concert, conducted by our music teacher, Miss Jennie Woodworth.
Although the night was very rainy and stormy, the church was full,
with quite a number of white people, who expressed their great
gratification. The singing was good, and the concert well carried
out to the end, showing decided musical ability on the part of
all in solo, duet and chorus singing. Mr. Derry, a friendly white
citizen, made an impromptu and voluntary address, full of real
sympathy and kind words. The daily paper printed a flattering
report of the concert, and of the whole work of the school. Public
sentiment in this respect is becoming more and more friendly.
We are glad to report that both school and church have prospered
during the year. The total enrollment of students is 199, and we
rejoice to know that additional school rooms, so greatly needed,
are to be provided before another year begins. Fifteen or twenty of
the scholars were converted during the precious revival in March
last. Quite a number will engage in teaching during the summer,
and several will go to higher institutions of learning in the fall.
* * * * *
“PINE GROVE COLLEGE,” KENTUCKY.
BY REV. B. H. FAIRCHILD, D.D.
In Jackson County, sixteen miles from Berea, there has long been
a church called Walnut Chapel, similar in character to the church
at Berea, and connected with the same association. A few families,
slightly colored, have always lived among them, belonged to the
same church and attended the same school. Indeed, their minister,
the most prosperous man among them, and long a trustee of the
public school, was said to be slightly colored. Another minister,
who preached to them a few years, exhibited more signs of color. In
this neighborhood lives Robert Jones, who, in 1856, was whipped by
a mob, thirty-three lashes on his bare back, for being a colporteur
of the American Missionary Association, and for sustaining Mr. Fee
in one of his meetings. Four of the old man’s sons live about him;
one is a preacher, as is the father himself.
When the colored school law was passed in this State, their harmony
was disturbed. It is made unlawful “for any colored child to attend
a common school provided for white children or for a white child to
attend a common school provided for colored children.” This utterly
deprived the colored children of school privileges, for there were
not enough of them to organize a school district, and there was no
prospect that there ever would be. In this emergency the church
asked advice of the Association. After due deliberation they were
advised to build a good school-house that should be open to all
children of the neighborhood, and let the common school take care
of itself. Aid was promised them, if it should be necessary.
The community accepted this advice. A plan of a school-house
was furnished them, and a promise made that if they would build
according to that plan, they should have a good teacher the first
six months without expense to them. The school-house was to be
25×30, 12 ft. from floor to ceiling, with four large windows, two
doors, and good seats and desks for 60 scholars.
This was a great undertaking, unheard of in that region. There
was no house equal to it in the county, for schools or meetings.
But enthusiasm was developed, as the work went on, and culminated
at the dedication on the 26th of June. Three times as many were
present as could be crowded into the house, and so great was the
rush for the school it was necessary to publish that only sixty
could be admitted. The children of those who aided in building
the house were to be admitted first, but must make application
within three days. At the end of the three days nearly a hundred
applications had been received.
Before the dedication the people had, in some way, named the school
“The Pine Grove College.” They were advised to drop the name
college, as their most advanced students would never get within two
years of college. But names are not easily dropped, and this seems
destined to endure.
Miss Maria Muzzy, an experienced teacher, one of Berea’s corps, had
been engaged to take the school. Very frequently she was warned by
good friends who knew the mountain people and Kentucky habits that
there would be no safety for her in that school, she would surely
be mobbed, no lady should be asked so to expose herself, she should
not think of staying a night without a pistol. She almost feared
that it was a rash undertaking. But calmer counsels, with trust in
God, sustained her. No indignity was ever offered her, and no one
ever had more friends among such a people.
At the close of the first week she wrote to Berea that she hadn’t
the heart to turn away so many, and asked for an assistant, who
should exchange with her in teaching in the woods. This arrangement
was made; and for two months a part of the school was in the house
and a part in the grove. The assistant was Miss Kate Gilbert,
another of Berea’s corps of teachers.
