of Spanish Romanism, with its antique mission fortifications yet
standing in their frowning strength. That early pre-emption secures
two-thirds of the present population, 21,000, to the Romanists, who
have three massive stone cathedrals—one for the Spanish, one for
the German and one for the English speaking people, and who have
their extensive Nunnery and Jesuit College, which are patronized
not a little by American families. This city is the metropolis for
Southwestern Texas, which is as large as the whole of New England.
It has also an immense wholesale trade with cities in Mexico. San
Antonio becomes also a strategic point for Protestantism. The M.
E. Church North is just now establishing itself here at large
expense. The colored people are well supplied with churches and
schools. The second best Protestant church edifice is that of
the African M. E. Church, just completed, at a cost of $8,000,
and nearly all paid for. Superintendent West was there the same
Sabbath, reconnoitering. He was urged by the M. E. South people to
remain and hold a protracted meeting; but a campaign just at hand
in Massachusetts prevented. Western Texas was suffering dreadfully
from an eight months’ drought. The plain of San Antonio was an
exception, being irrigated by the waters of the mighty springs just
above the city, which, forming the San Antonio River, furnish the
hydrant supply for that great population, and send babbling streams
through all the streets and over all the surrounding gardens and
farms. So may that sainted city be a fountain of moral refreshing
in all that region!
The Tillotson Normal Institute of Texas, under the excellent Mrs.
Garland, has already sent out twenty teachers. Its beautiful site,
overlooking the city, is this summer to be crowned with its comely
edifice, which, beyond the outer shell, is to await the incoming
of funds for its completion. This trip has resulted with me in a
profound impression as to the need of this institution and as to
the grand sweep of its future usefulness. Nothing better can be
done for the Freedmen of Texas. This empire, stretching a thousand
miles on the Rio Grande and eight hundred miles eastward to the
Sabine, calls mightily for such an institute to train those who
shall be the teachers of her sable children. These immense areas of
cheap, rich, southern lands, that were never cursed by the filth of
slavery, are calling in the Freedmen to take to themselves homes
and farms and the respectability that comes from ownership of the
soil. Such people, most of all, hunger for good schools. Texas
is liberal toward her colored school children. To furnish them
teachers, skilled in the art and trained so that they shall exert a
wholesome social and spiritual influence, is the great desideratum.
The cluster of churches made up of Corpus Christi, Goliad, Helena,
Schulenburg and Flatonia, are organized into the Congregational
Association of Southwestern Texas. The only two without houses of
worship are now moving to purchase “church houses.” Rev. B. C.
Church is a very patriarch among them. Rev. S. M. Coles, pastor
and teacher at “Corpus,” is a colored graduate of Yale. Brothers
Thompson and Turner, native pastors, are sound, pure and able men.
It was a treat to minister the Word to each of these hungering
congregations.
At Flatonia, when the local authorities went back upon their
promise of the public school-room for a service which had been
advertised in the town newspaper, because the white citizens would
not allow that place to be used by “niggers,” we resorted to the
platform of the R. R. Station, in the center of the village, and
had a rousing open-air meeting that attracted many of the white
citizens, who were cordially welcomed to our place of worship, for
our God is no respecter of persons. At Corpus Christi a two days’
meeting followed upon some special interest, under the preaching of
Mr. Thompson, which had greatly confirmed the church, and had added
a half dozen to the company of the believers.
One day by the mail-schooner from “Corpus” to Indianola, another
day by steamer to Galveston, and a third day by Morgan’s line,
carried the tour back to New Orleans. A day there for supplementary
reconnoissance, a Sabbath with the thriving church of Rev. D. L.
Hickok, and the Emerson Institute at Mobile, and then a long run
up to Atlanta finished this tour of many hundred miles among our
schools and churches of the Southwest.
* * * * *
GEORGIA.
A Lady Missionary Needed.
REV. S. S. ASHLEY, ATLANTA, GA.
