VOL. XXXV. NO. 11.
THE
AMERICAN MISSIONARY.
* * * * *
“To the Poor the Gospel is Preached.”
* * * * *
NOVEMBER, 1881.
_CONTENTS_:
EDITORIAL.
ANNUAL MEETING—FINANCIAL 321
PARAGRAPHS—JOHN BROWN MEMORIAL STEAMER 322
CUT OF FIRST GRADE CERTIFICATE 323
PARAGRAPHS 324
PRESIDENT GARFIELD AND THE NEGRO 325
BENEFACTIONS 327
GENERAL NOTES—Africa, Indians, Chinese 327
THE FREEDMEN.
SUMMER REVIVALS.
McLeansville, N.C.; Savannah, Ga.; McIntosh, Ga.;
Talladega, Anniston, Lawsonville, The Cove,
Childersburg, Ala.; Nashville, Tenn.; Paris,
Texas 330
OPENING OF SCHOOLS.
Berea, Ky.; McLeansville, N.C.; Montgomery,
Mobile, Ala.; Howard University, D.C.; Hampton,
Va.; Savannah, Ga.; Atlanta University, Ga.;
Macon, Ga.; Selma, Ala.; Tougaloo, Miss.; Fisk
University, Nashville, Tenn. 332
OBITUARY.
Death of Mrs. T. C. Steward—Death of Rev. G. W.
Walker 340
EXTRACTS FROM MINUTES OF EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE 341
WOMAN’S HOME MISS. ASSOC’N.
MONTHLY REPORT 342
CHILDREN’S PAGE.
THOMAS CHATHAM 343
LETTERS TO THE TREASURER 344
RECEIPTS 346
CONSTITUTION 351
AIM, STATISTICS, WANTS, ETC. 352
* * * * *
NEW YORK:
Published by the American Missionary Association,
ROOMS, 56 READE STREET.
* * * * *
Price, 50 Cents a Year, in advance.
Entered at the Post Office at New York, N.Y., as second-class matter.
American Missionary Association,
56 READE STREET, N.Y.
* * * * *
PRESIDENT.
HON. E. S. TOBEY, Boston.
VICE-PRESIDENTS.
Hon. F. D. PARISH, Ohio.
Hon. E. D. HOLTON, Wis.
Hon. WILLIAM CLAFLIN, Mass.
Rev. STEPHEN THURSTON, D.D., Me.
Rev. SAMUEL HARRIS, D.D., Ct.
WM. C. CHAPIN, Esq., R.I.
Rev. W. T. EUSTIS, D.D., Mass.
Hon. A. C. BARSTOW, R.I.
Rev. THATCHER THAYER, D.D., R.I.
Rev. RAY PALMER, D.D., N.J.
Rev. EDWARD BEECHER, D.D., N.Y.
Rev. J. M. STURTEVANT, D.D., Ill.
Rev. W. W. PATTON, D.D., D.C.
Hon. SEYMOUR STRAIGHT, La.
Rev. CYRUS W. WALLACE, D.D., N.H.
Rev. EDWARD HAWES, D.D., Ct.
DOUGLAS PUTNAM, Esq., Ohio.
Hon. THADDEUS FAIRBANKS, Vt.
Rev. M. M. G. DANA, D.D., Minn.
Rev. H. W. BEECHER, N.Y.
Gen. O. O. HOWARD, Washington Ter.
Rev. G. F. MAGOUN, D.D., Iowa.
Col. C. G. HAMMOND, Ill.
EDWARD SPAULDING, M.D., N.H.
Rev. WM. M. BARBOUR, D.D., Ct.
Rev. W. L. GAGE, D.D., Ct.
A. S. HATCH, Esq., N.Y.
Rev. J. H. FAIRCHILD, D.D., Ohio.
Rev. H. A. STIMSON, Mass.
Rev. A. L. STONE, D.D., California.
Rev. G. H. ATKINSON, D.D., Oregon.
Rev. J. E. RANKIN, D.D., D.C.
Rev. A. L. CHAPIN, D.D., Wis.
S. D. SMITH, Esq., Mass.
Dea. JOHN C. WHITIN, Mass.
Hon. J. B. GRINNELL, Iowa.
Rev. HORACE WINSLOW, Ct.
Sir PETER COATS, Scotland.
Rev. HENRY ALLON, D.D., London, Eng.
WM. E. WHITING, Esq., N.Y.
J. M. PINKERTON, Esq., Mass.
E. A. GRAVES, Esq., N.J.
Rev. F. A. NOBLE, D.D., Ill.
DANIEL HAND, Esq., Ct.
A. L. WILLISTON, Esq., Mass.
Rev. A. F. BEARD, D.D., N.Y.
FREDERICK BILLINGS, Esq., Vt.
JOSEPH CARPENTER, Esq., R.I.
Rev. E. P. GOODWIN, D.D., Ill.
Rev. C. L. GOODELL, D.D., Mo.
J. W. SCOVILLE, Esq., Ill.
E. W. BLATCHFORD, Esq., Ill.
C. D. TALCOTT, Esq., Ct.
Rev. JOHN K. MCLEAN, D.D., Cal.
Rev. RICHARD CORDLEY, D.D., Kansas.
Rev. W. H. WILLCOX, D.D., Mass.
Rev. G. B. WILLCOX, D.D., Ill.
Rev. WM. M. TAYLOR, D.D., N.Y.
Rev. GEO. M. BOYNTON, Mass.
Rev. E. B. WEBB, D.D., Mass.
