Chapter II: Part 2

For several days the Board of Visitors, appointed by the Governor to the State University, have been diligently attending the recitations of the several classes of this colored seat of learning, and are greatly pleased with what they have seen.

The pupils are perfectly orderly, well behaved and respectful in their demeanor, and not a few are good scholars, and give satisfactory evidences of progress.

A large preponderance are of mixed blood, and several would pass for white anywhere. There is no perceptible difference, in the aptness to learn, between the mulatto and his coal-black associate. Perhaps the latter sticks closest to the text-book, and is less disposed to investigate. But this may be owing to his superior tractability and habits of obedience. Some of the best students, male and female, are full-blooded Africans.

They read Greek and Latin, demonstrated problems in mathematics, discoursed upon international law and the Constitution, recited history, geography and grammar, and, in short, pursued successfully the curriculum of our highest schools.

To the questions propounded by the Board, too, they usually gave sensible and intelligent replies, showing powers of thought and self-reliance not commonly attributed to our colored people. Indeed, while it would be wrong to say that the recitations were _perfect_, yet it can truly be affirmed that they were highly creditable, and compared well with the examinations of our white institutions. Again we repeat, the decorum and behavior of the entire body of students indicated a most marked improvement, as compared with former years, and was unexceptionable.

The teachers are inferior to none in the State for thoroughness, patience and skill in imparting knowledge. They possess the confidence of the pupils, and, under the wise administration of President Ware, everything moves like clockwork, and no serious outbreak has ever occurred.

The discipline is mild, but resolute and excellent. We could detect, after seven years’ operation, not a stain upon the spotless floors, and no pencil defacement or knife-marks upon walls or furniture, while, on the contrary, everything was in print throughout the building.

There are now in attendance upon the Atlanta University 244 students in its various classes and departments, as follows: Regular College Students—Seniors 4, Juniors 10, Sophomores 3, Freshmen 7; total 24. In the Scientific School there are 6 students; in the Preparatory Department, 37. In the High Normal School, 72. In the Normal School proper, 104, and one post-graduate student. These sum up 244 pupils, as above stated.

Thirty-seven Alumni have gone forth from the University, _thirty_ of whom are engaged in teaching, _four_ are ministers or pastors of churches, two are mothers of young families, and one has deceased. It is a noteworthy fact, also, that every graduate is a professor of religion.

The resources of the University are derived from the annual appropriation of $8,000 made by the State, the donations of the American Missionary Association, amounting in the past year to $1,615.28, and one permanent scholarship of $300. Board per month, including tuition, room, fuel, lights and washing, is only twelve dollars, hardly sufficient to cover bare expenses, and certainly not affording one cent of revenue.

The students are required to sign a pledge to abstain from the use of liquor and tobacco; they enjoy the advantages of an excellent miscellaneous library, which contains some illustrated volumes and standard works very rare, and of great value. It was for the most part the gift of the late R. R. Graves, Esq., of New York, and contains 5,000 volumes.

On Tuesday, His Excellency, General A. H. Colquitt, was pleased to spend the morning in attendance upon the examinations of the University, and expressed himself highly gratified with the progress made by the pupils. At the close of the day’s exercises, President Ware invited him to address the assembled school. The Governor responded, in one of his emphatic, eloquent, sensible and touching talks, which was listened to with breathless attention, and repeatedly elicited unbounded applause. His advice to the pupils was paternal and faithful, while as a Christian he did not fail to point out to them the value and supreme necessity of the salvation of their immortal souls. It was an address that reflected more credit upon our worthy and popular chief magistrate than the grandest oration pronounced before the most august assemblage in the land. After he had concluded, several members of the Board of Visitors were invited to make remarks. Among those who responded were Judge W. D. Harden and Rev. T. G. Pond.

The exercises of the University of Atlanta closed June 27th with the usual commencement programme, and the delivery of diplomas and certificates to fifteen graduates.

The Lloyd Street Church was probably as closely jammed and artistically packed as ever were the contents of a sardine box. There were no vacant spaces, no possible squeezing in of another auditor, no interstice, window or aisle opening that did not have two occupants where one only could be comfortably accommodated. As a rule, too, the colored assemblage was well dressed and orderly, barring the occasional plaintive wails and impassioned screams of sundry pickaninnies who their mothers would insist should have a place in the picture.

The writer, unavoidably detained by other duties, did not arrive upon the scene until the exercises were considerably advanced. Then came the tug of war to reach his associates on the stage. He charged two or three times, but was ignominiously repulsed and hurled back, like chaff before the wind. But the _bonhommie_ of those simple people was excellent, and tumbled and panting for breath, your correspondent at length reached the rostrum, and obtained a comfortable seat hard by.

