lessons were over, the superintendent said, “The founder and first
teacher of the school is with us this morning, and we should all
be glad if she would address the school.” I arose and spoke to
them some words of encouragement, then took my leave. I there
saw some who were once my little ignorant scholars, now teachers
in the Sabbath-school. The superintendent himself was under my
instruction, and the preacher also. I commenced while there a
Woman’s Prayer-meeting, which is still continued, and in which,
last winter, began a revival, the largest they have ever had.
The day-school is now taught by Miss Delia Irving, a young woman
who graduated last June at Hampton, and received the first prize,
awarded to her by the hand of Mrs. President Hayes.
And now, in looking back upon these events and scenes, we behold
some of the little streams which have flowed out of the American
Missionary Association, and which are designed, no doubt, to widen
and deepen, through time and through eternity.
* * * * *
GEORGIA.
A Large Sunday-School—Faithful Teachers—A Temperance S. S.
Concert.
MRS. R. F. MARKHAM, SAVANNAH.
For several months past, our Sabbath-school has been gradually and
steadily increasing in numbers and interest. Last Sabbath morning
there were one hundred and eighty-six present. We have a very
faithful and efficient class of teachers—twelve in number. They
are scarcely ever absent. We as much expect to see all our teachers
in their places each Sabbath morning as to see the minister in the
pulpit, and we are almost never disappointed. And their hearts are
evidently in the work. We suggest the example (not boastingly)
as worthy of imitation by some schools at the North, where the
superintendents must, every Sunday, apply to the Bible-classes for
substitutes to fill the places of absent teachers.
Last Sunday evening the school gave a temperance concert. The
programme contained many passages of Scripture condemning the use
of wine and strong drink, also showing the terrible effects and the
final consequences of its use. In addition to the Bible showing of
the matter, we had declamations, dialogues, recitations, music, and
remarks by the pastor, all pertaining to the same subject.
All our classes (except one of very little children) were
represented. We were almost proud of our scholars, they performed
their parts so well, and we had given them very little time for
preparation. We had a crowded house, many stood about the doors,
and many others left, unable to gain admittance. The audience
gave marked attention, and evinced much interest during all the
exercises, and excellent order was maintained, though the house was
crowded. During some of the performances there were indications
of rather noisy demonstrations of delight, which, however, were
readily restrained. The music contributed much to the interest of
the occasion.
We hope that good may result from the effort, as intemperance
presents formidable obstacles to the progress of our work here.
* * * * *
_McIntosh, Liberty County._
The Old Midway Church—Returning Courage and Prosperity.
SILAS DANIELS, GOLDING’S GROVE.
When Brother Floyd Snelson was first taken from us to go to Africa,
we almost believed that we should have to strike camp in the
wilderness. It gave us much pain to have him go, and the church
did become very feeble at one time. Since Brother Jos. E. Smith
took the place, we have had fresh courage, and have been going
forward again. Yesterday was our Communion Sabbath. As usual, we
had about 500 persons at the church. One young man was received to
its membership. At the three communions since Brother Smith came,
nine persons have joined the church. The people are coming up to
their church duties with much zeal, and becoming more and more
attached to their minister, and he is doing a good work among them.
Our Sabbath-school, also, has been re-organized, and, with four
teachers added, has an average of twenty-three or more scholars in
each class. We have for the first time introduced the International
Sunday-school Lessons, and all seem to be very much delighted with
them.
We have a large church built by the A. M. A. that can seat five
hundred persons comfortably, and it is pretty well filled every
Sunday with people from all denominations, anxious to hear the true
Gospel preached.
* * * * *
Interest in Church and Sunday-School.
REV. JOSEPH E. SMITH.
As the weather grows warm, and the wet, muddy roads become dry,
thus favoring travel, the people from all directions flock in great
crowds to the house of God, eager to hear the “words of eternal
life.” I preached to a crowded house on last Sabbath, and many
wanted to know what they “must do to be saved.” God is with us.
