VOL. XXXIII. No. 2.
THE
AMERICAN MISSIONARY.
"To the Poor the Gospel is Preached."
FEBRUARY 1879.
_CONTENTS:_
EDITORIAL.
PARAGRAPHS 33
OUR CONCERT OF PRAYER 34
THE MISSIONS IN CENTRAL AFRICA 35
HOW THE COLLEGE DIRECTS AND TRANSMUTES NATURAL FORCES: Rev.
E. H. Merrill, D.D. 37
PURITANISM AND THE DESPISED RACES: Rev. C. M. Southgate 39
RE-DEDICATION OF THE BEACH INSTITUTE: Rev. J. E. Roy, D.D. 41
ITEMS FROM THE FIELD 42
GENERAL NOTES 43
NEW APPOINTMENTS.
THE SOUTHERN FIELD 45
AMONG THE CHINESE--AMONG THE INDIANS--MENDI MISSION, WEST
AFRICA 49
THE FREEDMEN.
NORTH CAROLINA--A Working Church--Bible Christians 50
GEORGIA--A New Conference Organized 50
"There is Life in the Old Land Yet." 51
Home Life Among the Negroes--An Incident 52
ALABAMA--Testimony as to Progress Already
Made--The Situation and Equipment 52
TENNESSEE--Le Moyne Library--Sunday-school Work--Generous
Giving--Not Dying Out--Help Wanted 53
Freedom's Day 54
CHILDREN'S PAGE 56
RECEIPTS 57
WORK, STATISTICS, WANTS, ETC. 62
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NEW YORK:
_Published by the American Missionary Association_,
ROOMS, 56 READE STREET.
Price, 50 Cents a Year, in advance.
* * * * *
_American Missionary Association_,
56 READE STREET, N. Y.
* * * * *
PRESIDENT.
HON. E. S. TOBEY, Boston.
VICE-PRESIDENTS.
Hon. F. D. PARISH, Ohio.
Hon. E. D. HOLTON, Wis.
Hon. WILLIAM CLAFLIN, Mass.
Rev. STEPHEN THURSTON, D.D., Me.
Rev. SAMUEL HARRIS, D.D., Ct.
WM. C. CHAPIN, Esq., R. I.
Rev. W. T. EUSTIS, D.D., Mass.
Hon. A. C. BARSTOW, R. I.
Rev. THATCHER THAYER, D.D., R. I.
Rev. RAY PALMER, D.D., N. Y.
Rev. J. M. STURTEVANT, D.D., Ill.
Rev. W. W. PATTON, D.D., D. C.
Hon. SEYMOUR STRAIGHT, La.
HORACE HALLOCK, Esq., Mich.
Rev. CYRUS W. WALLACE, D.D., N. H.
Rev. EDWARD HAWES, Ct.
DOUGLAS PUTNAM, Esq., Ohio.
Hon. THADDEUS FAIRBANKS, Vt.
SAMUEL D. PORTER, Esq., N. Y.
Rev. M. M. G. DANA, D.D., Minn.
Rev. H. W. BEECHER, N. Y.
Gen. O. O. HOWARD, Oregon.
Rev. G. F. MAGOUN, D.D., Iowa.
Col. C. G. HAMMOND, Ill.
EDWARD SPAULDING, M.D., N. H.
DAVID RIPLEY, Esq., N. J.
WM. M. BARBOUR, D.D., Ct.
Rev. W. L. GAGE, Ct.
A. S. HATCH, Esq., N. Y.
Rev. J. H. FAIRCHILD, D.D., Ohio
Rev. H. A. STIMSON, Minn.
Rev. J. W. STRONG, D.D., Minn.
Rev. GEORGE THACHER, LL.D., Iowa.
Rev. A. L. STONE, D.D., California.
Rev. G. H. ATKINSON, D.D., Oregon.
Rev. J. E. RANKIN, D.D., D. C.
Rev. A. L. CHAPIN, D.D., Wis.
S. D. SMITH, Esq., Mass.
PETER SMITH, Esq., Mass.
Dea. JOHN C. WHITIN, Mass.
Rev. WM. PATTON, D.D., Ct.
Hon. J. B. GRINNELL, Iowa.
Rev. WM. T. CARR, Ct.
Rev. HORACE WINSLOW, Ct.
Sir PETER COATS, Scotland.
Rev. HENRY ALLON, D.D., London, Eng.
WM. E. WHITING, Esq., N. Y.
J. M. PINKERTON, Esq., Mass.
Rev. F. A. NOBLE, D.D., Ct.
DANIEL HAND, Esq., Ct.
A. L. WILLISTON, Esq., Mass.
Rev. A. F. BEARD, D.D., N. Y.
FREDERICK BILLINGS, Esq., Vt.
JOSEPH CARPENTER, Esq., R. I.
CORRESPONDING SECRETARY.
REV. M. E. STRIEBY, D.D., _56 Reade Street, N. Y._
DISTRICT SECRETARIES.
REV. C. L. WOODWORTH, _Boston_.
REV. G. D. PIKE, _New York_.
REV. JAS. POWELL, _Chicago_.
EDGAR KETCHUM, ESQ., _Treasurer, N. Y._
H. W. HUBBARD, ESQ., _Assistant Treasurer, N. Y._
REV. M. E. STRIEBY, _Recording Secretary._
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.
