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THE AMERICAN MISSIONARY
JUNE, 1889
VOL. XLIII. NO. 6
CONTENTS
EDITORIAL.
FINANCIAL OUTLOOK
VOICES FROM THE FIELD
DIVIDING LINE BETWEEN THE TWO CENTURIES
REV. C.W. HIATT
PARAGRAPHS--THIS NUMBER--MRS. BORDEN
SCHOOL ECHOES
BOOK NOTICE
NOTES FROM NEW ENGLAND
FREDERICK DOUGLASS
THE SOUTH.
CHURCH BUILDING IN A DAY
ITEMS FROM WHITLEY COUNTY
TOUGALOO UNIVERSITY
WORK AT HAMPTON
DEVELOPING PATRIOTISM AMONG THE COLORED PEOPLE
A NEGRO GIRL'S PROSE POEM
THE INDIANS.
ONE DAY'S MISSIONARY WORK
WHAT SHALL WE DO ABOUT IT?
THE CHINESE.
METHOD OF CONDUCTING CHINESE SUNDAY-SCHOOLS
BUREAU OF WOMAN'S WORK.
MEETING OF WOMAN'S STATE HOME MISSIONARY ORGANIZATIONS
WOMAN'S MISSIONARY ASSOCIATION OF ALABAMA
FOR THE CHILDREN.
LETTER FROM A TEACHER IN GEORGIA
RECEIPTS
* * * * *
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.
PRESIDENT, Rev. WM. M. TAYLOR, D.D., LLD., N.Y.
_Vice-Presidents._
Rev. A.J.F. BEHRENDS, D.D., N.Y.
Rev. ALEX. McKENZIE, D.D., Mass.
Rev. F.A. NOBLE, D.D., Ill.
Rev. D.O. MEARS, D.D., Mass.
Rev. HENRY HOPKINS, D.D., Mo.
_Corresponding Secretaries._
Rev. M.E. STRIEBY, D.D., _56 Reade Street, N.Y._
Rev. A.F. BEARD, D.D., _56 Reade Street, N.Y._
_Recording Secretary._
Rev. M.E. STRIEBY, D.D., _56 Reade Street, N.Y._
_Treasurer._
H.W. HUBBARD, Esq., _56 Reade Street, N.Y._
_Auditors._
PETER McCARTEE.
CHAS. P. PEIRCE.
_Executive Committee._
JOHN H. WASHBURN, Chairman.
ADDISON P. FOSTER, Secretary.
_For Three Years._
J.E. RANKIN,
WM. H. WARD,
J.W. COOPER,
JOHN H. WASHBURN,
EDMUND L. CHAMPLIN.
_For Two Years._
LYMAN ABBOTT,
CHAS. A. HULL,
CLINTON B. FISK,
ADDISON P. FOSTER.
_For One Year_
S.B. HALLIDAY,
SAMUEL HOLMES,
SAMUEL S. MARPLES,
CHARLES L. MEAD,
ELBERT B. MONROE.
_District Secretaries._
Rev. C.J. RYDER, _21 Cong'l House, Boston_.
Rev. J.E. ROY, D.D., _151 Washington Street, Chicago_.
Rev. C.W. HIATT, _Cleveland, Ohio_.
_Financial Secretary for Indian Missions._
Rev. CHAS. W. SHELTON.
_Field Superintendents._
Rev. FRANK E. JENKINS.
Prof. EDWARD S. HALL.
_Secretary of Woman's Bureau._
Miss D.E. EMERSON, _56 Reade St., N.Y._
COMMUNICATIONS
Relating to the work of the Association may be addressed to the
Corresponding Secretaries; letters for "THE AMERICAN MISSIONARY," to the
Editor, at the New York Office; letters relating to the finances, to the
Treasurer.
DONATIONS AND SUBSCRIPTIONS
In drafts, checks, registered letters, or post-office orders, 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 151 Washington Street, Chicago, Ill. A payment
of thirty dollars at one time constitutes a Life Member.
NOTICE TO SUBSCRIBERS.--The date on the "address label," indicates the
time to which the subscription is paid. Changes are made in date on
label to the 10th of each month. If payment of subscription be made
afterward, the change on the label will appear a month later. Please
send early notice of change in post-office address, giving the former
address and the new address, in order that our periodicals and
occasional papers may be correctly mailed.
FORM OF A BEQUEST
"I bequeath to my executor (or executors) the sum of ---- dollars, in
trust, to pay the same in ---- days after my decease to the person who,
when the same is payable, shall act as Treasurer of the 'American
Missionary Association,' of New York City, to be applied, under the
direction of the Executive Committee of the Association, to its
charitable uses and purposes." The Will should be attested by three
witnesses.
* * * * *
THE AMERICAN MISSIONARY.
VOL. XLIII. JUNE, 1889. No. 6.
American Missionary Association.
* * * * *
FINANCIAL OUTLOOK.
_The Figures._
Our receipts for seven months to April 30th are, from donations,
$118,051.25, estates, $20,308.09, incomes, $4,829.21, tuition, etc.,
$22,719.89, United States Government for Indians, $9,540.87; total,
$175,449.31. Our payments to April 30th are $203,777.45. Debt balance,
$28,328.14.
