Chapter II: Part 2

There are in attendance this year two hundred and fifty students, a much larger number than ever before, and there is every indication of an increase the coming year. During the last vacation the principal and the music teacher, with a company of students, visited many of the larger places of the State, lecturing, giving concerts, and stirring up the people generally on the subject of education. The Christian zeal and deportment of the students, and the information diffused, awakened a desire for education, and a public sentiment in favor of Talladega College never before known. The last commencement exhibited and also increased the new love and enthusiasm for the college. They gathered from the country for twenty miles around, on foot, on mules, in ox-carts and wagons. All the examinations were largely attended; many who could not read taking the liveliest interest in “two unknown quantities,” and experiments in philosophy. An instructive address by Rev. Dr. Brown, of Newark, N. J., the prize declamations and essays by fourteen of the Normal students, the graduating exercises of three young men from the Theological Department, the concert by the Musical Union, and other interesting exercises, furnished the only means for comprehending a liberal education, which hundreds of the great crowds in attendance had ever enjoyed.

The students, also, are taking a personal pride in bringing back the best scholars from their summer schools. One young man, having failed to collect any funds from his summer school in Georgia, started with his most advanced pupil on foot, their satchels upon their backs. Walking, riding in chance carts, and helped on by railroad conductors, who were evidently influenced to surprising kindness by the spirit of the Master, they reached this place. Incited by the enthusiasm of this young man, three more have followed him from his distant field of labor. From Mississippi, another young man brought back two. They walked about one hundred miles, and are now paying their way in school by labor on the college farm.

Both have begun earnest Christian lives, and are soon to unite with the church.

All the young men of the college are organized into a battalion of cadets for physical culture. Their government is conducted by means of this organization, its officers being held responsible for the conduct of the members, and being expected to set an example of manliness and courteous deportment. We find this to be one of the most potent factors of their moral as well as physical development.

Industrial Department.

At the close of the last school year, the Industrial Department was decided upon. One of the professors, with the approval of the Association, immediately proceeded to lay the matter before friends in the North; and the teachers gathered from all sources whatever they could secure, with which to begin the work. About three thousand dollars have already been received, and work in the following branches begun:

A printing press was secured, with which to bring our wants before the people of the North, and our influence to bear upon the intelligent colored people. Six students have learned a useful trade, and by its means are paying their way in school. In August they began the publication of the _Southern Sentinel_, a small eight-page paper, of which five hundred copies are issued monthly. Should any one doubt its usefulness, a year’s subscription (one dollar) would be an excellent test. Six hundred copies of the Sabbath-school Lesson papers, prepared with reference to the peculiar needs of our Sabbath-schools, are also printed, together with a large quantity of other matter.

Work upon the farm was begun in September. In October one hundred and sixty acres were bought, in addition to the thirty acres already owned by the college. The citizens of the place, both white and colored, have become deeply interested in the success of the enterprise. Gifts of all kinds, from a little girl’s pet chicken, to a fine eighteen dollar plow from a merchant of the town, and from an old auntie’s half-peck of potatoes to a fine cow and calf from one of the deacons of the college church, and varying in amounts from five cents to fifty dollars, have been given. Our most intelligent citizens say that no other enterprise for the benefit of the colored people has ever aroused so much interest among them as the Agricultural Department.

In the Girls’ Industrial School, sixteen young women are earning, wholly or in part, their board and tuition; while, at the same time, learning ways and methods which will make hundreds of homes brighter and happier.

In mechanical work, five hundred dollars’ worth of building and repairing has been done, under the direction of an excellent carpenter.

In these different departments of labor, the students have already received about fifteen hundred dollars as wages, in board and tuition.

Theological Department.

If the colored people are to be elevated, in no class is education more necessary than in the ministry. One of the leading Baptist ministers in the State, being asked how many of the young ministers educated in their schools were now in the ministry in this State, replied “One, and we expect soon another.” Yet this church includes by far the largest number of the colored people. To meet this great want, a Theological Department was organized in connection with the college in 1872. Four young men constituted the first class, three of whom are now in the ministry. The number of pupils last year was twenty-seven; at present it is nineteen. The decrease is owing to the requirement of a higher standard in literary training. The colored people are naturally theologians and Bible students. Three distinct lines of study are pursued, all of which have special reference to practical, Christian work. (1) To make the pupils familiar with the facts of the Bible. (2) To establish them in a system of Christian theology. (3) To acquaint them with the best methods of Christian work. Twenty-five Sabbath-schools are carried on by the students. Six of these have grown into churches, the young men acting as their pastors. Sabbath-school Conventions, and various other kinds of Christian work, are conducted by the students, often assisted by teachers from the college. This department has a library of over eight hundred volumes.

Church Work.

We doubt if anywhere else in the South the Church and School are both so strong and so closely united as here. The Congregational Church of Talladega was organized in 1868. There are at present one hundred and forty-nine members, with a Sabbath-school of three hundred. Of course the larger part are students, but a goodly number are citizens, heads of families, having good homes, and being comparatively prosperous. Not only the members of this church, but of the other churches in the village, are thoroughly interested in whatever affects the college. In all the church services citizens and students mingle, with always a sprinkling of members from other churches. In the social gatherings of the students, the members of the church are always welcomed, and enter heartily into their pleasures. Thus the college is anchored by means of the church in the hearts of the people themselves. Many colleges are held in their present location by the force of gravity, or by the adhesive force of brick and mortar alone; but Talladega College, were her buildings burned to the ground, or blown aloft into the air, would remain firmly fixed in the hearts and affections of the people.