It is sufficient to say that those it was our privilege to hear acquitted themselves with credit, and their enunciation and training as elocutionists evinced much care and skill on the part of the teachers of belles lettres in the University.

Some of the graduates, both male and female, are intelligent looking young people, and really exhibited powers of original thought in their essays and speeches that would have done no discredit to any institution in the country. Their manner and demeanor, too, was uniformly courteous and unexceptionable, and we confess to a very deep interest in their future welfare and career.

It is just as well that our people should at once fully grasp and comprehend the problem of the negro’s future. He is a citizen both of the United States and of the Commonwealth of Georgia, and possessed of equal rights and privileges with the most favored of the Anglo Saxon race. No law can be enacted which does not include and apply to him, and the freedman is now an essential and integral portion of the community. Hence, it should ever be the mission and duty of the superior race to treat him kindly, and to spare no pains to elevate this new element to its proper place in the body politic. They, equally with ourselves, help to make the law-givers and rulers of the country, and how can they act intelligently in the premises unless educated and duly qualified for the responsible trust, which, doubtless, was prematurely and unadvisedly _thrust_ upon them by the gift of the ballot.

We must deal with circumstances as we find them, and not look backward, but forward and upwards. The negro race is a fixture in the South and will never die out, either by emigration to Liberia or from natural causes. It is susceptible of great improvement, and can be made largely conducive to the welfare and prosperity of the country.

The exercises over, President Ware, after a short, but singularly appropriate address, delivered the diplomas and certificates of scholarship to the fifteen graduates, remarking, that as they were printed in English they would not be in the predicament of some bachelors of arts who could not translate their own Latin diplomas. Thus ended the examinations and commencement of the Atlanta University.

We cannot, in all candor, pass on without again commending this institution to the good will and sympathy of the white people of Georgia. It is conducted upon proper and conservative principles. Its president and corps of instructors are honest, faithful and capable. Its pupils well behaved and exemplary. Its influence, we fully believe, will be for good to the African race, and it is to be hoped that the State will ever continue to bestow her patronage upon a foundation which is doing more than any other to elevate and bless the African race, which is destined to form an important element in the future politics and government of the country.

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Lewis High School at Macon. Examinations and Entertainments.

MISS ANNETTE LYNCH.

It has been my happy privilege to visit this institution, after an absence of two years, and note the progress made by the pupils, as shown in the recent examinations and closing exercises of the school-year of 1878.

As a former teacher in the school, I was better able to judge of that progress than a stranger; and truly, looking back to those who were promising pupils then, but in lower classes, and seeing so many of them now in the highest class, and doing credit to themselves and teachers, is not only gratifying, but an encouragement to all who have taken an interest in the work here through all its vicissitudes. The school is now under the very able management of Rev. M. O. Harrington and wife, with Miss L. A. Abbott as assistant, and has ninety-three pupils enrolled. It is answering well the purpose of its establishment, viz.: To provide for colored pupils at Macon and surrounding places a higher education than the common-school, without the expense of going elsewhere.

The examinations on the 13th and 14th were listened to by a large number of the more intelligent of the colored patrons and friends of the school. Members of the press were also present, and showed themselves highly pleased. The pupils went through their examinations in all their various studies in a manner which showed they were perfectly familiar with all they had gone over in their text-books. All showed thoroughness and promptness, from the lowest to the highest class. Problems in algebra were demonstrated, axioms given, translations from Latin and English sentences analyzed and parsed, in a manner that did credit to teachers and scholars.

On the night of the 14th, a literary entertainment was given by the pupils, which included vocal and instrumental music, with essays, declamations, etc. Two allegories, “The Pilgrim’s Choice,” and “Light Hearts’ Pilgrimage,” deserve special notice, for not only the beautiful manner in which they were rendered, but for the life-lessons they taught, and the mental power developed by those who had so successfully learned their long and difficult parts. The essays, “Missed Lessons,” and “Little by Little,” and “No Excellence without Labor,” showed marked ability in the pupils, and a strong desire to aim high and persevere in their efforts to obtain greater advancement. The quartette singing was listened to with almost breathless attention; and, indeed, one could not help thinking that here was a band that, with proper training, might in time rival the famous Jubilee Singers. I am sure little Miss Kitchen, the youngest of the singers, would even now create a sensation in any audience; her fearlessly clear, high tones give promise of a “star” singer, could she have proper training.

