Chapter II: Front Matter (2)

Many cases of interest come to notice in connection with our school, showing the eager thirst for knowledge which these colored people have. One incident to-day illustrates this. A young man, twenty-two years of age, who has been connected with the school for a few weeks, was obliged to go home a few days since, to attend to matters of business. So anxious was he not to lose his position in his class, that he started at 2.15 in the morning and walked about forty miles, reaching Macon at 5 P.M. and this in the severest N. E. rain-storm of the season. It makes our hearts sad to know of many who would gladly come to our school, but cannot find boarding places in town.

The young man mentioned above has since found Christ to be his Saviour. Rejoice with us! God is visiting us with His Spirit. The Church is quickened to newness of life, and sinners are converted. We observed the Week of Prayer; have continued the meetings every night this week. Some of our strongest and best young men were the first to start in the new life. All is quiet, but deep and earnest.

* * * * *

ALABAMA.

Breaking Ground for the New Emerson Institute Building.

PROF. T. N. CHASE.

On the 26th of December, ground was broken for the new Emerson Institute building at Mobile, with appropriate services. A portion of Scripture was read, and brief addresses were made by Rev. Mr. Ash, pastor of the Congregational Church; Rev. Mr. Owens, Baptist; Rev. Mr. Taylor, Methodist; Mr. Koons, principal of the school; and Prof. Chase, of Atlanta University. Led by Miss Stevenson, Miss Lord, a former teacher, and Miss Sawyer, of Talladega College, the pupils of the school sang “Hold the Fort,” “Thank God for our Country,” “Labor On,” etc., and Rev. Mr. Davis led in prayer.

In the remarks, Mr. Ash spoke of education in its relation to the individual, to society, to government, and to the Church. Mr. Owens said that ignorance was our greatest enemy, and that the building which was to be erected might be regarded as a fort, from which guns were to be aimed at this inveterate foe, and exhorted the people to sustain the teachers who were leading them in their intellectual and moral warfare. Mr. Koons made a few statements concerning the school, saying that its aim was not to advance the interests of any political party or religious sect, but to develop character and cultivate the minds and hearts of the people. Mr. Taylor said he had been taught that the negro could not be educated—that his brains lay in his heels, etc.; but he was glad to see proof to the contrary in the speeches that had just been made by Mr. Ash and Mr. Owens. Mr. Chase alluded to the burning of the old Institute, the causes of delay in rebuilding, the fact that the school was needed now, and the probability that it always would be.

At the conclusion of these addresses, the old men, headed by Mr. Taylor, claimed the privilege of removing the first earth; others followed, without regard to age, color, sex or sect.

The new lot is more accessible to the colored population than the old one. It is known as Holley’s Garden, and has been a favorite resort for picnic parties. On account of the great depreciation in real-estate, the property, containing over two acres, and having on it a house that will serve as a home for the teachers and accommodate a few girls as boarders, and covered with nearly a hundred large shade trees, mostly live-oak, has been purchased for the small sum of $2,800.

The new building is to be sixty-four feet long and fifty-four in greatest width, and will accommodate 250 pupils, under five teachers. Many of the bricks from the old building can be used, since they were not injured by an excess of water at the time of the fire.

* * * * *

TENNESSEE.

A Debt Extinguisher—The Happiest Girl in the Land.

REV. TEMPLE CUTLER, CHATTANOOGA.

On my return from the campaign in New England, I found the church in a much better condition than I feared it might be. Except in the falling off in the weekly offering, I could see no change. They had been ministered to regularly on Sunday evenings, during my absence, by Rev. J. C. Irwin, the pastor of the Second Presbyterian Church.

I was glad to find that a good degree of enthusiasm had been awakened among them to assist in paying the debt of the A. M. A. The Church had held a fair during my absence, at which they realized about $20, which they had forwarded to you. The Band of Hope had sent about the same amount. Then the band decided to celebrate the anniversary of their freedom on the first of January—Emancipation-Day—with a festival, the proceeds of which should be appropriated to the debt. All the colored people, without regard to church connection, were invited to be present and contribute to this object. It was quite a success. The exercises consisted of speaking, essays and songs, and were very creditable to the performers. The singing was from the Hampton Cabin Songs, some of which were new to this section. Among the speeches was one on the emancipation of the blacks, another on the work of the A. M. A. in the South, which were well delivered. One essay was on a contrast between the slave and the freeman. Dr. Lawrence and wife, who were here on a lecturing tour on temperance, were present. The doctor made a short address, full of wit and good counsel. The evening closed with a social entertainment. The proceeds, I think, were about $30, which you have probably received ere this.

The hearty interest manifested by all the colored people in the payment of your debt is encouraging. If the wealthier people would do as much in proportion as these poor people do, your debt would not long be a burden. The Sabbath-school has caught the fever, and, last Sunday, the proposition was made to send you all the money in the treasury (about $15); but, on further consideration, it was thought best to wait until we see how we shall pay for our lesson papers. You will probably get the $15, however. I hear from other Churches that a similar effort is being made among them.

In addition to this, I am happy to say that the Week of Prayer was observed, the meetings well attended, and the spirit of the meetings excellent. Prayers were made for husbands and children that are already answered, in a conviction on the part of those prayed for that they must give attention to the things they hear.

One of our most promising girls, who went to Tougaloo, Miss., a few weeks ago, writes me that she has found the Saviour, and is so happy. Let me mention another fact that has interested us here in our home exceedingly. One of our girls has been very anxious to get an education. Just before I went North, she asked me to see if I could not find somebody who would help her. One friend gave me $5, and that was all. Her heart was very sad when I told her that I did not succeed in getting enough, but I encouraged her with the assurance that if it was the Lord’s will that she should go, He would open the way yet. In a few days I received a letter from an old friend, whom I had not heard from for years, but who had accidentally seen my name as connected with this work, in which was a post-office order for $20. I put this with my $5, and told Jennie she had better start; we would take this as an earnest of the whole amount ($60) needed to finish the year. We are curious to know the result of this venture. One thing we know, and that is, where to find the happiest girl in the land.

THE INDIANS.

[_From the New York Tribune._]

THE INDIAN COMMISSIONERS.

Annual Meeting—Missionary Co-operation—Interview with the President.

