hundred scholars and of the possibility for each, can you tell what will
be the result of this work? There are thirty thousand poor Indians in
Dakota alone, lifting up their cry to the Christian church for light and
hope." He added: "I have turned my back to many storms on the Dakota
prairies, but God grant you may never turn your back on a soul praying for
light. I sometimes dread the day of judgment, because there is to stand
the Indian. I would rather stand there in his place than to hear him say:
'I was hungry and ye gave me no food.' How shall we meet it, how shall we
answer it? for to meet it and answer it we must before the throne."
Here Mr Shelton finished and sat down. "Now let's pay our debts," said Mr.
Moody. "How many people will give $100 toward that $1,800 for sustaining
those missions?" It didn't seem as though there were many responses at
first, but in a few minutes eighteen names were handed to H.M. Moore of
Boston, who was keeping account, and then Mr. Moody asked if there wasn't
anything else he wanted--a new mission anywhere? Mr. Shelton of course
said there was, and spoke of a place on the Rosebud Agency where $500 was
needed to build a school, and $300 to take care of it for a year. Here was
Mr. Moody's chance again, and he asked if some one wouldn't give $100 for
that. One or two contributions of $100 were forthcoming, and any number of
fifties came in, so that it was only a few minutes when Mr. Moore
announced that they had $875 for that. Then Mr. Moody said he wanted to
have the people start one more new mission and proposed that unfailing
American resource, a collection. The hats were soon busy in all parts of
the house, and at the end of the meeting it was found that $640 had been
collected for another mission, making a grand total of $3,315.04, to be
exact, raised within twenty minutes, for the work among the Dakota
Indians. Mr. Moody looked more bright and cheerful than he has during the
conference, as he kept calling for more contributions, and his method of
applying for one seldom failed. "Col. Esty, of Brattleboro, isn't here,
but he's all right, so we'll put him down for $100," he remarked, as the
interest flagged for a moment, and that was the signal for a laugh and
another name was sent up. Altogether it was the most enthusiastic and
thoroughly roused audience of the session.
The Widow's Mite.
-----------------
We gladly subjoin the following brief note from Mrs. Mary E.
Fairbanks, of St. Johnsbury, Vt., addressed to Rev. Mr.
Shelton. We appreciate, as she does, the gift of the widow.
"Please find enclosed (stamps) .50 for the Indian work. A few days after
you were with us, a poor widow, aged and feeble, brought some sewing which
she had done for me, and for which I paid her $2.50. She handed back fifty
cents, asking me if I could in any way send it to Mr. Shelton for the work
among the Indians. 'A widow's mite,' she said. I told her I would be very
glad to do it. I think the Lord must have looked with favor on her gift. I
have often sent to her missionary papers, magazines, etc., and know she
had greatly enjoyed the reading. You certainly touched her heart, as you
did many others. I hope the Lord is fulfilling your desires."
The Chinese
===========
The Pictures
------------
Dr. Pond has sent us two pictures which we are glad to insert in this
number. Of one of them he says: "It is a photograph of our Oroville
Mission House, pupils, teachers, etc. The taller of the two white men in
light clothing is the young pastor of our church at Oroville, who is a
real _helper_; the other is myself. The two white ladies are Miss Deuel,
former teacher, on the right, and Miss Keifer, the present teacher,
sitting next to me. The little American boy is her nephew, greatly
interested in the school. The little Chinese boy is a child whom the
brethren have partially and after a sort adopted, and who is very bright
and promising and means to be a Christian. Our helper, Chung Moi, stands
directly behind me; but the picture does him injustice. He has a very
prepossessing face. The one who stands on the left of Miss Deuel (i.e. at
_her_ right hand) is Gee Jet, the deacon of our little church and the
stand-by of the mission. The trees in the rear grow at the water's edge of
Feather River. The building, as you observe, is of brick, topped out with
a shake roof put on by our brethren after the last (of two or three I
believe) sweeping fires to which the little structure refused to succumb.