_The Meaning of the Figures._
These figures mean a debt--growing at the rate of $4,000 a month. In
passing "through the dark valley and shadow of"--debt, we walk with a
goodly company. It is said that nearly every missionary society in
Christendom reports a deficit this year. A common cause must underlie so
broad a fact, and no one society deserves special censure.
_How we get into Debt._
A missionary society cannot make its expenditures as a man provides for
his family--from day to day--but must lay out its plans for the year.
The missionaries, the teachers, the matrons and all employés must be
engaged for that length of time. The appropriation must be made on the
general expectation of receipts, with some allowance for added growth.
Every prosperous business firm plans for enlargement. Shall the Lord's
business only lack enterprise and growth? Must it move on a dead level,
or on a declining grade? The churches would not long endure that, and
the word of the Lord is: "Speak unto the children of Israel that they go
forward."
_How our Debts are to be Paid._
This cannot be done near the close of the year by dismissing the
ministers and shutting up the schools. These self-sacrificing workers
are dependent on their salaries, and the teachers, some of whom out of
their small pittance are helping to sustain an invalid mother or sister,
and in not a few cases are aiding needy students, and should not be
deprived of their wages. Repudiation of such debts is not the relief for
a missionary society.
The only way, therefore, that we can see is, to throw ourselves upon the
benevolence of the churches, whose agents we are in doing their work,
and ask them to come to the rescue by increased donations. A little from
each will make it easy for all.
* * * * *
VOICES FROM THE FIELD.
We wish our friends to see as we see and hear as we hear from the field,
as to the need of enlargement and the difficulty of closing schools
prematurely, and hence we present some condensed facts as specimens.
McINTOSH, GA.--One hundred and nineteen in a single room and with only
one teacher. No boarding department and scores must be turned away.
FLORENCE, ALA.--In a rapidly growing city, school held in our church
building. Large numbers turned away for lack of room.
JONESBORO, TENN.--No boarding place for either boys or girls. Boys live
in rough rooms in a barn, six in a small room. No more can possibly be
accommodated.
GRAND VIEW, TENN.--Buildings crowded full; no place for any more, yet
pupils are trying to crowd in.
PINE MOUNTAIN, TENN.--Situated in a region nearly a hundred miles long,
without a single school except the almost worthless district schools
for two or three months.
WILLIAMSBURG, KY.--Crowded full of students; more than sixty in one room
large enough for only thirty.
JELLICO, TENN.--Our church and school building will not hold either our
Sunday-school or those who attend the preaching services. Must be
enlarged or no growth can follow.
ATHENS, TENN.--Growing town; nearly a thousand Northern people with no
church suited to their needs. Some Congregationalists need aid in
starting a church.
FORT BERTHOLD, DAKOTA.--Rev. C.L. Hall writes: "We have not at Fort
Berthold the necessary buildings for our work. Our girls are in an old
Government building out of repair, and a little cottage 16x22, and our
boys and industrial teacher are crowded into the missionary's house,
and a little one-story annex 14x22. There is no room for a guest to
stay over night."
CHINESE IN CALIFORNIA.--Dr. Pond, the Superintendent of our Chinese
Missions, makes a dollar go as far as any man in our service. He is
one of the most careful men in making ends meet. But he has been
caught in the cyclone and writes thus about the premature closing of
the schools:
"Nothing seemed left for me to do but to notify the teachers that I
could pay all bills for May, but could promise nothing more. When I had
resolved to do this, the workers passed before me, one by one: most of
our teachers are dependent on this slender stipend for their daily
bread--teachers that had been in our service for many years, never
measuring their service by their pay, but working in season and out of
season, and most of the time rendering help not bargained for fully
equal to that which I could have required. The helpers also passed
before me. Jee Gam with his wife and five children; our brave, unselfish
Low Quong; our faithful, almost saintly Chin Toy, our earnest and
eloquent Yong Jin--all of whom have sacrificed their pecuniary interests
for service in the mission, and all of whom, if their income from
missionary work ceases, will be compelled at once to seek an income
elsewhere because of those dependent upon them. Then the schools passed
before me--closed and silent, most of them, the scholars scattered and
the momentum from many years of earnest, unremitting effort gradually
dying away."
_The Daniel Hand Fund._
It may be asked, Why not meet such pressing claims out of this Fund? We
answer, That Fund is doing its noble work in its chosen field, among the
colored people in the South, but cannot do all even in that; and it will
be observed that most of these calls come from the other portions of our
field, the mountains of the South, the Indians of the West, and the
Chinese on the Pacific coast. Our main dependence must ever be on the
churches.
* * * * *
THE DIVIDING LINE BETWEEN THE TWO CENTURIES.
The first century of the American Constitution has passed, and has been
grandly celebrated. We now stand on the dividing line, and enter upon
the Second Century with its unknown trials and triumphs. What these may
be, we may judge, perhaps, in part, if we turn to those of the past.
Among the many and serious objections made against the Constitution at
the outset, demanding protracted discussions, Compromises and
Amendments, none were graver or more far-reaching in their consequences
than those respecting State Rights and the recognition of Negro slavery.