ALONZO S. BALL,
A. S. BARNES,
EDWARD BEECHER,
GEO. M. BOYNTON,
WM. B. BROWN,
CLINTON B. FISK,
A. P. FOSTER,
E. A. GRAVES,
S. B. HALLIDAY,
SAM'L HOLMES,
S. S. JOCELYN,
ANDREW LESTER,
CHAS. L. MEAD,
JOHN H. WASHBURN,
G. B. WILLCOX.
COMMUNICATIONS
relating to the business of the Association may be addressed to
either of the Secretaries as above; letters for the Editor of the
"American Missionary" to Rev. Geo. M. Boynton, at the New York
Office.
DONATIONS AND SUBSCRIPTIONS
may be sent to H. W. Hubbard, 56 Reade Street, New York, or,
when more convenient, to either of the Branch Offices, 21
Congregational House, Boston, Mass., 112 West Washington Street,
Chicago, Ill. Drafts or checks sent to Mr. Hubbard should be made
payable to his order as _Assistant Treasurer_.
A payment of thirty dollars at one time constitutes a Life Member.
Correspondents are specially requested to place at the head of
each letter the name of their Post Office, and the County and
State in which it is located.
* * * * *
THE
AMERICAN MISSIONARY.
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VOL. XXXIII. FEBRUARY, 1879. No. 2.
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_American Missionary Association._
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We are happy to greet our elder sister, _The Missionary Herald_,
or perhaps we should name a more venerable relative yet, as in
the seventy-fifth year of its age it renews its youth. Always
valuable, it promises in future to be more full of information as
to the work of the American Board, and more comprehensive in its
view of the missionary work at large, while it enlivens its pages
with illustrations and adds a bright department for the young
folks. We welcome our brother Strong to the editorial chair, and
the _Herald_ to its future, and we trust ever-increasing, career
of usefulness.
* * * * *
A new Sunday School Jubilee Concert Exercise, relating to the
work of the American Missionary Association, has been prepared
by the Rev. G. D. Pike, upon the basis of one arranged by Rev.
A. E. Winship, of Massachusetts. This is brought down to date as
to its facts and figures, and will be accompanied by a brief for
the use of those who are to lead and to make addresses, giving
facts in greater detail, and incidents as material with which to
make the meetings of deeper interest. The paper includes Jubilee
Songs and statements in regard to the work for the meetings.
Any Sabbath-school wishing a supply of this exercise will be
furnished gratuitously with the number required, by applying to
Rev. G. D. Pike, at the New York office, 56 Reade Street.
* * * * *
The _Christian At Work_ concludes a long and appreciative notice
of Dr. Strieby's recently published address upon the "Work of
Half a Generation," with the following paragraph:
The impetus which has been given to educational efforts in the
Southern States owes its existence to the work of the American
Missionary Association and kindred societies. They scattered
through the South an army of enthusiastic practical educators,
who, at all principal points, established schools. The work of
these societies is laying broad and deep the foundations for the
real elevation of the Freedmen. They lay them in the Christian
character of their schools; in the higher education they furnish,
which the States do not give, and in the well-trained army of
teachers they prepare for the Freedmen, thus supplying one of the
most urgent wants recognized by both whites and blacks alike. If
there were no other results from the labors of these societies,
the teachers they have trained, and who are now instructing more
than two hundred thousand pupils, would fully vindicate their
claim to the confidence and gratitude of both the North and South.
* * * * *
OUR CONCERT OF PRAYER.
It has been our custom for many years to appoint a day and hour
in which all who are engaged in the work of the Association might
unite in earnest prayer to God for His blessing upon one another
and upon the common interests. The notification has been sent to
all the workers in the various fields in the South. It has been
frequently the case that the time selected has been during the
progress of the annual meeting, so that the assembled friends of
the Association have united with the officers, missionaries and
teachers in this "sweet hour of prayer."
This year, however, our schools were so much delayed in their
opening, and our workers from returning to the South, by the
yellow fever, that this concert of prayer could not be held
before the beginning of the new year. On Monday of the week of
prayer an hour was fixed at which the executive committee and
officers in New York, the teachers and pupils in the various
schools, the pastors and the people of their charge, might all
assemble, each in the midst of their own responsibilities, and
pray for a blessing on the work begun and to be prosecuted
through the year. It was pleasant to feel that we were mingling
the incense of our petition and praise with the great cloud which
was ascending from all parts of Protestant Christendom during
this week of prayer.
We came from this still hour, in the midst of the busy, bustling
city, realizing more than we are wont, that after all it is not
the drive and tear of eager human life on which we depend for
success, but the loving heart of God, which moves with unseen arm
the doors of opportunity which swing on noiseless hinges at His
touch; that it is He alone who gives the wisdom to direct and
the strength to achieve; that He turns the hearts of men as the
rivers of water are turned.
We have been accustomed to make our pleas for help to those whom
we believed the Lord's heart had touched, that there might not
fail us a supply of men and means; and our requests have not
been in vain, but have been answered with generous liberality.
But, brethren, when we have come to you to ask your help, we
have followed the example of the good governor of Jerusalem,
and have first prayed to the God of heaven; and when you have
responded, we have recognized, as he did, that you have "granted
us according to the good hand of our God upon us." Perplexing
questions come up from week to week for settlement and wise
decision. Thank God we may go to Him and plead His promise to
give us light on the way.
With all our need of men and means to carry on the work which the
Lord has entrusted to this agency, we recognize still more our
constant need of that Divine help which alone can never fail us.