[Illustration: FAMILIAR SCENE IN LOUISVILLE, KY.]
She offered to forego her summer vacation, and teach in the woods,
with no promise of compensation.
Not the least difficulty was to find a boarding place for the
teacher. A lady who was to teach eighteen months in succession
without a vacation must be taken care of. Not a room could be found
in the neighborhood, with a window in it, which she could have to
herself.
A man was found who needed a new house, and for an advance of
$100, for a part of two years’ board, built a log house near the
school-house and furnished her a room fifteen feet square, with two
windows, and a lock to her door. There is no other such room in all
the region.
The school closed grandly and beautifully, with an examination and
an exhibition.
But the common school was abandoned for not a pupil could be found
to attend it.
The following are the friends who furnished the money for this
important enterprise. I thank them most heartily for their
promptness and liberality:
Asylum St. Church, Hartford, Ct., $50.00; Euclid Av. Church,
East Cleveland, O., 50.00; First Cong. Church, Cleveland, O.,
21.25; Mrs. Mary H. Penfield, Rockford, Ill., 50.00; H. Ford, E.
Cleveland, O., 8.00; Mrs. A. A. Brakenridge, Cleveland, O., 6.00;
Miss Lucy A. French, Cleveland, O., 6.00; Frank Fairchild, Mt.
Vernon, O., 20.00; Mrs. S. E. Bosworth, for Ladies’ Benev. Soc.,
Elgin, Ill., 15.00; Mary I. James, Brooklyn, N. Y., 30.00; F. S.
Sessions, Columbus, O., 25.00; Cong. Church, Muskegon, Mich.,
25.00; Sunday-school class of girls, Brooklyn, N.Y., 10.85.
For special reasons of a local character, it became necessary to
find a benevolent man who would purchase 150 acres surrounding the
school-house. Rev. Wm. Kincaid, of Oberlin, is the good man who
takes it at $1.50 per acre.
The house is situated on a lofty ridge, six or eight miles long,
the route of the main road in that part of the county, but over
which a team does not pass more than once a week, and there is no
house in sight of the school-house.
The school is managed by trustees, one of whom is a professor of
Berea College, and the present pastor of Walnut Chapel Church, to
which he preaches once a month, in the school-house. There is no
other school in the county fit to qualify young people for teachers.
* * * * *
AFRICA.
MR. LADD’S JOURNAL.
_Monday, Jan. 2._—A good breeze sprang up in the night and we were
off. The rocks were reached about 8 A.M. Here we found a number
of sunken rocks extending for some three or four miles. We passed
the junction of the Atbara, the first tributary of the Nile, at 9
A.M. It is a good, fair stream where it joins the main river. Just
above the mouth of the Atbara there is an island called Fatlab. A
few miles beyond the island, and not at the mouth of the Atbara,
as on most maps, is the town of Darner on the east side. Here we
stopped about an hour and a half for fresh provisions. The sailors
bought salt, etc., on speculation, while Doctor and I wandered
about picking up flints on the desert on which the town is built,
and chatting with an Arab we met, who happened to understand a few
words of French. The sailors here begged us so hard to let them put
up the stars and stripes that we finally relented from our former
purpose and consented, provided we sailed into Khartoum under the
Egyptian flag. We found that the men were inclined to stop here too
long, in order to drive sharp bargains for their own profit, and
at the end of an hour and a half we ordered them to start, much
against their own will. There was not a man of them who understood
the first thing about sailing, and when we attempted to start,
their management was so bad that we turned around like a top, and
had to make the shore again and take a fresh start. The banks along
here are thickly studded with “sakias,” which make night as well
as day musical with their continuous squeak and groan. We passed a
number of huts and a town called Gelase. There are several large
islands in the river along here. The wind died down as we reached
one of the largest of them, called Zaidab, and we tied up to its
banks for the night.
