VOL. XXXIV. NO. 4.
THE
AMERICAN MISSIONARY.
* * * * *
“To the Poor the Gospel is Preached.”
* * * * *
APRIL, 1880.
_CONTENTS_:
EDITORIAL.
PARAGRAPHS 97
DEATH OF SECRETARIES BUSH AND DASHIELL—DEATH OF
MISS DELL SAFFORD 98
MISSIONARY PERIODICALS 98
THROUGH THE LIGHT CONTINENT 99
TWENTY PER CENT 99
THE NEW PLEA 100
CONGREGATIONALISM IN THE SOUTH 101
IGNORANCE OF THE NEGRO QUESTION 102
AN ILLUSTRATED PRESS 103
ITEMS FROM THE FIELD 104
GENERAL NOTES 105
THE FREEDMEN.
VIRGINIA, CARRSVILLE—Large Ingathering 106
NORTH CAROLINA, MCLEANSVILLE—Facts about the
Taught and the Teachers 107
GEORGIA—NO. 1 MILLER STATION—A Struggling Church,
etc. 109
GEORGIA, MACON—A Lady’s S. S. and Missionary Work 110
GEORGIA, MCINTOSH, LIBERTY CO.—Communion Season 110
GEORGIA—Church and School must Work Together 111
ALABAMA—Notes from Marion—Mrs. Geo. E. Hill 113
MISSISSIPPI, TOUGALOO—A Brother’s Devotion 114
MISSISSIPPI—Report of the State Superintendent of
Public Education 115
LOUISIANA—Revival in Central Church—Theological
Department—Church Dedication 116
TENNESSEE—Revival in Fisk University 117
THE INDIANS.
CHURCH—CHRISTMAS—BIBLES 117
THE CHINESE.
OUR NEW FIELDS—DEATH OF ED. P. SANFORD, ESQ. 118
CHILDREN’S PAGE.
A VOYAGE TO AFRICA—PROF. CHASE TO HIS
FOUR-YEAR-OLD BOY 120
RECEIPTS 121
CONSTITUTION 125
AID, STATISTICS, WANTS 126
* * * * *
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.
ANDREW LESTER, Esq., N. Y.
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.
HORACE HALLOCK, Esq., Mich.
Rev. CYRUS W. WALLACE, D.D., N. H.
Rev. EDWARD HAWES, D.D., Ct.
DOUGLAS PUTNAM, Esq., Ohio.
Hon. THADDEUS FAIRBANKS, Vt.
SAMUEL D. PORTER, Esq., N. Y.
Rev. M. M. G. DANA, D. D., Minn.
Rev. H. W. BEECHER, N. Y.
Gen. O. O. HOWARD, Oregon.
Rev. G. F. MAGOUN, D. D., Iowa.
Col. C. G. HAMMOND, Ill.
EDWARD SPAULDING, M. D., N. H.
DAVID RIPLEY, Esq., N. J.
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, Minn.
Rev. J. W. STRONG, D. D., Minn.
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.
PETER SMITH, Esq., Mass.
Dea. JOHN C. WHITIN, Mass.
Hon. J. B. GRINNELL, Iowa.
Rev. WM. T. CARR, Ct.
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.
CORRESPONDING SECRETARY.
REV. M. E. STRIEBY, D.D., _56 Reade Street, N. Y._
DISTRICT SECRETARIES.
REV. C. L. WOODWORTH, _Boston_.
REV. G. D. PIKE, _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,
GEO. M. BOYNTON,
WM. B. BROWN,
C. T. CHRISTENSEN,
CLINTON B. FISK,
ADDISON P. FOSTER,
S. B. HALLIDAY,
SAMUEL HOLMES,
CHARLES A. HULL,
EDGAR KETCHUM,
CHAS. L. MEAD,
WM. T. PRATT,
J. A. SHOUDY,
JOHN H. WASHBURN,
G. B. WILLCOX.
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. Geo. M. Boynton, 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. XXXIV. APRIL, 1880. No. 4.
* * * * *
American Missionary Association.
* * * * *
Among the list of our workers in the February number, two names
were in some unaccountable way omitted. We hasten to supply them
here—Mrs. H. B. Northrop is our missionary at New Orleans, La., and
Rev. P. W. Young the pastor of our church at Byron, Ga.
* * * * *
Our lady teachers are also missionaries. The lady missionaries
sent out by the Woman’s Boards often find their first and most
effective means of access to the people in the schools they start
for girls. Our one hundred and fifteen lady teachers are doing the
work of Christian training along with that of school teaching, and
are missionaries nearly as much as the seven ladies who devote
themselves exclusively to direct mission work. They have a right to
consider themselves as missionaries.
* * * * *
We notice in the list of officers of the First State Sunday-school
Convention of Louisiana, the name of Rev. W. S. Alexander,
President of Straight University and pastor of the Central
Congregational Church of New Orleans, as one of the Vice-Presidents
and also of the Executive Committee. He was chairman of the
Committees of Credentials and on the Constitution. Dr. Roy was
also present. Certainly there is no cause for a complaint of lack
of recognition of those engaged in our work in the midst of such
examples as these.