I desire to call your attention to the need of a missionary for
this city. This has been a pressing necessity in all the past of
the work here, but at present is more urgent than ever. This city
is rapidly increasing in population. The increase of the colored
population keeps pace with the white in numbers, and far outstrips
the white in ignorance and poverty. The number of vagabond black
children here would astonish you. On the Sabbath, the vacant lots
and outskirts of the city are thronged with them. They are without
parental restraint, and never attend meeting or Sabbath-school.
They are ripening in vice and crime. There is a chain-gang in the
city, composed, as I learn, of boys ranging from ten to fifteen
years of age. There are many children among the county convicts.
Thus they are drifting to the penitentiary and to ruin. Once in the
penitentiary, they are lost, for the convict prison system of this
State is bad.
This city is full of devil-traps. These strangers who are moving
in will largely become victims. Now, we should have some agency by
which as many as possible of these families can be reached. Their
domestic condition is deplorable. In fact, this may be said of the
colored families generally of the South. They need influences and
instruction that can best, and, as I believe, only be carried to
them by a woman missionary. The women, the mothers, the homemakers
of this people, must be instructed and led to better things in
their homes. They must be seen in their houses. With such homes
as are common among them, it is well nigh impossible for them to
be Christians. Large families living in one room—you know how it
is—comfort, cleanliness, modesty and religious devotion are almost
impossible. Illiterate, the Bible must be read to them; ignorant
of their moral duties as parents, they must be taught. Strangers
to domestic comforts and necessities, they must be made acquainted
with them. Superstitious and fanatical, they must be introduced
to places and modes of a scriptural, instructive and reasonable
worship—a thousand matters of great importance must be brought
to their attention and kept before their minds, until the proper
impression is produced. This can only be done by a missionary
moving about among them _at their homes_. This person should be a
woman, because women are principally to be reached. Now, can you
not commission Miss Stevenson for this work? In connection with
her school, she now does a great deal in this direction, but not a
tithe of what needs to be done. She is thoroughly acquainted with
all these people, has had ten years’ experience among them, and
is admirably adapted to the work. She has a heart for it. Please
consider this.
Another matter: The young men connected with this church and
congregation have organized a Library Association. A Library has
been started—number of volumes at present very small. I have
thought that perhaps you had in or about your office some spare
books that you could send to us. We want to build up a Parish
Library. I should like, especially, some works on Africa.
* * * * *
ALABAMA.
Tenantry—A Promising Field—Politics.
REV. FLAVEL BASCOM, D.D., MONTGOMERY.
I gave you some first impressions on entering the service of the A.
M. A. last autumn, and you now ask for my impressions after three
months’ experience and observation.
So brief a residence in a single Southern city does not qualify
one to speak with authority on the various questions pertaining to
your work among the Freedmen; but it does enable him to test your
methods and to examine the results achieved. He can thus judge
of the adaptation of means employed to the ends desired, and can
forecast the future with more confidence.
There are some things of which I am fully persuaded, by my short
residence at the South; one of these is, that the colored people in
this country are not dying out. I occasionally hear it said that
they are. Possibly the wish is father to the thought. But they are
not only here to stay, but they are here to multiply and increase
as did the Jews in Egypt; and they are already so large a factor
in our population that their character and condition are to affect
the character and welfare of our country far more than is generally
realized.
I have been happily disappointed in witnessing the industry and
thrift of the Freedmen as mechanics and common laborers; the
colored men seem to do very nearly all the work which is done, and
with the aid of the women, who are equally industrious, they secure
an honest and, what is to them, a comfortable living.
The most dependent and least progressive class of the Freedmen are
those who work the plantations on shares. The planter dictates his
own terms to the tenant—furnishes him team and tools at his own
price—sells him provisions on credit at rates far above the cash
market price, and then charges interest, fixing the per cent. to
suit himself. When the crop is gathered, if the renter does not
find himself in debt to his landlord, he is more fortunate than
many. He rarely finds himself richer for his summer’s work. The
simple rules of arithmetic, thoroughly understood by the tenant,
will remedy all this; and when I hear the colored children at
school reciting the multiplication table so enthusiastically, I am
sure it is a prophecy of a “good time coming” to them.