The bottom difficulty in these was probably that of slavery, for, if it
had not introduced such radically different industries in the two
sections of the country, with their different interests, and habits of
thought and life, the question of State Rights might have slumbered in
quietude. But when slavery had to be defended, State Rights was the
bastion behind which the defence sheltered itself. Whether the
Compromise with slavery at the outset were the wise thing or not, it is
not worth while now to consider. We do not know what the consequences
would have been if the Compromise had not been made. We all know now,
only too sadly, the dreadful price that was at last paid for the
Compromise.
But the war killed slavery and buried it beyond resurrection. Logically,
it also killed the State Rights doctrine. But we fear it "still lives"
in the heart of Jefferson Davis, and in the hearts of the many millions
who still revere him as the leader of the "lost cause." Its avowal is
still heard from Southern lips and in the Southern press. Will there be
any occasion for its revival into active life? We fear there will be.
Slavery has left behind it a ghost which no more than that of Banquo
will "down." Race prejudice is as unyielding in the Southern heart
to-day as was the purpose once to maintain slavery. Should that prejudice
persist in its inexorable demands, another contest may arise, in which
the enfranchised millions may be goaded to take part, and the North, as
in the case of slavery, may be involved in the dreadful struggle. At
what time in the coming hundred years of the Constitution this new
struggle may come, no one can predict. The crisis will not be averted by
merely deprecating it, and we know of no Compromise that can reach it.
The only possible relief that we can see is by educating the Negro, till
he shall rise to a position that will challenge the respect of his
fellow-citizens and secure to him his equal rights under the glorious
Constitution of the United States of America.
* * * * *
REV. C.W. HIATT.
The American Missionary Association has divided its Western Collecting
Field. The boundary separating the two parts is the western line of
Indiana. Dr. Roy, who has made so honorable record in the past, will
retain the western portion with his office still in Chicago. The eastern
portion will have its headquarters in Cleveland. Rev. C.W. Hiatt has
been invited to take this District Secretaryship, and we have now the
pleasure of announcing his acceptance. Mr. Hiatt is not unknown in his
district, having made his mark in his pastorate in Columbus, Ohio. We
ask the churches to give him a cordial welcome for his own sake as well
as that of the Association.
* * * * *
PARAGRAPHS.
The letter of Dr. Pond in this number was written in response to a
request from a Northern lady for hints in regard to the methods of
teaching the Chinese. Many besides this lady will find profit in reading
it. The article on "Church Building in a Day" cannot fail to interest.
We only wish we could add that church services were held in the building
on the following day, but of this we are ignorant. If any of our readers
are desirous of knowing what expedients our missionaries among the
Indians have to resort to in administering the communion at their
out-stations, let them read "One Day's Missionary Work," by Rev. T.L.
Riggs. We give our readers also a problem in the letter from Miss Collins
at Fort Yates, "What shall we do about it?"
* * * * *
We have learned of the death of Mrs. Villa (Crumb) Borden at her home in
Norwich, N.Y. During her three years' service in the work of this
Association at Athens, Ala., she was untiring in efforts for the
improvement of her pupils. By her genial spirit, unselfish life and
faithful labor in school, church, Sunday-School and the community, she
greatly endeared herself to the people as well as to pupils and fellow
teachers, who sincerely mourn her departure.
* * * * *
A friend who reads the magazine and studies it minutely, sends us a
postal containing these encouraging words:
"A stimulating fact appeared in the MISSIONARY for April just received.
The summary of receipts October 1st, to February 28th, shows nearly
$14,000 received for tuition in that time--more than one-sixth of the
donations."
Our friends who are denying themselves, oftentimes, to aid in sustaining
our work, will be cheered to know that the funds they contribute are not
thrown into a slough and lost, but are touching mind and heart and
industry, and thus stimulating the people whom we benefit to help
themselves.
* * * * *
In making up the catalogue of Fisk University for this year, the
following facts are culled out:
Total number of students, 505, which is a gain of thirty over last year,
and last year the attendance was the largest the University had ever
had. Number of students in the Department of Music, 110; a gain of
twenty over last year. Special students in Theology, 9; a gain of six
over the previous year. There has been a gain of eight in the College
Department, two in the Normal, and four in the College Preparatory.
* * * * *
Mr. Coffin graduated from Fisk University in 1885, and has held
important positions as a teacher ever since graduating. He has also
bought about $250 worth of books on one of the special courses of study
established by the Illinois Wesleyan University, and so successfully
complied with the requirements of the course that the result mentioned
in the letter below has been reached.
ILLINOIS WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY, Bloomington, Ill.
_Dear Sir._--Mr. A.O. Coffin has just been here for his final
examination for his Ph.D., and desires me to report to you his
performance.
This last work closes a series of about six examinations upon
some thirty papers, requiring from three to five hours' writing
on each. The examination held here was oral, before a committee
of three of our faculty, and lasted nearly three hours. Mr.
Coffin was probed on all sides with everything that had a
bearing on his course (Biology), both as to technical and
general matters, and slipped but twice in the whole ordeal. Our
professors report to me that his previous written work was of
the same high character. Of the forty or fifty men who have
taken this degree here, within the past fifteen years (all on
examination), Mr. Coffin easily stands among the half dozen who
have most distinguished themselves. We were much pleased with
the gentlemanliness and strength of character he displayed, and
no doubt have Fisk University to thank in large measure
therefor. Very Truly Yours,
CHARLES M. MOSS.