The Board of Indian Commissioners met in this city January 10th, to receive the annual reports of the several religious bodies to which, under the policy adopted by President Grant some years ago, the selection of agents and other field employés of the Indian service has been confided, and to make up their own annual report. Representatives from the Presbyterian Foreign and Domestic Missionary Boards, the Baptist Home Mission Society, the several Yearly Meetings of Friends, the American Board, the American Missionary Association, and the Unitarian Association, were present. A report was received from the Episcopal Board. The Methodist and Roman Catholic Boards sent no reports, and several of the smaller denominations having agents also failed to present a statement of their work.

These annual conferences of the Board of Commissioners and the representatives of the different religious denominations, unofficial as they are, have been of great benefit to the official administration of Indian affairs, and, at some critical periods, have helped to save the peace policy from disaster. The Conference this year has been unusually interesting, in view of the disposition lately manifested to transfer the control of Indian affairs to the War Department, and of a new class of questions respecting the Indians themselves, which assume practical importance in view of their rapid progress toward civilization.

It appears that the religious sentiment of the country, as represented by those who control and direct its efforts to civilize and Christianize the Indians, is unanimously opposed to a change in the present general policy toward the Indian, in the mode of its administration; and many weighty facts and reasons are brought to the support of this opposition. The new questions brought into view, affecting the Indians themselves, are specified in the following address to the Board of Indian Commissioners, adopted by the representatives of the religious societies, and presented this morning:

“This Convention would respectfully express its deep interest
in certain recommendations, in relation to the welfare of the
Indians, which received the approval of similar conventions held
in former years, but which have not yet gained their rightful
place in the action of the Government. Among these are:

“_First_—The extension of law over all the Indians, so as to
provide for the safety of property and of human life.

“_Second_—Legal provision for the common-school education of
Indian children by the General Government, until such education
shall be provided by the several States in which they reside.

“_Third_—Definite regulations to secure to Indians the possession
of land in fee and in severalty in all practicable cases by
titles properly guarded.

“The Convention regards these three things as of the greatest
importance, indeed, as essential to the civilization of the
Indians, and as calling for the action of Congress without longer
delay. Further, the Convention would express grave doubts as to
the wisdom of removing Indian tribes to the Indian Territory,
or to larger reservations, in cases in which the Indians are in
a good measure prepared to abandon their tribal relationship,
and to enter on civilized life. They should, at the least, have
the option of remaining where they are subject to the conditions
of citizenship, before they are compelled to remove to distant
places, at the great hardship and suffering, and loss of health
and life, which such enforced removal always involves. At
the same time, this Convention is deeply impressed with the
importance of all wise measures that look to early self-support
of the Indians as citizens of our common country.

“The Convention would close this address with thanks to Almighty
God for the progress that has been made under the humane policy
of the last few years, and for the evident advance of many of
the Indians in civilization and the knowledge of the Christian
religion.”

It is understood that the Board of Commissioners will appoint a committee to carry out these views as far as possible, by securing necessary legislation by Congress.

The following day the Convention, accompanied by the Board of Commissioners, called on President Hayes by appointment. They were presented to the President by General Clinton B. Fisk; and the Rev. Drs. Lowrie, Clark, Strieby and Cutting, and Mr. Tatham, presented their views briefly. Dr. Clark submitted a paper showing the progress made under the present policy since 1868, claiming that it was greater than that made in the fifteen years that preceded its adoption. The President responded briefly, expressing his hearty sympathy with all efforts to civilize and Christianize the Indians, and his gratification at the progress that has been made, and indicated practical methods to secure the additional legislation desired. He did not seem to share the apprehensions of his visitors respecting the early transfer of the management of Indian affairs to the War Department. Mrs. Hayes, General Cox, former Secretary of the Interior under President Grant when the Peace Policy was adopted, and the Hon. Henry S. Lane, of Indiana, a member of the Board of Indian Commissioners when it was first constituted, were attentive and interested listeners, and took an active part in the pleasant informal conversation that ensued. Following are some of the items of Dr. Clark’s statement:

1868. 1877.
Houses occupied by Indians 7,476 22,199
Number of Indian schools 111 330
Number of teachers 134 437
Scholars 4,713 11,515
Acres of land cultivated by Indians 54,207 292,550
Bushels wheat raised 126,117 688,278
Bushels corn raised 467,363 4,656,952
Bushels oats and barley raised 43,976 349,247
Bushels vegetables raised 236,926 556,975
Tons of hay 16,216 148,473
Horses and mules owned by Indians 43,960 216,286
Cattle owned by Indians 42,874 217,883
Swine owned by Indians 29,890 121,358
Sheep owned by Indians 2,683 587,444

In addition to these comparisons are the following figures:

Number of Indians in U. S. about 278,000
Wear citizens’ dress 112,903
Houses built last year 1,103
Money expended for education $337,379
Indians who can read 40,397
Learned to read last year 1,206
Church buildings on reservations 207
Indians, Church members, about 28,000
Male Indians engaged in labor 34,632

(Five tribes in the Indian Territory are not included in these figures.)

* * * * *

THE CHINESE.

* * * * *

“CALIFORNIA CHINESE MISSION.”

Auxiliary to the American Missionary Association.

PRESIDENT: Rev. J. K. McLean, D. D. VICE-PRESIDENTS: Rev. A. L. Stone, D. D., Thomas C. Wedderspoon, Esq., Rev. T. K. Noble, Hon. F. F. Low, Rev. I. E. Dwinell, D. D., Hon. Samuel Cross, Rev. S. H. Willey, D. D., Edward P. Flint, Esq., Rev. J. W. Hough, D. D., Jacob S. Taber, Esq.

DIRECTORS: Rev. George Moor, D. D., Hon. E. D. Sawyer, Rev. W. E. Ijams, James M. Haven, Esq., Rev. Joseph Rowell, E. P. Sanford, Esq., H. W. Severance, Esq.

SECRETARY: Rev. W. C. Pond. TREASURER: E. Palache, Esq.

* * * * *

ADDRESS BY FUNG AFFOO.

The following address was delivered at the last Annual Meeting of the California Chinese Mission by Mr. Fung Affoo, one of our missionary helpers. It was listened to with much interest, and at my request, Affoo has furnished it for publication in the MISSIONARY.