* * * * *

NORTH CAROLINA.

“A mighty still religion.” “Good Christians is Peaceable.”

MISS MARTHA MOORE, WILMINGTON.

With a larger working force this year, we are able to do more outside work, and we find in our visits among the people plenty of poverty, misery and sin. We almost wonder if _any power_ is sufficient to raise them from their degradation. Yet, the many noble exceptions bring to view the _possibilities_ of the race, and encourage us to labor on.

To show how the old heathenish idea of religion seems to those who have received more light, I will copy a letter from one who, only a year ago, was led to embrace the truth and to join our church. She writes from her old home in the country, where she is spending the winter with her father. She has, as you will see, a very limited education. She writes:

“DEAR FRIENDS: I arrieved home safe found All injoying helth I
went with Brother to the Sunday School But Could not Injoy it;
Some had their spelling Books And Some their testaments and
speled And read the lessons over and out to play. then the Church
gather in to Class and in a half hour every bodys mouth was open
and their was nothing to be heard But I have been redeemb. I
stod aside and look at them till at last one of them Caime to
me saying sister what are you doing havent you got the Spirit
on yet? why, your religeon dead why what sort of Still thing is
this. ha you must be up And a doing let the world no that you
got the spirit on Show your light and let them see. Well I says
I think that a very poor way to show the Christian light. O well
if you say this a poor way you got no religeon honey; what Church
you belong to. I tole them, why I never heard of that before
well if they are like you I don’t no how it is but its mighty
still religeon well I says Im Sorry that you all think that
unless you Make a loud noise the world wont see your Light. I
believe in showing the light in our walk And Conversation home
and abroad not wait to go To the Church; But they say you must
get the Spirit on, so you see its imposible for me to injoy their
worship. I hope you will all pray for my deliverence for I do not
think the lord intend to keep Me in this purgatory.

“Yours, L. S.”

We have in our night-school some who are making great efforts to improve in knowledge. It requires no little resolution, after working hard all day, to walk a mile or two and study two or three hours. A stranger came a few weeks ago, wishing, as he said, “to cultivate his brain.” There was evidently need of it, and we were glad to learn that his recent conversion had awakened him to the importance of knowing how to read for himself. He also expressed a wish to come here to church, as he had become acquainted with one of our members, who, as he said, “seemed to be a good, civil sort of Christian,” and he thought he would come and see what kind of meetings produced that effect. He had attended another church, but said he “didn’t like there, for they had some crossness, and good Christians is peaceable; they can’t help being peaceable”;—a good lesson for all who bear the Christian name.

Our Sunday-school averages about 130, and the truth seems to be gaining a firmer hold in the minds of some of the older pupils. The day-school is prospering. One of the little ones of the primary department, a bright little fellow, was yesterday laid in his grave.

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ALABAMA.

Debt-Raising in a Colored Church.

REV. CHARLES NOBLE, MONTGOMERY

At the annual meeting of the church, in December, it was found that of the $100 pledged to the pastor’s salary, only $25 had been paid; and that an old debt for sexton’s services remained, amounting to $34. In the extra effort made to pay for the painting and repair of the church, and other expenses in spring and summer, these things had been neglected. It was a surprise, and, of course, a disagreeable one to many of the church; but there was a decided feeling that the amount ought to be raised at once, and not left to be a burden on the church any longer. A debt of $109 is as much to this people as some of the $50,000 debts, which Mr. Kimball has been helping churches North to clear away, are to them. Therefore, it seemed to me that the matter was one to be carefully and prayerfully managed. I appointed a meeting for the consideration of the matter, and opened it by reading Chaps, viii. and ix. of 2d Cor., and briefly explaining their teachings. Then we spent half an hour in prayer, the brethren bringing the burden right to the Lord in the simplest and most touching language, expressing their sorrow and self-reproach at having failed to make good their promises, and asking forgiveness and help. Then they talked the matter over, and decided to raise the amount at once by subscription. A fair was suggested, but the decision was against it, on the ground that it wasn’t quite honorable to call in outside help to make good their own delinquency; and, moreover, that a fair involved a great deal of unprofitable labor and excitement, and was a fruitful mother of dissensions. These points they made themselves, and in view of them they decided to raise the amount by voluntary offerings. The subscription began at once, and the matter being presented to the church for two successive Sundays, the whole amount was raised by voluntary pledges. I am certain that the brethren who so cheerfully and promptly pledged, and paid, $7.50 and $6 and $5, gave as abundantly, in proportion to their means, as those who pledged $5,000 and $2,000 at Providence. The spirit in which it was done was the most beautiful part of it. It was more than willingly done. The gifts were brought forward thankfully, joyously, and I never saw happier people in my life than those who joined in thanksgiving to God, when the whole amount was raised. We observed the week of prayer, with meetings every evening, and there was real evidence of the presence of the Spirit. One who has long been in the dark was brought out into the light; and it seemed to us that we must go forward. We had meetings for two weeks with good attendance, and very tender feeling. Quite a number of people rose for prayers, and we hope that four at least have found the Saviour. The church has certainly been quickened and strengthened very much.