* * * * *
The question how to interest the Sunday-schools in missionary work
has met with a new answer in the cordial reception and use of our
Jubilee Concert Exercise. Five large editions have been exhausted,
and now a second Exercise has been prepared (No. 2), in which a
number of questions are to be answered by as many persons as there
are letters in the alphabet, covering the main facts of our various
work. Five Jubilee Songs are inserted to be sung by a choir, and
place is left for short addresses. We commend it to our friends,
who will receive as many copies as they need for use, gratuitously,
by applying to Dist. Sec. Pike.
* * * * *
It is with profound sadness that we record the death of two of
our most esteemed co-laborers in the administration of missionary
work. The Rev. Charles P. Bush, D. D., for many years associated
with all our churches, especially in the Middle States, as the
District Secretary of the A. B. C. F. M., has not only enjoyed the
confidence, but won the love, of pastors and people on every hand.
We shall miss him greatly. The Rev. Robert L. Dashiell, D. D., the
Secretary of the Missionary Society of the Methodist Episcopal
Church, has been a tower of strength not only to the broad
missionary enterprises of that denomination, but, by his genial
sympathy and wise counsels, has added to the efficiency and courage
of his brethren in the work outside of his own organization.
* * * * *
We much regret to learn of the death of Miss Dell Safford, formerly
a teacher under this Association. For six years, she labored
faithfully and conscientiously among the Freedmen in Talladega
and Selma, Ala. She was patient and untiring in her efforts for
the real good of those under her instruction, and her interest in
them did not flag even after she left the field, but showed itself
especially in the care she exercised over one of her pupils, whom
she had brought with her that he might receive the benefits of a
Northern education. After leaving the service of this Society,
she removed to Wisconsin. But a cold taken in the spring, when
she was already overworked and worn, could not be controlled,
and consumption followed. She died at the last very suddenly of
hemorrhage.
* * * * *
One of the most hopeful signs of the times in the missionary field
is seen in the increasing demand and the corresponding supply of
missionary intelligence. The _Missionary Herald_ has enlarged its
space between the borders, and fills it with valuable matter. Its
strong point is, as it has been, its full and valuable letters from
the front. The _Foreign Missionary_ of the Presbyterian Board has
been of late renewing its youth, and coming up, until it has become
the most suggestive and vivacious of all the periodicals of the
kind which meet our eyes. But nowadays, when intelligent people
read the doings of all the world every morning at their breakfast
tables, and are no longer satisfied with the village or the county
news, they must have something which shall give them broader views
of the great field of missions, which is the world, than they can
obtain from the organs of special societies.
To meet this want, the societies themselves are increasingly
informing their constituency that there is other work being done
than that they do themselves. “The work of other societies”
is becoming a familiar heading. Even this, however, does not
answer the full demands—and that the day has come for missionary
periodicals, which are edited and circulated upon the same basis
as those which deal with scientific or material progress, shows
that the broader interests of the coming kingdom are taking more
fully their appropriate place in the hearts and minds of Christian
men and women. The _Missionary Review_, which has been published
for more than two years from Princeton, New Jersey, and which as
an unsparing critic of existing missionary societies, is adapted
to promote great circumspection in those who administer them, is
re-enforced in this general field by _The Gospel in all Lands_,
edited by Rev. Albert B. Simpson, and published by Randolph,
which will give itself to the broader aspects and principles of
missionary work, and to a compilation of fresh intelligence from
all quarters. We rejoice in all such methods for the diffusion of
knowledge, and the stimulation of interest, in carrying out “the
great commission.”
* * * * *
“_Through the Light Continent_” is a comely octavo in elegant type,
from the London press, giving the observations of William Saunders
on a tour taken through our country in 1877–8. In a chapter upon
“Education in Atlanta,” after speaking of the Public Schools, he
says: “One of the most interesting institutions of Atlanta is
the University for the education of colored persons, under the
superintendence of Professor Ware. The Atlanta University has 175
students (the last catalogue made them 244), half of whom pay
the fees and cost of board. Many young negroes have worked, and
saved up $200 or $300 in order to come to the University. It will
thus be seen that the energy which the negroes are manifesting to
obtain education is not confined to the ordinary work of the Board
of Schools, but extends to the higher branches of learning. About
75 of the students are girls, and their progress is regarded as
universally satisfactory.
Professor and Mrs. Ware, who have devoted their lives to this work
with true missionary zeal, are now much cheered to find their
labors recognized and encouraged in quarters from which persistent
opposition was formerly experienced. When they came to Atlanta,
any manifestation of regard for the blacks was looked upon as an
act of hostility to the whites; but a great change has taken place
in public opinion, and it is now generally felt that national
advancement requires the elevation of the negro race, and those who
undertake their education are no longer regarded with disfavor.
