of the Teachers’ Home and the rebuilding of the school-house were
duly noted in the AMERICAN MISSIONARY, as the _plant_ of that
_seedsman_ Mr. J. J. H. Gregory, of Marblehead, Mass. The picture
of the same three buildings has also adorned our magazine. Now
comes the Conference of the State to inspect the working of this
machinery, to test the quality of its products and its capacity.
Arriving one day ahead of the opening, we take a leisurely visit
through the several departments of the school, and find it
reconstructed after the most approved style of the Grammar School.
We find it presided over by six accomplished lady teachers, Misses
Chandler, Warner, Fitts, Jewett and Bishop, and Mrs. Steere, who
has charge of the musical department. We find it numbering 220
pupils; we find custom work done; we find the temperance text-books
proposed by the A. M. A. introduced, as in all its schools of
the South, and working wonders in laying the foundations for a
temperance-loving generation. We test the capacity of the Home
and find it elastic enough to take in sixteen guests beyond the
fifteen of the regular family; we find it a marvel of convenience
and taste and economy. We find the church edifice a gem of beauty,
with its noble bell, which does double duty in serving the church
and the school; and we find the saving of several thousand dollars
of expense and the superior quality of workmanship due to the
personal supervision of Rev. D. D. Dodge, the pastor, who selected
the material and had the jobs done by the day. We hear of a Sister
of Charity, who says that the only thing in Wilmington she covets
is this group of buildings. We hear of citizens pronouncing it
an ornament to the city. We hear of leading pastors in the city
saying that it is doing the best work in Wilmington for the colored
people. We find that the entire work on the three buildings was
done by colored mechanics, except one master mason on the brick
work and a dozen days of bricklaying.
And so the Conference finds itself _in situ_. The opening sermon
is preached by Rev. A. Connet. The moderator of the last year is
re-elected for this year, Rev. G. S. Smith, of Raleigh, a graduate
of Atlanta, a member of the Executive Committee of the State
Temperance organization. Rev. A. Connet is made registrar in the
place of Rev. D. Peebles, who has left us to go and look after the
other “twin relic” in Utah. When we were organizing this body at
Raleigh, with five churches, I asked Dr. Tupper, the President of
the Shaw (Baptist) University there, how many churches they had in
the State. He answered, five _hundred_, “but never mind,” said he,
“I can see that in twenty-five years you will have a great church
work as the result of your school process.” So to the five we this
year add two, those at Troy and Pekin, with two more coming on.
While we are here, a Council, called in the regular way, ordains
as the pastor of those two churches Mr. W. H. Ellis, a graduate
of Williams. The sermon was preached by Supt. Roy; the prayer of
ordination offered by Rev. J. P. Les Strade; the charge delivered
by Rev. G. S. Smith and the right hand presented by Rev. Islay
Walden. The two educated colored young ladies who teach school in
those two churches are present to report their work, thus showing
how by our plan the school and church work go hand in hand. Every
church is represented, and so is every one of the seven schools of
the State. As the churches must have their narrative of the state
of religion, so the schools must have their report of operations,
with discussion as to measures and principles.
An evening is given to the subject of temperance, especially to
the business of reconstructing, reorganizing and resupplying
the temperance army after its recent defeat in the State, and
preparatory to the next intended assault upon the devil’s
stronghold. The process of recruiting was beautifully illustrated
when Miss Jewitt, with her class and a blackboard before the
great assembly, brought up the enthusiasm as they represented the
deadly poison of alcohol, how it is made, what its effects upon
the physical system, upon the mental and moral nature. The topics
of infant baptism, family training, Sunday-school management,
were duly handled. In the local Sunday-school of two hundred
scholars, the Conference appeared to pay its _addresses_, and
offered the same courtesy to the day-school. Some of the city
pulpits were supplied. The whole was an occasion of stimulus and
of encouragement. Slowly but steadily our work is advancing in
the old North State. Our two lady missionaries for the State,
Miss Farrington, supported by the ladies of Maine, to labor in
connection with this mission in Wilmington, and Miss E. P. Hayes,
sustained by the W. H. M. A., of Boston, laboring at Raleigh, where
she had taught many years, were present to report their work and
to add to the inspiration of the occasion. It is said that there
are not many models of patents in the Patent Office in Washington
furnished by women; but these women show a wonderful ingenuity in
devising ways and means for doing the people good, and reveal a
vast amount of good accomplished.
