neatly furnished for students,
and we have recently built a good frame house which is also well
furnished. We have accommodations for only twenty students, and
yet during a part of the past winter we had thirty-three crowded in
these rooms, and even then they were unwilling that I should say we
were full and could accommodate no more.
So eager are they for an education, that they are willing to live
for a time on corn meal, bacon, and molasses. The former they mix
with cold water, minus the eggs and butter, and, after baking, eat
it with their meat, gravy, or molasses. This three times a day and
seven days in a week. Tea and coffee are never on their bill of
fare.
The home of two of these men was fourteen miles distant, and once
in two weeks they would walk there on Friday afternoon and return
on Sunday night, bringing on their shoulders provisions to last
them till they should go again.
A young man, a Baptist minister, who was obliged to leave school a
few weeks before the close of the term, walked sixty miles in order
to be examined with his class at the close of the term.
Could ever a people be more anxious to obtain an education than
these are now? Twenty-three of those who have lived and struggled
in this way to obtain an education are now engaged in teaching,
and have under their care over thirteen hundred pupils. We have
a beautiful school building well furnished with everything but a
cabinet organ, and we believe that God will put it in the heart of
some good friend to send us that.
A lively interest is constantly and in various ways manifested by
the people, and everything gives promise of abundant fruit in the
future. If our highest hopes have not already been realized, we
thank God for the progress made. May He put it into the hearts of
the benefactors of this race to add to their gifts and prayers,
until not only twenty-three, but ten times that number shall go out
from Brewer Normal Institute, as competent instructors of thousands
of their brethren now ignorant and despised.
* * * * *
GEORGIA.
Anniversary of Midway Church.
REV. FLOYD SNELSON, M’INTOSH, LIBERTY CO.
Last Sabbath was a day of great interest to us as a church. It was
our regular communion season, and in addition to that, we observed
our anniversary for the first time, though it is six years since we
organized. The other branch of the old Midway church that formed
itself into a Presbyterian body, came over with its pastor, Rev.
J. T. H. Waite, to share the enjoyment of the occasion with us. We
find, in reviewing our history, that, including those who formed
the original church, 337 persons have connected themselves with
it; ten have been dismissed, fifteen have been excommunicated,
and twenty-eight have gone to their eternal home; leaving 284 to
continue the Christian warfare. It is true that a great many of
our members occupy the two extremes in life, and are very old or
very young, and consequently bring no pecuniary strength to the
church. Still there is a benefit derived from both which is of
infinitely greater value than mere money, though we poor mortals
are in many instances unable to see it. Especially is this the
case when our eyes are both bent on self. However, the young will
certainly prove, in due time, a help to the church also in the
way of material support. Our church edifice is still unfinished,
and as there are no means of heating it it is an uncomfortable
place for service during the winter. Notwithstanding the failure
of crops from the drought this year, my people have resolved to do
everything they can toward completing it. Will some friend come to
our aid? “He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the Lord;
and that which he hath given will He pay him again.”
* * * * *
Atlanta University—An Encouraging Precedent.
The Atlanta University, at Atlanta, Ga., was one of the earliest
educational institutions in this country to adopt as a text-book
Dr. Richardson’s “Temperance Lesson Book,” published by the
National Temperance Society. Among the recent commencement
exercises of the University was a thorough examination in
this admirable text-book concerning alcohol. A New England
correspondent, who was present and listened to the examination, was
much gratified with it. In thus leading the way in giving to its
students thorough scientific instruction concerning alcohol, the
Atlanta University merits the warmest commendation from all friends
of temperance. It furnishes a most valuable precedent which we hope
may ere long be followed by all our colleges and universities, as
well as academies and public schools.
* * * * *
Our correspondent writes:
“I spent most of the time in the temperance examination. They use
Dr. Richardson’s text-book, and the students showed that they had
been thoroughly drilled in it. Isn’t it a very admirable thing for
this book to be used in that place? There are nearly three hundred
students, and they all study it at some time; and with scarcely an
exception these students go out into the by-ways and hedges of this
and other States to teach the colored children. They teach through
the vacations to earn money for the next term. Think what a leaven
this is to work among the poor, ignorant creatures. They estimate
that the University students reach ten thousand children during the
year. I attended the graduating exercises and thoroughly enjoyed
them. The essays and orations were excellent. The speaking was
really eloquent. One blind-folded would never have guessed that he
was listening to black students, all of whose parents were slaves
only seventeen years ago. Mayor Calhoun and one of the ex-Governors
were present.”
The National Temperance Society has just received the sum of
seventy dollars from this Institution, money collected by its
students for temperance work, and we have forwarded a large case of
books, tracts and pamphlets for distribution throughout the South
during the summer vacation.—_From National Temperance Advocate._
* * * * *
ALABAMA.
Good Vacation Work.
REV. J. D. SMITH, SHELBY IRON WORKS.
We have just had a refreshing time here in our church from the
good Lord. Shortly after that class of eight young men graduated
from the Theological Department of Talladega College, Bros.
