to write you. It was the day appointed for the observance of the Lord's
Supper at the out-station about ten miles from home, and as the river
had not frozen over thoroughly, I thought it better to go down in the
saddle rather than drive the cart. This made it impossible for Mrs.
Riggs to accompany me as she sometimes does.
I brought out my saddle camp-pouches (small square cases that strap to
the horn of the saddle) and emptied them of their camp furniture, and in
these were placed the bread and wine and also the service for the
communion. My pouches are so small that I could take but one glass and a
little china pitcher for our service. Usually I am able to take a china
plate as well, but this time there was no room.
I went early in the day, and after some little difficulty the river was
safely crossed, though my poor horse, not being shod, fell upon the ice
more than once. He was not hurt, however, and I followed the river shore
down to the out-station which is on the west side of the river.
I found the people gathered, and we had a morning session of nearly two
hours. It was rather a preparatory service, and I talked familiarly with
those present, individually as well as collectively. There were three
men and their wives who wished to be married. Seven applied for
admission to church membership, and there were also several infants to
be baptized.
After dismissing the morning gathering, I arranged for communion
service. I had no plate, so I sent a boy to his home to get one. He
returned saying they had none, and I sent him to another house, from
which he returned saying he could not get in. Then I decided to use the
best I had, which was the card-board back broken from a hymn book. This
I covered with a napkin and it answered very nicely. I had not prepared
for any applications for baptism and had to send for a bowl, instead of
which a _tin cup_ was brought just as we were ready to begin service.
After the opening of service, I first married the three couples, (one of
these consisted of an old man and woman nearly seventy years old, both
of them gray-headed). The applicants for Christian fellowship were asked
to give some public expression of their faith and were received into
membership and baptized together with the infants. We, also, at the
close of the service elected a deacon, who holds office for two years,
and then I talked to them regarding the duties of another year. When
dismissed, all went to their homes. I, too, went to a house near by and
drank some coffee, for by this time I was quite faint. After this I rode
home, reaching there just as the family were separating from the
tea-table.
It seems odd to speak of men and their _wives_ coming to be married--it
is meant that they are husbands and wives _after the Dakota custom_.
When they come to understand Christian marriage, and especially if they
desire to unite with the church, they ask to have the marriage
solemnized in a Christian manner. Sometimes a man and woman who have
several children, perhaps a baby in arms, present themselves for
marriage.
It is required of married candidates for admission to the church, that
they be married in a Christian way. This sometimes seems hard, as in a
case which has been before our Oahe church for some time. A woman of
fine character whom we believe to be a sincere Christian, desires to
unite with the church. Her husband, who is a veritable heathen, refuses
to marry her. He says he never has had another wife and does not intend
to take one, but he is a Dakota and does not wish to adopt white
people's ways. They have a large family of children, and the wife does
not feel that it is best to separate from her husband, though she really
desires to do her whole Christian duty. In such cases, this regulation
seems hard, but in the early days of the Dakota Mission, anything else
brought confusion and trouble into the church, and this method of action
was decided upon.
* * * * *
WHAT SHALL WE DO ABOUT IT?
MISS M.C. COLLINS, FORT YATES, DAK.
There is a time in our work, if it progresses as we would like, when it
seems to go beyond us. The work here now is at that point. When I came
here the people were beggars. Their acquaintance with the Agency people
and the Army people had been such as to cause them to think that white
people were all wealthy, and that one had only to ask for a thing to
receive it. I have labored diligently to induce them to earn what they
have. It is very seldom now that any one begs, but I am over-run with
applications for work. Each individual is jealous of another, if I give
one work and refuse another. If I hire a woman to wash, I must hire
another to iron, another to bring in my wood, another to wash the floor
and still another to clean up my yard. If I hire a man to make some
repairs, I must hire another to cut wood, another to haul water or ice,
and so it is. This is very expensive, and yet I see no way to avoid it.
I cannot say to a man, "It is a disgrace to beg bread for your hungry
child," and then refuse to give him work. Now, let some of your wise
people in the East who are friends of the Indian try to remedy this
great difficulty. Let a part of the Indian money be spent in educating
the Indian in his home to work and to earn something. The church or the
Government ought to devise some plan by which Indians at their homes can
earn money. I do all I can, but the expense is more than I can bear.