Hon. C. I. WALKER, Mich.
Rev. A. H. ROSS, Mich.
CORRESPONDING SECRETARY.
REV. M. E. STRIEBY, D.D., _56 Reade Street, N.Y._
DISTRICT SECRETARIES.
REV. C. L. WOODWORTH, _Boston_.
REV. G. D. PIKE, D.D., _New York_.
REV. JAS. POWELL, _Chicago_.
H. W. HUBBARD, ESQ., _Treasurer, N.Y._
REV. M. E. STRIEBY, _Recording Secretary_.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.
ALONZO S. BALL,
A. S. BARNES,
C. T. CHRISTENSEN,
CLINTON B. FISK,
ADDISON P. FOSTER,
S. B. HALLIDAY,
J. A. HAMILTON,
SAMUEL HOLMES,
CHARLES A. HULL,
CHAS. L. MEAD,
SAMUEL S. MARPLES,
WM. T. PRATT,
J. A. SHOUDY,
JOHN H. WASHBURN.
COMMUNICATIONS
relating to the work of the Association may be addressed to the
Corresponding Secretary; those relating to the collecting fields to
the District Secretaries; letters for the Editor of the “American
Missionary,” to Rev. G. D. PIKE, D.D., at the New York Office.
DONATIONS AND SUBSCRIPTIONS
may be sent to H. W. Hubbard, Treasurer, 56 Reade Street, New
York, or when more convenient, to either of the Branch Offices, 21
Congregational House, Boston, Mass., or 112 West Washington Street,
Chicago, Ill. A payment of thirty dollars at one time constitutes a
Life Member.
THE
AMERICAN MISSIONARY.
* * * * *
VOL. XXXV. NOVEMBER, 1881. NO. 11.
* * * * *
_American Missionary Association._
* * * * *
OUR ANNUAL MEETING.
The Thirty-fifth Annual Meeting of the American Missionary
Association will be held in Plymouth Church (Rev. G. W. Phillips’),
Worcester, Mass., commencing November 1st, at 3 P.M., at which
time the report of the Executive Committee will be read. The
Annual Sermon will be preached Tuesday evening by Rev. C. D.
Hartranft, D.D. Wednesday and Thursday will be occupied by reading
of papers, reports, discussions, business, etc. The following
persons with others have promised to be present and participate in
the exercises: Presidents Fairchild, Ware, Hamlin, Chamberlain,
Buckham; Gen’ls O. O. Howard, S. C. Armstrong; Col. H. G. Prout,
late of the Khedive’s staff, Egypt; Capt. R. H. Pratt, of Carlisle,
Pa.; U.S. Senator G. F. Hoar, Prof. Cyrus Northrop, Hon. J. J. H.
Gregory, John B. Gough, and Rev. Drs. Herrick, Duryea and Mayo.
The following railroads have agreed to furnish free return tickets
to persons attending the meeting: New York and New England;
Worcester and Nashua to Portland, Me.; Boston, Barre and Gardner
and Cheshire; Providence and Worcester to Whitin’s and stations
south. The N.Y., N.H. and H. R. R. offers tickets to Worcester and
return at the following rates: from New York $5.60, Stamford $4.70,
South Norwalk $4.45, Bridgeport $4, New Haven $3.50, Meriden $2.75,
Middletown $2.75, Hartford $2.
* * * * *
The receipts of the Association for the month of Sept. were
$30,417.94. For the financial year, which closed with that month,
the receipts were, with balance, $244,578.96. One year ago the
Association asked for an advance of 25 per cent., and its friends
have made it 30 per cent. The year has been closed without any
debt upon the treasury, and with a balance in hand of $518.85.
In addition to this, the Association has used during the year
$77,131.97 of the Stone Fund toward the erection of the buildings
for which it was given. This makes a grand total for the year of
$321,710.93. This enlargement of the capital by the addition of the
Stone buildings will require a corresponding increase of funds to
carry on the business. The advance of the past year is an occasion
for profound gratitude, and inspires hope for the needed increase
of the coming year.
We are happy to furnish our readers in this number with a few
reports of the successful openings of our schools South. We give
also a few brief accounts of summer revivals. Such times of
refreshing are quite as frequent among the colored people in summer
as in winter.
* * * * *
Rev. Hamilton W. Pierson, D.D., formerly missionary of this
Association at Andersonville, Ga., has written a very readable
book on the old time social, political and religious life in the
South-west. In it he has garnered up many valuable remembrances of
the condition of both whites and blacks before the war, special
reference being made to their religious experiences, which he had
the privilege of observing during many years of service as agent of
the American Bible Society. He calls his book “In the Brush.” It is
published by D. Appleton & Company, New York.
* * * * *
JOHN BROWN MEMORIAL STEAMER FOR THE MENDI MISSION.
The Mendi Mission was organized in 1842, in about 7 deg. north
latitude, West Central Africa. It was primarily a mission for the
Amistad captives, freed slaves who had escaped from bondage by the
incidents following their mysterious appearance in Long Island
Sound, and their subsequent imprisonment in New Haven, Connecticut.
The men who, by their charitable forethought, provided for their
defense in the U.S. Supreme Court by John Quincy Adams, and for
their education while in New England as well as their return to
Africa, were most active in founding the A. M. A., which has
sustained the mission since 1846.
The fact that there are no roads or domestic animals for carrying
burdens in the Mendi country, renders the use of boats a necessity
as a means for transportation. The interests of the mission have
suffered for the want of a steamer to facilitate the work at the
saw-mill and to carry the missionaries back and forth up the river,
thereby avoiding the exposure to disease by long delays in the
marshy regions.
