VOL. XXXII. No. 3.
THE
AMERICAN MISSIONARY.
* * * * *
“To the Poor the Gospel is Preached.”
* * * * *
MARCH, 1878.
_CONTENTS_:
EDITORIAL.
PARAGRAPHS 65
PAYING THE DEBT 66
NEGROLOGY 67
BILLS IN CONGRESS 68
EDUCATION AMONG THE FREEDMEN 69
WHAT CAN THE WOMEN DO?—SCHOOL ITEMS 70
NEWS FROM THE CHURCHES—TEACHERS’ ASSOCIATION—NEGRO NOTES 71
CHINESE NOTES 72
POETRY. “No Room in the Inn” 74
THE FREEDMEN.
GEORGIA: Atlanta University 75
GEORGIA MACON: Devotion to Study—Conversions to Christ 78
ALABAMA: Breaking Ground for New Emerson Institute
Building. Prof. T. N. Chase 78
TENNESSEE: A Debt Extinguisher—The Happiest Girl in the
Land. Rev. T. Cutler 79
THE INDIANS.
THE INDIAN COMMISSIONERS 80
THE CHINESE.
ADDRESS BY FUNG AFFOO 81
AFRICA.
THE MENDI MISSION 83
COMMUNICATIONS.
EDUCATION OF THE COLORED PEOPLE. Rev. J. E. Rankin, D. D. 84
FROM A LIFE MEMBER.—SLAVE AND FREE LABOR COTTON. From the
N. Y. _Herald_ 85
THE CHILDREN’S PAGE 86
RECEIPTS 87
WORK, STATISTICS, WANTS, &c. 92
* * * * *
NEW YORK:
Published by the American Missionary Association,
ROOMS, 56 READE STREET.
* * * * *
Price, 50 Cents a Year, in advance.
* * * * *
A. Anderson, Printer, 28 Frankfort St.
_American Missionary Association_,
56 Reade Street, N. Y.
* * * * *
PRESIDENT.
HON. E. S. TOBEY, Boston.
VICE PRESIDENTS.
Hon. F. D. PARISH, Ohio.
Rev. JONATHAN BLANCHARD, Ill.
Hon. E. D. HOLTON, Wis.
Hon. WILLIAM CLAFLIN, Mass.
Rev. STEPHEN THURSTON, D. D., Me.
Rev. SAMUEL HARRIS, D. D., Ct.
Rev. SILAS MCKEEN, D. D., Vt.
WM. C. CHAPIN, Esq., R. I.
Rev. W. T. EUSTIS, Mass.
Hon. A. C. BARSTOW, R. I.
Rev. THATCHER THAYER, D. D., R. I.
Rev. RAY PALMER, D. D., N. Y.
Rev. J. M. STURTEVANT, D. D., Ill.
Rev. W. W. PATTON, D. D., D. C.
Hon. SEYMOUR STRAIGHT, La.
Rev. D. M. GRAHAM, D. D., Mich.
HORACE HALLOCK, Esq., Mich.
Rev. CYRUS W. WALLACE, D. D., N. H.
Rev. EDWARD HAWES, Ct.
DOUGLAS PUTNAM, Esq., Ohio.
Hon. THADDEUS FAIRBANKS, Vt.
SAMUEL D. PORTER, Esq., N. Y.
Rev. M. M. G. DANA, D. D., Ct.
Rev. H. W. BEECHER, N. Y.
Gen. O. O. HOWARD, Oregon.
Rev. EDWARD L. CLARK, N. Y.
Rev. G. F. MAGOUN, D. D., Iowa.
Col. C. G. HAMMOND, Ill.
EDWARD SPAULDING, M. D., N. H.
DAVID RIPLEY, Esq., N. J.
Rev. WM. M. BARBOUR, D. D., Ct.
Rev. W. L. GAGE, Ct.
A. S. HATCH, Esq., N. Y.
Rev. J. H. FAIRCHILD, D. D., Ohio.
Rev. H. A. STIMSON, Minn.
Rev. J. W. STRONG, D. D., Minn.
Rev. GEORGE THATCHER, LL. D., Iowa.
Rev. A. L. STONE, D. D., California.
Rev. G. H. ATKINSON, D. D., Oregon.
Rev. J. E. RANKIN, D. D., D. C.
Rev. A. L. CHAPIN, D. D., Wis.
S. D. SMITH, Esq., Mass.
Rev. H. M. PARSONS, N. Y.
PETER SMITH, Esq., Mass.
Dea. JOHN WHITING, Mass.
Rev. WM. PATTON, D. D., Ct.
Hon. J. B. GRINNELL, Iowa.
Rev. WM. T. CARR, Ct.
Rev. HORACE WINSLOW, Ct.
Sir PETER COATS, Scotland.
Rev. HENRY ALLON, D. D., London, Eng.
WM. E. WHITING, Esq., N. Y.
J. M. PINKERTON, Esq., Mass.
CORRESPONDING SECRETARY.
REV. M. E. STRIEBY, _56 Reade Street, N. Y._
DISTRICT SECRETARIES.
REV. C. L. WOODWORTH, _Boston_.
REV. G. D. PIKE, _New York_.