Dear fellow-workers in this special field, let the spirit and the
practice of this week of prayer go with us through the year. Let
those who manage, those who do the detail work, and those who
furnish the supplies, all pray for themselves, each other and
the work. We shall work better if we pray. We shall give more
graciously as well as generously if we pray. We shall pray such
prayers as God most willingly will hear and answer, if we give
and work for the things for which we ask.
Our dependence for the year to come may well be expressed in the
words of the good man, to whom we have referred already, "The God
of heaven He will prosper us; therefore, we His servants will
arise and build."
* * * * *
THE MISSIONS IN CENTRAL AFRICA.
When Livingstone entered upon his life work in Africa, not quite
forty years ago, Kuruman was the farthest inland station; since
then great things have been done for Africa. Dividing that part
of Africa which lies south of the equator into three equal parts
of twelve degrees each, we find that Kuruman falls within the
southernmost division, or South Africa. In the second division,
or South-Central Africa, lie Lake Ngami and most of Lake Nyassa,
both of which were discovered by Dr. Livingstone. In the third
division, Central Africa, extending from 9 degrees to 3 degrees
south latitude, lies Lake Tanganyika, discovered by Burton and
Speke in 1858. To the north of Tanganyika are several lakes, the
largest of which is the Victoria Nyanza. The Victoria Nyanza was
discovered by Speke in 1858, and circumnavigated by Stanley in
1875. It lies between the 32d and 35th parallels of longitude
from Greenwich, and extends from 2½ degrees south latitude
to the north of the equator by the fraction of a degree. Its
superficial area is 21,500 square miles, being nearly as large
as Lake Michigan, and 100 fathoms will not measure its deepest
waters. The lake is in a direct line about 520 miles from the
east coast, and about 1,600 miles from the west coast. Ujiji,
on the eastern shore of Tanganyika, is 625 miles from the east
coast, in a direct line.
These great lakes, Nyassa, Tanganyika and Nyanza, afford
excellent facilities for missionary operations. They make the
torrid heat of the equatorial sun tolerable; they cause rains
which produce a luxuriant vegetation; and their broad, deep
waters enable the missionaries to travel swiftly from point to
point by steamer, bringing them within easy communication with
various and distant tribes.
The first of these great inland missions was established by the
Free Church of Scotland. The discoveries of Livingstone had drawn
the attention of the Church to interior Africa as early as 1861,
and some correspondence was had with the great traveller, who
recommended the shores of Lake Nyassa as affording an excellent
site for a new mission. It was not until 1875, however, when
Livingstone's "Last Journals" had been published, and had
created a great enthusiasm for the redemption of Africa, that
the Free Church definitely decided to undertake the enterprise.
The money asked for, $50,000, was soon raised. The pioneer
party left Scotland early in the Spring of 1875, and arrived at
its destination in the following October. The route was up the
Zambesi River to the Murchison Cataracts, the steamer and goods
being carried around the cataracts by 800 porters, and launched
again in the Shiré River, reaching the lake in two days from
the cataracts. The whole distance is about 400 miles. Later in
the year the second party, under Dr. Stewart, the head of the
mission, started for the lake. The site of the mission station,
Livingstonia, was chosen on Cape Maclear, at the southern end of
the lake. Buildings were put up at once, and attempts made to
secure the friendship of the natives, few of whom manifested any
hostility. Trips were made to the northern and western shores
of the lake, and no opposition was encountered anywhere. The
missionaries say no real obstacle to the success of the mission
presents itself. It has been found, however, that Livingstonia
will have to be abandoned. It has a good harbor, but the soil is
poor and the land lies low, and is too circumscribed to sustain
a large population. Besides, the tsetse fly, that destroyer
of cattle, has appeared. A new site is to be chosen, and an
expedition is searching for one on the west coast, about 145
miles north of Livingstonia, among a people of Zulu origin,
called the Maviti. The Maviti inhabit a high table land, and are
quite numerous.
Of course, but little actual mission work has been performed thus
far. The mission has no permanent home, and time is required
for preparation. Sunday services have been held from the first,
and a school with a fair attendance is carried on. A great deal
has been accomplished, however, in suppressing the slave trade.
Formerly thousands of slaves were sent across the lake from
Jumbe's, who is a Mohammedan, but the Arab traders have now left
the lake and gone inland to carry on their nefarious business.
Two members of the mission, Dr. Laws and Capt. Elton, have died,
and all have had the fever.
A short distance to the south of Livingstonia, and closely
connected with it, is Blantyre, the mission of the church of
Scotland. It has a very favorable location in the Shiré hills.
It is high, cool, well wooded, a stream is near, it has good
soil, and an iron mine. Until last year the evangelistic work was
performed by a missionary from Livingstonia, but now an ordained
missionary is in charge. The gardeners have a large tract under
cultivation, and Blantyre is evidently to become the centre of
a large population. The natives are gathering around it, they
are very friendly, and they are giving more attention to the
cultivation of the soil. The school has many promising scholars.
The second mission established in Central Africa was that of
the Church Missionary Society on the Victoria Nyanza. November
15, 1875, a London paper printed a letter from Stanley calling
for Christian missionaries to enter Mtesa's country, Uganda.
