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THE AMERICAN MISSIONARY
MAY, 1890 VOL. XLIV. NO. 5.
CONTENTS
EDITORIAL.
BALLARD NORMAL SCHOOL, MACON, GA.
TEACHERS' HOME AND GIRLS' DORMITORY, MACON, GA.
REMOVAL--FINANCIAL
OUR MISSION IN ALASKA
SOUTHERN NOTES
FACTS ABOUT BALLARD SCHOOL
BALLARD NORMAL SCHOOL AND CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, MACON, GA.
INTERIOR OF INDUSTRIAL BUILDING
CHRISTIAN NEGRO LEADERS
CONFERENCE OF EDUCATORS
A PRIZE POEM
THE SOUTH.
NOTES IN THE SADDLE
THEN AND NOW
CENTRAL SOUTH ASSOCIATION
"SIX DAYS SHALT THOU LABOR"
ENCOURAGED AND THANKFUL
TOUGALOO UNIVERSITY
DEATH OF ELI TAPLEY
THE INDIANS.
A JANUARY TRIP
THE CHINESE.
OUR CHINESE WORK
BUREAU OF WOMAN'S WORK.
NOTICE OF MEETING OF STATE UNIONS
LETTER FROM A SOUTHERN LADY
WOMAN'S STATE ORGANIZATIONS
RECEIPTS
* * * * *
NEW YORK:
PUBLISHED BY THE AMERICAN MISSIONARY ASSOCIATION,
Bible House, Ninth St. and Fourth Ave., New York.
* * * * *
Price, 50 Cents a Year, in advance.
Entered at the Post Office at New York, N.Y., as second-class matter.
_American Missionary Association_.
PRESIDENT, Rev. WM. M. TAYLOR, D.D., LL.D., N.Y.
_Vice-Presidents_.
Rev. A.J.F. BEHRENDS, D.D., N.Y. Rev. F.A. NOBLE, D.D., Ill. Rev. ALEX.
McKENZIE, D.D., Mass. Rev. D.O. MEARS, D.D., Mass. Rev. HENRY HOPKINS,
D.D., Mo.
_Corresponding Secretaries_.
Rev. M.E. STRIEBY, D.D., _Bible House, N.Y._ Rev. A.F. BEARD, D.D.,
_Bible House, N.Y._ Rev. F.P. WOODBURY, D.D., _Bible House, N.Y._
_Recording Secretary_.
Rev. M.E. STRIEBY, D.D., _Bible House, N.Y._
_Treasurer_.
H.W. HUBBARD, Esq., _Bible House, N.Y._
_Auditors._
PETER McCARTEE. CHAS. P. PEIRCE.
_Executive Committee._
JOHN H. WASHBURN, Chairman. ADDISON P. FOSTER, Secretary.
_For Three Years._
S.B. HALLIDAY, SAMUEL HOLMES, SAMUEL S. MARPLES, CHARLES L. MEAD, ELBERT
B. MONROE,
_For Two Years._
J.E. RANKIN, WM. H. WARD, J.W. COOPER, JOHN H. WASHBURN, EDMUND L.
CHAMPLIN,
_For One Year._
LYMAN ABBOTT, CHAS. A. HULL, CLINTON B. FISK, ADDISON P. FOSTER, ALBERT
J. LYMAN.
_District Secretaries._
Rev. C.J. RYDER, 21 _Cong'l House, Boston, Mass._ Rev. J.E. ROY. D.D.,
151 _Washington Street, Chicago, Ill._ Rev. C.W. HIATT, 64 _Euclid Ave.,
Cleveland. Ohio._
_Financial Secretary for Indian Missions._
Rev. CHAS. W. SHELTON.
_Secretary of Woman's Bureau._
Miss D.E. EMERSON, _Bible House, N.Y._
COMMUNICATIONS
Relating to the work of the Association may be addressed to the
Corresponding Secretaries; letters for "THE AMERICAN MISSIONARY," to the
Editor, at the New York Office; letters relating to the finances, to the
Treasurer.
DONATIONS AND SUBSCRIPTIONS
In drafts, checks, registered letters, or post-office orders, may be
sent to H.W. Hubbard, Treasurer, Bible House, New York, or, when more
convenient, to either of the Branch Offices, 21 Congregational House,
Boston, Mass., 151 Washington Street, Chicago, Ill., or 64 Euclid Ave.,
Cleveland, Ohio. A payment of thirty dollars at one time constitutes a
Life Member.
NOTICE TO SUBSCRIBERS.--The date on the "address label," indicates the
time to which the subscription is paid. Changes are made in date on
label to the 10th of each month. If payment of subscription be made
afterward, the change on the label will appear a month later. Please
send early notice of change in post-office address, giving the former
address and the new address, in order that our periodicals and
occasional papers may be correctly mailed.
FORM OF A BEQUEST.
"I BEQUEATH to my executor (or executors) the sum of ---- dollars, in
trust, to pay the same in ---- days after my decease to the person who,
when the same is payable shall act as Treasurer of the 'American
Missionary Association,' of New York City, to be applied, under the
direction of the Executive Committee of the Association, to its
charitable uses and purposes." The Will should be attested by three
witnesses.
[Illustration: BALLARD NORMAL SCHOOL, MACON, GA]
[Illustration: TEACHERS' HOME AND GIRLS' DORMITORY, BALLARD SCHOOL,
MACON, GA]
THE AMERICAN MISSIONARY.