The proper persons are already provided to have the steamer in
charge, and we only wait for the little rills and large streams of
benevolence to flow in and float it. About $10,000 are needed.
In order that old and young may have a part in this work, we have
arranged to issue two grades of shares as follows: First Grade,
$100; Second Grade, $10. The certificates of shares will be
issued on heavy calendered paper, size about 8 by 10 inches, in
two colors; the First Grade Certificates green and black, and the
Second Grade black and brown.
We cordially invite all friends of African missions, whether
pastors, Sunday-school superintendents, heads of families or
others, to assist us in providing, at an early date, this
much-needed agency for the development of Christian civilization in
the dark continent.
All communications should be forwarded to H. W. Hubbard, Treasurer
of the American Missionary Association, 56 Reade Street, New York.
[Illustration: FACSIMILE OF FIRST GRADE CERTIFICATE REDUCED
ONE-THIRD.]
The progress of educational work in Mississippi, according to
the published statement of Gen. J. A. Smith, Sup’t of Public
Instruction for the State, is of a hopeful character. The number of
white children in public schools for the year 1880 was greater by
7,037 than in 1879, and the number of colored children 12,914. The
average daily attendance shows an increase of 6,500 white children
and 11,288 colored. The number of teachers employed was 202 over
that of the preceding year, the increase being confined to the
colored teachers. The total number of pupils enrolled for 1880 was
112,994 whites and 123,710 colored. The total disbursements were
$830,704.79.
* * * * *
Upon the invitation of the Congregational Union of England and
Wales at the hand of Rev. Dr. Alexander Hannay, of London, and by
the appointment of the National Council and of this Association,
our Secretary, Dr. M. E. Strieby, went over to represent both
of these bodies at the Jubilee of that Union, which was held at
Manchester in Free Trade Hall, October 4th to the 10th. We learned
by cablegram that Rev. Henry Allon, D.D., was made chairman, and
that Dr. Strieby, with other foreign delegates, was heard on the
6th. It was fitting that the English people, who had done so much
through this Association in the way of aiding students in our
Southern institutions, and of raising the fund for the Arthington
Mission in the basin of the Upper Nile, should seek and secure a
report from our Secretary-in-Chief, of the processes and results of
this missionary organization. Great Britain and America both owe
a common debt to our Freedmen and to the land of their ancestors.
Dr. Strieby is expected to return in season to participate in
our Annual Meeting, making report of English public sentiment in
respect to this great international missionary enterprise. During
his absence, his place has been filled by Rev. Jos. E. Roy, D.D.,
the Field Superintendent of our Southern work.
* * * * *
It was a happy thought of Prof. Henry Cowles, after he had
completed his set of sixteen volumes of Commentaries on the Bible,
that he would assign the property of the stereotype plates, the
copyrights, and the contract with the publishers, D. Appleton &
Co., to the American Board, the Home Missionary Society and this
Association. His generous devising took in also the missionaries
themselves, and provides that the fifteen per cent. of royalty
on all books sold shall be applied, at the discretion of the
Secretaries of the several societies, in supplying with the
commentaries such of them as may not be well able to buy them. When
our Executive Committee, in September, passed its vote of thanks
for this testimony of love, they did not know that a few days
before, this John-like disciple had been called up to lean upon the
bosom of his Master, who had already given him a better “well-done.”
These notes, giving the latest results of Biblical scholarship,
without the tedious processes of the same and applying a sanctified
common sense in interpreting the Divine Word, will stand for a
long time as a fountain of instruction and of comfort to Bible
students. The question is often asked, What one set of commentaries
on the whole Bible can be recommended to people who do not wish to
go into the extended works of Biblical exegesis? We do not know of
any better one to name than this.
* * * * *
PRESIDENT GARFIELD AND THE NEGRO.
The mind of President Garfield was too broad and generous, his
nature too honest and sincere, for him not to take at once and
forever the part of the wronged, however humble, as against the
wrong-doer, however powerful. He knew too well the value of
education to one who was compelled to struggle up from the depths
of poverty for place and power not to emphasize the duty of putting
the opportunity and facilities for education within reach of all
the ignorant.
He first knew of the _Congressional Record_ when he saw it in the
hands of an opponent in a discussion of the slavery question. He
began his political life in the days when the Supreme Court of
the United States, in the Dred Scott decision, had asserted that
slavery was the genius of our Constitution, and liberty the child
only of local and state regulations. With clearest vision he
saw when the war began that the real issue was the death or the
supremacy of slavery, and threw his whole soul into that conflict.
He was selected by the constituents of Giddings, as the one most
worthy to succeed that veteran opponent of slavery in Congress.
After his nomination to the Presidency, in his first regular
speech, made in response to a serenade in New York City by the
Boys in Blue, he said, speaking of the Freedmen: “We will stand
by them until the sun of liberty, fixed in the firmament of the
Constitution, shall shine with equal ray upon every man, white or
black, throughout the Union. Fellow-citizens, fellow-soldiers, in
this there is all the beneficence of eternal justice, and by this
we will stand forever.” A noble sentiment, which must become a fact
established beyond the possibility of successful assault before the
nation can enter upon the path of peace or safety.
In reply to an address by a delegation of colored men who visited
him in Mentor, just before he left home to assume the duties of his
high office, he said, in effect, that it was not within the power
of the President by appointments and official recognitions to raise
the colored people to the level of social recognition and honor.
