of those who are under appointment in the Churches, Institutions
and Schools aided by the American Missionary Association, among
the Freedmen in the South, the Chinese on the Pacific Coast,
the Indians, and the Negroes in Western Africa. The Theological
Department of Howard University is supported jointly by the
Presbytery of Washington and the Am. Miss. Assoc. The Berea
College and Hampton Institute are under the care of their own
Boards of Trustees; but being either founded or fostered in the
past by this Association, and representing the general work is
which it is engaged, their teachers are included in this list.
THE SOUTHERN FIELD.
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.
HOWARD UNIVERSITY.
_Theological Department._
Rev. W. W. Patton, D.D., Washington, D. C.
" Lorenzo Westcott, " "
" Alexander Pitzer, D.D., " "
" John G. Butler, D.D., " "
* * * * *
VIRGINIA.
HAMPTON.
_Minister._
---- ----
NORMAL AND AGRICULTURAL INSTITUTE.
_Instructors and Managers._
Gen. S. C. Armstrong, Hampton, Va.
Gen. J. F. B. Marshall, " "
Mr. Albert Howe, " "
" M. B. Crowell, " "
" J. B. H. Goff, " "
Capt. Henry Romeyn, " "
Miss Ann M. Hobbs, " "
" Charlotte L. Mackie, Newburgh, N. Y.
" Susan B. Harrold, Franklin, Mass.
" Mary F. Mackie, Newburgh, N. Y.
" Nathalie Lord, Portland, Me.
" Isabel B. Eustis, Springfield, Mass.
" Helen W. Ludlow, New York City.
Mrs. Sophia Buck, Orange, N. J.
Miss Eleanor W. Collingwood, Hampton, Va.
Mrs. Eunice C. Dixon, " "
Miss Mary A. Coe, Boston, Mass.
" Elizabeth P. Hyde, Brooklyn, N. Y.
" Margaret W. Buck, Hampton, Va.
" Jeannie I. Hincks, " "
" Carrie Watson, " "
" Emily Kimball, " "
Mr. Albert H. Tolman, " "
" Charles G. Buck, " "
" Thomas T. Brice, " "
" James C. Robbins, " "
" Frank D. Banks, " "
" John E. Fuller, " "
CARRSVILLE.
_Teacher._
Miss M. A. Andrus, Riceville, Pa.
NORTH CAROLINA.
WILMINGTON (P. O. Box 207).
NORMAL SCHOOL.
_Minister and Superintendent._
Rev. D. D. Dodge, Nashua, N. H.
_Principal._
Miss Julia C. Andrews, Milltown, Me.
_Assistants._
Miss Lucy Goodwin, Mason, N. H.
" E. A. Warner, Lowell, Mass.
" H. L. Fitts, Candia, N. H.
Mrs. Janet Dodge, Nashua, N. H.
* * * * *
RALEIGH.
_Minister._
Rev. George S. Smith, Raleigh, N. C.
_Teachers._
Miss E. P. Hayes, Limerick, Me.
Mrs. Geo. S. Smith, Raleigh, N. C.
* * * * *
DUDLEY.
_Minister._
Rev. David Peebles, Dudley, N. C.
_Teacher._
Mrs. Anna D. Peebles, Dudley, N. C.
* * * * *
McLEANSVILLE.
_Minister and Teacher._
Rev. Alfred Connett, Solsberry, Ind.
* * * * *
WOODBRIDGE.
_Teacher._
Mr. William Ellis, Southfield, Mass.
* * * * *
SOUTH CAROLINA.
CHARLESTON.
AVERY INSTITUTE.
_Principal._
Prof. A. W. Farnham, Hannibal, N. Y.
_Assistants._
Mr. C. P. Van Inwegen, Cuddebackville, N. Y.
" Levi L. Farnham, Hannibal, N. Y.
" C. C. Scott, Charleston, S. C.
" E. A. Lawrence, " "
Miss M. L. Phelps, Constableville, N. Y.
Mrs. M. L. Brown, Charleston, S. C.
Miss Monimia McKinlay, " "
Miss H. E. Wells, Middletown, N. Y.
* * * * *
ORANGEBURG.
_Minister._
Rev. W. L. Johnson, Orangeburg, S. C.
