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[Illustration:
VOL. XXXVI. APRIL, 1882. NO. 4
THE
American Missionary
“THEY ARE RISING ALL ARE RISING, THE BLACK AND WHITE TOGETHER”
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.]
* * * * *
CONTENTS.
* * * * *
EDITORIAL.
PAGE.
A FINANCIAL APPEAL 97
PARAGRAPHS 98
AN OLD-TIME MIDNIGHT SLAVE FUNERAL (cut) 99
PARAGRAPHS 100
DEATH OF EDGAR KETCHUM 100
GOVERNMENTAL AID TO COMMON SCHOOLS, BY REV. C. C.
PAINTER 101
BENEFACTIONS‒GENERAL NOTES‒Africa, Indians,
Chinese 103
FIELD WORK.
WORTHY OF RECORD 104
CHURCH, HOME AND SCHOOL, WILMINGTON, N.C. (cut) 105
A WEEK AMONG THE WORKERS‒AT ATLANTA, GA.;
TALLADEGA, ALA.; FISK UNIVERSITY; LE MOYNE
INSTITUTE, NEW ORLEANS, LA.; SAN FRANCISCO;
HAMPTON, VA. 106
REVIVAL IN CENTRAL CHURCH AND STRAIGHT UNIVERSITY,
NEW ORLEANS 113
HOW THE FREEDMEN CHILDREN DO IT 114
CHURCH AT LITTLE ROCK, ARK.; CHURCH AT LULING, TEX. 115
AFRICA.
REV. MR. LADD AT KHARTOUM 115
CHILDREN’S PAGE.
CHING LING’S PASSPORT, BY MRS. HARRIET A. CHEEVER 117
RECEIPTS 119
* * * * *
American Missionary Association,
56 READE STREET, NEW YORK.
* * * * *
PRESIDENT, HON. WM. B. WASHBURN, Mass.
CORRESPONDING SECRETARY.
Rev. M. E. STRIEBY, D.D., _56 Reade Street, N.Y._
TREASURER.
H. W. HUBBARD, Esq., _56 Reade Street, N.Y._
DISTRICT SECRETARIES.
Rev. C. L. WOODWORTH, _Boston_.
Rev. G. D. PIKE, D.D., _New York_.
Rev. JAMES POWELL, _Chicago_.
COMMUNICATIONS
relating to the work of the Association may be addressed to the
Corresponding Secretary; those relating to the collecting fields,
to the District Secretaries; letters for the Editor of the
“American Missionary,” to Rev. G. D. Pike, D.D., at the New York
Office.
DONATIONS AND SUBSCRIPTIONS
may be sent to H. W. Hubbard, Treasurer, 56 Reade Street, New York,
or, when more convenient, to either of the Branch Offices, Rev. C.
L. Woodworth, Dist. Sec., 21 Congregational House, Boston, Mass.,
or Rev. James Powell, Dist. Sec., 112 West Washington Street,
Chicago, Ill. A payment of thirty dollars at one time constitutes a
Life Member. Letters relating to boxes and barrels of clothing may
be addressed to the persons above named.
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 Annual Report of the A. M. A. contains the Constitution of the
Association and the By-Laws of the Executive Committee. A copy will
be sent free on application.
THE
AMERICAN MISSIONARY.
* * * * *
VOL. XXXVI. APRIL, 1882. No. 4.
* * * * *
American Missionary Association.
* * * * *
A FINANCIAL APPEAL.
In the last number of the MISSIONARY we stated that our receipts
for the four months of the fiscal year to January 31 had been
$83,893.39, or an advance over last year of only 19 per cent.,
instead of $100,000, or the advance of 23 per cent. asked for at
the Annual Meeting.
Special calls for finishing new buildings, useless unless finished,
necessary repairs on old buildings, etc., compelled us to make
appropriations to the amount of the 23 per cent., but the falling
off in anticipated receipts left a deficit of $16,107.
We had hoped that February would show an improvement, but, with
regret, we are compelled to say that the receipts for that month
are about $1,000 less than for February, 1881. We needed $125,000
to meet the total demands due February 28, and our receipts at that
date are $100,045.97, a deficiency of about $25,000.
To us there is the choice between a _debt_ and _retrenchment_;
with our patrons, whose servants we are, is the opportunity of
relief. We dare not make a debt; we are held to this by our pledge
to our friends, and by our past bitter experience. Retrenchment
is a distressing alternative. It will check the progress along
the whole line of our work. The increased receipts of the past
two years have given to the colored people a new impulse of hope
and activity. New buildings have been erected, schools have been
enlarged, new churches formed, and the spirit of self-help has been
awakened in an unwonted degree in the schools and the churches.
Retrenchment will check all this. Years may be required to regain
it. Importunate calls for the continuance of the extended work
crowd upon us, and denial must create discouragement, and this will
be intensified by the disasters of the late floods. To a struggling
people, such a drawback is an incalculable evil. In their behalf we
appeal‒yes, earnestly and importunately we appeal‒to our friends to
come forward to their aid promptly and generously.
* * * * *
We give place in this number of the MISSIONARY to communications
relating to a week’s work among the workers, which we believe will
be of special interest to our readers.
