reading; Tuesday evening, by an interesting account of Mr. Ladd’s
African experience, in place of the expected address by Dr.
Willcox; Wednesday evening, by the ordination of two candidates;
Thursday evening, by a musical concert. There are a few rare voices
here that vocal training would develop into marvellous sweetness.
Thursday was graduating day, and as the class was much smaller
than usual, five young men from the preparatory department gave
orations. They were all excellent in matter and delivery. Their
effect would have been more pleasing, however, had there been a
greater variety of subjects or of treatment. Doubtless, in the
depths of these students’ hearts, no subjects are so momentous as
“The curse of Canaan;” “Cannot we, too, become great men?” “The
ballot,” etc. But what has pleased me here more than anything else,
however, is the excellent spirit manifested by the students in the
family. There is, especially among the young men, an earnestness
of purpose shown that is simply grand. Possibly it is, in part,
owing to the fact that so many are from the country, schooled by
hard work, away from the follies of city life. There is here no
airing of exquisite broadcloth nor swinging of fancy canes. All
are respectful, unassuming, and possessed of a modesty that seems
to reach beneath their delightful demeanor and give them a true
estimate of their abilities. At family devotions, the last morning
before the school separated, one of the graduates led us in prayer.
I cannot think that the thought and tones of that prayer will
ever leave me. The ear of the Omnipotent must have heard those
pathetic pleadings that his fellow-students might be sustained by
the Everlasting Arms as they took up their heavy burdens, often
in the midst of terrible temptations. We who send out these large
numbers of young men and women to reach the masses, feel the need
of your prayers and sympathies; but how much more do these young
and inexperienced ones, as they go out to battle with ignorance,
envy, intemperance and every form of vice! We never realize how
great our hopes are for them till we occasionally get a great shock
by the death of one, or the overcoming and fall of another. We
reach but a few. Surely our work and the entire Southern work of
the American Missionary Association centres in those who go out to
reach the millions. If they fail, we have failed. How important
that we hold up such a high standard of character, that they shall
be beacon lights instead of tapers that shall soon go out in the
darkness.
* * * * *
TILLOTSON INSTITUTE, AUSTIN, TEXAS.
(From the Daily Statesman)
Tillotson Institute is presided over by the Rev. W. E. Brooks, a
gentleman of evident Christian piety, an accomplished scholar, and
a man thoroughly impressed with the dignity and importance of his
trust. Professor Brooks is ably assisted in the educational part
of his work by Miss Hunt, an experienced and successful teacher of
the young, as her class examinations, conducted at the Institute
on the 9th inst., fully demonstrated; the boys and girls, in the
careful and prolonged examinations to which they were subjected by
their teachers and the visitors present, displaying an accuracy
of information and a fullness of understanding highly commendable
to themselves, and a just source of pride to their faithful and
efficient teachers. The examination in English grammar, including
analysis and parsing, was excellent, as was that also in geography.
The result of the examination in arithmetic, algebra and Latin
showed an uncommon proficiency on the part of the students,
considering the fact that they have been at this school and under
this training scarcely more than six months.
President Brooks has the real welfare of his pupils at heart,
and is educating them in a practical as well as theoretical way.
He is teaching them how to become useful and honorable men and
women, and his labors have the cordial approval of all our best
citizens. President Brooks is so much gratified with his success
thus far that he visits the North shortly, hoping to get further
aid in establishing this school, and proposes, if his expectations
are realized, to add a mechanical and agricultural department
to his present course of instruction. The school closed with an
attendance of one hundred and seven pupils. This under-taking is
a very praiseworthy one, and will, we doubt not, meet with the
encouragement it most certainly deserves. In Virginia, Tennessee
and Louisiana these schools for the colored youth are attracting
the attention and securing the liberal approval of the legislatures
and public men of those states, and so it will be here.
We noticed among the many visitors present at the examination,
Gov. Pease, Rev. Mr. Wright, Judge Fulmore, Mr. A. P. Wooldridge,
Profs. Winn and Johnson, all of whom expressed themselves highly
gratified with the success of the school.