* * * * *
SCHOOL ECHOES.
Spelling by different authorities: Edgeucation, fraze, teadgeous,
roughf, icecikles, natcheural, quallyfide, muskeline, femeline and nutur
gender.
Definitions: "A word is a sound that consists from the loungs." "A
participle is a form of a verb partaking of the nature of an adjective
or a noun and expressing action or _human_ being as flying and sleep."
A sentence reported in class of small boys: "By the time your brother
get home, you'll be done et." (Translation, You'll be through eating.)
An example of a sentence containing an infinitive used as subject: "To
be in the way is bad habits."
At a meeting held at Hampton last "Indian Emancipation Day," one of the
Indian boys in his speech said:
"Whenever we do anything white man don't like, he call us 'Injun,'
whenever we do anything Injun don't like, he call us 'white man.'" He
also expressed his conviction that "Injun boy great deal smarter than
white boy, 'cause folks expect that Injun will learn as much in three
years as white boy does in nine or ten years."
An Indian boy writes from the country, "I have been confusion at the
United States language."
* * * * *
BOOK NOTICE.
_The Great Value and Success of Foreign Missions._ Proved by
distinguished witnesses. By Rev. John Liggins, with an introduction
by Rev. Arthur T. Pierson, D.D. Published by The Baker and Taylor
Co., 740 and 742 Broadway, New York.
This book contains not only leading facts and statistics regarding
missionary work which are very valuable to all who are studying this
subject, but also the testimony of diplomatic ministers, consuls, naval
officers, scientific and other travelers who have witnessed the results
of missionary labor in heathen and Mohammedan countries. This testimony
from hundreds of representative men and women, among which we find the
names of Lew Wallace, James Russell Lowell, R.H. Dana, Charles Darwin,
James B. Angell, with English viceroys, governors and military officers,
as well as prominent American and English ministers of the gospel,
cannot but commend the book to all Christian people, and make it
interesting at any page at which one may open it.
* * * * *
NOTES FROM NEW ENGLAND.
BY REV. C.J. RYDER, DISTRICT SECRETARY.
A trip to Ohio this month to attend the State Association and to
indoctrinate the new District Secretary into the esoteric mysteries of
the American Missionary Association was a delightful experience, and yet
one does not get out of New England by going to Ohio. The hills and
valleys, and clear mountain brooks are left behind, but New England
people are there as much as here. And what grand opportunities there are
in these interior States for growth in missionary enthusiasm and
benevolence! Congregationalism is taking Ohio. I remember when a boy in
the Buckeye State there were few churches of our order off the
"Reserve," or "New Connecticut," as the northern counties were called.
"Congregationalism was not adapted to those conditions," we learned in
our unwritten, uncongregational catechism. But since 1860 it has been
discovered that Congregationalism is fitted for any conditions where
Christians are seeking the advancement of our Lord's kingdom, and there
are souls outside of that kingdom. So Congregationalism has grown in all
sections of Ohio.
The beautiful city of Mt. Vernon opened her homes and hearts in large
and generous hospitality. The American Missionary Association received
an especially cordial welcome, because many remember the golden days
when the senior Secretary of the Association was pastor of this Mt.
Vernon church. It was he they wanted to present the work of the
Association in his old pulpit, but a younger man went because he was
younger.
The new District Secretary of the American Missionary Association, Rev.
C.W. Hiatt, was welcomed enthusiastically, and his record merits such a
welcome. The office of this district will be in Cleveland, Ohio, and its
territory includes Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Western Pennsylvania and
Western New York--a large field for one laborer to till successfully!
Take this New England district: there are eleven hundred and forty-five
churches in it, and only one Secretary to reach them all! Were it not
that the pastors and many of the lay members were ready to give their
cordial and hearty assistance, and for the occasional, earnest help of a
missionary, it would be impossible even "to shuffle round in it." But
there is this hearty assistance and it constantly increases in
heartiness.
* * * * *
Rev. B. Dodge of Pleasant Hill, Tenn., a faithful worker in that
mountain region, has returned with a glad and thankful heart to his
field of labor. His appeal published in the February magazine, and his
indefatigable personal labors with individuals, were crowned with
success, and he rejoiced in sufficient receipts to warrant the erection
of the "Girls' Dormitory" for the mountain girls. The help rendered was
most generous and timely. But this new building, as imperative as its
need is, _increases the annual expense of the work._ Larger
contributions are necessary in order to carry on this work in its larger
quarters. Prosperity involves expense.
One of the true friends of Missions has hit upon a plan for gaining
information that is worthy wider adoption than in her own church. She
has organized a club of those who desire to read the magazines of the
various Congregational Societies. This plan puts the magazine of each
society into the hands of a large circle of readers, and the expense to
each is very small. Are there any other clubs of this kind? Cannot one
be organized in each church?
* * * * *
Few books would be of more real and lasting value in the libraries of
our schools than "The Deathless Book," by Rev. David O. Mears, D.D. Dr.