_Teacher._
Mrs. W. L. Johnson, " "
* * * * *
GREENWOOD.
BREWER NORMAL SCHOOL.
Mr. J. D. Backenstose, Geneva, N. Y.
* * * * *
GEORGIA.
ATLANTA.
_Ministers._
Rev. C. W. Francis, Atlanta, Ga.
" S. S. Ashley, Northboro, Mass.
ATLANTA UNIVERSITY.
_Instructors and Managers._
Rev. E. A. Ware, Atlanta, Ga.
Prof. T. N. Chase, " "
Rev. C. W. Francis, " "
" Horace Bumstead, " "
Prof. J. F. Fuller, " "
" Frank W. Smith, Lincoln, Mass.
Miss Emma C. Ware, Norfolk, "
" Susie A. Cooley, Honek, Kansas.
" Mary E. Sands, Saco, Me.
Mrs. Lucy E. Case, Millbury, Mass.
Miss Carrie H. Loomis, Hartford, Conn.
" Mary L. Santley, New London, Ohio.
" E. F. Moore, Chicago, Ill.
Mrs. T. N. Chase, Atlanta, Ga.
" J. F. Fuller, " "
_STORRS SCHOOL_, (104 Houston St.)
_Principal._
Miss Amy Williams, Livonia Sta., N. Y.
_Assistants._
Miss Fannie M. Andrews, Milltown, Me.
" M. E. Stevenson, Bellefontaine, Ohio.
" F. J. Norris, Atlanta, Ga.
" Abbie Clark, " "
* * * * *
MACON.
_Minister._
Rev. Stanley E. Lathrop, New London, Wis.
LEWIS HIGH SCHOOL.
_Teachers._
Miss Christene Gilbert, Fredonia, N. Y.
" Hattie E. Phelps, Hannibal, N. Y.
* * * * *
AUGUSTA.
_Teacher._
Miss S. A. Hosmer, Augusta, Ga.
* * * * *
MARIETTA.
_Teacher._
Mr. Cosmo P. Jordan, Atlanta, Ga.
* * * * *
ATHENS.
_Teacher._
Mr. J. G. Hutchins, Atlanta, Ga.
* * * * *
CUTHBERT.
_Teacher._
Mr. Richard R. Wright, Atlanta, Ga.
* * * * *
FORSYTH.
_Teacher._
Mr. William F. Jackson, Atlanta, Ga.
* * * * *
STONE MOUNTAIN.
_Teacher._
Mr. William C. Craig, Atlanta, Ga.
* * * * *
FORT VALLEY.
_Teacher._
Miss S. V. Whitic, Macon, Ga.
* * * * *
BRUNSWICK.
_Teacher._
Mr. S. B. Morse, Savannah, Ga.
* * * * *
THOMASVILLE.
_Teacher._
Mr. W. H. Harris, Savannah, Ga.
* * * * *
AMERICUS.
_Teacher._
Mr. G. W. F. Phillips, Milledgeville, Ga.
* * * * *
MILLEDGEVILLE.
_Teacher._
Mr. Robert Smith, Charleston, S. C.
* * * * *
CARTERSVILLE.
_Teacher._
Mr. T. C. Sheppard, Chattanooga, Tenn.
* * * * *
SAVANNAH.
_Minister and Supt. of Missions._
Rev. R. F. Markham, Wheaton, Ill.
BEACH INSTITUTE.
_Principal._
Mr. B. F. Koons, Sulphur Springs, O.
_Assistants._
Miss Adelaide Daily, Fredonia, N. Y.
" Hattie Markham, Wheaton, Ill.
Miss E. H. Twichell, Saratoga Sp'gs, N. Y.
" Amelia Ferris, Oneida, Ill.
Mrs. R. F. Markham, Wheaton, Ill.
* * * * *
WOODVILLE.
_Minister and Teacher._
Rev. J. H. H. Sengstacke, Savannah, Ga.
* * * * *
OGEECHEE.
_Minister and Teacher._
Rev. John McLean, McLeansville, N. C.
Miss E. W. Douglass, Decorah, Iowa.
* * * * *
LOUISVILLE AND BELMONT.
_Minister._
Rev. Wilson Callen, Selma, Ala.
* * * * *
McINTOSH, LIBERTY CO.