* * * * *
WOMAN’S MISSIONARY ASSOCIATION.
_At Marion, Ala._
BY MISS MARY K. LUNT, SELMA.
Mrs. H. S. De Forest, of Talladega, President, called the meeting
to order, and after the opening exercises, welcomed representatives
of sister societies and visitors who had come in to listen to the
reports of the harvesters. Letters expressing interest and good
cheer were read from the President and Corresponding Secretary
of the Woman’s Missionary Association of Boston. Mrs. Fay sang
“If I were a Voice.” Miss Partridge, of Talladega, read a letter
from Miss Sawyer, of Boxford, Mass., a former laborer in the
field, showing that her interest had not abated. Miss P. added
a few remarks entreating the girls to make the most of their
opportunities, showing that each one had a special duty to perform
in imparting to others what she herself had received.
Mrs. Andrews, of Talladega, then made an address on Woman’s Home
Missionary Work, giving an account of the organization of the
State society, the motives which prompted and warranted it, with
a summary of the organization of the parent society in Boston and
the number of missionaries first commissioned to the South and
Southwest, reviewing the home work in our own State.
After singing “Rescue the Perishing,” the reports from the local
societies at Marion, Mobile, Montgomery, Selma and Talladega were
given. The Marion society, with its thirty names enrolled, meets
once a week. The Mothers’ meeting has been conducted by Mrs. A. W.
Curtis, whose illness prevented her presence at this time. Miss
Mickle told how greatly they esteemed Mrs. C., and by request led
in prayer for her recovery.
The girls composing the Emersonian Mission Band of Mobile, are
doing their part in the work of helpfulness and uplifting, by
making articles for a fair, the proceeds of which are to be given
to a missionary in South Africa. The mothers’ meeting, under
the influence of Miss Clark, visiting missionary, gives promise
of increasing interest. The Woman’s Missionary Association has
received fifty names since its organization, thirty-two reporting
themselves this year. Missionary subjects are presented once a
month, and a collection is taken.
Montgomery reports forty members. Since late in the winter
they have been engaged in making garments for the destitute. A
special case of destitution, discovered by one of the members,
was the means of rousing to greater activity. The meetings of the
society aim to elevate in literary culture, as well as in other
directions. Mrs. Fay offered suggestions in regard to the manner of
increasing the interest of these meetings. Miss Fairbanks and Miss
Curtis followed with remarks, sensible and practical, in regard
to the training of the girls in our churches and schools. The
contributions amounted to $39, $5 of which was donated to the Mendi
Mission, the remainder to home work.
Selma has an enrollment of 32. Many of the members had been unable
to attend regularly on account of business and family cares.
Missionary tea parties were introduced, proving quite successful.
Select reading, singing, conversation and simple refreshments
occupied the hours of meeting. In response to a call from Tougaloo,
two quilts were made and sent to help replace those lost by fire.
In connection with the mission workers, they have contributed
the sum of $50, $26.75 of which was sent to the A. M. A. as a
special gift, the balance being expended for the church. A ladies’
prayer-meeting, three sewing classes and children’s meeting had
been sustained during the week. A Young People’s Literary Society
was held on alternate Monday nights.
Talladega showed a very prosperous year in the monthly gatherings
of the Mission Band, mothers’ meetings and two sewing classes. With
funds collected they had purchased a carpet for the platform of the
chapel, secured a share in the John Brown steamer, defrayed the
funeral expenses of a poor woman and aided many needy and destitute
around them. The young people of both sexes are being educated in
the direction of missionary labors through the different committees
which have been formed for that purpose.
A paper prepared by Miss Wilcox, of Burrell School, “Helps or
Hindrances, Which?” was read by the Secretary, being a practical
and earnest appeal to all Christian workers in the field to be more
self-denying and untiring in their efforts for the women and girls
for whom they are laboring. Another by Mrs. Headen was read on “The
Gain of Giving,” reviewing three points “How, When and What Shall
We Give,” aptly quoting Scripture to sustain her arguments and
making a practical application.