* * * * *
VOL. XLIV. MAY, 1890. No. 5.
* * * * *
American Missionary Association
* * * * *
REMOVAL.
The Rooms of the American Missionary Association are now in the Bible
House, New York City. Correspondents will please address us accordingly.
Visitors will find our Rooms on the sixth floor of the Bible House,
corner Ninth Street and Fourth Avenue; entrance by elevator on Ninth
Street.
* * * * *
FINANCIAL.
The first six months of our fiscal year have passed. The receipts for
this period are from collections $101,509.44; from estates, $101,179.63;
from income, $4,262.91; from tuition, $22,729,32; and from the United
States Government for Indian Schools, $8,946.07. Total, $238,627.37.
The meaning of these figures is clear. We rejoice in the enlarging
beneficence of the living and of the dead, who live unto God. The
tremendous pressure of our providential work is nearer to being felt and
met by the American people than ever before. What the Association has
done hitherto is no measure of what it has constantly been called to do
and is now called to do. It can now meet a few more of the immediate
demands urged upon it from its vast and necessitous field. As between
faith and fear, we do not hesitate to take the way of faith. We thank
God and take courage. Hitherto the Lord hath helped us; He will bless
us.
To our living friends we must say: Our work, like all living things,
either grows or decays. Those who have been called hence, within these
six months, have left us, by their legacies, their bidding to go
forward with a growing work. Except by your support, this growth will
mean swift, subsequent decay. Our largest work is in a field teeming
with great dangers and yet with great possibilities of success. The
success depends upon prompt, vigorous and permanent increase. It is
yours to empower us to meet in some good degree the call of the hour and
of God.
* * * * *
OUR MISSION IN ALASKA.
We have undertaken to establish a mission school among the Arctic Eskimo
Indians of Alaska. The location is to be at Point Prince of Wales at
Behrings Strait, the westernmost point of the mainland of America and
nearest to Asia. Its distance from the North Pole has not yet been
ascertained. The inhabitants are described by Capt. Charles H. Stockton,
of the United States Navy, as "the boldest and most aggressive people of
all the Arctic coast. They are such a turbulent crowd that the whalers
are afraid to visit them and consequently give them a wide berth. It is
both the worst people and the most prosperous settlement in that region.
They ought to have a mission station."
Dr. Sheldon Jackson, the Secretary of the Territorial Board of
Education, says: "On account of the character of the people, I think it
would not be safe to send a woman there, at least the first year. I
favor the sending of two men at first. If difficulties arise, they will
be a mutual strength, and if the teacher gets sick, there will be some
one to attend him. From the time that the revenue cutter passes south in
August and the whalers in September, these men will be shut up with the
natives and thrown upon their own resources and God's protection until
the following June or July. I would advise that the missionaries be
large men physically, as size impresses the natives favorably, and there
may be times when they will need to remove a turbulent man from their
room by physical force."
We have sent out our call for the missionaries. It is obvious that none
need nor will apply who are not Christian heroes, and who have not in
themselves the stuff of which martyrs are made. But this mission will
not be alone. In that region, but at vast distances apart, will soon be
established Presbyterian, Episcopal, Swedish and Moravian missions.
The Government will refund the $3,000 necessary for the erection of the
building, and one church in Connecticut has provided a little over
$2,000 to defray current expenses for the first year. This sum will
scarcely be adequate for this year, and that generous church, as well as
others, must be relied upon to meet future expenses. We believe the hero
missionaries will be found, and that a generous support will be given to
an enterprise at once so bold, so needed and so promising.
* * * * *
SOUTHERN NOTES.
BY SECRETARY A.F. BEARD.
In the relationship of the races we are accustomed to speak of the
"color prejudice." We know very well that there is a most assertive
prejudice against colored people. Rev. Dr. Wright, in his admirable
address at Chicago, said, "The cause is this: All free-born people in
every age and clime have a contempt for slaves. The sole reason of the
persistence of the caste feeling is that the black man belongs to a race
which has been enslaved." The inference is, "therefore your character is
a servile character."
The common judgment has been that the prejudice is against color. A
little observation, however, will show that Southern people have no
prejudice against color as such. Color ceases to be repugnant when it
ceases to be unfamiliar.
I have been led to conclude that a great part of what is called the
color prejudice, may be charged up to the fact of feature. The features,
in the people of every race, are offensive when they are coarse and
carnal. For example, among a class of the Irish peasantry long ignorance
and lowdown life have given to the children an heredity of ingrained
coarseness. It is visible in a certain stamp of the features. Education
and elevation will gradually reduce the animalism of the face. With good
breeding, in generations the lips grow thinner; the face takes on
character and even changes in shape.
The Negro condition at present is one of immaturity. The Uncle Rastus
side of Negro character and life may be seen every day in the Southern
Negro. The immaturity of the race and its revelation and expression in
feature and in character, repel more than color does. The antipathy
against color in the South is reduced to its very lowest terms, as facts
prove.
The way to destroy the prejudice which exists both by association with
the ideas of bondage and by features which are not refined, is a common
one. Education is the only way. I have been surprised to see how rapidly
education, especially religious education and the refining influence of
good associations, are eliminating both the idea that color is a badge
of a servile mind, and the inherited coarseness of features. The
educated children of educated parents are in many instances already
showing in their faces the mettle of their pasture. There is a
perceptible growth away from immaturity and coarseness of feature, along
with the growth away from immaturity of mind.