The path to this leads through education and thrift. The negro,
like every one else, must be the architect of his own fortunes, and
compel by worth the respect he seeks. But turning from the negro
who would have appointment to the nation which he held responsible
for his condition—to the nation endangered by that condition—he
said in his inaugural address, which his successor, nor Congress,
nor the people should neither forget nor fail to heed: “The census
has already sounded the alarm in the appalling figures which mark
how dangerously high the tide of illiteracy has risen among our
voters and their children. To the South this question is one of
supreme importance. But the responsibility for the existence of
slavery did not rest upon the South alone. The nation itself is
responsible for the extension of the suffrage, and is under special
obligation to aid in removing the illiteracy which it has added to
the voting population. For the North and South alike there is but
one remedy. All the constitutional power of the nation and of the
states, and _all the volunteer forces of the people_, should be
summoned to meet this danger by the saving influence of universal
education. It is the high privilege and sacred duty of those now
living to educate their successors and fit them by intelligence and
virtue for the inheritance which awaits them. In this beneficent
work sections and races should be forgotten, and partisanship
should be unknown.”
He also at the same time gave due recognition to the efforts made
by the Freedmen: “The emancipated race have already made remarkable
progress. With unquestioning devotion to the Union, with a patience
and gentleness not born of fear, they have ‘followed the light
as God has given them to see light.’ They are rapidly laying the
material foundations of self-support, widening the circle of
intelligence, and beginning to enjoy the blessings that gather
around the homes of the industrious poor. They deserve the generous
encouragement of all good men. So far as my authority can lawfully
extend, they shall enjoy the full and equal protection of the
Constitution and laws.”
He said to the Fisk University Jubilee Singers, who at his
invitation visited him at Mentor, on the 30th of September, 1880:
“Now, friends, the earthly saviour of your people must be universal
education, and I believe your voices are preparing the way for
the coming of that blessing. You have sung a great University
into being. I hope your voices are heralding the great liberation
which education will bring to your lately enslaved brethren. You
are fighting for light and for the freedom it brings, and in that
contest I would rather be defeated with you than to be victorious
against you. In the language of the song you have just sung, I say
to you, ‘March on, and you shall win the victory—you shall gain the
day.’”
His indignation because of the injustice done this people flashed
out just before his assassination, when learning that this band of
singers had been refused admission to the hotels in Springfield,
Ill., he caused a telegram to be sent to them saying, that if they
received similar treatment when they came to Washington, he would
be glad to receive them as his own guests at the White House.
It would be unjust to the memory of this great and good man to
leave at least this much unsaid of his interest in the race whose
wrongs appealed so strongly to his sympathies, and whose fate he
saw to be so intimately and indissolubly linked with that of the
nation; and whatever in his life and character may be celebrated
and memorialized, justice will not have been done him until
suitable commemoration is made of this interest.
BENEFACTIONS.
—Hon. H. B. Curtis has given Kenyon College $15,000.
—Judge Hoadley has purchased for the Cincinnati Art Museum,
treasures worth $30,000.
—Mr. Ahok, a Chinese gentleman, has given $10,000 toward the new
College at Foochow, China.
—The endowment of Washington and Lee University, mostly from
Northern men, has reached $431,500.
—A gift of $10,000 has recently been made to the Boston University,
to be devoted to the scholarship fund of that institution.
—One donor has given $100,000, and another $250,000, towards the
erection of the new law school building and the physical laboratory
of Harvard College.
—Rev. Dr. Alva Woods of Providence, R.I., gives the Vermont Academy
at Saxton’s River another $1,000 to be used in supporting embryo
ministers.
—The venerable John Baldwin, founder of Baldwin University, Berea,
O., has given $3,000 to establish a school at Bangalore, India, in
the Rev. William Taylor’s work.
—Mrs. Noah Woods of Bangor bequeathed $5,000 to Bowdoin College for
a scholarship, to be called the Blake scholarship, in memory of her
son, who was a graduate of that institution.
—_Talladega College, Talladega, Ala., is erecting Stone Hall by the
gift of Mrs. Stone—the fourth College building. Endowments now are
the great necessity. $25,000 will provide for a Professorship, and
there are four such needing endowments; one of these a Theological
Professorship._
* * * * *
GENERAL NOTES.
AFRICA.
—The French Chamber has voted a sum of fifty million francs to be
expended in the purchase of land, and in colonizing Algeria.
—Two Societies of Geography have been founded in the Portuguese
African colonies, the one at Mozambique, the other at Loanda.
—A French Society for the protection of the natives in the
colonies, similar to the English Society of Exeter Hall, is to be
formed at Paris.
—England contemplates sending two new Consuls to Souakim and to
Khartoum to watch over the execution of the contracts relative to
the treaty.
—A new expedition undertaken under the auspices of M. C. A.
Verminck of Marseilles, and directed by M. Zweifel, will soon set
out from Freetown for Timbo, Falaba and the sources of the Niger.
—Major Mechow, who has explored Loanda, has arrived at Lisbon,
bringing two young negroes belonging to the same tribe, but who are
completely different as to the form of the head and the color of
the skin.
—In his exploration in the country of the Soumalis, M. G. Revoil
has found the vestiges of a Greek colony to which a Gallas white
tribe had attached itself. The arms, the clothing, the idiom and
the physiognomy of the people of the tribe confirm this opinion.
—Besides the two stations founded at Vivi and Isangila, Stanley
has charged Lieut. Harron with the establishment of a third at
Manyanga, where M. McCall has already installed the missionaries.