Three days later the Church Missionary Society received a letter
from "An Unprofitable Servant," offering $25,000 for such a
mission. Shortly afterward another anonymous contribution of the
same amount was received, the society having meanwhile decided
to undertake the mission. The mission party left the coast at
Bagamoyo, in 1876, in four divisions: the first on July 14,
the second on July 29, the third on the last of August, and
the fourth on September 14. After crossing the Wami River, the
expedition took the route of Mr. Roger Price, of the London
Missionary Society, to Mpwapwa. From Mpwapwa the route was west
and north to Unyanyembe; thence north to Kagei, at the southern
end of the lake, the advance party reaching that point in
January, 1877, the journey of 800 miles being performed in about
six months, without serious mishap. One of the party, Dr. Smith,
died on the way of fever. The provisions were stored at Kagei,
but Ukerewe Island, in the southern part of the lake, was made
the basis of operations.
Lieutenant Smith and the Rev. C. T. Wilson proceeded to the
northern shore of the lake, entering Rubaga, the capital of
Mtesa's kingdom Uganda, on June 30. They were received with great
favor by Mtesa, who is the ruler of a powerful people. Lieutenant
Smith remained with Mr. Wilson a month, and then returned to
Ukerewe to assist Mr. O'Neill in preparing for removal. Mr.
Wilson was well provided for at first by Mtesa, and had a
house near the palace, but the chiefs and the Arabs used their
influence against the missionary, and the supplies of food grew
smaller and less frequent, and at last Mr. Wilson was informed
that he must remove farther from the palace. He had, however,
free access to the king and held divine services every Sunday in
the palace, the king himself often taking part in them.
Several of the Uganda boys were gathered into a school, and were
found to be bright and quick to learn. Late in December, Mr.
Wilson had news of a disaster on the lake, and hastened south to
find that Lieutenant Smith and Mr. O'Neill had been murdered by
Lukongeh's people in a dispute raised by an Arab trader about a
dhow. Finding that the stores at Kagei were almost exhausted,
Mr. Wilson went on to Unyanyembe, whence he returned to Uganda,
arriving at Rubaga March 26, 1878. The last letters received
from him by way of the Nile speak hopefully of the future. The
caravan, with the bulk of the goods, has made very slow progress.
Porters by the thousand were required to convey them, and porters
in Africa are arrant villains. At the latest accounts the caravan
was still some distance from the lake. A reinforcement for Uganda
was sent out at the beginning of 1878, of three young students of
the Church Missionary College, and a medical missionary, by way
of the Nile. The latest news from them stated that they reached
Berber in July. One of their number had been sun-struck and was
compelled to return. Thus far $65,000 has been received for the
Nyanza mission; also a large part of a fund of $50,000 asked for
by the society last April for the support of it.
The liberal donor who gave $25,000 for the Nyanza Mission offered
the London Missionary Society the same sum for a mission on Lake
Tanganyika. March 15, 1876, the Society resolved to undertake
the mission. The Rev. Roger Price, who was commissioned to
ascertain what was the best route to the interior, found that by
starting from Saadani, wagons could be used as far as Mpwapwa,
and that the costly and vexatious system of porterage could thus
be avoided so far. Four ordained missionaries, one scientific
man, and one builder, left London in March, 1877, as the first
contingent of the expedition. At Saadani they divided, four
starting July 25, and the rest with the caravan in October. In
March the expedition reached Kirasa, forty-five miles east of
Mpwapwa, where they left the wagons and employed porters. They
reached their destination August 23, having been thirteen months
on the journey from the coast, in consequence of unexpected
obstacles and vexatious delays. The letters announcing the
arrival were only forty-five days on the route to the coast, and
only thirty-three thence to London. A high and healthy camping
place was chosen near Ujiji. The caravan has not yet reached the
lake.
The history of these missions is yet to be made. None of them
can be said to be fully established yet. Buildings are to be
erected, languages are to be learned, the country is to be
explored, and the ways of the people are to be studied, before
much can be done in declaring the Gospel. The missions are well
situated. The country around them is thickly peopled, and great
opportunities are opening to them. Much good has already been
done in checking the slave trade, in opening lines of legitimate
commercial traffic, and in inducing the natives to cultivate the
soil. Other missions will be established in due time. The English
Baptists are prospecting for a new mission up the Congo, and Lake
Bangweolo, west of Lake Nyassa, and south of Lake Tanganyika,
called by Livingstone a paradise, will become the centre of
another great mission. Thus from the South, the East and the
West, Christian missions are approaching the heart of Africa.
Before many years we may hope to see a chain of stations across
the continent, and another from Lake Ngami to the equator. The
tribes touch each other like drops of water, and when one of them
is moved by the Gospel, those which surround it will be agitated.
Thus will Christianity take possession of Africa.
* * * * *
HOW THE COLLEGE DIRECTS AND TRANSMUTES NATURAL FORCES.
Address at the Annual Meeting.
BY PRESIDENT EDWARD H. MERRILL, D.D., RIPON, WISCONSIN.