* * * * *

LOUISIANA.

Revival News—“Pray for My Child!”—Older Converts—Romanists Reached.

MRS. T. N. CHASE, NEW ORLEANS.

You will rejoice to hear of the good work in the Central Congregational Church of New Orleans. The interest has been sufficient to bring an unusual number every night for four weeks to our prayer-meeting. One evening, after the pastor had taken nearly the usual time, he called for brief testimony from Christians. Fifty-three responded in the limited half hour.

The fruit to be gathered in was from among the older students of the school, who were not already professing Christians. This was what would be expected by those who know their faithful, Christian teachers. All teachers know the thrilling interest that clusters around the conversion of young persons under their tuition. So, as I have heard our teachers talk of this scholarly young man, and that promising young woman, coming over to the Lord’s side, I knew very well what a burden of prayer and effort was lifted from their hearts and hands.

The third week of our meetings a younger class seemed interested. One evening a widow begged us to pray for her daughter, in tones that would have melted a heart of stone. As she passed out of the door, at the close of the meeting, I overheard her saying to one and another, “Pray for my child! pray for my child!” An earnest mother, I thought; who can doubt the reality of her religion? On my way home I learned that her husband had been a devoted member of our church, and a wealthy, intelligent, respected colored citizen. I am happy to find such men are not rare in New Orleans. The next evening the mother, with the same pleading earnestness, begged us to pray for her child. Since her husband’s death her property had gone, other dear ones had passed on, and it seemed as though she could not be denied the conversion of her child. The grandmother was present, too, and gave us a soul-stirring testimony of her long pilgrimage. When those who wished our prayers were requested to come forward, several responded. All were strangers to me; but when a certain little girl went forward just behind the others, a tide of emotion almost overcame me. She was as much a stranger to me as the others, and I, for a moment, wondered at my tears. Then it flashed upon me that she must be the widow’s child, and my emotion was caused by the flood of sympathy that was involuntarily surging from heart to heart for that praying mother. On inquiry, I found I was not mistaken. You can imagine, better than I can describe, the scene, when mother and grandmother gathered about the child, pleading with her to yield to Jesus, as we all knelt to commend the lost lambs to a loving Shepherd.

Now, the older people are being reached. Friday evening a man came in late to escort his wife home. Saturday he came early, and at the very first opportunity was on his feet, saying, “For forty years I hadn’t thought I had a soul till I came in here last night. Help me to find Jesus.” He went forward, fell upon his knees, and was so penitent it did not seem strange that that very night the publican’s God sent him “to his house justified.” As he met our pastor the next morning at church, he exclaimed, “Mr. Alexander, you convinced me, but Jesus saved me.” It would do a stoic good to look upon his beaming face and see what grace has done for that man.

It seems to me that the most interesting feature of the A. M. A. work in New Orleans is its leavening influence upon Roman Catholicism. I was talking, after service one evening, with a beautiful girl who had been forward for prayers, and whose face wore a genuine look of deep contrition. On asking her if she attended church here regularly, she replied, “No; I go to the Catholic Church.” Another girl was sitting beside a member of our family one evening, when a boy behind whispered to her, “Don’t you ask for prayers! if you do, I’ll tell the priest!” I hear that a large number in the school are professed Catholics, but are allowed to attend on account of the superior instruction.

* * * * *

TENNESSEE.

Le Moyne Normal School.

MEMPHIS, TENN., _Feb. 16th, 1878_.

The Le Moyne teachers, last year, organized among themselves a reading circle for their own pleasure and improvement. Each Thursday evening was devoted to the study of an author. After a while, other friends were invited to join them for a single reading. The custom was continued after the long vacation, and became a part of the family life.

So much interest was manifested among the occasional guests, that some of them proposed that the circle be enlarged to include all the colored teachers of the city. The proposal was favorably received, and the new literary society has superseded the original. The character of exercises has been changed to meet the demands of this wider and different element. The programme this week was as follows:

_Historical_: “Benjamin Franklin—his public life; his private life.” _Poetical_: “Longfellow—sketch of his life; selections from his writings.” _Debate_: “Resolved, that the Crusades were a benefit to the world.” “Humorous Reading.” _Scientific_: “Cell Life.” “Budget.”

Music is interspersed, and discussions upon different topics are presented. Ten minutes is the utmost time allowed each participant. The only drawback is the lack of books of reference. Our small library furnishes some assistance, and the additions made to it from time to time help us in our preparations for the literary society.

Friday evenings are devoted to an equally interesting and well-attended gathering of a more devotional character. The Sabbath-school teachers, who use the International Lessons, meet in one of the school-rooms for studying the next Sabbath’s lesson. It is one of the most enjoyable hours of the week.

The first suggestion of united study came from the superintendent of the leading Methodist Sabbath-school. Others at once acceded to the proposal, and heartily join in the exercises. Topics are assigned to members of various schools, so that special preparation is previously made, and very little time is wasted during the meeting.