REV. JAS. POWELL, _Chicago, Ill._
EDGAR KETCHUM, ESQ., _Treasurer, N. Y._
H. W. HUBBARD, ESQ., _Assistant Treasurer, N. Y._
REV. M. E. STRIEBY, _Recording Secretary_.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.
ALONZO S. BALL,
A. S. BARNES,
EDWARD BEECHER,
GEO. M. BOYNTON,
WM. B. BROWN,
CLINTON B. FISK,
A. P. FOSTER,
AUGUSTUS E. GRAVES,
S. B. HALLIDAY,
SAM’L HOLMES,
S. S. JOCELYN,
ANDREW LESTER,
CHAS. L. MEAD,
JOHN H. WASHBURN,
G. B. WILLCOX.
COMMUNICATIONS
relating to the business of the Association may be addressed to
either of the Secretaries as above.
DONATIONS AND SUBSCRIPTIONS
may be sent to H. W. Hubbard, 56 Reade Street, New York, or, when
more convenient, to either of the branch offices, 21 Congregational
House, Boston, Mass., 112 West Washington Street, Chicago, Ill.
Drafts or checks sent to Mr. Hubbard should be made payable to his
order as _Assistant Treasurer_.
A payment of thirty dollars at one time constitutes a Life Member.
Correspondents are specially requested to place at the head of each
letter the name of their Post Office, and the County and State in
which it is located.
* * * * *
THE
AMERICAN MISSIONARY.
* * * * *
VOL. XXXII. MARCH, 1878. No. 3.
* * * * *
_American Missionary Association._
* * * * *
By the brief extracts, given on another page, from recent letters
of our African missionaries, it appears that they were at last
accounts in good health and heart, and hard at work re-organizing
the church and schools, repairing buildings, and laying foundations
for future work. The death of Rev. Barnabas Root had left the
mission without a minister, so that its higher work had been
greatly interrupted. To keep the numbers good, and the working
force equal to the necessities of the case, it has seemed both
to those recently sent out, and to the Executive Committee, that
there should be a speedy addition to the Missionary band. It has
been the experience of other organizations as well as our own,
that missionary work suffers by nothing more than by having too
few workers in a place. We hope, therefore, before this number of
our Magazine reaches its readers, that two more good men, with
their wives, will be on their way to join the Mendi Mission. Albert
Miller and Andrew Jackson have offered themselves, in response
to a general call read at the Fisk University by Prof. Spence.
The former is a preacher who has nearly completed the collegiate
course, the latter a teacher just finishing the normal course, and
each will be accompanied by a good wife, able to sing and teach:
(one of them was formerly with the Jubilee Singers.)
Thus strengthened by the addition of these four “fellow-helpers
in the gospel,” we look for good tidings from month to month from
Africa, and have less fear that the force already on the field will
over-work themselves in that warm and trying climate.
* * * * *
General Charles H. Howard, of the _Advance_, owing to a recent
attack of pneumonia, will, under the advice of his physician, spend
the remainder of the winter, and the spring months, at the South.
It was natural for General Howard, from his former connection with
the American Missionary Association as its Western Secretary, to
take a special interest in its work at the South. He has planned,
with our hearty cooperation, to visit a number of the institutions
and churches under our charge, and to inform himself and the
readers of the _Advance_ as to the condition and progress of our
work among the freedmen. The Association heartily welcomes all
such friendly observation and criticism. General Howard is now
at Savannah, Ga., and, after a trip to Florida, will return to
visit our institutions farther West in the spring. He will publish
letters on the condition of Southern society, and the colored
population especially, with whose uplifting he feels the warmest
sympathy.
PAYING THE DEBT.
We are rejoiced to be able to report cheering progress in the
payment of our debt. Our last statement, in the December number of
the MISSIONARY, announced the payment of $30,416, thus bringing
the debt down from $93,232.99 in 1876, to $62,816.90, as reported
at the Annual Meeting in 1877. It also gave a list of pledges of
$5,000, reducing the balance to $57,816.90. Pledges and payments
have been made since that date, which reduce the amount to a little
below $50,000.
The spirit manifested by our friends in this movement, may be
gathered from extracts from the letters we have received. A liberal
friend in New England writes: “I have thought for a long time of
your Society, and of its just call upon me for aid, additional to
what I do when I send you our church collection. * * I will soon
send you my check for $1,000” [it has been received] “for your
debt, and I will add another thousand during 1878, conditioned upon
the total wiping out of the debt in 1878.”
A friend in Hartford, Ct. says: “I have from time to time received
reports of the doings and wants of your Association with much
interest. You may count me in as one of twenty-five, for a thousand
dollars for liquidating your debt, and I hope the full number may
soon appear.”
Another Connecticut friend writes: “After getting through with the
very busy month, and inspecting the balance sheets, I conclude to
anticipate a little on the strength of my hopes, and promise you
five hundred dollars toward the debt. I wish I could see my way
clear to do more.”
A gentleman in Springfield, Mass., whose “Unabridged” contributions
we have often had occasion to acknowledge, sends us his check for
$500. “A worshipper at Indian Orchard,” remits $500.
One of our liberal and constant patrons at the West, tells his
experience thus: “I could not see where the funds were to come
from to aid you, but yesterday, to my great joy, the inclosed
three hundred dollars dropped into my hands, and as a faithful and
favored steward, I take great pleasure in handing it over to you,
to aid in extinguishing the debt of the Association.”