There are many societies in the Northern States for promoting
numerous enterprises amongst the negroes. Before reaching Atlanta,
I noticed a large crowd of negroes at one of the wayside stations,
and found the occasion to be the leaving of a missionary, who had
been working amongst them for two or three years, and was then
changing his station. The respect and regard paid to him and to his
wife were pleasant to see; the missionary was a most intelligent
travelling companion, evidently devoted to his work in the genuine
spirit of Christianity.”
* * * * *
TWENTY PER CENT.
The enthusiasm evinced at the last Annual Meeting, our freedom
from the long-borne burden of our debt, the general interest which
seemed to be renewed in the welfare of the Freedmen, and the
commencing and anticipated prosperity in the financial world, all
conspired to encourage us to plan and prepare for an enlarged work
and more abundant results. In carrying out these purposes, the
Executive Committee have appropriated about _twenty per cent._ more
than in the previous year to the Southern field.
The total receipts thus far have been very gratifying,—and yet,
when we come to analyze them, we find that they are, in a larger
measure than formerly, sent to us to be appropriated to special
departments of the work, or more often to special work not included
in our estimates. This is both gratifying and embarrassing:
gratifying, because it indicates an increasing familiarity with
the details of our work, and special sympathy with this or that
portion of the whole; but embarrassing, because it cannot fail to
be a diversion of funds which have been anticipated by us to meet
the appropriations already made to new fields, and often to create,
instead of covering, expense.
We recognize these needs, of student aid, of woman’s work, and of
special endowment, and we would not have these particular demands
neglected. It is only that if all the money were to be thus
specifically applied by the donors, there would be none left for
the main work, on which the ability to carry on all the specialties
depends. Don’t starve the body in order to enlarge the hand or the
foot. The best growth of all is that which comes from the food,
which enters by the mouth into the stomach, and, vitalized, is
carried through the whole system. If you appropriate all the fuel
on the steamer to the donkey engines, what will you do with the
great machinery whose work it is to revolve the main propeller? If
in your city water-works, you enlarge the side supply pipes and
leave the old mains, you get not more, but less, water into the
houses.
What do we ask, then?—1. That your _special appropriations be
special gifts_, additions to, and not diversions of, the moneys you
are wont to give to the general work of the Association. 2. That
you do not fail in your church, or from your private purse, to give
us something _this year_. 3. That as you have encouraged us to lay
out a larger work, you send us for general uses at least _twenty
per cent._ more than you did last year.
* * * * *
THE NEW PLEA.
Henceforth the basis of our appeal to the churches ought to be
gratitude, not necessity; thankfulness, not the cry of sharp
distress; the impulse kindled at the sight of opening fields,
widening opportunities, intelligent appreciation of service done
and rewarding results.
The large additions to the churches in the foreign field, their
increasing spirit of benevolence, the awakening interest in the
cause of education, the world-wide readiness and call for helpers,
the cheering indications of an abundant harvest of souls, soon to
be gathered, the overwhelming demand in our own land for immediate
work upon the frontier and at the South, among the depressed races
and the incoming population, the return of prosperous times, and
the ever-pressing command of Christ, are considerations so potent,
so eloquent in their united plea, that the first thought of him who
listens is, “How can any Christian heart resist the new plea!” What
can hinder a most liberal investment in causes that promise such
rich returns?
Instead of exhausting all the strength of the crew at the pumps in
a desperate endeavor to save the ship from sinking, has the time
not come, when, with canvas all spread, and the ship sea-worthy,
rightly headed and well under way, the main question shall be,
how to touch every harbor, explore every river, sail every inland
sea, and leave the precious freighting of the Gospel at every
port around the globe? Is it quite creditable to our piety, our
devotion, our loyalty to Christ, that we can resist appeals based
upon love, goodness, merciful interposition, glorious enlargement,
and wait until we are crowded to a reluctant response by the plea
of dire necessity, overshadowing peril?
There are most cheering indications that the new plea is becoming
effectual. We are informed of a number of instances in which
churches have lately nearly or quite doubled their contributions to
the American Board, and that, too, apparently with great heartiness
and joy. Gifts, also, from some private and unexpected sources
have been a cheering indication of the advance movement. The same
indications are, to a certain extent, true of the other Societies.
A mid-summer appeal for larger and extra contributions, in order to
prevent a deficit, ought to be anticipated, and made impossible, by
ample gifts now. The volume of offerings during the _first half of
the year_, ought to be so large as to remove all anxiety concerning
the state of the treasuries of these Societies when their accounts
close. How pleasant, if, at the annual meetings, the friends could
be surprised with reports of a surplus instead of deficits.
Ought there not to be a stern purpose to pay as we go, and to
pay with sufficient liberality to enable us to go with vigor and
dispatch to the utmost bound of a rapidly increasing demand? May
the plea of great interposition, great opportunity and great
ability find fitting response.—_The Advance._
* * * * *
CONGREGATIONALISM IN THE SOUTH.