There is no market for the Indian, and no work to be done by which he
can earn anything, and no man can become self-supporting until he is
provided with a way to support himself. What can we do about it?
* * * * *
THE CHINESE.
* * * * *
METHOD OF CONDUCTING CHINESE SUNDAY-SCHOOLS.
REV. W.C. POND, D.D.
I have been requested to give in the columns of the MISSIONARY, some
hints as to the opening and conducting of Chinese Sunday-schools. I
wonder that I have waited for such a request, and did not long ago take
this good method of replying to letters of inquiry, which, attempting to
answer one by one, I have been obliged to respond to briefly, hurriedly,
and unsatisfactorily.
1. First, "Catch your hare"--get the Chinese to come. This is less
difficult, I fancy, in our Eastern cities, than in those of California.
And yet, even there, it may require repeated and persistent invitations.
I would not despair even though the teachers came several times at the
hour appointed, and found that the expected pupils had broken their
promises and failed to appear. You will at length prove to them that you
are in earnest and have something for them worth their consideration.
2. When they come, _do not undertake any opening exercises_, but as soon
as the first one appears, let the teaching begin. They are generally so
situated, that to exact strict punctuality, is to require the
impossible. Give them a reading lesson in whatever book they bring; or,
if they bring none, in any primer you may have at hand, Chinese who have
made no beginning in English, need to have each one his own teacher.
This may not be possible always, but it is very desirable. It is
exceedingly important that as much as possible be learned of English in
the first few lessons, in order to prepossess the pupils favorably and
get them interested in the school. Those who have already learned to
read can, of course, be put into Bible classes, but beginners ought to
be at liberty to take, each one his own pace, and get on as fast as
possible; and for this a teacher for each pupil is needed.
3. From the beginning, let each class or each pupil have _one and the
same teacher_. This is of almost vital importance. The establishment of
a personal relationship and the development of a special personal
friendship, are almost indispensable, if we would lead such dark souls
into light. General exercises will not do this fast enough to meet the
emergency. It needs personal contact; careful "hand-picking."
4. That which seems to me the best _text-book_ for Chinese schools is
"Jacobs' Reader." It was prepared originally for the deaf and dumb; and
thus suits well those who are to us--as we to them--virtually deaf and
dumb. Its object words are all represented in pictures. Its lessons are
so arranged that the advance involves a perpetual review, and thus
fastens in the memory what has been acquired. This is particularly
desirable in the case of the Chinese, because the methods of teaching in
China are so utterly diverse from ours. Teaching that turns back is in
no favor with the average Chinaman. He wants you to pronounce the words
and let him pronounce them after you as fast as possible. Go over it two
or three times, very much as if you were teaching a parrot to speak, and
then let him try himself. He is impatient of protracted explanations.
What he wants is _sounds_; the more of them the better. After he has got
the sounds, he will be willing to take the meaning they convey. One
beauty of this book is, that it conveys the meaning through the eye, and
keeps pupils reviewing without their knowing it. The teacher is in
danger of becoming impatient with this Chinese method, for we _know_
that our way of teaching is better. But remember that the end you have
in view is not the most effective instruction in English, but the
leading of the soul to Christ; and you can be content with a poorer
method of doing the former, if thereby you can keep within reach that
lost, but blood-bought soul. Another good point in this little book is,
that there is just about enough in it concerning God and Christ to give
the teacher an occasional opportunity to preach Jesus, without
frightening the pupil away by too abrupt a "setting forth of strange
gods." And, finally, this one Reader well studied will place the pupil
where you can safely commend to him the New Testament as the cheapest
and the best book to take next.
5. Instead of opening exercises have _closing ones_, as extended and as
interesting as possible. Have pictures selected from the Sunday-school
rolls, and, at each session, make one of these the subject of a little
gospel-talk. Ask the pupil best versed in English to be your
interpreter, and use such English as he can understand. And, even though
you have no interpreter, five minutes given to a Bible story will not be
lost, if you have a picture that is apt and suggestive.