Many expressions of regret come to us from those whose hearts are
with us in this effort, but whose means will not permit them just
now to help. We wish to express our earnest hope that an effort,
so well begun, will not be suffered to fail. It will be seen that
some of the pledges are made on condition that the whole sum be
raised in a specified time—an additional reason for promptness
on the part of those who desire to aid in the movement. We have
avoided thus far, the expense of collecting agents, and we trust
that the friends of the Association will continue to forward their
contributions, and thus save us from any such outlay. It will be a
triumph of economy, as well as of liberality.
* * * * *
Rev. Peter J. Gulick, a veteran missionary of the A. B. C. F.
M., died at Kobe, Japan, Dec. 8th, 1877. We record his death
with affectionate regret, remembering his annual contributions
sent to us for many years, accompanied with expressions of his
deep interest, in the uplifting to Christian citizenship of the
destitute and despised people of his native land.
* * * * *
_The Council Fire_ is the title of a new Monthly Journal, of 16
pages, devoted to the history, character, social life, religious
traditions, government, current legends, etc., of the American
Indian, including also discussions of our relations to him as a
people and a Government. The fact that it is under the editorial
management of Col. A. B. Meacham, formerly Indian Superintendent
and Peace Commissioner, is a guarantee of its character and value.
It gives the current history of Indian affairs in all parts of the
country.
NEGROLOGY.[A]
The political calm in the Southern States has apparently given
leisure for a somewhat wide discussion of the negro: what he is
in himself, and what he may be in the State. It is largely a
discussion by Southern men, and from a more or less distinctively
Southern standpoint.
_Mr. Stetson_ gives a series of answers to questions, representing
the negro as he is, morally, socially and politically: the sum of
it all being, what might be anticipated for a race of tropical
origin, held for generations in slavery, and suddenly endowed
with political equality. Sensual and emotional by nature, lazy
and thievish by training, clannish and easily misled as a voter,
his salvation will depend on his receiving education, but not by
a forcing process, and on his coming gradually to the independent
exercise of his civil rights.
_The South Carolinian_ gives an apparently frank representation of
the situation as it appears to the native people of that State.
The present shows more honesty and less crime, a renewed interest
of the whites, and the banishment of the blacks from politics. No
party will be tolerated “which aggressively, and in real earnest,
advocates negro rights.” He says: “The whites regard the negro as
an inferior animal, admirably adapted to work and to wait, and look
on him, ‘in his proper place,’ with a curious mixture of amusement,
contempt and affection. It is when he aspires to participate in
politics, or otherwise claim privileges, that their hatred becomes
intense.” In regard to Education, he writes: “There is great
prejudice in this State against free schools for any color; nor
have the airs put on by colored-school children contributed to
remove it. Policy, however, and past promises will probably impel
the maintenance of a free-school system for some time, at least,
but on a less extensive scale. It is proper to add that some
cultured Southerners are in favor of educating and elevating the
negro, as the best way to solve our race difficulties. But it is
doubtful if their views will prevail against inherited prejudice.”
But _The Louisianian_ takes stronger ground. The Southern question
germinated when a slave was first introduced into the American
colonies. The institution of slavery made all the difference;
giving rise in the South to a “domineering and proscriptive
aristocracy,” with regard to all of the African race, and putting
all whites—poor or rich, ignorant or educated—on a footing of
equality. “There was a nobility in the white skin, more sacred
and more respected than the one derived from the letters patent
of kings;” more even, apparently, than that based on intelligence
or virtue. Slavery made of the Southern planters, “high barons
in reality, although not in name.” In the North and West, on
the contrary, there was a democracy politically, but a social
aristocracy, not recognizing the equality of the white skin. The
writer says: “The aristocrats of the South were the real ones;
those of the North were spurious. The Southern question used to be,
that of the maintenance of this supremacy over the whole land by
these real aristocrats.”
Now “mediocrity is enthroned,” and the Southern question is the
free negro question; a reversal has been made—the body politic
has had its feet up and its head down. The author seems to see
nothing but the race question: the law of animal life, where the
strong destroy the weak, is the highest law he can think of for
its solution; where a weak race comes in contact with a stronger,
it must merge into it, or “subserve its interests and prejudices,”
or be wiped out of existence, and Providence so orders it. “There
will never be peace and prosperity in the Southern States, as long
as Caucasian supremacy shall be opposed there;” but, “we intend to
control the negro vote by superior intelligence, by persuasion, and
not by violence.”
Equal opportunity for education should, he thinks, be given to
the blacks; but they should be discouraged from all “aspirations
and efforts which will end in disappointment,” [and this is the
sentiment, also, of so earnest a worker as Col. Preston of Va.];
“and hasten a more active and deadly struggle.”
It will be a surprise, we doubt not, and a disappointment to many
of our Northern friends, to find that such views, especially
those of the admirably-written article in the _North American
Review_, still constitute the substratum of thought among the
cultivated classes of the Southern States. For what such men as
this accomplished writer think in their bed-chambers, finds very
different and much grosser expression among men of coarser fibre
and ruder touch. We do remember that the last two writers quoted,
are from the two longest and most sorely troubled States, where
sentiment is probably more extreme than elsewhere in the South; and
we hope, indeed, to some extent we know, that there are many of the
natives of these States, who are not represented by these views,
but who have freed themselves from the dominion of the old ideas of
race-rule and caste prejudice. But we are glad to see these free
discussions, and from these varying standpoints.