Cantry, Strong and Y. B. Sims, all members of my church, came
down to spend a few days at their homes with their relatives and
friends before going to their fields of labor. Each of them did
some faithful preaching for several evenings. It seemed at first
as though we were not going to have any success, but I continued
the meetings after the brethren left us, and the Lord gave us some
nine or ten conversions as the result of our labors. We received
ten new members into the church last night. It was one of the most
interesting occasions we have ever had here. The meetings were
very quiet indeed; no excitement. They were all converted through
the simple preaching of the Gospel and the quiet persuasion of the
spirit of Christ. There was not as much fervor among the brethren
as I like to see; the Lord did the work, nevertheless, and we give
all the glory to Him.
Most of the members who united with us last night were heads of
families, and all of them were adults. Our church is gathering in
the best material in the place. The members of the other churches
say their ministers do not feed them, and they must seek for better
pastures. Our church has a brighter outlook than ever before.
The Sunday-school is in a flourishing condition. The Lord is
building up His Zion here. Pray for us, that we may still be
refreshed from Heaven.
* * * * *
Outside Work.
REV. W. H. MOORE, FLORENCE.
This has been a busy week with me, and I trust one of good to our
cause, in removing false impressions, &c. I have come in contact
with the masses of the people; we like each other well. Last
Wednesday night I preached at Oak Grove A. M. E. Church. As we
approached the meeting house, our ears were greeted with a volume
of song, and the woods re-echoed with such weird strains as only
our people in their unlettered state can produce. The surrounding
grove was filled with horses and mules hitched to the trees. The
church was packed; all seats were filled, pulpit filled, windows
crowded, standing room taken, doors filled, and large numbers out
of doors. There were all kinds and conditions present, from the
ebony hue to the pearly white, from the infant in its mother’s lap
to the octogenarian; women and men sat round the floor of the rude
pulpit, and just left standing room for me to speak.
The thought of their ignorance and superstition, and the fact
that fifty or more of their number were seeking the Saviour,
fired my heart and mind. I preached from Matt. vi., 33, and they
listened with rapt attention, while I spoke as I only could under
the inspiration of such an audience and the presence of the Holy
Spirit. More than twenty have decided for Christ since the Sabbath.
On my return to town, I gave a lecture on Labor—the dignity of
labor, and that labor should be duly rewarded. The meeting had been
well advertised and worked up by friends, so there was a good turn
out, especially of working-men and women.
I think I begin to see the dawn of a bright day for our cause
here. To-morrow afternoon I preach a sermon to children. It is
to be our S. S. Centenary (Raikes’?) Celebration. The church
will be decorated with evergreen and flowers. I shall give each
one a beautiful card, a present from the Muskegon, Mich., S. S.
That Sunday-school and the “Little Ones of the Bird’s Nest” of
Kalamazoo, Mich., have sent us a lot of beautiful papers and cards
as a memento of the day.
I have had the pleasure of carrying the word of life to the aged,
infirm, and sick who cannot attend church often. I receive more
comfort, I think, than I give. It did do my heart good to see a
dear old aged and infirm lady rejoice and weep that she had the
word brought to her. I shall see this class of God’s poor as often
as I can. I do enjoy the pastoral and pulpit work; would that I
might do it better. It is my only ambition to become a faithful and
successful minister of Jesus Christ.
To-day Mr. Alex. Jones, Sr., and I attended a large country
gathering ten miles west of Florence. The crops are unusually large
this year. We noticed on our way large farms of golden corn and
fields of blooming cotton, which will soon be changed into snowy
whiteness. This is a holiday with the farmers, who have laid by
their crops and are now hopefully awaiting the harvest time. They
have an annual picnic at Bethlehem Church. Two hours of the morning
and two of the afternoon are devoted to speeches. The audience
was large and appreciative. I spoke an hour, and received several
“Amens,” “That’s so,” and “Tell it, brother.” Then followed the
hand-shaking, good words, &c., when I had finished. I enjoyed it
royally, and trust I did some good.
* * * * *
MISSISSIPPI.
Tougaloo University—Its Location, Work, Equipments, Success and
Needs.
REV. G. STANLEY POPE.
The immediate surroundings of Tougaloo University are, perhaps,
the most beautiful of any of our schools. At the same time it has
seemed for the past three years to be a very healthful location.
The school has been unusually full during the past year, and
the work in the school-room has been most thorough. I have had
associated with me a very competent and willing corps of workers.
Their work has been every thing I could ask for. We attempt to give
only a thorough, practical _Normal_ training in our school, feeling
that this meets the present necessities of the colored people of
our State. We are willing to take the rough stone from the quarry
and put on the heavy, telling strokes of the _builder_, and leave
the more artistic strokes of the sculptor to be given by some of
our sister institutions. A peculiar and interesting feature of our
school-room work is the study of the Bible in the class-room. This
is done to give a special preparation for Sunday-school work.