Teachers and scholars deserve great credit for their efforts, and their merit is appreciated to that degree that they have been called upon to repeat the entertainment on the 17th.

* * * * *

A Bright Day in Athens.

MR. JOHN MCINTOSH.

May 24th, the closing exercises of my school came off. Between the hours of nine and four o’clock, over two hundred persons gathered into the Knox’s Institute, to witness the closing exercises and a spelling-match between my school and another from a different section of the city. Prof. A. Brumby, of the Georgia University, and the Mayor of Athens, were present. These distinguished visitors remained some hours, and, on leaving, spoke very encouragingly to my pupils and patrons. They said that they noticed many indications of progress and thoroughness.

Prof. Brumby said he was perfectly astonished, and so were his pupils who came with him. He said good work was being done at the Knox’s Institute, and he hoped that this work would continue. The Mayor said many good things, among which were these words: “You are not only being taught lessons in books, but also lessons of virtue and morality.” He bade us go on. My school beat in the spelling-match, and this encouraged my pupils greatly. The Athenians are awake. I shall return the latter part of June to labor for three months under the free-school system.

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The Religious Work in Georgia.

REV. F. MARKHAM, SAVANNAH.

The religious work of the A. M. A. in Savannah and the vicinity has never been in as prosperous a condition since I have been here as at the present. The increase in the congregations and the membership has been greater than any previous year.

At Savannah, twenty-four have united with the church; fourteen children have been baptized. The Sabbath-school has more than doubled in numbers. Over two hundred scholars are enrolled; the average attendance is about one hundred and sixty.

Ogeechee Church, which is ten miles from Savannah, has received nineteen members. Brother McLean has the confidence and support of his people. He is doing a good work in the Sabbath-school. His wife is a good worker, and a great help, especially in the Sabbath-school. There are about fifty scholars in the school. They also teach a day-school and a night-school.

Plymouth Church, at Woodville, three miles west of Savannah, Rev. J. H. H. Sengstacke, pastor, has had an interesting work of grace in the Sabbath-school. Twenty-eight united with the church, mostly from the Sabbath-school, which has about seventy-five scholars. The day-school numbers now about fifty; in the winter it had a hundred; now the children have to work.

East Savannah is two-and-a-half miles from the city—a little village of colored people. A few whites are there, who live by selling liquor to the colored people. There are nearly three hundred children in that vicinity. The A. M. A., by the assistance of a Boston friend, built a little church there. J. H. Stephens, a student in my theological class, started a Sabbath-school, and preaches to the people. The children are very wild, though some have bright intellects, and can make useful men and women; but they are as uncultivated as the children in the centre of Africa. It is very hard to keep the attention of such children, and secure a regular attendance at school. Mrs. Markham and Hattie B. Markham and Mr. Floyd have been going out regularly every Sabbath to work in the East Savannah Sabbath-school. Sometimes they have had eighty or ninety scholars, then only forty or fifty; the average has been about sixty.

I can see a decided improvement in the conduct of the scholars. They come in and go out orderly, pay better attention, and begin to understand what a Sabbath-school is for; when they leave for home, they do not make such hideous noises, but go along the street more quietly. They have to be taught everything. There are thousands upon thousands of children in Georgia in the same condition. We hope soon to be able to organize a church at East Savannah, of twelve or fifteen members.

Belmont is four miles south-west from Savannah. The church here is supplied by Wilson Callen, a very faithful man of God. The church suffered here by a bad man, who preached for them, but was last year expelled from church. He claims to be a preacher still, and is doing what he can to draw the people away. The work is gradually improving, both in the church and Sabbath-school.

Louisville, two miles south-west of Savannah, has a church of about twenty-five, and a Sabbath-school of about the same number. Brother Callen supplies this work also, and is growing in the confidence of the people, and his school and congregation are increasing. We hope for a revival here.

Midway Church, in Liberty Co., is about thirty miles from Savannah; Rev. J. E. Smith, a graduate of Atlanta University, is pastor. This church is in a healthy and prosperous state. Since Rev. Floyd Snelson left here, to go to Africa, there have been added nine members. I hear many encouraging things about Brother Smith’s work there. There are now about two hundred and forty members. Here is a fine opportunity to do good. The most of the people are securing permanent homes. The colored people need to be taught to act and think for themselves, and feel responsibility.

There is great need of more help here. The day-school ought to have additional help. There is a necessity for a woman of cultivation. All mission work is like a child—it must grow or die. I hope the people at the North are not willing we shall die.

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ALABAMA.

Two Ordinations at Talladega—How Churches Begin and Grow.

REV. GEO. E. HILL, MARION.

