to be cultivated to raise grain for fattening the 4,000 cattle
which are to be shipped by rail. Collins Campbell, Esq., twenty
years from Vermont, has his 15,000 acres, with 7,000 fenced. I
found him a stated reader of the AMERICAN MISSIONARY, and retaining
those well-balanced sentiments which his own Green Mountains
had bred. He sells land to the Freedmen. One of his neighbors,
whose hospitality I enjoyed, is Gabriel Washington. I wonder if
that archangel has not sufficient regard for “the Father of his
Country,” and for this, its dusky citizen, to be pleased with this
collocation of names? Our Gabriel is so much of the earth earthy,
that he owns 1,260 acres of its soil, and has a model farm, with
its orchard, cotton gin, and its big Yankee woodpile, the finest
one I have seen in the South. His buxom wife had been down the day
before, twelve miles, to our big meeting.
Austin is picturesquely located on the north bank of the Colorado,
and is a city of 12,000 inhabitants, half of whom are said to
be colored; and the finest, most sightly spot about the Capital
has just now been crowned with the much admired “Tillotson
Institute.” It is to be opened October 1st. Mrs. E. G. Garland,
whose marriage with one of Gov. Davis’ judges did not interfere
with her school work, has for several years been in charge of the
Evans school-house, built by the Freedmen’s Bureau, and called
by her maiden name. The last year, fifty of her scholars were
out teaching. Her school numbered the last term 120. Surely, it
was time for the living institution to take to itself ampler
accommodations, and to advance to a higher grade. With all my heart
I commend this struggling enterprise. Texas has been neglected. It
must now be brought into the line of our educational work. Rev.
Dr. Wright, pastor of the Northern Presbyterian Church, which
was planted by Dr. Daniel Baker, is one of the trustees of the
Tillotson Institute, and is working for it heartily. A sermon at
Paris and a lecture at Memphis will complete the work of the tour.
NORTH CAROLINA CONFERENCE.
This is the Benjamin of the Congregational Israel. Its first
meeting was held one year ago at Raleigh. Its second occurred June
7th–9th at Dudley. The opening sermon was preached by Rev. Geo. S.
Smith, a graduate of the Atlanta University, pastor at Raleigh,
upon Paul’s determination to know nothing but Christ, and Him
crucified. It was an able, stimulating, faithful discourse, urging
that ministers in fidelity to this doctrine must not be afraid
to preach against current sins. The morning prayer-meeting that
followed, throbbed and warmed with the idea of Christ as a present,
personal Saviour, and all the meetings had a spiritual glow.
Rev. D. D. Dodge was made Moderator, and Rev. D. Peebles, Scribe.
The five churches had come to be six, the new one being at
Hilltown, in the west part of the State, and having as pastor Rev.
Islay Walden, a graduate of the New Brunswick Seminary, ordained
by the Dutch Classis of that locality, who had been a slave in the
region where now he is preaching the Gospel. A gracious revival,
and a meeting-house under way, are the fruits of the first six
months of the life of this church. These six churches and the five
schools of the A. M. A. in the State, were all represented.
McLeansville was fixed upon as the place of the next meeting,
where Bro. Connet has his church and high-school. The Conference
was favored with the presence of Miss Farrington, lady missionary
aided by the ladies of Maine, and located at Wilmington, and also
with a visit from Misses Waugh and Barker, located at Newbern as
missionaries of the Chicago Baptist Ladies’ Society. These ladies
are doing a blessed work in the region round about. In April last,
going together, they had traveled 300 miles, and had held 80
meetings.
Two colored young ladies of rare cultivation, one an Episcopalian
from Philadelphia, the other a Presbyterian from Long Island, sent
down by the Society of Friends to teach in this neighborhood,
reported the happy working of their Bands of Hope, the idea of
which they had taken from Mr. Peebles’ Band in Dudley.
Do the friends of the American Board and Home Missionary Society
know that we down here are broadening their field for harvest? Some
of these little churches reported contributions to aid the white
people out West in supporting the Gospel and to send missionaries
abroad. The one at Wilmington claimed itself to be the Banner
Church of all the constituents of the American Board, having given
more than any other, according to number and means, as judged by
the report of Dr. Alden.
