Health talks had become popular, and the teachers were convinced of
the wisdom of taking further steps in that direction, when, most
opportunely, there came to Memphis a lady physician, well advanced in
years, of evident culture, and provided with an excellent life-size
model of the human frame. She was invited to lecture to our female
pupils and their mothers, and did so very acceptably. Her gray hair
commanded respect, although the girls were at first a little suspicious
of the manikin. Satisfied with the effect upon the students and of
the lady’s good judgment, her services were secured for a course of
lectures, to which the friends of the girls were invited. It was
a happy idea, as was quickly proven. I cannot tell how many times
teachers were thanked for the privileges thus afforded, or how many
mothers exclaimed, “If I had only known these things sooner, I should
have saved myself and my children worlds of sickness and trouble and
disgrace!”
Ever since that experiment I have longed to see a similar opportunity
offered to all the colored women. If a discreet, motherly woman, who
understood anatomy, hygiene and medicine, could be furnished with a
model of the body and sent through the large cities and villages,
giving free lectures upon health, care of their own persons, proper
food, training of children, and responsibility to God for the chastity
of their sons and daughters, the Freedwomen would receive incalculable
benefit. The teachers cannot always reach out and control the mothers;
the missionary meets but a part of the women in a single city; but
an itinerating lady physician could influence thousands of the very
class most in need of the instruction she could give. I wish the
heart of some woman, qualified for the undertaking, would be stirred
to consecrate herself to this work. I think the officers of the
Association would indorse such a movement. Certainly, pastors and
teachers in the field would heartily welcome her to their churches and
homes, to which she would be a valuable auxiliary, while exerting a
more positive and direct influence upon the women than is possible from
any one of the already established methods of work.
Dean Howson says: “How can you convert a country unless you convert
the families? How can you convert the families unless you convert the
mothers?”
It was once my privilege to minister to an honored friend who was
gently falling asleep in Jesus. Happening to draw up a window-shade an
hour before the eyes closed upon the scenes of mortal life, I received
from the beloved lips this last commendation and counsel: “That’s
right; give us more light.”
Speaking to-day in behalf of our colored sisters, I appeal for light.
“Give us more light” to dispel the heavy clouds of ignorance and sin,
to show plainly straight paths for the feet of stumbling ones, and for
the praise of Him who is able to keep _us_ from falling, and to present
_us_ faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy.
* * * * *
THE GEORGIA CONFERENCE.
REV. C.W. HAWLEY.
The Georgia Congregational Conference, from which I have just
returned, is a large body, if an extensive framework can make it so.
My share of the travel to its second annual session at Savannah was
about six hundred miles. Of the fourteen churches, two of which are
in South Carolina, all save one were represented, and the meeting
was much enjoyed by all. The color line was a little indistinct and
almost forgotten. The colored brethren were quite in the majority on
the platform and on the floor, and gave good proof of their ability
to preside with dignity—Rev. Floyd Snelson was our Moderator—and
to speak fluently and well. In fact, they showed a real genius
for public address, warranting the statement of a city daily—the
Southern press is growing liberal—that their speeches were “worthy
of the most dignified deliberative body.” Dr. Roy reported the great
meeting at Chicago, giving, as he had already done at Atlanta and
Macon, rich skimmings from the papers and speeches there presented,
and greatly cheering, with these proofs of the sympathy of Northern
Christians, those who must here learn to do without the sympathy of
their near neighbors. His lecture on Congregationalism also elicited
much interest, and nothing but the lack of money to pay the printer
prevented its immediate publication in full, as a much needed campaign
document for the use of the churches. To whatever church a man here
belongs, it becomes him to be able to state and to justify its faith
and polity. There is kept up a running fire of small arms between
denominations here. It was encouraging to see that the men of this
young Conference desire to be intelligent Congregationalists, and able
to defend themselves; but it is hoped that they will not fall into
the mistake of making denominational strife the chief end of their
existence, as some of their neighbors seem to do.
The reports from the churches do not show any rapid increase. “We must
expect the churches to be small, perhaps, for twenty years yet,” said
one who has grown up with this work. There are obstinate prejudices in
the way, and there is a great educational work yet to be done. A lay
delegate sagely remarked: “When the ground is rough we must go slow,
or there’ll be trouble,” adding also his personal testimony that,
in seeking to bring others over to his way of thinking, he found it
“mighty hard to sense them into anything better than their old ideas,
that a man cannot have religion without making a great big fuss about
it, and cannot pray without hollering as though the Lord was deaf;” but
still he was sure that “if we kept pulling at the wheel and rolling on
the chariot we should gain the field.”
TWO COUNCILS.
On the way down to Conference, some of us stopped at Macon, according
to letters missive, for the examination and ordination of Preston W.
