makes a last and only partially successful effort at rearing
mountains, before losing itself in the low, flat _black belt_. Thus
the pure and exhilarating atmosphere of more Northern latitudes
is brought to the very border of the almost tropical country that
belts the Gulf. Overlooking the rich, populous, and somewhat
unwholesome low-lands, breathing the pure mountain air, is situated
Talladega, seeming to have been Providentially placed as a city
of refuge for the colored people of Alabama. The beauty of the
surrounding landscape is a perpetual inspiration to teachers and
students. The location of the college, in a quiet country village
of two thousand inhabitants, invites the young people from the
cities, and less favored localities, to an atmosphere as pure and
healthful morally as it is physically.
But one other Southern State, if any, has so large a colored
population as Alabama. A half million are now in the State, and the
number is continually increasing. Of these, three-fifths cannot
read. There are about two hundred thousand children of school age,
and only one in ten of these was in school last year. Eighty-three
cents only was expended upon the education of each of those who did
attend. One would hardly judge that this could afford a _liberal_
education.
In a State needing moral and educational efforts so greatly, the
A. M. A. has opened schools and organized churches in Mobile,
Montgomery, Selma, Marion, Athens, and a few other places. In 1870
the Association established Talladega College, as the key-stone of
the arch, or the centre of its system of educational and religious
work in Alabama. The college is closely connected with the other
points of the Association’s work in this State by means of the
intimate social relations between the faculty of the college and
the workers in those places.
The various departments designated by the name _Talladega College_,
are so closely interwoven that any distinct mention of the workings
of one must contain facts closely related to the others. For
convenience I will speak of (1) the Literary Department; (2) the
Industrial Department; (3) the Theological Department; (4) the
Church Work.
The Literary Department.
This includes the various grades, from the elementary to the
higher Normal course, the latter requiring three years for its
completion. The studies pursued include in mathematics, University
Algebra and Geometry; in science, Physical Geography, Physiology,
Natural Philosophy and Astronomy, English Literature, Mental and
Moral Philosophy, etc., with the theory and practice of teaching.
Its students have accomplished much in teaching throughout the
State. In seven years, according to their reports to the principal,
these students have taught about five hundred day-schools, with
fifteen thousand scholars. At the same time they have organized
Sabbath-schools, and taught in them over twenty thousand scholars.
These numbers fairly represent the power these young people have
exerted for the moral and intellectual elevation of their people in
this and other States. There are in the department seventy pupils.
Next year a large number will be admitted from the intermediate
grade, which now numbers one hundred, though, in our present
poverty, it has had but one teacher the greater part of the year.
There are in attendance this year two hundred and fifty students, a
much larger number than ever before, and there is every indication
of an increase the coming year. During the last vacation the
principal and the music teacher, with a company of students,
visited many of the larger places of the State, lecturing, giving
concerts, and stirring up the people generally on the subject of
education. The Christian zeal and deportment of the students, and
the information diffused, awakened a desire for education, and a
public sentiment in favor of Talladega College never before known.
The last commencement exhibited and also increased the new love
and enthusiasm for the college. They gathered from the country for
twenty miles around, on foot, on mules, in ox-carts and wagons.
All the examinations were largely attended; many who could not
read taking the liveliest interest in “two unknown quantities,”
and experiments in philosophy. An instructive address by Rev. Dr.
Brown, of Newark, N. J., the prize declamations and essays by
fourteen of the Normal students, the graduating exercises of three
young men from the Theological Department, the concert by the
Musical Union, and other interesting exercises, furnished the only
means for comprehending a liberal education, which hundreds of the
great crowds in attendance had ever enjoyed.
The students, also, are taking a personal pride in bringing back
the best scholars from their summer schools. One young man, having
failed to collect any funds from his summer school in Georgia,
started with his most advanced pupil on foot, their satchels upon
their backs. Walking, riding in chance carts, and helped on by
railroad conductors, who were evidently influenced to surprising
kindness by the spirit of the Master, they reached this place.