_Ministers._
Rev. Jos. E. Smith, Atlanta, Ga.
[A]" Floyd Snelson, McIntosh, Ga.
_Teachers._
John McIntosh, Jr., Savannah, Ga.
Mrs. John McIntosh, " "
* * * * *
ALABAMA.
* * * * *
TALLADEGA.
_Minister._
Rev. G. W. Andrews, Collinsville, Ct.
TALLADEGA COLLEGE.
_Instructors and Managers._
Rev. E. P. Lord, Olivet, Mich.
" G. W. Andrews, Collinsville, Ct.
Prof. Geo. N. Ellis, Olivet, Mich.
" G. C. Carpenter, Indianola, Iowa.
Mr. Warren E. Wheeler, Salem, Wis.
" George Atkins, Olivet, Mich.
Miss M. L. Sawyer, Boxford, Mass.
" S. Ida Allen, Rochester, N. Y.
" M. A. M. Kernan, Locust Valley, L. I.
" Kate A. Lord, Olivet, Mich.
Mrs. H. W. Andrews, Collinsville, Ct.
Miss Emily P. Newcomb, Chicago, Ill.
_MISSION CHURCHES._
ALABAMA FURNACE, KYMÚLGA, THE COVE, LAWSONVILLE.
_Superintendent._
Rev. G. W. Andrews, Collinsville, Conn.
* * * * *
SHELBY IRON WORKS.
_Minister._
Rev. J. D. Smith, Talladega, Ala.
* * * * *
ANNISTON.
_Minister._
Rev. Peter McEntosh, Talladega, Ala.
* * * * *
CHILDERSBURG.
_Minister._
Rev. Alfred Jones, Talladega, Ala.
* * * * *
MOBILE.
_Minister._
Rev. D. L. Hickok, Kingsville, Ohio.
EMERSON INSTITUTE.
_Supt. and Teachers._
Rev. D. L. Hickok, Kingsville, Ohio.
Miss Isabel Phelps, Oswego, N. Y.
" May Hickok, Kingsville, Ohio.
" H. Jennie Stevenson, Bellefontaine, Ohio.
* * * * *
MONTGOMERY, (P. O. Box 62.)
_Minister._
Rev. F. Bascom, D.D., Hinsdale, Ill.
SWAYNE SCHOOL.
_Principal._
Miss Martha J. Adams, Columbus, Wis.
_Assistants._
Miss Jane S. Hardy, Shelburne, Mass.
" May Merry, Providence, R. I.
" Fannie A. Wilson, Montgomery, Ala.
Mrs. M. Hardaway Davis, " "
Miss Anna Duncan, " "
* * * * *
SELMA.
_Minister._
Rev. C. B. Curtis, Burlington, Wis.
* * * * *
MARION.
_Minister._
Rev. Geo. E. Hill, Southport, Conn.
_Missionaries._
Mrs. Geo. E. Hill, Southport, Conn.
Miss Laura Hill, " "
* * * * *
ATHENS.
_Minister._
Rev. Horace J. Taylor, McMinnville, Tenn.
TRINITY SCHOOL.
_Teachers._
Miss M. F. Wells, Ann Arbor, Mich.
" Nettie Underwood, Burlington, "
* * * * *
FLORENCE.
_Minister._
Rev. William H. Ash, Providence, R. I.
* * * * *
TENNESSEE.
NASHVILLE.
_Ministers._
Rev. Henry S. Bennett, Nashville, Tenn.
" Geo. W. Moore, " "
FISK UNIVERSITY.
_Instructors and Managers._
Rev. E. M. Cravath, Brooklyn, N. Y.
[B] " A. K. Spence, Nashville, Tenn.
" H. S. Bennett, " "
" F. A. Chase, " "
" C. C. Painter, Stafford Sp'gs, Conn.
Mr. Edward P. Gilbert, Nashville, Tenn.
" John Burrus, " "
Miss Helen C. Morgan, Cleveland, Ohio.
" Anna M. Cahill, Binghamton, N. Y.
" Henrietta Matson, N. Bloomfield, Ohio.
" E. M. Barnes, Bakersfield, Vt.
" Laura S. Carey, St. Johnsbury, Vt.
Mrs. J. D. Lee, Nashville, Tenn.