W. C. POND.

“CHRISTIAN FRIENDS: I was asked to make an address here this evening, but I have not much to say. I do not know your language well enough. I have only a few words to say about the Chinese Young Men’s Christian Association, of which I have been a member about three years. This Association was organized not quite four years ago. There are other Chinese Christian Societies besides this one, in San Francisco and elsewhere in this State. This Association has now a membership of 131; about three-fourths of the members were gathered in during the last two years. It has given us great encouragement, seeing that the work of this Association has been thus far so successful through the help of God. But I am afraid that some people would say that, while so much has been done for the cause of Christianizing Chinese, only so little of the work has been accomplished in return. But if they really knew the difficulties and temptations in the way of our people becoming Christians, they would say otherwise.

“By being a member of the Association for three years, I have known what their difficulties are. I will tell you a little of it; perhaps it will illustrate to you some of their principal difficulties. As the rule of our Association requires that ‘any one who desires to become a member of this Association must forsake idolatry and all bad habits, and prove himself to be a follower of Christ,’ so, when he is a member, he must do accordingly; and when he does that, his friends and relations will turn their backs on him, and will have nothing to do with him. That makes it very unpleasant, and he feels the loss of their friendship very much; because it is a general thing among our people in this country that, when a Chinaman first comes here from China, he is a dependent on his friends and relatives, who provide him food and shelter, and then find him employment until he has earned some money; then he pays them back what seems to him right. He feels it is his duty to respect and follow their advice, because of their kindness to him when he was a stranger. So, when he becomes a Christian, he not only feels he has lost those friends, but, perhaps, sometimes gets a good whipping from his relatives also. That not only prevents some from becoming Christians, but four or five of our members have turned back under these circumstances.

“But we make it one of our principal duties to make each one feel that he has found some better friends in the Association than those he has lost by becoming a Christian. Not long ago a young man became a Christian, and his friends, not satisfied with abusing and jeering at him, wrote a false report to his parents in China, telling them that their son in California not only had forsaken his old religion and the worshipping of his ancestors, but also had cut off his long queue and dressed in foreigner’s clothes. When they received this news, they wept and made many inquiries, and worshipped all the gods they knew of, praying them to use their spiritual power to turn their son back to be a Chinaman again, so that, when they die, they will have some one to take care of their bones and feed their ghosts. When the young man heard of this, he wrote home to them, telling them it was true that he had become a Christian, but it was not true that he had cut his queue and wore the foreigner’s clothing, and said that he was a Chinaman still; he would honor them just the same, and perhaps more. And he has not heard from them speaking on this subject ever since. Now, friends, such things as I have said often occur, but most of our members are firm. When once they have become Christians, they will stick to it, though they have so many hardships to bear.

“They often encounter some hard questions about Christianity from their heathen friends, such questions as, ‘If Jesus was the Son of God and a good man, why did the people kill him on the cross? People would never kill a good man that way.’ ‘You say, being baptized with a little water pour on your head, and your sins are no more. I can take the water and pour on my head, or wash me all over fifty times a day!’ ‘You say God created heaven and earth and man, and has power over everything; why He lets the devil live and lead the people to go astray, and, when the people die, He will condemn their souls and send them to hell?’ etc., etc. If they cannot answer these questions, they will ask their teachers or search the Scriptures to see what answer they can get from them—not only that those questions may be answered but in hopes that their heathen friends may be led to become Christians, also.

“We feel we are weak and few in number, but we trust God, and lean on His strong arm, that He will carry us through. We know that He has been very good to us, and has given so many kind friends to help us along; and we hope, through His goodness, that all our people will soon know that Jesus is the only Saviour of the world.”

* * * * *

AFRICA.

* * * * *

THE MENDI MISSION.

The Church and the Sunday-School.

REV. FLOYD SNELSON, GOOD HOPE STATION.

We had our First Communion yesterday. It was a great day in the church. All were in high spirits. We received one new convert, and others are seeking the way of life. We observed the Week of Prayer with the Church Mission Society, holding our meetings with each other alternately through the week, beginning with us to-night. We have a splendid Sabbath-school, and are doing all that we can to make it better.

* * * * *

The Day-School—The Christmas Entertainment—Knives and Forks.

BENJAMIN JAMES, M. D.

We have about sixty or more scholars, and, I tell you, to instruct them in the way they teach schools in America is difficult; indeed, more so than you have any idea of. With every attempt you make to teach them in that way, you become more and more discouraged. Our Sabbath-school is too large for the number of teachers at present engaged, but we hope to remedy this soon. We gave them, Thursday night, a Christmas entertainment. Mrs. Snelson cooked the food, which was partly furnished by the members of the church, and the remainder by ourselves. I was appointed to decorate the chapel, and, I must say, to these people’s credit, that I never had so many hands under my control in my life; and, as evergreen after evergreen was placed in position, the laborers increased. We not only had fruits, but poultry, vegetables, cakes, pies, candies, raisins, and music. There were many strangers, such as the Commander of the Port (a white man, with more decorations of honor on his chest than in the ephod of a Jewish high-priest), the Collector of the Port (white), the Catechist of the Established Church (colored), seven merchants (two white and five colored), the Postmaster (colored), Custom House officers in abundance (all colored), military officials of all grades, from a captain to a corporal. The church people, boatmen, and servants, were all present. Several tables were set; but, I am sorry to say, that when the laborers’ (such as carpenters and field hands) time came to sit and to sup, the best had been consumed.

I sat opposite a boat’s crew, and they began to laugh; as they would use the knife, then the spoon (large), after that the fork, such laughing after the use of each of these pieces of cutlery I have never witnessed before. I began to inquire of the waiter, an interpreter, what they were so much amused at, and he informed me that they were laughing at their use of the knives, forks and spoons. The spoons did not hold enough, they said; the food rolled off the knife in their unsteady hands, and the fork was like putting water in a fish-net instead of a calabash. Every day since that, when they eat dinner, they laugh about those pieces of cutlery.

