VOL. XXXV. NO. 6.
THE
AMERICAN MISSIONARY.
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“To the Poor the Gospel is Preached.”
* * * * *
JUNE, 1881.
_CONTENTS_:
EDITORIAL.
TILLOTSON NORMAL AND COLLEGIATE INSTITUTE 161
PARAGRAPHS 162
ARTHINGTON MISSION—TIMELY PROPOSAL 163
THE SECOND CALL: Rev. Jas. Powell 164
THE NEGRO FOR HIS PLACE: Prof. C. C. Painter 165
ANNIVERSARY ANNOUNCEMENTS 167
BENEFACTIONS—ITEMS FROM THE FIELD 168
GENERAL NOTES—Freedmen, Africa, Indians, Chinese 169
THE FREEDMEN.
ALABAMA, MOBILE—Conference—Woman’s Missionary Meeting 172
LOUISIANA—South-Western Cong’l Assoc. 174
KANSAS—Condition of the Blacks Contrasted 176
THE INDIANS.
LETTER FROM JAMES MURIE 177
THE CHINESE.
JEE GAM ON THE MISSION IN CHINA 179
WOMAN’S HOME MISS. ASSOC’N
MONTHLY REPORT 181
CHILDREN’S PAGE.
FRANKIE’S CHAPEL 183
RECEIPTS 184
LIST OF OFFICERS 189
CONSTITUTION 190
AIM, STATISTICS, WANTS, ETC. 191
* * * * *
NEW YORK.
Published by the American Missionary Association,
ROOMS, 56 READE STREET.
* * * * *
Price, 50 Cents a Year, in advance.
Entered at the Post Office at New York, N.Y., as second-class matter.
[Illustration: TILLOTSON COLLEGIATE AND NORMAL INSTITUTE.]
THE
AMERICAN MISSIONARY.
* * * * *
VOL. XXXV. JUNE, 1881. NO. 6.
* * * * *
American Missionary Association.
* * * * *
TILLOTSON NORMAL AND COLLEGIATE INSTITUTE.
PRES. WM. E. BROOKS.
Tillotson Normal and Collegiate Institute? (See opposite page.)
Where is it? What is it? When opened? How welcomed? What is its
present outlook, and what are its needs?
Tillotson Institute is situated just outside the limits of the
city of Austin, Texas, upon a fine elevation, commanding on the
east and south a beautiful and far-reaching view of the valley and
of the shimmering waters of the Colorado. On the west is the city
of Austin, with its spires and busy streets, and from the upper
part of the building, looking northward, appear the far-extending
prairies, so familiar in Texas, while, almost encircling the
whole, rise hills and mountains, making this a most beautiful and
picturesque spot, and of all others fitted for an institution of
learning, where the student, while treasuring up knowledge, may
have before him that which shall awaken a sense of the beautiful
and the grand, leading him from nature to nature’s God. In these
points Tillotson has few rivals.
As to its material, it is a large brick building with stone
trimmings, 104 feet in length, 42 feet in depth, and five stories
high. It has a dining hall, a beautiful and airy school-room about
37×48; three large recitation rooms, with other smaller ones, which
are probably the most complete in their appointment of blackboards,
maps and desks of any in the State. No one who has visited the
Institution has been heard to question this. It may be added, also,
that the building, as it now stands, is the gift of friends living
in the East and West for the education of the colored youth of
Texas.
Owing to delays in completing the building, the opening of the
school was deferred from October, 1880, till January 17th, 1881.
Our numbers at the beginning were small, but have been steadily
increasing, till now, in the Institute proper, we have over sixty
students, with a good prospect that this number will be increased
to at least a hundred before the close of the year. We have a large
class in algebra, a still larger class in complete arithmetic,
comprehensive geography and United States history, as also some
ten or twelve in Latin and an equally large number in English
composition. All of these are doing finely in everything but
Latin—only fair in this.
The question as to the spirit of the people will excite interest in
the minds of many. The “Fool’s Errand” and “Bricks Without Straw”
have prepared some for a doleful statement on this point. I am glad
to disappoint them, and in contrast to the above, I rejoice to bear
witness to the kindly and even cordial manner with which we have
been received. Thus far not one rebuff from the Governor down. The
people are not only kindly disposed, but are pleased with the work
carried on; they do not all have equal faith, but nearly or quite
all acknowledge that it is a work that should be done, that the
colored people must be educated. The State is doing something in
this line now—not for us, we have not asked for anything—and is
bound to do more. I venture the statement that _in ten years, no
other State in the Union will, in proportion to the number of her
people and area, do so much for the instruction of the young as
Texas_. Many are coming to see eye to eye and stand foot to foot on
this question of universal education.
The completion of the building and fencing the grounds, which is an
absolute necessity, with the cost of furnishing, call for at least
$2,000 more. This should be provided at once; then land is needed;
thousands of colored youth in Texas greatly desire an education;
they are worthy, but poor. Yet their highest good requires that
they pay for their education. And, since this is not possible in
many cases, some means should be provided by which they can. The
most practical way is to have land which they can work.
The result would be advantageous in two ways: First, it would
enable them to maintain their self-respect; they would feel that
they were not receiving bounty, but were paying their way; this
would make them more manly. Second, it would be a practical school
where they would be taught the best methods of agriculture; this
would be a priceless benefit to them.