I wish simply to emphasize a single thought, viz., that these
institutions of higher learning have their chief use as being
aids to direct force. When you have mentioned what these higher
institutions have done for individuals--when you have followed
the individuals to their work in their various fields, you have
only begun to tell the story of their importance. If you go up
into Wisconsin, along the lower Fox river, you will see one of
the finest water-powers in the world. It is often called the
Merrimac of the West. I don't know how long that water-power has
been there unappropriated. It was there when the Mound builder
was there. God proffered it to him with all its resources, and
asked him to improve it; but failing to regard the heavenly
admonition, he passed away, leaving but few traces behind; only
a few rude instruments and pieces of pottery. All other marks
of him are gone. After him came the Indian. He also has passed,
to all intents and purposes. Then came the Anglo-Saxon in blood
and the Puritan in civilization and culture, and applying his
inventive ingenuity to the banks of this river, he set the
water-wheel, and the wheel has converted the power of the river
into product, and the product has turned into property, and the
property into intelligence, and the intelligence under this same
productive ingenuity of the Puritan has turned into morality, and
that into religion. So we have this great native force, directed
to the account of the kingdom of God, transmuted into higher
forces for His glory.
Now, my friends, the higher institutions of learning in the
midst of these great original forces all about us in the new
communities are that product of inventive ingenuity which turns
these forces to account, giving them direction and transmuting
them from the lower to the higher. The local church cannot do it.
Individual labor cannot do it. The institution of higher learning
is the only thing that can accomplish it. More than this, not
only does this higher institution planted in new fields turn to
account the force which already existed, but it has the power of
enlarging this force and creating new forces, and after creating,
transmuting them and turning them to the account of the kingdom
of God. The institutions of this Association in the South not
only create an enthusiasm and desire for learning, but they are
turning the money acquired and the material prosperity attained
by our colored brethren into those higher influences which effect
the upbuilding of the kingdom of God. That is what these colleges
are for.
It is impossible now to amplify the thought, but I wish in
connection with it to name three particulars. And first, it is
entirely possible for us, in heeding the Scripture admonition
to preach the gospel to every creature, to neglect those great
and overwhelming forces in new communities which are sweeping
the youth away. I read in a Providence paper last Saturday
evening that there are no infidel books published in the Welsh
language. I know those Welsh people well. This statement may be
true; but meanwhile, forces outside of them which they cannot
control are threatening to sweep their youth away into the gulf
of materialism and atheism in the new communities. The children
speak English, and are thus led into the outside drift.
The second point is this: It is wise to put our directive
force where the power is. It is utterly impossible to build
institutions in the State of Massachusetts or in New England that
will answer the purpose for the South. The children of this world
build their water-wheel where their water-power is. The children
of light sometimes build their water-wheel where the power is
not, or where it has already been appropriated. We must put
healthy, strong institutions into the South. They are worth even
more than the local churches we are planting. They stand in need
of support. The local churches give them character.
Third, I think we have need of a larger Christian sagacity in
the distribution of funds for this purpose. In my appeals for
educational work, no one has heard me say I would have less money
given for older institutions, I believe there can be a wiser
distribution of money with reference to the kingdom of God. Any
one looking upon this field will tell you that one dollar put
into an institution of learning in the Southern field--conditions
being as they are, these forces being yet undirected--one dollar
in one of these institutions will often accomplish more than
one hundred in an old one. I have told people frequently--and
I believe those who have studied this problem will assent to
it--that one dollar for a Christian college in the Western
field, will accomplish more than ten put into some of the older
institutions. What I say then is, that if we wish to have a
larger sagacity, if we wish to give our money with wiser heed
to results, we shall put more into those institutions on the
Southern field which are to determine what the South shall be; we
shall put more into those institutions in the great Mississippi
valley which are to determine what the Mississippi valley shall
be, and which, two generations hence, are to determine what this
continent shall be. Let not less be given to the old; but, my
friends, the most economical giving is the money given to your
higher institutions in the South and in all our new communities.
* * * * *
PURITANISM AND THE DESPISED RACES.
Address at the Annual Meeting.
BY REV. C. M. SOUTHGATE, DEDHAM, MASS.
What I have to say will be upon this point: Why Puritanism
is especially fitted to elevate the despised races. I
say Puritanism; I might say Congregationalism; but that
word sometimes means a polity, while this means something
higher--clear thinking, strong believing, pure living, solemn and
earnest acting; that spiritual life, in a word, which expresses
itself in Congregationalism, not anything developed by its
machinery.
(1). It has peculiar power and fitness to elevate the despised
races. First, because we know so little of the capacity of either
of these races. In the geographies of twenty years ago the centre
of Africa was marked "Unexplored Region." The race that dwells
there is still unexplored. When we say Persia, Greece, Rome, the
word represents not only a people but an idea. Each of these
nations has flashed forth before the world and left its mark upon
it. But of Africa we have heard nothing; it has not displayed
itself or impressed itself upon the world outside. It has given
nothing of civilization or religion. And so of the Indians. Of
their predecessors we learn much from the mounds they built; of
themselves we know little. We know more of the former from their
graves, than of the latter from their lives. The Chinese we have
called our antipodes, in spirit as well as locality, and let them
go at that, with this meager record, that grown men spend their
lives in carving toys and find their pleasure in smoking opium.
To lift up these races we want that power which conquered the
conquerors of Rome, and put the destiny of the world into the
hands of the Anglo-Saxon. We want the power which shall convince
them of manhood within and God above, and bring them face to face
with the Almighty.
(2). We want Puritanism brought to these despised races, because
there is in them such a tendency to degradation. This is seen
abundantly in all of them; let us speak of it especially among
the Freedmen. The Association has no feelings of mere romance
in doing its work. Those who have been engaged in it for years
look with open eyes on depths of degradation which you at a
distance can hardly comprehend. In the cities, the colored people
are influenced by the civilization around them. In some cases
they have made excellent progress by themselves, as in the
old Dorchester settlement in Liberty County, Georgia. But as a
rule, when left alone, there is a terrible settling downwards.