We reprint the following article from the _Christian Recorder_,
the able organ of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. It is a
significant endorsement of the church work done by the Association,
and from those who are most profoundly concerned in the Christian
elevation of the colored people of the land. We have not even
omitted the sharp criticism of the approving words of those who
gathered at Chicago to review our work, hoping that we may thus
escape the charge of “Phariseeism” in accepting the commendations
and congratulations of our brethren of the A. M. E. Church:
“The thirty-third Annual Report of the American Missionary
Association is before us. We wish that we could place the Report
in the hands of every A. M. E. preacher in the land. Years ago
we called attention to the fact that the A. M. A. was destined
to become the strongest competitor the A. M. E. would find in
the South. As we declared, it is even now seen. The twenty-three
Congregational churches of 1869 have become sixty-seven in 1879.
But it may be said, what is sixty-seven churches with a membership
of 4,600, compared to our thousands? They would not be much, to
be sure, were they of the same general material. But they are
not. They are, as it were, a picked body. In a sense they may be
said to occupy the same relation to our Church as the regular
army sustains to the volunteer force of the country. And we all
know what that means. A thousand regulars can do the work of ten
thousand volunteers. Is it asked, How is this? The answer is at
hand. Each Congregational church grew out of the school which the
Congregational preacher in the person of a teacher taught. Knowing
his material, and wielding it much as the potter wields the clay,
he occupied for his church a position decidedly advantageous; and
the result shows that he has not failed to profit by it.
“In nothing that we have said is it to be supposed that we are in
wrath at their manifest success. Of course, we have no patience
with the spirit of Phariseeism breathed forth in the report of the
Committee on Church Work in the South. Nothing that the typical
Pharisee of the New Testament said excels it; but for the work
itself of these, our companions in the kingdom and patience of
Jesus Christ, we entertain the highest possible respect; begging,
however, the privilege of suggesting that next year’s report be not
so strenuously self-complacent.
“And now we repeat what we have so often said to our brother
ministers, especially of the South, where they are brought in
contact with this energetic body of men: Know, once for all, that
the Church possessed of the best cultured heads and the best
cultured hearts, is to win. That we are infinitely stronger in
numbers to-day than are the Congregationalists, argues nothing
for the future. It is with churches as with everything else, the
fittest survives. If African Methodism prove to be that fittest,
it will survive. If not, it must inevitably pass away, and only
be remembered as a thing of the past. To be the fittest, it
is required that she banish all ignorance, all immorality and
superstition from her midst. This must be done, let the cost be
what it may. Thin out the ministry of the church until there shall
not be found an ignorant man nor a bad man in the ranks. Thin out
the church itself. Expel the vicious. Drive out the notoriously
bad. Have a clean church. Let such steps as these be taken, and
African Methodism will have a future that will be to the glory of
God and the best interests of mankind. But if she draw back, let
her remember that God can take no pleasure in her.”
* * * * *
IGNORANCE OF THE NEGRO QUESTION.
From a paper read by W. N. Armstrong, Esq., before the Yale Alumni
Association of New York in January, as printed in _The Present
Century_:
There is an astounding ignorance in the North regarding the
conditions and relations of the blacks and whites of the South. The
North in full control of the National Government for many years,
has had before it a vast and complicated problem in statesmanship.
Instead of working at it intelligently, it has lost itself in a fog
of political prejudice, and is not ready at this late day to take
an honest look into the matter.
For the last fifteen years what have we known of the South,
especially of the blacks? What steps have we taken to ascertain the
actual truth regarding four millions of negroes whom we suddenly
railroaded into our political system? When the General Government
wished to obtain facts concerning the geological, botanical and
mineral character of the Western territory, it sent out experts
skilled in examining, testing, classifying and surveying. These men
were kept in the field for years, and their reports fill a score
of volumes, and now we know something about the plains and the
mountains. For the intricate social questions of the South, that
vast tract of unknown land, that section of the Dark Continent in
America, we have neither expert or surveyor, or intelligent process
of examination, though the demands for accuracy in social science
are as imperative as in physical. Visiting statesmen have been
there. But was a visiting statesman ever known to report a fact
which hurt his party?
Northern men who are in the South for the purpose of getting office
will not tell the truth, because it may bear against them. Southern
men, as a rule, do not report the real facts, because they are
prejudiced. Northern men who have become prosperous in business
at the South, long since discovered that silence was golden, and
their lips are sealed to the public. The testimony of the blacks
is the most unreliable of all for reasons which will be given
hereafter. The poor Northern men who have failed to make a fortune
in the South have a grievance, and cannot be trusted. It is upon
the newspaper correspondent that the North has relied mainly for
information. But he is always under limitations. One of them (whom
you all know by reputation) said to me—“We correspondents are not
sent here to find out the actual truth, but to support the theories
of the papers which send us. It won’t do for me to say in my
letters that the nigger is to blame, when the editorial columns of
my paper say the white men are in the wrong.” The newspaper makes
its theory first, or it inherits a theory, and then sends out for
facts to fit it. Does not every one know beforehand how every daily
paper in this city will treat any given political event? The best
sources of information regarding the blacks are his educators.