But the Institution owns no land save the spot upon which the
building stands. There are, however, some 450 acres of the first
quality joining the Institution grounds for sale. True, since
close to the city it is dear; but when once bought and paid for,
these acres become a bank that will never fail, and always pay
good dividends. It would be a wise and noble act for some one
to buy this land and present it to the Institution; with it the
possibilities of Tillotson Institute would be greatly magnified.
Who will purchase the farm, and giving it his own name, present it
to the youngest child of the A. M. A.?
Finally, we are all more than pleased with the field and its work.
It exceeds even our expectations; the climate is delightful, the
location unsurpassed, the present inspiring, and the future radiant
with hope.
* * * * *
It gives us pleasure to announce the safe arrival of Rev. Henry M.
Ladd and Rev. Kelly M. Kemp, with his wife, at Freetown, Sierra
Leone, March 23d, after a favorable and altogether agreeable
passage from Liverpool. They were cordially welcomed on their
arrival by the missionaries at that point on the coast.
* * * * *
The Memphis _Appeal_ declares that there can be no excuse for
allowing the work for the colored people at the LeMoyne Institute
of that city to be sustained entirely by the friends of the A. M.
A. North. It suggests also that the citizens of Memphis provide the
improved facilities needful for the best development of the work of
this eminently worthy Institution.
* * * * *
We heartily congratulate Berea College on its successful efforts
during the past winter in securing a partial endowment. A few
individuals in six different States recently joined in an effort to
secure for it a fund of $50,000.
The movement was started by a Western Massachusetts man who
subscribed $5,000, to which he afterwards added $1,666. Mrs.
Valeria G. Stone, of Malden, Mass., gave $10,000. One friend
in New York gave $7,500, and another $2,500. Three friends in
Pennsylvania, Ohio and Illinois, gave $5,000 each. The balance was
made up in smaller sums.
This college—the first founded by the A. M. A.—is doing a noble
work, educating about an equal number of blacks and whites. It
richly deserves all that has been done for it.
* * * * *
We are thankful to our friends and patrons for their hearty support
of our work as shown in the increase of our current receipts by
$20,087 over those of the corresponding seven months of last year.
Encouraging as this is, the increase is not sufficient to enable us
to accomplish what we had planned to do, and close our year free
from debt, September 30th.
At the beginning of our fiscal year we called for an increase of
25 per cent. over the receipts of last year for current work. Our
receipts have increased 19 per cent. to April 30th. At this rate
we shall fall $10,700 short of the amount required to meet all
payments. We make an earnest appeal now, for we wish our friends to
know our situation, and to prevent a threatened debt. We already
feel the pressure, for our workers are calling for the salaries due
them, and they will need their money to bring them North for rest
and change after the severe labors of the year.
* * * * *
ARTHINGTON MISSION—A TIMELY PROPOSAL.
In the spring of 1879 the Executive Committee of this Association,
after a careful consideration of Mr. Robert Arthington’s offer
of £3,000 for a new mission in the Upper Nile basin, voted to
undertake the establishment of the proposed mission on the receipt
of a fund of $50,000 for that purpose. During the autumn of the
same year the Committee pledged itself that on receipt of £3,000
from Mr. Arthington and a like amount from the British public, “to
devote thereto the sum of $20,000, and with the blessing of God
and the assistance of the friends of Africa in Great Britain and
America, to undertake permanently to sustain that mission.”
They felt free to make this pledge, as was stated in the AMERICAN
MISSIONARY at the time, “especially as final receipts from the
Avery estate have recently come to hand, which are devoted by the
donor to the evangelization of the African race in Africa.” The
receipts above mentioned amounted to $12,000. Mr. Arthington and
the friends in Great Britain have already paid over the £6,000, or
about $30,000, apportioned to them, and the Association has entered
upon preliminaries looking toward the early establishment of the
mission. We still lack about $8,000 for the completion of the
fund. In view of this deficiency we consider the unsolicited offer
from a distinguished anti-slavery man of $500 for this mission, on
condition that $500 more be given by another party for the same
object, as both opportune and providential, and we not only urge
that the above pledge be secured, but that the entire deficiency
be made up by the early autumn, as by that time our missionaries
purpose to be on their way to the Upper Nile in Central Africa.
* * * * *
THE SECOND CALL.
REV. JAS. POWELL, CHICAGO.
When emancipation summoned the American slaves to freedom, nothing
appealed with stronger effect to the sympathies of their friends
than their wonderful eagerness for education. They thought that
if they only could obtain a knowledge of letters they would also
come into possession of the white man’s power and the white man’s
privileges. An illusion this, in so far as it held out promise of
speedy fulfilment, but a serious fact, nevertheless, in that it
points to the only open door through which the Freedmen or their
descendants must pass, if they ever do come into possession of that
power and those privileges.
But illusion as it was, it acted as an inspiration. Under its
power, old men and old women, young men and maidens, children
and youth, flocked into everything that was called a school for
Freedmen.
This unprecedented manifestation of a hunger and thirst for
education was promptly met by a large supply of missionary teachers
and educational facilities. The promise, however, was larger than
the fulfilment. Old people could not learn, and young people must
improve by the diligent application of persistent effort extending
through years. Such is the teaching of all history and experience.