During Christmas-Day, services were had in the chapel; they were begun at 5 o’clock, and continued until daylight. At 10 o’clock, there was preaching to the prisoners through an interpreter. On Thursday, at the banquet, we had singing and addresses to the day and Sabbath-schools, for they both were invited. The girls were marched from the chapel two by two, as were also the boys. This was another new feature, and they were well pleased with it.

I have had an extensive medical practice here and at Avery, and have so much to do in this way, that I am compelled to ask you to give me written instructions whom to attend, and how to proceed.

* * * * *

COMMUNICATIONS.

* * * * *

EDUCATION OF THE COLORED PEOPLE.

REV. J. E. RANKIN. D. D.

The following paragraphs are from the paper read by Dr. Rankin at
the anniversary at Syracuse. It was intended that it should be
printed with the proceedings, but, by accident, it was not left
in the hands of the committee. We hope to publish it in full in a
series of documents which we have in preparation.

After valuable historical statements, and a vivid picture of the
needs, and of the progress already made, among other good things,
the Doctor says:

The southern portions of this country cannot always remain blind to the truth that their _material prosperity_ depends upon the employment of _educated labor_. Sociologists claim that an educated laborer will produce twenty-five per cent. more than an uneducated one. If a colored man is worth $100 a year without an education, he is worth twenty-five per cent. more with one. The thrift of New England has been largely dependent upon the common-school houses there. Give a man education enough to transact ordinary business, to enable him to keep his accounts in writing, to improve his mind daily by reading, to understand the institutions of his country, to have an insight into the laws which shall govern him in relation to his neighbors and his God, to know his rights and his duties, and he is twenty-five per cent. better as a _producer_ than he was before. The necessity of keeping the colored man ignorant, of keeping out discussions relating to human rights, involved the other necessity of keeping a population unintelligent, unthinking and, so far forth, unproductive, as appeared in the very implements employed for tilling the soil.

The southern portions of this country cannot long remain oblivious of the fact that the _illiterate_ class are largely the _criminal_ class; that ignorance fosters crime. In New England only seven per cent. of the population—and these almost entirely of foreign birth—are illiterate. Eighty per cent. of all the crime committed, is by these illiterate persons. It really comes to this: “Which is the wisest outlay of public money—that put into schools and school-houses, or that put into almshouses and jails?”

It is not merely intelligence which prevents crime. It is the early formation of habits of industry. It is the pre-occupation of the mind, so that it does not become the devil’s workshop. And when one considers a late slave population, free but without the training which freedom especially requires, inheriting all the evil tendencies which slavery engenders; and then, on the other hand, a white population, largely dependent for support upon the labor of others, indolent from habit or from pride, and largely inheriting analogous tendencies—it is easy to see that here is a state of things especially favorable to crime.

I know that these are _material_ considerations, that they are upon a low plane of working, and very unlike those which actuated our New England fathers, with whom the school-house was collateral to the Church, and the spelling-book to the Bible. This of our fathers is the higher plane of effort occupied by the American Missionary Association. Political economists and statesmen can perceive the material bearings of this subject, and, little by little, as light spreads, the Southern States will be compelled for those reasons to see that their people have facilities for education, will comprehend the truth that school-houses and school-teachers add to the value of acres—as the President lately said at Nashville. Meanwhile, this Association, through its Normal Schools and Universities, is training up colored teachers and preachers to labor, as leaders, among their own people, as school systems shall be founded and maintained by law.

It is not enough that the different States of the South adopt a liberal system of public schools. Where, among colored people, shall suitable teachers be found? This race, like every other, must work out its own salvation. Favored ones must mount high, and reach down a helping hand to those below them. It cannot depend wholly upon white teachers. Oh, if there could rise up from among them gifted men and women, who were willing to devote themselves to _their own race_, to different classes of their own race, just for the sake of lifting them up from degradation! This is the aim of these institutions of the American Missionary Association—to train up the better, the choicer minds among colored youth, for the work of teaching and preaching; so that they may be eager to devote themselves to the mental and moral uplifting of their own race! If this “land that was desolate is yet to become like the garden of Eden”; if the thrift and industry of the more favored portions of this land are yet to be seen in all portions, I believe that no one agency will have been more instrumental in this, than the institutions of learning early established for the colored people!

At this time, the American Missionary Association limits its sphere to schools of the higher class. If it can train the _teachers_; if it can mould the minds and kindle the hearts of those who are soon to mould the minds and kindle the hearts of the thousands of colored children and youth, who are to be the colored men and women of the future, it could not have a higher mission; it could not do better, whether for the country or for the human race.

Brethren, this is no longer a _Southern_ question—a question which the South must be left to solve for themselves. We must help them, as involved in the destiny which they work out for us, as well as for themselves. For, if this millstone of ignorance be not taken from their necks, we go down with them into the depths of the sea!

* * * * *

FROM A LIFE MEMBER.

I am glad you have returned to the old form of Magazine. Although a Life Member, and thus entitled to receive it without pay, yet I am glad to inclose fifty cents for it, and most earnestly hope each and every one who receives the Magazine will do the same promptly, and _thus increase the income of the A. M. A. twelve thousand and five hundred dollars_.

Yours sincerely,
A LIFE MEMBER.

* * * * *

(_From the N. Y. Herald._)

SLAVE AND FREE LABOR COTTON.

Twelve crops of cotton have been raised by free labor, and the comparison of the returns with an equal number of crops before the war shows some interesting results. The period of free labor may properly be divided into two portions—the first, including four years, during which the crops of 1865 to 1868, both inclusive, were made, and in which the labor system was greatly disorganized; the second, including eight years—1869 to 1877—when free labor was fairly well organized. If we divide the twelve crops preceding the war in the same manner, we shall get the following results:

FIRST PERIOD—FOUR YEARS.

_Bales._
Crops of 1849–’50 to 1852–’53, inclusive 10,729,874
Add consumption of the South, not then
included in the commercial crop
statement 500,810
----------
Total (slave) 11,230,684
Crops of 1865–’66 to 1868–’69, inclusive
(free) 9,246,793
----------
Excess of slave crop over free 1,983,891

SECOND PERIOD—EIGHT YEARS.

