_Minister._
Rev. John G. Fee, Berea, Ky.
BEREA COLLEGE.
_Instructors and Managers._
Rev. E. H. Fairchild, D. D., Berea, Ky.
Rev. John G. Fee, Berea, Ky.
Prof. L. V. Dodge, Berea, Ky.
Rev. Charles G. Fairchild, Berea, Ky.
Prof. P. D. Dodge, Berea, Ky.
Rev. B. S. Hunting, Sublette, Ill.
Miss L. A. Darling, Akron, Ohio.
Miss Kate Gilbert, W. Brookfield, Mass.
Miss Jennie Lester, Berea, Ky.
Miss Alice M. Warren, Berea, Ky.
Miss Ida M. Clark, Berea, Ky.
Miss C. W. Haynes, Oberlin, Ohio.
Miss A. E. Trimble, Mt. Vernon, Ohio.
Miss Maria Muzzy, Berea, Ky.
CAMP NELSON.
_Minister._
Rev. W. S. Overstreet, Camp Nelson, Ky.
_Teacher._
Miss Juan Kumler, Oberlin, Ohio.
* * * * *
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.
Rev. Azel Hatch, Oberlin, Ohio.
Miss Kate K. Koons, Sulphur Springs, O.
Miss Adele Holmes, Lee, Mass.
Miss Fanny J. Webster, Berlin, Wis.
Miss Ernestine Patterson, Providence, R. I.
Mrs. G. S. Pope, Strongsville, Ohio.
Mrs. D. I. Miner, Bavaria, Kansas.
Mrs. Anna Hatch, Oberlin, Ohio.
Miss S. L. Emerson, Hallowell, Me.
* * * * *
LOUISIANA.
NEW ORLEANS.
_Ministers._
Rev. W. S. Alexander, Pomfret, Conn.
Rev. Isaac Hall, New Orleans, La.
Rev. Henry Ruffin, New Orleans, La.
STRAIGHT UNIVERSITY.
_Instructors and Managers._
Rev. W. S. Alexander, Pomfret, Conn.
Prof. J. M. McPherron, New Orleans, La.
Mr. G. F. Jewett, Pepperill, Mass.
Miss E. W. Dunklee, West Medway, Mass.
Miss J. E. Strong, Westfield, Mass.
Miss L. G. Merrill, Peoria, Ill.
Miss M. M. Jewett, Pepperill, Mass.
Mrs. J. M. McPherron, New Orleans, La.
_Special Missionary._
Miss Lena Saunders, Boston, Mass.
NEW IBERIA.
_Minister._
Rev. W. R. Polk, New Iberia, La.
* * * * *
TEXAS.
AUSTIN.
TILLOTSON INSTITUTE.
Rev. W. E. Brooks, West Haven, Conn.
Mrs. W. E. Brooks, West Haven, Conn.
Miss Isabella Hunt, Richmond, Mich.
Mrs. M. E. Garland, Austin, Texas.
Miss M. J. Adams, Columbus, Wis.
GOLIAD.
_Minister._
Rev. B. C. Church, Goliad, Texas.
CORPUS CHRISTI.
_Minister._
Rev. J. W. Strong, Talladega, Ala.
_Teacher._
Rev. S. M. Coles, Corpus Christi, Tex.
HELENA.
_Minister._
Rev. Mitchell Thompson, Goliad, Texas.
FLATONIA AND LULING.
_Minister._
Rev. Thos. E. Hillson, New Orleans, La.
_Teacher._
Miss M. E. Green, Flatonia, Texas.
PARIS.
_Minister._
Rev. J. W. Roberts, Talladega, Ala.
_Teacher._
Mr. Samuel B. White, Talladega, Ala.
* * * * *
KANSAS.
TOPEKA.
Rev. R. F. Markham, Twelve Mile, Kan.
Rev. A. J. De Hart, Topeka, Kan.
LAWRENCE.
_Pastor._
Rev. Henry R. Pinckney, Lawrence, Kan.
* * * * *
AMONG THE INDIANS.
_Lake Superior Agency, Wis._
Agent, S. E. Mahan.
Teacher, Robert Pew.
_Ft. Berthold Agency, Dakota Territory._
Agent, Jacob Kauffman.
_Sisseton Agency, Dakota Territory._
Agent, Charles Crissey.