Incited by the enthusiasm of this young man, three more have
followed him from his distant field of labor. From Mississippi,
another young man brought back two. They walked about one hundred
miles, and are now paying their way in school by labor on the
college farm.
Both have begun earnest Christian lives, and are soon to unite with
the church.
All the young men of the college are organized into a battalion of
cadets for physical culture. Their government is conducted by means
of this organization, its officers being held responsible for the
conduct of the members, and being expected to set an example of
manliness and courteous deportment. We find this to be one of the
most potent factors of their moral as well as physical development.
Industrial Department.
At the close of the last school year, the Industrial Department
was decided upon. One of the professors, with the approval of
the Association, immediately proceeded to lay the matter before
friends in the North; and the teachers gathered from all sources
whatever they could secure, with which to begin the work. About
three thousand dollars have already been received, and work in the
following branches begun:
A printing press was secured, with which to bring our wants before
the people of the North, and our influence to bear upon the
intelligent colored people. Six students have learned a useful
trade, and by its means are paying their way in school. In August
they began the publication of the _Southern Sentinel_, a small
eight-page paper, of which five hundred copies are issued monthly.
Should any one doubt its usefulness, a year’s subscription (one
dollar) would be an excellent test. Six hundred copies of the
Sabbath-school Lesson papers, prepared with reference to the
peculiar needs of our Sabbath-schools, are also printed, together
with a large quantity of other matter.
Work upon the farm was begun in September. In October one hundred
and sixty acres were bought, in addition to the thirty acres
already owned by the college. The citizens of the place, both white
and colored, have become deeply interested in the success of the
enterprise. Gifts of all kinds, from a little girl’s pet chicken,
to a fine eighteen dollar plow from a merchant of the town, and
from an old auntie’s half-peck of potatoes to a fine cow and calf
from one of the deacons of the college church, and varying in
amounts from five cents to fifty dollars, have been given. Our most
intelligent citizens say that no other enterprise for the benefit
of the colored people has ever aroused so much interest among them
as the Agricultural Department.
In the Girls’ Industrial School, sixteen young women are earning,
wholly or in part, their board and tuition; while, at the same
time, learning ways and methods which will make hundreds of homes
brighter and happier.
In mechanical work, five hundred dollars’ worth of building and
repairing has been done, under the direction of an excellent
carpenter.
In these different departments of labor, the students have already
received about fifteen hundred dollars as wages, in board and
tuition.
Theological Department.
If the colored people are to be elevated, in no class is education
more necessary than in the ministry. One of the leading Baptist
ministers in the State, being asked how many of the young ministers
educated in their schools were now in the ministry in this State,
replied “One, and we expect soon another.” Yet this church includes
by far the largest number of the colored people. To meet this
great want, a Theological Department was organized in connection
with the college in 1872. Four young men constituted the first
class, three of whom are now in the ministry. The number of pupils
last year was twenty-seven; at present it is nineteen. The decrease
is owing to the requirement of a higher standard in literary
training. The colored people are naturally theologians and Bible
students. Three distinct lines of study are pursued, all of which
have special reference to practical, Christian work. (1) To make
the pupils familiar with the facts of the Bible. (2) To establish
them in a system of Christian theology. (3) To acquaint them with
the best methods of Christian work. Twenty-five Sabbath-schools are
carried on by the students. Six of these have grown into churches,
the young men acting as their pastors. Sabbath-school Conventions,
and various other kinds of Christian work, are conducted by the
students, often assisted by teachers from the college. This
department has a library of over eight hundred volumes.
Church Work.