Then _sing_ the gospel to them, asking them to _read_ the verse after
you, word by word, and then sing it with you. I will gladly supply, at
bare cost, Song Rolls in Chinese, containing familiar gospel hymns
translated into Chinese and so conformed in metre to the English
original that the time remains unchanged, and the teachers can sing the
English words, if desirable, while the Chinese use their own. There is
no more effective preaching of the gospel than that in song.
6. The Sunday-school, at its best, needs to be supplemented by some sort
of week-day work. The Chinese Sunday-schools of California, though
started _with great éclat_, would long ago have perished utterly, but
for the mission schools whose work knows no cessation. Our Christian
Chinese are now so widely scattered that it seems as though there could
scarcely be anywhere Eastward a city of considerable size without at
least one of them. If there is one, he will hear of your Sunday-school
and will be there. Utilize him to the utmost. Make a missionary out of
him. And it seems to me that the _evangelistic work_ which we have been
doing--imperfectly as yet--in California, ought to be extended to the
Eastern cities, and that among our Christian Chinese some ought to be
appointed to this work, spending (say) a month in each city where any
considerable number of Chinese are found, endeavoring to reap the
harvests that are ready, and to organize for Christian work whatever
converted Chinese he may find. Already, without any such special agency,
our "Congregational Association of Christian Chinese" reports one
"branch" with sixteen members, in Brooklyn. I am sure it would be well,
if the same thing, or something similar, were organized elsewhere.
7. Finally, I must caution the American workers against too ready an
acceptance of pious talk on the part of their Chinese pupils as an
evidence of real piety. Grievous disappointments, involving reproach to
Christ and to all missionary work, sometimes grow out of this. Herein
consists, in part, the benefit which would attend the visits of reliable
Chinese evangelists. They would "take forth the precious from the vile"
(Jer. 15:19), and would give to the American workers not only much
greater results of their labors, but a surer confidence in such as they
have.
* * * * *
BUREAU OF WOMAN'S WORK.
MISS D.E. EMERSON, SECRETARY.
* * * * *
WOMAN'S STATE ORGANIZATIONS.
CO-OPERATING WITH THE AMERICAN MISSIONARY ASSOCIATION.
ME.--Woman's Aid to A.M.A., Chairman of Committee,
Mrs. C.A. Woodbury, Woodfords, Me.
VT.--Woman's Aid to A.M.A., Chairman of Committee,
Mrs. Henry Fairbanks, St. Johnsbury, Vt.
VT.--Woman's Home Miss. Union, Secretary,
Mrs. Ellen Osgood, Montpelier, Vt.
CONN.--Woman's Home Miss. Union, Secretary,
Mrs. S.M. Hotchkiss, 171 Capitol Ave., Hartford,
Conn.
[1]MASS. and R.I.--Woman's Home Miss. Association,
Secretary, Miss Natalie Lord, Boston, Mass.
N.Y.--Woman's Home Miss. Union, Secretary,
Mrs. William Spalding, Salmon Block, Syracuse, N.Y.
ALA.--Woman's Missionary Union, Secretary,
Miss. S.S. Evans, Birmingham, Ala.
MISS.--Woman's Miss. Union, Secretary, Miss
Sarah J. Humphrey, Tougaloo, Miss.
TENN. and ARK.--Woman's Missionary Union of
Central South Conference, Secretary, Miss
Anna M. Cahill, Nashville, Tenn.
LA.--Woman's Miss. Union, Secretary, Miss Jennie
Fyfe, 490 Canal St., New Orleans, La.
OHIO.--Woman's Home Miss. Union, Secretary,
Mrs. Flora K. Regal, Oberlin, Ohio.
IND.--Woman's Home Miss. Union, Secretary,
Mrs. W.E. Mossman, Fort Wayne, Ind.
ILL.--Woman's Home Miss. Union, Secretary, Mrs.
C.H. Taintor, 151 Washington St., Chicago, Ill.
MINN.--Woman's Home Miss. Society, Secretary,
Miss Katharine Plant, 2651 Portland Avenue,
Minneapolis, Minn.