I have just had the pleasure of attending two ordinations of colored men, the first of the kind I ever witnessed. These young men were recent graduates of Talladega College, and, having only last week attended the examinations in the Theological Department of this institution, in charge of Prof. Andrews, I was prepared for at least a respectable appearance on their part.

But the event exceeded expectation. In the first instance the examination of the candidate continued through two hours and was very searching and thorough, the council consisting in part of three college professors.

The young brother maintained his self-possession, and appeared almost as much at home in theology as if he had been a professor himself. Indeed, I may say of both these brethren, in all my remembrance of ordinations at the North, I have seldom seen a candidate for the sacred office appear better on the whole.

It is truly inspiring to behold the work which such a college as this is doing for the colored race, not only in providing good schools and teachers, but in raising up an intelligent ministry, and in planting the right kind of Christian churches.

Here, for example, at A., where we were the other day, there is the old established Episcopal Church, for white folks, and, perhaps, a colored church or two, where “faith” is more insisted on than “works.” A new order now comes in, which is at first looked upon with distrust as an innovation. A church is organized with eight or ten members. Preaching is statedly kept up by students from the college. The congregation steadily increases; and, in three years, partly through the exertions of the members, and partly by the kindly aid of the “Iron Company,” a neat little chapel is built, with a miniature parsonage alongside. A pastor is called, and an ordination takes place, conducted with as much solemnity and decorum as if it were in the suburbs of New York or Boston. The people outside look on. Strangers are attracted in. Distrust gives place to respect. The influence is contagious. Shiftlessness and immorality have been exchanged for industry and thrift. Society is reconstructed. “The tree is known by its fruits.”

May the good work go on, and such trees and such fruit be multiplied a thousand fold!

I was grieved to learn that, in the case of one of these young pastors, with a wife and child, all the pay he expects to receive is fifteen dollars a month from the A. M. A.

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Closing Days of Emerson Institute—Algebra—“Lower ’Strumties” and the Ledger.

MISS S. J. IRWIN, MOBILE.

The school at Mobile closed satisfactorily. Public examinations were held on the last two days. The interest manifested by the attendance of the people was highly gratifying, and as some of the examinations were beyond the understanding of the majority of the audience, it was noticeable that they should have remained during the day at the expense of their dinners, and a number of the working men at the expense of a day’s income, in order to show their appreciation of what was being done for their children.

There were examinations in all studies pursued during the year; and the commendable degree of faithfulness and zeal which has been the marked characteristic of the scholars, was evinced at the close.

The advanced grammar-class ended its lesson with the correction, on the black-board, of a letter by a colored candidate for office, recently published; the class gave rules for its criticisms and explanations.

An algebra-class was reported by a Southern lady of high intelligence, who had taught that branch for a number of years, as the best she ever heard, doing credit to any class or grade of scholars.

The exercises of the primary room, also, elicited much comment on the careful drill that had been bestowed in the endeavor to convey the spirit of study, and not alone the “letter” thereof, although the “Busy Bees” were not far in advance of that fundamental branch of education. They could readily grasp the _fact_, in the physiological lecture, of the different parts of the body, although their undeveloped articulation could only pronounce the arms and limbs as the “upper” and “lower ’strumties.”

A white gentleman of much educational experience, who has charge of an academy for young men, left his own duties to be present during the last day; and his final address to the pupils was pleasingly commendatory of their progress and attainments.

In his original and epigrammatic manner he told them to go ahead, and get beyond these lazy white boys, who liked to have so much done for them—for you can do it! He had tried to shame his boys before, by telling what the Emerson Institute scholars could do, and he surely could now. He concluded, urging them not to forget to bring, and the parents to send, the little tuition money which came due once in a while, and was so small a recompense for what they received.

A paper was read by two of the oldest scholars, entitled “Emerson Institute Ledger,” for which the subscription price was readily paid, which was announced to be “undivided attention, payable in advance.” Some members of the audience offered to pay for the paper if it could be regularly issued.

Addresses by ministers and others followed the examinations; the school sang “Gathering Home”; the circulars announcing the next year’s school-work were distributed; the hope was expressed of seeing the familiar faces again after these intervening months of vacation; the Lord’s Prayer chanted; the benediction; warm and tearful words of farewell between pupils and teachers, and the doors closed upon another year’s work.

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MISSISSIPPI.

The Year at Tougaloo University—Results and Reforms.

REV. G. STANLEY POPE, PRINCIPAL.

As we look back over the school-year, we have every reason to feel that it has been a successful year.

The health of the teachers has been good; their devotion to the work unsurpassed, and their success in the school-room everything that could be expected.