We doubt if anywhere else in the South the Church and School are
both so strong and so closely united as here. The Congregational
Church of Talladega was organized in 1868. There are at present
one hundred and forty-nine members, with a Sabbath-school of three
hundred. Of course the larger part are students, but a goodly
number are citizens, heads of families, having good homes, and
being comparatively prosperous. Not only the members of this
church, but of the other churches in the village, are thoroughly
interested in whatever affects the college. In all the church
services citizens and students mingle, with always a sprinkling
of members from other churches. In the social gatherings of the
students, the members of the church are always welcomed, and
enter heartily into their pleasures. Thus the college is anchored
by means of the church in the hearts of the people themselves.
Many colleges are held in their present location by the force of
gravity, or by the adhesive force of brick and mortar alone; but
Talladega College, were her buildings burned to the ground, or
blown aloft into the air, would remain firmly fixed in the hearts
and affections of the people.
* * * * *
NORTH CAROLINA.
“A mighty still religion.” “Good Christians is Peaceable.”
MISS MARTHA MOORE, WILMINGTON.
With a larger working force this year, we are able to do more
outside work, and we find in our visits among the people plenty
of poverty, misery and sin. We almost wonder if _any power_ is
sufficient to raise them from their degradation. Yet, the many
noble exceptions bring to view the _possibilities_ of the race, and
encourage us to labor on.
To show how the old heathenish idea of religion seems to those who
have received more light, I will copy a letter from one who, only a
year ago, was led to embrace the truth and to join our church. She
writes from her old home in the country, where she is spending the
winter with her father. She has, as you will see, a very limited
education. She writes:
“DEAR FRIENDS: I arrieved home safe found All injoying helth I
went with Brother to the Sunday School But Could not Injoy it;
Some had their spelling Books And Some their testaments and
speled And read the lessons over and out to play. then the Church
gather in to Class and in a half hour every bodys mouth was open
and their was nothing to be heard But I have been redeemb. I
stod aside and look at them till at last one of them Caime to
me saying sister what are you doing havent you got the Spirit
on yet? why, your religeon dead why what sort of Still thing is
this. ha you must be up And a doing let the world no that you
got the spirit on Show your light and let them see. Well I says
I think that a very poor way to show the Christian light. O well
if you say this a poor way you got no religeon honey; what Church
you belong to. I tole them, why I never heard of that before
well if they are like you I don’t no how it is but its mighty
still religeon well I says Im Sorry that you all think that
unless you Make a loud noise the world wont see your Light. I
believe in showing the light in our walk And Conversation home
and abroad not wait to go To the Church; But they say you must
get the Spirit on, so you see its imposible for me to injoy their
worship. I hope you will all pray for my deliverence for I do not
think the lord intend to keep Me in this purgatory.
“Yours, L. S.”
We have in our night-school some who are making great efforts to
improve in knowledge. It requires no little resolution, after
working hard all day, to walk a mile or two and study two or three
hours. A stranger came a few weeks ago, wishing, as he said, “to
cultivate his brain.” There was evidently need of it, and we were
glad to learn that his recent conversion had awakened him to the
importance of knowing how to read for himself. He also expressed a
wish to come here to church, as he had become acquainted with one
of our members, who, as he said, “seemed to be a good, civil sort
of Christian,” and he thought he would come and see what kind of
meetings produced that effect. He had attended another church, but
said he “didn’t like there, for they had some crossness, and good
Christians is peaceable; they can’t help being peaceable”;—a good
lesson for all who bear the Christian name.
Our Sunday-school averages about 130, and the truth seems to be
gaining a firmer hold in the minds of some of the older pupils. The
day-school is prospering. One of the little ones of the primary
department, a bright little fellow, was yesterday laid in his grave.
* * * * *
ALABAMA.
Debt-Raising in a Colored Church.