Teachers, (Under the A. B. C. F. M.)
_S’Kokomish Agency, Washington Territory._
Agent, Edwin Eells.
Missionary, Rev. Myron Eels.
Teachers, (Supported by Gov’t)
* * * * *
AFRICA.
REV. H. M. LADD, Superintendent of Missions.
MENDI MISSION, WEST AFRICA.
_Missionaries and Assistants._
*Rev. A. P. Miller.
Rev. A. E. Jackson.
*Mrs. A. P. Miller.
*Mrs. A. F. Jackson.
Mr. A. E. White.
Rev. Geo. N. Jewett.
Mr. Sam. H. Goodman.
Mr. Samuel B. Morrison.
Mr. Buel Tucker.
Mrs. Lucy During.
* Absent.
* * * * *
THE FREEDMEN.
REV. JOS. E. ROY, D. D.,
FIELD SUPERINTENDENT, ATLANTA, GA.
* * * * *
GEORGIA.
A Christmas Offering.
The Sunday-school of the church in Marietta, Ga.--Rev. E. J.
Penney, pastor--has sent forward a Christmas offering of four
dollars, accompanied by the following letter, written by one of the
little scholars. One boy picked cotton to earn his dime. One girl
darned stockings for a gentleman to raise her part. We are much
pleased with the gratitude expressed for the aid furnished by this
Association in securing the new church:
MARIETTA, GA., Dec. 9, 1880.
Mr. Penny, dear sir, we have a nice little church in which we
have a splendid Sabbath school, and we have 5 classes my sister
is one of the teachers, myself and three little brothers attend
the Sunday school and like it very much and we have had three
very nice concerts which we injoyd very much, and we have a very
nice pastor and we all love him very much because he is so good
and kind, and we turn many thanks to that kind and benevolent
socitey who assisted us in building our nice little church and we
as Sunday school scolars wishes to mak that socitey a christmas
presant which will be the sum of 4 dollars and we would like to
do more but we are young and weak but we hope by the help of the
lord to be strong some day.
from your little friend
ANNIE E. PORTER.
* * * * *
Beach Institute.
MISS G. HUNTER, SAVANNAH.
We are receiving letters from our Northern friends inquiring if we
are asleep in Savannah. We repudiate the idea--we are fully wide
awake, although our work has not been represented recently in the
MISSIONARY.
The weather and sickness prospectus at the beginning of the year
promised to be very disastrous to our missionary labors here. Since
our return it has rained almost consecutively for three months.
Notwithstanding the unusual cold and rain, our school record shows
a larger attendance at the Beach Institute than last year.
It is astonishing to us teachers who come from the North, where the
children are sent to school clad in rubber clothing in inclement
weather, to see these boys and girls, so ill fitted to brave the
rain and cold, prompt and punctual in their attendance at the daily
sessions. In my department 70 boys and girls meet daily for secular
and religious instruction. Several of these children live at a
distance of from three to six miles, remaining without luncheon,
perhaps after an indifferent breakfast, the entire session. Every
day I see new proofs of appreciation in the parents and children:
they are beginning to realize the strenuous efforts of missionary
labor for their future prosperity and eternal salvation. What
more encouragement can we desire--looking into their eager faces
all aglow, and seeing the quiet submission at the lack of even
the necessary daily comforts that they may feed this great hungry
desire for knowledge?
We have a weekly Bible meeting held every Monday afternoon
immediately after school, in the Principal’s room, conducted by
Miss Douglass. The children are interested and the attendance is
large. With the Bible in one hand and the text-book in the other,
we hope grand results for the next generation of the colored race.
Also we have a woman’s weekly prayer-meeting held at various
houses. Would I could take my readers with me to these little
gatherings of sincere, earnest women, praying for the salvation of
their fellow-people; singing “hallelujah” for that freedom from sin
worse than the bondage of slavery. The church work is progressing
under our minister. These people very quickly discover when the
Gospel is preached in an able and sincere manner, and are attentive
listeners, worshiping the Lord in a subdued and quiet way; a strong
contrast to their former modes and habits. We are preparing a list
of the names and residences of the Beach pupils for Miss Douglass,
who intends visiting the parents in a friendly and religious call.