This the negroes did not know, and many of their friends had
apparently forgotten it. Reaction came, and with it disappointment
and discouragement. “It’s no use, chile, I’se too old to learn,”
said the old negroes; and young Sambo, with a characteristic
genuinely human, began to develop a passion for sport rather than
study. The fact is, the wonderful passion for study exhibited by
the Freedmen was abnormal. It is not natural for scholars to be
running ahead of their teachers and enthusiastically shouting back
for them to come on. As a rule, the teacher must lead. Ability to
inspire pupils with a love for study is one of the essentials for
success in teaching. The work of education, like everything else
good in this world, must be pushed.
A full recognition of these facts dictated the original policy
of the A. M. A. in its educational work among the Freedmen, and
has shaped its policy ever since. Institutions were planted and
fostered with a view to permanency. Interest in sustaining them
might rise or fall, but the work, in order to succeed, must be
patiently carried forward.
The flood-tide of enthusiasm on the part of the Freedmen, as a
matter of course, began to ebb when the difficulties of obtaining
an education fairly dawned upon them. Some of their friends at
the North, seeing this, began to lose faith in their educability,
and as a consequence began also to withhold their support from
the work. But the American Missionary Association said, “This is
just as we expected,” and instead of yielding, buckled down to
its work all the more earnestly, and argued for its continuance
all the more forcefully. The reaction would again react. The tide
of interest would return with healthier beat, and the second call
would be more effective than the first. It was a firm faith in such
an outcome that prompted the annual reports which, for several
years, held out this bow of promise, while that ugly debt was
hanging like a threatening cloud over all the work; and the faith
has been justified by the results. The reaction of the reaction
has come. The tide is setting back again with normal flow. The
cause is advocated from the leading pulpits; our foremost statesmen
endorse it; the most influential newspapers editorially commend
it; the debt has been wiped out; our schools are crowded to their
utmost capacity, and there is to-day sounding in the ears of the
public a louder call for the immediate enlargement of work for the
education of the Freedmen than has ever yet been heard. It is not
the old, with heads filled with all sorts of fantastic notions, who
now clamor for what they never can acquire. The young and ambitious
are pressing forward, and they are doing it with eyes wide open
to the difficulties that must be encountered, while at the same
time, to give them confidence and hope, they have before them the
living examples of scholarly achievement on the part of some of
the youth of their race. These young men and young women, who are
now turned away from the doors of our schools because “there is
no room,” appeal to us not merely because they want to obtain an
education for themselves, but because they represent the neglected
condition of a race. It is a remarkable fact, and most pathetic in
its meaning, that they plead in many instances to be taken into
school in order that they may qualify themselves to be the means of
the elevation of their people.
A critical time is this. These millions cannot be left much longer
in their ignorance without danger to the public peace. Vice does
not tend to produce virtue. Ignorance does not tend to produce
knowledge. Let the feeling settle down on the colored youth that
all avenues for intellectual culture are closed against them, and
ambition for improvement will soon disappear, and when the brood
of evils to which ignorance is the prolific parent has been once
fairly let loose upon the land, it may be too late to remedy the
mischief. “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,” says
the wisdom of the ages. The demand of the hour is, “Let the wisdom
of the ages be put to practical use.” Recorded in books, tossed
from lip to lip, it profits little; it must be put into action.
No question presses upon the Christian and patriotic thought of
our land with greater urgency, or bears within it farther reaching
consequences, than this same question of the education of our negro
population. The hour of opportunity is now. We ask the friends
of the Freedmen to heed this second call that comes to them, to
prosecute the work of Christian education among the negroes, with
a greater zeal and greater enthusiasm than ever before. If we are
faithful, a rich harvest will be ours to reap.
* * * * *
THE NEGRO FOR HIS PLACE.
PROF. C. C. PAINTER.
An intelligent Christian woman, fairly representative, we believe,
of the best friends of the negro, herself engaged in the work of
negro education as an amateur, in the literal meaning of the word,
during her annual sojourn in the South, said to us recently that
she did not believe in the attempt of Fisk, Howard, Atlanta and
like schools to give this people a higher education. They should
be taught the three R’s, and how to work, and so fitted for their
place in life. She esteemed it an unfortunate mistake and blunder
that they should be disqualified for it by a classical education.
An associate editor of one of our largest dailies, a widely
influential man, commended, not simply by its excellence, but by
way of contrast, the work done at Hampton, not because in the
pursuit of its own aims it left the work of higher education to
other schools, but because it taught its negro pupils to work, and
did not make fools of them by teaching them Latin and Greek, and
this, not because he is opposed to higher education for any one,
but because such an education unfitted the negro for his place.
These friends are not alone in the opinion that the place of the
negro is definitely known, and that is one which demands and allows
a very limited range of intellectual power, and requires the
exercise of his muscles chiefly.
We respectfully submit that the only possible apology for slavery
as it existed in this country was based upon the assumption that
the white man had the right to determine just the place in the
scale of being that the black man should occupy. He stood forth
as the authorized interpreter of nature, and maintained that both
nature and Noah had settled it that the sons of Ham were fitted
alone to be the servants of their brethren.
When we have assented to the proposition that nature has allotted
to a race a certain position, we have assented, logically, to the
further and co-ordinate proposition that it should be fitted for
the place and kept in it; thus the whole code of slave laws stands
approved and justified.