IOWA.--Woman's Home Miss. Union, Secretary,
Miss Ella E. Marsh, Grinnell, Iowa.
KANSAS.--Woman's Home Miss. Society, Secretary,
Mrs. G.L. Epps. Topeka, Kan.
MICH.--Woman's Home Miss. Union, Secretary,
Mrs. Mary B. Warren, Lansing, Mich.
WIS.--Woman's Home Miss. Union, Secretary,
Mrs. C. Matter, Brodhead, Wis.
NEB.--Woman's Home Miss. Union, Secretary,
Mrs. L.F. Berry, 734 N Broad St., Fremont, Neb.
COLORADO.--Woman's Home Miss. Union, Secretary,
Mrs. S.M. Packard, Pueblo, Colo.
DAKOTA.--Woman's Home Miss. Union, President,
Mrs. T.M. Hills, Sioux Falls; Secretary, Mrs.
W.R. Dawes, Redfield; Treasurer, Mrs. S.E.
Fifield, Lake Preston.
[Footnote 1: For the purpose of exact information, we note that
while the W.H.M.A. appears in this list as a State body for Mass.
and R.I., it has certain auxiliaries elsewhere.]
We would suggest to all ladies connected with the auxiliaries of State
Missionary Unions, that funds for the American Missionary Association
be sent to us through the treasurers of the Union. Care, however,
should be taken to designate the money as for the American Missionary
Association, since _undesignated funds will not reach us_.
* * * * *
FINAL NOTICE OF THE MEETING OF THE WOMAN'S STATE HOME MISSIONARY
ORGANIZATIONS.
This meeting, as previously announced, will be held Tuesday, June 4,
1889, in the Congregational Church, Saratoga, N.Y.
The following ladies will take part in the public afternoon session:
Mrs. H.S. Caswell, Editor of the _Home Missionary_, Mrs. F.K. Regal of
Ohio, Mrs. Smith Norton of Wisconsin, Mrs. W.E. De Reimer of Iowa, Mrs.
E.W. Williams of Minnesota, Mrs. A.J. Drake of Dakota, Mrs. A.B. Dascomb
of Vermont, Miss D.E. Emerson of the American Missionary Association and
Mrs. E.R. Drake of Kansas. The exercises will commence promptly at 2
o'clock. For information in regard to morning session, see AMERICAN
MISSIONARY for April, or address Mrs. J.A. Biddle, South Norwalk, Conn.
* * * * *
WOMAN'S MISSIONARY ASSOCIATION OF ALABAMA.
BY MRS. H.S. DE FOREST.
Mobile welcomed the Woman's Missionary Association of Alabama at its
twelfth annual meeting, March 31st. A well arranged programme, with
reports from the eight auxiliaries, filled with interest a three hours'
session. Necessarily much of the work in these local societies must be
for building up the church, helping toward the minister's salary and
caring for the destitute in the immediate vicinity; but it was most
encouraging to note that aside from this, work had been done for the
foreign field through the American Board and for the Home Missionary
Society, while several societies had contributed toward the support of a
teacher at Fort Berthold, Dakota, under the American Missionary
Association. Organizations were reported among the women, young women
and girls, with one society of King's Sons, who are interested in the
foreign field. The Penny Plan had been tried with much success by one
society of girls. This band has given during the year forty-five dollars
for foreign, home and local work.
Interesting and practical papers were read upon "Africa and our duty to
it," "Systematic Work in our Local Societies," and "Prohibition: our
Relation to the Movement."
Miss Emerson, providentially present, brought the greetings of the
American Missionary Association, cheering and encouraging all with her
helpful and inspiring words. Changes in the Constitution seeming
desirable, they were suggested and adopted at this meeting. The name is
changed from Woman's Missionary Association to Woman's Missionary Union,
thus bringing the society into line with similar organizations in
Northern States.
Under the new wording, local societies may work for any branch of
missions, home or foreign, contributions being sent through the
established agencies of the Congregational churches. By thus broadening
the field, it is hoped that more and better work will be done, and that
an intelligent interest will be created in many branches of the Master's
work.