—A new International Belgian expedition is to be organized by
Major Hanssens and Lieutenant Vandevelde. M. Popelin, who with M.
Roger had left Karéma to found a station upon the west side of
Tanganyika, has unfortunately succumbed to the fever and disease of
the liver.
—The South African diamond fields have been wonderfully productive.
In a single year, according to the testimony of Sir Bartle Frere,
brilliants valued at over seventeen and a half million dollars
passed through the Cape Town post-office.
—A missionary asked an old African woman what the earthquake was.
“Me tink,” said she, “God Almighty pass by, and de world make him a
courtesy.” This was a strange answer; but it was her way of saying,
“The Lord reigneth; ... let the earth be moved.”
—They have found in the papers of the late Captain Phipson
Wybrants, who died in the exploration of the country of Oumzila, a
very minute statement concerning the Sabia, one of the great rivers
of Southern Africa, which flows into the Channel of Mozambique. The
upper part of its course has been little known. The outline of M.
Wybrants will allow of the correction of the errors on the ancient
maps.
—The complete success of the expedition sent out by the Royal
Geographical Society of Rome in charge of Signori Matteucci and
Massari is likely to cause a disturbance among map makers. These
parties have found their way from Egypt across the continent to
the Gulf of Guinea, exploring many hitherto unknown regions in the
dark continent. A full account of their journey and the country and
people along their way will be looked for with intense interest.
—The conquest of Algeria by the French, in 1830, restored to
Christianity that portion of African soil, but for prudential
reasons, no missionary enterprises were permitted. But in 1868 a
famine occurred which destroyed in some districts of Algeria a
fifth of the population, leaving thousands of native children in
utter destitution. Nine thousand of these were gathered by the
Archbishop of Algiers, and cared for during their youth. In this
way the Catholic church has extended its influence and fame far and
wide through the back country. A hospital has been provided by the
charity of the natives in the village of St. Cyprien where the sick
are gratuitously attended.
* * * * *
THE INDIANS.
—Captain Pratt of the Indian Training School at Carlisle Barracks,
has persuaded the apprentice boys who are earning money to deposit
it in the bank, and forty-seven of them have opened an account. An
excellent suggestion for pale faces as well.
—More than nine-tenths of the Indians in the United States
are peaceably cultivating their farms, and sending their sons
and daughters to the Government schools, East and West. The
disturbance, therefore, made by one tribe of the most wild and
untamed Indians in the country will not particularly discourage
or alarm those who have been watching the admirable Peace Policy
of the Government. A little more patience and perseverance in the
right direction would soon overcome what remains of hostility among
these wards of the Nation.
—The liberality of the Indians at White Earth Reservation is
testified to by Bishop Whipple, who recently visited the Episcopal
mission at that point. He says that in taking the offerings, every
man, woman and child came up and deposited the gift in the alms
basin. The Bishop also speaks encouragingly of the religious work
carried on at Red Lake, where there is a flourishing Indian church,
whereas three years ago there was not a single member. Five miles
farther up the Lake, more than half the Indians are Christians,
and these have been baptized within the past three years. The
Indian chief, who is an exemplary Christian and one of the noblest
specimens of his race, has had much to do in bringing about this
wonderful change.
* * * * *
THE CHINESE.
—The Japanese colony in Paris are about to erect a pagoda for their
religious devotions.
—The Governor of Foo Chow has issued a proclamation calling upon
the people not to molest the missionaries or the converts who
follow them, either at their chapels or school-houses.
—Out of one party of twenty-five Chinese students, who are
returning to their homes, it is said that nine have changed their
religious faith since they came to this country.
—It is reported that as fifty of the Chinese students ordered home
by their Government were leaving the San Francisco wharf, September
6th, they joined in singing our National hymn, “My country, ’tis of
thee.”
—The American Board has published a new map of Japan about 2½ by
4½ feet in size, which will be found a valuable aid in missionary
concerts. The price of the map on fine paper is 40 cents, and on
cloth 70 cents.
—It is reported that the high Chinese authorities are in favor
of an International Exhibition at Shanghai in 1882. Twenty-two
thousand applications for space have been received from American
and European manufacturers, and if the Exhibition is determined
upon, there is little doubt of its success, both in a political and
an industrial point of view.
THE FREEDMEN.
REV. JOSEPH E. ROY, D.D., FIELD SUPERINTENDENT, ATLANTA, GA.
* * * * *
SUMMER REVIVALS.
McLEANSVILLE, N.C.
The first Sabbath of September we began a series of meetings,
assisted by Rev. Geo. S. Smith and Rev. Mr. Turner, of Raleigh.
On the Sabbath the house would not hold the congregation. Quite
a number came from ten to twelve miles, a few from twenty to
twenty-five miles.
Many white people attended every night meeting. Indeed, more white
people attended the services than had ever attended any one meeting
here since the church was built. A number of them have expressed
themselves well pleased with the preaching.
Seven persons, two of them pupils in our Normal School, professed
faith in Christ. We think the influence on the community, both
white and colored, has been good.
* * * * *
SAVANNAH, GA.
