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AMERICAN MISSIONARY
APRIL, 1890. VOL. XLIV. NO. 4.
CONTENTS
EDITORIAL
REMOVAL--REV. FRANK P. WOODBURY, D.D.
INDIAN CIVILIZATION--EMIGRATION OF COLORED PEOPLE
A COMPARISON
THE STEREOPTICON IN NEW ENGLAND
MRS. JANE TWICHELL WARE--PARAGRAPHS
AN ENTERPRISING WOMAN
THE SOUTH.
DEDICATION OF CHANDLER NORMAL INSTITUTE
CONGREGATIONALISM AROUND PARIS, TEXAS
MISSION CHURCH--PROSPEROUS CHURCH
THE WHITE CROSS LEAGUE
BEREA AND TEMPERANCE--"BECCA MUST GO"
THE INDIANS.
STREAKS OF LIGHT--ELIZABETH WINYAN
AN EXEMPLARY MOTHER
THE CHINESE.
TWO CHINESE ANNIVERSARIES
ADDRESS.
A COLORED MAN SPEAKS FOR HIS RACE
REV. GEO. M. MCCLELLAN
BUREAU OF WOMAN'S WORK.
PARAGRAPHS
NOVEL DISH--MANY-SIDED WORK
WOMAN'S STATE ORGANIZATIONS
RECEIPTS.
* * * * *
NEW YORK:
PUBLISHED BY THE AMERICAN MISSIONARY ASSOCIATION,
Bible House, Ninth St. and Fourth Ave., New York.
* * * * *
Price, 50 Cents a Year, in Advance.
Entered at the Post Office at New York, N.Y., as second-class matter.
American Missionary Association.
* * * * *
PRESIDENT, Rev. WM. M. TAYLOR, D.D., LL.D., N.V.
_Vice-Presidents._
Rev. A.J.F. BEHRENDS, D.D., N.Y. Rev. ALEX. McKENZIE, D.D., Mass. Rev.
F.A. NOBLE, D.D., Ill. Rev. D.O. MEARS, D.D., Mass. Rev. HENRY HOPKINS,
D.D., Mo.
_Corresponding Secretaries._
Rev. M.E. STRIEBY, D.D., _Bible House, N.Y._ Rev. A.F. BEARD, D.D.,
_Bible House, N.Y._ Rev. F.P. WOODBURY, D.D., _Bible House. N.Y._
_Recording Secretary._
Rev. M.E. STRIEBY, D.D., _Bible House, N.Y._
_Treasurer._
H.W. HUBBARD, Esq., _Bible House, N.Y._
_Auditors._
PETER McCARTEE. CHAS. P. PEIRCE.
_Executive Committee._
JOHN H. WASHBURN, Chairman. ADDISON P. FOSTER, Secretary.
_For Three Years._
S.B. HALLIDAY, SAMUEL HOLMES, SAMUEL S. MARPLES, CHARLES L. MEAD, ELBERT
B. MONROE.
_For Two Years._
J.E. RANKIN, WM. H. WARD, J.W. COOPER, JOHN H. WASHBURN, EDMUND L.
CHAMPLIN.
_For One Year._
LYMAN ABBOTT, CHAS. A. HULL, CLINTON B. FISK, ADDISON P. FOSTER ALBERT
J. LYMAN.
_District Secretaries_.
Rev. C.J. RYDER, _21 Cong'l House, Boston, Mass._ Rev. J.E. ROY, D.D.,
_151 Washington Street, Chicago, Ill._ Rev. C.W. HIATT, _64 Euclid Ave.,
Cleveland, Ohio._
_Financial Secretary for Indian Missions._
Rev. CHAS. W. SHELTON.
_Secretary of Woman's Bureau._
Miss D.E. EMERSON, _Bible House, N.Y._
COMMUNICATIONS
Relating to the work of the Association may be addressed to the
Corresponding Secretaries; letters for "THE AMERICAN MISSIONARY," to the
Editor, at the New York Office; letters relating to the finances, to the
Treasurer.
DONATIONS AND SUBSCRIPTIONS
In drafts, checks, registered letters, or post-office orders, may be
sent to H.W. Hubbard, Treasurer, Bible House, New York, or, when more
convenient, to either of the Branch Offices, 21 Congregational House,
Boston, Mass., 151 Washington Street, Chicago, Ill., or 64 Euclid Ave.,
Cleveland, Ohio. A payment of thirty dollars at one time constitutes a
Life Member.
NOTICE TO SUBSCRIBERS.--The date on the "address label," indicates the
time to which the subscription is paid. Changes are made in date on
label to the 10th of each month. If payment of subscription be made
afterward, the change on the label will appear a month later. Please
send early notice of change in post-office address, giving the former
address and the new address, in order that our periodicals and
occasional papers may be correctly mailed.
FORM OF A BEQUEST.
"I BEQUEATH to my executor (or executors) the sum of ---- dollars, in
trust, to pay the same in ---- days after my decease to the person who,
when the same is payable shall act as Treasurer of the 'American
Missionary Association,' of New York City, to be applied, under the
direction of the Executive Committee of the Association, to its
charitable uses and purposes." The Will should be attested by three
witnesses.
THE AMERICAN MISSIONARY.
* * * * *
VOL. XLIV. APRIL, 1890. No. 4.
* * * * *
American Missionary Association
* * * * *
REMOVAL.