Every Sabbath brings new signs for encouragement. There are marked
evidences of a growing interest on the part of the people to learn
of God through His Word. Especially has this been true since the
“International Lessons” were introduced in our Sabbath-school. It
makes a peculiar impression upon one to see persons fifty, sixty,
seventy, and sometimes eighty years of age, whom slavery has worn
out, sitting in their Sunday-school classes, with white heads
and bent over bodies, with their dim, sunken eyes fixed on the
teachers, and sometimes lips and throat moving as if to swallow
every word. None of them can read, and it is quite amusing at times
to watch them trying to recall the kings of Judah in their order,
telling who the good ones were, and naming some of the good things
they did. The joy and satisfaction which one shares, in being an
instrument in God’s hands for the revealing of His Word unto such
babes, are inestimable.
* * * * *
Needs of this Field.
REV. S. S. ASHLEY.
Not only is this field needy, but promising. A majority of
the people, and those living about the old Midway Church, are
nearly all colored. Many of the white landed proprietors are
non-residents. Rice culture is the principal employment. The
colored people are rapidly becoming land owners, and are remarkably
successful in making their payments. Just now, their means are
mostly consumed in this effort, consequently they can expend very
little in improving their habitations; yet there is improvement
in this respect. They are beginning to come out of the swamps and
build by the roadside. As slaves, they were not allowed to dwell
near the “big road”; therefore, the woods and the swamps seem to
them more like home than the roadside. But without instruction they
will not achieve much domestic improvement. In fact, they need
instruction in every direction—in house-building, in road-making,
in agriculture, in domestic economy, in the improvement of time, in
business, as well as in schools and churches. A missionary to this
people should be an Oberlin. An Oberlin’s work will pay richly. The
whole field is accessible to missionary labor. Very many desire
instruction. They listen eagerly to kind, plain, Christian advice,
and will travel many miles for the privilege. Certainly these are
the marks of a good missionary field.
But to energize this prosperity, the meeting-house should be put
into comfortable condition. It is a large but unfinished structure.
In damp and chilly weather, it is uncomfortable—so much so, that
the pastor doubts about the propriety of holding, in the winter,
meetings at night. The place of Divine worship should be, not only
comfortable, but refining and elevating. The people who have good
meeting-houses will have good dwelling-houses. The meeting-house
should be a teacher of neatness, care, attention, thrift and
reverence. Unless the house is attractive, attractive preaching is
well-nigh impossible.
Again, the school-house should be removed to the road, beside the
meeting-house, and enlarged. Its present situation is out of the
way, and it is too small to accommodate the pupils.
These are my impressions concerning the A. M. A. work in
Liberty County. Brother Smith is succeeding well, but he needs
the improvements I have mentioned. I hope that you can aid in
completing the meeting-house. If the building stands a year longer
without attention, it will require repairs as well as finishing.
A portable _saw-mill_ would be a grand civilizing and missionary
agency.
* * * * *
Ogeechee.
REV. JOHN K. MCLEAN.
Rejoice with me, for the Lord has answered our prayer for an old
man, who has spent sixty-five years in the service of Satan, but is
now rejoicing in the great grace and love of a forgiving Saviour.
It is quite a change in the old man, to see him in Sunday-school
and at preaching service, and to hear him using his tongue in
telling how good God has been to him, instead of taking His name in
vain, as he used to do. But while we rejoice with this one, there
are others for whom we are praying, and for whom we ask an interest
in your prayers, that they may be brought into the fold of Christ.
I hope to be able to help a few of the young people, but the way
seems dark at present. One of our Northern friends, who is here in
the work, said to me not long ago, “The people North know nothing
of the real condition of the people here; it is so unlike anything
there, that they cannot realize just how it is. Before I came here
I had heard a great deal about the state of things, but had no
thought of finding the people in the condition in which they are.”
I know that what she said is true, and that many of our friends
North, and in England, have but little idea of the real condition
of our people.
I am sure that if the representations that Christ and His disciples
gave of the Christian life be true, there must be a much greater
and deeper work among the people here before the Spirit of God
can make them His. I have thought and said often, and I say it
yet, that the work of the A. M. A., or a work of the same kind, is
the only thing that will save the people of the South. Nine out
of every ten know but little or nothing of what it is to live an
upright life, and, therefore, they have no real communion with God,
such as all His true children do have.