It belongs to ex-Governor Perkins of this State--once a merchant in
Oroville--and has been used by us for ten years or more, ever since our
mission was established, free of rent."
The other cut is also a picture of the teachers and pupils at Oroville.
Lights And Shadows
------------------
Rev. W.C. Pond, D.D.
LIGHTS.--One teacher writes: "Mr. B. [a distinguished lecturer from Ohio]
visited our school. He said that he had never seen before such bright,
happy faces among the Chinese. I told him the reason; they have been
brought out from heathenism. I love to notice the change it makes in
them."
Chin Toy writes from Riverside: "Five boys converted and joined in
Association since I came. Four boys are going to join Rev. Mr. Hunt's
church, (Congregational), and be baptized at the first Sunday of July.
This Association of Christian Chinese has ten members now. I like these
boys and like these teachers too; they are so helpful to the Lord's work."
[Illustraton: Mission House At Oroville.]
[Illustration: Teachers And Pupils At Oroville.]
Hong Sing writes from Petaluma: "Now I am going to ask you especially to
pray for two scholars here who I hope for to gain him to Christ before I
leave. I am glad that one accepted my advice and promised yesterday to
join our Association, but sorry the other one excuse. I pray to God for
the Holy Spirit to open his eyes to see his guilt and danger, and how much
he needs a Saviour."
From a pupil in Santa Barbara, addressed to our missionary helper, Loo
Quong: "It is now fifth month since I left you at Los Angeles. The time
seems very long indeed. We hope dear God give you a great power to cast
out the devil; and sowing the seed it bring forth fruit hundred fold into
the only God. At beginning we came to the United States [i.e. I first came
to the United States] about May, 1881. We did not know of Jesus Christ,
because born in the heathen country and work here in the Chinese store.
Then we hear the Chinese mission--talk with Jesus Christ, do nothing to
our idols and very different from us, for we were with evil companions and
do many things in gambling, lottery tickets, opium. Dr. Pond open
Congregational mission school about 1887 in Los Angeles, very near our
house. Then we was been to school about every evening. Mrs. Sheldon and
you teach very kind to us, and you explain the gospel of Jesus. So we know
the only true God, leave evil companions, join our Association and sixth
month join Dr. Hutchins' church. 'And when they had brought their ships to
land, they forsook all and followed him.'--Luke 5:11."
From Fresno; from Loo Quong: "Now I have some good news for you. There
were three more of our pupils joined the Association, making nine in all.
God will care for this little flock of his, and may they multiply a
hundred fold! One of them was in school at Hong Kong many years ago before
he touched the American soil. He also was in our Central School at San
Francisco three years ago. Two months ago I was surprised to see him here.
At once he attended our school and began to ask me about Christ's
teaching. He would have no other lesson but in the Bible." (Miss Worley
writes of this pupil that he wishes now to become a missionary). Of
another of these three, Loo Quong writes: "He is one of the best young men
I ever knew, * * so kind, so quiet, so modest, so full of love. I think he
looks like our Lord when on earth. He is always on hand at school. When I
asked him to join the Association, he said that he fully believed Jesus
that he is the Saviour of his soul, 'but how can I be his disciple while I
am in the gambling business?' We explained to him how God would take care
of those who gave up all for him, and the next night he told me he was
ready to give it up and walk with Christians." Of the third, also, a good
account is given, but I must not use more space on the Lights, but turn to
the
SHADOWS--One example must suffice. I must not mention either place or
person, lest harm come of it. A teacher writes: "I feel sure that two
little boys whom you sent to assist in our anniversary will grow to
Christian manhood, fed as they are on the Word. With sorrow I compared
with their surroundings those of our little ---- ----, and I write to
know if something cannot be done. Two years ago he entered the school,
having come directly from China. He has always been studious and
well-behaved, loving his Bible and the gospel songs. The mission boys
tell me that those with whom he lives are not his parents, but that this
man bought him in China. The child remembers his mother and brothers. He
also remembers a man offering him something if he would go with him. He
did so and was carried off in a boat and sold. His owner is very fond of
him, but is away from home. The wife does not care much for him.