_Tuesday, Jan. 3._—The morning has been unusually cool. The men
were lazy, and did not start with the first breeze. They require
more urging than is pleasant. We have seen great numbers of
crocodiles. Doctor has a cold and headache. Stopped “to get wood.”
Stopped again “to get greens.” This time was righteously indignant
and told the men they would not stop again while the wind blew.
A sharp bend in the river. The town of Sigada on the west side.
Low mountains in the distance on the east side. As we approached
them we found that they come close to the river. Sandstone and
limestone rocks. Miserable sailing! The worst I ever saw. We had
a fine breeze, and yet the sails were set in such a way that they
flapped and threatened to turn inside out. Stood it as long as I
could, then took things into my own hands and ordered the sails set
to suit me. All at once, in the afternoon, the main sheet broke,
and away went the sail. The men stood and looked at it, hoping it
would somehow get right, while we floated down stream. Saw about
20 ft. of high bank cave in with a great splash. The pyramids of
Meroe came in sight. We counted eight of them. This would be an
interesting spot to visit, but relic hunting is not our business
just now. A large island stands in front of them. We saw five large
crocodiles sunning themselves on a point of land. Doctor shot at
one of them, and the result was that he hurried off into the water.
The nights are beautiful. It is full moon, and so we sail on while
the wind lasts. While everything was going nicely, and our course
as plain by moonlight as by day, the men suddenly got frightened.
They thought there was a sand-bar just ahead. The rudder was put
hard over. We went clear to the other side of the river, where they
actually managed to find a bar and stick on it. Then they had to
pole back to where they were before, and found their former course
all right. These men really do not know any more about managing a
boat than the man in the moon.
_Wednesday, Jan. 4._—Was up in the night to see about the sailing.
Dared not trust the men. We have had a good breeze, but made
miserable time. We stopped a little while for wood, and then stood
out with a good wind. A merchant boat came up in the rear, passed
us, and left us far behind. The Doctor is feeling rather poorly. We
reached Shendy about noon, and were fully an hour in passing it.
This is a large town. We saw about a thousand cattle on the bank,
and camels coming and going. The larger proportion of the houses
that are visible from the river have been destroyed by the rains
and stand in ruins. This is said to be a very healthy place, and it
has every appearance of it. The desert comes to the river. About
eight fine sycamore trees in one place on the bank make a fine
site for a building. There are other trees near. A wall has been
built along the river to protect the bank. Here we saw a number of
whirlwinds carrying the desert sand hundreds of feet into the air.
The town of El Metammeh, on the west side, and a few miles farther
up the river is a very large place—said to be larger than Berber.
Here also the desert comes to the river. The town stands back a
little, and the banks are not quite so high. We rounded a point. A
fine wind was blowing, but the men insisted that they must put to
shore “to pick up the sail,” or in other words tighten the rigging.
Soon after I found them sitting on the bank contemplating the
rigging instead of working at it, and sailed into them lively. They
soon had it done.
_Thursday, Jan. 5._—Passed some high hills during the night. We
have had a fine breeze nearly all night and all the morning. We
passed some sandstone rocks on the west bank, which come to the
water’s edge. These are nearly opposite to Ben Naga. We have run
upon a sand-bar twice. Saw a large number of crocodiles of immense
size. A man on shore hailed us frantically, and wanted us to take
a quantity of butter for him to Khartoum! As though the Governor’s
boat, with two Americans on board, impatient to get along, was
going to be turned into a merchant vessel! The men were a little
inclined to stop, but we ordered them to go on, and the poor fellow
was left on the bank swinging his arms like a windmill and getting
red in the face. We are passing through a fine grazing country. A
new man suddenly turns up on board, who understands sailing and
steering a little better than the others. Where he came from we do
not know, but suspect that he was picked up at the last place where
we stopped. Now we are making better time. We reached the beginning
of the “cataract” at 2:20 P.M. We had a fine wind and plenty of
time before sunset, but the captain was afraid to go on and made
a variety of foolish excuses. We landed and made inquiries, and
finding there was no danger ordered him to proceed at once. We
found a few rocks and some sand banks, but there was not the
slightest difficulty. We passed some beautiful islands covered with
trees and festooning vines and high grass. By sunset we had passed
most of the rocks, and then the wind ceasing, and the men being
tired, we allowed them to tie up for the night. Ducks are plenty
about here. The Garri Mountains are in sight.