These men, all of them from the North, know something about the
negro. Though little enough as yet, Congress has never asked
these teachers to tell what they know about him. Facts regarding
the lives or the motives of men are not obvious. The newspaper
correspondent cannot reach them in an hour, or even in a year.
I have been personally familiar with a number of events in the
South. I have never known one of these to be correctly reported.
Has any lawyer of this city ever known one of his cases to be
reported accurately in the daily press? Truth seems to be in a
deep well everywhere. The _Herald_ says Edison’s light is a great
success. The _Nation_ is doubtful about it. An electrician of rare
skill tells me it is a humbug. If we cannot get at the truth about
matters near at home, what shall be expected regarding matters in a
distant section of the country?
The Republican believes what his newspaper tells him about the
South, and the Democrat does not believe it. They never unite for
investigation. The historian will say hereafter that the real
outrage was in our criminal neglect to ascertain the truth. It is
easy to see that it is supremely difficult to get at the facts
about two races jostling together, like huge vessels thumping and
pounding against each other in a rolling sea.
Last year the negro paper in Charleston, South Carolina, advocated
the election of a Democratic mayor. The Republican papers had no
use for that fact. It did not indicate the existence of outrages.
It was rather in the line of what Tyndall calls the tragedy of
science—a beautiful theory killed by an incontrovertible fact.
For two years the Democratic party of Georgia has been so broken
up that as many as six or seven independent Democratic tickets in
local issues have been in the field in many counties, and the white
candidate, who has captured a negro vote, sees to it with rifle and
revolver that no other white opponent interferes with that black
vote.
Facts like these occur by the hundred in Southern politics, but the
Republican press ignore them. The Northern men who are educating
the negro regard Captain Thompson, superintendent of public
schools in South Carolina, as one of the most efficient men of the
South in extending negro education; but the _Tribune_ calls him
a bloody-shirt orator. The negro teacher is at present his best
friend, and his evidence about the whites should be credible if not
conclusive.
* * * * *
AN ILLUSTRATED PRESS.
We have received two communications lately in regard to the
importance of the Press in the education of the colored people—one
from an esteemed friend in the West, urging that other institutions
should follow the example of Hampton and Talladega in publishing
papers. We are not sure that this is altogether desirable. There
must be many favoring conditions to make it a success; otherwise
there is a certainty of pecuniary loss and wasted effort. The
other letter is from an English missionary in the West Indies, who
thus states the case as to the value of periodical literature to
supplement the influences of the church and the school:
“There remains, as a means of elevating and advancing the colored
people, the Press. The periodical Press has been of untold service
in promoting the civilization of the English and American white
laborers. It has come into their homes, arousing them, week by
week, with fresh power and stimulus. It has filled their homes
with pictures of beauty, which delighted themselves and their
children, and taught them, indirectly, (and therefore most
effectually,) lessons of thrift, neatness and refinement. Every
picture of a clean, neatly-dressed child, of a well-kept home, of
a happy fireside group, etc., etc., carried its lesson and left
its impress, suggesting imitation, and stimulating efforts for
improvement.
“Now, what periodicals are there in the whole wide world that
will thus encourage, stimulate and arouse the colored people? Not
one. I have not met with any English or American publication at
all suited to their needs. It is a common remark of the people
here, when asked to adopt some reform: ‘That will do for _white_
people; but it is not for we.’ And if the _British Workman_, or
any similar paper, is placed in their hands, it but intensifies
this feeling. The contrast between themselves and white people is
constantly before them. Week after week they will see pictures of
pleasant homes and scenes in home life, and in every case these are
connected with the home of the _white_ man. If, by chance, some
colored face is shown, it is as a curiosity, like a Modoc Indian, a
Chinaman or a Zulu.
“What is urgently needed is something that will meet the needs
of colored laborers, in periodical literature, as the needs of
the white laboring classes are now met. I think that there should
without delay be established in America some new periodical—or some
periodical now established should be so modified in the manner of
conducting it—that, pursuing the broad lines of humanity, would
secure two things:
“1.—In the illustrations, the manhood of the colored man would
receive recognition, and _his_ home, _his_ children, incidents
of _his_ life, would appear from time to time, in such way as
to convey to all colored people a feeling of emulation, a hope
and inspiration, stimulating them to achieve better things for
themselves.
“2.—In the letter-press, care would be taken to avoid those figures
of speech which carry with them an implied degradation of the
colored people. To illustrate, what is ‘foul’ would not be made
synonymous with what is ‘black.’”
There is certainly sound reason in the above suggestions, and it
would seem that good results might follow the proposed plan. Just
how it is to be done is the question. The paying constituency
of such a paper would probably be too small to make it a matter
of mere business enterprise. Perhaps to some one the good to be
accomplished may seem large enough and direct enough to warrant the
needed outlay of thought, time and capital.
* * * * *
ITEMS FROM THE FIELD.