REV. CHARLES NOBLE, MONTGOMERY
At the annual meeting of the church, in December, it was found that
of the $100 pledged to the pastor’s salary, only $25 had been paid;
and that an old debt for sexton’s services remained, amounting to
$34. In the extra effort made to pay for the painting and repair
of the church, and other expenses in spring and summer, these
things had been neglected. It was a surprise, and, of course, a
disagreeable one to many of the church; but there was a decided
feeling that the amount ought to be raised at once, and not left
to be a burden on the church any longer. A debt of $109 is as much
to this people as some of the $50,000 debts, which Mr. Kimball has
been helping churches North to clear away, are to them. Therefore,
it seemed to me that the matter was one to be carefully and
prayerfully managed. I appointed a meeting for the consideration
of the matter, and opened it by reading Chaps, viii. and ix. of 2d
Cor., and briefly explaining their teachings. Then we spent half an
hour in prayer, the brethren bringing the burden right to the Lord
in the simplest and most touching language, expressing their sorrow
and self-reproach at having failed to make good their promises, and
asking forgiveness and help. Then they talked the matter over, and
decided to raise the amount at once by subscription. A fair was
suggested, but the decision was against it, on the ground that it
wasn’t quite honorable to call in outside help to make good their
own delinquency; and, moreover, that a fair involved a great deal
of unprofitable labor and excitement, and was a fruitful mother
of dissensions. These points they made themselves, and in view of
them they decided to raise the amount by voluntary offerings. The
subscription began at once, and the matter being presented to the
church for two successive Sundays, the whole amount was raised by
voluntary pledges. I am certain that the brethren who so cheerfully
and promptly pledged, and paid, $7.50 and $6 and $5, gave as
abundantly, in proportion to their means, as those who pledged
$5,000 and $2,000 at Providence. The spirit in which it was done
was the most beautiful part of it. It was more than willingly done.
The gifts were brought forward thankfully, joyously, and I never
saw happier people in my life than those who joined in thanksgiving
to God, when the whole amount was raised. We observed the week of
prayer, with meetings every evening, and there was real evidence
of the presence of the Spirit. One who has long been in the dark
was brought out into the light; and it seemed to us that we must go
forward. We had meetings for two weeks with good attendance, and
very tender feeling. Quite a number of people rose for prayers, and
we hope that four at least have found the Saviour. The church has
certainly been quickened and strengthened very much.
* * * * *
LOUISIANA.
Revival News—“Pray for My Child!”—Older Converts—Romanists
Reached.
MRS. T. N. CHASE, NEW ORLEANS.
You will rejoice to hear of the good work in the Central
Congregational Church of New Orleans. The interest has been
sufficient to bring an unusual number every night for four weeks to
our prayer-meeting. One evening, after the pastor had taken nearly
the usual time, he called for brief testimony from Christians.
Fifty-three responded in the limited half hour.
The fruit to be gathered in was from among the older students of
the school, who were not already professing Christians. This was
what would be expected by those who know their faithful, Christian
teachers. All teachers know the thrilling interest that clusters
around the conversion of young persons under their tuition. So, as
I have heard our teachers talk of this scholarly young man, and
that promising young woman, coming over to the Lord’s side, I knew
very well what a burden of prayer and effort was lifted from their
hearts and hands.
The third week of our meetings a younger class seemed interested.
One evening a widow begged us to pray for her daughter, in tones
that would have melted a heart of stone. As she passed out of the
door, at the close of the meeting, I overheard her saying to one
and another, “Pray for my child! pray for my child!” An earnest
mother, I thought; who can doubt the reality of her religion? On my
way home I learned that her husband had been a devoted member of
our church, and a wealthy, intelligent, respected colored citizen.
I am happy to find such men are not rare in New Orleans. The next
evening the mother, with the same pleading earnestness, begged us
to pray for her child. Since her husband’s death her property had
gone, other dear ones had passed on, and it seemed as though she
could not be denied the conversion of her child. The grandmother
was present, too, and gave us a soul-stirring testimony of her long
pilgrimage. When those who wished our prayers were requested to
come forward, several responded. All were strangers to me; but when
a certain little girl went forward just behind the others, a tide
of emotion almost overcame me. She was as much a stranger to me
as the others, and I, for a moment, wondered at my tears. Then it
flashed upon me that she must be the widow’s child, and my emotion
was caused by the flood of sympathy that was involuntarily surging
from heart to heart for that praying mother. On inquiry, I found
I was not mistaken. You can imagine, better than I can describe,
the scene, when mother and grandmother gathered about the child,
pleading with her to yield to Jesus, as we all knelt to commend the
lost lambs to a loving Shepherd.