Crops of 1869–’70 to 1876–’77, inclusive,
being eight years of organized free
labor 31,570,212
Crops of 1853–’54 to 1860–’61, inclusive,
being eight years of slave labor
immediately preceding the war 27,535,949
Add Southern consumption then
excluded from commercial crop
statement, but included since
the war 1,261,892–28,797,841
----------
Excess of free labor 2,772,371

In the last eight years free labor has, therefore, overtaken the palmiest days of slavery, and has produced two and three-quarter million bales more cotton. This crop is now more free from the encumbrance of debt than ever before, and with it has been raised a supply of food far greater than slavery ever compassed.

Without entering into minute statistics, it is safe to say that the money value of the thirty-one and a half million bales of cotton produced in the last eight years has been over two thousand million dollars in gold, and that over two-thirds of this value has been exported.

Texas, which seems to be the true land of the cotton farmer, has made the greatest relative progress, now producing double the crop of cotton that she made before the war. During the last cotton year, on less than half of one per cent. of her area, or on less than half an acre in a hundred, she produced a quantity of cotton equal to one-half the entire consumption of the United States.

* * * * *

THE CHILDREN’S PAGE.

* * * * *

(_From the Southern Sentinel, Talladega College._)

A YOUNG TEACHER’S STORY.

I fully realized last April, for the first time, that I had begun a missionary life, when I was helped into a covered wagon, where there was not room enough to sit up straight for the supplies. I had a dizzy headache before I had gone three miles; the smell of bacon, cheese, tobacco, and whiskey was enough to make _any one_ sick. I was wishing that the driver would take some of the things out of the wagon so I could sit more comfortably, when he stopped and took in four sacks of guano—my condition can be imagined better than described. I thought the Lord called some one else, and I had answered. When I got out, the man asked me which was the best—a proud walk or poor ride. I only thanked him for his kindness, and said nothing about which was best.

Some say, time flies; it seemed to me that time had lost its wings. At last the much-wished-for Tuesday appeared, beautiful and bright. Just as I sat down to breakfast, I heard some one ask if the school-mistress was in. As I had no appetite whatever, I excused myself from the table, and went to the door to see what was wanted. There were boys and girls of all sizes, with their buckets, books, and slates, all ready for school. We were soon on our way to the school-house; the walk was very pleasant through the piny woods. The school-house was in a very pretty place; a few steps from the door was a nice spring of water, and a large cave. We sang “What shall the harvest be,” then prayed. It was quite difficult to get their names. I asked one little girl her name; she said “Maggie.” I asked her “Maggie what;” she said “Maggie nothing.” There was one little girl in school that I thought never would get acquainted with me. I asked her one day why she didn’t study her lesson; she said she was wondering what kind of a woman I was. I asked her what kind of a woman did she think I was; she said I looked like a white woman to her. [_The writer is a dark person._] I told her she might lay aside her books for ten minutes and take a good look at me, so that she might be thoroughly convinced as to what kind of a woman I was. I then asked her what she thought; but she thought just the same. The weather was so warm, and the days so long, that the children could scarcely keep awake. I would let them go to the spring and bathe their faces, so they might keep awake longer.

In the evening, four or five little children came and offered to carry my books and bucket home, for the school-house had neither door nor window, hence it was not safe to leave them there. I gave each one something to carry, but they became quite troublesome. Lucy would say, Mary had carried them twice, and she only once; so I thought that it would be best to provide myself with a desk. This I did by moving a plank from the floor and putting them all under the house. That was no trouble whatever, for sometimes, while walking the floor, the next thing I would know I would be under it.

Whenever I went under, I expected to be snake-bitten before I could get out. One day, one of the scholars let her pencil fall through the crack of the floor, and asked me to let her get it. As I had cautioned them about looking for snakes before putting their hands under, I said nothing to her about it. Just as she reached down to get the pencil, she fell back and screamed. I had not the power to move for a few minutes, I was so sure she was snake-bitten.

I looked under the floor, and there was the _largest rattlesnake I ever saw_. We all got sticks and poles ready for a battle. I was captain, so you may be sure which side whipped. The snake appeared to be very angry; he made one strike, and I threw down my pole and ran, and told the children to kill it if they could,—but they all followed me. I was real glad whenever any of the children had to be kept in, for I did not like to stay in the room alone.

I walked two miles and a half every Sabbath, and sometimes through the rain. If it rained hard while we were there, we would have to get in one corner of the room to keep dry. We should be real earnest if we would accomplish much good. I did everything that was in my power, and felt that the Lord was with me and blessed my efforts.

* * * * *

RECEIPTS

FOR JANUARY, 1878.

* * * * *

MAINE, $692.38.

Bangor. Central Cong. Ch. $70; T. U. C. $1 71.00
Bath. Winter St. Ch. and Soc. 39.72
Brownsville. Cong. Ch. and Soc. 18.41
Castine. Rev. Alfred E. Ives 2.00
Garland. Cong. Ch. 7.50
Machias. Centre St. Sab. Sch. $25; Ladies’
Prayer-Meeting $5.75, to const. MRS. WM. C.
HOLWAY, L. M.; “A Friend” $3 33.75
Monson. R. W. Emerson 21.00
North Yarmouth. Samuel H. Sweetser, to const.
MISS LUCRETIA H. SWEETSER, L. M. 30.00
Orono. “A Friend” 5.00
Otisfield. Mrs. Susan Lovell $5; S. M. $1 6.00
Oxford. Mary A. Ellis 2.00
Portland. BEQUEST of Mrs. Samuel Tyler, by
Sarah A. Breslin 400.00
Portland. Edward Gould 12.00
Searsport. S. Thurston 10.00
Sheepscot Bridge. Amos Flye 20.00
South Freeport. Horatio Ilsley 2.00
Winthrop. I. N. M. 1.00
York. Cong. Ch. and Soc. 11.00

NEW HAMPSHIRE, $424.27.