We recommend to our people who take an interest in education
to visit this Institution. They can be assured of a polite and
hospitable welcome, and most of them will be surprised and pleased
to see what a superior school and school building we have in our
midst.
* * * * *
AVERY INSTITUTE, CHARLESTON.
The school year at Avery Institute closed Thursday, June 30, the
last three days being given to public exercises. Tuesday was
“examination day.” I wish you all could see the school as it looked
that morning from the rostrum. The bright eager eyes, the earnest
faces, the neat appropriate style of dress, and the respectful
scholar-like behavior of the students, even the tiniest ones, are
a strong contrast to the appearance of the street children. You
suppose our scholars belong to a better class than the street
children? To be sure they do; but these same lower classes may
become respectable, and have much more to encourage them to rise,
than those had who have already struggled up. The visitors were,
of course, friends of the school and of the scholars, and they
said many kind and appreciative things about the school and the
recitations they heard. We tried to make the examinations strictly
honest. Every scholar was given a chance, as far as possible, to
show what he had done in every study he had pursued; and to take
the words of those who visited the different classes, the result
was satisfactory.
Wednesday was “children’s day,” when the little ones in the lower
rooms gave the entertainment, and the older scholars attended as
guests, with other friends of the small entertainers. The affair
was very child-like and pretty. The recitations and dialogues
were such as the children could appreciate; the songs bright,
airy little things; and the singing a half-shy dainty rippling
of very sweet music. Through all there was no appearance of the
“Now-all-are-looking-at-me” feeling that sometimes makes children’s
exhibitions such pitiful things.
On Thursday was the Anniversary. The course of study having been
extended one year, there was no graduating class. The exercises
consisted of essays by members of the upper classes, the recitation
of a few poems, one or two dialogues, and music. The music was very
good, the dialogues natural, the recitations well chosen and well
spoken, that entitled “Mona’s Water” being very strongly rendered;
but the most interesting part of this entertainment was the essays.
Three prizes had been offered, and three gentlemen of the city
acted as judges, to decide on the merits of the different essays.
All were called good, and with reason. Those of the youngest
class in essay writing were delightfully child-like, natural and
original. That on “Intemperance,” to which the prize was awarded,
had besides a strong-hearted earnestness and depth of thought that
were surprising. The essays of the middle class showed more mature
thought, or, perhaps, a reaching out towards mature thought—a calm
looking forward and trying to prepare for earnest living. The prize
in this class came to the essay entitled, “We Learn not for School,
but for Life.” The essays of the upper class seemed to have for a
key-note a sentiment we always find among the best of our people
here, when we get at their hearts and hopes and aspirations—the
elevation of their race. Do not think there was any sameness in
these essays. Each reached this thought in a different way. It
gleamed out in “Everything was Made to be Happy;” it made itself
felt as one of the foundations of “Progress;” and it formed the
crown of the prize essay, “Nothing Great is Lightly Won,” when,
after brave words calling to action, it closed with the quotation
from Longfellow’s “Psalm of Life:”
“Lives of great men all remind us,
We may make our lives sublime,” etc.,
leaving one with the thought that helping others is the best and
greatest work here, and that our lives must be right towards God if
we would really help.
In the evening of this same day the Normal exhibition was held.
Every part of the programme was well executed.
C.
* * * * *
LEWIS HIGH SCHOOL.
REV. S. E. LATHROP, MACON, GA.
The closing examinations occupied nearly two days, May 31st and
June 1st. The attendance of parents and other visitors was larger
than at any previous occasion for some years past, showing perhaps
an increasing interest in educational matters. Most of the older
scholars (about fifteen of them) had left previously to teach
country schools; but the classes which were examined acquitted
themselves remarkably well. The questioning by the teachers threw
them upon their own resources, and proved the excellent instruction
they have had. The noticeable quickness and readiness of answer,
and the mastery of each branch of study, showed that they have
been trained to think for themselves, and not merely to learn
by rote. In reading, geography, history, grammar, composition,
arithmetic, algebra, natural philosophy, and other branches, the
scholars showed very commendable proficiency, and again answered
the often-answered question, “Can the negro learn?”