And so the good friend, “Howard,” who is about to help this church
to a house of worship, will see that he is sowing seed in good
ground.
Rev. H. E. Brown, Secretary of the Freedmen’s Dept. of the
International Y. M. C. A., in his work at the South, has this
season held six of his union Bible meetings at Washington,
Richmond, Raleigh, Dudley, Wilmington, and Savannah, three of
which, as will be observed, were in this State. The series has been
one of great interest and profit. There are three points of special
notice. The first is the quickening of the spirit of Christian
union among these people, whose sectarianism is quite intense.
The second is the great honor which is put upon the word of God
by the constant service of Bible readings, with the plans of the
same multiplied for the people by his portable copyist. The third
point in this work is, that revivals of genuine Bible religion are
usually the result. This was true at the meeting at Raleigh, where
there were about 300 conversions among the colored people. There
is manifest an abiding increase of regard for the word of God. The
quality of the converts is also hopeful. As another perceptible
result, union meetings, led by an Evangelist, have since been
held by the white Churches of that city, and there were about 200
hopeful conversions in these. We congratulate the Y. M. C. A. upon
this successful inauguration of their work among the Freedmen.
And we make grateful recognition of the influence of Maj. Joseph
Hardie, of Selma, Ala., a member of the Y. M. C. A. Committee, in
selecting and introducing Mr. Brown to this work in his own city.
I am happy to make mention also of the work of Rev. E. E. Rogers as
an Evangelist in our Church at Macon, Ga. He has proven himself a
judicious and successful laborer, wise, earnest and loving. Pastor
Lathrop is very emphatic in commending him. Resulting from the
stimulus of this meeting, special services were projected in all
the other colored churches of the city. And as a matter of fact,
revival meetings in the white churches followed. Mr. Rogers had
also been a worker of the A. M. A. in former years. We hope that
his services in the future may be secured in this line of special
movement in our churches at the South. They have come to a degree
of intelligence and of steadiness that will encourage such endeavor.
* * * * *
SOUTH-WESTERN CONGREGATIONAL ASSOCIATION.
Annual Meeting at Terrebonne, La., Apr. 7–10.
REV. W. S. ALEXANDER.
The fact that our meeting was to be at Terrebonne, where we have
a live, growing church, and a vigorous, devoted minister, gave
promise not only of a hospitable welcome, but of a profitable
season of communion.
Brother Clay and his church had made every preparation. One hundred
and fifty dollars had been raised and expended in putting the
church and parsonage in perfect order. A long room in the house
adjoining the church had been provided with a table sufficient
to accommodate the delegates, and the table was furnished with
new tumblers, knives and forks and spoons, and the kitchen with
a new stove, all involving a good bill of costs, but met with
the greatest cheerfulness, and without the thought of hardship;
and then the members of the church and congregation brought in
chickens, hams and bread, and everything to satisfy the appetite of
hungry men, and I find that Louisiana Congregationalists eat with
the same relish as their brethren in the New England Associations.
So much for the material part of the feast, for which Brother Clay
and his flock deserve all praise and thanks.
With the exception of two of the small mission churches, every
church was represented. Terrebonne is central, and the Morgan
R. R. extension (finished to New Iberia), makes communication
easy and rapid. There is something delightful about a new church
organization. There is an inspiration in building upon newly-laid
foundations, and every member feels that he is essential to the
success of the movement. In an organization representing many years
and great numerical strength, a man of quiet, retiring spirit is
lost to view; but in the first years, every heart and hand are
needed.
The reports from the churches indicate a pure and steady growth.
