MY DEAR YOUNG FRIENDS,--I have not written to you very often
lately. The Post-office Box is always so full of interesting
letters that I felt that it would be an imposition in me to take up
space in it very often. Then, too, there has been nothing very
interesting to tell you. The chapel is up (not yet finished, but
covered), the floor laid, windows in (they look so pretty!), and
the pews made; we can use it, though the door and a good deal of
work is yet to be done. The chapel stands in a grove of pines and
weeping-oaks. The branches of these oaks droop almost to the
ground, and are very graceful and pretty, besides making delightful
horses for the children to ride. You all, I guess, know just how
far to creep up the limb, and then spring to make it go, and ride
delightfully among the branches.
I know you will be glad to know that the school has gone on
regularly and well since it first began. The scholars have all
improved very much; those who were learning their letters last
summer are now using Second Readers. A great number of them are
reading in the Testament--very poor reading in many cases, spelling
many words, but still we find, with the explanations we give them
as we go on, that going through the Gospels they understand a great
deal of it. We feel that it must do them good. When they came they
did not know anything of prayer; only three knew "Now I lay me."
Now they all know that and the Lord's Prayer, almost all the Creed,
and the Ten Commandments.
Did I write you--no, I know I have not, for it was only a few weeks
ago--that some kind, very kind, persons sent me an organ? I wish
they could know and see the pleasure it gives us all. The scholars
seem so delighted to sing that last Sunday we let them try chanting
a psalm we had been reading, and they learned it very quickly. Then
we tried the Creed and the Lord's Prayer to a tune in the choral
service; that they did beautifully, all of them, even the tiny
children, and all of them (over sixty) singing as with one voice,
they naturally made a swell on the Amen that was truly beautiful.
They were so happy singing these things over and over with the
hymns they know, saying always, "Please, ma'am, one time more!"
"Abide with me" they sing very well. "Jerusalem the Golden" is a
great favorite too. When we thought we must stop, they begged so
just to sing everything over once more that we did it, and found
when we came home that we had been three hours at Sunday-school and
singing. Two boys, or men, carry the little organ up there, and
back again when we are done. We hope to have the door and lock this
week.
I would like very much to have a few primers, and also some readers
and copy-books and pencils; there are many of them so anxious to
learn to write. A few slates were sent--most of them broken a good
deal in coming--but their copies and writing get rubbed out, so
they do not get on very well with them.
Oh, I do so wish you could be here and see how happy they are in
Sunday-school, and in the singing after! My husband says they won't
be any happier in paradise than they were last Sunday afternoon.
Their black faces were filled with ecstasy, and we were almost as
happy, seeing them so delighted. There are three children to be
baptized next Sunday, when we will have service and a sermon after
Sunday-school.
I find they are counting the weeks already to Christmas. There are
some little ones and babies the mothers have to bring, so we shall
have to give them something. Presents for seventy! We will do all
we can, but can not make a tree for so many unless we have help.
Remember, in sending, that things you would not care for will
delight them. Clothes you would think worn out will please them,
and make them warm and comfortable; ribbons, etc., too much soiled
for you to use will please them as well as new; shawls, no matter
if old and faded, anything warm, will be of great service; quilt
patches, needles, and thread--in fact, anything and everything will
be of use in making a tree for them. They all are very, very fond
of candy.
One lady will give me some paper to help make cornucopias; that is
all the help I know of yet for Christmas. Christmas is yet a long
time off to you young people, but when one grows older the weeks
just fly away, and Christmas always comes before we get ready for
it. We are going to begin the 1st of November practicing the carols
for Christmas, and hope they will all have as happy a day as they
did last year.
With a heart full of love to you all for the help you have so
kindly given me before, and hoping, as the years roll on, I may see
some of your dear faces, I am, now and always, gratefully and truly
your friend,