Miss Irene E. Gilbert, Fredonia, N. Y.
" Sarah M. Wells, Big Rapids, Mich.
" Sarah A. Stevens, St. Johnsbury, Vt.
Miss Mary Farrand, Ypsilanti, Mich.
" Dora Ford, N. Abington, Mass
* * * * *
MEMPHIS.
_Minister._
Rev. W. W. Mallory, Memphis, Tenn.
_Missionary._
Miss Hattie Milton, Romeo, Mich.
LE MOYNE SCHOOL.
_Principal._
Prof. A. J. Steele, Whitewater, Wis.
_Assistants._
Miss Laura A. Parmelee, Toledo, Ohio
" Emma Rand, Whitewater, Wis.
" Ella Woodward, Royalton, N. Y.
" S. M. McGill, Memphis, Tenn.
* * * * *
CHATTANOOGA.
_Minister._
Rev. Temple Cutler, Athol, Mass.
* * * * *
KENTUCKY.
BEREA.
_Minister._
Rev. John G. Fee, Berea, Ky.
BEREA COLLEGE.
_Instructors and Managers._
Rev. E. H. Fairchild, D.D., Berea, Ky.
" John G. Fee, " "
Prof. L. V. Dodge, " "
Rev. Charles G. Fairchild, " "
Prof. P. D. Dodge, " "
Rev. B. S. Hunting, Sublette, Ill.
Miss L. A. Darling, Akron, Ohio
" Kate Gilbert, W. Brookfield, Mass.
" Anna Haylor, Oberlin, Ohio.
" Etta McClelland, Berea, Ky.
" Clara A. Saxton, Oberlin, Ohio.
" Alice E. Peck, Alexander, N. Y.
" C. W. Haynes, Oberlin, Ohio.
* * * * *
CAMP NELSON.
_Minister._
Rev. John Drew, Berea, Ky.
* * * * *
MISSISSIPPI.
TOUGALOO.
_Minister._
Rev. G. S. Pope, Strongsville, Ohio.
TOUGALOO UNIVERSITY.
_Managers and Instructors._
Rev. G. S. Pope, Strongsville, Ohio.
Prof. D. I. Miner, Bavaria, Kansas.
Miss Kate K. Koons, Sulphur Springs, O.
" Orra A. Angell, Greenville, R. I.
Miss Mary H. Scott, Auburndale, Mass.
" Irene C. Barnes, Greenville, R. I.
Mrs. G. S. Pope, Strongsville, Ohio.
" D. I. Miner, Bavaria, Kansas.
Miss S. L. Emerson, Hallowell, Me.
* * * * *
LOUISIANA.
NEW ORLEANS.
_Ministers._
Rev. W. S. Alexander, Pomfret, Conn.
" Isaac Hall, New Orleans, La.
" Henry Ruffin, " "
" N. B. James, " "
STRAIGHT UNIVERSITY.
_Instructors and Managers._
Rev. W. S. Alexander, Pomfret, Conn.
Prof. J. K. Cole, Lawrence, Mass.
" J. M. McPherron, New Orleans, La.
Miss Mary J. Robinson, Lake City, Minn.
" Caroline Park, West Boxford, Mass.
Miss H. J. Halleck, Success, L. I.
" Frances Stevens, Oswego, N. Y.
Mrs. C. E. Alexander, Pomfret, Conn.
* * * * *
ABBERVILLE.
_Minister._
Rev. Charles E. Smith, New Orleans, La.
* * * * *
NEW IBERIA.
_Minister._
Rev. William Butler, New Iberia, La.
* * * * *
CARROLLTON.
Rev. Thos. E. Hillson New Orleans, La.
* * * * *
TEXAS.
GOLIAD.
_Minister._
Rev. B. C. Church, Goliad, Texas.
* * * * *
CORPUS CHRISTI.
_Minister._
Rev. S. M. Coles, New Haven, Conn.
* * * * *
HELENA.
_Minister._
Rev. Mitchell Thompson, Goliad, Texas.
* * * * *
SCHULENBURG.
_Minister._
Rev. A. J. Turner, Schulenburg, Texas.
* * * * *
AUSTIN.
_Teacher._
Mrs. E. M. Garland, Austin, Texas.