Sometimes there are black and blue marks on his hands where he says she
strikes him. Once there was a small burned place on both his lips. I
asked him about it, and he said "Mamma." One of the boys told me that he
talked too much and she put the hot poker on his lips. I have heard that
this man intends taking the boy back to China in a year or two, fearing
that in this county he will lose him. They are bad people, keeping an
opium den."
The shadow deepens when the question rises, "What can be done for this
boy?" He is in the grip of an "_Imperium in imperio_," to which some years
ago I had occasion to refer in these columns. Even Americans who know the
facts and are eager to help him, feel as though it would be scarcely safe
for them to rescue him. Our wisest Chinese helpers say: "Wait, watch over
him, but don't disturb existing relations. It would break up our mission
in that place. Chinese would not dare to be identified with it. The boy
will soon come to understand his rights and will assert them for himself,
and then you can help him." But it almost makes one's blood boil to think
that on American soil such counsel can be given and perhaps ought to be
observed.
Bureau Of Woman'S Work.
=======================
Miss D.E. Emerson, Secretary.
All ladies interested in missions are earnestly invited to be
present at the gathering of Women's Home Missionary
Organizations to be held in Northampton, Mass., Tuesday, Oct
21st. This meeting will be in the First Church. Interesting
speakers have been secured to represent the work of our six
National Societies. The day promises to be one full of
interest, and we hope there will be a large delegation of
ladies present from all over our land, and that they will pray
earnestly for the spirit of the Master to be present in this
gathering.
NATHALIE LORD, COMMITTEE.
The Woman's Meeting of the American Missionary Association will be held on
Thursday afternoon, October 23d, in the Edwards Church at Northampton,
Mass. All are cordially invited to attend.
We call especial attention of ladies to the Woman's Meetings at
Northampton, Mass., Oct. 21st and 23d. The first, on Tuesday, of which
notice is given above, is the meeting of the Women's Organizations of the
several States as represented on page 321. They extend from Maine to
California, and we would that there might be present delegates from every
State.
The second meeting, on Thursday afternoon, October 23d, is the Annual
Meeting of the Bureau of Woman's Work of the American Missionary
Association, at which missionaries from different departments of our work
will come face to face with the friends who have cheered and supported
them, and will tell somewhat of the every day life on the field. An
unusually interesting programme is promised.
We take this opportunity and method of thanking those officers of the
State Organizations who have been recently sent us a revised list of their
auxiliaries to date, that the missionary letters from the field may be
mailed directly to each church society thus represented. Every state that
has pledged itself to aid the work of the American Missionary Association
is entitled to these field reports, which are sent out from the New York
office through the Bureau of Woman's Work, and we shall be glad to
receive the correct address for each auxiliary society.
Christian Endeavor For The Boys And Girls Of The Southern Mountains
-------------------------------------------------------------------
A New Need.
A large number of the mountain people are so poor that they cannot pay
even the bare cost of living for their girls and boys in order that they
may have the privilege of attending school. Rarely can a family send more
than one child to school, and in every case where one can go a boy is
selected. The brothers must wait until perhaps too late, and the sisters
must remain at home in ignorance. Thus it is found that the advantages of
Christian schools, brought so near to the mountain boys and girls by the
American Missionary Association, are not yet sufficiently within their
reach, and this gives rise to a new need in connection with our work in
the South. It is a need of young people and we turn to young people to
meet it, believing that our Christian Endeavor Societies and other Young
People's Societies will not lose this special opportunity for missionary
work.
A Student's Fund of $3,000 is to be raised in $50 shares, upon which we
will draw to bring the young people of the mountains into these schools,
and to help them over hard places according to their need. Pupils will be
encouraged to help themselves all they can, and no pledges will be made to
any until they have reached the limit of their own resources, and no
specified amount will be assigned to any one pupil. Each will be helped
according to his condition. A boy may be able to reach the school and work
part of his board and need only a small sum to cover the expense of the
full year. A girl may need to have her traveling expenses paid and only
this; another, giving promise of usefulness, may have her full way paid
during the year. Some will be kept through the entire school year, who
otherwise could study but a few months.