My observation convinces me that the colored people are very
desirous for the education of their children, and that their
children acquire learning with as much facility as any other class.
Let all the colored children and youth of the Southern States have
access to schools conducted by competent teachers, and in a very
few years they will solve the political and social problems that
are just now so embarrassing. They will not only take care of
themselves, but they will be very valuable auxiliaries in taking
care of the nation.
I find in the colored churches of different denominations specimens
of very estimable Christian character. I find, also, just those
infirmities which I should expect if God made the Caucasian and the
African of the same blood.
I have found the colored congregations very decorous and eagerly
attentive to the preaching of the Gospel. I find them quite
accessible for religious conversation, and apparently thankful for
the interest manifested in their behalf. They furnish, therefore,
a field for Christian effort that is full of promise. If there
is another missionary field more inviting, or promising richer
harvests to faithful culture, I know not where it is found.
I am profoundly impressed with the importance of the schools,
and especially of the higher institutions established by the
American Missionary Association, and by the Mission Boards of
other Christian denominations. These institutions must train
multitudes of competent teachers, who will educate the masses. In
these institutions must also be educated a native ministry to meet
the wants of their people at home, and to carry the Gospel to the
dark continent from which their fathers came. It is difficult to
conceive of a work more important, or promising more beneficent
results, than that which is being done by the higher educational
institutions for the Freedmen. The importance of enlarging their
capacity for receiving pupils, and enabling them to aid indigent
pupils in defraying the expenses of their education, cannot be
over-estimated.
The relation of the Freedmen to politics raises questions that are
very perplexing and threatening. The Southern States have, for the
present, virtually disfranchised the colored men; and they seem
united and firm in the purpose to exclude them from all influence
in politics, unless they will vote for the party that so recently
sought to perpetuate their bondage by a dissolution of the Union.
What, then, should the colored men do, and what should their
friends do for them? Many of them are intelligent and patriotic,
and worthy to have a share in the government of the State and
the nation. But many of them are as utterly unfit, at present,
for such responsibility as are the most ignorant classes in our
Northern cities; but they are improving. Every year adds to their
intelligence, and if the helping hand of Christian philanthropy is
not withheld, they will, by education, by temperance, by morality
and more intelligent piety, by industry and the accumulation of
property, win for themselves a position of respectability. They
will not then need soldiers to protect them at the polls. They
will take care of themselves. Their ballots will be received and
counted. Not only so, among the whites there will be two parties,
as of old, that will vie with each other in soliciting the colored
vote, by out-bidding each other in the promise of favors in return.
Is it not wisdom, then, for the colored man patiently to bide his
time, meanwhile striving more earnestly for the qualifications than
for the rights of a voter? And is it not wiser for the friends
of the Freedmen to furnish him every facility for acquiring the
qualifications of a voter, than to wrangle forever about his rights?
* * * * *
Emerson Institute—Early Discouragements, Later Encouragements.
REV. D. L. HICKOK, MOBILE.
For various reasons, among them the sickness of yellow fever, our
work here commenced under very unfavorable circumstances. Our
school opened the 20th of November, almost two months after the
regular time, with only 17 scholars the first week, and with but
little prospect of any considerable increase. The teachers were all
new except Miss Stephenson, and hence they did not know what to
expect, and therefore not enough about the work to be discouraged.
Ignorance, sometimes at least, is bliss. If it did not give us
faith, it saved us from being faithless. There are some things that
are food in a negative way by preventing the usual waste in the
system. Knowledge is power. Ignorance is somewhere along there when
it saves us from the need of power. We accepted what we found as
being all that we had any right in our simplicity to expect, and
carefully hid it as leaven in the meal. The leaven, however, seemed
wonderfully “little,” and the meal a great deal more than three
measures; but God has blessed our work beyond our expectation and
faith. The measure, “according to our faith,” was pressed down and
running over. Our numbers rapidly increased so that by Christmas
we had about 75 scholars, and after the holidays our numbers came
up to more than 150. We still have accessions every week, and the
prospect is that before the close of the year we shall have more
scholars than we have room for. Already the primary room is filled
beyond its seating capacity.