There has been much discussion, and there will probably be a great
deal more, as to the proper place and exact sphere of woman; and
with more show of reason, for she constitutes not a race, but a
class; and nature has indicated in the fact of sex some of the
possibilities of her nature and duties of her sphere; has decided
some things as possible, and some as impossible to her. She cannot
be the father of a family; but what she may be intellectually,
morally, spiritually, as a mother, as a woman, can be known only
when she has opened before her unlimited opportunity for her
untrammeled powers. She may not transcend nature’s limitations, but
she ought to insist that man’s ignorance and prejudice shall not
prove a more insuperable bar to what she may do.
That nature has placed any disqualifications upon the negro, and
has thus indicated or determined what is or what is not possible
for him to accomplish, we cannot know until we have so far removed
the obstacles we have put in his way, and stricken off the chains
with which we have bound him, and thrown open an opportunity which
we have barred against him, that he shall have a chance to show
what the purpose was with reference to him; and we may thus learn,
also, as we are beginning to do, what our injustice and wrong has
been.
Our treatment of the negro, whether as slave or Freedman, has
been and will be shaped by our theories in regard to him, but it
is time we honestly sought to know what the facts are, and draw
our theories from them rather than attempt to limit him by our
prejudices, as if they were indisputable facts of nature.
The master said the negro’s place is that of a chattel slave, and
he wisely enacted that he should neither be educated out of it,
nor be allowed to escape from it. The fortunes of war (should we
not say the misfortunes, if the theory were correct?) broke the
chain and palsied the whip-arm of the master, and now his friends,
many of them, who rejoice that he has escaped from his old place,
would attempt to fit him for a new one, but determine for him what
it shall be, and express grave apprehensions of evil if we say he
should have the best possible opportunity to find for himself what
it is. The war destroyed the old chain by which he was held in his
appointed place, but has not eradicated the disposition of the
Anglo-Saxon to decide for him what his new one must be, and in the
minds of many it is that of a laborer of the lowest grade; and lest
he might escape from it by rising above it, they would see to it
that his education shall be of such character as to fit him for it
alone.
While the wise teacher sees to it that he shall not neglect
thorough training in the most elementary branches in order to
become a smatterer in Greek and Latin, it should be done on the
general principle applicable to all races and every individual,
that any other course would be consummate folly. The theory to
which our practice should conform is this: Give to every child of
God the best opportunity possible for him as such, and let him in
the untrammeled exercise of his powers find out what his Creator
designed him to be and assigned him to do.
The time is coming when it will appear incredible that a man’s
place in the intellectual and social world shall be assigned to
him because of the color of his skin, any more than because of the
color of his eyes, or of his clothes. Educate not the negro, but
the child, not for his place, but that he may find his place, and
do his work among his fellows.
* * * * *
ANNIVERSARY ANNOUNCEMENTS.
FISK UNIVERSITY, NASHVILLE, TENN.—Baccalaureate Sermon, Sunday
A.M., May 22d. Anniversary of Missionary Society, Sunday evening.
Examinations, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Commencement
Exercises, and the ceremony of laying the corner-stone of
Livingstone Missionary Hall, Thursday.
TALLADEGA COLLEGE, TALLADEGA, ALA.—Baccalaureate Sermon, by the
President, Sunday, June 12th. Examinations, Monday, Tuesday and
Wednesday. Commencement Exercises, Thursday.
ATLANTA UNIVERSITY, ATLANTA, GA.—Baccalaureate Sermon, Sunday,
June 12th, Examinations, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, to be
attended by the Examining Committee appointed by the Governor of
Georgia. Commencement Exercises Thursday. Address by Rev. Atticus
G. Haygood, D.D., President of Emory College.
TOUGALOO UNIVERSITY, TOUGALOO, MISS.—Baccalaureate Sermon by Rev.
M. E. Strieby, D.D., Sunday, May 29th. Examinations and closing
exercises Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.
STRAIGHT UNIVERSITY, NEW ORLEANS, LA.—Baccalaureate Sermon, Sunday,
May 29th. Examinations and closing exercises, May 30th and 31st and
June 1st.
TILLOTSON COLLEGIATE AND NORMAL INSTITUTE, AUSTIN,
TEXAS.—Examinations and closing exercises, June 8th, 9th and 10th.
BEACH INSTITUTE, SAVANNAH, GA.—Examinations and closing exercises,
May 26th and 27th.
SWAYNE SCHOOL, MONTGOMERY, ALA.—Examinations and closing exercises,
May 30th and 31st.
EMERSON INSTITUTE, MOBILE, ALA.—Examinations and closing exercises,
May 25th, 26th and 27th.
LE MOYNE INSTITUTE, MEMPHIS, TENN.—Annual Sermon, Sunday evening,
May 29th. Junior Exhibition, Monday, 30th. Graduating exercises,
Wednesday, June 1st.
LEWIS HIGH SCHOOL, MACON, GA.—Examinations and closing exercises,
May 31st and June 1st.
AVERY INSTITUTE, CHARLESTON, S.C.—Examinations and closing
exercises, June 29th and 30th.
The next meeting of the National Teachers’ Association will be
held in Atlanta, Ga., July 19th. This opportunity for interchange
of views between Northern and Southern teachers ought to result in
great good. Northern teachers need not fear to visit Atlanta at
that season of the year, as its altitude, about eleven hundred feet
above the sea, gives it a mild and healthful climate. Our teachers
often spend their summer there.
