what you urged them to be--useful, reliant, well-to-do citizens--what
will be their status politically? Will the white people, with all this
progress of the negro in education, in industry, in independence and
in the acquisition of property, acknowledge his political rights?"
"They'll have to, sir," was the prompt and emphatic reply. "This
present condition of affairs can't go on. We know that. As the negro
becomes qualified we've got to admit him to full citizenship."
W.B.S.
* * * * *
WHICH WILL BE THE UNDER DOG IN THE FIGHT?
As a member of a Boston Raymond Excursion in January last, I spent
three or four days in New Orleans. The President and a Trustee of
Straight University visited our _side-tracked train_, and invited us
to call at the University. Quite a number accepted the invitation, and
in addition to being shown through the buildings, we were entertained
by the students, under the supervision of the President and
Professors, with hymns, songs and plantation music, with explanation
by the President of the course of studies and progress of the
students. At the close of the reception, it fell to my lot to
acknowledge the civility shown us, which I did in the following words:
In behalf of visitors from the Raymond Excursion, it gives me great
pleasure to express to the officers and students of Straight
University our thanks for the interesting reception we have received
at their hands. We have come from a long way off, for sight-seeing,
and the study of the country, but here we find something more than the
wild mountains, and desolate plains, and border towns, that are to
make up so much of the interest of our journey. Through institutions
like this, a problem suggested to me in one of your streets will find
solution. I visited the Republican State Convention in session, to
see ex-Governor Kellogg, whom I had known in his boyhood among the
Green Mountains, and who was one of {pg 212} the officers of the
convention. While there I listened to several speeches from colored
men, which, for clearness of thought and pathos of oratory, would have
done credit to any public speaker in the country. I have since
learned, with great pleasure, that several of these gentlemen were
graduates of this University. On leaving the convention, when scarcely
a block away, I met a well-dressed gentleman, and naturally fell into
conversation about the convention. The gentleman claimed to have
inherited the blood of Boston, but had lived twenty years in New
Orleans. With respect to the convention, he said: "I tell you, sir,
the white people here will never consent to be governed by a lot of
ignorant Negroes, like those in that convention!" I have thought on
this statement, and coming here, I find its solution. Knowledge is
power, whether its possessor be white or black, and unless the white
people of the South make the education of their children more of a
paramount interest than heretofore, they will find the learning and
muscle, the precedents of wealth, combined in the colored race. The
rural population will find that they need for themselves and their
children a better knowledge than can be acquired from the court-house,
saloon, or the village tavern.
It is an interesting thought, that these students will go from this
institution back to their low-down homes on the borders of rice fields
and cotton plantations, where their fathers and mothers have toiled in
slavery, and by an inspiration that is divine, will dissipate the dark
memories of the past, and will show, by precept and example, that
sanctification of spirit and purity of life will shape the destiny of
their race for coming time. Again we thank you for this interview.
JOHN M. STEARNS
* * * * *
VALUED APPRECIATION.
B.M. Zettler, Esq., who for many years has been in charge of
the public schools of Macon, Ga., and who has, therefore,
eminent qualifications for pronouncing judgment in regard to
schools and school work, has written the following in
reference to the Lewis Normal Institute of Macon. We are
always glad to welcome the inspection of our schools by our
Southern friends, and are specially gratified with their
approval of our work.
Having had this year for the first time since Lewis School was placed
under your charge, an opportunity to see the institution "from the
inside," I desire to place in your hands a brief statement of my
impressions concerning the school and its work. And while I do this
(without solicitation) for the encouragement of yourself and
associates, I have no objection to the use of the statement in any way
that you may see fit. I confess I was not prepared to see so many
practical, common-sense features in the school. I refer especially to
the well conducted industrial departments, and the prominence given to
moral training.
{pg 213}
The teachers impressed me as being not only qualified, zealous and
skillful, but as possessing a genuine interest in their work that is
as inspiring as it is beautiful and becoming. The results of their
labors as I witnessed them in the closing exercises were such as
always follow where skill, good judgment and zeal are brought to bear.
I am satisfied that you, and the noble ladies associated with you, are
doing a good work among our colored people, and that, too, in a way
that leaves no room with fair-minded men for adverse criticism in any
direction. In leaving our city for the summer vacation, you take with
you my earnest wish that you may have a season of genuine rest and
recuperation and that a kind Providence may return you to us in the
fall, to continue your "labor of love" in Macon.
* * * * *
THE CHINESE.