One thing highly commended by all the visitors, and an important
feature of the instruction, was the constant use of writing.
The scholars spell out their lessons by writing on slate or
black-board. They frequently prepare written compositions or
reviews of lessons in grammar and geography, and in many ways
are taught to express in written characters the thoughts drawn
from their studies. Thus the facts are firmly fixed in mind, and
they learn also by the same process to write, spell, capitalize,
punctuate and compose. Some of the exercises written as ordinary
lessons displayed handsome penmanship.
Several leading white citizens attended the exercises, and
expressed themselves as being much pleased. Among them were
Professor Williams, principal of the State Asylum for the Blind,
located here, a firm friend of negro education; and Professor
Link, a professional teacher of many years’ experience, who said,
significantly, in private: “I attend all the white schools, and
I don’t see any difference”—which is quite an admission for a
native Southerner. There was also Rev. J. W. Burke, a leading
Methodist Episcopal clergyman, publisher and assistant editor of
the _Wesleyan Christian Advocate_, well known as an excellent
Christian man and a true friend of the negro. All the visitors
showed decided interest and pleasure. A violent rain-storm arising
in the afternoon doubtless kept away many who would have attended.
The literary exercises were held in the church at 4 p. m., June
1st, in the presence of a large and attentive audience. The
school, marching in to organ music, were massed together upon the
pulpit platform, one tier above another, making a very striking
and memorable group. As I looked into the bright eyes and smiling
faces of all shades of color, from jet black to almost pure white,
and noted the neat, tasty dress, and the beaming of intelligence
from the animated features, and remembered the thoroughness of
the examination they had passed, I looked back to another scene,
sixteen years ago, when, as a soldier in General Wilson’s cavalry,
we took possession of this city, and heard the rumors of peace
confirmed, just at the end of the long and bloody war. That was
my first sight of the negroes of Macon. Then they were uncouth,
ragged, ignorant and untrained; but now what a change! I thanked
God and took courage.
As the school stood in this grouped position, they sang beautifully
the song “Our Motto,” in which the chorus of each verse was “Be
faithful, firm and true.” Then repeating together the Twenty-third
Psalm, and chanting the Lord’s Prayer, they took their seats in
the body of the church, and the literary programme went on. The
reading of selections and compositions, the declamations and music,
were all well rendered. The singing was especially deserving of
notice, as, on account of the severe illness of Miss Raynor, the
music teacher, the scholars were deprived of their accustomed
organ accompaniment and musical leadership. But they had been
well trained, and acquitted themselves with much credit to their
teacher and themselves. A song entitled “The Farmer’s Boy,” with
a whistling chorus, was especially well sung and whistled. The
senior class sang a parting song, and the benediction by Rev. J. W.
Burke at 6 P. M. closed the arduous and successful year’s work of
the school.
During the year there have been 162 pupils enrolled. Miss C. H.
Gilbert, who has been principal for the past three years, is a very
successful and experienced instructor, and deserves great credit
for the thoroughness and progress of the school. The assistants,
Misses J. A. Raynor and C. M. Park, have also done faithful and
valuable work. The school has almost outgrown its present quarters,
and much needs increased accommodations. The daily Macon _Telegraph
and Messenger_ published full and eulogistic reports of the closing
exercises.
Mrs. Elizabeth Lathrop, wife of the Macon missionary, has been
doing an important work in the industrial line among the girls
during the year. Laboring simply as minister’s wife, she has
accomplished a good deal of missionary work, not the least
important of which has been the sewing school. Beginning last
December with twelve pupils, the number increased to 133 on the
roll, with an average weekly attendance of 55. Northern friends
have contributed thread, needles and other material, and during
the seven months the class have made, under the instruction of
Mrs. Lathrop, three hundred and six garments (aprons, dresses,
handkerchiefs and under clothing), besides twenty-six patch-work
quilts, all but three of these completely finished. On June 4th
there was an exhibition of these articles at the Lewis High School,
an astonishment to all who beheld. The mothers sat there with
glad, grateful tears rolling down their cheeks, at the thought
of the benefits received in this manner. Speeches of eulogistic
gratitude were made by the colored Methodist preachers, and the day
closed with the distribution of the garments to the girls who had
made them. Much good has been accomplished in this way, and this
industrial training is receiving, as it should, more attention than
formerly in different places.