* * * * *
BENEFACTIONS.
Cyrus McCormick, of Chicago, has added $75,000 to his former gifts
to the Presbyterian Theological Seminary of that place.
Robert L. Stewart has enlarged his gift to the San Francisco
Presbyterian Theological Seminary from $20,000 to $50,000.
Mr. Moses Hopkins, brother of the late Mark Hopkins, has just given
to a California academy an endowment of $50,000, the largest sum
yet bestowed in this way by any one person in that State.
Harvard College has received a gift of $115,000 for the erection
of a physical laboratory, provided a fund of $75,000 be raised to
defray the running expenses. As in the case of the Law School, the
name of the benefactor is not to be made public.
Mr. Thomas A. Scott has endowed the chair of Mathematics in the
University of Pennsylvania, now occupied by Prof. Kendall, with
$50,000. He has also given $50,000 to Jefferson College, $30,000 to
the Orthopedic Hospital, and $20,000 to the children’s department
of the Episcopal Hospital.
The list of Mr. Geo. I. Seney’s gifts in the past two years,
including his latest donations to Southern Methodist institutions,
is as follows: Wesleyan University, $260,000; Long Island
Historical Society, $62,000; Brooklyn Industrial Home, $20,000;
for Hospital, $270,000; Church at Bernardsville, $15,000; Emory
College, Oxford, Ga., $50,000; Wesleyan Female College, Macon, Ga.,
$50,000; total, $727,000.
* * * * *
ITEMS FROM THE FIELD.
MCINTOSH, GA.—Miss Parmelee, from Memphis, after visiting some of
her old pupils at Andersonville, writes: “It is easy to forget
any hardship connected with those pioneer days in visiting these
Christian homes of former pupils, and the homes that have been
blessed through them. One woman was telling me of this and that
neighborhood where schools and church meetings had been held,
and, with a gratitude that was genuine, exclaimed: ‘There’s many
a light been started in this dark place, and it all dates back to
Andersonville.’ I could but feel, and afterwards say: ‘No, it all
dates back through John Wycliffe to Calvary.’ I have been deeply
impressed during these past few days with a sense of the power of
grace. I never had great expectations of any of these friends.
Their honest, kindly, God-fearing lives are all that I expected,
and more than I feared. Remembering their former low estate, I am
filled with a sense of relief and gratitude at finding them so
trusty and good. Friday morn: just there came a call to go and see
a sick woman; returning from the two-mile ride, I found forty women
waiting for me. I talked to them for half an hour and then answered
questions for nearly an hour. Several come in every day to listen
to the school talks.”
CHILDERSBURG, ALA.—“We are going on in the work of the Lord. We
have a good lively Sabbath-school every Sabbath, and all seem to
enjoy the lesson. All are Christians but six, and I hope to gain
those for the Lord. We are going on in peace as pastor and people.
We did not pay all we owed on our church farm last year, but we
will pay all of it this year, and then we will give $25 or $30 every
year to carry other work on. My members want to give as much as
any one else to the work. I hope they will. I have put my horse on
the church farm to work. Bro. Y. gives his entire attention to the
farm, and he rents more land to make out a full two-horse crop. He
has planted all his corn, and the most of his cotton land is bedded
up, and I think he is doing well. One of my best members last year
went to Long View, Ala., and since he has been there he has got up
a meeting-house and wants me to come and preach once a month.”
CYPRESS SLASH, LIBERTY CO., GA.—The Cypress Slash church was
dedicated the 10th of April. An audience of 150 was comfortably
seated in the new church. A brief sketch of the history and
formation of the church was given, going back to the time when the
first public meeting was held in the public road. The church is now
in a growing condition, and the church building is completed except
the ceiling.
LITTLE ROCK, ARK.—On the Sabbath, April 24th, by a Council, Rev.
B. F. Foster was ordained as pastor of the new church of this
city, which has now come on to a membership of 69, and which has
purchased a lot for $400, one half of which has already been paid.
Supt. Roy, Rev. J. W. Roberts, of Paris, Texas, and Rev. L. A.
Roberts, of Memphis, led in the services of the sermon, charge,
right hand, and address. It was a great day for the new enterprise.
Two other sermons were preached by the young men. On the evening of
the 25th, Mr. Foster was married by his two young brethren to Miss
Helena Duff, a graduate of Talladega College.
At the annual meeting of the New Orleans Sunday-school Association,
held April 4th in the Y. M. C. A. Hall, the lesson of the next
Sunday, upon the good Samaritan, was the subject of the three
addresses made. George W. Cable, the author, a member of Dr.
Palmer’s church, spoke from manuscript upon the point: “Who is
my neighbor?” After giving the question the old antislavery
interpretation he found the wounded man as an amalgam of Chinese,
Indian and Negro, and a Roman Catholic; and his suggestion was that
we should not put that man up in the gallery of the church, nor
make him wait for the communion till after we had been served. The
hits made a few persons wince, as was apparent in the assembly; but
they were honestly delivered and will do good. They are a finger
indication of the working of the Southern Christian mind. I noticed
that Prof. McPherron, of the Straight University, had been selected
to act as precentor to lead the singing of the occasion, being a
prominent and greatly respected member of the Philharmonic Society
of the city. Dr. Alexander, who is an officer of the city S. S.