Amherst. Miss C. M. Boylston 2.00
Antrim. “A Friend” 100.00
Chester. C.S.G. 0.25
Colebrook. H. A. 1.00
Concord. W. H. Pitman $2, _for Cal. Chinese
M._—Mrs. C. L. Gerould $2; Mrs. Cooper
Clark, bbl. of C. 4.00
Cornish. Cong. Ch. and Sab. Sch. 12.10
Dover. Cong. Ch. (ad’l) $7; E. J. L. $1.00 8.00
Farmington. First Cong. Ch. 14.50
Fisherville. “Mrs. M. C. A.” 10.00
Fitzwilliam. Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Hill 5.00
Hancock. E. W. 1.00
Harrisville. Darius Farwell 2.00
Keene. Dea. E. Rand and Mrs. M. Townes $5 ea.;
Second Cong. Ch. (ad’l) $1.40; Mrs. I. H.
Gates $5; Miss S. E. H. 50c. 16.90
Lyme. S. W. Balch 5.00
Meriden. Cong. Ch. and Soc. 9.83
Mount Vernon. Mrs. C. W. Smith $5; J. A.
Stowell $5 10.00
Nashua. Individuals 1.10
New Ipswich. N. F. D. $1; J. W. C. 50c. 1.50
Newport. Cong. Ch. and Soc. 15.60
North Hampton. E. Gove 10.00
Orford. Cong. Ch. and Soc. $23.50; Mrs. M. B.
Pratt $10 33.50
Orfordville. Cong. Ch. and Soc. 12.00
Pembroke. “A Friend” 20.00
Plainfield. Mrs. Hannah Stevens, to const.
REV. E. H. RICHARDSON, D. D., L. M. 32.00
Rindge. Cong. Sab. Sch. 10.20
Short Falls. Rev. I. W. C. 0.50
Thornton’s Ferry. Ladies, by Mrs. Harriet N.
Eaton 2.25
Temple. Mrs. W. K. $1; J. K. 50c. 1.50
Walpole. Cong. Ch. and Soc. 21.04
Wilton. A. B. C. 0.50
Wolfboro. Mrs. Anne S. Banfield, to const.
RICHARD BANFIELD and ANNE FISKE BANFIELD, L.
M.’s 61.00

VERMONT, $466.90.

Bennington. Second Cong. Ch. and Soc. ($30 of
which to const. MRS. F. C. WHITE, L. M.) 77.25
Burlington. ESTATE of Mrs. R. S. Nichols, by
B. S. Nichols 100.00
Burlington. “A Friend” $30, to const. MISS
ANNA E. CODEY, L. M.; N. S. H. $1; J. P. 50c. 31.50
Castleton. Individuals 1.00
Chester. G. H. C. 0.50
East Hardwick. Ladies’ Soc., bbl. of C. and
$3, by Mrs. H. W. Stevens, Sec.; Mrs. L. W.
J. and Mrs. S. H. P. $1 4.00
Fayetteville. Cong. Sab. Sch. $7; Asa Kidder $5 12.00
Manchester. L. D. C. 0.50
Newbury. ESTATE of Mrs. Mary A. Abbott, by
George Leslie 100.00
Plainfield. C. S. 0.26
Pomfret. Seth Conant 2.00
Pittsford. Cong. Soc. 50.00
Saint Albans. First Cong. Ch. and Soc. $33.34;
J. H. B. 50c. 33.84
Waitsfield. Cong. Ch. and Soc. $23.38; “Miss
A. T.” $5 28.38
West Brattleborough. Cong. Ch. 12.42
West Glover. Cong. Ch. and Soc. (ad’l) 2.50
West Newbury. Cong. Ch. and Soc. 5.00
Williamstown. R. D. N. 0.50
Winchester. “A Friend of Missions” 2.25
Woodstock. Cong. Ch. and Soc. (ad’l) 3.00

MASSACHUSETTS, $5,460.55.