* * * * *
THE CHINESE.
* * * * *
“CALIFORNIA CHINESE MISSION.”
_Auxiliary to the American Missionary Association._
PRESIDENT: Rev. J. K. McLean, D.D. VICE-PRESIDENTS: Rev. A. L.
Stone, D.D., Robert B. Forman, Rev. T. K. Noble, Hon. F. F. Low,
Rev. I. E. Dwinell, D.D., Hon. Samuel Cross, Rev. S. H. Willey,
D.D., Jacob S. Taber.
DIRECTORS: Rev. George Mooar, D.D., Hon. E. D. Sawyer, Rev. E. P.
Baker, James M. Haven, Esq., Rev. Joseph Rowell, Rev. John Kimball,
A. L. Van Blarcon, Esq., George Harris, Esq., and the Secretary ex
officio.
SECRETARY: Rev. W. C. Pond. TREASURER: E. Palache, Esq.
* * * * *
THE ANNIVERSARY AT STOCKTON.
Last month I gave some account of our anniversary at Sacramento,
with the address by Lem Chung. Last Sabbath evening, June 19th, we
held our anniversary at Stockton. It was an exceedingly interesting
and useful service. The church was well filled—better than ever
before when I have been there. The report of the secretary, Mr.
M. J. Nightingale, and the supplementary one by the teacher, Mrs.
M. B. Langdon, showed good work done with glad results. Just 100
Chinese had been enrolled as pupils in the school during the year,
though the largest enrolment in any one month was 49. The average
attendance on some months rose to 35 or 36, but the average for the
year was 25. Two of the pupils have been baptized and received
into the Congregational church in Stockton during the year, and
others are now ready to be thus received.
The exercises by the pupils were well rendered. The pastor of the
church, Rev. John Hooper, made an earnest and effective address,
pledging his own sympathy and co-operation in such terms as will be
very helpful to us in the year to come. Your superintendent said
a few words also; but that which thrilled us most of all was the
brief and modest address of our new helper, Lee Pak Yuen, converted
in connection with our Oakland Mission, and a member of the First
Congregational church in that city. I give it to our readers just
as it was uttered.
ADDRESS BY LEE PAK YUEN.
Dear Friends and Teachers: I am very glad to see you all, but I
have not much to say to you. I can only tell you how I became a
Christian.
For the first three years I was in California I did not like Jesus,
and I did scold those Chinese Christians who spoke about him. I
only liked to go and gamble, and play cards and drink. So I had no
money to live on. I felt very sorry; but afterward I was asked to
come to school, and for many months in school I also talked against
Jesus; but the teacher did not scold me, but was very kind to me.
He taught me, at length, to read this verse in Matt. ix. 13, “For I
am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” But,
at last, the Holy Spirit convinced me to believe in Jesus with all
my heart, and now I thank you very much for what you have done for
me and for my countrymen. I hope the Lord bless you, and bring many
to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ.
I know the Lord is very strong. He helps every one to believe in
Him. Without Him we can do nothing. He will watch over us and take
care of us. Now I will tell you what I did while I was in China.
I left California to go back to China to my father’s house. He
called me to worship the gods, but I would not. My father had made
all preparations for my worshiping. He took my hand to go out of
the door to worship the ancestors, and he wanted me to kneel down
and pray to them. Because I would not, he scolded me and called me
crazy.
I came out to Hong Kong and stopped there one month. I then went
back to my home, and found my father crying, and all very sad. I
asked, “What is the matter?” My father answered: “You are no good.
You come home and will not worship my gods. The gods will kill your
brothers.” I then went to see my brothers, and found one of them
very sick indeed. The doctor said he cannot live two days. I almost
cried myself. My father then said to me: “If he dies I shall kill
you. If I do not kill you, all your other brothers will die.” I
then took my father’s hand, and knelt down and asked the Lord Jesus
to bless him; but my father scolded me all the time, for he did
not believe on the Lord Jesus Christ as our Saviour. He heard my
prayer for my brother’s sickness. In twenty days he was all well.