* * * * *
AMONG THE CHINESE.
_Superintendent._
Rev. W. C. Pond, San Francisco, Cal.
_Teachers._
SAN FRANCISCO, Mr. Henry M. Pond.
Mrs. M. T. Hunting.
Mr. Wong Sam.
" J. Hackley.
" Chung Ying.
Mrs. C. A. Sheldon.
OAKLAND, Miss L. B. Mann.
" Lucy Duncan.
Mr. Jee Gam.
PETALUMA, Mr. A. L. Anthony.
SACRAMENTO, Mrs. S. Denton.
Mr. Lu Haim.
SANTA BARBARA, Mrs. C. P. Stephenson.
STOCKTON, " M. C. Brown.
SUISUN, " T. W. Chamberlain.
WOODLAND, Mr. E. C. Gilbert.
* * * * *
AMONG THE INDIANS.
_Red Lake Agency, Minnesota._
Agent, ----
Teacher, Miss M. C. Warren.
* * * * *
_Lake Superior Agency, Wis._
Agent, Dr. Isaac L. Mahan.
Teacher, ---- ----
" Robert Pew.
* * * * *
_Green Bay Agency, Wis._
Agent, Joseph C. Bridgman.
Farmer and Teacher, W. W. Wheeler.
Matron, Mrs. W. W. Wheeler.
Teacher, Miss S. B. Dresser.
* * * * *
_Ft. Berthold Agency, Dakota Territory._
Agent, Thomas P. Ellis.
* * * * *
_Sisseton Agency, Dakota Territory._
Agent, E. H. C. Hooper.
Teachers, (Connected with the Mission of the
A. B. C. F. M.)
* * * * *
_S'Kokomish Agency, Washington Territory._
Agent, Edwin Eells.
Missionary, Rev. Myron Eells.
Teachers, (Supported by Gov't.)
* * * * *
MENDI MISSION, WEST AFRICA.
_Missionaries and Assistants._
Rev. A. P. Miller.
" A. F. Jackson.
Dr. Benj. James.
Mr. A. E. White.
Mrs. A. P. Miller.
" A. F. Jackson.
Rev. George N. Jewett.
Mr. Sam. H. Goodman.
Mr. James Pickett.
Mr. Buel Tucker.
Mrs. Lucy During.
[A] Missionary returned from Africa.
[B] Absent.
* * * * *
THE FREEDMEN.
* * * * *
NORTH CAROLINA.
A Working Church--Bible Christians.
MISS E. A. WARNER, WILMINGTON.
Last Sabbath we had an unusually interesting communion season.
Two young men united with the church; one has been a member of
our day-school, both of the Sunday-school. Our daily prayer is,
"Lord, bring our scholars into the fold of Christ." Our church is
small, but it is a working one, and its influence is felt in the
community.
A young Methodist minister attended a course of lectures given by
Mr. Dodge, last winter, on the Christian Doctrines, and he says,
"Mr. Dodge taught me more than I ever knew before. The Bible
seems a new book."
It seems to me the people are beginning to feel that the "Bible
Christians" are different from the mass of professing ones around
them. I called on a sick young man; he asked me to come in and
read to him. I did so from time to time until he recovered.
The family said, "We are ashamed to return your calls, but we
will come into meeting." And they were in last Sabbath evening.
I have been teaching a woman over fifty years of age to read,
this summer, and now she reads quite intelligibly, and says what
little she can read opens up a new world to her.
I was somewhat amused one day when she came to the word
"Hypocrite." She repeated, "_Hypocrite, hypocrite_; I must
remember that, for we have a plenty of 'um around us." She
often comes to our meetings, because she "can get such a good
understanding of the Bible."
* * * * *
GEORGIA.
A New Conference Organized.
REV. S. E. LATHROP, MACON.
In Georgia, the "Empire State of the South," a Congregational
Conference now exists. It was formed at Macon, Dec. 12. Part
of the churches came from the Central South Conference, which
formerly covered the States of Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama
and Northern Georgia. The others were members of the now defunct
Southeast Georgia Conference. By uniting together in this
State organization, it is hoped that the bond of fellowship
and Christian work may be strengthened. Twelve churches were
represented by pastor or delegate, including the church at
Orangeburg, S. C. Three of these have white pastors from the
North; the others have efficient colored ministers who have been
trained in the schools of the A. M. A.