The extreme cold and distress, to a people unprepared for it, call
upon us for extra exertions. Miss Douglass distributes donations
judiciously, and thoroughly inquires into the needs of the
recipients. Pray that the Lord will continue the blessing of life
and health, that we may toil on in faith and patience.
* * * * *
ALABAMA.
Missionary Work in Selma.
MISS MARY K. LUNT.
I find my work constantly increasing; indeed there is no limit,
only a lack of time and strength. Really, there is work enough for
two or three more, whose whole attention can be given to it. I am
happy to say that some of our colored sisters are able to give us
considerable help in missionary work, and we feel confident that
more aid from the younger ones may be expected.
We have formed a society called “The Mission Workers,” the object
of which is to awaken a greater interest in home and foreign
missions. The proceeds of a sale which we are to have at Christmas
will be devoted to this purpose.
Since beginning work in the fall I have called on one hundred and
thirty-three families. When convenient, as in most cases, I have
read the Bible and tracts or papers to the women, also offering
prayer with them; have established a weekly prayer-meeting for the
women, some distance from the Home; also one weekly in my room, in
which white and colored lead by turns. They are precious seasons
to us all, and we feel that a blessing is for us. Several of our
members, whose husbands are unconverted, meet in their homes to
pray for their conversion. Friends frequently present requests for
prayers.
I have also quite a large class of married women and one young
man, reciting to me, in the afternoon, in the various branches of
common school studies, and could have a much larger class were I to
open a night school, but I dare not undertake that, my time is so
fully occupied during the day.
* * * * *
LOUISIANA.
Revival in Central Church--English Evangelists.
W. S. ALEXANDER, D. D., NEW ORLEANS.
In my last letter the hope was expressed that we might have good
tidings to send you. God has graciously and marvelously answered
our prayer.
The month of November was a blessed month in Central Church.
The week of prayer in January has in other years been the beginning
of real, earnest revival effort. The revival seasons of blessed
memory have dated from this holy week. But the coming of two
English Evangelists, James Wharton and Richard Irving, during the
last days of October, called for immediate action, and we decided
at once to open revival meetings, and to engage in a united and
earnest effort for the salvation of sinners.
While these dear brethren were resting from their voyage, the
church came together and re-consecrated themselves to God. There
was a quick and deep apprehension of the necessity of personal
holiness and of self-denying service for Christ. Indeed the entire
month of October had been a month of prayerful preparation for the
movement. Printed notices were widely distributed, and Christians
went from house to house and invited people to come and seek the
salvation of their souls. From the opening night the meetings were
marked by deep seriousness and the evident presence of the Divine
Spirit. The method of the Evangelists was simple and honest. No
artificial means for exciting emotion were used. The Gospel was
preached in its simplicity, its purity, and its power. The sermons
were heart-searching, faithful and tender. The law in its exactions
and the Gospel in its provisions and promises, were presented
night after night. Brother Irving stayed with us ten days, and
Brother Wharton three weeks. After the sermon the Pastor took
charge of the meetings, and called the inquirers to the “mourners’
seats.” Special appeals and prayers were offered. Inquirers were
directed one by one how to find the Saviour, and to obtain peace
in believing. At some meetings Christians were permitted and
encouraged to speak of the love and preciousness of Jesus; and such
a volume of testimony! We could truly say, “Lord, it is good for
us to be here.” As I recall the sheaves that were gathered in this
glorious harvest I find much to thank God for. In two instances
both the husband and wife--all young people--were converted, and
standing side by side took the vows of the church upon them. Women
who had struggled with manifold temptations, and around whom the
wildest storms of sorrow had gathered, found in Christ a refuge
from the storm and the tempest. Young men with the hopes and
possibilities of Christian manhood before them, humbly, heartily,
and I believe, forever, took their position as the disciples of the
Son of God. When Brother Wharton was compelled to leave us to meet
an engagement in another church, the Pastor continued the meetings
for another week, assisted by Rev. A. N. Wyckoff, of the Canal St.
Presb. Church, Rev. Dr. John Matthews, of the M. E. Church, and two
able colored preachers. The fire burned brightly to the last.
The first Sabbath in December, thirty-one were received to
the Central Church on profession of their faith in Christ. We
hope forty-eight were converted in this revival. Some joined
other churches and more will yet unite themselves with us. The
meetings were thronged as never before. Crowds of young men
attended constantly. Some of them were won for God--others were
impressed--and with very many, let us hope and pray, the truth they
heard and the scenes they witnessed will prove to be “bread cast
upon the waters,” to be gathered in some future day to the glory of
God.