All the people of my village called me Christ; but I said, I am not
Christ; he is in heaven. The Bible says, “Whatsoever ye shall ask
the Father in my name I will do it.”
My dear friends, I hope you will not forget to pray for China, that
all may be brought to believe in the true God. Let us remember
the promise, “Ask of me, and I will give you the heathen for
thine inheritance, and the uttermost part of the earth for thy
possession.”
THE MAY REPORTS.
I add the following item, clipped from _The Pacific_ of June 8th:
The monthly reports for May from the various mission schools of the
California Chinese mission are very encouraging. The work is larger
and, as we gladly believe, _better_ than ever before—more schools,
more teachers, more pupils, and, we trust, many souls seeking
Christ. The statistics are as follows: Schools, 14; teachers and
helpers, 27; pupils enrolled, 566; of whom 190 were received
during May, against 68 who left the schools. The aggregate average
attendance was 314. Since the beginning of the present fiscal year
(Sept. 1, 1880), 1,245 pupils have been enrolled. Of the pupils now
in the schools, 136 are reported as giving evidence of conversion.
* * * * *
WOMAN’S HOME MISSIONARY ASSOCIATION.
Room 20, Congregational House, Beacon St., Boston.
MISS NATHALIE LORD, _Secretary_.
MISS ABBY W. PEARSON, _Treasurer_.
* * * * *
TWENTY MINUTES A-DAY WORKING SOCIETY,
IN CONNECTION WITH THE WOMAN’S HOME MISSIONARY ASSOCIATION.
For the benefit of ladies interested in home missionary work, but
prevented from forming or joining auxiliaries, we have this month a
new plan to propose, a plan which offers some of the advantages of
both individual and co-operative work.
The Twenty Minutes a-Day Working Society originated, we believe,
in England, where it appears to be accomplishing great good. Its
characteristic features are found in other associations among
English ladies, who seem to have a special liking for being bound
together by aim and rules without organization or meetings. But the
idea has been adopted in some of the churches of our country also,
and, it is said, with admirable success.
The following are the rules by which the members of this society
bind themselves:
1. To work twenty minutes a day, or two hours a week, according to
convenience.
2. Each lady to furnish her own materials, and make such articles
as are suitable either for home missionaries and their families at
the West, or for distribution among the colored people.
3. To contribute at least one book a year, not necessarily new.
4. To contribute fifty cents a year for the purpose of defraying
expenses of transportation, &c.
5. To pray each day for those to whom these gifts are sent, and
also for the prosperity of our organization.
6. Articles made are to be sent twice a year to the rooms of the
Woman’s Home Missionary Association, at such times as shall be
designated by the committee.
For further information apply to the Secretary of the Woman’s Home
Missionary Association, 20 Congregational House, Boston.
The interest roused by the late Home Missionary Convention at
Chicago shows how real and earnest is the purpose in the hearts
of many of our people to undertake with new determination and
zeal the task of keeping and of recovering this land for a true
Christianity. Every day exposes anew to us, if our eyes are open,
the monstrous and fatal dangers which threaten our Republic. But
do we consider, does each Christian reflect, that not one of these
evils, not one evil, would endanger our beloved country, if the
good news brought by Christ were accepted and worked out in every
home and every life?
“Ten times one is ten;” yes, there is well unfolded the secret of
Christian life and strength, and of the coming millennium. Let each
of us now say: “I have been saved by the knowledge of Christ; to
how many can I convey this knowledge the coming year? Can I send
it to ten more? to one more? It is not for me to wait to see what
ten others will do. What can I do, and now, to help recover what
is lost, to keep what is yet ours in our dear land?” Oh, let us
try it. We are not doing enough, and our time of working may be
short, if we let the enemy come in like a flood; but let us work,
each work, alone, together; work and pray, for we have already seen
something of what God’s power and goodness can do in multiplying
single-handed and feeble (?) efforts made in His name.