It is seen in Louisiana on remote sugar plantations, where their
cabins, if before the war like cattle-pens, are now pest-houses;
in Mississippi swamps, where their worship is fetichism and
their lives savagery. Slavery was a great leveler; it leveled
many down, but it also leveled many up in physical condition. I
sat one memorable week, day after day, in company with teachers
who had spent eight or ten years in hard work with these people.
As they gave their accounts of those outside their influence,
it seemed like standing on a jutting crag at night, an inky sky
above, an inky sea below, and wave after wave rolling in, black,
with scarce a gleam of brightness. No ecclesiastical polity, no
scenic shows, can do anything for a people sinking like this. We
need a faith which grasps with intense reality the fact that sin
leads to remediless destruction; that it needed the Son of God
to die for its victims, and believes the Son of God did die for
them; and with these convictions is not afraid of any darkness He
bids it enlighten, or any devils He bids it cast out.
(3). We want, again, the power of Puritanism for these despised
races, because it has done so much for them. We heard words of
hearty praise this afternoon telling of the success of the work.
They told hardly enough. But these efforts should be redoubled.
We want more institutions like those at Atlanta, New Orleans,
Charleston, and the other large Southern cities, where high
culture and intelligence rule. The scholarship can be compared
without fear with similar grades at the North. I never heard
in our boasted common schools such recitations as I have heard
from boys as black as the blackest. I know what Yale and Harvard
and Dartmouth can show; but in Greek and Latin those colored
students can rival their excellence. The culture in morals and
manners is at least not inferior, nor the religious instruction
less fruitful. The report from the churches shows as large and
as healthy success as we can show here. The young men and women
in these institutions have an intense longing to be at work for
the Master. The desperate condition of their race rests upon them
like a pall. God is making them His prophets and speaking through
them, and sending redemption. It is Puritanism which has done
this.
It seems to have been put upon us to prove what Christianity can
do for these races. Our fathers came to this land, breaking the
winter's silence with hymns of lofty cheer. After them came the
negro, with groanings inexpressible and clanking of chains. Then
the Chinaman, famine pressing him. Let us not forget that it was
the great famine in Ireland which drove one hundred and fifty
thousand emigrants to this country in a single year, almost as
many as had gone out in a decade before; now, ten million Chinese
have died of starvation, and a few seek this land that God gave
to fugitives. These races, which have never done anything for
themselves, nor had anything good done for them, which have been
the tool, the victim, the plaything, the despair of civilization,
are now brought face to face with us--us, with our indisputable
Anglo-Saxon conceit, which cannot bear that others should differ
from us, backed by Northern grit and Western energy, stirred by
a solemn conviction that we have a destiny to fulfil in this
matter, inspired by that command to preach Christ to dying
men. Puritanism, as embodied in this Congregational Missionary
Association, proposes to have a hand in shaping the fate of these
races.
One of the earliest pictures in the annals of the world is that
of an altar. Around it stand three brothers; behind them the
ark and the deluge; in their midst the sacrifice of gratitude
and consecration; before them the bow of promise on the face of
the retreating storm. Ages pass on. The three brothers become
three races. One goes to the East and hides himself behind his
wall. One goes to the South and hides himself behind deserts and
jungles. The third goes to the West, and becomes the torch-bearer
to flash the light of Christ's glory over all Europe. In forty
centuries they girdle the earth and come together once more
upon its opposite side. Behind two of the brothers, little but
the deluge. Behind the third, the ark. In their midst the great
sacrifice, the cross of Christ. And before them--in the name of
Puritanism, in the name of this Association, shall it not be
said--before them ALL, the bow of heavenly promise.
* * * * *
RE-DEDICATION OF THE BEACH INSTITUTE.
REV. J. E. ROY, D.D.
The rebuilding of the holy and beautiful house which was burned
up with fire, and its dedication, as now recalled by the current
Sunday-school lessons, have found a counterpart in the replacing
and reconsecrating of this temple of learning by the American
Missionary Association for the _ex-captives_ of this city. In
February last, under unexplained circumstances, it was burned.
Rev. R. F. Markham, the pastor, instead of going North for his
needed recuperation, remained through the heat of summer to play
the part of Ezra in rebuilding. This was accomplished so that
the Institute was opened on time, October 1st. It is a comely
structure, 60 x 80, two stories high, adjoining the "Home" that
was saved.
Prof. B. F. Koons, at the public service, reported that he had
now four accomplished lady assistants, Misses Twitchell, Daly,
Markham and Ferris, and 290 pupils, including those of the night
school. He also stated that the object of the teachers was to
afford the advantages of higher education to those who desire to
go beyond the public school course; that it was their purpose not
to influence the pupils as to any change in their denominational
relations; and that they were not to seek any diversion in
political matters. He would also say to their white brethren that
their sympathy and co-operation were earnestly invited in this
work, as it is purely a Christian and missionary enterprise.
Mr. Markham offered the prayer of dedication. Several colored
ministers were present and participated. The Field Superintendent
made an address upon "The Bible religion a teaching religion in
the family, the church and the school."
The singing was accompanied by a new nine-stop "American Organ,"
presented by Mr. S. D. Smith, president of that manufacturing
company in Boston. I find in the South many of these souvenirs of
his practical interest in this work. He must be a happy man if he
knows anything of the amount of joy which his benevolence brings
to these lowly ones, who are yet so fond of music, and so gifted
in it, too.