The process of cutting off dead branches has gone on, so that
although nearly two hundred have been received during the year, the
numerical gain over all losses has been very small. We are glad to
believe that the sixteen hundred members in the churches of the
Association represent more solid moral worth than in any previous
year. In the business sessions, when questions requiring wisdom and
prudence were presented, and in the discussions of vital religious
topics, I was gratified to observe real progress in the ability,
self-control and kindly Christian spirit of the brethren. These
annual meetings serve as a profitable school, and are attended by
willing and eager learners. It was a great joy and blessing to have
Dr. Roy with us this year. The brethren have already learned to
love him, and to confide in his counsels. The Association placed
him under heavy tribute at this meeting. At their request he give
an address on “Our Country,” and with his large illustrative map
indicated the vast extent and marvelous resources of what is now
_their_ country, and of which _they_ are citizens. But a few years
ago the _plantation_ was all the country they knew anything about,
and from the law of the plantation there was no appeal. But now
they belong to Uncle Sam’s family of 50,000,000, and can look to
him for protection.
Dr. Roy gave an address on our Congregational polity, which
greatly delighted the people. Hitherto, many of them have loved
Congregationalism without being able to give a reason for it. The
address was timely and profitable, because the brethren, while not
waging a denominational warfare with other churches, desire to be
intelligent in regard to their own faith, and to be able “to give a
reason for the hope that is within them.”
The annual sermon, by Rev. W. P. Ward, of Gretna, was earnest and
practical, and prepared the large audience for the sermon of the
Moderator which followed it. But few congregations in the North
would bear two sermons on the same evening, but they not only
did that at Terrebonne, but by song and prayer and exhortation
continued the service another hour. The brethren seconded the
appeals of the preachers from the pulpit, and went down among the
people, entreating them to come to Christ by repentance and faith.
Eight came forward and kneeled down for prayer, and many hands went
up in the audience. God put honor upon His truth that night, and
the hearts of the people were touched.
The sermon of Dr. Roy on the last morning was tender and searching,
and the tears of the people showed that he had not spoken in vain.
The Church in New Iberia called Rev. W. R. Polk, and he has already
entered upon his work. He has a good field. May God give him grace
to cultivate it.
Five “missionaries at large” were chosen. Some of them already
have churches, and take on all the supplementary work for which
they can find time. These men are unsalaried, and depend, in their
missionary tours, upon the thoughtful kindness and hospitality of
those to whom they go. Hospitality is a virtue among this people.
They exercise it “without grudging.” They have a real love for
sharing their “loaf” with him, be he stranger or friend, who calls
at their door. It is only necessary that he have the “password” of
the Christian Church.
Rev. W. S. Alexander and Rev. Isaac H. Hall were elected delegates
to the National Congregational Council.
The next meeting of the Association will be held in Terrebonne the
1st Wednesday in April, 1881. Brother Clay said: “I haven’t been
half paid for my trouble. You must come back next year.”
Greeting to all the sister Associations in the North! Perhaps we
should say _filial_ rather than _fraternal_, but the infant of five
years ago is a good, strong child to-day, and we claim a seat at
the family table.
* * * * *
GEORGIA.
Our Revival.
REV. S. E. LATHROP, MACON.
Our church observed the week of prayer, and there seemed to follow
an unusual tenderness in the regular prayer-meetings. The people
became more united and earnest, and it was evident that the way
for better things was being prepared. In February, some of the
brethren suggested sending for the aid of Rev. E. E. Rogers, of
Orange, Conn., who was pastor here from 1869 to 1873. I wrote and
found that the way was open for his coming, and we began at once
to hold extra prayer-meetings. Brother Rogers came during the last
week of February, and remained five weeks, preaching and laboring
with uncommon earnestness and consecration. The Lord has evidently
fitted him for this special work. The church took hold with
remarkable unanimity. I never have known any church in the North
to be so thoroughly united in revival effort. The contagion spread
to other churches, many of them soon beginning to hold special
services. This somewhat lessened our audiences, but a general
revival spirit spread through the city, and still continues. During
one or two weeks we held union afternoon prayer-meetings with a
colored Baptist church, a very uncommon thing in this country.