Our missions in San Francisco observed their thirteenth
(public) anniversary on Sunday evening, May 30th, at Bethany
Church. The audience--partly American, partly Chinese--crowded
not the pews only, but most of the aisles. The service was
impressive and deeply interesting. Lack of space forbids my
attempting to describe it in detail, but I forward for the
readers of the MISSIONARY the following address, delivered by
Fung Jung, who has recently entered upon work as a missionary
helper.
WM. C. POND.
SCHOOL LIFE IN CHINA.
I suppose you would like to hear about the school life of the children
in China. The girls are never sent to school, as the Chinese do not
think it is necessary for girls to be educated. Nearly every boy is
sent to school at about the same age as your American boys, six or
seven. From this time the boy's playing days are over. If the teacher
sees or hears that any one has been playing after the school hour, he
would be severely punished. What would your American boys think of
such treatment?
School begins at the first dawning of light, and closes when we can
see to read no more. No intermission is allowed, excepting for the
pupils to go home to get their meals. The first thing in the morning
we begin to study the book of Confucius, all the pupils studying
aloud. We shall have to recite to the teacher very soon. When we go up
to recite, we must hand the book to the teacher and turn our faces
from him. This gives no chance to see which word comes next. This is
called backing the book. The consequences will be very sad should we
fail in reciting our lessons. A new lesson is then assigned if we
recite well. School dismisses for the pupils to go home for breakfast
at 9 o'clock. The writing lesson begins as soon as we come back. We
study again, and write again, {pg 214} and our copy books are
examined by the teacher. The nest time we recite, the teacher picks
out ten of the hardest characters from our lesson to see if we
recognize them. We shall have much trouble this time if we miss. The
teacher will inflict some curious punishment upon us and will say,
"You know this very well, I suppose, but the trouble is, you are too
old to study your lesson, and I am afraid you cannot see; I will give
you a pair of spectacles for a present. Perhaps that may help you to
see." Then he takes some red ink and draws a large circle around both
eyes, and then we may go home for lunch. No one is allowed to clean it
till coming back to school. Hardly any one with such marks wishes to
go home for lunch; every one who saw you would know you had been in
disgrace.
We come back for our afternoon's work. The first part we spend in
writing, and the remainder of the day preparing our lesson for the
next morning. For the slightest offense the children are whipped
severely. The teachers are so strict, that it is no wonder the
children run away from school; some go fishing, or else to the woods
hunting birds' nests. If the boys see anybody not belonging to their
company they will climb up a tree as high as the branch can hide them
from view. All you boys will know the reason we are afraid any one
should see us. I remember running away from school once, but
unfortunately my father sent my sister to the school for me to go home
on business. As she could not find me, my father knew I had not been
to school that day. I went home for lunch about the time school
dismissed. When I got home, the first question my father asked was,
"School dismissed?" I answered, "Yes sir." He then said, "How did you
get along with your lesson?" I answered, "First class." "And who was
the first one in the class to-day?" I answered, "I am, sir." Then I
noticed his voice seemed to have an angry tone, and he said, "Are you
sure you have been to school?" I answered, "Of course I did, do you
think I am a liar?" I got terribly whipped this time, and when I went
to school in the afternoon, I also got a whipping from the teacher. I
did not have any more chance for running away from school this year,
for I was too closely watched. The children of China, you see, have no
pleasant time as you American boys and girls.
The high schools are quite different from the primary. The students
have to lodge and board in the school-house. We get up in the morning
before daybreak to study; the teacher and all the students go to the
explanation hall for our lesson. The teacher explains the meaning of
the lesson, and in the afternoon we are expected to recite and give
the explanation as given by the teacher. This is the hardest work of
the whole day. Our evening lesson is studying essays and poems by
Chinese Princes. About eleven o'clock school closes, and in a very few
minutes I am sure you will find no one awake. In winter time we manage
to get about six hours for sleep, but in summer only about four. We
generally {pg 215} sleep a little while at the noon recess. It would
not be surprising if when the teacher could not see us, we try to take
a little nap in our seat. Each boy has a table to himself. None of the
scholars sit erect as your American custom. Every boy leans his head
upon his hands, so that he can manage to take a little sleep when the
teacher is not looking.
We are allowed two meals a day only, and students cannot tell the cook
to prepare any private lunch. We can have as much tea as we wish. The
only way we can get anything extra is to try and get the cook to buy
it secretly, then it is very hard to get a chance to eat it without
the teacher seeing. I remember once my teacher made a visit to his
friends; usually he came back in about half an hour. When he was gone,
I thought I could make a little lunch, and eat it before he came back.