_Friday, Jan. 6._—Good breeze. Passed several rocks and small
islands. Rounded a large island and entered a wild romantic gorge,
with rocky mountains rising high on each side straight from the
river, which is here reduced to a very narrow channel. This winding
gorge, or gap, extends several miles, and it is called Sebeloga.
Came to and circled the largest island we have yet seen, called
Rowyan. There is a rocky mountain upon it. Passing out from the
gorge there are a few rocks in the river. On our left, or east
bank, we saw a round mountain called Wad El Bassal, or “Son of the
Onion.” The wind has been fair and square astern, but the men have
managed the sail so badly that it has actually turned inside out.
This is not the safest performance in a strong wind, and we thought
it was about time to take things into our own hands and ordered
the sail around where it ought to be, and threatened to take full
charge of the boat. We have found two men on board without our
permission, but concluded to let it go. At one watering-place we
saw 25 flocks of sheep, goats, cows, etc., averaging 300 in a
flock! We have left the mountains behind us. While sailing along
before a good breeze all of a sudden the main brace broke and
over went the sail, nearly upsetting the whole thing and knocking
everybody overboard. We are growing resigned, and are now ready for
almost anything. Once more, after getting things straight again,
the sail, with a fair wind, was allowed to turn inside out!! The
wind went down, and we went ashore. After awhile it blew again, and
we were off. Passed the bluff of Termaniat. Thermometer to-day:
Sunrise, 60°; noon, 81°; sunset, 70°.
[Illustration: EGYPTIANS OF UPPER EGYPT.]
_Saturday, Jan. 7._—Fine breeze. Sailed at good speed. The banks
here were lower, and the river broader. Low hills to the right. We
were approaching Khartoum. There were several islands, and then
we got a long view up the White Nile. We rounded the point of a
large island, and turned into the clearer waters of the Blue Nile.
The flags were up, and we expected to sail into Khartoum in grand
style, but the wind was so strong from the north that we had to
be towed up along the steep southern bank. We went bumping along,
running into everything that it was possible to run into, amid a
babel of sounds. Everybody seemed to think it necessary to yell
at everybody else. Amid the confusion, as we were coming smash
down upon another boat, Ibrahim called to two well-dressed young
fellows, who were lounging on the other boat, to help push off.
They heard, but were too lazy to move. He waited till he was near
enough, and then suddenly pounced upon them with his stick, and
dealt them several sharp blows. One fled precipitately one way,
and the other jumped into the river. I did not know but he would
drown, but he soon reached the bank, where the crowd had a good
laugh at his expense. All along the shore native women, with only
a rag on, were washing clothes; some without a rag on were washing
themselves. Finally we reached our landing-place, and tied up. We
had reached Khartoum at last! The American consul, a rich, one-eyed
Copt, stood on the bank waiting for us. He soon came on board.
Congratulations and compliments were exchanged. He offered to do
anything and everything for us. We told him the first thing we
wanted was our letters. They were sent for at once. I had seven!