S.E. Smith says of it:--"It contains more items of knowledge in many a
field than are often brought together, and all legitimately associated
with the precious Book of Divine Revelation." A pledge has been given
for a part payment in the purchase of one hundred volumes of this book,
to be paid when the whole is pledged. It would be a great addition to
our school libraries if this book were put into them. The publishers
offer special rates. Will not some one make a special gift to complete
this fund?
* * * * *
A letter just received from Corpus Christi brings the glad news of a
deep and far-reaching revival in progress there. Many have been
hopefully converted and the interest still continues.
* * * * *
FREDERICK DOUGLASS.
Few colored men in the United States have occupied a more prominent
position than Frederick Douglass; and there are none whose opinions are
more worthy of respect. His address delivered at the celebration of the
Twenty-seventh Anniversary of the Emancipation of the Slaves in the
District of Columbia was thoughtful, well-expressed and emphatic in its
utterances. While we might not accord with every sentiment, we wish we
could publish the whole. We content ourselves with a few pointed
extracts.
THE IRREPRESSIBLE CONFLICT STILL IN PROGRESS.
"From every view I have been able to take of the present situation in
relation to the colored people of the United States, I am forced to the
conclusion that the irrepressible conflict, of which we heard so much
before the War of the Rebellion and during the war, is still in
progress. It is still the battle between two opposite civilizations--the
one created and sustained by slavery, and the other framed and fashioned
in the spirit of liberty and humanity, and this conflict will not be
ended until one or the other shall be completely adopted in every
section of our common country."
THE CONDITION OF THE PLANTATION NEGRO.
"From my outlook, I am free to affirm that I see nothing for the Negro
of the South but a condition of absolute freedom or of absolute slavery.
I see no half-way place for him. One or the other of these conditions is
to solve the so called Negro-problem. Let it be remembered that the
labor of the Negro is his only capital. Take this from him and he dies
from starvation. The present mode of obtaining his labor in the South
gives the old master-class a complete mastery over him. The payment of
the Negro by orders on stores, where the storekeeper controls price,
quality and quantity, and is subject to no competition, so that the
Negro must buy there and nowhere else--an arrangement by which the Negro
never has a dollar to lay by, and can be kept in debt to his employer
year in and year out, puts him completely at the mercy of the old
master-class. He who could say to the Negro when a slave, you shall work
for me or be whipped to death, can now say to him with equal emphasis,
you shall work for me or I will starve you to death. This is the plain,
matter-of-fact and unexaggerated condition of the plantation Negro in
the Southern States to-day."
WHY THE NEGRO DOES NOT EMIGRATE?
"I will tell you. He has not a cent of money to emigrate with, and if he
had, and desired to exercise that right, he would be arrested for debt,
for non-fulfillment of contract, or be shot down like a dog in his
tracks. When Southern Senators tell you that they want to be rid of the
negroes, and would be glad to have them all clear out, you know, and I
know, and they know, that they are speaking falsely, and simply with a
view to mislead the North. Only a few days ago, armed resistance was
made in North Carolina to colored emigration from that State, and the
first exodus to Kansas was arrested by the old master-class with
shotguns and Winchester rifles. The desire to get rid of the negro is a
hollow sham. His labor is wanted to-day in the South just as it was
wanted in the old times when he was hunted by two-legged and four-legged
bloodhounds."
NO FEARS OF THE FINAL RESULT.
"In conclusion, while I have plainly portrayed the sources of danger to
our people, I have no fears as to the final result. The American people
are governed, not only by laws and selfish interests, but by large ideas
of moral and material civilization. The spirit of justice, liberty, and
fair play is abroad in the land. It is in the air. It animates men of
all stations, of all professions and callings, and can neither be
silenced nor extirpated. It has an agent in every bar of railroad iron,
a servant in every electric wire, a missionary in every traveler. It not
only tunnels the mountains, fills up the valleys, and sheds upon us the
light of science, but it will ultimately destroy the unnumbered wrongs
inherited by both races from the system of slavery and barbarism. In
this direction is the trend of the nation. States may lag, parties may
hesitate, leaders may halt, but to this complexion it must come at last.
States, parties and leaders must, and will in the end, adjust themselves
to this overwhelming and irresistible tendency. It will make parties,
and unmake parties, will make rulers, and unmake rulers, until it shall
become the fixed, universal, and irreversible law of the land. For fifty
years, it has made progress against all contradictions. It stemmed the
current of opposition in church and State. It has removed many
proscriptions. It has opened the gates of knowledge. It has abolished
slavery. It has saved the Union. It has reconstructed the government
upon a basis of justice and liberty, and it will see to it that the last
vestige of fraud and violence on the ballot box shall disappear, and
there shall be one country, one law, one liberty, for all the people of
the United States."
* * * * *
THE SOUTH.
* * * * *
CHURCH BUILDING IN A DAY.
Condensed from the _Southern Enterprise_ of April 18th.
Saturday morning, the 13th instant, at nine o'clock, was the time
appointed for the laying of the corner stone of our first church edifice
in Deer Lodge, Tennessee. Rev. G.S. Pope--founder of the church, and now
General Missionary of the American Missionary Association for the
Cumberland Plateau, had been notified of the occasion, but not in time
to be present, and the duties were committed to Rev. Aaron Porter, the
present pastor. The early morning was a little cloudy, but before nine
o'clock the sun shone out, and the remainder of the day was as pleasant
as possible.