My work in Savannah, as supply, during the summer, was greatly
blessed of the Lord. For nearly two months my efforts were to
become acquainted with the church and people in general, and in
the meantime we were preparing our hearts for the ingathering of
precious souls. On Monday night, July 18th, we began a series of
meetings for the unconverted. They continued about three weeks,
during which time thirty confessed Christ. Most of these, we
believe, were hopefully converted. Three or four of those who
sought Christ in the meetings have been brought out into the light
of a dear Saviour since the meetings closed; thus making the
number more than thirty. Seventeen united with us, and a few more
will come in at the next communion. Some, of course, joined other
churches with their parents or friends. We held a young convert’s
meeting each week from the close of the protracted meeting to the
last of September, when I left for school. There was nothing to
me more cheering than to listen to the simple child-like prayers
and talks of the young converts in their meetings. The youngest
are three little girls who are respectively about nine, eleven and
twelve years old. They are always at their post, and it is hoped
that their Christian lives will be long and active.
* * * * *
McINTOSH, CYPRESS SLASH, GA.
In my last letter I informed you of the extra series of meetings we
were having. We continued our protracted efforts for two weeks. Now
we have the grand result. On last Sabbath I baptized twelve hopeful
converts, and four were added on profession; all of these are
adults. Sixteen hopeful young men and women have been added to the
church within the last two weeks. God has greatly blessed us in our
efforts to build up His kingdom, for which we give many thanks, and
are very greatly encouraged. Pray for us that others may be added,
such as shall be saved.
* * * * *
TALLADEGA, ALA.
Our series of meetings began on the first Sabbath in September,
and at the first invitation offered to the unconverted, at the 11
o’clock service, five came forward inquiring the way of life, and
strange to say, each of that five was hopefully converted before
the next Sabbath. There were several other inquirers during that
week, but on account of repairs to the chapel, we were obliged to
close our meetings on Tuesday of the next week. Eleven united
with our church—six on profession, and five by letter. Not being
ordained, it was necessary that I should get some other minister
to perform the baptism and administer the Lord’s Supper. Elder
Shuford, in charge of the Methodist church in this place, aided me,
and the work was accomplished.
* * * * *
ANNISTON, ALA.
The revival work commenced in our county the middle of July. Since
that date several churches of different denominations have been
carrying on revival meetings. All, more or less, have rejoiced over
the ingathering of souls.
Even our own little church has felt the visitation of the Holy
Ghost and witnessed the gathering in of the sheaves into the
Master’s store-house. We began our meetings two weeks ago. The
first week we carried on a woman’s prayer meeting. The subject was,
“That the church might lay aside every weight and sin, which doth
so easily beset, and labor for the conversion of souls.” These
meetings did a great deal of good, for when the meetings proper
began, the church was ready to enter upon the Master’s work, which
it did with great earnestness. The meetings closed with eight
conversions. All united with us save one. Others are anxiously
seeking for the blessed Master. There was an expression of great
joy among my people to know that they had seven more to come around
the Lord’s table and take with us the emblems of our Lord’s broken
body and shed blood.
* * * * *
LAWSONVILLE AND THE COVE.
The church at Lawsonville has been blessed with a revival. There
were seven conversions and four accessions to the church. At
the Cove we enjoyed a revival season in which there were seven
conversions and three accessions. The meetings did great good in
reviving professed Christians, and bringing parties out of the
path of the church to a realization of their responsibilities to
God and society. I visited and assisted Bro. Snell at Kingston
during a revival at that place, in which there were several
conversions prior to my leaving, among which were four white men of
respectability in that community. I have just returned home from a
revival at my former station, Anniston, where much good was done in
reviving the church, and turning some seven or eight souls from the
error of their ways.
* * * * *
CHILDERSBURG, ALA.
We commenced our summer series of meetings on the fourth Wednesday
night in July. On the Sabbath we had a great gathering. In the
afternoon prayer meeting, every body seemed to be deeply impressed
with the spirit of the Lord, and at night many came forward for
prayers. The house was full all day and at night. About two o’clock
I was awakened by the alarm of fire, and one of my members rapped
at the door and said, “Our church is on fire!” I rose to my feet
and reached the church just as it was falling in.
We came down to the Baptist church and continued our meetings. Many
took a stand for the Lord and joined our church. After my meetings
were over, I helped others. At Shelby Iron Works twelve or fifteen
gave their hearts to the Lord, and at Talladega the meetings were
very interesting and profitable.
* * * * *
NASHVILLE, TENN.
On the first Sabbath of the month a revival began and continued for
two weeks. Our meetings were large and spirited, and all of us have
been benefited by them, some of us in a special manner.
The little flock is greatly strengthened and revived, and is in a
better working condition. All little jealousies and acrimonies
have been buried (I trust never to rise again), and a kindly
feeling pervades the entire atmosphere of our church circle. As a
result of the revival, five persons have been added to our church,
and these five are _live_ and not _dead_ Christians.
* * * * *
PARIS, TEXAS.
Our protracted meetings began here the fourth Sunday in June and
continued two weeks. We had no conversions, but the church was
revived. During these meetings many persons came forward to be
prayed for. Two weeks later the fire of the Holy Ghost which was
kindled here broke out at Pattonville. We joined our brethren out
there in a week and a half meeting. Before the meetings broke up we
had thirteen to come out on the Lord’s side; six joined our church,
and the rest went into other churches. Bro. Jordan Carter, a worthy
young member of my church, keeps up this work here and at New
Hope. The spiritual condition of these churches in the country is
good. Pattonville church has 30 or more members, and New Hope and
Paradise 43. These churches meet with us in a quarterly conference
regularly.
Our white brethren of the various denominations invited us colored
brethren to organize with them in a minister’s meeting which meets
every Monday at 3 P.M. We are discussing some very vital questions
in these meetings.
* * * * *
OPENING OF SCHOOLS.