Association, was called upon to offer prayer. Nor is it an evidence
that these men have fallen from grace that by their patient waiting
they are thus winning honorable recognition among the best people
of the city.
L. E. R.
* * * * *
GENERAL NOTES.
The Freedmen.
—The census reports show that in three States, South Carolina,
Mississippi and Louisiana, the colored people exceed the whites
in number. In the first named there are 154,458 blacks to every
100,000 whites; in Mississippi 135,664 blacks to 100,000 whites;
and in Louisiana the proportion is 106,372 to 100,000. In Alabama
the blacks are 91 per cent. of the whites; in Georgia 89 per
cent.; in Florida, 88 per cent.; in Virginia, 72 per cent.; in
North Carolina, 61 per cent.; in the District of Columbia, 50 per
cent. The colored element in the Northern States is the largest
in Kansas, where it is 4½ per cent. The colored population has
increased in twenty-seven States and Territories in the last
decade. In the United States as a whole there has been an increase
of 625 to the 100,000. This state of things means work for all
who have the interest of the country at heart, that the increased
suffrage shall be intelligent and the new lives a help rather than
a burden to the land.—_Congregationalist._
* * * * *
Africa.
—The French Government is placing a second telegraphic line between
Algeria and Tunis. It was to have been finished by the last of
March.
—Work on the railroad from Sétif to Algeria has been commenced. The
greatest activity prevails, and the whole line may be finished in
14 months.
—The Belgian Society has charged Mr. Stanley with engaging anew at
Zanzibar, for several years, native workmen, who will be employed
upon the Congo.
—The sultan of Zanzibar has offered to the celebrated traveler
Thomson the mission of exploring the basin of the Rovuma from a
geological point of view.
—Mgr. Taurin Cahagua, apostolic vicar of the Gallas, has gone to
Berber to install there three missionaries. From thence he will go
with the others to Havar.
—M. Irgens Bergh, a Danish archæologist, has arrived at Cairo to
devote himself to his favorite studies. M. Insenger, a Hollander,
also an archæologist, accompanies him. The field of his scientific
exploration will be essentially Nubia and Upper Egypt.
—After a journey in Europe M. de Hesse Wartegg, who has already
turned his studies in Fayoum and in Nubia to the Coptic race, has
returned to Alexandria to continue them. He is accompanied by Dr.
Hociner, a noted botanist. These gentlemen are awaiting the arrival
of two other students attached to the expedition, after which they
will set out in a caravan for Upper Egypt.
—A French expedition composed of mining engineers and chemists, has
started from Marseilles, on the side of the Oxus, to explore the
region north of the Zambeze.
—The missionary Hore, of Ujiji, traveled in 62 days the distance
from Tanganyika to Zanzibar. He is reported to have observed
earthquakes in the months of September and October, 1879 and 1880.
The last made various crevasses a metre long.
—A new military and maritime expedition is preparing, with a view
to the occupation of the Upper Niger. It will probably set out
towards the month of October.
—A new company, the Akankoo Gold Coast Company, Limited, has been
added to the preceding societies for the exploration of the mines
of the Gold Coast. The mine which they have acquired is situated
upon the borders of the River Ancobra.
* * * * *
The Indians.
—Fifteen Indian youth from Capt. Pratt’s school, Carlisle, Pa.,
were recently received into the Second Presbyterian church at that
place.
—Rev. Mr. Hayworth being detained by swollen streams while
journeying in the Indian Territory among the Kaws, interpreted the
circumstance as a providential indication that he should labor
for the conversion of the tribe. He at once instituted religious
services. A revival followed, which resulted in the organization of
a Presbyterian church of 15 members.
—At the McAllister Mines (Indian Territory), a house for church
and school purposes is being fitted up for the use of the Indians.
A Sunday-school of 40 scholars will be organized at once. The
American Home Missionary Society are about to build a church
edifice in the immediate vicinity, the money being nearly all
secured.
—Revs. Geo. W. Wood and A. L. Riggs, missionaries among the
Dakotas, have, during the past year, put through the press a
new edition of Dakota hymns. Mrs. Wood has also prepared a new
Dakota dictionary, which is soon to be published. There are now
190 communicants in three churches, under the supervision of the
Presbyterians among these Indians, seven new members being admitted
the past year.
* * * * *
The Chinese.
—The Chinese University at Pekin, under the presidency of Dr. W. A.
P. Martin, numbers 100 students.
—A Chinese mandarin, on reading a translation of Matthew’s
Gospel, says: “Its style is perfect. It is quite as good as that
of Confucius himself. And as to these New Testament ideas, there
is nothing so beautiful in all Chinese literature. The humanity
of the Sermon on the Mount I am perfectly fascinated with. Our
sages became gods after they had written our reverend classics;
but divinity must have come before the writing of these matchless
thoughts, these exquisite sentiments!”
—During 1879 there were imported into China from India, under
monopoly of the British Government, 11,073,333 pounds of opium, of
the market value of $50,700,000. Allowing for the amount consumed
in Hong Kong, or re-exported thence to the Chinese in California,
Australia and elsewhere, the total importation was not less than
13,995,000 pounds. No other article of importation or exportation
equaled this in magnitude or value. The value of imported cotton
goods was only $31,400,000; of woolen goods, $7,000,000; metals,
$5,700,000; and all other articles together less than $20,000,000.