The training the young people receive in these schools brings a sure
reward. We quote from a letter just received from one of our missionaries:
"I am very hopeful for the Christian work among the students this year.
The Christian Endeavor Society is in much better condition than last year.
The members understand better the meaning of 'Christian Endeavor,' and
that being a Christian means a daily application of Christian principles
to every day life."
Now why cannot our Christian Endeavor and Young People's Societies take
this work to their hearts, and thus be the means of preparing others for
Christian work? Why not do for these poor, but bright and interesting
American boys and girls there, what will bring more of them into the
fraternity of Christian Endeavor?
We will send at once to any who desire it, full information of our
mountain work, and all who contribute to this fund may have their offering
assigned to aid pupils in one of our schools, from which letters will be
written by a missionary during the year, giving information directly from
the field.
Here is an urgent need outside our usual lines of expense, for which we
seek new and additional help--not the diversion of regular annual
contributions. We break the fund into shares of $50 that many may have
part in it. Early response either in cash, or pledges to be cashed by
July, 1891, will result in giving many of these young people the
advantages of Christian education during the present school year.
Woman's Work In North Carolina
------------------------------
We have a Woman's Missionary Meeting once a month; it began last November,
with six members; there are now eleven. We have, too, a Mission Band,
which many of the older scholars have joined as associate members. It is
held fortnightly, after the Sunday school, and generally the whole
congregation stay to hear what is going on.
Last Sunday morning we went to Pekin, starting at 8 A.M. It is a drive of
fifteen miles through turpentine forests, and the roads are very rough; we
go up hill and down all the way, three creeks to cross and one river.
Across this there is a bridge, rather originally constructed. We go down a
steep and sharp curve, on the edge of high banks, and then through a
covered bridge across the rushing stream, which is seen between the foot
planks, and we are thankful to get across without any backing on our
horse's part. The woods are very lovely just now, very few wild flowers,
but such a variety of foliage, and we notice a beautiful flowering shrub,
called "ivory "; it is a mass of delicate pink or white blossoms. These
turpentine forests are by no means all pines, there are many varieties of
oak.
The Sunday-school at Greenlake church, Pekin, is held at 9 A. M. Our
object this morning is to meet the children and teachers, before they
disperse, and organize a Mission Band. The little church, or rather
schoolhouse, is situated on a hill, and there is a fine view of the
rolling country; only this morning one longs for a little shade. One of
our former scholars (now working in the turpentine) comes out and takes
our horse.
The school is just over, and we hear there is to be preaching at 11; it is
now 10:15, so we ask the pupils to stay. We sing and then Miss Bechan
explains about foreign missions and mission bands. They give in their
names and appoint officers, agreeing to meet twice a month. They have also
a Woman's Missionary Auxiliary, which has been meeting once a month since
last December.
There is a recess of ten minutes, then the preaching begins. The preacher
is a young man, who would gain much (as would his hearers) by attending
school a few years. This is one of the heart-sores in the work here--the
great ignorance of many of the preachers. Some of them will tell you, they
have had "no education," and, indeed, it is all too plain, from their
curious expressions and mis-applied long words; but worst of all is their
ignorance of the Bible. But how can they do better till they have been
taught? There is a crying need of educated pastors in these country
places. The young men tell us, they "do not find religion interesting;"
one said, that, after "having tried it two or three times." It is hardly to
be wondered at, that they are not interested, when the thunder is all that
is shown them. They are told they ought "to quake and tremble," and if
they do not, they "show by their actions that they mean to go to hell."
Woman's State Organizations.
----------------------------
Co-operating With The American Missionary Association.
MAINE.
WOMAN'S AID TO A.M.A.
Chairman of Committee--Mrs. C.A. Woodbury, Woodfords, Me.