* * * * *
BEREA, KY.
The Fall term of Berea College opens with greater promise than
ever before. There are more students, and they bring more money.
Two-thirds are colored, if the slightest shade of black is reckoned
negro; but, if divided according to predominance of color, fully
half are white.
* * * * *
McLEANSVILLE, N.C.
On the 16th of September we closed a two months Normal school, the
first ever attempted here. We enrolled 20 pupils, six of whom had
taught school, and four were preparing to teach next winter. Most
of the others were primary scholars.
Our pupils did good work. Since the school closed, some of our
pupils have attended a Teacher’s Institute in an adjoining county,
lasting a week. One of them proved to be one of the best scholars
present, was commended by the county superintendent of instruction,
who conducted the institute, and by him urged to attend the public
examination of teachers in October.
* * * * *
MONTGOMERY, ALA.
Swayne School opened last year with 300 pupils, this year with 400,
showing an encouraging increase of 100.
We are securing student aid from friends at the North for several
students who have gone from here to the higher institutions. Most
of our best students are quite young and can do as well here at
present, except that it is better for them to be in an institution
where they can be under proper control twenty-four hours in the
day. The social and church life of these people is so bad that we
advise all to leave for boarding-schools and colleges as soon as
they can.
* * * * *
EMERSON INSTITUTE, MOBILE, ALA.
The institute opened its doors on the 3d inst. The full corps of
seven teachers, including music teacher, were present. In the two
lower grades the attendance of pupils somewhat exceeded that of
last year; in the higher grades it was less. The total was 52. At
the end of four days it has increased to 75. This dilatory entrance
will probably continue until the total will run up to 300, or
thereabouts. Some of our students residing at remote points wrote
that many new ones would come; but the drought has delayed, perhaps
prevented them. The uncommon heat of the summer has cut off the
expected means of some. Poverty is keeping a considerable number
of our former Normal pupils at work for the present. The outlook
presents many hopeful points.
* * * * *
HOWARD UNIVERSITY.
REV. W. W. PATTON, D.D., WASHINGTON, D.C.
Our new year has opened at Howard University with great promise
of good. A remarkably large attendance at prayers, the first
day, showed an increase of punctuality in the return of the old
students, and an influx of new ones. Thus far 80 new students have
joined the Normal Department and about 30 the Preparatory. The
incoming Freshman Class of College numbers 8. Already 13 new ones
have joined the Theological Department and others are expected.
Many more would have come to it, but the standard of admission is
now much higher than it used to be, and will be gradually raised
as better and better material will be furnished. We discourage
and often reject poorly qualified applicants. The Medical and Law
courses are just commencing their term, and with bright prospects.
The medical faculty is one of eminence, three of its members
having been connected with the illness of President Garfield; Dr.
Purvis being the first to prescribe for him after the shooting;
Dr. Reyburn having been one of the six physicians in regular
attendance; and Dr. Lamb having performed the operation at the
autopsy. Last year this department had 81 students (a majority
being white), and this year the number will sum up to nearly quite
a hundred. It is open to ladies as well as gentlemen. All the law
graduates of last year (5 in number) have come back to take the
post-graduate course. The law students this year will number twenty
or more.
The University students, through poverty, are compelled to
spend the vacation in earning money (for which they find many
opportunities to the north of us), and have been acting as waiters
at the springs and the seaside resorts, where their good behavior
makes many friends and often secures benefactors. Eight of the
theological students gave themselves to missionary work with
great success during the summer. One received twenty converts
to the church, the Sabbath before he came back to resume study.
The others were in the rural district of Southern Virginia,
dark with ignorance, where they established day-schools as well
as Sunday-schools, aided in a very interesting Sunday-school
convention of that region, visited the families and preached
the Gospel. It is thought that several new churches will soon
result from these efforts, and one such was organized last month.
They gave special attention to encouraging young men to prepare
for usefulness as teachers and ministers, but hardly any proper
facilities exist there, and poverty prevents them from going
elsewhere to obtain education. We are continually tried by not
having the means to aid those seeking the higher education, as the
number increases and their literary character improves, while the
colored people must have educated leaders in church and state.
* * * * *
HAMPTON, VA.
MISS HELEN W. LUDLOW.
Hampton begins the year with a large influx of students. They
have come in much faster and more promptly than ever before. Last
year, our largest number was 385, including 70 Indians; now, on
the sixth day of school, we have 385, only 40 of whom are Indians.
They appear to be a good set—hopeful material—on the whole, in
advance of former years. Indeed, so many more have applied than it
is possible to accommodate, that it has been our duty, of course,
to select the best, and examinations have been more severe. Our
quarters are full to overflowing, especially the girls’. There is
a larger proportion of these than ever. Seven of our returning
students report that they have taught schools this vacation. A few
more who will return are still out teaching. Of the few students,
sixty-one reported having come through the agency of our graduate
teachers, and fourteen more through that of undergraduates. One
girl brought nine. Several of our graduate teachers came in person
to bring their students.
Forty-seven students reported as having worked as Sunday-school
teachers this summer. Some have been active in temperance work, and
give interesting account of their efforts, especially among the
young. They find the old people hard to touch. They are, of course,
most of them too young themselves to do as effective work as our
graduate teachers. A revival has been in progress through the
summer in some of the colored churches of Hampton, and our students
who stayed at the school to work through vacation, took part in the
meetings to some extent. Our own Sunday-school organization was
kept up under our resident graduates. In the course of the summer
our students here also interested themselves in an effort to aid
the Tuskegee Normal School, Alabama, taught by our two graduates,
Mr. Booker Washington and Miss Olivia Davidson; and succeeded by
their own exertions in raising by a festival and otherwise, $75
towards the payment of a small farm (already half paid for), by the
purchase of which Mr. Washington is trying to put his school on a
manual labor basis.