Methodist, Baptist and Congregational superintendents succeed one another in leading the meetings. Denominational lines are forgotten in seeking to learn the truths of the Bible, and in considering the best methods of presenting those truths to classes. The ten minutes of devotion, at the beginning of each meeting, include the discussion of a practical subject. “How to secure the influence of the Holy Spirit in the hearts of our scholars,” “Best methods of conducting Infant Classes,” “Opening and closing exercises of the school,” are a few of the topics considered.

* * * * *

A Woman’s Work among Women.

MISS HATTIE MILTON, MEMPHIS.

My mission, thus far, has been mostly to the lowly. The first step was to become acquainted with the people and secure their confidence, which had to be accomplished in various ways; sometimes by taking a great interest in the children, lending them books, giving them pictures, candy, toys, etc., or by giving the mother a little assistance or advice about her work. Sickness affords a good opportunity. I visited one family where the mother had been helpless for some time from a beating given her by her husband. I dressed her wounds, made clothing for her infant, washed and dressed it, set the neighbors to work, and thus secured the confidence of the whole neighborhood; now I am welcomed into homes where before I was treated with coldness and suspicion. I reach a great many through my sick ones.

Some little Sabbath-school girls in Crete, Ill., sent us a box of bedding and clothing, which has been a great help in my work; also, my friends at Romeo, Mich., sent a box of clothing, toys, books, and material for my sewing-school, all of which has been a God-send to me, as I find some very destitute families. The city does nothing for the poor colored people, so my opportunity is all the greater for doing good.

I find many who cannot read and who are very glad to hear the Bible read. Some have even offered to pay me for reading to them, at the same time saying, “You must need it, you dear child, if you have left your friends and home to come and work for the poor colored people.”

It is astonishing how little these people know about the Bible, although they have attended church for years. Those who cannot read find it so hard to understand the preaching, and those who could read a little to them ‘could not give the understanding,’ as they say. When I had finished my Bible reading with one family, they said: “Please, ma’am, come every Sabbath, we get so much more satisfaction from hearing you read than we do anywhere else.” I endeavor to visit them at such hours as not to interfere with their work, and often read and explain the Bible to a woman while she proceeds with her sewing or ironing; however, some insist on laying aside work, saying, “We must give our whole attention to the word of God when we do have a chance to hear it”; and it is quite affecting to have them thank the kind heavenly Father for sending some one to teach them ways they knew not of, and pray to become better women for having received the instruction.

The missionary and those who send her do not lack for prayers from the colored people. I have a Mothers’ Meeting once a week, where I endeavor to teach them from the Bible their duties as mothers and wives; also a sewing-school, where we teach the girls how to cut and make garments, which they buy, when finished, at a low price. I have had so much to do in this part of the work, that one of the teachers has kindly assisted me.

I have over fifty families on my visiting list, and have called on several others and am received cordially by nearly all. I am well pleased with the work, and ought never to cease being thankful for the good and wonderful way in which the Lord has opened this field of labor for me.

Not long since, one of the girls from the senior class came and told me she would like to become a missionary sometime, and asked me to tell her what she could do now, as she wishes to begin to work for Jesus while she is young. She asked me to take her with me on some of my visits among the people, which I shall be glad to do. I think one of the good results of this work is that it tends to set the colored people to work for themselves, as they are glad to do, but did not know how to go to work; they need instruction in this as in everything else.

* * * * *

KENTUCKY.

Berea College.

While the echoes of Merry Christmas are ringing in our ears, and good dinners and joyous family greetings are still bright spots in our memories, it may be interesting to hear of a Gospel Feast in Berea, Ky. Our good steward, of the Boarding Hall, conceived the plan of going out into our highways and hedges and inviting those most destitute to dine with him. Over the hills and the valleys went the joyful tidings into many a log-hut—“Mr. H. done ’vite us to a big dinner at de Hall.”

Aside from teachers and their wives, no white folks were admitted within those doors as guests. At an early hour, the large parlor began to fill. To those of us who were late, it required no little moral courage to enter a room so well filled, and go through the ordeal of hand-shaking. The walls were lined with people, and from their sober, dignified looks, one could easily imagine it a funeral occasion. They seemed conscious of the dignity of the hour, and were prepared to maintain it at any cost. Men sat modestly far away from the women. The costumes would have driven “Worth” distracted. Surely, never could he have devised so many ways of “doing up” the female form. Bits of ribbon, faded and old, stray pieces of lace pinned here and there in charming abundance, and with a lofty indifference to such minor matters as harmony or usefulness. One large figured gown of prominent yellow shades, made conspicuous the form of an old woman, who seemed, like her gown, to have awakened out of a Rip Van Winkle sleep, or been unearthed from some old ruin. It reminded us of the days of Dolly Varden, and was not very unlike the Chinese and Japanese cloths which to-day we try to think pretty. But it would be impossible to attempt a description of the toilettes. Necessity made a virtue of all sorts of combinations; and if they were not beautiful, they seemed to give the wearers the feeling of being dressed—a feeling not always accomplished under happier circumstances.