He came sooner than I expected. When I saw him coming back, I ran to
my seat as fast as I could and left the lunch in the kitchen. When the
teacher found out he told the cook to dish it up and he ate it. When
he finished, he came to us with a smile on his face and said, "Whose
cooking is this? If he tell me I will give him back the money." When I
heard that, I thought it was true, and I never thought the teacher of
the high school would tell stories and deceive me. So I said, "It is
mine." After I said that, he walked slowly back to his seat. I thought
he was going to give me back the money. I did wonder he did not ask me
how much it cost. So I watched him and saw him take up the bundle of
rattans. I guessed what was coming, and I guess I need not tell you
the result. The children of Christian lands have much to be thankful
for. I earnestly hope that soon the children of China will enjoy _all_
the privileges which the Gospel brings.
* * * * *
BUREAU OF WOMAN'S WORK.
MISS D.K. EMERSON, SECRETARY.
WOMAN'S STATE ORGANIZATIONS.
CO-OPERATING WITH THE AMERICAN MISSIONARY ASSOCIATION.
ME.--Woman's Aid to A.M.A., Chairman of Committee, Mrs. C.A. Woodbury,
Woodfords, Me.
VT.--Woman's Aid to A.M.A., Chairman of Committee, Mrs. Henry
Fairbanks, St. Johnsbury, Vt.
CONN.--Woman's Home Miss. Union, Secretary, Mrs. S.M. Hotchkiss, 171
Capitol Ave., Hartford, Conn.
N.Y.--Woman's Home Miss. Union, Secretary, Mrs. C.C. Creegan,
Syracuse, N.Y.
ALA.--Woman's Missionary Association, Secretary, Mrs. G.W. Andrews,
Talladega, Ala.
OHIO.--Woman's Home Miss. Union, Secretary, Mrs. Flora K. Regal,
Oberlin, Ohio.
ILL.--Woman's Home Miss. Union, Secretary, Mrs. C.H. Taintor, 151
Washington St., Chicago, Ill.
MICH.--Woman's Home Miss. Union, Secretary, Mrs. Mary B. Warren,
Lansing, Mich.
WIS.--Woman's Home Miss. Union, Secretary Mrs. C. Matter, Brodhead,
Wis.
MINN.--Woman's Home Miss. Society, Secretary, Mrs. H.L. Chase, 2,750
Second Ave., South, Minneapolis, Minn.
IOWA.--Woman's Home Miss. Union, Secretary, Miss Ella E. Marsh,
Grinnell, Iowa.
KANSAS.--Woman's Home Miss. Society, Secretary, Mrs. Addison
Blanchard, Topeka, Kan.
SOUTH DAKOTA.--Woman's Home Miss. Union, Secretary, Mrs. S.E. Young,
Sioux Falls, Dak.
{pg 216}
* * * * *
WOMAN'S TEMPERANCE WORK IN THE SOUTH.
We regret that the color-line is rigidly drawn in some parts of the
South, at least, in the woman's work for temperance. Too much praise
cannot be given to the white women in the South for their zeal in this
good cause. The day will probably come when they will extend the hand
of fellowship to their equally earnest sisters of the less favored
race, but at present they do not recognize them as fellow-workers in
the same societies. Some of the extracts given below tell this
unpleasant story. All of them, however, show that the colored women,
undeterred by this ostracism, are throwing themselves with zeal and
success into this good work.
STORRS SCHOOL, ATLANTA, GA.
We have a W.C.T.U., also a Band of Hope. Our Union has increased very
much in interest, as well as in numbers, during the year. The Band of
Hope meets every Wednesday. It has a membership of _one hundred and
twenty-five_, and an average attendance of seventy-five or eighty.
Occasionally one or two ladies from the white W.C.T.U. will visit
ours, but our Union is not recognized by the State Union. At one time
a lady, acting then as President of our Union, went to the white
Union, but she was so light that no one could know to what race she
belonged, unless they knew her personally. There were no questions
asked, and I don't suppose any one thought of her being _colored_.
Our colored members would _not_ be admitted. Our teachers _would_
be, _going by themselves_.
TALLADEGA, ALA.
We have a W.C.T.U., also a Loyal Temperance Legion. Our Union is
auxiliary to the Second W.C.T.U. of the State, and we are not
recognized by the First, or distinctively white organization. Colored
members would not be admitted. Indeed I understand that the First
Union has withdrawn from the National, because colored delegates were
received on the same basis as white.
LOUISVILLE, KY.