Rev. Dr. Roy, of Atlanta, whom your own great State has recently
given to the South for a Field Superintendent of the work
among the colored people, preached a most effective opening
sermon from the text, "Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, to-day
and forever." We thank the Illinois churches for their gift,
for Dr. Roy is evidently the right man in the right place.
He is cordially and gladly welcomed, and will have a great
work to do in looking after the present scattered flocks, and
gathering new churches. The Conference was well officered by
Rev. R. F. Markham, of Savannah, as Moderator, and Rev. J. H.
H. Sengstacke, of Woodville, as Secretary; Rev. S. E. Lathrop,
the newly-arrived pastor at Macon, was also chosen Statistical
Secretary and Treasurer, with authority to publish the Minutes
and other documents. The Macon church is a beautiful brick
building, tastefully arranged, upon a commanding site which
overlooks most of the city. The attendance of Macon citizens
was not so large as it would have been but for a very exciting
municipal election which was going on at the time, absorbing the
enthusiasm of most of the people. But the Congregational church,
with the "Lewis High School" in its basement, taught by two
experienced lady teachers from New York, has gained the respect
of the whole community by the steadiness of its members and the
"sweet reasonableness" of its doctrines as handed down from past
generations.
To those unaccustomed to deal with the Freedmen, one very
noticeable thing was their intelligence, and especially their
knowledge of parliamentary law as applied to deliberative bodies.
They are thoroughly posted in all the intricate mazes of motions,
amendments, substitutes and privileged questions, and everything
must be done in a strictly parliamentary way. This is, perhaps, a
characteristic of the whole Southern people, white or black. They
have also a good knowledge of Congregational usages, and seem to
be much attached to the ways of the Pilgrim Fathers.
One evening was devoted to a temperance meeting (a subject,
by the way, which needs great attention in the South), with
several earnest and spirited addresses by both white and colored
speakers. The vice of drunkenness is very prevalent in this
part of the country, both in the churches and out of them. The
"fire-water" has its charms for the red, white and black races
alike. Even among the colored preachers of some denominations,
drunkenness is by no means uncommon.
Rev. Floyd Snelson, recently returned from the Mendi Mission,
Africa, gave a very interesting sketch of the work among that
people. Several of the (colored) churches of the city were
supplied on Sunday by members of the Conference. There is
little affiliation of the white churches. Mr. John R. McLean,
a promising young man of pure negro blood, was ordained by
a council as a closing exercise of the Conference--a very
impressive service. Sermon by Rev. S. S. Ashley, of Atlanta;
charge to the candidate, Rev. R. F. Markham, of Savannah;
ordaining prayer, Rev. S. E. Lathrop, of Macon; right hand of
fellowship, Rev. J. H. H. Sengstacke, of Woodville.
Congregationalism in the South is not a failure. The outlook is
hopeful. The tendencies of our polity to induce intelligence and
self-control are more and more observed, and the better classes
of Southern people are coming out with more strongly pronounced
words of commendation. Men and money, patience and prayer, wisdom
and work, will elevate the black man to his proper place, surely,
though it may be slowly.--_Advance._
* * * * *
"There is Life in the Old Land Yet."
JOHN M^CINTOSH, JR., LIBERTY CO., GA.
I came to this place in October and undertook the work necessary
to a successful beginning of my school duties. Several county
free schools were in session on my arrival, and I deemed it
wise to visit them and urge the patronage of my school, which I
intended opening when the free schools were closed. I visited and
witnessed the closing exercises of these schools, and was pleased
with the progress made by some of them. The great scarcity of
proper books and other school accommodations was quite manifest.
Some of these schools had scholars sufficiently advanced for the
Second or Third Readers, but did not have the means to purchase
suitable books, and so the teachers kept them reading in the
blue-back speller, and accomplished something.
I succeeded in getting pupils to come to my school from one
to ten miles away. I began teaching under the auspices of the
American Missionary Association immediately at the close of
the free schools, and the number of pupils and the interest in
education increased rapidly. The number enrolled has been large,
and the average attendance good. A most decided improvement has
been made in punctuality and the general observance of school
regulations and requirements. Many have paid something toward
the education of their children, and quite a number something
toward procuring proper books for their children.