The Rooms of the American Missionary Association are now in the Bible
House, New York City. Correspondents will please address us
accordingly.
Visitors will find our Rooms on the sixth floor of the Bible House,
corner Ninth Street and Fourth Avenue; entrance by elevator on Ninth
Street.
* * * * *
REV. FRANK P. WOODBURY, D.D.
It gives us great pleasure to announce the acceptance by Rev. Frank P.
Woodbury, D.D., of the position of Corresponding Secretary of this
Association. Since the death of our dear Brother Powell, with the large
increase of special resources and the general expansion of our work, an
addition to our administrative force has become an absolute necessity.
Dr. Woodbury brings to his new position special qualifications. His
eighteen years of successful work in his pastorate at Rockford, Ill.,
and his very effective two years' service in Minneapolis, have made him
acquainted with the work of a pastor and the needs of the churches. In
these pastorates, and in other services for the general interests of the
church, he has shown exceptional administrative gifts. These will find
ample range for activity in the Secretaryship. His public address at
several of our own Annual Meetings and on many other similar occasions,
attest his power as a platform speaker. He will meet with a warm welcome
to the duties of this office, and we are confident that he will receive
an equally cordial greeting in the churches, Conferences and
Associations.
* * * * *
INDIAN CIVILIZATION--NOW FOR A PUSH FORWARD.
The time has come for new vigor in the Indian service. Gen. Morgan has
been confirmed as Indian Commissioner, and his broad and well-matured
plans are ready to be put into operation. We hope that Congress will
make the necessary appropriations, and that nothing will hinder the
multiplication of Indian schools and the ingathering of pupils. With the
Sioux Indians, a great crisis has come. Their reservation is severed,
and a broad belt is opened in it for the incoming of the white man.
There will, of course, be the rush and confusion of new settlers, with
the almost inevitable demoralization of the Indians. But a still more
serious and protracted evil will grow out of the conflict of the two
races and the temptations to the Indians. If ever the friends of the
Sioux Indians needed to bestir themselves, it is just now. The helping
hand, the open school and the sanctifying Gospel, must forestall all bad
influences. So far as the work of the American Missionary Association is
concerned, the opening of this reservation to white settlement will
necessitate the removal of five or six of its out-stations, occasioning
spiritual loss and additional money appropriations.
While we hail with satisfaction the inauguration of Gen. Morgan's broad
plans, we feel that there should not be the least relaxation on the part
of the churches, in the "contract schools" and in the preaching of the
gospel. From John Eliot down, the gospel has been the great civilizing
power among the Indians, and it will be a fatal mistake to withhold it.
If the new Government policy is successful, the gospel is its essential
adjunct, and if there should be hindrances in carrying out that policy,
the steady stream of gospel influences will be all the more necessary.
* * * * *
EMIGRATION OF COLORED PEOPLE.
We have seen a large map of a Southern railroad, on one side of which
were some highly-colored pictures. The first showed the tumble-down
cabin of a colored man, himself, wife and boy carrying from it their few
belongings to the favored land of promise. The next picture shows him
and his family in the woods in his new location, getting ready to build
his house. The third picture represents a fine log house, with green
fields well fenced, a mule and pigs and chickens in the yard; and the
last picture presents a large frame house with a veranda, in which the
colored man is seated in a large arm-chair, reading a magazine, and his
wife sitting by his side in a rocking chair, while near at hand is the
capacious barn, with mules grazing in the adjacent lot.
By the side of each picture is a running comment, supposed to be made by
the colored man himself, describing his hard lot 'where he first lived,
then telling of his purchase in the new land of promise, stating the
price and the terms of purchase; then follows his happy rejoicing over
his new location, and finally his triumphant joy in his wealth and fine
mansion.
It is by such representations, we are told, that the colored people in
various parts of the South are tempted to leave their homes for new
locations. The experience of those of their number who have made such
migrations has not usually been encouraging, and we fear that thousands
more will acquire a good deal of bitter knowledge learned in that same
expensive school.
* * * * *
A COMPARISON.
_The French and the Negro._
A writer in the March number of The Forum has drawn a vivid picture of
France in its poverty, misery and tyranny in 1789, and contrasted with
this the thrift, the improved land culture, and the better clothing,
food, home and intelligence of the French peasantry of 1889. The
Revolution of 1789 broke the tyranny of the old crushing regime and
opened the way for the new world that brightens and gladdens the France
of to-day. But the Revolution did not itself make the great change; it
simply made it possible.
Two factors developed in French character were the practical forces in
the new prosperity--economy and the desire for ownership of lands and
homes. That economy was pushed, in many cases, almost to the extreme of
miserly hoarding. We give below a few brief extracts illustrating the
point in question:
"The life led by a comfortable English or American farmer would
represent wicked waste and shameful indulgence to a much richer
French peasant. I, myself, know a laborer on wages of less than
twenty shillings a week, who by thrift has bought ten acres of the
magnificent garden land between Fontainebleau and the Seine, worth
many thousand pounds, on which grow all kinds of fruits and
vegetables, and the famous dessert grapes; yet who, with all his
wealth and abundance, denies himself and his two children meat on
Sundays, and even a drink of the wine which he grows and makes for
the market."