Young, acting pastor at Byron; and during the sessions of Conference
another council examined and ordained two others, A.J. Headen, of
Cypress Slash, and T.T. Benson, of Orangeburgh, S.C. These three
young men passed very creditable examinations, and, with Rev. J.R.
McLean, moderator of the second council, formed a very interesting and
promising group—all Talladega men and classmates—a fine illustration
of the good work done by the school for the church. Putting all things
together—Conference and Councils, and acquaintance with the teachers
and their excellent work in Macon and Savannah—it was with us all a
grand week, quickening in its Christian fellowship, and profitable
in its revelations of work already done, and of harvests yet to be
gathered.
* * * * *
THE CENTRAL SOUTH CONFERENCE.
Education—Discipline—The Exercises.
REV. HORACE J. TAYLOR, ATHENS, ALA.
The Central South Conference embraces the Congregational churches of
Tennessee, North Alabama and Mississippi. Last week we enjoyed the
rare privilege of welcoming to our homes some of the members of this
Conference, and the Field Superintendent of the A.M.A. On Thursday
evening, Nov. 20th, Rev. G.W. Moore preached the opening sermon from
Psalm lxxiii. 24, “Thou wilt guide me by thy counsel, and afterward
receive me to glory.” The subject was clearly and forcibly presented.
On Friday morning an organization was effected by electing Rev. J.E.
Smith, of Chattanooga, moderator. That morning was spent in hearing the
narratives of the churches. The reports generally showed progress.
Athens alone reported a less membership than last year; but in this
church there has been a growth in grace in many of its members.
In the afternoon we discussed the subject of education. The young
people were especially urged not to be content with a little schooling,
nor even with a good common school education, but to press forward
with a determination to secure the very highest education that can be
secured. The idea that the schools at Chattanooga, Athens, Florence
and Memphis ought to be feeders of Fisk University was well brought
out. These schools cannot give the high education that can be gained
at Fisk, and their success should be measured largely by the number of
students they send to Fisk University. Rev. J. E. Smith read an article
on the necessity of church discipline. The subject was well presented,
and in the discussion that followed, as in the paper, the idea that
church discipline ought to have for its main object the reclamation of
the offender, was clearly brought out. Dr. Roy and others also spoke
as to the method of church discipline, and especially the propriety
of getting evidence from any source. It seems that some, perhaps a
majority, of the churches about here will not receive the evidence of
any but their own members. Some think that Congregational churches
should be bound hand and foot in the same way, so that the devil and
his followers can manage all in their own way. Then any member could
be guilty of theft, adultery, fornication or anything else; if he only
were not seen by members of this church he could remain in “good and
regular standing.” Dr. Roy said emphatically that evidence was to be
sought from any source, and weighed carefully. Others agreed with him.
At night Dr. Roy spoke, using his fine large map, on the work of the
Association in the South. The house was full, and all were deeply
interested. Saturday morning we listened to a paper by Rev. G. W.
Moore, on how to reach the young people. Saturday afternoon was mainly
taken up with hearing reports of committees. Revs. H. S. Bennett and
J. E. Smith were chosen delegates from this Conference to the National
Council. Saturday night we listened to the news of Trinity church and
congregation. This was one of the best meetings of Conference. Sunday
morning Rev. H. S. Bennett preached from Acts ii. 3, and Revs. A. K.
Spence and G. W. Moore officiated at the communion. At night Rev. A. K.
Spence preached to young people from Ps. cix. 9.
I cannot give in this paper an idea of the interesting meetings we
had. Each meeting was a feast of fat things. It was a great privilege
to meet these brethren from abroad, to have them sit at our table, to
talk with them about the common cause we all are interested in, and
above all to meet with them around the table of our Lord. Some of us
may never meet them again in Conference, but the memory of this good
meeting will remain through life; and we trust that this church will
receive a blessing in consequence of this meeting.
* * * * *
GEORGIA.
Thanksgiving Services and First Impressions.
REV. C. W. HAWLEY, ATLANTA.
I have just come in from our social evening service of thanksgiving
and prayer for the A. M. A. About fifty were present, and there were
repeated expressions of gratitude for blessings here received, and
fervent prayers for the continued and increasing success of the cause.
One brother thought the Association the chief agent in the abolition
of slavery, and spoke most feelingly of the inexpressible relief which
that abolition had brought to him and to his people. Another in his
prayer thanked the Lord for the schools and the church in the city,
expressing the conviction that if the A. M. A. had not sent its workers
here “things would be in a considerably worse fix than they are.”
One woman told her story: her blind gropings as a slave, her joy in
being sought out and taught by the teachers of the A. M. A., just when
she “_did not know what to do with her freedom_,” and made capable
of giving her children, now converted, a Christian training, with a
purpose henceforth to use for the good of others all the light and help
she had received. Another told us how the A. M. A. had reached out its
helping hand to him in this city when he was ignorant and vicious, and
through the influence of a faithful teacher in a night school had saved
him from evil companions and the curse of drunkenness.