The school is prospering, the people are taking a proper view
of things, and the workers are encouraged. May our sky continue
bright.
* * * * *
Home Life Among the Negroes--An Incident.
MRS. T. N. CHASE, ATLANTA.
The saddest reports of home life among the negroes are gained
from conversation with our returned student teachers. One of
our girls, a born lady, delicate and refined, who had always
lived comfortably in the city, went out to teach for the first
time this summer. Her first boarding-place was a log house of
three rooms and twenty occupants. Each room contained a separate
family. There were no windows or openings in the logs except the
chimney and door, and of course the door must be shut at night to
keep out animals. The father and mother have a bed; the children
(boys and girls) all nestle together on a quilt spread on the
floor, in the corner, sleeping in the same filthy garments they
have worn through the day. Think of trying to sleep as she had
to during the intense heat of last summer in a close room with
twelve persons. The first morning she told the man of the house
he must get a saw and make a place for a window. He protested; so
did she; said she should sit up all night and not shut her eyes
to sleep unless it was done; and it _was_ done. Need a missionary
in Africa practice more self-denial than this exceedingly neat
and delicate girl in Georgia? She took a lamp with her which was
a great curiosity, as the children were not accustomed even to a
candle. At dusk the door was filled with eager eyes waiting to
see her "make a fire in that queer thing." She is an unusually
sweet singer. It was remarkable how quickly her fine voice was
recognized and appreciated by the musical intuitions of even that
rude people. They came long distances to beg her "to sing one
more time," and often remarked, "I'm shore the angels can't sing
no better."
* * * * *
ALABAMA.
Testimony as to Progress Already Made--The Situation and
Equipment.
REV. F. BASCOM, D.D., MONTGOMERY.
I am much interested in my work and in my people. I see abundant
proofs of the beneficent agency of your society here. Could its
influence have been exerted in like manner among all our colored
people of the South, the problem so perplexing to politicians and
philanthropists, as to the future of this class in our country,
would have been already solved. It seems to me that my neighbors
here who have been under the influence of our school and
church, for these few years past, are as well prepared for the
duties and responsibilities of freemen and citizens as are the
ordinary farmers and mechanics at the North. I am most happily
disappointed in the intelligence of the men and the culture of
the women, and in the neatness and comfort of their homes. But
I see this elevation of the race is accomplished by the most
laborious and exhausting efforts of your employés.
Dr. Bascom also writes to a friend, as appears in the _Advance_:
We greatly enjoy our situation and work in this place. The
weather is charming. We should call it the perfection of our
early autumn weather,--just cool enough for comfort with a nice
fire in the grate, but bright and balmy through the day, making
the shady side of the street preferable at mid-day. The frost has
killed the elm and mulberry leaves, but the magnolia, mock orange
and fig leaves are green as ever, and the hawthorn hedges and
roses make the door-yards look almost like June. Their geraniums
they are protecting with temporary board coverings, letting them
remain out all winter.
Our Mission Home is a large and commodious mansion built by a
slave-holder, whose fortunes went down with the lost cause,
and it was purchased by the American Missionary Association.
Our school, near by, has a building which compares favorably
with some of the Chicago school-houses, two stories and a good
basement, the whole accommodating from 300 to 400 pupils, with
three noble white teachers and three colored, who have graduated
from this school. I have just visited the school, and was greatly
delighted. It is no disparagement to your excellent schools
to say that, in point of order and apparent earnestness and
successful work on the part of both teachers and pupils, these
dusky boys and girls would not suffer in comparison.
Our church here is a neat, pleasant, wooden building, and our
congregation appear fully to appreciate a preacher's best
efforts. Their singing is, like ours, led by a good organist.
Their prayer meetings are quiet and social, and very enjoyable.
Our Sunday-school is flourishing, under a colored man for
superintendent, who is teaching in the country. I enjoy my work,
and hope to have a profitable winter.
* * * * *
TENNESSEE.
Le Moyne Library--Sunday-school Work.
MISS LAURA A. PARMELEE, MEMPHIS.
There has been some work and much time spent upon the library in
labeling and cataloguing the two hundred and thirty new volumes,
and arranging the whole five hundred in classes.