The locality of the Church is on Ross Avenue between Knoxville Avenue
and Spring Street, where four beautiful lots were selected some time ago
by Rev. Mr. Pope and the building committee, and donated by Mr. A.L.
Ross. At the appointed hour, the citizens and neighbors collected around
the foundation, and occupied the piles of lumber as seats while they
listened to the interesting exercises. These consisted of singing,
reading of Scripture, an original hymn composed by the pastor, prayer,
address, enumeration of articles to be placed in corner stone,
depositing, cementing and closing the box, remarks, singing and
benediction.
After a few moments of interchanging of views of the situation, and of
the good fellowship now prevailing in our pioneer community--all the men
present took hold, and soon raised the entire framework to its place; it
having been prepared previously by Mr. Hodge and his assistants in such
careful manner that every piece fitted to its proper place. The crowd
then retired to enjoy the good dinners some of the citizens had prepared
for them; after which they returned to the grounds, and before sundown
had the entire frame work enclosed with sheeting in diagonal style. In
addition, the frame of the tower was raised and encased. Saturday was a
day of pride to Deer Lodge, as probably the same amount of work has not
been accomplished in the same time on any other occasion in this
country.
* * * * *
ITEMS FROM WHITLEY COUNTY.
MRS. A.A. MYERS
In giving a little report of the condition of Prof. Lawrence, and of
what has been done with the assassin who attempted his life in May last,
I think I will but be answering the unexpressed wish of many of the
readers of the MISSIONARY. Mr. Lawrence is far from well. We fear he
will never recover from the nervous strain and great suffering of the
past year. He has but little use of his right arm and hand. He is now at
Champaign, Ill., and has not been able to attend trial. As to the
assassin, he walks our streets and frequents our saloons at pleasure. He
is out on $1,000 bail; whiskey men on his bonds. Northern people need
not be surprised at such justice, when Haddock's murderers are running
at large; and here we have not only whiskey and its money against us,
but secret fraternities, Southern prejudice, and sectarian intolerance.
We have hardly dared hope for justice in these courts, but rely on the
truth of the motto we have put in our church on the wall near where one
of the bullets struck--"Vengeance is mine, I will repay, saith the
Lord."
One of our native preachers not far from here made this unanswerable
argument in a sermon on _apostacsy_. He said, "'_If_ they shall fall
away'--means that they _cannot_ fall away, for anybody that knows
anything about the English language, knows it is a verb in the
_impossible_ mode and _everlasting_ tense."
Two ministers in Whitley County had called a public meeting to discuss
their peculiar doctrines. They became quite excited, and at the close of
the discussion, one of them prayed, "Oh God, make Elder So-and-so's
heart as soft as his head is."
A good meeting means a big excitement as much among the white people as
among the colored. This little incident, which occurred in a service
among the hills of northern Alabama, was told us by an eye witness, and
goes to show the depth of Christ-like feeling (?) that prompts _some_,
at least, of the great happiness they express. An underwitted youth
seemed to get religion in one of these times of shouting and excitement.
He swung his arms and marched back and forth shouting with the rest. To
see him so happy made the others shout the more. Amid all the noise, no
one knew what he was saying till, all of a sudden, as often happens,
there was a lull; then, as he kept on he was understood, and these were
the words he was repeating over and over: "Run, chicken, with your head
pecked off, a'n't we having a good time?"
It may not be uninteresting to hear how some of the bodily ills are
ministered to here in the mountains.
If a person is subject to headache, he can be cured by cutting some of
his hair off and putting it in a stream of running water.
In certain kinds of sickness, there must be the greatest care that none
of the covering on the bed be turned over. If it should be, the case
will terminate fatally.
In fevers, I have known milk to be strictly forbidden, but ham and
biscuit recommended by the physician.
Quite a number of people, and even those of whom you would expect better
things, employ "charm" doctors. They make passes and say over a lingo,
and it will cure cancers, toothache, or any other disease. I have never
heard what their magic words are. In fact, if a woman tells a woman,
they lose all their curative properties. But these are the words they
use to charm away the botts in horses. I think they ought to be given to
the public for the benefit of stock growers generally. Putting the
fingers on the animal's nose, they pass the hand along the head and
spine, repeating, "King Solomon plows with a golden plow. He plows deep
and he plows shallow, and he kills all the worms."
* * * * *
TOUGALOO UNIVERSITY.
The year thus far at Tougaloo University has been one of great success.
The enrollment, three hundred and thirty-five, has already surpassed
that of any previous full year, and many more have signified their
intention of attending next term, when a special Teacher's Training
Course is to be held. The necessity under which many labor, of teaching
school in order to pay their own school bills, makes attendance somewhat
irregular. The grade of the school is being steadily advanced, and under
efficient teachers and Principal, the pupils are making solid
advancement. The upward grading process will prevent the graduation of
any pupils from the normal department this year, but that is of slight
moment compared with the substantial gain of more thorough scholarship.