"The French peasant has great virtues, but he has the defects of
his virtues, and his home life is far from idyllic. He is
laborious, shrewd, enduring, frugal, self-reliant, sober, honest
and capable of intense self-control for a distant reward; but that
reward is property in land, in pursuit of which he may become as
pitiless as a bloodhound."
"Take him for all in all, he is a strong and noteworthy force in
modern civilization. Though his country has not the vast mineral
wealth of England, nor her gigantic development in manufactures
and in commerce, he has made France one of the richest, most
solid, most progressive countries on earth. He is quite as frugal
and patient as the German, and is far more ingenious and skillful.
He has not the energy of the Englishman, or the elastic spring of
the American, but he is far more saving and much more provident.
He 'wastes nothing, and spends little,' and thus, since his
country comes next to England and America in natural resources and
national energy, he has built up one of the strongest, most
self-contained and most durable of modern peoples."
A very significant parallel is presented in these two pictures to one
that may be drawn between the Negro of 1861 and the Negro of 1961. The
Civil War corresponded to the Revolution in France. It broke the fetters
of the slave, and made his future a possibility. If, now, the Negro will
fill out the beautiful picture in imitation of the French peasant, he
must imitate him in rigid economy and in the ambition to own his own
land and his own home. We do not of course advise the penuriousness of
the miser, but the Negro is in little danger on that score. The grandest
impulse, even in economy and in obtaining property, is found in a
genuine Christian character. This is the work that our ministers and
teachers are endeavoring to accomplish, but we are sure It will aid them
to urge this practical saving of money, curtailing of needless expense,
and the making of most determined efforts to become owners of their own
homes.
* * * * *
THE STEREOPTICON IN NEW ENGLAND.
REV. STANLEY E. LATHROP, SHERWOOD, TENN.
Secretary Roy of Chicago started an excellent thing when he arranged the
Stereopticon pictures to illustrate the great work of our Association.
After two months spent in traveling with these pictures and giving
explanatory lectures concerning them, the writer desires to testify to
their usefulness, and to express his thanks to the good people of New
England for the interest they have shown, and the cordial reception they
have given him in his travels. Evidently the work of the Association is
"on a boom" in New England. Everywhere a great many questions were
asked, and great many expressions of hearty interest manifested. During
eight weeks, the audiences averaged over four hundred in number, in
spite of "la grippe" and the rainy, sloppy weather that prevailed. In
this time we traveled over five thousand miles, giving the Stereopticon
lecture in forty-three different places, and making twenty-three other
addresses upon the work, to audiences numbering in several cases nearly
a thousand, and a total aggregate of over twenty-five thousand people.
The descendants of the Pilgrims are thoroughly interested in our
missionary work. The pictures of the people, buildings, etc., among the
ten millions of people among whom our work is going on, in the West and
South, were greatly enjoyed, with an evident increase of interest and of
contribution. In view of all my past experiences, of four years of
military service in the South, and my twelve years of missionary work in
that region, this two months of travel and intercourse with so many
intelligent friends and helpers of our Association has been a privilege
and an enjoyment. God bless the good people of New England, and the
grand work of our American Missionary Association!
* * * * *
MRS. JANE TWICHELL WARE.
The early and honored workers under the American Missionary Association
in the South are passing away. But the sharp sorrow of parting from them
is relieved by the memory of their self-denying and useful work, and
especially where these dear friends threw over those dark days and
trying experiences the halo of personal excellence, sweetness of
disposition and a manner full of cheerful vivacity.
Such an one was Mrs. Ware. She entered the service among the Freedmen in
the autumn of 1865, and in Norfolk, Virginia; Charleston, South
Carolina; and Atlanta, Georgia, cast the radiance of her bright
countenance and cheerful spirits over her serious and most successful
work. She was a joy in the circle of her associates and an inspiration
to her pupils.
In 1869, the year in which the Atlanta University was founded, she was
united in marriage to Rev. E.A. Ware, its President, and they with
others gave the moulding touch to the University, and won for it the
confidence of the friends at the North, and an annual appropriation from
the State of Georgia. In her own pleasant home and in various services
to the institution, she made herself useful. In 1885 her husband died
suddenly from heart failure, and from that time onward she was left to
face alone the serious pulmonary trouble which two years before had
fastened itself upon her. Bravely and in hope did she battle with the
adversary, until at length in the home of her brother, Rev. Jos. H.
Twichell, of Hartford, she passed away February 17, 1890, in the
forty-sixth year of her age, and her remains were laid to rest among her
kindred in the village burying ground at Plantsville, Connecticut. A
bright light has faded out from earth, a brighter one has dawned in
Heaven.
* * * * *
PARAGRAPHS.
The mention of the fact, in the last number of the MISSIONARY, that Dr.
Patton was one of the members of the Convention in Albany that formed
the American Missionary Association, suggests the inquiry as to how many
of those then present are now alive? If those who know the facts, either
by their personal presence on that occasion or otherwise, will send to
us the names of such survivors, we will be greatly obliged.
An envelope containing a gift of five dollars was dropped into the
contribution bag recently among others, after an address concerning our
work. It was from a faithful colored woman who had spent her life in
domestic service, and represented as true and earnest self-denial as
money could. Not all the heroism and self-sacrifice are in the field
work, among the missionaries of our great Association, as true and
earnest as they are. There is the same spirit of devotion to the Master
in the collecting field. We thank God for it, and take courage to go
forward in this work of saving these destitute millions in our land.