* * * * *
Rev. A. E. Winship, of Somerville, Mass., who was the author of
the first concert exercise in behalf of the American Missionary
Association, has just prepared a second exercise on the same
subject. The exercise can be had gratuitously, with Jubilee Songs
to accompany it, on application to Rev. C. L. Woodworth, 21
Congregational House, Boston, Mass. We can assure Sunday-schools
and churches that the exercise is one of the best, and that its use
can hardly fail to awaken new interest in the concert.
* * * * *
On another page will be found a very interesting letter from
Mr. Ladd, giving an account of a rebellion among the tribes in
the vicinity of Khartoum that threatens to hinder his progress.
A letter of more recent date says that he and Dr. Snow have
relinquished the hope of reaching Fatiko at present, but that they
have made arrangements with the Government for passage on one of
its smaller steamers that will enable them to visit the region of
the Sobat. Our explorers manifest both caution and courage, and we
commend them to the prayers of God’s people.
* * * * *
A Northern man now resident in Florida, and always, both North and
South, a warm friend of our work among the colored people, after
reading in our notice of the Nashville Conference, the appeal for
another Theological Seminary further South, gives the whole matter
not only a most cordial, but practical, indorsement by pledging
himself “to be one of ten or twenty or fifty to contribute $1,000
each to make a beginning in the good work.” With thanks to our
friend for his liberality, we send forth the question, Where are
the nine, the nineteen or the forty-nine?
* * * * *
“In those portions of the South where the plantations were largest,
and the slaves the most numerous, they were very fond of burying
their dead at night, and as near midnight as possible. In case
of a funeral, they assembled from adjoining plantations in large
numbers, provided with pine knots and pieces of fat pine called
lightwood, which, when ignited, made a blaze compared with which
our city torchlight processions are most sorry affairs. When
all was in readiness, they lighted these torches, formed into a
procession, and marched slowly to the distant grave, singing the
most solemn music. Sometimes they sang hymns they had committed to
memory, but oftener those more tender and plaintive, composed by
themselves, that have since been introduced to the people of the
North and of Europe as plantation melodies. The appearance of such
a procession, winding through the fields and woods, as revealed by
their flaming torches, marching slowly to the sound of their wild
music, was weird and imposing to the highest degree.”‒From “In the
Brush,” by Rev. H. W. Pierson, D.D.
[Illustration: An old-time midnight slave funeral.]
Two or three second-hand communion sets will be very gratefully
received by as many of our needy young churches in the South.
Churches at the North changing from their present to better will
please take note.
* * * * *
There were twins in this country. One was slavery and the other
polygamy. One is dead and the other is threatened as never before.
This Association is proud of the part it took in the extinction of
the former. It now extends its heartiest sympathies to those who
are determined upon the destruction of the latter.
* * * * *
A postal from one of our schools at the South says: “We received
recently a good-sized box of books and only a few of any value.
Latin books of ancient date, German, French, Spanish, and Patent
Office Reports are of no use to us. Please ask our friends not
to send such, as they are only a bill of expense.” We have had,
heretofore, to make statements of this sort in the MISSIONARY.
We are always thankful for the liberality of our friends, but we
invoke their discretion in giving.
* * * * *
The Congregational Year Book, just issued by our British brethren,
is a document well worthy of study on this side of the water.
Besides the usual statistics of ministers and churches, it makes
mention of 19 colleges, 31 new schools, 37 missionary and other
societies, 41 Congregational institutions, 48 periodicals,
published by Congregationalists. It also gives the statistics of 16
non-conformist institutions, one of which is a Ministers’ Seaside
Home‒a species of benevolence that would be invaluable to our
missionary laborers at the South. The record of so much enterprise
and work qualifies the reader to appreciate Dr. Henry Allon’s
eloquent and powerful discourse on “The Church of the Future,”
which is printed in the same volume.
* * * * *
The death of Edgar Ketchum, Esq., which occurred March 3, removes
from us a philanthropist and Christian; it diminishes the rapidly
thinning ranks of earnest Christian Abolitionists, and it takes
one who had long been an officer of the American Missionary
Association. Mr. Ketchum was admitted to the bar in 1834; in
1841 he was made Commissioner of Public Funds for this State; in
1861 he was appointed by President Lincoln Collector of Internal
Revenue for the Ninth District of New York; and in 1867 he was made
a Register in Bankruptcy by Chief-Justice Chase, which position
he held till the time of his death. Mr. Ketchum early identified
himself with the anti-slavery cause, and was ardent and constant in
his endeavors to promote it. His house was fired by the rioters in
1863. He was for a long time President of the Board of Managers of
the House of Refuge, on Randall’s Island, to whose interest he gave
untiring and uncompensated time and attention. He was Treasurer of
this Association from 1865 to 1879, a position of responsibility
and supervision, but not of active duty, and without salary. He
was also the legal counsellor of the Association for many years.
Mr. Ketchum was a man of fine personal presence, of very genial
manners, of active business habits, and a devoted Christian.
* * * * *
GOVERNMENTAL AID TO COMMON SCHOOLS.
WHAT CONGRESS MAY DO AND WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE.
* * * * *
_Rev. C. C. Painter._
Education by the State rests upon the sole basis of self-protection.