The Union adjourned to meet in Marion, one year hence.
* * * * *
FOR THE CHILDREN.
* * * * *
A LETTER FROM A TEACHER IN GEORGIA.
DEAR CHILDREN:
Would you not like to hear about some of the little black children in
our mission Sunday-school down here in the Southland? One of our
scholars, a certain ragged boy, was for many weeks among the missing. A
few Sundays later, one of the first arrivals was master James, but he
was so decently clad that I did not recognize him, and was obliged to
inquire his name. A blue jacket, much too large for him, and ornamented
with brass buttons, gave him a very distinguished air, but we soon
learned that clothes do not always make the man, for time has proven him
not as worthy as we thought. O, such a little scamp as he is! and yet so
full of good nature in his mischief, that it is not easy to scold him
for naughtiness. Living only across the lane, he runs in and out as much
as he pleases, and if one starts after him, he is often found just
outside on the step, peeping through a crack, and grinning at authority.
He is simply irrepressible, as a little incident will show you. One day,
as the Superintendent was speaking of the collection, a little boy said
he had no money. "_Aw!_ ye've got yer pocket _cram_ full," was the
comment of the boy with brass buttons. It was said for the benefit of
all present, and in no modest tone.
You have not heard, I believe, about the three little boys I call "my
babies." They are yet in dresses, and as cunning as can be, very regular
in attendance. Harry, Eddie, and--well I must tell you about the other
name. Down here, many nick-names are used, such as son, bubba, or boysa
for the boys, and sister or missy for the little girls. When this little
fellow was asked his name, he very bashfully said, "Son." "But you have
some other name?" If he knew any other, he was afraid to speak, so I
asked whether anyone present knew his name. A little girl called out "He
is Son Anderson _Baby_ Boy," and now I always use the four words when
speaking to or of him. We are very good friends, but he has doubted my
sincerity since one time when I ventured to examine a small brown pipe
held tightly in his hand. It proved to be chocolate candy, and as he did
not choose to risk his treasure with me, he put down his little mouth,
and took in not only the candy, but my finger as well. He is quite shy
of me now, evidently fearing that some of his rights will be denied.
Mordecai is an unruly specimen, and then there is Simeon, who never
fails to have an answer ready. His favorite one is, "Be humble, and ever
mindful of death." I suppose he learned it in the catechism, for he
rarely fails to give it when any question is asked concerning duty to
God or man. When we had the lesson about "The Sick of the Palsy," his
class were asked what they would do if they had a sick friend who was
unable to walk to a physician, and had no horse. "I'd get some mare and
tote him," was Simeon's original thought, and he did not know the story
either. It always seems as if I had just begun to write when time and
space warn me to stop, so now good-by.
AN A.M.A. TEACHER.
* * * * *
RECEIPTS FOR APRIL, 1889.
MAINE, $362.69.
Augusta. "A Friend" 11.21
Bangor. S.C. Carter 5.00
Blue Hill. Cong. Y.P.S.C.E., by Miss C.B.
Stevens, Treas. 5.00
Brewer. First Cong. Ch. 10.00
Calais. First Cong. Ch. 30.00
Castine. Class No. 9 Trin. Sab. Sch., _for
Student Aid, Tougaloo U._ 2.25
Eastport. "G.A.P." of Central Ch.
"Thank Offering" 10.00
Garland. Cong. Ch. 8.00
Kittery Point. Cong. Ch. 6.35
South Bridgton. Cong. Ch. 10.88
Thomaston. "A Few Friends in Cong.
Ch." _for Memphis, Tenn._ 12.00
Yarmouth. Chas. L. Marston,
_for Mountain Work_ 180.00
Yarmouth. Cong. Ch. 42, and Sab. Sch. on
True Blue Cards 30, _for Tougaloo U._ 72.00
NEW HAMPSHIRE, $384.29.