As we went from one to another, it certainly relieved the monotony to hear them say, “Ki, yi! dars Miss Lizzie,” “How d’ye, honey,” and so on. From the men came the stiffest bows and politest concern for our health. Knowing but few in the party, we hastily found a seat, where we could talk to one about gardens. To another, the never-failing question of babies proved interesting; and thinking of the little black ones, I thought in God’s sight they might be as fair as my own. It took so long for one old dame to tell of her “rheumatiz” and general “misery,” that our sympathy, which was real, almost cooled before the lengthy recital was ended. During all that long hour not a loud laugh was heard from those laughter-loving people.

At length, to the relief of us all, the great doors opened, and the eager old children could contain themselves no longer, and almost broke ranks and ran; husbands and wives apart, evidently fearing, as they hurried to their seats, there would not be room for all. Not till the guests were seated did the teachers scatter here and there, glad for _once_ at least to yield the first seat.

What a meal was provided! Of all good things that could be brought from farm or store, there was no lack. The blessing asked, eagerly they began to enjoy what was to them the principal event of the day. Glancing about us, we saw our steward (a man of deeds rather than of words), upon whom all the expense of this feast came, looking around, with beaming eye, over the great company whose hearts he had made glad. We thought of the wife who had stood by his side so many years, helping in every good work, and who would have been there if God had not called her higher. The flushed face of our good housekeeper, who is never too weary or too busy to do a little more, if she can make hearts happy thereby, shone upon us, and we knew her hands had been full for many days. Though her feet were tired, they obeyed the loving heart, and she flew among us like a spirit, watching on all sides that no one should fail to enjoy the dinner.

Looking up the table, our hearts ached, as one face after another brought up the old slave days. Some there were who had risen above every discouragement, and in the face of poverty, low wages and many another hindrance, had proved themselves men, gladly denying themselves the comforts of life, that their children’s days might be brighter than their own. We saw there old men, grown grey in their “massa’s” service, turned out without a dollar, to pinch the rest of their lives to keep from suffering. Women, married in the Lord and in the honesty of their own hearts, considered only as so much property, to be abused or neglected as their masters chose. Beauty was a fearful gift to the race, and many of our colored women do not lack the gift.

One woman we must speak of, who, having neither riches nor sweetness of temper, made it all good in the wealth of names, which can only be equalled in the royal family. I give a few: “Carrie Lee, Bessie Fee, who but she—Bernaugh.” “Isabel, rise and tell, the glories of Immanuel—Bernaugh.” “Raphael Rogers, Alfred Hart, ’Postle Paul, Caleb after all—Bernaugh.” How she abbreviated these names I know not.

The dinner over, the music room quickly filled. Some of our pianists gave sweet music, but so far above a part of the assembly that I’ve no doubt they longed for their “fiddles and banjoes.” By request, they struck up a wailing sound, which rose and fell, with words somewhat after this style:

“The ark’s a movin’, movin’, movin’,
The ark’s a movin’, move right along.”

This was so sad, that something joyful was called for, and again the strain rung out; old men and women moving their bodies to keep their own time, which each one seemed to do regardless of his neighbor, closing up each line, and almost each word, with such hemi-demi-semi-quavers as would have puzzled some of our best singers. Poor things! the elements of joy had not entered into their religious life. The minor strain swept over all their heart experiences, and in spite of the words of their hymns, their music gave us the echo of their days of bondage, and helped us to thank God that a brighter life had been ours. To them seemed to come no middle ground between the “double-shuffle” and the saddest songs for Christ.

After many a hand-shake and parting blessing to us all, the people wended their way back to their homes, some to their rude cabins, saying to one another, “Dis de best day of my life,” “Tank de Lord for dis good day.”

To our steward we gave the conventional good-bye, but in our hearts we knew that there was one blessed passage of Scripture applicable to him, and we doubt not he will hear it some day: “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto Me.”

This is one picture. I shall be glad soon to show the other side, and give the contrast between some of those who were gathered at this feast, and their children, who have enjoyed the privileges of the school at Berea. L. R.

* * * * *

HYMN.

MRS. E. SPENCE.[A]

Sung at the farewell meeting on the departure of Rev. Mr. and
Mrs. A. P. Miller, and Rev. Mr. and Mrs. A. E. Jackson, as
missionaries to Africa, Nashville, Feb. 18, 1878.

God bless, with special favor,
This consecrated band!
Their trust will never waver,
Led by Thy loving hand!
As to thy call they listen,
Each answers, “Here am I,”
And yet a tear may glisten
Unbidden in the eye!

Thou know’st what ties are breaking
That twine around the heart!
The yearning, and the aching,
When friends and kindred part!
Oh! let them feel Thy presence
Continuously so near,
To compensate the absence
Of all they hold most dear!

As, over land and ocean
They still pursue their way,
The spirit of devotion
Replenish day by day.
When over smooth seas gliding
With hearts attuned to sing,
Or tossed by tempest, hiding
Beneath thy shelt’ring wing!

And when their destination
Is safely reached at last,
Where every mission station
Has boundaries so vast—
Strengthen the willing spirit
For service, till they see
The land which they inherit,
Redeemed and ruled by Thee!

Lord Jesus, lead victorious
The sacramental host,
Until thy kingdom, glorious,
Extend from coast to coast;
The powers of hell be driven
From every conquered zone,
And, even as in heaven,
Thy will on earth be done!