We are pleased to see that education is still not absolutely
denied in them, though the motives for its acquirement are largely
taken away. But we suggest to our co-workers in this field that,
even though the various States in which these freedmen live, are,
and have been, extending the advantages of their public schools
to children of the blacks, yet, with such sentiments deep-seated
in the minds of the educated, and so the influential class, this
provision is uncertain, and may be at any time diminished or
withdrawn. The substantial foundation for the permanent and patient
work of the education of the negro, must be in the minds and hearts
of those who believe in his manhood and in his education, for some
sufficient use.
In regard to the general question, we believe it a law of God that,
as intellectual attainment and moral character are in themselves
of far more consequence than complexion or race, those who are
equal in these higher spheres easily overlook the differences in
things below. If we understand it at all, the Christian idea is
not that the strong should destroy the weak, but “laboring, should
support” them. The noblest sight on earth is when a superior race,
or family, or individual—we care not which—reaches down to an
inferior race, or family, or individual, to lift them up toilfully
and patiently to its own higher level. The aristocracy of Christ’s
kingdom is an aristocracy of service. And, in its accomplished
peace, the lion does not eat the lamb, but they lie down together.
It may be worth our while to practice a little here.
FOOTNOTE:
[A] “The Southern Negro as He Is”: a Pamphlet, by George R.
Stetson, Boston, Mass. “The Result in South Carolina”: _Atlantic
Monthly_, by a South Carolinian. “The Southern Question”: _North
American Review_, by Charles Gayarré, of Louisiana.
* * * * *
—A variety of bills have been introduced into Congress affecting
the interests of the red man. One to organize a territorial
government, to secure land to individuals, to missions and to
Church societies, the residue of land to be forfeited to the United
States. Another granting right of way to two railroads, and still
another for “a military and post-road bisecting the territory from
North to South”; taking for it a strip five miles wide, some 300
to 1,000 square miles. Our large army could certainly travel it
without elbowing one another. Another still is arranged, to make
Indians having an organized government citizens by wholesale.
Unfortunately, most, if not all, these bills indicate by their
origin, as well as by their contents, that they are in the interest
of those ambitious to get possession of the lands set apart by
treaty to the Indians, and that they involve an utter disregard of
the plighted faith and the sworn promises of the nation.
EDUCATION AMONG THE FREEDMEN.
Under this title appears a valuable article in the _Methodist
Quarterly Review_, for January, by S. G. Arnold, Esq., of
Washington, D. C. As an early testimony to the capacity of the
African race, he cites a letter written by Thomas Jefferson in
1791, to Benjamin Banneker, a free negro of Maryland, who had
shown remarkable inventive and constructive genius, and acquired a
thorough astronomical knowledge. Mr. Jefferson says:
“Nobody wishes more than I do to see such proofs as you exhibit,
that nature has given to our black brethren talents equal to
those of the other colors of men, and that the appearance of the
want of them, is owing only to the degraded condition of their
existence, both in Africa and America. * * * * I have taken the
liberty to send your Almanac to M. de Condorset, Secretary of the
Academy of Sciences at Paris, and member of the Philanthropic
Society, because I consider it a document to which your whole
color has a right, for their justification against the doubts
which have been entertained of them.”
The writer then gives a graphic picture of the active efforts
of the Christian world, to educate and enlighten this needy and
neglected class, as soon as the Emancipation Act had given access
to them. From 1863 to 1866, the work in the Freedmen’s camps around
Washington was, perhaps, the most conspicuous of all; so that in
this latter year, 42 regular day-schools, with 71 teachers, were
caring for 3,930 pupils. These were sustained from New England
and the Middle States, and by Baptist, Methodist, Presbyterian,
Friends, Congregational, and various undenominational agencies.
Then came the era of the Freedmen’s Bureau, which expended some
thirteen millions of dollars, and the free-school law for the
District of Columbia. The history of the Normal school, established
with much self-denying effort, and against great obstacles, by
Miss Mytilla Miner, is given quite at length, and a full and
appreciative sketch of the beginning and development of the work
of the A. M. A. The story of Fisk University and the work of the
Jubilee Singers is told at length. We quote from the closing
paragraphs of Mr. Arnold, this impressive comparison:
“At the Declaration of Independence, in 1776, the whole
population of the United States was not very different in point
of numbers, from that of the colored population now residing in
the Southern States. The country had then been settled for more
than 200 years, and there were large interests of production and
commerce and government, which would seem to demand very liberal
provisions for higher institutions of learning. But it may be
doubted whether the advantages for education were not inferior
to those now possessed by the colored population of the South,
after a probation in freedom of scarcely more than a dozen years.
The only colleges which appeared to have been in existence at
that time are in existence still, and can be told by the number
of your fingers. We have seen that there are now in the South,
for the benefit of the negro, between 30 and 40 institutions
for higher education, with an annual catalogue of nearly 5,000
students; and although they do not, as yet, graduate annually
through all the higher departments of learning as many scholars
as were graduated from the 10 colleges that were in operation
prior to the Revolutionary War, because the training is not for
scholarship, but for special work, it seems probable that the
educational power is greater and exerts a wider influence.