The meetings were quiet, tender, impressive throughout. The
people are beginning to get out of their old ideas of a noisy
conversion. Some of the “old-time” quaint, plaintive songs are,
however, wonderfully apt and appropriate in such seasons, ranking
among the most effective “spiritual songs.” We held neighborhood
meetings in various localities, which seem more necessary here as
the people are so widely scattered. One disadvantage we found was
the necessity for late hours at night. Some of our people are “in
service,” and cannot get away early, and the rest do not finish
their work until night, and afterward must go home and get supper,
and walk from one to three miles to church. Our little band,
however, were remarkably faithful in attendance, though we could
not often begin the preaching until half-past eight or nine o’clock.
One peculiarity which I discovered during the meetings was, that so
many of the colored people labor so long under conviction before
conversion. I had formerly supposed them to be a very religious
people, easily persuaded to become Christians; but my experience is
(confirmed by that of other workers), that very many labor under
intense conviction for many days, and even for weeks, coming to
the “anxious seat” every night for long periods, and seeming, for
some reason, unable to yield themselves up. No doubt this is in
part owing to the traditions handed down from the older ones, and
in part to ignorance of the true way. Yet, even after much personal
labor and explanation is given, they often remain unenlightened. It
is a phenomenon to me, especially as it is seen in the case of some
of the most intelligent.
There have been from twelve to fifteen hopeful conversions. Ten
have united with our church, four of whom are heads of families,
and the rest promising young men and women. Some have united with
other churches. It is the custom here with some to seize hold of
converts at once and endeavor to persuade them into other churches.
Sometimes the different denominations (of the old-time churches)
wrangle over converts.
One Saturday night we held a neighborhood meeting in the house
of a well-to-do colored family. The strains of song floated out
from door and windows, and the sound fell upon the ears of a “poor
white” woman of the lowest class, who was living illegally with
a deaf colored man. Her heart was stirred. She asked permission
to attend the next prayer-meeting, held at the same house on the
following Saturday. There she rose, and, with tearful voice,
confessed Christ, in the midst of her dusky audience. It seems
to be a genuine conversion. She brought in one night three other
degraded white women, one of whom was also living illicitly with
a colored man, another, who had not attended church for fourteen
years, and the third, who had never before in her life entered the
doors of a church! And now comes the question, like that of the
famous novel, “What will He do with it?” This poor, erring woman
is in frail health and hardly able to earn her living. She lives
with a colored man whom, she says, she is willing to marry. She
wants to marry him and join our church. But here the civil law
steps in and says, “Thou shalt not.” It is a crime in the eyes of
this commonwealth for white and colored persons to inter-marry,
and whoever celebrates such a marriage lays himself liable to a
thousand dollars fine. Of course, we cannot admit her to the church
while living in her present relations. She cannot marry, according
to the law; she has no friends, and is not able to support herself
if she should leave him. Even now she is so poor that she has to
borrow shoes and other clothing in order to attend church. The
white churches here have no room for such persons. She is in a more
pitiable condition than even the lowest of the negroes. Such are
some of the problems that beset us. Another of these white women is
the prodigal daughter of a good family, and we are endeavoring to
persuade her to return to her friends.
Our revival has strengthened the church, and has caused us all to
“thank God and take courage.” Brother Rogers returned to his home
with the benedictions of a multitude. We trust the work has not yet
ceased.
* * * * *
ALABAMA.
Missionary needed.
REV. C. E. CURTIS, SELMA.
We are in the midst of a great union effort here that has been
opening the eyes of all the churches to the great need of
missionary work right at our doors. The whole city has been
districted off and workers assigned from one of the different
churches to each district. These are expected to visit every
family, take down the name and residence of each person five years
old and upward, with his religious condition and needs, present
those who may not be in the habit of attending Sunday-school with
a card of introduction to the superintendent of any school they
may prefer, have religious conversation, Bible reading and prayer,
wherever it can be done to advantage, and urge upon all, young and
old, a regular attendance on Sunday-school and church services.
Every week, we hold meetings to hear reports from the workers
in the different localities, and these meetings are intensely
interesting. It would rejoice your hearts, I know, to hear the
uniform testimony of delight in the work from those who, in many
cases, entered upon it with fear and trembling. At the same time,
the amount of religious destitution, intemperance and superstition
brought to light in this city of churches and schools (there are
eight churches and four schools for the colored people here), is
alarming. Out of twenty-one families, visited by one worker, only
two had Bibles, all but two used tobacco, and the majority whiskey.