The school has at present four departments: the primary, which
numbers about 60; the intermediate, which numbers between 40 and
50; the normal, which numbers about the same, and the higher
normal, which at present is only a small class studying Latin,
geometry and natural philosophy. The “A” class of the normal, which
is quite large, will soon be in this department.
We feel that we are having the confidence and co-operation of the
colored people. The last few weeks has encouraged us very much.
We recently had a literary, musical and social entertainment for
the pupils and patrons of the school. It was held in the normal
room of our building, which we also use as an assembly room, where
we provided extra seats somewhat beyond rather than according to
our faith; but not only was every seat filled, many went away
because they could not even find standing room. At the close of the
literary exercises the pupils brought forward their parents and
friends and introduced them to the teachers, when sociability and
“the shaking of the hands” became the order for the remainder of
the evening.
The history of our school work for the past few months is repeated
in our Sabbath-school and church work. We began with scarcely more
than five loaves and two fishes. At the first religious meeting
which I attended there were just seven present—five colored and two
white people. What were they among so many? But God has graciously
given us the increase here also. Our Sabbath-school now numbers
60, with 10 teachers, and is increasing every Sabbath. It is yet
a small school, indeed, but it is in good working order. The
machinery is complete in all its parts. Its lack is inward rather
than outward. It needs only the animating power of the Holy Spirit
to make it a living body. We have got the dust together and have
formed it, and we are praying that God would breathe into its
nostrils that it may become a living soul. To this end the teachers
have just resolved to hold a half-hour prayer-meeting at the close
of the school each Sabbath.
Our church is quite small. Congregationalism makes but little show
in this typical Southern city. It will be a good many years before
we have New England on the Gulf; yet I believe the leaven is here
that is to leaven the lump. Our church contains a few earnest,
faithful workers. There are those who have watched with Christ in
the dark hour. Their days of vigilance will soon be over, when they
may sleep in Jesus and take their rest. May God bless them!
* * * * *
A Revival of Education—A Useful Church.
REV. GEORGE E. HILL, MARION.
I cannot say that we are enjoying a revival of religion, but we
are in the midst of a revival of education, which is here at the
South, emphatically, the handmaid of the Gospel. The Lincoln Normal
Institute, for colored pupils of both sexes, was founded in 1869 by
the A. M. A. Six years ago it passed into the hands of the State,
which makes an annual appropriation of $4,000 for the teachers’
salaries.
This year the school has taken a fresh start, having enrolled
217 pupils, and a new building is about to be erected for their
accommodation. In the Normal Department for the training of
teachers, there are classes in Latin, Greek and French, as well as
the higher English branches. The order and discipline are equal to
the average of our high schools at the North. Its pupils sustain
a literary society, for weekly essays and discussions, and also
publish a monthly paper. One young man walks ten miles every day to
attend the school.
The influence of such an institution is felt in the very
atmosphere. The fever for learning is contagious. Men who work hard
all day in the field or at their trade are so eager for knowledge
that, to meet the demand, classes have just been organized for a
night school.
Meanwhile our little church is keeping on the even tenor of its
way. There have been several hopeful conversions, and four are
about to unite by profession. No falling off in attendance on
Sabbath or evening meetings. Four of our young people are this year
at Talladega College, and two promising young men have the ministry
in view. Nineteen were present at our teachers’ meeting last week.
At the “Home” we have three meetings Sunday evenings: one for
women, one for boys, and a girls’ class prayer meeting, with a
kindergarten for the little ones during the week.