“But whether this is so or not, the result of these brief years
of Christian work must be regarded as a phenomenon in the history
of the world. It is often said of the movements of our time that
they are only history repeating itself; but if there is anything
in history like this generous outpouring of effort and means to
redeem a great mass of human merchandise, and lift it up out of
its squalor and wretchedness to the level of our common Christian
manhood, we exhort the friends of history to produce it.”
We gladly avail ourselves of this opportunity, to recognize the
generous appreciation of our work which we have always received
from our Methodist friends—indeed, some of them are “ourselves”—not
the least valuable indication of which is the cordial and kindly
tone of the article from which we have quoted above from their
leading Review.
WHAT CAN THE WOMEN DO?
We are gratified with the evidence which is coming to us from
various quarters, of an increasing interest in our Southern work
on the part of our Christian women. A letter from Rhode Island
inquires the cost of supporting a female missionary to work among
the colored women of the South in their homes, after the plan
mentioned in the January MISSIONARY. Another letter from Vermont
asks, more generally, What can the women do? How can they best help
the work by money and by goods? A word comes even from a missionary
in Constantinople, endorsing Caucasian women’s work for Negro women
in America.
In reply to such questions, we are happy to give all the light
we can. A lady missionary, to devote herself to the work named
above, can be sustained for from $350 to $450 a year, according to
location; or, a lady teacher in one of our established schools,
for $250. A student’s scholarship is from $70 to $80. We are,
of course, glad to accept money for such special purposes, and
to use it as we are instructed by the donors. One of the most
pressing needs just now, in which we are sure of sympathy from the
house-keeperly instincts of our good sisters, is that of bedding
and table-linen for our Educational institutions. We hear from the
matron of Tougaloo University, that the press of students is so
great that she has used her last quilt, and may have to take up
carpets to cover the students by night. Others are nearly as badly
off. Perhaps the women of the North can do no better thing than to
supply this want for the remainder of this winter, and more fully
for another year.
We have no fear that we shall for a long time lack specialties of
wants and pressing needs, which will appeal to all who have an ear
to hear, and a heart to sympathize. Meanwhile, the great work goes
on in all its length and breadth, in which the Christian women of
the land may well join forces with the Christian men, as they have
always done, and do their part to save and elevate a needy race.
* * * * *
ITEMS FROM THE SCHOOLS.
TALLADEGA, ALA.—“There are five Sunday-school prayer-meetings every
Sabbath afternoon, in which much feeling is manifested. In these
meetings four have expressed the hope of a new life. Others are
much interested.”
TOUGALOO, MISS.—“There is considerable religious interest. Several
are inquiring, and a few profess conversion. We are running over
with students. We have put up a bed in the north recitation-room of
the primary building, and shall probably have to arrange another
bed in the same room before this week closes. We know of others
that are coming next week, and so on, and what are we going to do
with them? We have concluded to purchase lumber at once and put up
_barracks_ for twenty students, for the prospect is that we shall
have that many more young men. We can accommodate six or eight
young women in the Peoria room. The erection of barracks will
involve an outlay of some three hundred dollars; but the lumber
will all come in play when we build the new chapel, which we shall
be obliged to have before the sessions of the next year begin. If
the school continues to prosper we shall probably commence another
year with a hundred boarders.”
NASHVILLE, TENN.—“We have a good school this year; about 270 in
all. We hold a half-hour extra meeting in the boarding department.
Some inquirers. About twenty conversions last term.”
ATLANTA, GA.—“School is full. We have more pupils than for several
years before. There is some religious interest, though not so much
as we wish. Our purpose and hope is to make you a big contribution
toward the debt, by not asking you for any aid this year.”
NEWS FROM THE CHURCHES.
MARION, ALA.—“We had an interesting day, yesterday, in our church.
It was Communion. Four girls from twelve to sixteen years old,
and one young man of twenty years, were received on profession.
A Female Prayer-meeting has been commenced at the ‘Home,’ and
promises well. The Teacher’s Meeting is also held in our parlor
every Friday night. Our evening meetings are well attended. We
enjoy singing the ‘Gospel Hymns.’ The people almost all sing, and
are not afraid to hear their own voices. Last evening seven or
eight of the brethren took part, and one woman felt constrained to
say a few words. Perfect harmony and good-feeling seem to prevail
in the church, and the prospects for the coming year are quite
encouraging.”
MACON, GA.—“Our church is greatly blessed in connection with the
Week of Prayer. Daily meetings have been held for three weeks, and
the interest continues good. Several conversions have cheered our
hearts.”
* * * * *
We have been favored with a copy of the “_Minutes of the
South-western Georgia Teachers’ Association (colored), held at
Howard Normal School, December 1, 1877._”
The graduates and students of Atlanta University seem to be the
leading spirits in this Association. The exercises were very much
like those of similar associations or conventions, though without
the set speeches of old wheel-horses, which are of doubtful
advantage.
That parliamentary gymnastics were not entirely ignored is evident
from the following quotation: “It was moved that the roll be
called, for the purpose of members paying their dues. Thereupon
quite a discussion arose, when the previous question was called
for; the previous question was seconded, but the main question was
lost.”