We cannot fail to be encouraged and strengthened by this mutual
interchange of thoughts, and to have our hearts drawn out in closer
sympathy, while listening to the prayers of those for whom we are
laboring that they may become sons and daughters of the Great King.
* * * * *
AFRICA.
* * * * *
MR. LADD’S JOURNAL.
_Sunday, Dec. 25._--Christmas morning in the tropics! My ankle
is much better, though I cannot use my foot yet. We started at 8
A.M.; stopped for lunch under some trees at _Gaigy_. We are getting
rather tired of our hard fare, and long for one good, square meal.
We have kept further from the river than we supposed we should, and
are practically on the desert. We have seen the river only once.
Then we proposed to camp at it, but our guides disagreed and we
went on, and finally, it being Sunday night, we camped, earlier
than usual, about a mile from the river at _El Hefera_.
_Monday, Dec. 26._--The men are getting worn out and begin to
lag. It was 8:15 A.M. before we could get them started. Proximity
to water has a bad effect on camel drivers. It is very hot. We
turn out of our road a few steps to see the ruins of an ancient
church at a place called Merre. We discover a big crocodile,
about 15 feet long, lying on a mud bank. We lunch in the town of
_Aboo-Hashein_, in a plantation on the bank of the river under the
shelter of a “sakia,” or water-wheel platform. We meet the postman
in the afternoon and send home some postals. We come upon some
fine cataracts in the river and see half a dozen huge crocodiles.
We camp for the night at _El Shereigh_, near the bank, in a truly
tropical bit of scenery. Ankle much better.
_Tuesday, Dec. 27._--Started at 6.30. Mousa’s camel ran away with
him to-day. It was a most comical sight, and then to end up with,
when he at last reached the ground, she kicked him twice. We lunch
on the bank of the river at a point called _Tondaeb_, where we
leave the river for 8 hours to cut a bend. Then we have a little
rivalry with another caravan that has tried to keep ahead of us,
and we get ahead. We are on the desert again. In fact, it is
nothing but desert all the way to Berber. We climb a high plateau
called _Natayielinnus_, and camp for the night in the middle of it,
at a spot covered with the most beautiful, clean, white sand, just
the thing for the children to play in if they only had it somewhere
in the back yard. There is a town on the river to our right called
_El Karaba_.
_Wednesday, Dec. 28._--Started at 7 A.M., and gradually descended
from the high plateau. We have seen great numbers of partridges and
two gazelles. We cross the dry bed of a river lined with palms,
and strike the Nile again at the “5th” cataract. The rapids here
extend for several miles. The slate formation along the bank has in
some places been fused and looks much like coal. We stop for lunch
at a point where we can get a good view of the cataract in both
directions, called _Wady El Hamar_. Then we leave the river for
about two hours, ascend another high desert plateau, and gradually
descend again to an open plain, where nestles a village called
Genenila. We camp for the night opposite the large, fruitful island
of _Artoli_, where one of our guides lives. In the evening we
receive two presents of milk.
_Thursday, Dec. 29._--The second guide swam over this morning from
Artoli. We started at 7.15, and traversed a magnificent plain,
needing only water upon it to make it a most fruitful region. As
we approach Berber the houses are better built, and the villages
are larger and more numerous. We passed the following in rapid
succession: El Bowga; El Hodbab, a very large one; El Abidieh,
close to the last; El Farekha; Dangail, where there is a ruin; El
Hassa, El Ezarab, Es Sraphine and El Hor. Just before we reached
this last place our guide told us that here Sheik Hassan Halifa’s
father lived; that he had heard we were coming, and had sent orders
to him not to let us pass without coming to dine with him. This is
about five miles from Berber. Here the Sheik had come to meet us
himself at the house of his father. And what a princely reception
it was! The grand old Arab, who is the son of the former king of
this country, came out to meet us, and brought us in. The house
was ours, and we were free to stay as long as we pleased. The
most delicate sherbets were placed before us. A sheep was killed,
and a grand banquet served in the most royal style. We were quite
surprised and overwhelmed at all this unexpected kindness. But the
grand old Arab, under whose father 5,000 men bit the dust in their
attempt to defend the country against the Turks, seemed to take
a delight in this generous hospitality. At 3.15 P.M. we took our
leave, and, following the telegraph lines, entered Berber through a
fine broad avenue. Sheik Hassan Halifa accompanied us. On the way
two of his men showed us their skill in dromedary racing, and it
certainly was quite exciting, especially when the animals became
unmanageable and came tearing down upon us, threatening to upset
the whole crowd. We reached Berber at 5 o’clock. We went first to
the lower landing-place, and then to the upper to select a place
for our camp, and finally settled on the former. We pitched our
three tents near the water, on the high bluff-like bank. The whole
space of both landing places is covered with bales and boxes, etc.,
etc., showing that considerable business is done here. The people
appear very friendly, and we are well pleased with the look of
the place. We have come 405 miles on camel-back, over one of the
hardest of deserts, and to-morrow morning we don’t propose to get
up very early.