It has been an intensely interesting meeting to me, and would have
quickened the zeal of any friends of the A. M. A. who might have been
present. Our regular prayer-meeting comes tomorrow evening and is a
pleasant anticipation to me. I reached the field the 11th inst. and am
not yet well acquainted with it. I am sure to be interested in it. I
have quite enjoyed the welcome given me and have no painful sense of
isolation. Their faces, their intelligence, their quiet good sense,
their homes, so far as I have seen them, all surpass my expectations.
The work that has been done for them _shows_. I shall esteem it a
privilege if I may do something to help it on.
* * * * *
ALABAMA.
Emerson Institute—1865-1879.
REV. O. D. CRAWFORD, MOBILE.
It was named after Mr. Ralph Emerson, a resident of Rockford, Ill.,
whose timely gift enabled the Association to purchase “Blue College,” a
commodious building, with beautiful grounds, in the western part of the
city, two miles from the post-office. It was originally built for the
education of the white youth. In the transpositions of the times “after
the surrender,” as the close of the war is here styled, it became the
resort of three hundred Freedmen. In April of our Centennial year it
crumbled in the flames. The school went on in unfavorable quarters
until, in May, 1878, it entered its new and elegant building, which was
designed for two hundred and fifty pupils. Last year the yellow fever
delayed the opening of school and crippled many of its friends. But
adverse influences are now disappearing, and the ten thousand colored
people of the city are looking to it again as the hope of their youth.
Last year, two-thirds of our whole number in attendance entered
after the Christmas holidays. This year the second month closes with
fifty names more than the highest number of last year. The rooms are
furnished with the best of modern desks; but their present capacity
is exceeded by more than forty names. If another room and sufficient
teaching force be added by the friends of the Association after New
Year’s, our present number of two hundred and forty will, in every
probability, run up to three hundred. To meet the wants of these, we
should have six teachers besides the superintendent, including one that
should give half an hour each day to instruction in vocal music and
some time to instrumental music. We now have one that is competent for
this work, but she has no time for it. Our overworked force is to be
somewhat relieved by the expected arrival of a fifth teacher this week.
At present we are obliged to receive many primary scholars, not only to
relieve the public want, but also with the view of raising up normal
scholars, for whom the Institute has been specially designed. We regret
the seeming necessity that is laid upon the colored parents of taking
their children from the public schools. We do not advise their action.
The feverish desire for education which seized the body of colored
people immediately after emancipation has subsided. Their best men are
now obliged to urge upon them the duty of educating their children. In
this they have come down to the level of the whites. An organization
has been formed to promote this interest. The largest church has
established a school of more than fifty members. The pastor of the most
influential church, in point of intelligence, has opened one, with an
attendance of more than forty, and teaches it himself, in addition to
preaching three sermons every Lord’s day and performing the other usual
duties of a minister. These schools are intended to awaken their people
in the matter, and to raise up candidates for the work of teaching,
that may get their fuller preparation in our Normal department.
The friends of Christian education could not ask for a more needy and
promising outlook than lies before us. Will they put into the hands of
the Association the necessary means?
The Church—1876-1879.
Organized with forty-seven members, it now has sixty-one. It owes its
origin and existence to the presence of the Institute. Its members are
very poor in this world’s goods, but delightfully rich in grace.
It was natural that the spirit of independence which found full
scope among the Freedmen should seek for a church organization and
connection with an ecclesiastical body whose history was not tainted
with oppression. This disposition, however, has sometimes asked for
more license for fleshly indulgences than pure Congregationalism
permits. In this city it is impossible for your Superintendent to find
a provision store having any considerable variety of goods that does
not include among its principal commodities _wines_ and _liquors_.
Members and officers of churches are engaged in the trade, and scruple
not to advertise conspicuously that branch of their business, which
we regard as exceedingly immoral. Yet there are some churches, both
white and colored, whose rules and discipline would delight the heart
of a Puritan. Congregationalism is an exotic in this soil; and its
Northern friends have reason to be pleased if it grows even slowly.
Among the adverse circumstances against which our church has had to
struggle may be mentioned a frequent change of pastors. In its three
and one-half years it has suffered the perturbations incident to
two summer supplies, and now the fourth pastor. These changes have
tended to prevent some from making their church home with us. More
permanence is a necessity. We have no such opportunity for reaching
those under our educational care as is offered by a boarding-school.
The parents of most of our pupils are connected with some church, and
the children themselves with Sunday-schools. The kind of instruction
they receive is one of the necessities of our continuance. The growing
intelligence of the colored preachers, and the attractiveness of the
large congregations which gather about them, make our beginning less
attractive to the young, who otherwise might prefer our place of
worship.