The report says of the address of the President: “He very
graphically described the field in which we are to do the work that
is to be done, and how it is to be done. He said that he felt sure
that ‘the Great Disburser of Human Events’ held something good
in store for the Negro. Teachers, you are the salt of the race;
lose not your savor, but keep pushing on in this grand cause of
education, and the heights may yet be reached in our day.”
The Committee on the Educational Condition of South-western Georgia
gives the reins to its tropical imagination for a moment, when it
says: “We are exceedingly sorry to find our people in some places
_sleeping on Poverty’s bedstead, covered with the blanket of
Ignorance_.”
Their statement that, in the eight counties reported, the
public-school fund pays only from thirty-three and one-third to
eighty cents a month per pupil, and that for three months only,
would seem to indicate that the public-school system of Georgia
is not very expensive or uniform in its operation. But it is
to be hoped that this little plant, so cautiously set by the
poverty-stricken farmer, may have a steady growth into a large and
symmetrical tree.
We are glad to note the enterprise of our colored friends in
sustaining and directing for themselves this Howard Normal School,
and in holding these educational meetings, and we recognize in it
one of the cheering results of our work.
* * * * *
NEGRO NOTES.
HOME.
—A colored gentleman of high standing and great influence—a
life-long resident of Philadelphia—was invited by Mrs. Hayes to “be
seated and talk on the political situation,” when the following
conversation took place: “It is very quiet now at the South, we
learn?” “Yes, madam; it is the quietness of death to the colored
people. My son is in jail for the crime of aiding in carrying the
State of South Carolina for the President.”
—Senator Blaine, in a speech at Hot Springs, Ark., put the Southern
question aptly thus: “Perfect peace in the South will everywhere
follow perfect justice. There is no man in the country who desires
strife for the sake of strife, but there will always be strife so
long as there is wrong.”
—There is a quaint, straightforward way of putting things sometimes
that strikes right at the root of things, an art which our colored
friends of the South seem especially to understand. And here is
what was sung recently at one of their meetings in Jacksonville:
If you see Peter asleep at de gate,
Kase de night befo’ he was up so late,
You needn’t ’spect, with your load ob sin,
Dat you’ll slip past him and steal right in:
De angels always acts on de squar’;
Dey know you here, an’ dey’ll know you dar.
Such singing would not be in order in our churches. But, after all,
isn’t there a bit of truth right here, and may not these lines be
reflected on with considerable profit?
—A colored man, who very sensibly consulted President Hayes, before
migrating to San Domingo, received a letter in reply, from which
the following is extracted: “I have given some consideration to
your question as to the emigration of colored people from Florida
to San Domingo. I am not well informed as to the advantages offered
by San Domingo to immigrants, but my impression is that your people
should not be hasty in deciding to leave this country. The mere
difference in climate is a very serious objection to removal. The
first generation, in all such removals, suffer greatly. It is my
opinion, also, that the evils which now affect you are likely
steadily, and I hope rapidly, to diminish. My advice is, therefore,
against the proposed emigration.”
FOREIGN.
—Stanley’s African expedition cost $115,000, and he discovered
15,000,000 uncovered Africans. The Worcester _Press_ says six
heathen for five cents is very reasonable.
—The missionaries of the Church Missionary Society to Lake Victoria
Nyanza have been cordially received by King Mtesa. When the passage
was read in the Society’s letter, in which a reference is made
to our Lord, the king ordered a salute to be fired, which was
explained to be for joy at the mention of the name of Jesus. The
king wished especially to know if the missionaries had brought the
book—the Bible. He has himself since acted as interpreter to his
people at the Sunday services.
* * * * *
CHINESE NOTES.
—It is not often that the report of a minority of one is invested
with so much importance or interest as that found, in an unfinished
condition, among the papers of the late Senator Morton. We give a
very brief synopsis of its main points:
A cardinal principle in our government is its openness to
immigrants from all parts of the world; it is not limited in its
statement by color, character or creed. While the Oriental nations
have come on to our ground, it is proposed that we should go
back to that which they have abandoned, and for the same reasons
which they have given up—interference with trade and labor, and
corruption of morals and religion.
The security of our nation depends not on material wealth nor
general intelligence, but in devotion to the doctrines upon which
the government was founded, “And the profound conviction in the
minds of the people that the rights of man are not conferred
by constitutions or written enactments, which may be altered
or abolished, but are God-given to every human being born into
the world, and cannot be violated by constitutions, enactments,
or governments, without trampling upon natural and inalienable
rights.” Growing out of these doctrines is the policy of free
immigration, which we are at liberty to regulate, but not
proscribe, as we may lay down the conditions of citizenship, but
not consistently forbid it. Having given political rights to the
negro, it is inconsistent to renew race prejudices, and exclude
the Asiatics on the ground of color, civilization and religion.
These are the actual grounds of the prejudice. But the question
is not one of naturalization, but of permission to come into our
country to work, to trade, and to acquire property, though the
senator deemed it impossible that they should be protected, save
as they should be allowed to become citizens, to vote and to be
represented in the government. He refers to the fact that the
Chinese take ship from a British port, and that our dealing in
regard to their importation must be with the English Government. He
brings important testimony to demonstrate the value of their labor
in the construction of railroads and in the harvesting of crops.