"I enclose a draft for fifty dollars to be used by the American
Missionary Association in such way as they think wilt do the most good.
I am in my ninety-first year but when I read of the doings of the
Association in Chicago, it made me feel almost young. My prayer to God
is that he will continue his blessing on the Association."
In the February number of the MISSIONARY, mention is made of a beautiful
box, the workmanship of a friend of the Association, _fourscore_ and two
years old. It was the wish of this venerable brother that the box should
be sold and the proceeds devoted to our work. A gentleman in Boston
offered twelve dollars for the box. We have since received an offer of
twenty dollars from a friend, with permission, however, to hold the
matter open a little longer for a still higher bid. Who speaks next?
* * * * *
"You will be interested to learn that E.A. Johnson, of Raleigh, N.C.,
has just been admitted to the bar here. He passed a very good
examination, the only colored man among twenty-four whites. It made some
of them quite vexed to have him promptly answer questions on which they
failed, but when he received his license, the Judge commended him, and
the young men all congratulated him."
It is said that the colored pupils fail when they reach mathematics. A
scholar in one of our Southern institutions made an original
demonstration of an intricate problem in geometry, in a method different
from any known previously by his teacher, an accomplished scholar, and
it was correct.
From Le Moyne Institute, Memphis, Tennessee: Not a week passes that we
do not have to turn away earnest applicants from the school for want of
room. Fully two hundred such applicants have gone sadly away from our
door during the past months.
A colored minister in the South applying for a position as a preacher,
says, "I feel to say woe be under me if I preach not."
* * * * *
Rev. A.W. Curtis writes from Raleigh, N.C.: "It is estimated that thirty
thousand Negroes have gone South and West from North Carolina since the
exodus from this State began. Most of them are crowded out because of
repeated crop failures in the eastern counties. Many of them have joined
in the movement, with the hope of doing better, who were doing passably
well at home. Many have been discouraged by the attitude of the State
toward the colored people."
Rev. J.W. Freeman, of Dudley, N.C., writes: "The emigration casts a
great depression on all our spiritual work among the colored people now
In this locality."
* * * * *
AN ENTERPRISING WOMAN.
A letter from Louisiana says, "I visited a Negro family the other day in
a settlement where there is no school, and found the following condition
of things: A white lady was boarding with them and giving instruction
for her board. She is teaching them how to live. Eight months ago no one
in this family could read. The father only could speak English. Now all
speak some English. All except the youngest can read a little in the
Bible. They sang a gospel hymn for me and repeated quite a number of
Bible verses and the Lord's prayer. The colored mother I believe to be
one of the smartest women in America. With the help of her children--the
father spends all he gets for whiskey--she has built her house, supports
her family, makes her own furniture, spins and weaves cloth from cotton
she has raised, and has engaged this white lady to educate her and her
children, she herself leading the class. The children are all very quick
to learn. The home was tidy and well-kept. The children were clean and
neat. I shall look to see something grand come from that family."
* * * * *
LETTER FROM A SCHOOL GIRL TO HER PASTOR IN ONE OF OUR INSTITUTIONS.
"I am a Christian and I think I enjoy it better than being a sinner, and
always doing something on earth to please myself and not trying to
please my Saviour who died for me, that through him I might be saved. I
am enjoying this week of prayer, and it seems to me we would have better
Christians if we had more prayer. I feel as if I need your prayers both
night and morning. It does seem so hard for me to overcome my trials and
temptations which come to me so very often. I hope you will join in
earnest prayers to help me overcome my temptations."
* * * * *
The Negro, having all this promise and potency in him, is to be our
neighbor in these coming years. Whether we like it or not, he is to be
our fellow citizen, sharing with us the responsibilities and the
blessings of the republic. Before he was ripe for it he had the power of
a sovereign thrust upon him, and no man but by crime can take from him
the right and duty of joint rulership with us. It must be admitted that,
in the present condition of the average Southern Negro, he is not a
satisfactory neighbor nor a safe ruler. But that is not his fault; it is
his misfortune. His illiteracy is a National peril; his moral weakness
is a danger to himself and to the society in which he lives. But these
are the results of the cruel and corrupting system in which we held him
fast; the disabilities we have imposed upon him. And they suggest to us
certain helpful duties we owe to him; certain helpful ministries we are
under obligation to render him in order to enable him to attain that
large and splendid future toward which Providence seems to be pointing.
* * * * *
THE SOUTH.
* * * * *
DEDICATION OF CHANDLER NORMAL INSTITUTE.
BY DISTRICT SECRETARY C.W. HIATT.
The tenth of February was a great day in Lexington, Kentucky. It marked
two special events, the dedication of Chandler Normal Institute, and the
opening of a great "Hoss sale." Anybody who knows the "Blue-grass
region" will understand what the latter means. The world flocks to
Lexington on such occasions in quest of thoroughbreds, and the country
rids itself in consequence, at fabulous prices, of droves of genuine
Kentucky plugs. Buyers go home wiser, sellers richer. But not everybody
on this day was discussing "Abdallah" and "Hambletonian." Long before
the appointed hour, a stream of people began moving to a part of the
city where two pikes intersect, the point of attraction being a fine
three-story red brick structure known as the "Chandler Normal
Institute." This building occupies a commanding position on a hill which
overlooks the city. It was erected and furnished by the liberality of
one esteemed lady, Mrs. Phoebe Chandler, of Andover, Massachusetts, at
an outlay of some fifteen thousand dollars, and is given to the cause of
Christian education under the care of the American Missionary
Association. On this particular day, the building was formally
consecrated to its work with appropriate and impressive services. At two
o'clock in the afternoon the spacious chapel was filled to its utmost by
crowds of colored people, some of whom had come for miles in carriages,
to witness the event. The presence also of numerous whites, representing
the foremost professional and social circles of Lexington, was a
significant fact. These friends, by their close attention and frequent
signs of approval, as well as by their own eloquent contributions to the
programme, gave unmistakable evidence of earnest sympathy with the good
cause.