A despotism must stand impregnable, if at all, in the strength
of its armament. But not so with a republic. It must stand in
the intelligence and virtue of its citizens. It were a solecism
in logic and common sense to admit the nation’s right to manumit
the slave as a war measure, and equip him with the ballot as a
reconstructive measure necessary to the safety of the republic,
but deny at once the right and the duty of qualifying him for the
duties of citizenship when an understanding of these duties is also
essential to that safety. The constitutional right to use the same
power, which is now invoked to qualify the voter for the duty with
which the general government has charged him, has been exercised
so many times in regard to less important matters that precedents
are not wanting to justify this application of it, even to one who
wishes to know that a thing has been done before he will believe it
can be done.
Whatever criticism may be made upon the use which some of the
States made of their share of the $28,000,000 of money distributed
from the surplus funds of the Treasury by the Act of June 23, 1836,
no one can doubt that it was constitutionally done, and done by the
same discretion and power which would be used in giving aid now to
the States. And it may be said that the use of this fund so largely
by the States at their discretion for school purposes legitimates
the confident assurance that a fund now given specifically for
schools would be wisely and conscientiously devoted to that object.
As to the present needs look at the facts:
There are in the United States 6,239,958 persons, ten years of age
or over, who cannot write their names. More than three-fourths of
these are found in the old slave States. More than one-half of the
whole number are colored. If the general government should provide
means to sustain a school for this class alone for three months
in the year, at a salary for the teachers of $30 per month for a
school of 30 pupils, it would require the sum of $18,719,958. Of
this $14,449,579 would go into the old slave States, $9,187,922
because of colored illiterates, leaving $4,961,657 for the whites,
and $4,579,439 would go to the other States for both black and
white illiterates.
In 1879 North Carolina raised for common schools a sum which would
give $20 per annum to each school of 30 illiterates (not school
children). How long it would take that State to make intelligent
and safe voters of her citizens at that rate is matter for sober
reflection, not alone to the politician, who remembers what the
electoral vote of that State is for President, but to every citizen.
If the government should enable North Carolina to keep up her
schools for four months at fair wages, instead of one month, as at
present, at such a salary as can secure only an inferior teacher,
it would be something, but not all that is needed. If such a sum
should be given, Mississippi would receive as her share of it
$1,119,603; New Jersey, with nearly exactly the same population,
would receive $159,747. But $959,529 of Mississippi’s share would
be because of colored illiteracy, leaving nearly exactly the same
amount for white illiterates which New Jersey would receive,
which shows conclusively that it is because of the negro chiefly
this help is needed, and for him, as a voter, the nation at large
is responsible. In considering the disparity between the sum
that would go to the South and the new States of the Northwest
respectively, not only must we remember the negro as a factor in
the problem, but also these facts: By the ordinance of 1787, by
which Virginia ceded the great northwest territory to the general
government on such terms‒Mr. Webster said, in his great speech
on the Foote resolution‒as “fixed forever the character of the
population of the vast regions northwest of the Ohio by excluding
from them involuntary servitude, and impressed on the soil itself,
while it was yet a wilderness, an incapacity to sustain any
other than freemen.” And six days after, in his reply to Hayne,
he said, also, that “it set forth and declared it to be a high
and binding duty of the government itself to support schools and
advance the means of education on the plain reason that religion,
morality and knowledge are necessary to good government.” By this
ordinance of cession, Virginia stipulated that the proceeds from
this vast territory should be considered as a common fund for
the use and benefit of such as have become or may become members
of the confederation or federal alliance of States. The other
States claiming unsettled lands within their territory also ceded
their titles to the general government, which became possessed
of the whole. From time to time Congress has made most liberal
grants of this land to the new States for school purposes, so
that Minnesota, for example, has realized from her share, or has
the land from which, at the same rate of sale, she can realize a
fund of $20,000,000 for educational purposes, while the old States
have not had a dollar, excepting their share in the grant for the
endowment of agricultural colleges by Act of 1862, in which the new
States as well as the old shared ratably. It may be truly said,
then, that every instinct of self-preservation demands that the
unquestionable right of the general government shall be exercised
in using the means at its disposal to meet the great danger which
threatens us from the presence and power of ignorant voters; and
that every sentiment of justice to the negro himself as the subject
of many wrongs and the possible avenger of them, and to the States
themselves, requires that governmental aid shall be given to the
common schools of the country.
* * * * *
BENEFACTIONS
Ex-Gov. Colby has made a conditional pledge of $10,000 to the
trustees of the Maine Agricultural College.
Gen. E. W. Leavenworth, of Syracuse, N.Y., has recently given
$10,000 to Hamilton College to found a scholarship.
Of the £265,000 endowment secured last year for the University of
Pennsylvania, Mr. Joseph A. Wharton gave £100,000.
Newton Case, of Hartford, Conn., has offered to give $100,000 for
the library of Hartford Theo. Sem., provided an equal amount is
raised.
By the sale of the Williston Mills at Easthampton, Williston
Seminary comes into possession of $200,000 and Amherst College of
$100,000.
Over $100,000 has been raised for land and a new dormitory at
Williams College. The fund for the Garfield Professorship amounts
to $42,000.
The late Joseph E. Sheffield gives $100,000 to the Berkeley
Divinity School, Middletown, Conn. His gifts to Yale College will
probably aggregate from half a million to a million and a half.