Twenty-five years, indeed, is a short time for a study of this sort. It
is hardly to be counted in the history of a race. A century is but a
unit in the problem of a people's history. We have no right to form our
judgments yet, as to the place the Negro people may take. What three or
four centuries may do for the race is to be settled too remotely for us
to testify.
A distinguished educator lately said that he had been disappointed in
the intellectual ability and resources of the Negro. The race had not
shown itself to be hopeful. I reply, if in twenty-five years we have the
few remarkable instances of advancement and attainment which appear,
together with a very large general uplift in education and character,
may not these facts be the prophecies and pledges of a future that shall
not be inferior.
Even now the difference between the uneducated and the educated black
man is very striking. The crudeness and the unrefinement in feature are
not necessary accompaniments of color. Thick lips do not inherently
belong with a dark skin. Coarseness of feature belongs to white people,
long degraded, as well, and is to be eliminated in them also by the
evolution which takes place in schools and churches.
Here is a race from original heathenism which has come through two
hundred years of the darkness of slavery, set free in exceedingly
unhelpful conditions, and shut in for the most part to association with
illiteracy, bad manners, bad morals and bad habits. Only exceptionally
can colored people come near enough to those who are high and good to
get much good by seeing what goodness is and how it lives.
Yet, notwithstanding this, history reveals nothing more wonderful than
what we see in those who have come from homes which are not homes and
from previous degrading influences, as they pass through a term of years
in our schools.
When the generations to come from these shall have had for a century the
impartial blessings of an intelligent and pure Christianity, the
question as to the Negro's place among the races will be nearer
solution.
* * * * *
FACTS ABOUT BALLARD SCHOOL
We present to our readers four pictures giving different views of
the Ballard Normal School at Macon, Ga., and add here a
description copied from the _Ballard Record:_
Ballard Normal School has this year entered upon the fruition of many
earnest hopes and desires, in the opening of the boarding department, in
connection with the day school. We have now a large family of boarding
pupils living in the beautiful new dormitory, erected last summer
through the interest of Mr. Ballard, who gave us our commodious school
building one year ago. As memory goes back to the "early days," from
1865 to 1868, when this school was in its infancy, and was taught in
various barns, dwelling houses and churches, and as we recall the loss
by fire of three buildings in 1876, and the subsequent use of the church
and our present carpenter shop for school-rooms, we dwell with gratitude
upon the ministrations of friends in past years, and especially upon
that visit of Mr. Ballard, which resulted in these handsome buildings.
It was thought that our new brick school-house, with seven school-rooms,
one recitation-room, and office, would furnish accommodations to all
pupils for several years to come. But already, just one year from its
dedication, it is found necessary to open an additional school-room in
an adjacent building. The enrollment for this year is five hundred and
eighty-four. An unusual number of young men and women from neighboring
counties, are availing themselves of the opportunities here offered to
acquire an education.
[Illustration: BALLARD NORMAL SCHOOL AND CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, MACON,
GA]
[Illustration: INTERIOR OF BALLARD INDUSTRIAL BUILDING, MACON, GA.]
We have large classes in sewing and carpentry, and small classes in
printing and wood-carving. Classes in cooking will be organized as soon
as the industrial kitchen is fitted up.
Several students are working and earning their entire board and tuition.
Many more are earning half of their board by working for the
institution, and paying the remainder, four dollars per month, from
money earned last summer. We are obliged to refuse many applicants, who
would be glad to work for half of their board. Any of our friends
desiring a "good investment" of benevolence can be supplied with
particulars by applying to us.
* * * * *
CHRISTIAN NEGRO LEADERS.
We conscientiously believe that educated _Christian_ Negroes are to be
the safe and trusted leaders of their people in the crisis which is
coming in the South. Their wisdom and Christian character will
counterbalance the rash and reckless impulses of others of their race,
and instead, therefore, of its being unwise to educate the Negro, as
some Southern white people believe, the Christian education of these
colored people will be the sheet anchor of safety to both whites and
blacks in the South. As a specimen of the counsel given by the
influential Christian Negro, we clip the following from the _Christian
Recorder_ of Philadelphia, the organ of the African Methodist Episcopal
Church:
While we believe in all men being courageous, we encourage none to
be rash. We are at the mercy of a powerful class. It is always
best to remember this and apply the ounce of preventive to save
the fifteen ounces of cure. Our brethren must be very careful in
respect to the position taken on all subjects. Take no position
from which you are likely to be forced to your disadvantage. In
all writing and speaking forget not that discretion is the bitter
part of valor.
We append, as germane to the subject, the following piece of sensible
advice given by Rev. J.C. Price of Salisbury, N.C., to his brethren:
I have no faith in the doctrine of assimilation. The blacks may
say their color is against them. If that could only be changed,
all would be well. I believe that color has nothing to do with the
question. Black is a favorite color. A black horse we all admire.
A black silk dress is a gem. A black broadcloth suit is a daisy.
Black only loses its prestige, its dignity, when applied to a
human being. It is not because of his color, but because of his
condition, that the black man is in disfavor. Whenever a black
face appears, it suggests a poverty-stricken, ignorant race.