If the people here could be made to see the wrong there is in rum,
and to put it down, there would be some hope for them; but so long
as rum takes their labor, their money, their brains, and their
God from them, there is no hope for them, and but little chance
of doing them good. This is saying a great deal, but the truth
is light, and that is what we want. Fourteen persons have been
received into the church since I came here, and more are expected
to come in with us. I am sure the Lord is waiting to bless this
place.
* * * * *
THE ALABAMA CONFERENCE.
Papers, Reports, Sunday-School Convention, Theological Institute.
REV. CHARLES NOBLE, MONTGOMERY.
The Alabama Conference met Friday evening, March 29th, in the
college chapel at Talladega; the exercises opening with the annual
sermon, by Rev. Mr. Ash, of Mobile, and an address of welcome to
the delegates, by Prof. Lord. Rev. Mr. Andrews read a paper of very
great interest, on the “Mission of Congregationalism in the South.”
He first dwelt upon the history of Congregationalism, especially
in its freedom from complicity with slavery, its prominence in
the anti-slavery movement, and its comparative freedom from the
sect spirit, as peculiarly indicating its call to work among the
freedmen. He then brought out the peculiar features of the polity,
independence and fellowship, and showed how they tend (1) to
develop and sustain republican institutions, and to fit the church
member for his duties as a citizen; (2) to promote intelligence;
(3) to sustain an unshackeled pulpit, and (4) to develop personal
piety, including moral reform and revivals. This is a very bare
abstract of an essay which aroused great interest, and tended to
encourage and cheer on the workers very much. Other papers were
read, on “How to Develop Benevolence in our Churches,” by Rev.
Fletcher Clark, of Selma; on the “Relation of Talladega College
to our Church Work,” by Prof. Lord; and on the “Mission of the
Young Ministers in the South,” by Rev. P. J. McEntosh—himself one
of those young colored men who have gone out from Mr. Andrew’s
teaching to work among their own people.
The reports from the churches showed a very encouraging condition
of things. One new church has been organized during the year,
making a total of thirteen within the bounds of the State. All are,
at present, supplied with ministers. Almost all reported additions
on profession of faith, and evidence of the special presence of
the Spirit. Though it has not been a year of remarkable revivals,
it has been one of hopeful and vigorous growth. The feeling seemed
general and strong, that these little churches have “come to stay”
in Alabama, and have no idea of dying whatsoever. A great deal
of missionary activity was reported. Talladega College sustains
twenty-five Sabbath-schools; Montgomery and Selma, four each; and
others are not behind, according to their means and opportunities.
It is certainly a suggestive and encouraging fact that, in the
very heart of Alabama, a body of men could come together so full
of enthusiasm for Puritan ideas, and should, without exception,
report that their hold upon the communities in which they labor is
manifestly strengthening.
The Sunday-school Convention opened Monday night, with an address
on “The Object of Sunday-school Effort, Winning Souls,” by Rev.
George E. Hill, of Marion; followed by a lecture on the “Geography
of the kingdom of Judah,” by Rev. G. W. Andrews. Tuesday, Mr.
Clark, of Selma, gave a Bible Reading on Faith; Prof. Lord taught
the lesson for the following Sunday; Mr. Hickok opened the question
box, and gave a variety of helpful answers; and the delegates from
the different Sunday-schools made their reports. These showed that
the work of our churches rests on a good foundation, in numerous
live, growing Sabbath-schools; and that, in trying to save as many
as possible of the present generation, the men and women of the
next thirty years are not being forgotten.
Tuesday night, the Theological Institute began with a very
elaborate paper on the “Relation of Mental Philosophy to Theology,”
by Rev. D. W. Hickok. Wednesday, we were treated with examinations
in Smith’s O. T. History, and the Psalms, conducted by Prof.
Andrews and Mr. Hickok, and a paper on “Future Punishment,” by
Rev. Mr. Hill. Thursday, there were plans of sermons offered for
criticism by Mr. Clark and Mr. Hickok; a paper on “Joseph Cook,” by
Mr. Noble; and an examination on the “Patriarchal Period,” by Mr.