The general health of the school has kept up well. There were only two serious cases of sickness, and no deaths, for which we are very thankful to our protecting Father. None were even obliged to leave school on this account.

The attendance from abroad has been much larger than usual, and those attending have uniformly been anxious to remain during the whole session.

We graduated our first class this year, and there has been quite a class spirit developed, so that there is a strong desire on the part of the pupils to remain in school and graduate in the classes that they are now in.

The religious work has not been marked by as many conversions as we had hoped to see; but there has been great progress made in Christian activity in certain directions, especially in _Sunday-school Work_ and _Temperance Reform_.

The Sabbath before Commencement we spent in Sunday-school Convention. Steps were taken to organize a Sunday-school Union, which promises to greatly enlarge our usefulness to those in the surrounding country. No such work has ever before been undertaken.

In our temperance work we were opposed at the outset by the leading students. For some time it looked as though we were not going to bring them to the point of taking a stand, even after they were brought to see that the people were being ruined by strong drink. But the victory was most complete. Students who had to leave before the year closed, sent back for pledges. They were hard at work in the temperance reform. When school closed, every one who was going out to teach, and many others, took pledges, and went out enthusiastic to their new field of labor. This seems to us the peculiar feature of our work this year outside the school-room.

The work in the school-room has been marked by thoroughness. Gen. J. A. Smith, State Superintendent of Education, writes me: “Only having attended your exercises one day, I am hardly prepared to give anything more than impressions hastily formed. I will say, however, those were all favorable. The examinations of the classes, so far as I heard them, especially in mathematics, surpassed my expectations * * * Judging from the order and system exhibited, I was led to believe that the discipline of the institution was excellent.”

Nothing could more fitly have followed the instructions of the year than Rev. W. S. Alexander’s address, on Commencement Day, on “Natural and Acquired Right.” It was full of interest and wise application.

* * * * *

LOUISIANA.

“Here am I; Send Me, Send Me.”

_One of many Applications._

_June 24, 1878._

PROF. A. K. SPENCE:

_Dear Sir_—I just received a catalogue from Fisk University, and I must frankly express myself as gratified at the noble work that is being accomplished by Fisk University.

I am anxious to attend the University so as to prepare myself as a missionary to Africa. I have a poor mother, and I am her only support, and I know not how I shall ever be able to make preparations.

Let me know the provisions made for those preparing to go on mission.

I have made quite an advancement in the English branches, but desire to pursue the High Normal course proscribed in your institute, and also the studies of the theological course.

I feel that I must go to Africa. “Here am I; send me, send me.”

See what can be done for me. I can bring certificates of my advancement made, and also of character. I shall patiently wait to hear from you, and trust you will not forget me.

Your brother in Christ, F. C. L.

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FROM NEW ORLEANS TO NEW YORK.

REV. W. S. ALEXANDER.

The Commencement season, marking the completion of a year’s work and the beginning of welcome and needed rest to the teachers in the South, is now well over, and those who have wrought so faithfully during the year, are enjoying the quiet of their Northern homes. While _en route_ to New York, it was my pleasure to visit several of our most prominent institutions, and I shall be glad to speak of what I saw. By way of preface, let me say of

STRAIGHT UNIVERSITY

that the school-year closed happily and successfully. The examinations, which are the best test of scholarship and progress, gave great satisfaction to our friends, and the teachers were glad and grateful to feel that the year’s work had been a good one. We graduated ten young men from the Law Department, of whom eight were white, showing the appreciation of the manner in which this department is conducted. It is entirely self-supporting, the professors accepting the fees of the students as their compensation. Next year we anticipate a class of twenty-five. We graduated three young ladies from the Academic Department. They were superior scholars, and will be successful teachers. At our annual exhibition, and at the Commencement exercises on a subsequent evening, an audience of 800 were in attendance, to show by their presence their deep interest in the prosperity of our beloved institution.

Leaving New Orleans on Tuesday evening, June 4th, we were met at Jackson, Miss., by Brother Pope, with whom we went to

TOUGALOO.