I think I see a quickened and deepened consciousness of right as
they read it in the light of His word, upon the part of professing
Christians a painful and unyielding anxiety with those who have not
submitted their hearts to God, and with many, a sincere longing to
come into the fellowship of the Gospel. If this judgment be true,
then how great things has the dear Lord done for us!
The Church now numbers 210 members. My impartial judgment is
that they represent a good deal of vitality, and are beginning
to realize the infinite willingness of God to bless them, and to
enlarge their borders.
* * * * *
TENNESSEE.
Methods of Revival Work at Fisk University.
REV. A. K. SPENCE, NASHVILLE.
You request me to give an idea of our “methods, success, and
experiences” in revival work in Fisk University. It is with much
hesitation that I attempt to comply with your wish, for it is
difficult, in a brief communication, to convey a correct idea
in such matters, and, also, one shrinks from bringing into the
foreground human agencies in a work which, if genuine, must be
Divine.
To understand revival work here, one must know the ordinary
religious work done in the University. Varying from time to time,
the following are the means of grace enjoyed by us. We have a
church which is, practically, a part of the school. There are three
services on the Sabbath--a preaching service, a Sunday-school, and
a prayer meeting. During the week there are school devotions in the
morning and family devotions in the evening, and also one meeting
for prayer. Upon all these attendance is required.
Many other meetings are held voluntarily by the students, conducted
frequently by an instructor. There is a Christian Association of
the young men and one of the young women, meeting once a week,
or oftener. The Society for the Evangelization of Africa holds a
meeting once a month, and every Sunday morning since the departure
of our missionaries to Africa, a meeting has been held to pray for
them and their cause.
Besides these stated meetings, there is a large amount of personal
religious work done in a private way, to lead the unconverted
to Christ. Opportunities are sought for conversation and prayer
with individuals alone. As employees of the American Missionary
Association, we feel ourselves bound to labor, as we can, for the
salvation of our students. We try to keep it before us continually
that we should aim at nothing less than their conversion. And we
seek to impress it upon all, that the Institution is entirely the
Lord’s, built with His money, kept by His care, and dedicated to
His service. We are sustained by the charities of God’s people,
given for the sake of His cause. We remember the way in which our
wants have been met, in the use of the Jubilee Singers and by other
means. The place whereon we stand is holy ground.
In “times of refreshing” the ordinary means of grace have been
quickened into greater life, and other means have been used as the
Spirit of God seemed to direct. The morning and evening devotions
have at times been turned into revival meetings, and extra meetings
for prayer and labor with inquirers have been instituted. In a few
cases the work of the school has been suspended and the day given
to religious meetings; but usually the ordinary work has gone on.
Persons under too deep conviction to attend to aught else, have
been allowed and advised to wait upon God, and suitable persons
have been permitted to wait with them. Occasionally scenes have
transpired not to be forgotten nor to be described--the tears,
the sighs, the groans, the bowed or prostrate form--and the after
unspeakable joy! As time has gone on, whether for better or worse,
the emotional has diminished. We have never sought to produce
excitement, nor have we sought rudely to crush it out when it came
spontaneously, but to quiet it off by indirect means, a thing
always soon successful. Doubtless clearer views of truth are doing
away with that frenzy of religious excitement which has so largely
prevailed, unbalancing the reason and prostrating the body.
We find it necessary to follow a revival with oft-repeated
instructions as to the doctrines and duties of Christianity. The
young converts need much loving and wise watchcare. They are
exposed to many dangers, and have nearly everything to learn,
except that they are the Lord’s and he is theirs.
Some years in the history of Fisk University have been years
of great barrenness in spiritual things, but none of entire
unfruitfulness. Yet long and sorely have we been made to cry unto
God, and humble ourselves before Him. Other years are precious in
our memories because of God’s peculiar presence there. Three are
especially so, 1870, 1873, and 1876; but space will not permit us
to enter upon them. Books might be written about them, but they are
recorded in God’s book of remembrance; there let them remain. Oh,
for a mighty and continual baptism of the Holy Ghost on all our
schools in the South!