The exercises were opened with prayer and Scriptural reading, after
which the Principal, Mr. Frederick W. Foster, made an address of
welcome, marked for its practical force and fine discretion. The
visiting Secretary then, in an address of half an hour, gave his
understanding of the importance of Christian education as the solution
of National problems, both North and South, closing with a formal
God-speed to this institution as it started forth on its noble career.
To this address, Rev. Mr. Tate, of the African Methodist Episcopal
Church, made a scholarly, eloquent and touching response. He reviewed
the work of the Association for his people, eulogized the friend who had
made this special benefaction, and urged upon his hearers to make the
most, under God, of the high privileges thus brought to them from afar.
Informal addresses from both white and colored visitors followed. The
eloquent periods of Dr. L.P. Todd, dwelling fully upon the brotherhood
of man, the witty and practical remarks of Prof. John Schackleford, of
Kentucky State College, and the wise and cogent exhortations of Rev. W.
S. Fulton, D.D., cannot be reported; suffice it to say, that they gave a
spiritual uplift and fine dignity to the occasion. These noble men are
staunch supporters of our work, and freely give to our corps of teachers
the benefits of fatherly and fraternal fellowship.
A resolution expressing the gratitude of the colored people for this
generous gift was adopted with enthusiasm, and the inspiring exercises
came to a close with the praises of God in the well-known words of
Bishop Ken: "Praise God, from whom all blessings flow."
The event marks the beginning of an epoch in our work in this place. One
dark brother said: "It is the greatest day for the colored people of
Lexington since the emancipation."
* * * * *
CONGREGATIONALISM AROUND PARIS, TEXAS.
BY REV. J.D. PETTIGREW.
It gives me much pleasure to tell you what we are doing for the Master
and for Congregationalism in this part of the great field. I came to
Paris nearly eleven months ago and assumed the pastorate of the First
Congregational Church. I had been here but a short time when I found
that there were three other Congregational Churches out in the country
near Paris, and that there had once been a Quarterly Conference made up
of these four churches; but this Conference had died out ere I came. I
thought that such an organization, if revived, would be a great stimulus
to the churches, and especially to those out in the country, two of
which were, at that time, without pastors. So I sent out cards notifying
the brethren that the Conference would convene at a specified day, and
urging them to come in full representation.
A few, very few, responded. We organized. After transacting a little
business the Conference adjourned to meet at our next regularly
appointed time. Before the time for our next meeting we were all made to
rejoice by the coming of Rev. M.R. Carlisle, a graduate of both the
collegiate and theological courses of Talladega College, from Alabama,
to assume the pastoral charge of two of these churches--Dodd City and
Bois D'Arc.
He and I drew up a plan to re-organize the old Conference into a more
excellent and practical one. We offered our plan at the next meeting of
the Conference, and it was cheerfully received. The effect of this plan
was to change the name from Conference to Association, and to divide the
Association into three distinct departments, each with its own set of
officers, as follows: a Sunday-school Department, composed of the
different Sunday-schools of the churches; a Missionary Department,
composed of the different church missionary societies; and a Church
Department, composed of the different churches.
Each department had its own distinct programme and business; but the
combined programmes of all made up the "general programme" of the
Association. This plan works excellently, and serves as a wonderful
stimulus to each of these departments of church work. We have, in our
next meeting, to add the department of Christian Endeavor.
Our last session, held with our church in Paris on the 28th of December,
1889, was indeed a grand success. Previous to its meeting, I heard of
four other Congregational Churches in the Indian Territory, under the
auspices of the American Home Missionary Society. I sent them an
invitation to join the Association. These churches promptly sent
delegates who connected their churches with the Association.
One brother from the Territory heard of the Association, but was not
able to pay his way on the train to Paris. So, as he said to me, "I left
my wife and children in the care of God, and I put myself into his hands
and came; and I walked every step of the way." This brother walked forty
miles to meet the Association, and his fidelity had a great effect upon
the whole meeting. We tried to make it pleasant for him, and took up a
special collection to send him back home on the train.
Space will not allow me to speak touching the spiritual strength and
interest of the meeting. We had many valuable papers read and discussed,
and closed our session on the Sabbath with the following programme:
"Sabbath morning from 9-11 o'clock, Sabbath-school; 11-12:30, Sermon,
'Congregationalism in the South,' Rev. J.D. Pettigrew; at 3 o'clock P.M.
Sermon, by Rev. A. Gross, from the Indian Territory; 7:30 o'clock P.M.,
Quarterly Sermon, by Rev. M.R. Carlisle, followed by the administration
of the Lord's Supper." The brethren left for their fields of labor
filled with encouragement and enthusiasm.' Those from the Indian
Territory seemed to be especially strengthened.