RALEIGH, N. C.—Great religious interest is reported throughout the
city. Our little church is sharing in the great blessing—church
members are being revived and others are inquiring the way of life.
WOODBRIDGE, N. C.—During the last two weeks we have had a
remarkable outpouring of the Spirit. On two afternoons we have had
to suspend the school exercises on account of those weeping over
their sins. Some little ones will not leave the house till they
feel forgiven. Almost all are from the Band of Hope. The older ones
look on in surprise at such a work among the children. Some have
tried to stop their children from praying, but they could come to
school and pray, or go out in the woods till they were converted,
and then they couldn’t help it. We have a daily prayer-meeting in
the school-house, in which all take part. Sometimes we have open
meetings for the children. We have nightly revival meetings, in
which the children are taking hold as far as it seems advisable.
_Later._—One Saturday, four came to tell us of sins forgiven. Since
then, for three weeks, almost every day has brought one or more,
till about thirty have believed, and several others are anxious.
Most of these are children; a few are pretty small. To-day some of
them have been praying, all their spare time, that they may be able
to hold out to the end.
It is a time of struggle here. People are so poor as to hardly have
enough to eat of the poorest fare, and clothing is pretty scarce.
No capital in the place. They spin and weave their own garments,
even to the thread.
MACON, GA.—Bro. B. arrived on the 23d of February, and we began
our special meetings the next night. We had several extra prayer
meetings the previous week, when much earnest prayer was offered
for God’s blessing to come upon us. All things seemed to be in
readiness, the brethren of the church are already quickened, and
the meetings have been very encouraging from the start. The members
have taken hold with commendable zeal, and seem to be thoroughly
united. The meeting last night (March 3d) was almost a Pentecostal
season. There are fifteen or twenty inquirers, of the most hopeful
class of young men and women, and some intelligent middle-aged men.
The work is quiet and deep, without noise or nonsense, and seems to
be spreading every day.
SELMA, ALA.—When I last wrote, I think we were anticipating the
week of prayer with hope of some awakening. We observed the days
with very good attendance and very good results in quickening
members, still the expected ingathering of souls has not been
realized. Otherwise we think the church is in quite a flourishing
condition. Since the week of prayer, we have sustained three or
four cottage meetings every week, with good results, and with the
Literary Society, sociables, ladies’ weekly and monthly meetings,
and regular prayer meetings and teachers’ meetings, we have managed
to keep quite busy.
* * * * *
GENERAL NOTES.
The Indians.
—The House Committee on Indian Affairs has agreed to a bill which
proposes to place all that part of the Indian Territory not set
apart to, and occupied by, the Cherokee, Choctaw, Chickasaw, and
Seminole Indians, under the jurisdiction of the United States
District Court for the District of Kansas, held at Fort Scott,
in respect to the crimes of murder, manslaughter, arson, rape,
burglary and robbery. The exemptions, above stated, are placed
by the bill under United States District Court for Arkansas. The
bill further extends the provisions of the laws of the respective
States wherein are located Indian reservations to the reservations
themselves.
—A bill is now pending before the Indian Committee of the House,
upon which Governor Pound, a member of the committee and an
enthusiastic student of the Indian question, has made a favorable
report, providing for a number of Indian schools similar to that at
Carlisle; and it was in this connection that a visit of inspection
was recently made by Secretary Schurz, several members of the House
Committee on Indian Affairs, and two members of the Board of Indian
Commissioners. Besides the general advantages to result directly
from education of Indian youths, it is represented in support of
the measure that the presence of a number of children from each
tribe at schools in the East will be a most efficient guarantee of
good behavior on the part of the tribes.
It would seem, judging from the meagre opportunities for inspection
offered by a single visit to Carlisle, that the movement promises
to be an effectual aid, if not ultimately one of the chief
instruments, in settling the vexed Indian problem. If, however,
only a part of that which is expected is actually realized, still
it will have been a very profitable venture, both for the Indians
and for the Government.—_N. Y. Tribune._
* * * * *
Africa.
Extract from a letter received by the London Missionary Society:
—“Food continues cheap and plentiful; the market is a great
blessing—it fluctuates frequently, but the cause can generally be
seen; a recent rise in prices was caused by the sudden arrival of
several caravans of ivory from Manyuema. We are doing a little
better with the garden just now. One of our new men formerly worked
in an Arab’s garden, and under his advice and care we have onions
now coming up, and some of the seeds from Cape Colony are showing
signs of life. We have a good plot of sweet potatoes. The vegetable
called nyumbo—mentioned by Livingstone as being very wholesome—is
now procurable in the market; we find them very good and much like
potatoes; in shape and size they are like good-sized long radishes
with blunt tails; in colour and texture like English potatoes, but
stringy outside. Good beef is not procurable. Fish, fowls, and
goat’s flesh are plentiful; also eggs and butter.
“Having a good supply of sugar we have tried preserving, and
succeeded very well with lemon marmalade and jam of bananas and
guavas. Mr. Hutley has acquired the art of bread-making, and we
occasionally have an excellent loaf. We both find the maize meal
wholesome; it is capable of being made into a variety of puddings.