Even the tea exports amounted to less, not exceeding $46,000,000.
Silk exports were valued at $40,000,000, and all other articles
combined at $11,200,000.—_Foreign Missionary._
—The following words from Kobe and Okayama, Japan, are very
cheering. They have all the added force that always accompanies
letters bearing liberal gifts:
"May God abundantly bless your work, whether among the Freedmen
or among their kin in their native Africa, as well as among the
Indians and the Chinese. Your Society has a grand field before
it, and I hope it will be able ere long to lay a mighty hand for
healing upon Africa and another upon China.
"Ever truly in fellowship,
R. HENRY DAVIS,
“Miss. Am. Board.”
"I want to give the grand work of your Society a little push
this year, so send you a draft. May your work be prospered in
increasing fold as the years go by. The work is one the world
over, and the same God is in it all.
“Yours heartily,
JAMES N. PETTEE.”
* * * * *
THE FREEDMEN.
REV. JOS. E. ROY, D.D.,
FIELD SUPERINTENDENT, ATLANTA, GA.
* * * * *
ALABAMA.
Conference at Mobile.
We received too late for publication in our May issue, a full and
well written report of the Sunday-school Convention and Conference
of Congregational Churches held at Mobile, Ala., the last of March.
The opening sermon was preached by Rev. A. W. Curtis, of Marion,
Friday evening, March 25th. Saturday was devoted mainly to reports
from the Sabbath-schools, which brought out a valuable discussion
on the question of the establishment of mission schools and the
benefits of the visitations necessitated thereby. An address on
“The teachers’ meeting” by Rev. O. W. Fay, was mentioned as a paper
of choice thought. A general discussion followed the reading of the
paper.
The sessions of the conference were opened Saturday evening by a
sermon from Prof. G. W. Andrews, of Talladega, who chose for his
theme, “The Harmony between the Divinity and Humanity of Christ.”
On Sunday, ministerial fellowship and courtesy were shown by
a number of the pastors of the city, both white and colored,
by sending in requests that their pulpits might be supplied by
representatives from the Conference. Monday was occupied chiefly
by papers and discussions, which appear to have been of unusual
interest. Monday evening Dr. Roy gave a full and most instructive
account of the origin and progress of the A. M. A., and was
followed by Pres. DeForest, of Talladega, and several others, who
urged the need of education for the 600,000 who, in Alabama, are
sitting well nigh in midnight darkness. The Conference is reported
to have given great satisfaction to those in attendance, and to
have elicited much sympathy among the white pastors and several of
their families, who opened their doors for the entertainment of
some of the delegates.—ED.
* * * * *
Woman’s Missionary Meeting at Mobile.
MISS EMMA E. CAUGHEY.
Mrs. O. D. Crawford, as acting President, opened the meeting,
and in a very happy manner addressed a few words of welcome to
representatives of sister societies with us and also to the ladies
of the city, who by their presence showed their sympathy with
our work; and expressed the hope that the meeting would inspire
all with new zeal, and refresh us with a new baptism of the Holy
Spirit. Mrs. Cheeny then sang a solo, “What shall the harvest be?”
which very appropriately appealed to the gleaners in the field and
opened the way for bringing in the sheaves of the year’s work.
Reports from local societies at Selma, Montgomery, Talladega and
Mobile were given. Selma sent in a very interesting report. Many
good results seem to be growing out of their missionary meetings.
In the woman’s meeting $80.45 has been raised during the past year,
and among the “Mission Workers,” who are under the care of Miss
Lunt, $27.85. The Montgomery society reported a discouraging state
of affairs at the beginning of the last, its third year, having but
twenty-five names on the roll, some of these permanently out of the
city, more who did not again connect themselves with the society,
and of the small remnant left death had claimed four; while the
resignation of both President and Secretary took off two wheels of
the chariot at once; but the “royal remnant” rallied to the front
and succeeded in creating a good degree of interest, by various
ingenious plans, until now the roll of membership numbers forty,
and the outlook for the coming year is hopeful. The expressed aim
of the societies is to promote intelligence, industry and piety
among the women and girls, believing that the missionary spirit
will as naturally follow as that flowers in good soil will bloom in
the warm sunlight and soft showers.