The industrial work of the school has this year been more thoroughly
systematized and made more efficient than before. There has been special
improvement in the girls' industrial work. Even the younger pupils enter
into the sewing and cooking classes with zest. The boys' industries
include blacksmithing, carpentry, tinning, wagon making, painting, steam
sawing, turning, scroll sawing, and farm-work in its various branches,
the care of stock, etc. It would be difficult to estimate the value that
this combined school and industrial work is destined to have on the
Negroes of this State of Mississippi. Not in legislative enactments, but
in the gradual process of education along this line, will the main
problems connected with the Negro race be solved.
The Biblical department of the school, recently established, designed to
train preachers, has as yet but one class, of three members. These are
making good progress, and they take turns in preaching at Clinton, at
the Mt. Hermon School, fourteen miles away. The training in this
department under the President, is especially directed towards knowledge
of the Bible and of human nature, earnest and practical preaching, and
the development in the preacher of sterling character. If preachers can
be sent forth who are well grounded in these things, much may be
expected of them. Says Dr. Haygood, "The hope of the black race lies
mainly in the pulpit."
The most interesting feature of the work of this year has been the very
deep religious interest which began soon after the Week of Prayer and
which has not passed away. Special services were conducted for several
weeks by President Woodworth, and the feeling was strong and earnest. It
has been a quiet work, but it is believed that it is deep. Between fifty
and sixty expressed a determination to live the Christian life. One of
the most helpful features in the Christian work of the school is the
Covenant for Christian Service, a pledge somewhat similar to the
Christian Endeavor pledge, though there is no organization. Over one
hundred have signed this covenant within the past year. The school is
growing rapidly; its outlook is most hopeful. It is already cramped for
room. Every recitation room has been full, and many crowded, this term.
One class had to overflow into the chapel. Between thirty and forty
girls who wished to come were obliged to stay at home because the
Ladies' Boarding Hall has been crowded to its utmost capacity. A new one
is very greatly needed.
* * * * *
WORK AT HAMPTON.
REV. H.B. FRISSELL.
You will be glad to know of the missionary work that the students are
doing in the community. Our graduates have started a Young Men's
Christian Association in the town of Hampton, hired rooms, chosen one of
their number secretary, paid a large part of the expense out of their
own pockets, have fitted up the rooms prettily and made an attractive,
pleasant place for the young men of the town. They have social,
literary, musical and religious gatherings there. A boys' club has been
started in connection with the Association. The colored pastors have
became interested in the work, and take turns in conducting the Sabbath
afternoon prayer meeting in the rooms.
Our Holly Tree Inn, on the school grounds, is now in active operation.
It is under the direction of our school temperance society. Coffee and
rolls are furnished for five cents, with a pleasant room and open fire
in winter. The result has been that some of our students who used to be
tempted into saloons and doubtful places, find a comfortable, pleasant
room on the school grounds where they can get what they want. We
consider it a valuable object lesson, to the students, of what they can
do at their own homes.
The work of the students in the Sunday-schools about is continually
increasing. The school at Slabtown, started by the students with twenty
scholars, had over a hundred last Sabbath. The school-room given by a
generous friend in New York is fairly ready to burst with its living
contents. During the week, teachers and normal school scholars go out
and teach the women and children how to sew.
Another Sunday-school, at Little England, is conducted very largely by
our Indians under the direction of teachers. The Indian boys hold
services at the jail and furnish music for an afternoon service at the
Soldiers' Home. You would be interested to be here of a Sunday morning
and see the happy groups of missionaries going forth in every direction,
on foot, by boat, by wagon, to jail, to poor house, to the cottages of
the old and sick, carrying the good news. Every colored Sunday-school in
the neighborhood has a large number of its teachers from the Normal
school. We consider this missionary work of the students most important
in keeping up their interest in their own people, and in developing the
Christ-like spirit of work for others.
Our school for Bible study, though cramped for room, is exerting an
important influence on this community. Almost all the colored pastors of
the place have received instruction in its classes. All the white
pastors of the place, with one exception, take part in the instruction
of their colored brethren. This school has sent out colporteurs under
the American Tract Society into the country about. With what knowledge
they have received here, they have been able to unite the office of
teacher and preacher in the country districts; they have earned their
way by the work of their hands and so secured a chance to preach. In
this way, they are able to stay in one community during the whole year.
One of these men went over to the eastern shore of Virginia last year;
worked on the railroad during the day, taught a night school in the
evening, got together a congregation, put up a comfortable church,
building it largely with his own hands, and came back to school in the
fall with money enough for his next year's expenses. One of the class
sailed last spring for Africa.
* * * * *
DEVELOPING PATRIOTISM AMONG THE COLORED PEOPLE.
REV. G.S. ROLLINS.
The security of any nation rests largely upon the patriotism of its
people. America is in danger, not from foes without, but from within her
own borders. How to Americanize the foreign element, is the problem
which confronts the people of our great cities; a question which more
directly concerns the Northern portion of our country.
Here in the South is a different case. We have eight million negroes--
born Americans. The one all-absorbing question is, how to fit them for
citizenship--how to make patriotic citizens of them.
Is patriotism in danger among the colored people? Yes, and mainly for
two reasons.