Now, the older people are being reached. Friday evening a man came
in late to escort his wife home. Saturday he came early, and at
the very first opportunity was on his feet, saying, “For forty
years I hadn’t thought I had a soul till I came in here last night.
Help me to find Jesus.” He went forward, fell upon his knees, and
was so penitent it did not seem strange that that very night the
publican’s God sent him “to his house justified.” As he met our
pastor the next morning at church, he exclaimed, “Mr. Alexander,
you convinced me, but Jesus saved me.” It would do a stoic good to
look upon his beaming face and see what grace has done for that man.
It seems to me that the most interesting feature of the A. M.
A. work in New Orleans is its leavening influence upon Roman
Catholicism. I was talking, after service one evening, with a
beautiful girl who had been forward for prayers, and whose face
wore a genuine look of deep contrition. On asking her if she
attended church here regularly, she replied, “No; I go to the
Catholic Church.” Another girl was sitting beside a member of our
family one evening, when a boy behind whispered to her, “Don’t you
ask for prayers! if you do, I’ll tell the priest!” I hear that a
large number in the school are professed Catholics, but are allowed
to attend on account of the superior instruction.
* * * * *
TENNESSEE.
Le Moyne Normal School.
MEMPHIS, TENN., _Feb. 16th, 1878_.
The Le Moyne teachers, last year, organized among themselves
a reading circle for their own pleasure and improvement. Each
Thursday evening was devoted to the study of an author. After
a while, other friends were invited to join them for a single
reading. The custom was continued after the long vacation, and
became a part of the family life.
So much interest was manifested among the occasional guests, that
some of them proposed that the circle be enlarged to include all
the colored teachers of the city. The proposal was favorably
received, and the new literary society has superseded the original.
The character of exercises has been changed to meet the demands of
this wider and different element. The programme this week was as
follows:
_Historical_: “Benjamin Franklin—his public life; his private
life.” _Poetical_: “Longfellow—sketch of his life; selections
from his writings.” _Debate_: “Resolved, that the Crusades were
a benefit to the world.” “Humorous Reading.” _Scientific_: “Cell
Life.” “Budget.”
Music is interspersed, and discussions upon different topics are
presented. Ten minutes is the utmost time allowed each participant.
The only drawback is the lack of books of reference. Our small
library furnishes some assistance, and the additions made to it
from time to time help us in our preparations for the literary
society.
Friday evenings are devoted to an equally interesting and
well-attended gathering of a more devotional character. The
Sabbath-school teachers, who use the International Lessons, meet in
one of the school-rooms for studying the next Sabbath’s lesson. It
is one of the most enjoyable hours of the week.
The first suggestion of united study came from the superintendent
of the leading Methodist Sabbath-school. Others at once acceded
to the proposal, and heartily join in the exercises. Topics are
assigned to members of various schools, so that special preparation
is previously made, and very little time is wasted during the
meeting.
Methodist, Baptist and Congregational superintendents succeed one
another in leading the meetings. Denominational lines are forgotten
in seeking to learn the truths of the Bible, and in considering
the best methods of presenting those truths to classes. The ten
minutes of devotion, at the beginning of each meeting, include the
discussion of a practical subject. “How to secure the influence of
the Holy Spirit in the hearts of our scholars,” “Best methods of
conducting Infant Classes,” “Opening and closing exercises of the
school,” are a few of the topics considered.
* * * * *
A Woman’s Work among Women.
MISS HATTIE MILTON, MEMPHIS.