In the evening, after a sermon, the Lord's Supper was
administered at the Congregational Church. To-night there is
to be the regular monthly meeting of the colored Sunday-school
workers of all denominations in the city. This is a very useful
and enthusiastic affair. To-morrow night we are to have a lecture
upon the growth of our country, to be illustrated by the big map
of the same. While I write, the colored militia, to the number of
ten companies, in gay uniform, with glorious music, are having
their annual parade at the Park, their own Georgia artillery
firing the salute of thirty-eight guns. This afternoon, at three
o'clock, we are to join with the Executive Committee at New York,
and all the A. M. A. workers in the annual concert of prayer
for the blessing of God upon this scheme of evangelism. The week
of prayer is to be observed in the white churches by a union
service, held at night by rotation, in their several places of
worship.
* * * * *
ITEMS FROM THE FIELD.
CHARLESTON, S. C.--The first convention of the Charleston
Teachers' Union met at Avery Institute January 2d, 3d and
4th. Essays were read on the Art of Teaching; the Culture of
the Intellect; How to Teach; Incentives to Study; Our Duty as
Teachers; Our Common Schools; the Mind its own Educator; the
Best Methods of Discipline; Classification; Vacations; Mind and
Matter; and the Drama as a Means of Education. Many of these
varied themes were treated by graduates of Avery Institute.
General discussions were also participated in on Prizes, Moral
Instruction in Schools, and "What's the use of Schools?" It must
have been a busy and stimulating three days' meeting.
MIDWAY, GA.--Arrangement has been made whereby Rev. Floyd Snelson
has resumed the pastoral charge of his old church at Midway. Rev.
Joseph E. Smith, who had served as pastor during the absence of
Mr. Snelson in Africa, and who by his cultured ministry had won
the people greatly, has gracefully retired from the pulpit, and
will receive immediate appointment to another field.
SAVANNAH, GA.--Mr. Markham wrote some time ago: "There is
progress here, and I can see the result of our work in Savannah
just as easily as you can see the change made by a carpenter in
planing a board. Though we have had hard work, rough times, and
many head winds, still there is progress. More than five hundred
children are gathered into the Sabbath Schools of our churches in
and around Savannah."
CHILDERSBURG, ALA.--The church had a Christmas supper to help
procure a bell for the church. The pastor wants us to ask our
friends to aid in the endeavor.
SHELBY IRON WORKS, ALA.--A Bible Concert Exercise and "a
magnificent Christmas Tree" on Christmas day. Solid foundations
for church work are being laid. Three inquirers.
NASHVILLE, TENN.--FISK UNIVERSITY.--The last Annual Catalogue
showed a total attendance of 338. Of these, 25 were studying
theology, 26 were in the College, 54 in the College Preparatory,
11 in the Higher Normal, 153 in the Normal Department, and 95
in the Model School. Notwithstanding the "hard times," this
was the most successful year in the history of the University.
Correspondence was had with 108 teachers, who were then or had
been formerly students in the Institution, and it was found that
they had taught during 1877 _nine thousand three hundred and
thirty-two_ pupils. Many of the teachers taught in two separate
districts during the year, as the public schools, in most places,
are continued only from three to five months. Total salary
received $18,643.53. Ninety-four of these teachers superintended
or taught in Sunday-schools, and reported a total attendance of
7,780. They also stated the number of conversions in day and
Sunday-schools at 371. These statistics represent but a part of
the actual teaching done by persons educated at Fisk University,
for there was no means of learning the address of many of the
early students.
THE INDIANS--SISSETON AGENCY.--The Manual Labor Boarding School
has 56 scholars, more than can be comfortably accommodated. The
scholars and parents show an unprecedented interest. During
three months past not one child has run away from the school.
This has never happened before. Several Indians have recently
come into the office desiring to send their children to the
Manual Labor Boarding School, and we have been obliged to
refuse them admittance. The Good Will School is also crowded,
46 scholars--26 being regular boarders. Mrs. Renville has 28
scholars in her day-school, as many as can be managed. These
three schools are now all full, and it is estimated that there
are over 150 children of school-going age on the reservation who
have no opportunity to attend school.
SANTA BARBARA, CAL.--The Chinese Mission held its fourth annual
meeting on Sunday, December 15. The darkness of the evening did
not prevent a large attendance. The report of the Secretary
showed good work done. Nearly sixty Chinese have attended the
school for a longer or a shorter period during the year. The
average attendance, however, has been a little less than twenty.
The exercises by the pupils, consisting of recitations of
Scripture and the singing of hymns in English and Chinese, were
listened to with much interest. Addresses were made by Rev. Dr.
Hough and Rev. W. C. Pond. Judge Huse is the President, and B. B.
Williams, Esq., the Secretary, of this auxiliary for the ensuing
year.--_Pacific_, December 26.
* * * * *
GENERAL NOTES.
The Freedmen.
--The sum total of the money reported as sent for yellow fever
relief to the South is as follows:
Contributed by the North $1,069,000
Contributed by the South (including $85,000 by St. Louis) 251,000
Contributions from foreign lands 39,000
----------
Total money contributions from all sources $1,359,000
The total value of contributions, including clothing and
supplies, will aggregate about $2,000,000.