NEW HAMPSHIRE.
FEMALE CENT INSTITUTION AND HOME MISSIONARY UNION.
President--Mrs. Joseph B. Walker, Concord. Secretary--Mrs. John T. Perry,
Exeter. Treasurer--Mlas Annie A. McFarland, Concord.
VERMONT.
WOMAN'S HOME MISSIONARY UNION.
President--Mrs. A. B. Swift, 167 King St., Burlington. Secretary--Mrs. M.
K. Paine, Windsor. Treasurer--Mrs. Wm. P. Fairbanks, St. Johnsbury.
MASS. AND R.I.
(2)WOMAN'S HOME MISSIONARY ASSOCIATION.
President--Mrs. Alice Freeman Palmer, Cambridge, Mass.
Secretary--Miss Nathalie Lord, 32 Congregational House, Boston.
Treasurer--Miss Sarah K. Burgess, 32 Congregational House, Boston.
CONNECTICUT.
WOMAN'S HOME MISSIONARY UNION.
President--Mrs. Jacob A. Biddle,35 West Street, South Norwalk.
Secretary--Miss Ellen R. Camp, New Britain.
Treasurer--Mrs. W.W. Jacobs, 19 Spring St., Hartford.
NEW YORK.
WOMAN'S HOME MISSIONARY UNION.
President--Mrs. Wm. Kincaid, 483 Greene Ave., Brooklyn.
Secretary--Mrs. Wm. Spalding, 6 Salmon Block, Syracuse.
Treasurer--Mrs. L.H. Cobb, 59 Bible House, New York City.
PENNSYLVANIA.
WOMAN'S MISSIONARY UNION.
President--Mrs. W.H. Osterhaut, Ridgway.
Secretary--Mrs. C.F. Yennee, Ridgway.
Treasurer--Mrs. T.W. Jones, 218 So. 37th St., Philadelphia.
OHIO.
WOMAN'S HOME MISSIONARY UNION.
President--Mrs. J.G.W. Cowles, 417 Sibley St., Cleveland.
Secretary--Mrs. Flora K. Regal, Oberlin.
Treasurer--Mrs. F.L. Fairchild, Box 932, Mt Vernon, Ohio.
INDIANA.
WOMAN'S HOME MISSIONARY UNION.
President--Mrs. W.A. Bell, Indianapolis.
Secretary--Mrs. W.E. Mossman, Fort Wayne.
Treasurer--Mrs. D.T. Brown, Michigan City.
ILLINOIS.
WOMAN'S HOME MISSIONARY UNION.
President--Mrs. B.F. Leavitt, 409 Orchard St., Chicago.
Secretary--Mrs. C.H. Taintor, 151 Washington St., Chicago.
Treasurer--Mrs. C.E. Maltby, Champaign.
IOWA.
WOMAN'S HOME MISSIONARY UNION.
President--Mrs. T.O. Douglass, Grinnell.
Secretary--Miss Ella E. Marsh, Box 232, Grinnell.
Treasurer--Mrs. M.J. Nichoson, 1513 Main St., Dubuque.
MICHIGAN.
WOMAN'S HOME MISSIONARY UNION.
President--Mrs. George M. Lane, 47 Miami Ave., Detroit.
Secretary--Mrs. Leroy Warren, Lansing.
Treasurer--Mrs. E.F. Grabill, Greenville.
WISCONSIN.
WOMAN'S HOME MISSIONARY UNION.
President--Mrs. H.A. Miner, Madison.
Secretary--Mrs. C. Matter, Brodhead.
Treasurer--Mrs. C.M. Blackman, Whitewater.
MINNESOTA.
WOMAN'S HOME MISSIONARY SOCIETY.
President--Mrs. E.S. Williams, Box 464, Minneapolis.
Secretary--Miss Gertude A. Keith, 1350, Nicollet Ave., Minneapolis.
Treasurer--Mrs. M.W. Skinner, Northfield.
NORTH DAKOTA.
WOMAN'S HOME MISSIONARY SOCIETY.