First, because of their ignorance of our country; its history,
constitution and government. Some will think that this is a danger which
will soon pass away, as the older and more ignorant ones die. It is true
that the number of those who were advanced in years at the close of the
war is rapidly decreasing, but there is an astonishingly large number of
those who were young at that time and are now in the prime of life. They
are ignorant of our National history previous to the Civil War. What
they have learned since, has been politics rather than patriotism. They
look upon our nation as two great political parties, each struggling for
the mastery. One they regard as hostile, and the other friendly, to
them. This is the extent of their knowledge of United States history.
Although they have been told that we are a great nation under a
beneficent government, such a fact is difficult for them to comprehend,
since all they see is the by-play of party politicians. They know they
have a right to vote, but how can they respect a government that does
not always and everywhere protect them in the exercise of that right?
A second reason why patriotism is in danger among the colored people:
They are not surrounded by that intensely national spirit which prevails
in other parts of our country. By this, I would not take one iota from
the loyalty and patriotism of the Southern people. The fact cannot be
denied, however, that one in the South hears and reads but little about
the United States of America. Much is written and said about the State,
but little genuine enthusiasm for the whole country is displayed. A
general spirit of distrust of the Federal Government is constantly
coming to the surface. Newspapers and men talk as if they were
constantly afraid the government would overstep its bounds and encroach
upon the rights of the States. The Southern press is ever complaining of
the sectionalism of the North. And when confronted with the necessity of
teaching United States History in the public schools, it rejects the
current school histories. It is not the present object to remark further
upon this than to call attention to the fact that there is a state of
public sentiment which is not productive of warm patriotism. Two years
ago, the writer, while attending an anniversary in a Northern city,
witnessed a scene that will not soon be forgotten. Fifty thousand people
were gathered on a public square, and at a given signal a beautiful new
flag was unfurled, and the band struck up "America." Fifty thousand
voices took up the tune. Men cheered until they were hoarse. One
gray-haired Irishman with tears shouted, "Thank God I live under the
American flag." Such scenes develop patriotism. They are rare in the
South.
In the midst of indifference toward the national government, the colored
race is developing and multiplying, and that so rapidly that it is a
most important factor in the political affairs of the nation. Like
begets like. Indifference toward the government on the part of the
whites, breeds the same in the Negroes.
Now, true patriotism is a positive power. A new generation of colored
people is growing up. Upon these rests the future of the race. These two
defects, lack of education and unpatriotic surroundings, will best be
remedied by the education of this new generation.
United States History should be a prominent study, even in the primary
departments of our schools. The vast majority of the colored children
can remain in school only long enough to get a knowledge of the
elements, and among these should be American history. What if children
cannot pronounce the names of all the cities in Siberia? Teach them to
speak intelligently of Lexington, Bunker Hill and Yorktown. Hang the
walls of the school-room with pictures of great Americans. Let incidents
from their lives be used as illustrations of moral lessons. Explain the
principles and form of our government. Dwell upon the extent of its
domain and its vast resources. Define simply the privileges conferred,
and the duties imposed, upon the citizens of our government. Four things
should be taught them: the three Rs and American history. What is needed
among all our citizens, is a great lifting up where a broad view of our
great land can be had. Make the children feel that they dwell in a great
and goodly land, that they enjoy great privileges under its government,
and they will learn to love it.
When Independence Day arrives, arrange for public gatherings of the
people, and in short addresses explain to them the meaning of the day.
Let it be a day of opportunity for instructing them in the history of
our country and in the duties of citizenship. These are some of the ways
in which the colored people may be aroused from their apathy and
indifference toward their country, and inspired with a patriotism, not
blind and spasmodic, but intelligent and permanent.
* * * * *
A NEGRO GIRL'S PROSE POEM.
In attendance at one of the ward schools of Indianapolis is a little
colored girl nine years old. She is miserable, indeed, for at home she
is ill treated, and the shoes she wears, and often the clothes, are
supplied by the teachers or some of her classmates. There is a tender,
poetic vein in her make-up, and it found vent in a composition. The
teacher took a little pansy plant to school one day and told the pupils
of the flower. Two days after, she asked them to write a story of it,
and gave them the privilege of having the pansy talk and tell the story,
and this is what the little colored girl wrote, the word pansy in the
copy being the only one dignified with a capital:
"I am only a Pansy, my home is in a little brown house. I sleep in my
little brown house all winter, and I am now going to open my eyes and
look about. 'give me some rain sky, I want to look out of my window and
see what is going on,' I asked, so the sky gave me some water and I
began to clime to the window, at last I got up there and open my eyes,
oh what a wonderful world I seen when birds sang songs to me, and
grasshoppers kissed me, and dance with me, and creakets smiled at me,
and I had a pretty green dress. there was trees that grow over me and
the wind faned me. the sun smiled at me, and little children smelled me.
one bright morning me and the grasshoppers had a party he wood play with
me and a naughty boy pick me up and tore me up and I died and that was
the last of Pansy."--
_Exchange._
* * * * *
THE INDIANS.
* * * * *
ONE DAY'S MISSIONARY WORK.
REV. T.L. RIGGS, OAHE, DAKOTA.