Change your conditions; exchange immorality for morality,
ignorance for intelligence, poverty for prosperity, and the
prejudice against our race will disappear like the morning dewdrop
before the rising sun.
The _Southern Congregationalist_ gives the following hopeful statement:
One of the most distinguished representatives of our Baptist
brethren, whose name is a household word in that communion
throughout the South, expressed a common view among us when he
said in our office not long since:
"We once thought that Negroes were incapable of education, but we
have found ourselves mistaken, and now favor the education of the
race, trusting that with better edification better ideas will
come."
* * * * *
CONFERENCE OF EDUCATORS.
BY REV. GEO. W. MOORE.
The first Conference of Educators of Colored Youth, which met in
Washington, D.C., March 25-27, was a large and interesting meeting, and
the results were very gratifying. Representative instructors were
gathered from various parts of the country--chiefly from the Southern
States--at the invitation of the College Alumni of Howard University, to
review the educational progress of the past twenty-five years; to
compare views of the status and needs of the work, and to consider plans
for the future. It was felt that there were certain questions and
special needs arising out of the condition of the colored people in this
country, which required earnest consideration, the solution of which
rests largely with the Negro himself. The presence of so many colored
men and women who had graduated from the institutions of learning they
now seek to foster, including Presidents of colleges and normal schools
and principals and teachers of public schools, professors of Greek,
Latin, mathematics and theology, physicians, lawyers and ministers, was
an object-lesson of the educational progress of the race.
Able papers were read on practical subjects of all phases of educational
work. Industrial work, normal training and higher education, were
fruitful topics of discussion. While each had its advocates, it was the
consensus of opinion that each of these departments has its place, and
that all were needed in the education of our colored youth. Judge
Tourgee addressed the Conference on National Aid to Education; and Hon.
W.T. Harris, the Commissioner of Education, advocated the higher
education of the Negro. National Aid to Education was strongly advocated
by the Conference, and is emphasized in their address to the country.
That address commends itself to the thoughtful consideration of the
friends of education. The report closes with the following appeal in
behalf of the institutions that have been established in the South: "A
crying need at the present hour is the making permanent of the larger
and more central institutions of learning for colored youth in the
South, through permanent endowments, by private contributions. Many of
them have struggled along for a quarter of a century, doing much good,
it is true, but greatly hindered in their progress because of the
uncertainty of their financial support. We appeal to the wealthy and
philanthropic everywhere to contribute of their means to such
endowments."
Four college Presidents were in attendance, and took part in the
Conference--Rev. Dr. Simmons, of Kentucky State University; Rev. Dr.
Brackett, of Storer College, Harper's Ferry; Rev. Dr. Bumstead, of
Atlanta University and Rev. Dr. Rankin of Howard University. Prof. J.M.
Gregory of Howard University was elected President, and Prof. S.G.
Atkins of Salisbury, N.C., Secretary of the Conference. The next meeting
will be held at Atlanta, Ga., January 1, 1891.
* * * * *
A PRIZE POEM.
A publishing house in North Carolina offered "a handsome prize for the
best poem, not less than sixteen nor more than twenty-four lines, on any
North Carolina subject." Twenty or more poems were received, and
submitted to a committee who did not know the names of the writers; on
comparison with the numbers it was found that the poem to which the
prize was awarded was written by Mrs. A.W. Curtis, of Raleigh, N.C., a
missionary of this Association. We print the poem not only for its
merit, but as an honor conferred upon one of our valued workers among
the colored people of the South.
NORTH CAROLINA.
BY MRS. A.W. CURTIS.
Thou sittest like a queen with coronal
Of dazzling beauty on thy sunny brow;
The glorious mountains for thy lofty throne,
The grand old Ocean lying at thy feet;
Thy jewels are the healing springs, that lie
Like gleaming pearls upon thy bounteous breast.
From far and near, earth's weary pilgrims come,--
A long procession, sad, and heavy-eyed,--
To win anew the priceless boon of health,
From thy Bethesda, angel-stirred and blest.
Deep in the bosom of thy mighty hills,
Dame Nature brews the elixir of life,
And pours it lavishly through riven rocks,
In basins carved by no weak, human hand;
And here and there, deep down the woodland glens
She sets her moss-rimmed chalices, where those
Who quaff with fevered lips the cooling draught,
Find health and vigor stealing through their veins.
O, queenly State! lift up thy fair, proud head,
The while thy sons and daughters honor thee,
And shine a pure white star, whose light shall be
Undimmed, through all the ages yet to come!
* * * * *
We are very happy to acknowledge the gift of one hundred copies of the
"People's Commentary on the Gospel according to St. Luke," by Edwin W.
Rice, D.D., from the American Sunday-school Union, at Philadelphia,
Penn. These books will be sent to our schools in the South, where they
will be of great benefit to the teachers in the Sunday-schools, and to
the graduates as they go forth to fresh experiences in the country
summer schools.
A man told one of our Indian pupils, that he was not like other men,
that he helped others and went to church, etc., and as she told the
story she said, "Yet he is a Republican and sinner, I think."
* * * * *
THE SOUTH.
* * * * *
NOTES IN THE SADDLE.
BY DISTRICT SECRETARY C.J. RYDER.