We sat right down and devoured them. Not a word had we heard since
leaving Cairo, and now here was a feast. Better than cold water
to a thirsty soul was the good news from home. We went, at the
consul’s invitation, to see the quarters he had kindly provided
for us in one of his own houses. The rooms were really very nice
for this country. On the whole, our first impressions of Khartoum
were very pleasant. There was no apparent reason why it should not
be healthy if properly cared for. The desert stretched away on all
sides, both on the north and south banks of the Blue Nile. There
seemed to be considerable business along the river bank. There were
crowds of merchant boats loading and unloading. There were eight
steamers lying here. We noticed a number of very good buildings
facing the river. We have just heard of a formidable insurrection
south of here, on the White Nile, and in the vicinity of Fashoda,
in which 600 or more soldiers have already been killed. After
returning to our dahabeah, the consul sent us a present of oranges,
pomegranates and milk. After a while he called again with several
others. He certainly showed himself very anxious to please us.
He has placed his house at our disposal, free of charge, for any
length of time we choose to occupy it. He and his suite waited for
us till after dinner. Then we packed up what was necessary and,
following the lanterns, went up to our new quarters. Here every
possible comfort had been very thoughtfully provided. The doctor
kindly insisted on my having the best room as a sort of “divan,” or
place in which to receive company. A guard was provided for us, who
slept at our door, as the rest were to stay on board over night.
Three pretty gazelles were running about the yard in the moonlight,
and looking in at our doors. Temperature: Sunrise, 60°; noon, 81°;
sunset, 74°.
* * * * *
THE CHINESE.
LETTER FROM REV. W. C. POND.
MORE HOODLUMISM.
Not more than I expected, but enough to make one blush with
mingled shame and indignation. At several of our schools scarcely
an evening has passed for some weeks in which the pupils have
been able to come and go unmolested. To hear the report of this
does not greatly stir the blood perhaps; but to see a bright
little boy, child of a Christian father, himself growing up in
the knowledge and love of Christ, because his skin has a tinge
slightly deeper than our own and his dress is not in our style and
the stock of which he comes is Mongolian and not Caucasian, stoned
by half-a-dozen cowardly youths, no one of whom would dare attack
a Chinaman of his own size on equal terms, and then to see the
wound, deep and bloody, close to the eyes, that one of the stones
has made; _seeing_ all this, I cannot but feel that I “do well to
be angry.” One of our teachers has been rebuked by a so-called
preacher of the Gospel, to whom she herself had listened in one of
our Congregational pulpits, for teaching Chinamen. And the pastor
of one of the churches of California having in it Chinese members
was told by a prominent member of his church: “I would rather see
them hung up by their queues than baptized and brought into the
church.” When facts like these come to my knowledge I confess that
I am dismayed; not so much, however, for those who are wronged as
for the wrong-doers. I tremble for California and for some of the
churches of California when I remember that God is just.
* * * * *
STORY OF CHINA MARY.
One of our teachers relates the following touching story: “But I
must tell you about poor Ah Low, or China Mary, as we all called
her. She was brought to this country when quite young, and was won
by her husband in a raffle. As a prize she was valued at $100.
An attempt was made afterwards by some Chinese and Americans to
steal her, but she fled to Mr. Otis and was rescued. She wished
me to teach her to read, and every morning as I passed her cabin
on my way to the school-room I stopped and gave her a lesson. At
last she told me her heart troubles. Her husband, she said, was
getting big pay in a neighboring town, but was tired of her and
would give her no money. Her offence was that her child was a girl
and not a boy; and when, by and by, another little girl came, the
husband’s injury was more than he could bear. The little baby
sickens strangely. Mary tells the secret of it. ‘My husband says
if baby doesn’t die he will get another woman.’ But in spite of
it all the baby got well, and now poor Mary’s time had come. As I
stepped from the steamer to the wharf one morning I saw Mary coming
on board, looking clean and even pretty in her blue blouse with her
baby strapped upon her back. ‘Where are you going, Mary?’ I asked.
‘To San Francisco for a visit,’ she replied. Soon she returned, but
with no baby; and in the evening we learned that the purpose of her
enforced journey to the city was accomplished. She had been sold by
her husband into a Chinese house of prostitution for $300. And this
is the last we have been able to know of China Mary.”
* * * * *
GOOD CHEER.