I endeavored when I first came to L----, to arouse an interest in
temperance work among the people. I visited members of the white
W.C.T.U. They assured me of their interest, and a Y.W.C.T.U. No. 2
was organized among the colored women. They were not anxious to be
associated with the whites, but when the whites insisted that the name
given them should be changed to _Colored_ Y.W.C.T.U., the colored
women refused, and the Union disbanded, since which time it has been
impossible to arouse among them an interest in organized temperance
work, much as it is needed. Colored women would not be admitted as
members of a white Union.
{pg 217}
WILMINGTON, N.C.
We have a Temperance Society of about eighty members, and a Band of
Hope of one hundred and sixty members, no W.C.T.U., and if there were,
it could not have any co-operation with the white societies. Colored
members would not be admitted to white societies.
LETTER FROM A TEACHER IN ATLANTA.
When, last November, Atlanta voted to bring the deadly saloon back to
our quiet streets, she brought also startling revelations of woman's
power. We are accustomed to the refrain of "woman's sceptre," &c.,
with all its dulcet variations, but the wild threats of deluded wives
if their sons or husbands voted for prohibition was a hitherto unheard
of "wail from the inferno." Many an earnest Atlanta woman dates her
re-consecration to the temperance cause from that awful Saturday night
when her frenzied sisters in the public streets joined in the
Bacchanalian revelries over the return of their cruel foe. Woman's
Christian Temperance Unions at once sprang up in various parts of the
city. So much has been done by colored women here, I feel that other
A.M.A. centres may be encouraged by an account of it.
The Woman's Christian Temperance Union of East Atlanta, formed in
1885, is an inspiring gathering to visit, with a membership over
fifty, and the programme of weekly meetings full and interesting.
There are three female physicians in the city who cheerfully address
the Union when desired. The pastor of the First Congregational Church,
once a month, gives up the mid-week prayer meeting entirely into the
hands of this Union. Last week at the close of one of these meetings,
a young man told his sister it was the best prayer meeting he ever
attended in his life. The Temperance Catechism has been thoroughly
taught and illustrated. Committees of women are appointed to visit
homes and solicit members or attendance on the Union. At the close of
the meetings the women have access to a box of leaflets on social
purity, training of children, &c., which they read and return.
Atlanta University has a Y.W.C.T.U., composed of over seventy girls in
the Higher Normal department. I wish our Northern friends could look
into their intelligent faces and watch their eager interest in this
work. A committee for visiting the poor reports every week; the press
superintendent reports her work, and if there is time reads what she
sent to the papers; the social purity superintendent gives a little
talk or has something read on the subject; and the most cheering thing
of all is the report from our literature superintendents, who often
report as many as thirty books or leaflets read during the week from
our little circulating library. This library cost about five dollars.
Every officer in all these four Unions is a Negro except one. They
preside with such intelligence, grace and dignity, that our Southern
white {pg 218} ladies who sometimes visit them are enthusiastic in
their praise. The Unions plan for a mass meeting every three months in
some large church.
Its forty departments of organized work give each a place where she
can do her best, and its opportunities for visiting the lowly are
excellent. To give our money is generous, but to give ourselves is
Christly. House-to-house visitation and personal contact of the
ignorant and unfortunate with those who are only a _little_ wiser and
better, even, is a mighty elevator. A W.C.T.U. visiting committee with
short terms of office, and so including a large number of women during
the year, can, in an _official_ capacity, call on a poor or wayward
sister without antagonizing her or wounding her self-respect.
* * * * *
OUR YOUNG FOLKS.
CHILDREN'S DAY AT TALLADEGA.
MRS. H.S. DEFOREST.
A glorious sun ushered in the 29th of April, when for the first time
Children's Day was observed by the College Church. Deft fingers had
adorned the white walls, the chandeliers and the rostrum, with living
green, and from pulpit and organ glowed and burned the roses which
blossomed in rare profusion for this happy day. Early, from every
quarter, flocked the children, many with faces "black, but comely,"
and all in attire neat and clean. Seats reserved for their use were
speedily filled, and as their voices rose in songs of praise, canary
and mocking bird from swinging cages swelled the glad sound. An
ascription of praise to God by the choir opened the exercises, the
pastor following with appropriate Scripture and prayer, and a word as
to the object of the decorations and special service--not for a picnic
or celebration, but that the children might ever remember this day
with solemn and peculiar interest as their very own.