A little girl in the Sunday-school at Quincy, Mass., when asked what a
missionary was, replied: "A missionary is a man who comes around to get
our money." That expresses with a good degree of accuracy the object of
the missionary's trip through New England, and it is wonderful what
large sums of money come from these generous churches in response to the
appeals of our different Societies.
It was pleasant to turn aside for a few weeks and mount again into the
saddle, and visit the field into which these contributions go, and where
so many earnest and godly missionaries are putting in their life work.
There were evidences of progress in these mission stations on every
side.
Lincoln Memorial Church at Washington have greatly improved their house
of worship, expending upon it $1,500, collecting through their own
membership almost this entire sum. Industrial classes are held regularly
in the same building, taught by the pastor's wife. A kindergarten, in
which a large number of little children are regularly taught, is also a
department of this missionary work. I noticed among the other children a
bright little French boy in this kindergarten school.
While waiting for a train in the depot at Washington, I noticed an old
colored man very busy reading a book. Looking over his shoulder, I found
that he was studying Barnes' Notes on Matthew! No white man was better
employed than this. And this incident is typical of the desire of the
colored people to learn, especially that which throws light upon God's
word.
Excitement ran high in Florida over the murder of United States Marshal
Saunders. A Southern man on the street, not knowing that any Northern
man was present, remarked to a friend as follows: "I would not give $250
to any man to shoot a United States Marshal, but I would give $500 to
help defend any man that shot him." The colored people were agitated
over this murder, for it hinted at the possibility of general outrage
and murder, in which they would be sufferers. I heard in a colored
church in St. Augustine the following prayer: "O Lord! overcome those
who oppress us, not by sword and bayonet and blood, but by the power of
the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ." When the spirit that that prayer
breathes becomes the spirit of the whole people of the South, black and
white, the present desperate condition of things will come to an end.
The Girl's Industrial School at Thomasville, Ga., is crowded with
pupils. The dormitory accommodations provide room for only forty pupils,
and forty-two are already there. One feature of the work in this school
is especially worthy of mention; and that is, the thorough study of the
Bible. This is systematic and comprehensive. It does not consist in
learning and repeating, in a parrot-like way, different dates and names.
It is analytical, both in history and biography. It also includes
careful study of Biblical geography. I am sure those in the North who
visit this school will be especially gratified by the success in this
department of the school work.
While looking for a friend in Tallahassee, Fla., I visited his office
two or three times. The office-boy finally informed me that he had "gone
to Liberia." I asked him whether Liberia was a country or a town, and he
replied: "Why, boss! it's de place dey reads books." He meant the
library. I related this experience to the barber at the hotel, and he
turned to the porter and said, "You make just such mistakes, porter."
The porter replied, "Yes, I knows I makes _sentimental_ mistakes." He
supposed a sentimental mistake was one that was made in a sentence. Big
words never stumble them. And yet, little by little they are gaining in
the use of language, and naturally they are orators.
It gives a Protestant Christian a strange feeling when he observes the
Christian bearing of the Roman Catholics toward the colored people in
the South, and the unchristian bearing of many Protestant denominations
toward them. Dropping into the Cathedral at St. Augustine, I saw
graceful white ladies kneeling side by side with black women, and
worshiping together. At Pensacola I went into a Catholic church, and
there in a crowded audience were colored and white people sitting in
adjoining pews with perfect freedom. I went from here into a Methodist
church, and there was not a single colored person present. It would not
be strange if the Roman church gathered into its fold a large part of
the Negroes of the South. Whatever may be the superstition and errors of
their church, they do recognize in every human being a child of God, and
offer to all freedom in Christian service.
* * * * *
THEN AND NOW.
BY MISS L.A. PARMELEE.
THEN.
Nearly twenty years ago a little company of Christians at Byron, Ga.,
decided to form a Congregational Church. Their place of worship was a
bush arbor or "bush harbor" as it was usually called. Feeling the need
of more frequent ministrations than the pastor of Macon could furnish,
they asked to have one of their own number licensed as a leader. A
Council of churches was called at Andersonville, and the candidate
presented himself for examination.
He was a working man in middle life; his personal appearance bespoke him
better fitted for the blacksmith's forge than the pulpit. His literary
qualifications reached their limit when he could slowly read from his
pocket Testament that "God so loved the world," and "Jesus Christ came
into the world to save sinners." In theology, he was prepared to
discuss, with race shrewdness and quaint corn-field illustrations, the
doctrines of election and future punishment. His Congregationalism
comprised three points,--"To live by the Bible, to have only one wife,
and to not drink whiskey"--good points for that time, and popularly
supposed to represent the new denomination.
His spirit was excellent, as, with genuine humility, he expressed his
wish to serve the church only until it could command the ministrations
of some one of better education and more general fitness for the
position. His personal experience of religion was satisfactory, as were
also the testimonials to his character, and so the Council licensed him
to preach, Pastor Rogers, of Macon, giving him an earnest charge to be
faithful in the service of Christ.
NOW.
The circumstance had faded from my mind, but suddenly was remembered two
days ago, when sitting in the congregation that had gathered in the
chapel of Livingstone Hall, Fisk University, to listen to the
examination of ten young men who presented themselves to the Central
South Association for license to preach. These candidates were
physically and mentally alert, active, strong. With a single exception
they were under thirty years of age.