University College, Liverpool, England, is to receive £105,000 from
different individuals. Lord Derby, the Rathborne family, Mrs. Grant
and the trustees of the late R. L. Jones have _subscribed_ £10,000
each of the amount.
“_The colored people are too poor to endow their schools. Their
very existence is endangered so long as they are made to depend
upon the yearly gifts of the churches. To endow is to carry a
magnificent beginning to completion._”‒Rev. T. J. Morgan, D.D.
* * * * *
GENERAL NOTES.
AFRICA.
‒It is reported that Piaggia, the Italian explorer, who purposed
penetrating the Galla country in Southern Abyssinia, is dead.
‒Col. Mills, who formerly occupied the post of Consul-General and
English Political Agent at Mascate, has been appointed to succeed
Dr. Kirk at Zanzibar.
‒M. Maspéro, director of the Egyptian museum, has succeeded in
discovering the opening of the pyramid of Meydoum which has passed
until now as impenetrable.
‒M. Tagliabue, correspondent of the _Exploratore_, has made from
Massaoua an excursion among the Bogos, where he has specially
studied the tobacco plantations.
‒M. Godfrey Roth, who gave proof of so much zeal at the time of the
arrival of the caravans of slaves at Siout, has been attached to
Giegler Pasha, at Khartoum, for the suppression of the slave trade.
‒Rohlfs has written the Secretary of the Anti-Slavery Society that
he hoped to return to London in January, and go from thence to
Cairo, to negotiate peace with the Khedive on the part of the King
of Abyssinia, under the auspices of the English government, from
which he beseeches aid in favor of the Emperor of Abyssinia.
* * * * *
THE INDIANS.
‒The London Missionary Society has furnished their Indian missions
on the North Pacific Coast with a small steamer. The Baptists also
have one on Puget Sound.
‒The Protestant Episcopal Church sustains 394 missionaries in its
home field, of whom 52 labor among the Indians.
‒The Presbytery of West Virginia, although itself a weak Home
Missionary Presbytery, has ordained three ministers for Alaska.
* * * * *
THE CHINESE.
‒The Chinese government has decided to increase the tax on foreign
opium and impose a tax on native opium.
‒A Chinese ship loaded with tea recently arrived in London. It is
the first that ever reached that port.
‒Rev. H. V. Noyes, of the Presbyterian mission at Canton, has
prepared a Concordance of the New Testament in Chinese.
‒There were 18 graduates of the Scientific Department of the
Training School at Kioto, Japan, and all remained to pursue the
study of theology.
* * * * *
WORTHY OF RECORD.
* * * * *
In the May number of the magazine for 1881, was a picture and a
description of Christ’s Church, in Wilmington, N.C. We intimated
at that time that the same generous friend who had built the
church intended still larger outlays and improvements at the same
point, an account of which might be expected at a future time.
That time has come, and we proceed to complete the picture and
the description of Hon. James J. H. Gregory’s noble gift to the
Wilmington mission.
_First, the School-House._‒This was, originally, a wooden two-story
building, 84 × 30 feet, one end of which was occupied by the
mission family, and the other by the schools. It would accommodate,
by crowding, 150 pupils. This building has now been completely
remodeled, and the whole of it devoted to schools and mission work.
It has been flanked by two wings, each 54 × 16, two stories high,
having a front of 116 feet, with room for 300 or 350 pupils. The
lower story contains three school rooms, first and second primary
and grammar; also room for lady missionary, in which she holds
sewing classes, prayer-meetings, and deals out books, papers and
clothing to the needy.
[Illustration: CHURCH, HOME AND SCHOOL, WILMINGTON, N.C.]
The upper story contains high-school room, principal’s room,
assistant’s recitation room, and a hall capable of seating between
three and four hundred, and which can be used, if necessary, for a
still higher grade of school in the future.
_Second, the Mission House._‒The house is a wooden frame in a
brick “jacket,” the main part three stories high, and each story
containing four rooms fifteen feet square, with an open fire-place
in each. The L has nine rooms, exclusive of storeroom, pantry and
wash-room, the latter of which is in the basement.
The roofs are flat, that on the main building having, beneath the
eaves, eighteen ventilators, which insure fresh air for the house
and coolness for the chambers. The house is finished throughout
in pitch-pine, merely varnished, no paint being used inside. The
window sashes and the door frames are of cypress, and with care
will last a century.
The brick is deep red, laid in one-half cement and one-half mortar,
a mixture which has hardened like stone. The walls are plastered
with the same, with the addition of hair to give it proper tenacity
and cohesion. The whole structure is solid, airy and imposing,
admirably arranged for convenience in domestic work and for the
comfort of the teachers and missionaries.
The entire cost of the Home, and of the extension and repairs on
the school-house, is $12,550, and including the church (which is
seen on the left hand of the picture), the whole group of buildings
has cost the donor $16,150.
For the purposes in behalf of which they were erected they
are nearly perfect. Utility and comfort have been combined in
everything with the least possible waste of room or money. They are
a monument to the head and heart and hand of the generous giver,
such as any might covet, but such as few will have.
While they stand they will be a beacon of light and hope to
benighted thousands, and will bring upon the head of their author
the blessing of many ready to perish. Who will imitate the example
and share in the reward?
* * * * *
A WEEK AMONG THE WORKERS.