In these especially, by their freedom from combinations to control
the price of labor, and as having brought wages to a level, which,
though still higher than in other States, makes it possible for
Californian manufacturers to compete with those of other States
and countries. But for Chinese labor, he says, California would
not have more than one-half or two-thirds of her present white
population; it is indispensable to farming operations; their labor
is as free as any other.
The majority report, in its concluding paragraphs, says that
the question that now arises on the Pacific Coast will probably
have to be met upon the banks of the Mississippi, and, perhaps,
on the Ohio and Hudson. It is a standing menace to republican
institutions and Christian civilization. Free institutions, founded
upon free schools and intelligence, can only be maintained when
based on intelligent and adequately paid labor. Adequate wages
are needed to give self-respect to the laborer, and the means of
education to his children. Family life is a great safeguard to
our political institutions. Chinese immigration involves sordid
wages, no public schools, and the absence of the family. They show
few of the characteristics of a desirable population, and many to
be deprecated by any patriot. This problem is too important to
be treated with indifference. Congress should solve it, having
due regard to any rights already accrued under existing treaties,
and to humanity; but it must be solved, in the judgment of the
committee, unless our Pacific possessions are to be ultimately
given over to a race alien in all its tendencies, which will
make of it practically provinces of China, rather than States of
the Union. The committee recommend that measures be taken by the
Executive, looking toward a modification of the existing treaty
with China, confining it to strictly commercial purposes, and that
Congress legislate to restrain the great influx of Asiatics to this
country.
—The San Francisco “Workingmen” (?) have, under the lead of
professional agitators, become more than ever threatening and
incendiary in their language. It was given out that the Chinese
passengers of the steamer Tokio would be attacked on their
arrival. At this point the authorities interfered. The mayor
appointed special police, and the two ringleaders were arrested
for conspiracy and misdemeanor, and put under heavy bail. General
McComb ordered the entire military force of the city to assemble at
the armories, and General McDowell gave assurance that the United
States troops would come to their aid if required. Under these
conditions the city scum ceased coming to the surface, but settled
quickly to the bottom, where it belongs.
—Mr. Luttrell, a democratic member from California, has moved in
the House to amend the Steamboat Bill, so as to provide that no
American vessel shall employ, in any capacity whatever, a Chinese
or Mongolian.
—Treasury statistics show arrivals from China of 160,979 up to
1875. In 1875 the arrivals were 19,033; but in 1876 the immigration
fell off to 16,879, owing to the April disturbance in that year
in California. For the first quarter of 1877 the number was only
965, but it soon began to rise again, and on June 31 the total
immigration was figured at 284,547.
—The figures of the Custom House in San Francisco have been
collated to show that, out of a total of $6,692,000 paid for duties
on imports of foreign goods introduced during the past year, the
Chinese merchants paid $1,756,505, or over twenty-five per cent.
During the same time the Chinese paid for rent and water privileges
$223,000; for fire insurance, $96,000, and for marine insurance,
$86,000; they also paid $100,000 in taxes into the city treasury.
—In 1875, of 7,643 arrests for drunkenness, not one was a Chinaman;
of 3,263 paupers admitted to the almshouse, only six were Chinamen;
of 83 murderers hanged during the last year in the United States
only one was a Chinaman.
—Our antipathy is balanced to some extent by the appetite of Peru,
which has 60,000 Chinamen now within its borders, and so eagerly
desires more that an agent of the Peruvian Government is visiting
San Francisco with inducements to divert Chinese immigration to
that country.
* * * * *
NO ROOM IN THE INN.
REV. A. K. SPENCE, FISK UNIVERSITY.
The occasion of the accompanying lines was this: While President
Hayes’ Peace Policy was being applauded through the land, a young
colored student, on his way to Fisk University, was detained
overnight at a station, as the trains did not make connection. A
hotel was near by, but he could not gain admission. He asked the
privilege of remaining in the depot, but that was not granted; so
he spent the whole night in the open air, pacing up and down to
keep warm and pass the time away.
Ought there not to be in every hotel some comfortable place where a
colored man can get food and shelter?
The weary stars went slowly westward to their rest,
And others from the east climbed up the zenith’s crest,
And chill winds smote him, shivering in the gloomy night.
Turning his wistful gaze to catch the morning light,
There, wrapped in sleep, on couches soft and warm,
The slumberers dream sweet dreams, nor think of fear or harm.
What has he done, with guilty hand and soul of sin,
That thus he stalks about, nor seeks the cheerful inn?
His brow is dark, and dark the night, and dark his soul—
A tripple sea of gloom, whose waters o’er him roll!
And faith in man and God is low within his breast;
With many a bitter thought his heart is sore oppressed.
Like outlawed villain, stealing from the sight of men,
He crouches down, as if to sleep, nor slumbers then!
Athwart the darkness to his darker soul within,
The tantalizing light comes from the inn!
But yesterday, huzzas came from a million throats,
’Mid cannon’s boom and beat of drum and bugle’s notes,
And banners waved, and flowers were scattered by the fair,
And songs of peace and joy were in the quivering air;
And brothers, long estranged, clasped brothers once again,
And swore eternal peace and equal rights to men—
For him, though wrapped in clean attire, but sable skin,
No hospitable room is offered at the inn!