What a delightful location! my first thought was. It does not require a great degree of self-denial to spend the winter in such a retreat as this. The mission-house is situated in the centre of a plantation of five hundred acres, and the approach to it is through a superb grove or forest of oaks, festooned with Spanish moss. Coming from parched and dry New Orleans, where the sun smites so fiercely in midsummer, the country around Tougaloo seemed delightfully fresh and cool. I found teachers and pupils in the midst of their annual examinations. I was impressed with the faithfulness and thoroughness of the instruction given here. There was no “coaching” and no prompting, but every student was put to a fair test of scholarship and proficiency. The singing was an important and interesting feature of Commencement week. Tougaloo could send out its troop of Jubilee Singers, who would win general favor. Great credit is due to the teachers of vocal and instrumental music. The institution, already in such good condition, should have, at the earliest day, increased accommodations for boarding-scholars, enabling them to receive a larger number of mature pupils from all parts of Mississippi. From Tougaloo I went to

SELMA, ALA.,

for a day only. This is one of the prettiest towns in Alabama. The county has a dense negro population, so that the school must always have abundant patronage. It was pleasant to find here Mr. Silsby, whose father was an efficient worker in the same field many years. Mr. Burrell, who is still living, has the great satisfaction of knowing that his benevolent gift has been so fruitful of good results. I reached

TALLADEGA

in time for my appointment on Sunday. This was another surprise to me. Situated in the mountain region of Alabama, with a grand outlook on every side, with fresh breezes from the hills, and with valleys clothed with verdure, it certainly seemed as though a Divine hand guided in the choice of this favored site. The Baccalaureate sermon by the college pastor, Rev. Mr. Hickox, was able and timely. The examinations were full of interest, and brought out the real merit of the instruction and the zeal and diligence of the students. I was particularly pleased with the theological examination conducted by Rev. Mr. Andrews. It covered a wide range of study, and showed that the young men had been taught to think and reason for themselves. I noticed with great satisfaction, in the boarding department, the orderly and polite deportment of the seventy-five young men and women who gather three times a day in the same dining-hall. It was like a quiet Christian family. The training received here will be beyond value, and will reach many families in the State. Were a boarding department not necessary, it would be very desirable for the culture of manners and the direct influence on character of the association of the sexes.

MEMPHIS.

It was a long and wearisome journey to Tennessee. I was never sure of making a railroad connection, as we do on the grand trunk lines. Le Moyne Institute has an interesting history. Dr. Le Moyne, the noted Cremationist, was the generous benefactor of this institution. Without him, it would not now exist. I was too late for the examinations, but in time for the Commencement exercises. They were held in the pretty Congregational Church, and were highly creditable. I found here a company of live, enthusiastic teachers. The mission-house is a most home-like place, and it was not difficult for me, on inquiring of citizens, to ascertain that Le Moyne Institute is thoroughly prized in Memphis. With the same corps of teachers as now, they can hardly fail of success. Here, as in many other points in the South, dormitories are urgently needed. They cannot secure, without them, the best class of students, and the school will remain, at best, a High or Normal School, when it might be the College, in West Tennessee, for the colored people. If some man of Dr. Le Moyne’s generosity would put up a fine building for a dormitory, he would be planting seed-corn which would yield many harvests in the coming years. A fact which touches our hearts at every repetition of it, is that, years ago, during the yellow-fever epidemic, two of the teachers heroically remained at their posts and ministered to those smitten with the fever, and cheerfully paid the forfeit with their lives. Such men and women are made of “good stuff,” and the cause they represent has a right to popular sympathy and support.

With regard to our general work in the South, I was glad to notice everywhere quickened zeal, followed by greatly increased prosperity. I believe the good work among the freedmen was never so efficient as to-day, and never so richly deserved the hearty sympathy and generous benefactions of the good people of the North. As it is no time to sound a retreat when an army has gained its earliest victories, so it is no time, in the work of education and evangelization among the freedmen in the South, to repress zeal or to slacken effort, or to retrench where retrenchment would be fatal; but to push forward till the highest results are achieved.

* * * * *

AFRICA.

* * * * *

THE MENDI MISSION.

Converts Added to the Church—Death of Mrs. Dr. James.

REV. FLOYD SNELSON, GOOD HOPE.

The church-work is progressing very well. At our last communion, the first Sabbath in May, eleven natives united with the church, all hopefully converted. It was a great day with us. One of the old sisters, who had been here from the beginning, cried out, “Thank God! I’ve never seen it so before,” with many other expressions of joy. This is the result of steady work. Others are seeking admission; but it was thought best that they should wait until another opportunity. One child was baptized. Pray that the Lord may bless us.

With painful regret I must inform you that Death has entered our ranks, and has taken away one of our missionaries—our sister, Mrs. James. I wrote you in my last that she and her little daughter were unwell. I learned by a letter May 20th from Dr. James (who is stationed at Avery), that his wife was seized with a convulsion on the morning of Sunday, the 19th, while engaged in her domestic business, was taken to her room, and that one convulsion succeeded another rapidly, and with such violence that she could not speak, until two o’clock in the night, when she died.