* * * * *
EXPERIENCES AND DUTIES IN CONNECTION WITH THE FIRST CONGREGATIONAL
CHURCH, ATLANTA, GA., SUNDAY, FEB. 12.
_By Rev. Evarts Kent._
Would you like to see our church? Look upon the cover of the
AMERICAN MISSIONARY you hold in your hand; lower left hand corner.
There it is, an attractive, beautiful brick structure with brown
stone trimmings, slate roof, tower, bell, organ, everything, in
fact, but a _mortgage_.
The first experience of this day is sunshine! At this season of the
year “the Gate City of the South,” unlike the New Jerusalem, has
neither foundations nor pavements. Its streets are horrible pits,
its sidewalks miry clay, and any day of the week that brings real
northern sunshine is by no means the least of blessings. And this,
the first pleasant Sabbath of the year, is bright and clear as the
sunniest of New England May days, and we walk on dry land to the
house of God through what only a day or two since was the Red (mud)
Sea.
After sunshine comes Sunday-school, from 9:30 to 11 A.M. The
pastor is superintendent. After the opening exercises, the school
separates by classes, each going to its own room for forty minutes’
study of the lesson.
Our school at present numbers 14 classes, of which three are
Bible classes; an infant class numbering 60 and still growing,
the ten other classes being composed of boys and girls from eight
to sixteen years of age. Attendance for to-day is 210, a fair
average for pleasant weather. At the close of study hour the school
re-assembles for general review, which occupies about a quarter of
an hour, and includes the previous lessons of the quarter as well
as that of to-day. The review, though necessarily brief, reveals
two things: One is the fact that we have a corps of earnest,
faithful and competent teachers. The other, that the pupils have
studied their lessons and are learning how to think. The promptness
of response, the intelligence of the answers given, and the
thoughtfulness of the questions asked by them, I have rarely seen
surpassed. That they are in great part either students or graduates
of the Storrs school will explain the reason of any unusual
proficiency. The majority of the children in our Sunday-school are
as wide-awake, active, keen, as you will find anywhere, and any
dull, prosy, goody-good teacher will find ours the best school in
the world‒to stay away from.
At three o’clock we gather at the first church service of the
day. This is Communion with us, and in connection with the
administration of the Sacrament, a brother recently chosen deacon
is to be set apart for that office.
The sermon which preceded was founded upon a clause from Acts vi.,
3, “Men of good report.” It emphasized the importance of calling to
the diaconate only such men as were of unblemished reputation and
unquestioned integrity in all that concerned themselves and others.
After the sermon, amidst the most impressive stillness of the
congregation, the deacon elect was consecrated to his office,
through the laying on of hands by the pastor and the other deacons,
and with prayer. The service was peculiarly solemn, and will tend
to awaken in our people a truer conception of the qualifications
essential to the holding of responsible positions in the church.
The exercises were concluded with the administration of the Lord’s
Supper. Following this service is a half-hour prayer meeting in one
of the Bible classrooms.
To-day the attendance is unusually large. That there is more than
common interest is evinced by the twelve earnest prayers offered
and the expressions of desire to serve God on the part of some who
are still without the fold.
A sermon to parents in the evening, previously announced, and
preached to a large and attentive congregation, brings this day
to a close‒a day filled with work, of which only an outline is
given‒work that instead of weariness brings rest and strength and
courage.
WORK IN THE THEOLOGICAL DEPARTMENT AT TALLADEGA, MONDAY, FEB.
13‒“AVERAGE EXPERIENCES OF AN AVERAGE DAY.”
_By Rev. G. W. Andrews._
We got an hour’s study before breakfast and two more after it,
so as to be ready for the 10 o’clock lecture on the Messianic
Prophecies‒a lecture, since no suitable text-book can be found. The
bell strikes at 10 sharp, and nine intelligent-looking young men,
whose average age is about twenty-seven, are soon in their seats
and the lecturer in his chair. A brief prayer for the blessing of
Heaven on the hour’s work is offered, all standing with folded arms
and bowed heads. Then follows a review of the last lecture for
twenty minutes, each pupil rising in his place and reciting without
questions. Questions and explanations must come afterwards. They
know in brief what they are expected to recite, for it was written
the day previous in their lecture books. They must repeat verses
8, 9, 10 and 11 of Psalm xvi.; must discuss what Peter says on
these verses in Acts ii., 25–31, and what Paul says in Acts xiii.,
33–37, and what Christ says in Luke xxiv., 44–46; also consider at
some length the question “Whether all this Psalm is Messianic or
only certain verses.” Two or three theories, a few questions, and
the recitation is ended. Some grasped and carried the burden of
thought easily, and some, from over-anxiety, stumbled, but all were
fairly good. Monday is not the best day for school, as all teachers
know. Every man now springs to his pencil and paper, taking down
another lecture to be studied and recited to-morrow. This time it
is Psalm xxii., as this one is classed with Psalms xvi., xl. and
lxix. They write rapidly, copy into their lecture books after going
to their rooms, also paste in “proof texts,” memorize verses 14–21,
examine reference books, one or two theories, and in general get
ready for another day. This class has no time for idleness, and I
am glad to say desires none. A clergyman from the North who heard
them recite recently said: “It is the best theological recitation I
ever heard.” About a year is spent on the Messianic Prophecies. We
memorize them all.