Besides the ordinary helps of Concordance and Bible Dictionary, more
than half of these young men in studying the Scriptures, can pick up
from their study tables, Testaments in German, French, Latin and Greek,
to gather the light these translations may throw upon any passage.
Their theology was clear, and showed acquaintance with the best thought
upon the whole range of subjects. Their Congregationalism embraced two
points, independence and fellowship. The right of private judgment based
upon intelligent study of the Word of God, apparently covered the ground
of their church polity. They hold modern ideas regarding Christian work
along the lines of missions, temperance, Sabbath-schools, White Cross
Leagues, Christian Endeavor Societies, Y.M.C.A. and similar
organizations. All have had experience in some of these branches of
work. The Association licensed nine of them for one year, and ordained
the tenth to the regular work of a minister of the Gospel. Full of hope,
courage and zeal, they give promise of usefulness.
The day of the corn-field and blacksmith preachers, is past. Some of
them were good men. They have been exceedingly useful in holding the
people together in church organizations and maintaining the forms of
worship, even where gross errors were allowed. The present generation
_must_ have and can have intelligent preaching from the lips of men
above reproach.
* * * * *
THE CENTRAL SOUTH ASSOCIATION.
BY REV. B.A. IMES.
Another "best of all meetings" has occurred. The Union Church at Fisk
University, Nashville, Tenn., together with the combined population of
that interesting institution, was "our host," and was most cordial in
the entertainment of guests, from April 3d to 7th. Jonesboro, Knoxville,
Chattanooga, Sherwood, Memphis and Nashville, Tenn., with Louisville,
Ky., Sand Mountain, Florence and Athens, Ala., and Little Rock, Ark.,
were represented by from one to three delegates each, including pastors,
except in cases of Louisville and Sand Mountain.
Rev. Samuel Rose of Jonesboro, gave the opening discourse--"If ye love
me, keep my commandments." Friday morning devotional meeting found a
good number of one accord in one place, asking for the renewed anointing
of the Holy Spirit. The business session began with Brother Yancy B.
Sims, of Little Rock, as Moderator, Rev. S. Rose, Recording Secretary.
After roll-call, the narrative of the state of religion in the churches
showed not any flattering condition of prosperity, but in general a
state of hopefulness. Some of the churches are evidently becoming
established, while pastors, laboring amid all the trials incident to the
common poverty, the want of general culture, and of experience in self
government, have occasion to walk by faith oftener than by sight. "_To
patience, experience_," is a phrase we are studying in the original.
"Christian Benevolences and their Administration," was the title of a
paper presented by B.A. Imes of Memphis. The general discussion was
animated. It was agreed we should understand that contributions to the
cause of religion are not gifts. When we offer to the Lord we only pay
what we owe. Religion has too long been made to go a begging.
Prof. H.S. Bennett spoke on "Ministerial Support."
On Friday night, members of the Association found themselves
"complimented" with tickets, and crowded in the chapel of Livingstone
Hall, where Prof. Spence and the Mozart Society, of Fisk, treated us to
an excellent rendering of Haydn's great oratorio, "The Creation." Many
came over from the city, whites from "best families," all crowding
in--listening, wondering, enjoying! How the music of those well-tuned
instruments and voices caught us up and carried us away! Color-line
melted and faded out! How we wished the politicians all might have been
brought under that magic spell of solos and choruses! Next morning yet
they were ringing in our heads, and stirring our hearts with the praises
of God.
Saturday A.M. was largely spent in the able and effective presentation
of the topic, "The Holy Spirit, His Personality and Work," by Rev. R.B.
Johns, of Nashville. We agreed to carry the discussion further on our
knees before God. Saturday P.M. nine young men were examined for
licensure to preach. With few exceptions, their intelligent answers and
general clearness of thought were creditable indeed. These young men
belong to different college classes. They have taken instruction in
theology with Prof. Bennett, at times crowded in between regular work in
their classes. With these was Brother J.D. Pettigrew, a former Fisk
student, who returned recently from Paris, Texas, to be ordained. His
examination was conducted with something of scrutiny, and it was
apparent that a clear head, studious mind and consecrated heart afford
reason to expect for him a useful career. He seems devoted and
teachable.
Sunday at eleven A.M. Prof. Bennett gave the sermon from "I magnify mine
office." Then followed the solemn act of ordination. Rev. Jos. E. Smith,
H.S. Williams, Prof. Bennett, and B.A. Imes, the latter offering the
prayer, laid their hands on the kneeling brother's head and "set him
apart for the ministry." All present seemed impressed with the solemn
ceremony. The afternoon brought us to the Lord's table. Five young
people were taken into the church.
At night a service of song led by Prof. Spence and his "sweet singers,"
together with addresses by Rev. George Smith, President Cravath, Rev.
Eugene A. Johnson and B.A. Imes closed the delightful day and another
meeting of the Central South.
Florence, Ala., is to be the next meeting place.
Rev. J.H. Frazee of Knoxville Pilgrim Church was received "by letter"
into the Central South Association. Also Rev. Lot Lake of the Welsh
Church, and Rev. F.E. Jenkins of New Decatur. The latter reported his
church as expecting to join in the near future. The Plymouth Church
Knoxville, was received in response to its application, by letter; the
two delegates appointed, business men, were hindered from coming.
However we have these tokens of the blessed Gospel spirit uniting these
churches in fraternal union, we hope in spirit as well as name, and
casting out from the Lord's people the demon of color-caste.