Brother Jackson is well again, and he and his wife have returned to Avery Station, to resume their work. All are now comparatively well, and the work is going on. We feel its importance more and more, and we are not discouraged by the fact that one has fallen, but will close up our ranks and march forward, hoping to be reinforced from time to time, until the victory is won.

* * * * *

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.

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Items and Incidents.

REV. W. C. POND, SAN FRANCISCO.

STATISTICS.—Our schools have not yet recovered, so far as attendance is concerned, from the shock they received through the riots of last July. But they are gaining, and should no untoward event occur, I hope that before this summer is ended they will be as large as ever before—as large, that is, as we can possibly sustain without an increase of means. Ten schools are now in operation, and seventeen teachers are employed. The aggregate number of pupils enrolled May 31st was 467, and the average attendance was 242. This is a gain over months preceding, and June promises something better still. The total number of Chinese who had attended the schools, for a longer or shorter period, from September 1st (the commencement of our fiscal year) to May 31st, was 1,178. Seventy-eight of these pupils give evidence of conversion. The whole number whom we have reason to believe have been born of God, during the last five years of our work, cannot be much less than two hundred.

BAPTISMS.—Six of our pupils were baptized and received to Bethany Church, San Francisco, on Sunday, June 2d. This makes the Chinese membership of that church number forty-four. These brethren had studied diligently the Confession of Faith and the Covenant, which they were called publicly to accept, and had approved themselves well through their five to eight months of “probation” in our “Association of Christian Chinese.” I have no doubt that both the Confession and Covenant contained words which they could not define; but I have also no doubt that “for substance of doctrine,” they assented to the one and consented to the other intelligently, honestly and devoutly. I shall never forget the evening I spent with them, questioning them as to their views and purposes and experiences as Christians. Not one of them but had come out of more or less tribulation, into this decided and outspoken Christian life. Friends turn their backs upon them and load them with reproaches, but they seem to harbor no feeling of resentment—only longing to impart to their persecutors the same blessing they have found for themselves.

On the same day the first Chinese child of our church was baptized, under the “Christian name,” as her father phrased it, of Lily Lee. This father was one of the first group of Chinese converts whom it was my privilege to receive to the church. He returned to Canton about two years since, and sought out, at one of the missions, a Christian wife; and so, in his one room in California, he has now a Christian home. On the same day, also, Wah Yin was baptized and received to the Congregational Church in Petaluma—the first-fruits, so far as church membership is concerned, of our mission there. He is a very interesting Christian, and has endured hardness, as a good soldier. He has been not only reproached, but whipped, by his countrymen, for the name of Christ. But he says “it didn’t hurt much,” and we should never have known of the fact, but that one who took part in it boasted of it openly.

LU LUNE, for nearly a year a missionary helper, was offered by his uncle a position as Chinese foreman at the salmon fisheries near Collinsville. The work there knows no Sabbath, and the Chinese settlement abounds in gambling and opium dens and in petty idol shrines. The position was, in a worldly point of view, very desirable, but Lu Lune refused to go unless he could have his Sabbath, and could be permitted to be just such a Christian there as he would be at the mission-house itself. It is a token of Lu Lune’s own desirableness that his terms were accepted, and he is there, trying, as opportunity offers, to preach Christ, and letting the light of a Christian example shine all the while. I may add that this is the fourth among the Chinese members of our church who has been placed in a position of trust by persons who knew nothing and cared nothing about their Christian professions. It is a tribute paid to their trustworthiness.

LEE HAIM, recently appointed as a helper, has now been for two months in Sacramento. The increase in attendance and interest at the school speaks well for his zeal and aptitude. Under his influence, the Christian members of the school have rented a small building for a sort of Home, and he uses it as a chapel. I will quote a few words from his letter of June 6th, correcting his English a little, for, while he, like Wong Sam, excels most of his countrymen here in knowledge of Chinese, he is also like Wong Sam in his trouble with English idioms:

“Now, dear brother, Mr. Pond, I am happy to say to you a few words how the mighty God has done to us. He has prepared us a home, and leads many Chinese to come to learn the Word of Him, and to study your language, also. When the Sabbath-day is come, I am happy to go down to preach to them on “I” street, where the Chinese dwell. Some of our countrymen very anxious to hear, and some are not. I think our congregation of Christian Chinese will become large, though I am weak, and no one can help me to take a part on Saturday and Sunday evenings. Yet I remember a certain man in Cesarea, called Cornelius, had feared God, with all his house, and prayed to God always, and then God heard his prayer, and said to him, ‘Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God.’—Acts x. 18. So I will ask God what we need. Then we receive. Oh, how glorious! So I wish you pray for me; so I will pray for you, and all your family and teachers.”