One of the pleasant incidents in our winter’s work has been the
distribution of five barrels of clothing from kind friends at the
North. The people are poor, but not penurious. A girls’ sewing
class has sent $21, the avails of their handiwork, for the Mendi
Mission, and the church appropriates the “weekly offering” once a
month towards the pastor’s salary.
It is truly delightful to see the readiness of this people for
religious instruction, and to witness the fruits of our labor in
their marked elevation. They are quick, industrious, pleasing,
and unobtrusive in their manners, with a decided distaste for
“loudness” of every sort; showing, too, as much decorum at church,
and as proper a regard for the Sabbath, as I have ever seen in any
community.
From all which, it may be inferred that here, at least, the
uplifting process has already passed the stage of incipiency.
* * * * *
LOUISIANA.
Concert—Last Year’s Graduates—Gifts Acknowledged.
PROF. J. K. COLE, STRAIGHT UNIVERSITY.
We have reached another mile-stone in our school work. Many of our
older pupils, especially the senior class, would have been glad to
keep in harness, but circumstances were favorable for a two days’
break in school routine, and we have it.
Last evening the singing class, under the direction of Prof.
McPherron, gave a concert at Central Church. The house was filled
with as fine an audience as could be gathered in any city. There
was a generous sprinkling of “white folks,” including several of
the local board of trustees and other appreciative friends. The
proceeds will help some of our needy students to books; while a
greater and more lasting good will result from the influence of the
music sung—not upon those only who took part in the singing, but
upon the large audience who listened so attentively, and who were
cheered and encouraged by what the young people of their race are
doing.
New scholars come in almost every week, and though some drop out
our number is kept well up to 200.
We hear interesting and encouraging reports from our last year’s
graduates, who are all teaching. Dr. J. E. Roy has lately seen two
of them, and reports that they are doing well. One has an evening
school for the parents and older ones, and both are doing good work
in Sabbath-school.
In a letter just received from one of them she says that she has
to humor the parents in their whims, or they keep their children
out of school. She writes: “Before school began my ability to
teach was doubted by a father. He wanted to get a book for his
son, who had never been to school; he intended to buy a Webster’s
speller. I told him what book he needed, but he would not get it
until many of the patrons of the school reasoned him into it. I
have a Sabbath-school, which is almost beyond my ability to teach.
I am superintendent, treasurer, secretary, and everything. I find
it difficult to interest the children. Last Sabbath there was an
attendance of twenty-seven.” Of her day-school she writes: “It is
very difficult to make the children think that they do not know
everything. Many of them have been studying books that they cannot
even read understandingly. I am trying to govern by kindness as
much as possible, and punish only when I see that I cannot possibly
help it. I think the children are progressing as rapidly as they
could anywhere under like circumstances.”
Thus the influence of our school and our teaching is extended,
and in this way are the masses to be reached. Christian people of
the North, let the means be liberally provided to educate these
_teachers_ who are to carry light and knowledge to their people.
Our work is not all overspread with cloudless skies. We are under
many disadvantages, and experience some sore disappointments.
Not all whom we look upon with great hopes and earnest desires
that their future may be marked by Christian usefulness, meet our
expectations. We find careless and idle and heedless pupils; some,
though they are very eager to learn, and work hard, make very
slow progress; but, to the credit of this people be it said, a
stubborn or wilfully disobedient pupil is rare. On the whole, the
encouraging cases are largely in the majority, and the opposite
kind lead us to exercise more care, perseverance, patience and
prayerfulness.
Our thanks are due to the ladies of the Congregational Church at
Colchester, Conn., and to the ladies of the Free Church, Andover,
Mass., for a barrel of bedding each, for the Mission Home. The
contents were especially acceptable at the time received, for the
Sunny South had on, just then, a decidedly winterish aspect, with
the mercury at 18 degrees. Now we are in the midst of spring, with
a profusion of orange blossoms, roses and green leaves.
* * * * *
TEXAS.
Revival—Ministerial Carpentry—Organ and Papers Needed.
REV. S. M. COLES, CORPUS CHRISTI.