Our next meeting is to be with the Bois D'Arc church. We have now eight
churches and mission stations represented, and it is only a question of
time before our Association will be a power for God and
Congregationalism in this part of the State. I think we have a bright
future before us here.
* * * * *
A MISSION CHURCH.
REV. GEO. C. HOWE, CHARLESTON, S.C.
The work at Tradd Street Mission in our city is carried on now in just
the same way as since its organization. After Sunday-school is over at
Plymouth Church, about 11 o'clock, a number of our young people,
including the Pastor, Superintendent Herron and Miss Deas, who acts as
organist, go immediately to the mission about a mile away, and conduct
the Sunday-school there. We have eight classes, with an average
attendance of eleven to a class. One class is composed of adults. We
finish work there at one o'clock. On Thursday night, I go down and
preach, and in case I am unable to go, Deacon Hollens takes the service
for me.
Last Thursday night, an Irishman about thirty-five years old came in
while we were singing, and when I began to speak on the temptations of
Christ, he sat and listened in open-mouthed wonder. Before I finished he
arose and came forward, his eyes glistening with tears, and gave me his
hand, saying: "I belong to the Catholic Church, but they never told me
that truth from the Word, never explained it that way. That _is the
truth_, I know it. I was just going after a drink, but I shall not do it
now. I thank you, and hope I have not intruded by coming in." It was
quite an incident to see a strong man of an opposite race and creed, in
a place where the "Jews desire to have no dealing with the Samaritans,"
coming up and acknowledging with tears that he had never heard the truth
of God's word before.
* * * * *
A PROSPEROUS CHURCH.
REV. STERLING N. BROWN.
We know you will rejoice with us in the good work at Plymouth Church,
Washington, D.C. In January we began a special series of meetings. I
preached short sermons nearly every night, save Saturdays, for more than
three weeks. About fifty have been hopefully brought to a saving
knowledge of Christ. The church was never, perhaps, more deeply stirred
than at this time. There seems to be a thirsting for a deeper work of
grace among Christians, a thorough coming out from the world. It was a
beautiful sight yesterday, when before the altar twenty-nine "new
recruits" took upon themselves the covenant of the church.. The most of
the remaining converts will unite with us at our next communion. A few
of them will join elsewhere. Our church is getting well organized for
work along all lines of Christian activity. The Endeavor Society among
our young people, now the largest in number in the district, is a real
power for good. The Sunday-school is taking on new life. There is before
us in this city "an exceeding good land," but before full possession,
many battles must be fought, spiritual and financial. But we have great
reason to be thankful.
* * * * *
THE WHITE CROSS LEAGUE.
PROF. H.H. WRIGHT, FISK UNIVERSITY.
I want to lay before you a short account of the work of the White Cross
League, of this University, as reported by the members at a meeting held
at my house last Sunday night. You may not be aware that late last
school year I called together a dozen or two of our best young men and
induced them to take the White Cross pledge--to treat all women with
respect, to refrain from indecent jests and coarse language, to maintain
that the law of personal purity is as binding on men as upon women, etc.
At the meeting last Sunday night one after another gave his experience
touching the White Cross movement. One young man reported that through
his persuasion, public and private, especially the latter, three or four
couples who had been living together unlawfully went before the proper
authorities and were married. Another testified that he had personally
felt the restraining influence of his pledge, while he acted as waiter
at a summer hotel. The pledge had a great restraining influence upon him
and was a safeguard. Another found it necessary to organize a Wednesday
night Bible meeting of his own, for the regular meetings of the churches
did not give him the opportunity he desired.
All the young men testified to the good influence of the pledge upon
their own lives, but one young man's report of his work was of especial
interest. He is head waiter at the hotel at Lake ----, where about 250
servants, men and women, are employed. He took a squad of seventy-eight
colored men from the South to the Lake at the opening of the season,
engaging them on condition that there was to be no gambling among them.
Immediately on arriving he organized a Y.M.C.A. among them, and held
meetings Sunday afternoons and two evenings during the week through the
summer, all well attended. At some of these meetings he spoke of the
White Cross movement, and was successful in gaining the approbation of
most of the members of the Association. The nature of the pledge and of
the talks got out among the women servants, and ere long at their
invitation he assembled from seventy-five to one hundred of them and
gave them a very earnest talk on the value and duty of virtuous lives.
Many were affected to tears, and all were seriously impressed. After
that they seemed to look to him as their protector, and often said they
were so glad they had a head man who would endeavor to shield them from
temptation and wrong. And the remarkable thing about it is, that these
women servants are white!
The proprietor of the hotel, on closing the season, told our student
that if he had been told that such a work as he had accomplished among
his help could be done he would have declared it impossible. What is to
be the outcome of this little movement so auspiciously begun? It seems
to me that if wisely carried on the possibilities for good are very
great.
* * * * *
BEREA AND TEMPERANCE.
For nearly twelve years there has been a temperance organization
centering at Berea. By personal canvass it has secured signers to the
total abstinence pledge, until the aggregate number is between two
thousand and three thousand.