We have sufficient apparatus for illustrating physics, but beyond
this we are poorly supplied with school-room conveniencies. We have
but a limited supply of models, maps and charts, while our library
consists mostly of Congressional documents.
A peculiar feature of the work at Tougaloo is the training given
the students in gardening, farming, stock-raising and housework.
Already the shipment of strawberries to the Chicago market is
proving a rich remuneration to student labor. Our clover field is
a wonder to the students and neighboring planters, and our fine
blooded cattle not much less of a surprise. These industries are
opening up new avenues of livelihood as well as usefulness to our
students. Many of our young women have been but field hands, so
that the work about the house and in the sewing room is a new kind
of labor to them.
We have been able to do nothing, comparatively, in the church work.
No churches have been organized as the outgrowth of our school.
There are communities ripe for such work if we only had the means
to carry it on. There are points along the lines of railroad that
could be supplied by students if we only had a theological class to
put to work in organizing and carrying on church work. We have not
neglected the Sunday-school work because we have not been able to
do all that we have wanted, but have visited schools and held some
conventions. The influence of these conventions is being felt in
the surrounding country.
The exodus affects our school but little thus far. The effect of
the movement upon the colored people themselves has not been such
as to warrant us in encouraging it in any way. Many of the patrons
of our school have secured small farms and are in a way to give
their families a fair education. Our school is becoming more widely
known and its influence more powerfully felt. Parents came two
hundred miles to see their sons graduate last June. Applications
have been crowding in upon us for accommodations next year.
Our buildings are far from supplying our necessities. We have
comfortable accommodations for sixty-four boarders, and some of
the time we have had one hundred and eight. We have unfinished
and merely temporary rooms for thirty others, but instead of one
hundred boarders we ought to have two hundred, and might readily
have if we but had rooms.
During the year we had a most precious revival, embracing nearly
all in our normal and preparatory departments. Our work seems
limited only by the lack of means to furnish room for those
desirous of coming.
* * * * *
THE INDIANS.
* * * * *
S’KOKOMISH AGENCY—FIELD AND WORK.
REV. MYRON EELLS.
I propose to give some idea of the extent and character of my
“parish,” and of the kind of work we are attempting to do.
1st. In the S’kokomish Reservation. Here are seven English-speaking
families, and a school of from twenty-five to thirty scholars
at the Agency, and about two hundred Indians in the vicinity.
Besides pastoral work, I hold a service every Sabbath morning in
Indian. Once a month, in the absence of the pastor, one of the lay
members of the church takes his place. This congregation averages
seventy. In the afternoon, the Agent and employees carry on the
Sabbath-school with an average attendance of fifty-eight. Twice
a month I preach in the evening in English to a congregation of
employees and scholars, which averages about thirty-five. On
Thursday evening the regular church prayer meeting is held, at
which the male members take their turns in leading. Occasionally I
meet the school-children and apprentices, generally once in a week
or so, for some kind of an informal meeting.
2d. Three miles from the Agency is a small place, Union City,
consisting of a store, hotel, saloon and five families, and a
number of transient loggers. I can give them one evening a month
without neglecting regular duties. The average attendance is about
twenty-five on public worship and eighteen on Sabbath-school, the
latter of which the ladies of the place keep up most of the time
when I am not present.
3d. Thirty miles North is Seabeck, a saw-mill town of two or three
hundred people, where I have charge of a small church organized
last May. I generally visit them about once a month. There is a
Sabbath-school which the church sustains for the Indians, about
thirty of whom live there, gaining their support mainly by work in
the mill—two of them being members of our church.
4th. Twenty miles further on is Port Gamble, a large milling town,
which has a minister of its own, but near it are about a hundred
Indians who belong to our Agency, most of whom are Catholics, but
who receive me cordially when I go there, two or three times a year.
5th. Forty miles still further is Dunginess, a flourishing Indian
colony, named Jamestown, which is the centre of an Indian
population of about one hundred and forty. I generally visit them
twice a year. Six of our church members live here; they have a
small church built by themselves, a day school, and I also preach
to them sometimes. They sustain a weekly prayer meeting most of the
time, the only one in the county which has a white population of
over six hundred, and they likewise have the only church building
in this county, organized twenty-six years ago.
6th. Six miles from Jamestown is Sequim, a village of about forty
Indians, most of whom are aged and infirm. These are tributary to
Jamestown, sending their children to that school, some of whom
travel the whole distance twice each school day, and also on the
Sabbath.
7th. Between Port Gamble and Jamestown is Port Discovery, another
saw-mill town, where nearly forty Indians make their home, whom
I generally call to see on my journeys; but so much whisky is
sold near them that it has been almost impossible to stop their
drinking; they also live in a somewhat scattered condition, which
makes it difficult to make any permanent religious impression on
them.
8th. Once a year I calculate to go still farther; and twenty miles
beyond Jamestown is Port Angelos, with about thirty nominal Indian
residents. But few of them are settlers, and like those of Port
Discovery they are diminishing.