One swift hour is gone. In five minutes another class studying
systematic theology are in their places. A word of prayer as
before, and the work of reciting begins. We recite from Pond’s
theology, and supplement from our Andover lectures and ourselves.
The subject to-day happens to be baptism. These four young men
know what they are about and march ahead with vigor. Contrary
to the common opinion, they master the abstractions of theology
more easily than they memorize the “proof texts.” Baptism is a
live subject in these parts, and the work of understanding it is
entered on with evident relish. One discusses Jewish Proselyte
baptism, another John’s baptism, another Christian baptism, as a
“token,” a “sign,” a “seal” and a “rite,” instituted by our Lord,
the mode not essential, while all together examine in groups, and
a few, in particular, the hundred and fourteen classic examples of
“baptizo.” These make it plain that “baptizo” does not always nor
even generally mean immerse. The passages examined from the New
Testament proved the same to them. They were a little surprised at
the new light. Immersion as the only baptism works great mischief
among the colored people, leading them to trust in the outward rite
rather than the inward cleansing. A very interesting hour with an
interesting class. I can give you no idea of it. Please give us
more room next time. The rest of the day is spent in private study.
Talladega has 30 ministers in the field, and through such men is
the way upward for the colored people. The colored preacher is a
bishop of the most dominant order, hence he must be wisely fitted
for his work. We give much time here to the study of the Bible.
“The entrance of Thy word giveth light.”
COLLEGE WORK IN FISK UNIVERSITY, FEB. 14, 1882.
_By Prof. A. K. Spence._
To-day there is in the college classes an actual attendance of
twenty-eight students. Four others are absent; three for the
purpose of teaching, and one on account of ill health. Of those
present, two are seniors, six are juniors, five are sophomores, and
fifteen are freshmen. The freshman class is the largest we have
ever had, numbering at one time twenty.
The classes for to-day are calculus, Horace, Thucydides,
trigonometry, French, physiology, English literature, logic,
geology and Latin prose composition. In some cases classes of
different grades are united in the same study, and students of the
higher Normal course recite with college students. The present
senior class has never been taught separately. The imaginary
visitor, as he goes from room to room to-day, will not see much
that is peculiar either in classes or teaching. The days of romance
in this work have gone by. Aside from African features, more or
less pronounced, and some Southernisms in voice and expression, you
might imagine you were listening to a class in a new Northwestern
college.
We are orthodox, and believe in the good old idea of discipline
through the hard study of Latin, Greek, and mathematics, with
the usual amount of science, both natural and mental, and the
et ceteras. The colored man is just a man, and his mind must be
dealt with as are other minds. He must climb the difficult hill of
education, as his white brother, by many a slow and weary step;
and, as in white colleges, many a toiler falls out by the way
and few reach the shining top. The average time spent by each of
the thirty-two college students thus far under our instruction is
four and nine-sixteenths years. Some have been with us as long as
seven or eight years. The average time is growing less with better
schools and increased facilities elsewhere. Quite a number now
come to us prepared to enter the college preparatory course, and,
occasionally, one fitted to enter college. A college planted in
an intelligent community takes root at once in a soil prepared,
and soon brings fruitage. Not so with the effort begun here twelve
years ago, to develop a college among a people just out of bondage.
Nearly all the students in college are dependent on their own
efforts, with the aid so kindly given by friends in the North, in
acquiring an education. Only one has property, and two live at
home with their parents in the city. Several have others dependent
on them. One, a lady, has care of the family, both parents being
dead. During the last summer all were at work‒three as porters on
railroads, two as clerks, one had charge of a church, which, under
his ministry, enjoyed a revival of religion, and the rest taught
school. Some teach classes in the university and some do manual
labor. Nearly all are compelled to be absent a part of the college
year, thus increasing their toil when they return. Who would not
help people who are thus helping themselves?
All the college students are professing Christians, and out of the
thirty-two, twenty-one have become so while students here. One is a
licentiate for the ministry, and several, we hope, will enter that
calling. Four of the college students are ladies.
The college is the apex of our educational pyramid. The higher the
apex, the broader the base. Passing downward, we find in college
preparatory 48; in higher normal, 27; in normal, 167; in the model
school, 135. Scattered through different grades we have 12, taking,
in addition to other studies, one hour a day of special instruction
with reference to the ministry. Twenty-four have already graduated
from college, one of whom is dead. Of the others, one is a lawyer,
one is a minister, five are learning professions, three being
the ministry, and all the rest are teaching, many of whom occupy
important positions, one being a professor in this University.
A DAY AT LE MOYNE INSTITUTE, MEMPHIS, TENN., FEB. 15, 1882.
_By Prof. A. J. Steele._
A day’s work in any well organized school is, ordinarily, a simple
enough matter. An intelligent description of the same is quite a
different affair. If the reader will follow me I will attempt to
show him what is done in an average day at Le Moyne.
We first enter the library and reading room. Here are 1,000
volumes, a cabinet of 1,500 natural history specimens, a number of
periodicals, etc.
Passing now to the assembly room, on the upper floor, about 90
students of the Normal department are in their seats, and, as the
clock in the tower is striking nine, and the lower schools are
about to march in, we will take seats with the eight teachers on
the platform for morning devotions. There are about 200 pupils
before us. A song is sung, accompanied on the piano; a short
selection is read from the Scriptures; the Principal leads in a
brief prayer, in which all seem to join, with bowed heads; a few
moments’ silent prayer, another song, and the lower schools file
out of the room and the work of the day begins. During the day we
shall find the students in the assembly room preserving their own
order, a teacher seldom being seen in the room.