Andrews; closing with a free conference of workers in the evening.
Even more interesting to many of us than the proceedings of
Conference, was our observation of the work of Talladega College.
The Conference met Prof. Lord, for formal consultation in regard
to the College work by a committee; and that committee’s report
will be published. We met the students and faculty constantly at
table, and in the meetings; had a very pleasant picnic gathering in
the woods of the College Farm, and listened to a very entertaining
concert by the “Musical Union.” I cannot forbear expressing, what I
feel sure was the _universal_ feeling, interest and admiration for
the good work Prof. Lord and his co-laborers are doing. Many of us
were specially interested in the “Industrial Department,” and wish
the brethren of the College the greatest success in that effort to
build up manly, womanly, _self-reliant_ characters in the pupils.
My visit at Talladega, and my intercourse with the workers there,
have made me feel more deeply interested in the work than ever. I
could not ask a happier lot than to be permitted to give my life to
this field. It seems to me so _unmistakably_ the work of Christ.
* * * * *
ALABAMA.
Science and Religion.
REV. G. W. ANDREWS, TALLADEGA.
The Theological Department of Talladega College has just been
favored with a special course of lectures on the “Relation of
Science to Religion,” by the Rev. D. L. Hickok, recently of
Kingsville, Ohio. The lectures were full of instruction, and
awakened a great deal of interest among our pupils. Mr. Hickok is
an able thinker, and an inspiring and enthusiastic speaker.
Skepticism has little footing here, and will have still less now
that we have such a flood of light thrown upon what was before
mysterious, and supposed to be known only to the scientist. Let the
scientist give us the “living” from the “not living” if he can, and
let him bridge the frightful chasm between different species of
the animal kingdom, before our faith in his new theories is much
strengthened. We believe in Mr. Cook, and wish we could see him
face to face to thank him a thousand times for his three published
volumes. We hail with joy these lectures by Mr. Cook, and mean to
do our part to reflect the light he is shedding, until it finds its
way, as it is sure to do, into the hearts of the masses, to bless
them with the “rest of faith.” His powerful arguments are taking
strong hold of us all.
Rev. Mr. Hickok is an original thinker, and has done us a good
service by his lectures. It is such men, of commanding influence
and power, that we need in this work of peculiar difficulties among
the freedmen. We wish other and similar institutions might be
favored as we have been.
* * * * *
LOUISIANA.
Part of a Day Among the Poor.
MISS JOSEPHINE PIERCE, NEW ORLEANS.
In the rear of St. Charles Avenue you may enter and see an old man.
He says he has been converted since he was ninety years of age.
The Psalms are all his delight. There has not been a chip of wood
nor a grain of coal in his room all this winter. With the strength
of a hundred years in his muscles, he grasps a crust of bread, and
asks for more. His daughter replies: “Father, you should put your
mind on the Lord, and then you wouldn’t be so hungry; people that
pray all the time don’t have such an appetite.” As if this were not
enough, in this same room, the worse than fatherless baby, Leopold,
has come into New Orleans life, with that stain upon his birth,
which all the waters in the ocean cannot wash away. For these four
generations, from the great-grandfather to the babe of yesterday,
only one woman’s frail hands to keep the wolf from the door, and
hers held from going out to work, by the sickness that cannot spare
her from home. With all Father H’s ever-flowing liberality, there
have been weeks in succession, this winter, when there has not been
twenty-five cents’ worth of corn-meal to give the old man; for if
he had it, Aunt Deborah, who has seen General Washington many and
many a time, would have to go without; and if she had it, blind
Aunt Bagatelle would have to go without; and if she had it, blind
Aunt Milly would have to go without.
Perhaps it will be easier to breathe in the next house. Over the
way, as the mother’s hand is clasped in greeting: “You miss your
boy?” “Yes, James is dead. He wanted white sugar in his tea, and I
couldn’t get it for him. He wanted medicine, and I couldn’t get it
for him. He was hungry-like. So it’s good the Father has taken him;
I gave him the medicine your minister sent him. I put a spoonful of
the medicine that didn’t need sweetening into the medicine that did
need sweetening. It seemed to do him good.”