If I were asked of what I am in want in the shape of food, I would
say, first, cabbages; second, rhubarb: and lo, only to-day, Mr.
Hutley tells me that some Savoy cabbage seeds are showing signs
of life! So we may yet, with care, obtain several of the English
vegetables, which beat anything in this country, with all its
luxuriance.
“Wheat planting begins in a few days, at which we shall also have a
try. I think it probable we shall be able to procure ‘whole-wheat
meal’ from Unyanyembe in the season at a reasonable price. Men who
know the roads in the forest go to Unyanyembe in eight days; this
seems to us very near.”
* * * * *
THE FREEDMEN.
REV. JOS. E. ROY, D. D.,
FIELD SUPERINTENDENT, ATLANTA, GA.
* * * * *
VIRGINIA.
A large Ingathering.
MISS M. A. ANDRUS, CARRSVILLE.
Reading in the “Missionary” of the work done in the South, it
came into my mind to tell you of a work of grace here. Nearly all
of our Sabbath-school are converted. From sixty to seventy have
been baptized and received into this church, and since the 1st
of September the pastor has baptized 150. I have never before
labored in a Sabbath-school where I have felt so manifestly the
Spirit accompanying the word. It seemed to sink deep into the
hearts and take root there, and a harvest of souls is the result.
The pastor thinks the converts were more intelligent than usual,
and he imputed it to the instruction they had received in the
Sabbath-school. My method of instruction is, to expound the
Scriptures verse by verse, as read by each scholar, making special
application to each one individually, and so each one feels as if
he had a portion.
Sabbath before last, I had the blest privilege of seeing
forty-three of the converts all seated together in the front seats,
and it was to me an affecting sight. All ages were represented
there from the little child to the man of grey hairs.
I spoke to them of the joy it gave me to see them occupying such
a position, and of the joy to the angels of God over them, for
if there is joy in heaven among the angels over one sinner that
repenteth, how much more joy over such a number as I saw before me.
I read to them, “A charge to those who have just joined the
Church,” sent to me a few days before by Samuel B. Schieffelin
of New York, which seemed providentially to have come at that
time. They all listened with profound attention and seemed much
interested, and I trust a good and lasting impression was made upon
them.
After the reading, I presented each one with a copy of the
_Charge_, as it was in little book form, with which they seemed to
be much gratified.
* * * * *
NORTH CAROLINA.
Facts About the Taught and the Teachers.
MRS. ALFRED CONNET, McLEANSVILLE.
We have been here seventeen months. During this time I have
refrained from expressing myself in regard to the negroes and our
work among them. Every day we are more and more convinced of their
deep degradation; in fact, it is entirely beyond anything we had
imagined.
They seem to be guilty of the whole category of sins, but,
perhaps, their untruthfulness is most prominent. We cannot have
a self-reporting system in school, but there are some noble
exceptions to the general rule.
The most pitiable objects are those women who have families, but
never had husbands. One such woman last fall told me that she was
going to gather “shoemake” (shumac) leaves that week, and get her
a pair of shoes. Saturday afternoon, she stopped on her way home
from the store. “Well, Aunty, did you get your shoes?” “No; Mr.
F. showed me so much purty caliker that I bought me a dress.” She
already had about a dozen calico dresses. “But what will you do for
shoes?” “I don’t know; but I prays to the good Lord to keep me from
getting sick when I get my feet wet.” I guess He heard her, for she
is well. In contrast with this, the woman who washes for us saves
up her wages and buys just what she and her child really need.
The women have not made as much advancement as the men; but there
is good reason for this. They have gone to the field as regularly
as the men, and have had their cooking and housework to do; and,
in addition to this, they have borne a child every year or two.
When they come to church they have these small children to care
for. They were pleased when they learned that the “new minister”
was glad to see them and their babies. It is hard to hold their
attention, they are so tired, and have so much to think about what
they shall eat and wear. We wish we could do them more good; but we
must turn our energies principally to the young.
Sin and temptation beset the young girls on every side, and, alas!
too many of them yield. One asked me in regard to that terrible,
nameless crime. I told her that the life of the child was just as
sacred before birth as after birth. She said that the crime was
quite common here. Mr. C. has since preached against it.
Faith in God is very strong in some of them. One dear Aunty, who
has a very large family, and much to do, said: “When I feels so
tired, I just ask the Lord to give me strength to finish this
washing, or whatever I am doing, and he does it.” Her husband is
our Sunday-school Superintendent, and their children are the best
educated of any in the neighborhood. This family belongs to three
races—white, black and red—the latter predominating.
Some of the people seemed to get the idea that we were so anxious
for their children to attend school that they could dictate to
us, and they encouraged their children to rebel against necessary
government. One girl who ran away from school wrote a note
acknowledging her wrong and asking forgiveness; of course she was
gladly received back. Seven young men and two girls are doing their
own cooking so that they can remain longer. Five others are paying
board.