The length of the district from north to south is not less than ten
miles, and the greatest breadth seven or eight miles. The number of
votes polled at a general election is about six hundred. For nearly ten
years the sale of intoxicating liquors within the district has been
illegal, it having been voted out by the people by a large majority soon
after the great Murphy movement. Just on the border of the district were
two or three men, distillers in a small way and venders of the fiery
liquid, who thought the enthusiasm of the Murphy movement was past, and
took the necessary steps to have a poll opened on the liquor question,
at the August election of 1888. But they had underrated the effect of
these years of temperance education. Nearly all our students become
signers of the pledge and workers in whatever field they may visit; and
the people of the country immediately around us have been profiting by
the teachings of these meetings. When the question was clearly
presented, "Shall we again have the legalized liquor traffic among us?"
the activity of the friends of sobriety and order was as great as that
of the selfish advocates of license. Meetings were held in every
neighborhood. On election day, seventy-five ladies, of the noblest in
the district, were at the voting place. Refreshments were furnished in
abundance and free of charge. Doubtful voters were met with argument and
persuasion. All was as orderly as if it were a religious meeting. The
result showed 435 for temperance to 131 for liquor--more than three to
one. The victory was complete, and the district stands as the banner
temperance district of the State.
BEREA COLLEGE REPORTER.
* * * * *
"BECCA MUST GO!"
Say "Becca must go," Yes, "Becca must go,"
I don't hardly see why it needs to be so,
She's nice--very quiet. She's no trouble at all,
She couldn't hurt any one, Becca's so small.
She don't understand it--the poor little child--
When I seat her alone she looks strange and wild,
And when I dismiss her she never looks 'round,
But she goes off alone looking down to the ground.
Her mother's afflicted, her home life is bad,
When I see little Becca I always feel sad.
She learns very quickly, she sings like a lark,
But Becca must go, for her skin is so dark.
I am asked to "dismiss her," and "send her away,"
She must not study here and with others play,
I don't like to do it, but then, don't you know,
There are some who won't like it, so "Becca must go."
Not many stand up for poor Becca down here,
They talk very strangely, and act very queer,
Her skin's not much darker than mine, but, you know,
Her hair curls a little, so "Becca must go."
Now Preacher and Teacher from East and from West,
If you would succeed you must do like the rest;
Be partial to white folk or take the disgrace,
Of showing regard for a down-trodden race.
E.N. RUDDOCK.
* * * * *
THE INDIANS.
* * * * *
STREAKS OF LIGHT.
REV. C.L. HALL, FORT BERTHOLD, NORTH DAKOTA.
A girl about seventeen years of age writes the following to her teacher
while she is away from school for a short vacation among her people:
"DEAR FRIEND:--I will now try to write a few lines to-night to tell you
all about what we are doing now; first I tell you when first we came
home we told the girls to come to our house that we would have prayer
meeting the first thing; I tell you they are real good girls, L----,
M----, A---- and M----; we did not expect them to come; it is far away
and they were so tired yet they did not mind, they come right away
before we saw them. We went upon the hills, Mary and I, we prayed, and
when we came back we was surprise to see the girls coming. So we had
prayer meeting; that was the first time that L---- ever prayed; we
thought we would have prayer meeting to-day, but we are sorry the girls
did not come, they did not know; we expect to go to Minot Monday if
nothing should happen."
Another says:--"I don't want to see the Indian dance. I like to stay in
the house and I like to read the Bible every morning, and in the
afternoon I ask God to bless the boys and girls and keep you always, and
I know he will help all if we ask him."
N---- and G----, two little sisters away on a vacation where no Sabbath
is observed, go away on the prairie alone and have prayers together.
After evening service those who wished to follow Christ were asked to
remain to an inquiry meeting, and eight remained, and in their own
language some expressed very clearly a desire to follow Christ and a
consciousness of their own sin and weakness.
Mrs. B----'s husband died very earnestly endeavoring to teach her the
faith he had come to have, and asking her again and again to have no
idols, but to worship and believe in God alone. She is now an earnest
seeker after light, is visited on Sunday by a leading man who lives near
her, and who is asked to tell them on the Sabbath of the religion and
the God of whom her husband had told her.
A father, a hearer, but yet a heathen, says: "I want to put the boy in a
school where he will learn God's ways. I do not want him in a school
where religion is not taught."
* * * * *
ELIZABETH WINYAN.
Many of our readers will remember being interested at our meeting in
Chicago by the appearance and speech of an Indian woman from our Oahe
Station, Elizabeth Winyan. We have now to communicate the sad tidings of
her death, after a brief, but severe illness. Her life was an eventful
and a useful one. Elizabeth was the name given her by the missionaries.
Winyan was her Indian name. She was born near Mankato, Minnesota, in
1831. At the age of twenty-five she became one of the early converts
under Drs. Williamson and Riggs. She came to live at the mission, and
learned to sew and do all household work. Dr. Williamson set her to
teaching some women, and so began her missionary labor. She was a woman
of great physical strength. When she was living at the Sisseton Agency,
she cut with her own hands and hauled to the Agency, driving the ox-team
herself, wood enough to pay for putting her little house in good repair
and to buy some farming implements. She was a faithful friend. This
fidelity she proved during the Indian uprising in 1862. When the mission
families were fleeing from their burning houses at midnight, they forgot
to take any food along. While they were hiding on an island in the
Minnesota River, she, _at the risk of her own life_, carried to them
bread and meat. In 1875, she and Miss Collins went to assist Rev. T.L.