--THE COLORED MAN DURING THE YELLOW FEVER.--It gives us genuine
satisfaction to be able to publish the following impartial
testimony to the courage and faithfulness of the colored people
during the yellow fever. Says the Memphis _Avalanche_: "Men worth
hundreds of thousands of dollars have left their property in
charge of blacks, and never provided a dollar for their support.
_They faithfully guarded the property of their employers._ And
yet if the Citizens' Relief Committee cut off the supplies from
the servants of these rich men, what in God's name will they
do?" The Nashville _American_, speaking of their conduct during
the prevalence of the yellow fever, remarks: "If the negro is
found to be true and reliable when he is entrusted with the grave
responsibilities of citizenship, if he discharges faithfully
the duties devolved upon him, and shows, in such trying times,
that he may be entrusted with the preservation of order and the
guarding of homes from the criminal classes even of his own
race, it will go far towards giving new views on this subject."
Col. Keating, of the Memphis _Appeal_, indignantly repels a
charge by Dr. Ramsay, seriously damaging to the character of the
colored yellow fever nurses in Memphis, and warmly declares:
"The statement is a libel upon the negroes of Memphis, who have
stood by us nobly as policemen and soldiers." Chief Athey has
resolved to recommend that the colored citizens be represented
on the police force in proportion to population. Nor did they
fail to furnish their quota of physicians, among whom were two
former students of the Central Tennessee College, of this city,
Drs. Key and Bass, who were acknowledged through the papers to
have rendered efficient services, the former at Mason, and the
latter at Chattanooga, Tenn. Nor were there wanting among them,
ministers ready to lay down their lives, as the deaths of the
following clergymen, Mr. Madison, of New Orleans, Mr. Green, of
Vicksburg, Mr. Ventris, of Tuscumbia, Mr. Henderson, of Florence,
and others, sufficiently testify.--_Fisk Expositor._
--The negroes who were formerly slaves of the Choctaws and
Chickasaws, and who still reside among those tribes, were
emancipated by the United States, and part of the common domain
apportioned to them. The operation of the treaty has, however,
been evaded. These Freedmen are deprived of citizenship, the
right to hold office and to vote; nor have their children any
privilege of education under the school laws. It seems there is
a ring of Indians as well as an Indian ring, and that they will
not consent to have the land divided and held in severalty. This
not only keeps the Freedman out of his rights, but prevents the
common Indians from coming to understand their own.
* * * * *
The Chinese.
--In the fifth article of the treaty of 1868 between the United
States and China, the two governments mutually recognize, affirm
and guarantee "the inherent and inalienable right of man to
change his home and allegiance, and also the mutual advantage of
the free migration and emigration of their citizens and subjects
respectively from the one country to the other, for purposes
of curiosity, of trade, or as permanent residents." The sixth
article of the same treaty says: "Citizens of the United States
visiting or residing in China shall enjoy the same privileges,
immunities or exemptions in respect to travel or residence as
may there be enjoyed by citizens or subjects of the most favored
nation; and, reciprocally, Chinese subjects visiting or residing
in the United States shall enjoy the same privileges, immunities
and exemptions in respect to travel or residence as may there be
enjoyed by the citizens or subjects of the most favored nation."
--Treaties of the United States are recognized as part of "the
supreme law of the land;" and in the early and famous case of
Ware _vs._ Hylton, 3 Dall., 199, the principle was laid down by
the Supreme Court, which has ever since been followed, that any
exercise of State authority inconsistent with a treaty is thereby
rendered wholly void.
--Among the powers assigned to Congress, in the eighth section
of the first article of the National Constitution, is that "to
establish an uniform rule of naturalization," and "to make all
laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into
execution this power." This remits the whole subject as to
aliens, and their admission to citizenship, to Congress, with
full authority.
--The Legislature of California, a few years ago, tried to solve
the Chinese problem by a law of exclusion; but, unfortunately for
the effort, the Supreme Court of the United States, in the case
of Chy Lung _vs._ Freeman _et al._, 2 Otto, 275, declared the
law to be unconstitutional. Mr. Justice Miller, in stating the
opinion of the Court, said: "The passage of laws which concern
the admission, of citizens and subjects of foreign nations
to our shores belongs to Congress, and not to the States. It
has the power to regulate commerce with foreign nations. The
responsibility for the character of those regulations, and for
the manner of their execution, belongs solely to the National
Government. If it be otherwise, a single State can, at her
pleasure, embroil us in disastrous quarrels with other nations."
The Court, on this general ground, pronounced the law to be a
nullity.
--The committee of the Constitutional Convention of California
having in charge the question relating to Chinese immigration
have decided that it is impossible to put into that constitution
any provision that will forbid such immigration, and not at the
same time conflict with the Constitution of the United States.
--The real difficulty lies in the relation of the Chinaman
to the labor question. But this is not generic to him. There
are Norwegians and Swedes who will save as much on as little
as the Chinese. But we welcome them. We take in thousands
every year of the race which especially breeds all those foul
fellows--hoodlums, tramps and bummers. How can we consistently
refuse to welcome these others, who are patient, industrious
and frugal? Shall we pass a new law that shall compel our
customs officials to catechise all new-comers as to the minimum
on which they can manage to subsist, and when their estimate
falls below Mr. Denis Kearney's judgment of what is the proper
sum for a laboring man, pack them back again whence they
came?--_Congregationalist._
* * * * *
NEW APPOINTMENTS.
1878-1879.