Amherst. L. S. Nash $2—Ladies’ Benev. Soc. $2
and bbl. of C., _for Wilmington, N. C._ 4.00
Andover. Peter Smith 500.00
Andover. Free Ch. $55.35 and bbl. of
dry-goods, _for Ind. Sch., Talladega C._—“A
Friend” $4; H. C. $1; Miss S. E. J. 50c.; E.
J. P. 25c. 61.10
Auburn. “A Friend,” to const. JOHN DAVIS, L. M. 30.00
Auburndale. Cong. Ch. and Soc. $133.45;
“Friend” $20 153.45
Beverly. Dane St. Ch. and Soc. 46.00
Billerica. Dea. H. B. S. 0.50
Boston. Walnut Ave. Cong. Ch. and Soc.
$128.28; Mrs. Emily P. Eayrs $30, to const.
MISS EVELINE HOLCOMB. L. M.; C. G. Currier
of Old South Ch. $25; Phillips Ch., “A. F.
P.” $20; Central Ch. $10; Rev. Chas. Nichols
$5; Mrs. B. P. 50c. 218.78
Boston Highlands. E. E. B. 0.50
Boxford. Mrs. Elizabeth Sayward, _for Ind.
Sch. Talladega C._ 10.00
Brockton. Joseph Hewitt $5.—Mrs. B. Sanford,
$2, _for a Student, Fisk U._ 7.00
Brookline. Harvard Ch. and Soc. 79.19
Campello. Cong. Sab. Sch. 30.17
Cambridgeport. Geo. F. Kendall $5; G. B. C.
50c.; A. A. P. 50c. 6.00
Charlestown. Winthrop Ch. and Soc. 74.21
Chelsea. Friends 2 bbls. of C; Mrs. P. N. P.
50c. 0.50
Chesterfield. Cong. Ch. and Soc. 6.00
Chicopee. Third Ch. $39.20; Second Ch. 15c. 39.35
Dalton. Mrs. Z. M. Crane 100.00
Danvers. C. W. L. 0.50
East Braintree. Miss R. A. F. 0.50
East Hampton. Payson Sab. Sch. $100; First Ch.
and Sab. Sch. by W. H. Wright, $37.50 137.50
East Somerville. E. Stone $200; Franklin St.
Ch. and Soc. $75.15 275.15
East Weymouth. Cong. Sab. Sch. 10.00
Framingham. Plymouth Ch. and Soc. (ad’l)
$26.54; Young People’s Miss. Circle $20.05
and 2 bbls of C.; Mrs. S. N. Briggs $10;
Mrs. Maria Fay $5 61.59
Freetown. Cong. Ch. and Soc. $13.45; “A
Friend” $10 23.45
Gardner. Cong. Ch. and Soc. (_of which $8 for
Female Missionary, Chattanooga, Tenn._) 76.72
Granby. Mrs. John Church’s S. S. Class $18,
and Mrs. R. H. Davis’ Class $12, _for Cal.
Chinese M._, and to const. REV. R. HENRY
DAVIS, L. M.—Cong. Sab. Sch. $10.43 40.43
Great Barrington. Mrs. L. M. Chapin 5.00
Greenfield. Mrs. R. C. H. 0.50
Gilbertville. Cong. Sab. Sch. 26.80
Gloucester. Evan. Ch. and Soc. 102.25
Grafton. A. W. 0.25
Grantville. Cong. Ch. and Soc. 91.26
Greenwich. Cong. Sab. Sch. 12.00
Groton. Elizabeth Farnsworth $20; Union Ch.
and Soc. $8.13 28.13
Hadley. First Cong. Ch. and Soc. (of which $1
_for C. M. Building in Cal._) 11.70
Hanover Centre. Mary A. Smith 4.00
Haverhill. North Cong. Ch. and Soc. $123.65;
Mrs. S. C. 50c.; C. C. 50c. 124.65
Hingham. Cong. Ch. and Soc. 5.50
Holbrook. Mrs. C. S. Holbrook and daughter,
bbl. of C.
Hollister. A. W. F. M. 1.00
Holyoke. Second Ch. 15.00
Hopkinton. D. S. 0.27
Hubbardston. Sarah M. Ware 10.00
Hyde Park. Mrs. C. L. Foote and Charles P.
Foote $5 ea. 10.00
Ipswich. South Ch. and Soc. $26; Ladies’
Prayer Meeting $5; Linebrook Ch. and Soc. $5 36.00
Lancaster. Dea. L. R. 0.50
Littleton. Cong. Ch. and Soc. 19.50
Loudville. Mrs. W. S. R. 1.00
Lowell. Eliot Ch. and Soc. $47.10; E. M. Buss
$5; High St. Ch. and Soc. 3.83—Friends, bbl.
of C., _for Wilmington, N. C._ 55.93
Lynn. Josiah Richardson 3.00
Malden. First Cong. Ch. and Soc. 69.75
Medfield. Mrs. F. D. E. 1.50
Methuen. W. M. $1; A. P. C. 50c. 1.50
Milford. Mrs. B. Haywood 1.75
Millbury. First Cong. Ch. and Soc. 61.51
Monson. “Ladies” $8;—Miss E. A. W. $1, _for
Midway Ch., Ga._ 9.00
Montville. Sylvester Jones 2.00
Newbury. First Ch. and Soc. $8.50; E. G. P.
50c. 9.00
Newburyport. Mrs. J. P. Cleaveland, a hhd. of
C., _for Ind. Sch., Talladega C._—S. N. B.
50c. 0.50
Newton. Freedman’s Aid Sew. Cir., by Ellen D.
Jackson, $70. _for Student Aid, Talladega
C._—E. D. J. 50c. 70.50
North Adams. Cong. Ch. and Soc. 32.15
North Amherst. H. S. $1; W. L. R. 50c. 1.50
North Cambridge. _For Postage_ 0.10
Northborough. Cong. Ch. and Soc. $23.09; Mrs.
A. E. D. F. 50c. 23.59
North Hadley. Mrs. E. B. 1.00
North Leominster. Cong. Ch. and Soc. 13.16
North Woburn. Cong. Ch. and Soc. 15.64
Norton. Mrs. E. B. Wheaton 5.00
Oxford. First Cong. Ch. and Soc. $35; and Sab.
Sch. $15.67 50.67
Peabody. T. S. 0.50
Phillipston. Cong. Ch. and Soc. 19.10
Pittsfield. Asaph D. Foot 20.00
Reading. Amos Temple 100.00
Rochdale. S. P. $1; Mrs. R. W. 25c. 1.25
Salem. J. H. T. 0.60
Sandwich. Mrs. E. W. Wells $5; H. H. Nye $2 7.00
Scotland. Rev. Isaac Dunham 10.00
Southampton. Mrs. J. B. L. 0.50
South Abington. Freedman’s Aid Soc. 2 bbls. of
C., _for Tougaloo U._—N. N. 50c. 0.50
South Attleborough. Mrs. Harriet L. Draper,
bbl. of C.
South Boston. Phillip’s Ch. 77.36
South Weymouth. Second Ch. and Soc. 48.00
South Wilbraham. Cong. Ch. and Soc. 5.00
Springfield. Memorial Ch. $74.29; First Ch.
$62.56; Mrs. J. D. L. $1 137.85
Sterling. Evan. Cong. Ch. and Soc. 40.00
Stoneham. Cong. Ch. and Soc. $19.50; Mrs. A.
H. $1 20.50
Stoughton. Mrs. B. E. Capen 2.00
Sutton. J. W. M. 0.50
Taunton. R. Luscombe 2.00
Topsfield. Mrs. R. C. Towne and Friends, bbl.
of C.
Uxbridge. Willard Judson 2.00
West Andover. Sab. Sch. 20.00
Westborough. Rev. J. W. B. 0.50
West Boylston. C. T. W. 0.50
Westfield. Mrs. C. A. J. 1.00
West Foxborough. J. M. P. 0.50
West Medford. Cong. Ch. and Soc. $15; “A
Friend” $2 17.00
West Medway. Cong. Sab. Sch. 23.96
West Newbury. Cong. Ch. and Soc. $6.85; J. C.
Carr $2 8.85
West Newton. ESTATE of Hadassah Stevens ($200
_of which for Trinity Sch., Athens, Ala._) 800.00
West Stockbridge Village. Cong. Ch. and Soc. 11.38
Weymouth. ESTATE of Abby C. Pratt 582.30
Whateley. Cong. Ch. and Soc. 2.66
Whitinsville. Executors, ESTATE E. W. Fletcher 200.00
Whitinsville. Cong. Sab. Sch. $37; Cong. Ch.
(ad’l) $5; Rev. J. R. Thurston $30; S. A. D.
50c. 72.50
Williamstown. Miss Emily Beckwith 10.00
Winchendon. First Cong. Sab. Sch. $12.09; “A
Friend” $10 22.09
Woburn. Cong. Ch. and Soc. 138.50
Worcester. Union Sab. Sch. $100; Plymouth Ch.,
S. A. Pratt $25; M. W. 50c; Ladies’ Benev.
Soc. of Plymouth Ch., by Mrs. C. M. Draper,
Sec., 2 bbls. of C. 125.50
Worthington. Mrs. M. S. Randall 2.00

RHODE ISLAND, $79.82.