President--Mrs. A.J. Pike, Dwight.
Secretary--Mrs. Silas Daggett, Harwood.
Treasurer--Mrs. J.M. Fisher, Fargo.
SOUTH DAKOTA.
WOMAN'S HOME MISSIONARY UNION.
President--Mrs. A.H. Robbins, Bowdle.
Secretary--Mrs. T.M. Jeffris, Huron.
Treasurer--Miss A.A. Noble, Lake Preston.
NEBRASKA.
WOMAN'S HOME MISSIONARY UNION.
President--Mrs. T.H. Leavitt, 1216 H. St., Lincoln.
Secretary--Mrs. L.F. Berry, 724 No. Broad St., Fremont.
Treasurer--Mrs. D.E. Perry, Crete.
MONTANA.
WOMAN'S HOME MISSIONARY UNION.
President--Mrs. F.D. Kelsey, Helena.
Secretary--Mrs. W.S. Bell, Helena.
Treasurer--Mrs. S.A. Wallace, Billings.
MISSOURI.
WOMAN'S HOME MISSIONARY UNION.
President--Mrs. A.W. Benedict, 3841 Delmar Ave., St Louis.
Secretary--Mrs. E.H. Bradbury, 3855 Washington Ave., St Louis.
Treasurer--Mrs. A.E. Cook, 4145 Bell Ave., St. Louis.
KANSAS.
WOMAN'S HOME MISSIONARY SOCIETY.
President--Mrs. F.J. Storrs, Topeka.
Secretary--Mrs. George L. Epps, Topeka.
Treasurer--Mrs. J.G. Dougherty, Ottawa.
WASHINGTON.
WOMAN'S MISSIONARY ASSOCIATION.
President--Mrs. W.E. Dawson, Seattle.
Secretary--Mrs. N.F. Cobleigh, Walla Walla,
Treasurer--Mrs. W.R. Abrams, Ellensburg.
CALIFORNIA.
WOMAN'S HOME MISSIONARY SOCIETY.
President--Mrs. H.L. Merritt, 686 34th St, Oakland.
Secretary--Miss Grace E. Barnard, 677 21st St., Oakland.
Treasurer--Mrs. J.M. Havens, 1329 Harrison St., Oakland.
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA.
WOMAN'S HOME MISSIONARY UNION.
President--Mrs. Emma Cash, 1710 Temple St., Los Angeles.
Secretary--Mrs. H.K.W. Bent, Pasadena.
Treasurer--Mrs. H.W. Mills, 327 So. Olive St., Los Angeles.
COLORADO AND WYOMING.
WOMAN'S HOME MISSIONARY UNION.
President--Mrs. J.W. Pickett, White Water, Colorado.
Secretary--Miss Mary L. Martin, 106 Platte Ave., Colorado Springs,
Colorado.
Treasurer--Mrs. S.A. Sawyer, Boulder, Colorado.
Treasurer--Mrs. W.L. Whipple, Cheyenne, Wyoming.
LOUISIANA.
WOMAN'S MISSIONARY UNION.
President--Mrs. R.C. Hitchcock, New Orleans.
Secretary--Miss Jennie Fyfe, 490 Canal St., New Orleans.
Treasurer--Mrs. C.S. Shattuck, Hammond.
MISSISSIPPI.
WOMAN'S MISSIONARY UNION.
President--Miss Sarah Dickey, Clinton.
Secretary--Miss Alice Flagg, Tougaloo.
Treasurer--Miss Mary Gibson, Tougaloo.
ALABAMA.
WOMAN'S MISSIONARY UNION.
President--Mrs. H.W. Andrews, Talladega.
Secretary--Miss S.S. Evans, 2519 Third Ave., Birmingham.
Treasurer--Miss M.K. Lunt, Selma.
FLORIDA.
WOMAN'S HOME MISSIONARY UNION.
President--Mrs. S.F. Gale, Jacksonville.
Secretary--Mrs. Nathan Barrows, Winter Park.