Your missionary has preached to the largest colored church in a revival
meeting, and exchanged pulpits with the other leading pastor; but we
cannot expect any special help from other churches in building up a new
denomination in the midst of them. J. H. Roberts, now in the Senior
Theological Class at Talladega, supplied the church very acceptably
through the summer, and just before his departure witnessed the
reception of four persons to fellowship. Since then the attendance has
increased some. The interest in the Sunday-school has likewise received
the impetus given it by the return of our schoolteachers; yet our
hopes of an increase in members have not thus far been realized. As
accessory helps we need Sunday school papers and a library. Our problem
is that of reaching the young with Christian influences in the form of
direct religious instruction. For this purpose we have some advantages,
and hope for more. We wish to keep this missionary work upon the
prayerful hearts of our Northern friends.
* * * * *
A Revival.
REV. J. D. SMITH, SHELBY IRON WORKS.
During the first week in October we set apart Wednesday as a day of
fasting and prayer. On the following Sabbath we commenced a series of
meetings, which continued three weeks. Brother H. W. Conley stopped
off here on his way from Marion back to Talladega, and preached and
labored very faithfully with us several days. Brother J. W. Strong came
down and labored with me, preaching the word almost every night for
over a week. Brother Jones, of Childersburg, paid us a short visit, and
Rev. F. J. Tyler, of this place, pastor of the Union Church (white),
preached for us. Last of all came Rev. G. W. Andrews, who preached
several times.
Every evening, one half-hour before services, a number of Christians
would assemble in the inquiry-room and converse with those who came to
inquire of the way of salvation. I must say that the inquiry meetings
were the means of great and untold good, as much or more than the
sermons, perhaps.
Well, the meetings closed with twenty-one conversions reported. Last
Sunday fifteen came forward, entered into covenant with the church, and
were baptized, on profession of their faith. _All_ of the candidates
for baptism preferred sprinkling—the first instance, to my knowledge,
where we did not have to immerse some out of so many uniting at
one time; and, more singular than all, a Baptist father and mother
presented their infant boy for baptism. When reminded by some of the
Baptist brethren that they had “broken the rules of the church,” they
replied by saying that if they had five hundred children, they would
have them baptized, because it was right in the sight of God. The work
has a more hopeful outlook for future prosperity than ever before.
Some eight or ten are to unite by letter, the first opportunity, who
did not get ready in time to join last Sunday. Our total membership
will then stand about fifty.
* * * * *
TENNESSEE.
A Student Aided.
REV. E. M. CRAVATH, FISK UNIVERSITY.
Our readers will remember a plea for student aid made by President
Cravath in the MISSIONARY for October. Soon after its publication
this description of the first young man thus aided came, but has been
delayed by the special matter which has claimed our columns. There
are many more such at all our institutions awaiting similar help.
The first answer came in the shape of a draft for fifty dollars from a
good friend of Rochelle, Illinois. On the same day with this answer a
young man from Abbeville, S. C., came to Fisk University for the first
time, and as he was a good representative of the class of young people
for whom our appeal was made in the October MISSIONARY, we assigned him
at once to this scholarship.
A brief sketch of his personal history may encourage some of the
readers of the MISSIONARY who are yet hesitating to give a favorable
answer to our appeal. Mr. Richard J. Holloway was born in Abbeville,
South Carolina, in 1857, and was a slave up to the close of the war.
He brought to the University the following testimonial from his former
master, dated Abbeville, S. C., Sept. 8, 1879;
“The bearer of this, Richard J. Holloway, is a young man who was born
in my family. I have known him from his birth to the present time.
He early exhibited a desire for knowledge, which he has pursued under
great difficulties. Notwithstanding he has made considerable advance,
his laudable desire seems to be unsatisfied, and he leaves this section
of the country to avail himself of advantages offered elsewhere. So
far as I know, his moral character is good. He is commended to the
favorable regard of all to whom this may come.” The first year after
the war, being a lad of nine years, Richard had the opportunity of
attending a school in Abbeville for five or six months. After this he
was under the necessity of working with his parents, but contrived to
study by himself so that he made considerable progress. During the fall
of 1875 he happened to see, upon the table of his minister, a circular
which had been sent out from the school established by the Am. Miss.
Assoc. at Greenwood, S. C., which was then, and is still, taught by
that most faithful and zealous missionary laborer, Mr. Backenstose, of
Geneva, N. Y. Noticing that the tuition was only fifty cents a month,
there dawned upon him the possibility of realizing his long-cherished
desire of securing a good education. Inspired by this thought he left
home and hired out on a plantation to earn some money with which to go
to Greenwood.