After the chanting by the choir, soft and slow, of "Suffer the little
children to come unto me," twenty children were presented by their
parents for baptism, two of the youngest belonging to officers of
the College. Parents brought two, and even three, little ones, that
the man of God might place upon their foreheads the seal of their
consecration, and in solemn and tender words they were reminded of the
meaning and obligation of the rite.
A second exercise of unusual interest was the presentation of a Bible
to each of the baptized children of the church between the ages of
seven and twelve. To sixteen children, the day was thus made
memorable, the giving being prefaced with fitting remarks, and the
hope being expressed that during the year the new Bible might be read
entirely through. One recipient on reaching home immediately fell to
work, and on being remonstrated with for using his eyes too steadily,
said, "This is too good a {pg 219} Bible to stop reading." Doubtless
all were appreciated in like manner, and will be sacredly treasured.
Short and pertinent addresses, suitable to childhood, were made by
chosen speakers, hymns familiar and appropriate were sung, and the
benediction, pronounced by a Baptist brother, closed a service unique
and unusual.
A grandmother to twenty-three children, of whom three were presented
for baptism, said to the writer, "Oh! I am so happy. We never had
anything like this before, and the children and parents, too, are
_obleeged_ to remember it."
* * * * *
RECEIPTS FOR MAY, 1888.
MAINE, $722.07.
Augusta. Miss Alice Means S.S. Class,
for Student Aid, Talladega C. 3.55
Bangor. First Cong. Ch. and Soc. 25.00
Bangor. Miss Wyman's S.S. Class, for
Oahe Indian Sch. 5.00
Bangor. Mary F. Duren and others, for
Rosebud Indian M. 0.60
Bath. Winter St. Cong. Ch., 157.75; Central
Cong. Ch. and Soc., 30 187.75
Calais. Cong. Ch. and Soc. 45.00
Foxcroft. Mrs. D. Blanchard 1.00
Harpswell. Cong Ch., 18; Sab. Sch. of
Cong. Ch., for Indian M., 4 22.00
Portland. King's Daughters, by Miss
Moniton, Sec., Box of Basted Work and
1 doz. thimbles, for Selma, Ala.
South Berwick. Mrs. K.B. Lewis, 3.50;
"A Lady in Neb." by John H. Plumer, 2 5.50
Union. Cong. Ch. and Soc. 7.00
Winslow. S.S. of Cong. Ch. 10.00
Yarmouth. A.H. Burbank, M.D. 50.00
York. Second Cong. Ch. and Soc. 6.00
--------
368.40
LEGACY.
Bethel. Estate of Sarah J. Chapman, by
A.W. Valentine, Ex. 353.67
--------
$722.07
NEW HAMPSHIRE, $488.29.
Amherst. Cong. Ch. 37.15
Claremont. Cong. Ch. 10.50
Concord. West Cong, Ch., 20: J.W.
Chandler, 1 21.00
Derry. Nutfield Mission, by Edna A.
Clarke, Treas., for Schp., Santee Indian
M. 50.00
Dunbarton. Sab. Sch. of Cong. Ch., for
Student Aid, Wilmington. N.C. 10.00
East Derry. Mrs. M.G. Pigeon, to const.
MISS ABBIE M. CHOATE L.M. 31.00
Exeter. Second Ch., 125; "A Friend." 5 130.00
Exeter. "A Friend," for Talladega C. 5.00
Hollis. Cong. Ch. 16.25
Jaffrey. Children's Soc. "The Lillies," for
Storrs Sch., Atlanta, Ga. 9.00
Keene. Second Cong. Ch., 26.60; "M.E.S." 10 36.60
Littleton. "The Hillside Gleaners," by Mrs.
Mrs. S.E. Clay, for Oahe Indian Sch. 40.00
Mount Vernon. J.A. Starrett 5.00
Nashua. Ladles of Pilgrim Ch., Bbl. and
Box of C., for Storrs Sch., Atlanta, Ga.
Northwood. Cong. Ch. and Soc. 14.00
Rindge. Cong. Ch. 4.50
Wilton. Second Cong. Ch. 15.50
Winchester. Cong. Ch. and Soc. 52.79
VERMONT, $428.80.
Alburg Springs. Cong. Ch. and Soc. 4.00
Barton Landing. Children's Miss'y Soc.,
for Indian M., by Kate B. Joslyn, Treas. 12.00
Bellows Falls, Cong. Ch. and Soc., to
const. CHANCEY ADAMS, CHARLES SAWYER
and EDWARD G. OSGOOD L.M's 90.48
Bellows Falls. Mrs. J.M. Dawes, Box
BOOKS, for Lathrop Library, Sherwood,
Tenn.