Oh, brothers of this mighty land, from South to North,
Grasp hands of greeting, pour your pæans forth!
And ne’er by brother’s hand may brother’s blood be shed,
With burning towns and trampled fields and mangled dead!
Forget the past, nor let it rankle in your breast;
Rejoice together of one glorious land possessed!
But, oh! forget not him who, not for any sin,
But for the thing God made him, is debarred the inn!
Oh, peaceful President of this great land, to thee
All thanks for thy good words for old fraternity!
Thy name shall be inscribed in gold on history’s page,
And read by countless multitudes from age to age,
If thou shalt teach a people, long in strife and feud,
To dwell in unity and seek each other’s good;
From prejudice of section, creed and race shalt win,
So all of every name and hue shall share the inn!
Oh, brother of the sable brow, my brother, mine,
The night is dark and long, and yet the sun shall shine;
Patience be thine, and God-like charity and love,
And eye of faith and hope that looks to One above.
For scorn give benediction, and for insult prayer;
And go to Bethlehem’s manger, and remember there
Another was like thee, who, sinless, bore our sin!
And there shall yet be room for Christ, and thee, within the inn!
* * * * *
THE FREEDMEN.
* * * * *
GEORGIA.
Atlanta University.
ITS ORGANIZATION.
REV. E. A. WARE, PRESIDENT.
The first term of Atlanta University began, under its charter
granted in 1867, in Oct., 1869. The highest class, at that time,
was the junior preparatory. By a natural and steady growth, there
has come to be a regular college department, from which two
classes, (nine students), have been graduated, and in which there
are now twenty-four students; a scientific department, with four;
a preparatory, with 37; a higher normal, from which have graduated
five classes, (twenty-four students), and which numbers at present
68; and a lower normal, with 62 students. The higher normal begins
with the usual high-school studies, and continues four years. The
lower normal includes the grammar-school studies, and the first
two years of the higher normal course. Instruction in theology was
given, until the State aid was granted to the school; it has since
been discontinued. The home and family feature of the school is
made prominent. A lady has charge of the young men’s building, and,
so far as possible, takes the place of mother, making the house a
_home_, instead of a college barrack. The refining, elevating, and
restraining influence of this family life is incalculable.
Every effort is put forth to make the Sabbath a power. The usual
church service is held in the morning, Sunday-school in the
afternoon, and prayer-meeting at night. The monthly missionary
concert is observed. The contributions at this meeting, for
the nine school months, amount to about fifty dollars. The
church prayer-meeting is held on Wednesday evening; the school
prayer-meeting for all the students on Friday afternoon. At this
meeting, the school makes weekly offerings, by the envelope
plan, toward the payment of the debt of the American Missionary
Association.
The workers this year, including Pastor, Treasurer, Steward,
Housekeeper and Matron, number twelve. Among them are
representatives of Yale, Harvard, Amherst and Oberlin.
The institution owns sixty acres of land, about one mile from the
centre of the city. That part of it occupied by the buildings,
commands an extended view in all directions. The buildings are
two plain, four-storied, brick dormitories, one for boys, the
other for girls. These also afford rooms for teachers, and the
basement and first floor of the boys’ building give space for
chapel, schoolrooms, library and reading-room. Many of these
rooms are entirely unfit for these uses, and are much needed for
sleeping rooms. By an hour’s work each day, the students care for
the buildings, cultivate the grounds, cut the wood, and do the
house-work, except the cooking.
The Graves Library contains about four thousand volumes, and
has an endowment of five thousand dollars. The library and
reading-room are thoroughly used. Excepting for the library, the
school has no endowment, but depends for support on the American
Missionary Association, and the State of Georgia, which latter has
appropriated to it $8,000 annually.
The name “University,” when adopted in 1867, signified nothing,
save as a prophecy. As such it was adopted. It foretold the
capacity of those, for whom the school was especially founded, to
advance in education, till they should need the advantages of a
full university course. It foretold the willingness of the friends
of humanity to furnish these advantages. There is no longer any
doubt of the complete fulfillment of the first prophecy, provided
the second can be speedily accomplished.
* * * * *
ITS WORK.
REV. C. W. FRANCIS.
To prepare teachers for the education of the children of more than
half a million of poor and illiterate people is, and must remain,
the chief work of the school. The ability to read and write is the
smallest of the needs of the people, old and young, among whom
such teachers are called to labor. They must teach the elements of
morals and religion, of social and domestic life, must supply the
forces which are to shape and guide the people from serfdom up to
an intelligent, Christian citizenship. The course pursued in this
school consists essentially in separating the pupils by means of a
family school from all old associations and habits, and subjecting
them for months and years to a strong and watchful discipline, in
surrounding them with the most earnest and aggressive religious
influences, in giving them the best mental training and furnishing
which the time and facilities will allow, thus to stamp upon them
new characteristics, and mould them so that they will represent and
teach the best Christian culture and civilization. That they may
resist the strong influences pulling them down on every hand, they
need to be thoroughly fixed and set in character before leaving
school. Such a complete transformation of character and life as
is aimed at here, requires time and the constant exercise of the
highest skill and patience. It is no ordinary education which is
sought, but a special and peculiar training for a high and holy
missionary work.