In the grammar room we shall hear recitations in English grammar
and composition, conducted by Miss Pelton, the entire work being
made as practical as possible to secure correct speaking and
writing.
In the mathematical room, where Miss Parmelee receives us, we shall
hear classes in arithmetic, from one in compound numbers to those
completing the book. A class is just taking up algebra; while
stepping to the Principal’s room we may inspect the neatly-bound
papers of a class that has successfully passed its final
examination on this subject.
In the room across the hall where Miss Hamilton presides we shall
hear classes in both political and physical geography, and we shall
be especially interested in hearing the senior class in theory and
practice.
Professor Steele’s classes in the natural sciences and civil
government we may find in the library.
Passing now to the model school we see a quiet, busy room, with
three grades of pupils under the care of Miss Cornes. Besides the
ordinary lessons we hear an object lesson given on some flowers.
We notice the skillful use of corn and other seeds by the children
as an aid in the practical understanding of numbers. We note that
nearly every child in the room can write a readable hand on his
slate, and we are fortunate in hearing Miss Miller, the music
teacher, give her lesson in music.
Entering now the intermediate school we find about 50 pupils under
the care of Miss Lyman‒studying in the next three higher grades.
Object lessons, drawing and music are continued here. Classes
from this room are taught by members of the senior class, Normal
department, for practice work, under the watchful criticism of Miss
Lyman.
Finally we pass to the industrial rooms, where we find Miss Milton
instructing classes in needlework, etc., and with great interest
observe the instruction and practice of the class of girls in the
art of cooking, the subject to-day being a cream cake, which is
prepared and baked under the direction of the teacher.
The music room we must pass by, and we can but glance into the
vocal class of 50 from the Normal department to notice that
they are reading music quite readily under the very successful
instruction of the music teacher.
A DAY AMONG THE LOWLY, FEB. 16, 1882.
_By Miss Lena Saunders, New Orleans._
Thursday is visiting day. No mothers’ meeting nor sewing school. My
early morning visit to the Colored Orphanage made and prayer said,
I called upon the sick deacon. Armed with his blessing, my Bible
and basket of creature comforts I went on. Aunt Patience’s humble
home of one room came first. I had missed Aunt Patience from the
mothers’ meeting and now missed her cordial welcome. She was ill
and had lost all confidence in the missionary. It happened in this
way. The church prayer-meeting was very loud one night, the day had
been a long, weary one, and, when about 10 o’clock, a woman was
endued with “the power,” and the consequent excitement ensued, I
quietly left the meeting. Aunt Patience was there, and this morning
before I had even inquired about the “misery,” she exclaimed, “You
dun prayed that the Holy Spirit would come with power and you
telled us to pray for’t tu, and _we did pray good_. Then when it
came you’se the very fust ’un to skedaddle; you didn’t ’cognize the
answer to your own prayers, honey,” and the tears were in her eyes.
“Sure enough,” I said, “but I didn’t know ’twas coming in that
way.” “But, honey, when ye prays to _God_ for power ye must take it
as it comes and be on the lookout.” “Aunt Patience,” I said, “the
power I prayed for was that the Good Spirit would come into our
hearts and make us kind and loving and patient toward each other,
teach us how to lead dying souls to Christ and incline our hearts
to keep God’s commandments.” “Yes, honey.” After a little further
talk we knelt in prayer, and in her petition Aunt Patience prayed,
“Massa Jesus teach dis ole chile to serve you quiet-like if dat
bes’ please you.” They only need to be taught. The next old sister
was more destitute. ‘Mancipation met all her needs ’ceptin’ the
rations. With a few of God’s promises and a material proof of His
love she was comforted.
Three little girls were absent from the sewing-school, so I called
to enquire for them. The mother had learned to guard their health,
and so kept them out of the rain‒reluctantly, because she wanted
them to hear about Christ’s sermon on the mount, which for several
weeks had been our sewing-school Bible lesson.
Old Mrs. H. was at her ironing board, with heaps of snowy linen
about her. Only a few days ago she was “a sinner woman.” To-day she
sang quietly “I’ve been redeemed,” and her face sang, too. Sister
F.’s house is my Valley of Baca. I stopped a moment for a cooling
draught.
Little street children followed for Sunday-school papers. At least
fifty were distributed, and a word about the Crucified One dropped
among as many children. Some of them sat down under the trees to
thoughtfully study the picture of Christ blessing little children,
and one said, “See. See, dat misses knows ol about it.”
The next was the “people’s hour.” From one to two each day they
come for old clothes and new teaching. Then came the Northern
mail; afterwards the students’ mid-week prayer-meeting. Here
teachers and scholars are co-workers, and each strengthened by the
others’ prayers. Baptized anew, I sought the abodes of poverty
and wretchedness. Sinning women turned their eyes for the moment
from the king of the carnival to the King of Heaven. The Chinamen
were very busy, but Yam stopped to say, “I bring more boyee next
Sunday.” Little Joe darted round the corner to ask, “Gwine to have
Sunday-school to-day, teacher?” Poor little Joe doesn’t see any
difference in the days, and reckons Sunday from the Sunday-school.