FOOTNOTE:

[A] Mrs. Spence was born in Scotland, in the year that Cary, the first missionary from England, went out upon his pioneer and untrodden way eighty years ago. Her heart has been overflowing with gladness during these days of preparation.

* * * * *

THE INDIANS.

* * * * *

WASHINGTON TERRITORY.

Three Christian Boys and their Letters.

REV. MYRON EELLS, S’KOKOMISH

Our hearts were gladdened, last Sabbath, by receiving into our Church three of the Indian school-boys, each of them supposed to be about thirteen years of age. We had kept them on a virtual probation for nearly a year, until I began to feel that to do so any longer would be an injury both to themselves and to others. Their conduct, especially towards their school-teacher, although not perfect, has been so uniformly Christian that those who were best acquainted with them felt the best satisfied in regard to their change of heart. Said a member of our Church of about fifty years’ Christian experience—who was not here much during the summer, and hence knew comparatively little about them—after hearing a full statement, “I wish that some of the white children whom we have received into the Church had given one half as good evidence of being Christians as these boys give.” And yet the Church was satisfied in regard to them. On religious subjects, they have been most free in communicating both to their teacher and myself by letter. I have thought that you might be interested in extracts from some of them, and hence send the following:

“I am going to write to you this day, please help me to get my
father to become a Christian,” (his father is an Indian doctor)
“and I think I will get Andrew and Henry” (the other Christian
boys) “to say a word for my father. I want you to read it to my
father.”

He wrote to his father the following, which I read to him:

“AUG. 3D, 1877.

“MY DEAR-BELOVED FATHER: Your son is a Christian. I am going off
to another road. I am going in a road where it leadeth to heaven,
and you are going to a big road where it leadeth to hell. But now
please return back from hell, I was long time thinking what shall
I do, then my father would be saved from hell. I prayed to God. I
asked God to help my father to become a Christian.”

The letter of another, to his Indian friends:

“You have not read the Bible, for you cannot read, but you have
heard the minister read it to you. You seem not to pay good
attention, but you know how Jesus was crucified, how he was put
on the Cross, how he was mocked and whipped, and they put a crown
of thorns, and he was put to death.”

The letter of the other to me:

“O, how I love all the Indians. I wish they should all become
Christians. If you please, tell them about Jesus coming. It makes
me feel bad because the Indians are not ready.”

To his Indian friends:

“The first time I became a Christian, I found it a very hard
thing to do, but I kept asking Jesus to help me, and so He did,
for I grew stronger and stronger. So, my Friends, if you will
just accept Jesus as your King, He will help you to the end of
your journey. You must trust wholly in Jesus’ strength, and
yield your will, your time, your talents, your reputation, your
strength, your property, your all, to be henceforth and forever
subject to His divine control; your hearts to love Him, your
tongues to speak for Him, your hands and feet to work for Him,
and your lives to serve Him, when and where and as His Spirit may
direct. Don’t be proud, but be very good Christians; be brave and
do what is right.

“YOUR YOUNG FRIEND.”

* * * * *

Indian Welcome to an Agent.

DR. I. L. MAHAN, RED CLIFF, WIS.

The payment recently made to the Bois Forte Indians was one of the most pleasant and agreeable I have ever made. The Indians received me with a salute (of blank cartridges) fired from their guns. On each side of the team, as I passed through their camp, the Indian men, women and children were in line on each side of the road for a quarter of a mile, and such hurrahs and rejoicings I have seldom witnessed.

* * * * *

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 O. 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. Pound. TREASURER: E. Palache, Esq.

* * * * *

The Chinese New Year—Mob Denunciations—The Great Commission Lessened—Conversions.

REV. W. C. POND, SAN FRANCISCO.

The Chinese New Year festival began Feb. 1st. It was observed for five days, the first three being “the great days of the feast.” As the Chinese excuse themselves from manual labor during those days, worship and business, and sociality absorb the time. At this festival, accounts must be squared, or, at any rate, brought to some settlement. Votive offerings, with the smoke of incense, abound in the temples—_bribes_ with which good luck is purchased from their gods. The city authorities had forbidden the use of fire-crackers, greatly to the chagrin of the Joss-worshippers, but the din of the gongs was such that even an idol, it would seem, might almost be made to hear. For our Christian Chinese it was, first of all, a week of prayer. Not to be out-done even by their own former-selves, they began their meetings at eleven o’clock on the last night of the old year, and welcomed the new one in its first hours, with worship to Jesus, their new friend and Saviour. They say that it would be a shame, if they were not willing to give hours to Him, which, but for Him, they would still have been giving to senseless blocks of wood, or to pictures hung upon the wall. Each day there was more or less of time devoted to social worship, and the rest to friendly calls among the brethren of different missions, and the reception of calls from American friends, or else to the transaction of the annual business of their Association. The carefulness with which they attend to this business, might well be emulated by many a strong church. The amounts involved are small, of course, while the talk might seem superabundant to taciturn people like us; but the exactitude in accounts, the watchfulness against debts, the punctuality in their mutual settlements, if grafted into the working of many a church that I have known, would greatly help its peace and growth, and even its good name.