Not the least interesting feature of our gathering was the presence of
the many bright and promising young people at Fisk University. And we
renewed our appeal for a Theological Seminary, which is greatly needed.
* * * * *
"SIX DAYS SHALT THOU LABOR."
A superintendent in our Mountain Work writes:
I left home on horseback last Wednesday, after dinner, rode twenty-one
miles to Crossville, stopping on the way to contract for some lumber,
arriving in Crossville in time for an eight o'clock supper; spent an
hour after breakfast with brother Cameron, rode twenty-seven miles to
Deer Lodge, half the way in a hard rain, getting pretty wet. The
monotony of the trip was broken, Thursday, by picking my way through the
brush rather than following the road. For ten miles before reaching Deer
Lodge, I followed closely the track of the storm, the week before. Trees
were torn up, houses and barns unroofed, the fragments, in some cases,
being strung along the way for rods.
There were new roofs and one or two new houses along the road. The men
had been so busy fixing shelter for themselves and their neighbors that
they had done nothing toward cutting trees out of the way. I got through
in time to dry out a little, take supper with brother Lusty and attend
the Christian Endeavor meeting with him. Twenty were present; they have
now twenty-six active members. Next morning, I examined the buildings,
found the church building injured but little, it having moved only two
or three inches on its foundation. But the school-house was the next
thing to an utter wreck. It will have to be rebuilt. After dinner I rode
fourteen miles to Wartburg, making twenty-eight miles, Friday.
Saturday morning, I rode twenty miles before dinner to Harriman, made
several calls, led the Sunday-school teachers' meeting at night, and a
business meeting afterwards. I had charge of the Sunday-school the next
morning, heard a sermon by a Methodist brother in the afternoon, after
which I completed the organization of our "Pilgrim Congregational Church
of Harriman." We organized with fifteen members. At night I led a praise
service, the room being packed full. Monday morning, I was in the saddle
again, calling at the new town of Cardiff, and getting home, after
riding twenty-two miles, in time for a late dinner. This kind of work
does not give me much time to enjoy (?) blue Monday!
* * * * *
ENCOURAGED AND THANKFUL.
(From a Lady Teacher in the Mountains.)
We have been greatly encouraged in our work. A marked earnestness has
been expressed by our scholars. The industrial building has afforded
work for a number. Our boys enjoy their work much and are so thankful
they "can git to go to school." Many of the older scholars who enter our
school have never had any advantages, or, as they express it "pow'ful
bad chance of gittin book-larnin."
They are willing to take their places with the small children. It is
really pitiful to see the embarrassment of a young man of nearly thirty
years, when he cannot read a single sentence in the Second Reader. Two
years ago, a young man entered my department who had not attended school
in fourteen years. He actually knew nothing; one week he did nothing but
listen. He was ashamed; he thought he could not stand it. He was a
Christian young man, and asked God to help him. His progress has been a
wonder. To-day, he stands at the head of his grade and conducts one of
our out-station Sunday-schools every Sabbath. He has an excellent
influence among his people, seeing their needs, and his great desire is
to carry the blessed news of the gospel among his own people. The
possibilities of our girls and boys God only knows.
During our vacation a number of our scholars went home. One girl visited
her home, a distance of about fifteen miles. Her brother, a rough
mountain boy, came for her with his "wag." She was a happy girl, for her
love for her mother is great. She did not return, and we thought she had
left us. To-day she appeared, bounding in and crying for joy. 'I just
struck out and walked, and I'm nigh plumb giv out.' The change in these
girls is often very encouraging. We feel greatly our cramped room, but
we have strong faith in God, and look for more room, better buildings
and greater success in our work.
* * * * *
TOUGALOO UNIVERSITY.
Tougaloo University, established in 1869, located at Tougaloo, Miss., on
the Illinois Central Railroad, is one of the chartered schools of the
American Missionary Association. Its enrollment is now over four
hundred, with seventeen teachers. Accessible from all parts of
Mississippi and adjacent States, no school of the American Missionary
Association is better located for effective work among the Negroes. In
the four nearest counties, the colored population which was, in 1880, a
little over 87,000, is now probably more than 100,000, none of it more
than thirty-five miles from Tougaloo. Within a radius of seventy-five
miles there are not far from 450,000 Negroes. By the last census,
Mississippi's colored population was 650,291. The lowest estimate of the
present number is 800,000. At least seventy per cent. of this population
is illiterate. Tougaloo is thus in the very midst of America's Africa.
Just at hand, also, is the Yazoo-Mississippi Delta, into which Negroes
are pouring from other States. Here they are gaining homes and
establishing communities. Their numbers are expected continually to
increase. It will probably be as prosperous and influential a Negro
section as any in the land. Tougaloo is the nearest school of high grade
to this Delta region. From lower Arkansas, central and upper Louisiana,
Tougaloo is drawing increasing numbers of pupils each year. With such a
location the only limit to the growth of Tougaloo in numbers and
influence will be that set by the means which Christian beneficence
provides for its support. Tougaloo aims to give a thoroughly practical
education to colored youth of both sexes. A colored minister well
expressed it when he said: "It is the aim of the teachers of Tougaloo to
enable the Negro to have the grace of God in his heart, knowledge in his
head, and money in his pocket."