Passing the large market, I bought a few delicious oranges for the
dying man in the attic of an ill-famed house, and hurried on, for
night was coming. There was no need to hurry. The attic was empty,
but “out of the depths” of sin the Lord heard the cry. Prayers at
the Orphanage closed the day, while the carnival lights made night
in the old city seem beautiful morning.
Where has the day gone? Into to-morrow’s past. Who noted its
flight? The recording Angel. When will its history be read? In that
Great Day, when Aunt Patience and little Joe, and all who came
between, shall stand side by side with missionary and teacher, and
shall say, “We b’lieves, ’cause we’se dun taught,” and they shall
add, “We taught, because we were sent.”
DAY’S EXPERIENCE AMONG THE CHINESE.
_By Jee Gam, San Francisco._
At a quarter past eight I started for my usual journey to
Oakland, but as there was no Chinese case in court I returned
home. I generally read or study on my trip, so as to waste no
time, but this morning my heart felt like David’s when he said:
“Oh, praise the Lord for his wonderful goodness to the children
of men.” The night before at half-past nine a fire broke out in
the next building, which came very near burning the roof of our
Mission-house. Nearly all my clothing and bedding were taken down
stairs by friends, but through the providence of God not the
slightest damage was done to our Mission. No wonder that my heart
overflowed when I thought how God had preserved us. Immediately
after reaching home I was asked to go with a Chinese friend to his
attorney and do a little interpreting for him. I then went to the
Palace Hotel to call on Hon. Yung Wing, who was on his way to
Pekin. My intention was to invite him to visit our school and speak
to the pupils, for I thought a few words from him would have great
weight. Not being able to see him, I returned home and went out
again to do some shopping for our Chinese Christian Association.
A few minutes before 7 P.M. our scholars came flocking into
Brenham Place School-house. Just before nine the bell rang, and
our principal, Miss J. S. Worley, asked for Scripture recitations.
This week the verses were to contain either the word new or old, it
being the last Friday of our year. Miss Worley spoke a few words
about “Putting off the old man and putting on the new man,” which
I translated, and I hope that many of our scholars will become new
creatures in Christ Jesus. Singing followed, and the school was
closed with the Lord’s prayer. I wish you could look in upon this
school. One hundred and ten scholars are present, of all ages,
sizes and appearances; a few studying history, grammar, geography;
some reading in the third reader, others repeating A B C. They
have been in America from a few days to seven or eight years.
Their occupations also vary‒shoemakers, cigarmakers, tailors,
laundry-men, cooks, clerks, etc. Many of them are true followers of
the Lord Jesus; others have just begun to feel interested in this
new religion.
Our new year commenced February 17. We held a watch-night meeting
the 16th. Many of our brethren spoke on God’s goodness to us. When
the clock struck twelve we all knelt down (about thirty present),
and six of our brethren prayed. After each prayer a hymn was sung.
A few words were said about making new resolutions, and that we
should go forward and work more zealously for the Master. The
Chinese temple, about half a block away, was signaling the new year
with the sound of trumpets. The heathen Chinese offer prayer to the
God of war and wealth, etc., but our prayer was that they might
know the true God.
At a little before six A.M. our Chinese friends began to come
to wish us a Happy New Year. At nine A.M. a delightful union
prayer-meeting was held by the five different denominations. At
11 A.M. we again assembled at our Association rooms, when Rev. W.
C. Pond addressed us, and gave us a motto for the new year, with
good advice, which I hope we shall all follow. The meeting of the
General Association was held at seven P.M., and was the best yearly
meeting we ever had. The business meeting followed with reports of
the secretary and treasurer. Thus the days come and go:
“Only the eternal day
Shall come but never go”
HOLIDAY AT HAMPTON, SATURDAY, FEB. 18, 1882.
_By Miss Isabel B. Eustis._
There are to-day at Hampton 85 Indian students, 57 boys and 38
girls, representing 15 different tribes.
Saturday is a holiday for most of the Indians, but the rising
bell sounds loud as usual, to call the scholars to their early
breakfast, and the meal well over, the work call is given at
quarter to seven. Most of the Indian boys who have had their five
half days of school and five half days at their trades feel that
they have earned a good holiday, and are not disturbed by it.
Eleven who are in the advanced classes hurry off to the shops.
Wild-Cat and Murie go to the printing office to set up type for the
_Southern Workman_; five are carpenters, and work on the new desks
and benches for the school. Chisholm fits uppers on shoe-lasts to
help fill a Government contract. Robbie Conalez goes to the big
barn to put it in order and feed the cattle. Peters works in the
blacksmith shop, and Maquimetus fits the spokes in a new set of
cart-wheels, and earns an extra afternoon hour for himself by his
good work.
Meanwhile the girls have gone to their rooms and begun the week’s
cleaning. The floors are scrubbed, and the wardrobes and bureau
drawers put in order. Some of them have cedar boughs, the boys have
cut for them, and they fasten them upon the walls in pretty and
fantastic designs, tieing them with ribbons and hanging Christmas
cards and bright papers from them. A few make pretty bowers for
their dollies, and perch them in a cunning way among the branches,
where they get loving and admiring glances from the little girls
below.