We have some very dull scholars. We have some bright ones. One
young man, fourteen months ago, did not know his letters. Now he
reads in National Third Reader and United States history, has
commenced grammar and geography, and is in fractions in arithmetic.
One pupil, who is a minister, is over thirty years of age. Three
other scholars are twenty-nine. Nearly all the larger ones are
teachers, or are preparing to teach. I think they will do much good
for their people.
I may be mistaken, but it seems to me that the negro does not
investigate or reason much, but acts according to his feelings.
Even the babies do not tear up their playthings to see what is
inside of them.
They are full of signs and superstitious notions. Our little girl,
Addie, showed a very small hen’s egg to some little girls. One of
them said: “My mother never allows us to take one into the house,
it is bad luck; but it is good luck to throw it over the house, and
we always do that.”
Mr. C. and I both teach six hours per day. Sometimes after school
we take the carriage and go to see some sick person. Last week
we went three miles to see one poor sick woman, who has lost the
use of one eye and is nearly blind in the other. She is a great
sufferer, but said, “My many afflictions and tribulations bring me
near the Lord, and I am so proud to see you all.” Last Saturday we
went four miles to see an old man who is probably on his death-bed.
He was sixty-three years a slave, is a Christian, has united with
the church since we came, and said that if he never met us here on
earth again, he hoped to in heaven. We sent him some food suitable
for him.
We see so much destitution that we can’t help giving until we feel
it. We do almost entirely without butter, and frequently without
sugar. We live very plainly, but contentedly. One man told in
church how much good it did him, when Mr. C. visited him last
summer, and assured him that his child was not past recovery. It
was a long ride of fourteen miles on horseback under a burning
Southern sun; but it greatly encouraged these humble Christians.
They are so ignorant that when they get sick, they think somebody
has poisoned them. They do not seem to have any confidence in each
other. One young woman, who spent five years with Miss Douglass,
assured me that she would not take medicine from a colored doctor,
if he was ever so well educated—“Because I am afraid he might be
mad at me and poison me.” It seems discouraging when years of good
training fail to eradicate such silly notions.
We are in a Ku Klux neighborhood, twenty white families within a
mile of us; but only three of these have ever made us a social call.
Our children have no associates. I am glad that there are six of
them and not just one or two.
We are obliged to keep one of the older children out of school to
take care of the babies, aged two and four years. I think it would
be a sin to leave them in the care of any of these colored people,
the greater part of each day. They are so ignorant and sinful and
superstitious, that I am sure they would poison their young minds.
Perhaps that is the reason the Southern people have given so much
trouble, they have had such ignorant nurses.
Our Sunday-school is large and doing well. We have large classes
because we have so few competent teachers; we are trying to train
others. Church services are well attended. Our work is made up
of lights and shades, but we like it, and thank the Lord that He
permits us to be humble workers in this part of His vineyard.
* * * * *
GEORGIA.
A Struggling Church—A Growing Temperance Work—Hindrances.
REV. J. R. McLEAN, NO. 1 MILLER STATION.
The school is doing well. I have enrolled 67 now, and have larger
scholars than at any time before. The Sunday-school is growing in
numbers and also in interest, and its work has had great power over
the people here for good.
The church has been pulling together quite well, and has raised
towards the work here about $30. A number of the people are not
able to do anything, for they need some one to help them to get
bread. None have joined the church this year thus far; still I hope
to have some come in before the year closes.
We have our house all ceiled inside, and now we are trying to get
it painted. I _do_ wish we could find some one to give us some
singing books, both for Sunday-school and church. We have only
three that we can use in worship. I like the “Songs of Devotion,”
but then anything else will do if we can get that.
The Temperance Society is doing good, but there is room for it to
do much more. At our meeting last Sabbath, five joined us. The band
numbers now about 50. Some, as might be expected, have broken their
pledges. I find it is those who are trained in our schools, and
those only, that take hold of our principles.
O, if more could be done for the children, and for a larger number
of them, there would be some hope for the race yet! What can be
done for them?
The white people are doing nothing to help them, as I shall tell
you when I get to it. But the old ones find it hard to leave off
the habits of slavery, which have been going on so long that they
have taken deep root, and how they are to be dug out I cannot tell.
But will not our Heavenly Father overlook many of these wicked
habits!
Our church grows slowly because we are trying all the time to get
the people out of their old ways, which most of the people like
best, and so they are held by the other churches.
The large rice planters are doing nothing for them, only to keep
them on their farms and get all the work out of them they can, and
pay them as little as possible for their work. How is this done?
By giving them great feasts on the Sabbath. At these feasts they
have the colored people come into the big house (this means the
white people’s house) and shout for them, as it is called here, but
I call it dancing. They are given ginger snaps, rum and wine. This
kind of a party, or feast, or shout, was given last Sunday (they
are called by all these names). I am told that the colored people
on a certain plantation ate two boxes of ginger snaps, and drank
two gallons of wine and four gallons of rum. They have them on the
Sabbath so as not to stop the work.