Riggs in starting the Oahe Mission, near Fort Sully, on the Missouri. At
the time of her death she was in charge of an out-station on the
Cheyenne River, forty miles from the central mission. Her duties were to
hold meetings on the Sabbath, one general prayer meeting on Thursday
night, and a women's meeting on Friday night, to teach every day, visit
the sick, attend funerals, and teach the women to sew, cook, wash and
iron.
Miss Collins says of her: "There is no one to fill her place. She was
one of the grandest women I ever knew. May God help our poor bereaved
Dakotas."
* * * * *
AN EXEMPLARY MOTHER.
The recent death of Elizabeth Winyan calls to mind a little story
connected with the training of her son, which may not be without point
even now.
Elizabeth Winyan taught Edwin, her son, to believe in God and in prayer.
She tells a story of how Edwin, as a child, wanted to wear "civilized
clothes." She made him a shirt and trousers, and then he needed a hat
and shoes. She said, "I told him to pray for them; in the meantime I
worked as well as prayed, and on Saturday, when my work was done, the
missionary's wife gave me a hat and a pair of shoes for Edwin. He was
delighted and so was I. Since that time he has never doubted that God
would answer prayer." She said: "I taught Edwin to give to the Lord from
a baby. When he was not old enough to know his duty, I put the penny in
his hand and held his hand over the basket, and dropped in the penny.
Sometimes I would only be able to get one penny, and that I would give
to Edwin to put in the collection, for I wanted him to form a habit of
giving; I knew I ought to give, and God knows I would when I had a
penny, but my son must be taught." This son has grown up a good
Christian, speaks English, is a teacher, and is now a missionary at
Standing Rock. He owes much to his faithful Christian mother.
* * * * *
THE CHINESE.
* * * * *
TWO CHINESE ANNIVERSARIES.
BY DISTRICT SECRETARY J.E. ROY, D.D.
One was that of the New Year, which is the first of February. It was at
Los Angeles. The celebration lasts three or four days. The Christian
Chinese observe the festival with Christian ceremonies. In the forenoon,
I was with the Congregational brethren at their rooms in Chinatown.
Their schoolroom was decorated with all the colors and characters of the
native land. A table was spread with fruits and nuts and candies and
cakes and flowers. The Chinese lily was the appropriate New Year's
adornment. The services were prayer, much singing of Moody and Sankey
songs, recitations of Scripture and addresses by their own men and by
visitors. The room was filled with sympathetic touring friends. After
the public service, the goodies of the table were passed around. In the
afternoon, I went to the Presbyterian, and my wife to the United
Presbyterian, service, which was much after the same sort. In the
former, the Rev. Mr. Condit and his wife, who had long ago returned from
China to engage in this work, were the leaders. After the Superintendent
of the Methodist Chinese Sunday-school had spoken, a brother in the
mission, following, called him a good Presbyterian. Although these
foreigners fall into the church order of the people who have led them
into the Jesus way, they recognize these divisions as simply so many
families akin, and so there is a constant visiting and affiliation among
them as Christians. The whole occasion was one to inspire faith in the
Gospel as suited to the needs of our common humanity, and faith in the
beneficent results upon those who have not known of the true God and
Saviour. On the afternoon of the following Sunday, in Dr. Hutchins'
church, I visited the Congregational Chinese Sunday-school,
superintended by a lawyer and taught by members of that parish. Mr.
Dorland, the Superintendent, is giving himself to this work with great
enthusiasm, and his associates share in the same. The thing which
delighted me in Dr. Hutchins' church, and in all this round of our
Chinese Missions, was the fact that the local church is taking these
Chinese of the A.M.A. schools into their fellowship, not only that of
the Sunday-school but of church membership. Whatever views may be held
as to the political economy of exclusion, these Christians seem to
realize that God has brought these pagans to their doors to be cared for
in Christ's name. Mrs. Sheldon and her daughter, the missionaries of the
American Missionary Association, teaching the night-school, serving in
the Sunday-school, and by every feasible ministry, are confirming the
judgment of one of our pastors that these lady missionaries are their
"Evidences of Christianity."
The other anniversary was that of our mission at San Diego--Miss M.M.
Elliot, the missionary teacher, and Chin Toy, the helper. Rev. W. C.
Pond, D.D., of San Francisco, the Superintendent of our Chinese work,
which he takes in addition to the pastoral care of the Bethany Church,
had come down for his annual visitation of the missions in Southern
California. In the Mission Chapel, at the time of the night-school, Dr.
Pond conducts the rehearsal and, on Sunday night, in the Tabernacle of
the First Congregational Church, presides at the public service. The
great assembly room is packed with interested listeners who soon become
delighted. After opening devotions, conducted by the pastor, Rev. Mr.
Voorhees, and his choir, the young brethren proceed with a prayer in the
Chinese, then with the Lord's Prayer in concert, both in English and in
Chinese. Then come songs in solo and in concert, from the Moody and
Sankey book, and recitations of Scripture passages. "Dare to be a
Daniel," was rendered in solo with fine effect as to the music, and
especially as to the idea of daring to become Christians in the face of
the derision of their pagan friends. The Ten Commandments, as recited by
one, and each responded to in music by the school in the words of the
prayer-book, were deeply impressive. And so was the "Missionary
Exercise," with nine questions by Quon Newy, answered by as many men one
after another, Quon Tape, Sam Tai, Quon Dick, Korn Ock, Korn Chow, Korn
Zee, Chong Chung, Lee Wing, and Linn Yee.