The “era of good feeling” towards the Chinese, is, doubtless, nearer now than it was eight months ago. I affirm this _by faith_, and not because I can see, as yet, even the first streaks of its dawning. It seems as though the out-cries, “Down with the Chinese!” “The Chinamen must go, peaceably if they will, forcibly if they must,” would have become, by this time, monotonous and wearisome, but every Monday’s morning paper reports a gathering of from 3,000 to 6,000 people standing on a sand-lot near our new City Hall, in the midst often of wind and rain, and listening for an hour or two, while Kearney and Willock repeat their barbarous refrain. We cannot prevent a depressing effect of this upon our work. Christians get afraid of it. One of our pastors, entering upon temporary service with an inland church, wrote me as follows a few days since: “On my first Sabbath here, a poor Chinaman came to church to hear me. The next day I found him out, and he is a Christian. He is hungering and thirsting for the word of life, and I thought—what a splendid nucleus that would be for a class. I sought the officers of the church for their consent and approval to such an organization. Then came swiftly the ominous shake of the head, which I now so well know, and I was told that ‘public sentiment would not bear it.’ My heart aches for them, and I pray fervently to know my duty.” I am utterly at a loss to know how such church officers read the Great Commission. I understand what the _plain English_ of it is: I think I could study it out in the Greek. Does anybody know of any rendering of it, according to which the Chinese are left out? It not, how is it that we have so many of these head-shaking Christians all over California?

Furthermore, prejudice breeds prejudice, and the heathen Chinese are beginning even to hate the language thus abused to curse and slander them. They have no longer any appetite for the bait with which we have been fishing for their souls. But if our schools are thus unavoidably less attractive to them, and some of the seats get empty, we try to do the better work with such as remain. And the gracious Spirit adds His blessing still. Five were received to the First Congregational Church in Oakland at its last communion. This week two from the Barnes school have been reported to me as persuaded to be Christians, and desirous of joining the Association. What I have several times before said is still true, I think—that no month passes in which I do not hear from some one or more of our schools, of souls coming out of darkness into light. The consequence is that hearty Christians once fairly engaged in this work become enthusiastic in it. One teacher writes: “To try to prepare the way for the enlightenment of these darkened minds has been the highest privilege of my life. I do not forget the blessedness of leading my own children and other young people to Jesus, but in the offices of mother and teacher, this work has come to me as a matter of course, while the other is the realization of one of my earliest and most fondly cherished desires. I have found it pleasant, even when I could get no word or sign that the faintest shadow of my meaning was comprehended, for I felt that I might be starting thought and opening the way for truth to come in by and by; but when, in some instances, there has been a sudden interest manifested, and such half-incredulous, half-delighted responses come as ‘What! Jesus died for me?’ ‘What! Jesus Christ my best friend!’ ‘Yes, I will love Him!’ I have felt one such moment a complete compensation for a whole lifetime of sorrow and toil.”

* * * * *

LETTER FROM AH JAM.

SANTA BARBARA, _January 12th_.

MR. POND:

_Dear Sir_—How is your health? I should be glad to have you to write me another report about you school. If you find any interest chapter I shall enjoy it if you will let me know. I cannot explain it which is the best of all [i.e. cannot tell which chapters are the best]. It seems to me very hard to understood the Bible. I wish I had more leisure for my study, or to follow you while I shall learn a great deal. I was very much troubled when I stayed on board ship; she had four Chinese besides me. There was nobody instructed in anything like the gospel. They thought it was dreadful to believe in Christ. It makes them swear, grumble, and smoke opium. They are walking in the way of destruction. I felt very sorry for them. I told them several times what we ought to do in this world while we live. They said they would never be afraid when they die where the soul would go. I presume they will do all things as they please. I left my place, and came on shore two weeks since. But I cannot find any situation yet, because it is very dull. Perhaps I will go to the city next year, and then I shall see you again. We do remember you when we pray; we would like you pray for us, too, if you please. Your sincerely,

AH JAM, AND THE OTHERS.

* * * * *

THE CHILDREN’S PAGE.

* * * * *

A SICK BOY’S LETTER TO HIS TEACHER.

I thank you for the beautiful papers that you sent me. I read a piece in one they call “Glad Tidings.” It was about the dissipated father and the dying child. He was a bad man, and used bad _languish_, and cause his whole family to be miserable; and his little son would go to him and crawl up on his knee and tell him about the good God, and the tears would gush from his eye. The little boy said to his father: “Father, you are crying; what is the matter?” “I am afraid, my son, I am going to lose you—you are going to die.” “Well, father, I know I am going to die, but I am not afraid to die, for I will go to Jesus.”

I read that piece, and my little heart did feel so warm. I am trying to be a good boy, and pray to God that I may be a good boy. I am trying to be a better boy every day.

From your dear scholar,

M.T.

MONTGOMERY, ALA.

* * * * *

LIVE IN GOD’S SUNSHINE.

“Well, Aunt Polly, here you are again on the doorsteps. It seems to me you almost live on them.”

Old Polly raised her faded eyes to the face of her friend, and, laughing, said:

“Yes, dear, dat’s jus’ so! Jim says ‘We mought build a house all doo’ steps and nothin’ else, fo’ granny, ’cause she lives dar an’ nowhar else.’”