Of twenty-two families visited by myself, only eight had any church
members among them, and the great majority used both whiskey and
tobacco. Very few attended Sunday-school. One hadn’t been inside
of a church for five years but once, and then only to attend the
funeral of a friend. One, who admitted that he habitually used both
whiskey and tobacco, claimed to be a minister in good and regular
standing among his brethren, and he is not the only such example in
the city. Several of the workers, particularly a young student from
the Baptist Theological School here, made stirring appeals to the
churches that they more earnestly endeavor to bring in the poor and
degraded, and make them feel at home in the house of God.
* * * * *
Last Sabbath a young man came to us to inquire, “What must I do
to be saved?” On asking what he had been trying to do, we learned
that he had endeavored to follow the plain, simple directions of
the Bible at first, but so many of his friends had told him that
he must stop reading his Bible and go to praying for visions and
dreams, that he had become very much confused about the way. Many
of them say plainly that they “don’t believe in Bible religion.”
They believe firmly in personal revelations from God, and that
these are superior to those in the Bible. There is more excuse for
them than for others, when we consider that so few can read and
judge for themselves, and that for generations the Bible has been,
and still is, represented to them by so many to be the bulwark
of slavery. But when I think what abundance of material there is
among these millions in the South for religious fanaticism to feed
upon, it is a wonder to me that they have, on the whole, wandered
so little from the truth, that some imposture has not spread among
them before this—as Mormonism did at the North and West—and swept
thousands of them away. I fear it will be the case yet, if the
churches are not more faithful in preaching and teaching the pure
Gospel.
Now, to make the matter practical, what can we do about it? Surely,
much more ought to be done here by educated Bible Christians; but
our teachers are already nearly breaking down with overwork in
their regular school duties, there being one less teacher than
usual on the force this year; the missionary and industrial work
they have been doing, and in which they feel such an interest, they
will probably not be able to keep up another year, and Mrs. C. will
be compelled to give up much that she has been doing. In short, I
am more than ever convinced that we need a lady missionary here,
to devote her whole time to personal work among the classes not
now reached by our schools and churches, and to take charge of the
industrial work among the women and girls. We have in mind just the
one we need if her support can be assured. Our church will, I am
sure, assume a share of the expense, though it will be impossible
for them to do much more than they are doing. Now, who among the
friends of the work in the North will help us in this matter, which
seems so important?
* * * * *
AFRICA.
A LETTER FROM PROF. T. N. CHASE.
Among the most interesting experiences in our visit to the Mendi
Mission was a trip to Kaw-Mendi, the first station of the mission,
where, over forty years ago, Mr. Raymond, with his company of
Amistad captives, began their new home, near the spot where the
latter had been torn from their native land, and carried across the
sea to be sold into slavery.
A row of eight hours in a boat of four oars, propelled by Junjo,
Mómodo Grenace, Carrij Mi-Mah and Boyema, and steered by Geo.
Keing, took us across the Sherbro, up the Jong and the Small Boom
to our destination. The chief objects of interest on the way were
wild monkeys, alligators, and mangrove trees, bearing vegetable
oysters that could be plucked as we sailed past. The rowers
“cheered the weary traveler,” and increased the speed of the boat,
by singing songs in their native tongue, in which, no doubt, as is
usually the case, they indulged in personal comments concerning
their passengers.
A little after “the sun die” we reach Kaw-Mendi, and are ushered
into a native house of four rooms, whose walls, partitions and
floors are made of mud, and whose steep hip roof is covered with
“bamboo shingles,” the rafters and sheathing being cane. Mr.
and Mrs. Williams, born and educated in British Guiana, gave
us a hearty welcome to their mission home, leaving their work
of manufacturing arrow-root to prepare us a cup of tea. It was
prayer-meeting night and we gladly accepted an invitation to attend
service. The “barrie,” in which meetings are held, is a bamboo
roof, supported by tall posts, and enclosed by a mud wall about
four feet high. The floor and platforms are also of mud, nicely
sanded.