The report from Talladega was encouraging. In connection with this
society are three committees, one for visiting the sick, one on
visiting in general, and the third, called the “Highway and Hedge
Committee,” consisting of young men, who report any destitution
which they may find. The society acts upon these reports and grants
any aid which is within its power. A mothers’ meeting is held,
and also a girls’ mission band, before whom mission work is held
up in such a way that the hope is expressed that some may be led
to consecrate themselves to the work of carrying the Gospel to
Africa. From Mobile the report from the mothers’ meeting showed an
enrolment of thirty-two, nine of whom have been added this year,
while the average attendance has been eight; the great disparity
between the enrolment and the average attendance being mainly
due to the great disadvantages under which the mothers labor,
many of them widows obliged to toil hard for the support of their
families. It is only owing to a faithful and earnest desire that
some are enabled to gather at the weekly meeting for prayer. By
much self-denial this year the mothers have contributed $3.50 for
the Mendi Mission. The Emersonian Mission Band, formed from the
girls of Emerson Institute, was reported in a state of progress;
thirty-nine members enrolled. The girls have been working every
Saturday afternoon since November 13, preparing salable articles
for a fair, the proceeds to be devoted to mission work, both at
home and in foreign fields. The character of the meetings is
social, industrial and religious combined, hoping to elevate the
standard of virtue and piety among our girls and give them correct
ideas of pure womanhood. Rev. Dr. Roy addressed the association,
expressing in very hearty and encouraging words his views of
woman’s position and importance in the world at large, but more
especially in this particular branch of God’s work, “Woman’s Work
for Woman,” in the missionary field. We were next favored by a solo
from Mrs. DeForest, of Talladega, “Not a sparrow falleth,” which
was very beautifully rendered. Miss Strode, a former student from
Emerson Institute, being called upon, arose and gave some of her
personal experiences. Miss Stevenson, the visiting missionary at
Mobile, in a few words, gave expression to the gratitude she felt
toward the kind people of the North, who, during the past winter,
had sent her fifteen barrels of clothing and over $100 in money to
assist, in relieving destitution and want among the people for whom
she is laboring, thus making her the dispenser of their generosity.
Miss Lunt, visiting missionary at Selma, read a paper on “The True
Success of Missionary Work—What is it?” in which she compared the
condition of heathen nations in past ages with their condition
since the missionaries had planted the banner of the cross on
their coast; how woman had been elevated from her menial life of
servitude and oppression to be a help-meet capable of the highest
mental improvement, fitting her for the noblest enjoyments of
life, spiritually, mentally and socially. Mrs. Cheeny read a paper
prepared by Mrs. A. W. Curtis, of Marion, on “How to Reach Mothers
in their Homes.” Since Mrs. Curtis is an invalid and a great
sufferer, being unable to visit among the homes, it seemed at first
an unfortunate topic for her consideration; but when we listened
to her paper and saw how she had been directed of the Lord to reach
the mothers and help them by bringing them to her own home, and
there giving them the perfect illustration of what a true Christian
home may be, and of counseling and instructing them, we were led to
say, “Man’s extremity is God’s opportunity. Man deviseth his ways,
but God directeth his steps.” This paper was an inspiration, must
have been, to every mother present. To this contact with the mother
at her own home, Mrs. Curtis points as the first seed dropped which
led to the revival at Marion, where such a harvest was reaped for
the Lord. Mrs. Deforest, of Talladega, read a paper on “How shall
we Increase the Interest in our Work?”
These brief mentions are only crumbs which fell from our
bountifully loaded table, the fragments, hastily and poorly
gathered together, but we hope that you may gain some faint idea
of the good which came to us by our mutual exchange of thought and
sympathy, and the encouragement we received to persevere in our
good work.
* * * * *
THE SOUTH-WESTERN CONGREGATIONAL ASSOCIATION.
Annual Meeting at Terrebonne, April 6–8.
REV. W. S. ALEXANDER, D.D., NEW ORLEANS.
The Association met with a most cordial welcome by Brother Clay and
his church at Terrebonne, the place of our last annual meeting. The
good pastor has been sadly afflicted during the year by the loss
of his devoted wife and daughter, but he has met his troubles with
the faith and fortitude of a true Christian. Terrebonne—worthy of
its name, “good-land”—is situated in one of the most beautiful and
productive sections of Louisiana. The chief staple is sugar, and it
requires only capital and enterprise to cause the entire country to
bloom like a garden of roses.
To those who believe that it is a prime necessity to the Freedman
to own his homestead and to become a part of the “_realty_” of this
Southern country, it is especially gratifying to see the modest
homes and fruitful gardens and cultivated acres of our newly made
citizens, and to hear them say: “This is mine; no man holds a
mortgage on my home.”
Our annual meeting was regarded as in some respects the best we
have ever held. The brethren feel that they are climbing a little
higher each year. Every church but the smallest mission church was
represented, and several delegates came 100 miles to the meeting.
The reports from the churches were hopeful. There have been seasons
of refreshing and ingathering, as at New Orleans and New Iberia. In
all I think there was a desire and purpose manifest to bring the
churches to a higher standing of intelligence and holy living.
There is something of the old conference element in our meetings
which is healthful; to examine critically the ministers and their
churches, and to have their “_characters passed_.” So men are here
judged by actual results, and vital defects in administration are
criticised with kindly severity, and impartially condemned.
The annual sermon was preached by Rev. Charles E. Smith, of
Abberville. It was earnest, evangelical, and marked by a good deal
of ability. Dr. Roy, who is always heartily welcomed, addressed the
association with great acceptance. The “amen corner” made itself
heard while he spoke. One good brother would occasionally break the
silence by saying, “Look at him. He has a good hold now, sure.”
The session of Thursday morning was devoted to the subject of
employing missionaries at large. A decision was reached at a
subsequent session that a missionary committee be appointed,
representing the northern, central, and southern portion of the
association limits—New Orleans, Terrebonne and New Iberia—to
exercise wise missionary over-sight over the parishes adjoining
their own, to report opportunities of planting new churches,
and to make temporary provision for them. Two new churches were
received—St. Rock, in the town of Howma, and Little Zion, near
Thibodauxville. These churches were regularly organized, with the
assistance of Congregational councils.