Is there not in this work a rare opportunity for an investment that will
return an ever increasing rate of interest? Enlightened patriotism,
philanthropy, Christianity, all urge the prompt and generous support of
such a work as this.--_Tougaloo University Reporter._
* * * * *
Rev. Eli Tapley, pastor of four of our churches in Mississippi, died
March 2, in Lowndes County. He was born in the same County and State in
1839. When he was eight years old, his parents moved to Alabama. At
seventeen years of age he was converted, and immediately entered with
zeal upon the active duties of a Christian life. Uniting with the
Methodist church, he was soon appointed class leader and Sunday-school
teacher. Afterwards as exhorter and licensed minister he labored without
salary, as he had opportunity, both among white and colored people. In
1869, he removed to Lowndes County, Miss., united with the
Congregational Church there and was ordained to preach, and for many
years he continued his work under the Christian Commission for Free
Missions, of Wheaton, Ill. He was often the subject of great
persecution, because he labored among the colored people and refused to
take any part in the Civil War. In 1881, he began labors under the
American Missionary Association, which he continued until his death,
filling the pastorates of Salem, Piney Grove, New Ruhamah and Pleasant
Ridge Churches in Mississippi. He was an earnest and true man. One of
his latest rapturous exclamations, with face beaming with smiles as if
in full view of the Celestial City, was, "Heaven through Christ."
* * * * *
THE INDIANS.
* * * * *
A JANUARY TRIP.
BY REV. JAMES F. CROSS.
_Missionary among the Indians in Dakota._
On the 8th of January, I started from home at the Agency to visit
Northfield and Park Street Church Stations. A snow, heavy for this
region, had fallen, and I thought a sled would run easier than a buggy,
so I made a sled. I had counted on the road being broken, as fifty
wagons had gone over it only a day or two before. Here was my first
difficulty. Only a few hours before I started a heavy wind arose and
filled up every track. So for every step of the thirty miles I had to
break a new road. Most of the way it was knee deep, and in some places
it was entirely impassable and it was necessary to go half a mile or
even a mile to cross a ravine forty feet wide. In one place where the
road seemed plain, the snow was particularly deep. The crust was just
thick enough to hold a horse until he began to pull. Then down he would
go. Finally one horse could not reach the ground and rolled over on his
side, and left me not yet halfway up the hill. I unhitched the horses,
tramped the snow down so they could stand, drove them out and around
perhaps forty rods, and then took in the situation. There was the sled
half way up the hill. To pull it up was impossible; to turn it round the
same, to back it down by hand the same. The only thing left was to haul
it down. Here is where a picket line is the best kind of a missionary.
It will often help a man out of a hard place, or unto a hard place, as
in this case. Making a turn of a rope around the sled and hitching the
team on forty feet down the hill we were soon on solid ground. After
eleven hours of hard work I reached Black Pipe Creek, where our
Northfield Station is situated. In ordinary weather the trip would take
five or six hours and not worry a team. But the longest road generally
leads to a warm house and the coldest drive is forgotten when your team
is in a warm stable and the prospects are good for a hot supper.
Spotted Bear, who is the native teacher and preacher at Northfield
Station, has gone to work with earnestness and enthusiasm. Here is a
large community, perhaps fifty houses, heathen to the core. Reuben Quick
Bear, a Carlisle student, lives here. Beyond him few know anything of
Christianity. Spotted Bear has an evening school of twenty or more young
men. He teaches Dakota, and as much English as he can. A few can read.
These he puts into a Bible class. The New Testament is the text book. On
Sunday he holds two or three services, and the house is always full. A
larger room is needed at once. To build this will be my first spring
work. The value of just such work as this cannot be overestimated.
Spotted Bear himself got his education in just such a school. As soon as
Mrs. Ellen Spotted Bear had given me a supper, cooked as carefully and
nicely as any woman could, and served on neat dishes, figured, and with
plated knives, forks and spoons, Spotted Bear asks me for the _Iapi
Oaye_--the news and religious paper published in Dakota. He opens the
paper and he and his wife read it. One item of news is the change of
Government in Brazil. He asks me just where Brazil is; why they change
the Government. He reads of the fire in Boston and Lynn. He inquires
where Lynn is. Being a Congregationalist he knows Boston as a Jew knows
Jerusalem and a Mohammedan knows Mecca. Then he reads the church and
Y.M.C.A. news.
Here is a man, who by his life is denying what nine out of every ten men
in the United States are saying: "It is no use to work among the adult
Indians." He was twenty-five and over before he commenced study of any
kind. He is now a citizen, Republican, Prohibitionist, church officer,
teacher, preacher, all of which require a fair amount of intelligence
and information.
His work, too, is invaluable if the aim is to change the Indian to an
American citizen. In this village this one room only is the opening to
civilization. Some of the young men are tired of Indian ways. They think
the dance is something that ought to be thrown away. These young men now
have a place to spend their evenings, beyond the dance house. These
houses and native helpers break down more superstition and Indian life
than any other influence on the reservation. In the matter of dress it
is the same. Here is an Indian woman who is not ashamed to wear a dress
like a white woman. The teachers in the day schools complain that they
cannot get the girls to wear the civilized dress when they leave school.
And Indian dresses mean Indian dirt and carelessness. One Indian woman
advocating "dress reform" by example, will do more than any teacher on
the reservation.