_Friday, Dec. 30._--There is a high wind that rolls up the
whitecaps on the river like a sea. The Berberinos are a fine,
muscular, well-built set of people, and, apparently, a happy race.
We have heard the first hearty laughter here since we came to the
country. Their voices, too, are very sweet and musical. After we
have made an attempt at washing off the dust and dirt of travel, we
go to see the Governor, Ibrahim Bey. He talks Turkish and we get
on well together. The government dahabeah is the only one here.
There are a few merchant boats, but they are all full or engaged.
So we have the boldness, as ours is pressing business, to ask
the Governor for his dahabeah. No! we can’t have it. He is going
out to collect taxes and needs it himself. We can go by camel or
by merchant boat, as we please. Then we haul out our orders from
Cairo and give him another opportunity to let us have the dahabeah.
Finally he says that if we can get an order from Raouf Pasha, the
Governor General of the Soudan, he will let us have it. We take
a walk through the city, and then returning to our tents send a
telegram to Khartoum to His Excellency, the Governor, asking for an
order for the dahabeah.
[Illustration: ABYSSINIANS.]
_Saturday, Dec. 31._--The order from Raouf Pasha has arrived; the
dahabeah is ours! and besides the order came a separate telegram of
welcome to the Soudan. Surely we could not ask to have things in
better shape. In a few moments the dahabeah is moored in front of
our tents, and the Reis reports to us for orders. We have had some
business with the Sheik to-day. Our boxes were badly broken up on
the desert through carelessness, and after repeated warnings, and
before we pay the remainder of the camel money we propose to have
the drivers mend those boxes in a proper manner. They refuse; and
there are high words and loud talking. The Sheik comes. We explain
to him the position of affairs, and tell him that as we expect
to travel through this country more than once, we want it fully
understood _how_ we intend to travel. He says it shall be done as
we say, and orders the carpenter to be called. He comes, and the
drivers dismiss him and clamor for their money. Not a _para_ until
those boxes are mended! After a time another carpenter is brought
who patches up the boxes, but we refuse to accept the work, and
insist on having it done over, and done properly. At last, after
considerable growling, it is done, and we offer them the remainder
of the amount agreed upon at Korosko. They refuse to take it,
demanding nearly twice as much. We go to Sheik Hassan Halifa with
it, state the case, and offer the money. He obliges the men to
take it, and we come off with the respect of the whole crowd! It
is the only way to do in a country like this! We have visited the
bazaar, which is quite extensive. We have paid our respects to the
Governor, who, now that we have carried our point, is more polite
than ever. We have also had a number of calls. We have posted off
a big batch of letters, got our washing and our marketing done, so
to-morrow, being the Sabbath, we work till late and go on board the
dahabeah by moonlight. Mousa goes to the town, gets drunk, and is
returned by the police. We give him to understand most plainly that
if we observe anything out of the way with him again he will be put
ashore and left there, as we cannot and will not have anyone with
us who will in any way be a reproach to our party. We are eager now
to reach Khartoum. We have been wonderfully prospered thus far,
and things look bright ahead. God grant that the New Year, so soon
to dawn, may be as rich with His favor and blessing as the old,
which is now passing away! The promises are many, and we can go
cheerfully forward.