Atkinson. Cong. Ch. and Soc. 19.00
Barrington. W.B.M., Bbl. C., _for Talladega C._
Croydon. Mrs. D.W. Barton, _for Student Aid,
Lexington, Ky._ 5.00
Exeter. Second Cong. Ch. 91.92
Francestown. Cong. Ch. 17.52
Gorham. Cong. Ch. 5.67
Haverhill. Cong. Ch. 17.00
Hinsdale. Cong. Ch. 5.75
Hudson. Cong. Ch. 14.00
Keene. Second Cong. Ch. 27.04
Keene. Primary Class Second S.S.,
_for Woman's Work_ 5.00
Londonderry. Mrs. Buxton 5.00
Lyme. Sab. Sch. of Cong. Ch. 10.00
Manchester. Sab. Sch. First Cong. Ch.
_for Fort Berthold, Indian M._ 75.00
Marlboro. Cong. Ch. 12.33
Meriden. "A Friend" $1.50. Cong. S.S.,
Box Books, etc., _for Student Aid,
Lexington, Ky._ 1.50
Newport. S.S. of Cong. Ch., Box S.S.
Books, _for Lexington, Ky._
Plainfield. Mrs. C.H. Lewis, 5, Cong.
Ch., Box S.S. Books, _for Student Aid,
Lexington, Ky._ 5.00
Rindge. Cong. Ch. 9.94
Salem. Mrs. Dean Emerson 1.00
Sanbornton Square. Cong. Ch. 8.41
Sunapee. Meth. S.S., Box of S.S. Books
_for Lexington, Ky._
Swanzey. Cong. Ch. 8.11
Tamworth. Mrs. Amanda M. Davis, to
const. FRANKLIN W. DAVIS L.M. 30.00
Winchester. Sab. Sch. of Cong. Ch. 10.10
VERMONT, $1,643.31.
Bennington. Mrs. Isaac Jennings,
_for McIntosh, Ga._ 5.00
Brandon. Cong. Ch. 12.92
Brownington and Barton Landing. Cong. Ch. 23.75
Brownington. Mrs. M.S. Stone 10.00
Burlington. Class in College St. Sab. Sch.,
_for Rosebud Indian M._ 8.00
Burlington. Bbl. and Box C., Freight 2,
_for McIntosh, Ga._ 2.00
Cambridge. Madison Safford, in Memory
of John Safford 1,284.00
Cambridge. Madison Safford 10.00
Clarendon. Cong. Ch. 7.27
East Poultney. Mrs. A.D. Wilcox 10.00
Fair Haven. Members Cong. Ch. 9.45
Greensboro. Cong. Ch. 15.85
Hartford. Cong. Ch., by J.G. Stimson of
Norwich 50.00
Middlebury. Sab. Sch. of Cong. Ch., 25,
Cong. Sab. Sch., 2.25, _for Rosebud
Indian M._ 27.25
Montpelier. Box C., Freight 5,
_for McIntosh, Ga._ 5.00
Newport. Cong. Ch. and Soc. 9.00
Orwell. Ladies of Cong. Ch.,
_for McIntosh, Ga._ 14.21
Peacham. Cong. Ch. and Soc. 26.55
Randolph. Mrs. M.K. Nichols 1.50
Saint Johnsbury. North Cong. Ch.,
_for Student Aid, Fisk U._ 20.00
Wallingford. Sab. Sch. of Cong. Ch.,
_for McIntosh, Ga._ 13.49
Wells River. Cong. Ch. and Soc. 34.57
Windham. Cong. Ch. (2. from Mr. and
Mrs. H.N. Prentiss, _for Mountain White
Work_, 5 from Rev. Geo. N. Beckwith _for
Debt_) to const. BLISS B. PRENTISS L.M. 38.00
Vermont Woman's Home Missionary
Union, by Mrs. William P. Fairbanks,
Treas., _for McIntosh, Ga._:
Saint Albans. W.H.M.S.
of First Cong. Ch. 5.50
----- 5.50
MASSACHUSETTS, $10,670.72.
Amherst. First Cong. Ch. 20.00
Amherst. First Cong. Ch.,
_for Tillotson Inst._ 20.00
Andover. Mrs. Phebe A. Chandler, _for
School Building, Lexington, Ky._ 2,000.00