“I suppose you like to see the people, and to hear the children prattle as they go by to school,” said the lady.

“Well, yes, I likes to see folks, ’cause my Fader up dar made ’em all; but it’s most fo’ de sunshine dat I stays out here. O, God’s sunshine’s a powerful blessin’, dear. When I’s cold I comes out and sits in it, and I grows warm; when I’s hungry, and Jim’s wife’s got nothin’ to eat, I comes out here and ’pears like I’d had my dinner; when I’s in pain, and ’scruciated all over wid de rheumatiz, I comes out into the sunshine, and de pain skulks off; when Jim don’t be good and ’pears like he was goin’ to ’struction, and my heart is bustin’ like, I comes out and sits in God’s sunshine, and peace comes through His beam into my soul; when old Death comes an’ star’s in my face, and say, ‘I comin’ arter ye soon, to take ye into de dark grave,’ den I comes out into God’s sunshine, and dares him to frighten my soul! Says I to him, ‘Ye hasn’t power in ye to throw one shadow on to my pillow; for my blessed Jesus, de Sun of Righteousness, He been down dar before me, and He left it full, heaped up and runnin’ over wid God’s sunshine. I shall rest sweet in dat warm place, for de eternal sunshine dat shall magnify and glorify all as loves de shinin’ Jesus.”

“Auntie,” said her friend, who always felt that she could sit at the feet of this humble saint and learn of Jesus, “that is very lovely. But there come days when there is no sunshine—when the clouds gather, and the rains fall, and the snows come, and the winds blow. What do you do then?”

“O la, honey, by de time de storms come, I’ve got my soul so full ob sunshine dat it lasts a heap o’ time. Dem times Jim scolds, and his poor wife’s ’scouraged, and de child’n are cross, and de stove smokes and de kittle won’t bile; but I never knows it. God’s sunshine is in my soul, and I tries to spread it round, and sometimes Jim’s wife feels it, and she says—oh, she’s a good daughter-in-law—‘Long’s I keeps close to granny, ’pears like my heart’s held up.’

“Well, well, dear, you can teach me somethin’, and ye can fetch me nice things to make mo’ sunshine; but I can teach you what ye never thought on—dat God’s sunshine’s ’nough for rich and poor, and dem dat thank Him for it, and sit in it, or work in it, and let it into dar heart, will soon go whar it’s all sunshine. Try to make folks live in God’s sunshine, and get it into dar hearts, honey.”—_Intelligencer._

* * * * *

RECEIPTS

FOR FEBRUARY, 1878.

MAINE, $491.13.

Andover. Cong. Ch. and Soc. 5.00
Augusta. So. Cong. Ch. and Soc. 31.50
Bethel. A few Ladies of First Cong. Ch. 11.00
Blanchard. Daniel Blanchard 5.00
Dennysville. Mrs. Samuel Eastman 5.00
Gilead. Rev. H. R. 0.50
Holden. “A Friend” 1.00
Orland. Mrs. Buck and daughter 30.00
Portland. State St. Cong. Ch. $302.13; Second
Cong. Ch. and Soc $40; Seamen’s Bethel
Church $15; Mrs. David Patten $5. 362.13
Salem. A. P. 0.50
Searsport. J. Y. B. 1.00
Weld. D. D. Tappan 2.00
Wells. First Cong. Ch. ($30 of which from Mrs.
B. A. Maxwell to const. MRS. W. S. KIMBALL,
L. M.) 36.00
Winthrop. Mrs. E. S. B. 0.50

NEW HAMPSHIRE, $367.34.

Bedford. Presb. Ch. $12.50; Mrs. S. S. F. $1,
_for Wilmington, N. C._ 13.50
Dover. M. E. L. 0.50
Francestown. Mrs. R. R. F. $1; W. B. 50c. 1.50
Franconia. Mrs. Geo. A. Beckwith 2.00
Greenville. Cong. Ch. and Soc. 3.84
Hanover. Prof. T. W. D. W. 0.50
Hillsborough. Mrs. D. T. W. and others 1.51
Hillsboro Centre. John Adams 10.00
Hollis. Cong. Ch. and Soc., _for Wilmington,
N. C._ 13.18
Keene. “A Friend” 128.12
Lisbon. Mrs. A. P. 1.00
Londonderry. C. S. P. 1.00
Lyme. T. L. Gilbert 2.00
Manchester. First Ch. 85.44
Mason. Ladies’ Miss. Soc. $2 and bbl of C.,
_for Wilmington, N. C._ 2.00
Merrimac. Cong. Ch. and Soc. 23.30
Nashua. “A Friend” 20.00
New Boston. “Willing Workers,” _for
Wilmington, N. C._ 12.00
New Ipswich. Cong. Ch. and Soc. $8.50; Cong.
Ch. Mon. Coll. $4.45; Levitt Lincoln $10; “A
Friend” $1.50; W. W. J. $1; Mrs. S. T. 50c.;
“A Friend” $6; Subscribers _for Mag._ $2.50 34.45
Pittsfield. John L. Thorndike 10.00
Troy. Cong. Ch. and Soc. (ad’l) 1.50
Windham, C. Packard, pkg of C.

VERMONT, $1,434.42.