_Sunday, Jan. 1, 1882._--Happy New Year! We are on board the
government dahabeah, ready to start for Khartoum. Our boat is
moored to the upper landing to receive her provisions. At last
everything was ready. The noise and confusion at the landing was
so great that toward night, for the sake of a little quiet, and
to hasten forward on this, the Lord’s business, we allowed the
men to spread the sail, and soon left Berber and the noisy rabble
on the bank in the distance, the solitary minaret being the last
object seen. There is a village nearly opposite, but a little above
Berber, called Sheik Abdel Medjid, whence the caravans start for
Dongola. We met three men in Berber worthy of mention. They were
the governor, Ibrahim Bey; the chief of police, Mohamed Effendi,
and Sheik Hassan Halifa. We took a great fancy to this last man,
more for what he is in himself than for his family history, which
is full of interest. We have sailed only a short distance, as we
have been obliged to tie up for the night on account of rapids in
the stream and lightness of the wind. We number on board 16 people
all told. One is a comely black girl, who does the cooking for
the sailors. Her natural graces of person are untrammeled by the
conventionalities of civilized life. She wears only a scant rag
about her waist. All the boats on the river here have one or more
of these women, who grind the durra on flat stones and cook for
the men. We have decided not to put up our flag, but to sail under
the Egyptian colors, as this is a government boat, and ours for
the time only through the kindness of Raouf Pasha. New Year’s Day
on the Nile! How many thoughts of home and loved ones have crowded
upon us as we have been lounging on deck in the bright moonlight.
God bless us all, and give us a truly Happy New Year!
* * * * *
THE INDIANS.
* * * * *
NEW CHURCH AT DUNGINESS.
BY REV. MYRON EELLS, S’KOKOMISH, WASHINGTON TERRITORY.
Our little church at S’kokomish has swarmed, granting letters to
seven of its members who live at Jamestown, Dunginess, most of whom
were Clallam Indians. Four others united with them on profession
of faith, and the Congregational Church of Jamestown was organized
by your missionary April 30. One infant baptism took place at the
same time. A number of their white neighbors gathered in to the
encouragement of the Indians, six of them communing with us. The
services were held in Chinook, Clallam, English, Chinook translated
into Clallam, and English translated into Clallam.
At the same time we made a few hymns in the native Clallam
language--the first ever made in the language. A good share of the
Indians understand English and sing some in it. All but a few of
the very oldest understand the Chinook jargon, which I talk and
in which we have a number of hymns. But they were anxious to have
something in their own language and were much pleased with them.
They consist mainly of the same sentiment as is contained in our
songs of “Come to Jesus,” “Where are the Hebrew Children?” “I’m
Going Home,” though a few are entirely different in meaning from
any of our English songs.
The work here at S’kokomish has been more encouraging than last
year. Five have united with us this year on profession of faith.
The older Indians are taking more interest than heretofore, asking
for extra meetings, and some of the younger ones who have been in
school are helping very greatly in them, and in my absence taking
charge of some of the meetings with entire acceptance to their
older friends.
* * * * *
RECEIPTS FOR MAY, 1882.
* * * * *
MAINE, $264.33.
Bangor. First Cong. Soc., $22.55; Hammond St.
Sab. Sch., $10. $32.55
Bath. Central Ch. and Soc. 24.83
Bethel. First Cong. Ch. and Soc. 6.02
Biddeford. Second Cong. Ch. 30.32
Bridgton. Mrs. Rebecca S. Hale. 5.00
Castine. Mrs. Lucy S. Adams to const. REV.
PLINY B. FISK L. M. 30.00
Falmouth. First Cong. Ch. 20.00
Gorham. Cong. Sab. Sch., _for Student Aid,
Talladega C._ 25.00
Hallowell. Cash. 1.00
Newport. M. S. N., _for John Brown Steamer_ 1.00
Saint Albans. Rev. Wm. S. Sewall, $6; Mrs.
Hattie Philbrick, $3; “Two Friends of
Missions,” $1.25. 10.25
South Berwick. Mrs. Lewis’ Class in Cong. S.
S., _for Student Aid_, Wilmington, N.C. 5.00
South Paris. Cong. Ch. 6.46
Thomaston. Cong. Ch. and Soc. 10.00
Wells. Second. Cong. Ch. and Soc. 15.00
Winthrop. Mrs. N. S. Bourne. 5.00
Yarmouth. First Cong. Ch. and Parish. 36.90
NEW HAMPSHIRE, $444.99.