The Hampton School Mission Association, organized last year, will
continue its work by helping in the Sunday-schools in the town,
Bible reading in the jail and poor-house, and among the aged poor,
and aiding them in other ways within their power. Our young men
have taken a great pleasure in giving a day’s work now and then to
patch up some poor old cabin against the severity of the winter, or
to supply some poor old aunty with food and fire.
As to your inquiry for the number, condition and wants of students
seeking a higher education, I suppose if the question were put to
the school, how many would _like_ to pursue a higher education,
they would rise _en masse_, without always much appreciation of the
labor or the value in it; but the Hampton School is so well-known
to be established on the basis of self-help, and for the purpose
of immediate helpfulness, that it draws to it chiefly the class
who are glad of a chance to work their way through school, and are
seeking to fit themselves as promptly as possible for the work of
life. The opportunities for this, in learning trades and in Normal
training, are greater this year than ever.
General Armstrong left on September 27th for Dakota, with 30 Indian
students, 23 boys and 7 girls, who having been with us three
years, are now returning to their homes. The morning they started,
the last three of them were received into the church by baptism. We
feel hopeful for all, believing in the sincerity of their purpose,
as shown in their lives, to “walk the good road by the help of
Jesus.” Every boy and young man took with him from $15 to $25
worth of tools of his trade, which he had earned here by his own
labor. The girls had corresponding working implements. Provision
has been made ahead for their regular employment as soon as they
get to their homes, and Gen. Armstrong goes with them there, with
two ladies to take care of the girls, to get them settled, to visit
their agencies, and see their parents. He is expected back by the
15th, and has Government authority to bring back 42 new students,
including both sexes, 25 boys and 17 girls.
Forty Indian students are still in the school, and looking forward
with interest to having some new comrades to initiate into the
mysteries of civilization they have themselves so lately acquired.
They are about half of them Arizonas, some of them Apaches, bright,
docile and earnest. We only wish that those of their tribe now on
the war-path could join them here. After what experience we have
had, we should not be afraid to try them. It has led us to the
conclusion that the Indian is a human being, and susceptible of
development in the right direction, as well as “our brother in
black” or in white.
* * * * *
BEACH INSTITUTE.
PROF. H. H. WRIGHT, SAVANNAH, GA.
The fall term of Beach Institute has opened with a marked
improvement over the opening of a year ago. The pupils of the
previous year have returned with an earnestness for _work_, and
their deportment has been marked with a degree of quiet and
manliness which is very gratifying to their teachers. The new
pupils who have entered have fallen in with the current without
creating the least disturbance. The opening weeks of 1880 were
marred by continual quarreling and even fighting upon the
play-ground. This year there has been none. Quite a number of the
advanced pupils were hopefully converted during the summer, and are
showing the fruits of the Spirit in their lives in school. We have
great hopes of a continued outpouring of the Spirit upon the school.
During the recent cyclone the school-house remained comparatively
uninjured, but the “Home” was rendered roofless and floods of water
poured through the building. The colored people in this vicinity
suffered extremely. Hundreds who lived on the low islands or rice
islands, which are scarce ever covered with tidal waters, were
overwhelmed, their houses destroyed and large numbers drowned. Even
yet, a month since the storm, bodies of the dead negroes are being
found in out-of-the-way places. A planter told me today of two
such found a few days ago by his reapers in the middle of his rice
fields.
* * * * *
ATLANTA UNIVERSITY.
REV. C. W. FRANCIS, ATLANTA, GA.
We find on this second day of our school session a fair attendance
and good prospects for a prosperous year. The number registered
thus far is 125, of whom 82 are boarders, the number a little
larger than that of last year at the opening.
The proportion of new pupils is also a little larger, and in most
cases they come under the care and persuasion of older pupils who
have been teaching them during the vacation weeks. This mode of
recruiting has always been effective, and as our accommodations
have been used to their utmost capacity every season, we have never
ventured to employ any other means to secure attendance lest we be
overwhelmed. A most hopeful feature in the case of the incoming
students is the large preponderance of girls who come without any
special solicitation, which indicates a greatly improved sentiment
in regard to their education and position in the community, and
gives it abundant material for the most effective work in behalf of
the elevation of the people.
There has been little opportunity thus far to learn save from
letters as to the character of the missionary work done by the
pupils during their vacation, but we have good reason to know that
it has been more abundant and effective than in any season before.
A larger share of the pupils went out as followers of Christ than
heretofore, and a larger supply of temperance literature was put
into their hands, and the sentiment of the people toward them and
their work is increasingly favorable. It seems probable that the
appeals for assistance on the part of worthy pupils will be greater
than usual on account of the smaller returns their best endeavors
to help themselves have secured.
A severe and protracted drought has affected all this region,
so that the cotton crop was small and required early attention,
and pupils were taken out of school and attendance and pay were
rendered small. We meet under the shadow of sorrow, having lost
five students by death during the vacation, one of them a beloved
member of the senior class. We hope that the tender and thoughtful
feeling which manifestly prevails thus far may lead ere long to
great and blessed results.
* * * * *
LEWIS HIGH SCHOOL.
REV. S. E. LATHROP, MACON, GA.