Let us go to the sunny side, three miles away. “God bless you, my
child,” was all the mother’s gift to Baby Vasa. A foster-mother
welcomed the orphan to her heart and her home. As she stands by
the tub—“I have no bonnet,” she says; “but we have the baby.
We used to have milk in the family, but since the baby came we
haven’t stopped the cart. I don’t know how to make clothes for him,
but I think I can learn.” God bless thee, Baby Vasa, for all the
unselfish love thy little fingers work out in the daily life about
thee! A can of milk for Baby Vasa brought a never-to-be-forgotten
light into the foster-mother’s eyes.
Here is a house without a number. As you lift the wooden latch,
you feel that some one is waiting for a coming step. “I was sick
last night,” Aunt Jemima says. “I thought the angels would come for
me; I sometimes think they will come very soon.” Her bed is under
the rafters, just at the head of those narrow stairs. The room,
without a door, is the only thoroughfare for another family. There
is no sheet on the bed; cotton was given for it, but was saved for
something else. She goes on: “People won’t come in one of these
mornings, and say, ‘Aunt Jemima’s dead, and she’s very poor, and
we’ll have to go right out and buy her some clothes,’ for I have
a skirt and a white dress, and a pair of new stockings.” “But the
stockings were given to you year before last—ar’n’t they worn out
yet?” “Oh, no! you don’t think I would ever put them on. When
the sun shines, I hang them on that pole to air them.” A piece
of sugar-cane is in the ashes for fuel. The old limbs failed the
last time they went out to Lake Pontchartrain for drift-wood. A
satisfied smile lights up the whole face—the ear bends close to
the lips, and they murmur: “I am rich; when the angels come for me,
I have a pair of new stockings.”
* * * * *
KENTUCKY.
Temperance and Evangelistic Work.
REV. JOHN G. FEE, BEREA.
For more than two months we have had weekly meetings on the subject
of temperance, attended by large audiences, and securing more
than a thousand names to the Murphy Pledge. The moral effect of
the movement is strengthened by the fact that each pledge is made
whilst invoking the assisting grace of God, and is accompanied by
reading the Scriptures, and Christian song. Taking this one step in
the right direction is a preparation for a complete surrender to
Christ.
During a part of this time Brother Myers, from Hillsdale, Mich.,
has been here preaching at night. Our chapel is occupied during
the day as a recitation room, and though the weather has been
peculiarly unfavorable, yet a goodly number have been in attendance
each night, with some nineteen or twenty conversions, and many
other persons deeply impressed.
Each day brings to us fresh grounds of hope, and enlarged prospects
for usefulness. At no other time since its organization has Berea
College had so hopeful a prospect as now. Once or twice we have
had as many pupils, but at no other time so many of high moral
worth and social influence. Daily, the prejudice against a school
of colored and white pupils is subsiding; and young men and young
women of good habits and character are coming in, and such as
appreciate an education, in connection with just and righteous
sentiments. We feel that the demonstration here—that God leads and
is over us for good—is important for society and our country. We
have an abiding conviction that our heavenly Father approves, and
that we may, in faith, ask for grace and means.
With the people around us, our association is free and pleasant.
With many of the neighboring towns and congregations, exchange of
laborers and speakers is frequent, and to mutual advantage. What we
need is good men, discreet, self-sacrificing and earnest; and this
land will be brought under the power of the Gospel, and of a Jesus
who loves all impartially.
* * * * *
THE AFRICAN MISSIONARIES.
* * * * *
THE FREEDMEN’S MISSIONS AID SOCIETY.
A Public Meeting in Liverpool.
On the evening of March the 8th, a large congregation came
together in the Great George street church (formerly Dr. Raffles),
to welcome to Liverpool four colored missionaries, ex-slaves,
from Fisk University, and also to bid them farewell on the eve
of their departure; under the care of the American Missionary
Association, for the Mendi Mission, on the west coast of Africa.
The missionaries were very cordially greeted by many of the old,
and also the new, friends of the African race.