Bristol. Mrs. R. R. 1.00
Newport. D. B. F. 0.50
Peace Dale. Cong. Ch. 20.00
Providence. Beneficent Cong. Ch. $49.82;
Elmwood Cong. Ch. and Soc. $7.50; M. E. L.
50c; L. M. W. 50c 58.32

CONNECTICUT, $3,332.95.

Ansonia. “M. R. B.” 1.00
Cheshire. “A Friend” 39.00
Colchester. Mrs. M. J. G. 0.50
Collinsville. “Friends” $100, _for Ag. Dept.,
Talladega C._; Mrs. N. A. Bently $5, _for
Ind. Sch., Talladega C._; 105.00
Cornwall. Miss H. D. C. 0.60
Cornwall Bridge. Geo. H. Swift 10.00
Bantam Falls. Eliada Kilbourn 5.00
Bethlehem. H. B. 1.00
Black Rock. Cong. Ch. 9.85
Bloomfield. Cong. Ch. 18.00
Bridgeport. Second Cong. Ch. $76.70; J. G. D.
$1; V. C. and J. B. $1 78.70
Bristol. Cong. Ch. $169.77, to const. FRANCIS
O. LEWIS, ELLEN S. COOK, MRS N. L. BREWSTER,
MRS. S. P. NEWELL and MRS. FRANK ATWOOD, L.
M’S.—Ladies’ Home Miss. Ass’n $75, for _Ind.
Sch., Talladega C._ 244.77
Burnside. Miss E. S. 1.00
Danbury. E. B. 0.50
Eastford. Cong. Ch. 7.64
East Hartford. Cong. Ch. 60.00
East Hampton. “Young People” $100, _for Ag.
Dept., Talladega C._; Talladega Miss. Soc.
$12, _for Ind. Sch., Talladega C._ 112.00
Farmington. Cong. Ch. 158.43
Glastonbury. Sab. Sch. of First Cong. Ch.
$200; G. M. J. 60c 200.60
Greenwich. Geo. A. Palmer $30; Israel Peck
$5.50 35.50
Greton. Cong. Ch. 7.20
Hartford. Pearl St. Cong. Ch. $153.56; Mrs.
Mary C. Bemis $30.—Mrs. F. P. H. Wood and
Mrs. Geo. C. Perkins $20, _for Ind. Sch.,
Talladega C._; Miss L. A. Bigelow $3, _for
Ind. Sch. Talladega C._ (_freight_).—Mrs.
John Olmsted $2.50; Mrs J. O. $1 210.06
Hebron. L. W. R. 0.50
Litchfield. “L. M.” 3.00
Madison. Cong. Ch. and Soc. 3.25
Middletown. A. Doolittle $5; H. E. S. $1 6.00
Milton. Mrs. Nelson T. Gorhan 2.50
Millington. Cong. Ch. 2.25
Mt. Carmel. “A Friend” 30.00
Montville. First Cong. Ch. 4.00
New Britain. Fred. G. Mead $70; _for Theo.
Scholarship, Straight U._—South Cong. Ch.
$44.43; Mrs. Wm H. Smith $30, to const. MISS
JULIA ANN KELSEY, L. M.—Mrs. Horace Wells
$20, and Levi S. Wells $10, _for
Scholarships, Straight U._—“Member South
Cong. Ch.” $10; Mrs. A. A. 51c 184.94
New Haven. Mrs. Julia A. Dickerman $101;
College St. Ch. $40; Taylor Ch. $6; Henry
Johnson $5; S. S. T. and Mrs. E $1; C. A. S.
$1; J. M. 50c; A. L. 51c 155.01
New London. Second Cong. Ch. $566.80; M. G. B.
50c.; “Martha and Mary,” box of books 567.30
North Greenwich. Cong. Ch. and Soc. 15.31
North Lyme. H. M. 0.50
Norwalk. Ladies’ Benev. Ass’n of First Cong.
Ch. $25; Mrs. Wm. B. St. John $3 28.00
Norwich. Buckingham Sab. Sch. 25.00
Old Lyme. “Three Friends” 13.00
Stanwich. William Brush 100.50
Stonington. R. Town 2.00
South Killingly. Cong. Ch. 5.00
Rocky Hill. Rev. Geo. Tillotson, _for Ind.
Sch. Talladega C._ 13.50
Roxbury. Cong. Ch. and Soc. 24.60
Terryville. Dea. R. D. H. Allen $100; Cong.
Ch. Sab. Sch. $70, _for Ag. Dept., Talladega
C._ 170.00
Thompsonville. D. P. 1.00
Unionville. Cong. Ch. $30; Rev. J. A. Smith
$25; Dr. C. L. Beach $10; _for Ag. Dept.
Talladega C._—Edward Lyman $5 70.00
Wapping. Cong. Sab. Sch., _for Student Aid,
Talladega C._ 32.00
Washington. “A few Friends” $9, by H. S.
Nettleton; F. A. F. $1 10.00
Waterbury. First Cong. Ch. $150; “A Friend”
$100 250.00
Watertown. Cong. Sab. Sch., to const. CHARLES
A. BALDWIN and ARTHUR E. FREEMAN, L. M.’s 60.00
Weatoque. T. J. W. 1.00
West Haven. Cong. Ch. $19.13; Mrs. E. C.
Kimball $5 24.13
West Meriden. E. K. Breckenbridge 10.00
West Winsted. Second Cong. S. S., R. E.
Holmes’ Class 4.81
Winsted. Second Cong. Sab. Sch. $100; C. J.
Camp $50; J. T. Rockwell $20; Henry Gray
$20., _for Ag. Dept. Talladega C._ 190.00
Woodbury. First Cong. Ch. $11.50; C. I. Miner
$5 16.50
Yalesville. M. E. B. 1.00

NEW YORK, $794.92.