* * * * *
Sanitary Reform--Business--Industrial Instruction--Lecture
Course--Revival.
PROF. A. J. STEELE, MEMPHIS.
Great is sanitary reform, at least so say all good Memphians.
The Memphis of last November is not the Memphis of this, except
in muddy and broken streets and shabby street cars drawn by more
shabby mules. For these, “men may come and men may go, but they go
on forever.”
The business season opened in October, hopefully and more brisk
than ever before, notwithstanding that our population has within
the three years dropped from fifty to thirty-five thousand.
Merchants are reaping a rich harvest, and all kinds of labor find
employment and fair pay, interrupted somewhat for the past month by
severe cold and continued rains, which have also seriously damaged
the ungathered cotton crop. What would you say to _ninety inches_
rainfall in _eleven_ months? This is the amount reported by the
signal service observer at Vicksburg for this year up to December 1.
No one now thinks of Memphis as a failure; what with a unique and
almost perfect system of sewerage nearly completed, and what with
a growing wholesale trade and many permanent improvements, both
public and private, a new Memphis, indeed, must soon replace the
old.
School opened in October with a full attendance and every promise
of a most successful year. Our rooms for industrial instruction are
now finished and ready for use. The classes in needlework, etc.,
are organized, and in January a class or classes in cooking will
receive regular instruction, with practice in the experimental
kitchen.
Instruction will also be given to a class in the care of the sick.
It is a fact that the great majority of our pupils must continue
in very humble positions and circumstances; our aim must be to fit
them to fill well the lots that must fall to them in life; and
whatever positions they may fill, they must know how to build up,
and even adorn, homes that shall be very different from those their
parents have known.
The proverb runs, “A man far from home is near to danger.” The most
direct way, certainly, of bringing better things to these people,
and to the South, is through the home.
Our lecture course for this year is about made up. Dr. Magoun,
while here in attendance upon the conference and to visit his
daughter, our music teacher, gave the first lecture in this year’s
course. Among others to speak are Rev. Dr. Max Samfield, Jewish
Rabbi; Rev. Mr. Mayo, of Boston; Judge Pierce of the Circuit Court,
two physicians and other prominent professional and business men
here. Our idea is to have all the lectures, as far as possible,
deal with practical matters, in some degree according with our
regular industrial work. In the past four weeks we have been
greatly blessed by the Spirit’s presence with us, over thirty
of our pupils having found the “better way,” we trust. With the
exception of one or two sitting-room meetings, we have only held a
half-hour prayer meeting each day directly after school. Some of
the conversions have come with wonderful power and presence of the
Spirit, but all with quietness and assurance. We hope for still
more, and we are glad to have before us so much of the year with
its opportunities for training these “lambs” in the Christian life.
Most of them go with their parents and friends to the old churches,
where, too often, the weekly or occasional emotional outburst or
religious frenzy takes the place of real Christian growth and
experience. A number will join our church, two or three even
breaking away from friends and parents to find a more intelligent,
helpful church connection.
* * * * *
THE INDIANS.
* * * * *
LETTERS FROM INDIAN BOYS.
Miss Eustis sends us the following letters from two of our Indian
boys at Hampton. She says: “Almka came to us a little more than two
years ago in his blanket and long shaggy hair, and knew no word of
English, and Tom Smith was only a little better off:”
My Dear friend
I want to speak English. Hampton boys I like very much and
colored man massachusetts I staye very good I like very much very
nice eat bread caks butter tea coffee milk and sweet appls and
sweet potatoes and meat and chicken. I back my home I think take
again work hard. I like work I like shop very much I know how
make wheels. Mr. williams show me. I like him very much I think
good to make wheels I back my home very glad so see my friends
Indian boys and my father and sister and mother and brother. I
like very much white man and colored man and colored woman and
white woman. I stayed in Boston four day very good time. I went
to christmas day very nice.
Went I was Indian, I use to water my father horse. I used to hunt
deer. I bring home my friend all eat. I use scout with white men.
I fight Indian some no like white people they fight. dont fight
now I come away my home to be like a man so I throw Indian ways.
I like Hampton I work study I dont know I think like wild Indian
have blanket and leggins I like Hampton I learn about God I like
very much I make cart and shopse I like to work very much I do
not know English talk or write I know little your friend
Almka.
* * * * *