AN INDIAN GIFT.—Such gifts were not in good repute in the days of my childhood, but for me the name is now redeemed. A venerable Presbyterian pastor in the State of New York, who had himself previously made a generous donation in aid of our work, writes a second time as follows: “After reading the account of your work on page 150 of the May number of THE AMERICAN MISSIONARY, at our missionary meeting, last evening, an Indian came forward and handed me fifty cents for your mission, with tears in his eyes. I hasten to enclose his offering, with those of others, making out for you a postal order for five dollars.” I know not what others may see in this brief epistle, or how others would receive that Indian’s gift; but to me it came as something surpassingly sacred. I certainly mean to make _every_ donation go as far as possible; but some have in them their _par value_—simply that and nothing more. This came to me fragrant with incense and wet with tears—a vial full of odors, which are the prayers of saints—and to use it except with utmost care and earnest supplication seemed like sacrilege.

OUR STOCKTON SCHOOL.—Mrs. M. C. Brown, teacher at Stockton, says: “Ah Gun (otherwise Jimmie), one who had gladdened my heart by his consecration to Christ, left us December 29th, to go to Oregon. He had been a regular attendant at my school for eighteen months, and for the last three of his stay, I have every reason to think he was a true Christian. Three weeks since came the news that the vessel on which he sailed was wrecked, and Jimmie was among the lost. May he not even now be singing that song, known only to those who have ‘washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb’? This is the first ripe grain, so far as I know, gathered from this school into the garner of the Good Husbandman.”

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THE CHILDREN’S PAGE.

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AN UNCONSCIOUS JONAH.

The following correspondence will explain itself. A letter sent by mail to buy _Wellsprings_, and enclosing the necessary money missed its way, and was brought with waste paper to a mill; there it was found by a boy of ten years. The sender of the letter was sought out by the boy’s father, and, as a result of it all, the money, somewhat increased, has through us purchased _Wellsprings_ to supply the school at Ogeechee, Ga., for six months. So at last this Jonah has arrived at his Nineveh. We think this singular discovery and pleasant correspondence has in it several suggestive lessons. If some of our young friends will write us what they think it teaches, we will be glad to print their suggestions in the next MISSIONARY.

“N. A., MASS., May 17, 1878.

“Mr. D. O.: _Sir_—The letter written by yourself, which I enclose in this, will explain the reason for my wishing to ascertain your address. My little boy found the letter, with the money enclosed, in the paper-mill in this place, as he was looking among the old waste for some fancy scraps of paper. He came to me with it, to know what was to be done. I thought it a good opportunity to impress upon his mind the value of strict honesty, and told him that of course we must try to find the owner. Thus, after being tossed about among old rags for nearly two years, the money will if not again miscarried, return to its original owner. If the money is received, please acknowledge the same.

“Yours truly, C. R. D.”

_The Lost Letter._

“NEW YORK, July 19, 1876.

“MOSES H. SARGENT, ESQ.:

“_Dear Sir_—Enclosed find one and 20/100 dollars. Please send me by return (if possible) the value in _Wellsprings_—the latest issue. I want to use them next Sabbath.

“Yours very truly, D. O.”

“NEW YORK, May 20, 1878.

“Mr. C. R. D.: _Dear Sir_—Yours of the 17th, with the money enclosed, reached me, for which please accept my best thanks.

“Due inquiries for the letter were made at the post-office here at the time, but without success, and of course I concluded that it had been opened and money stolen by some post office official. Even now there is some mystery, which perhaps might be removed if the (original) envelope could be found.

“The amount at the time was designed for a good cause, in connection with Sunday-school work, and I feel, after what has happened, that the Lord, having delivered it from the jaws of the paper mill, has an additional claim upon it, and so I propose that your little boy (with your help, if necessary) name an object to which he would like it applied.

“Jonah, when appointed to do certain work, was disobedient and, you know, soon found himself in the ‘fish’s belly.’ From this uncomfortable situation, however, he was soon delivered, and _one more_ opportunity given him to obey orders—with better results. Now, suppose we call our dollar and twenty cents the _disobedient Jonah_, and our little friend the _fish_; and now that our Jonah has landed safely, suppose we give him one more opportunity for obeying his orders?

“Please say to my little friend that I appreciate what he has done in this matter, and congratulate the son on having a good adviser, and the father on having a son inclined to take good advice.

“Should you reply to this note, please give me the boy’s name and age, and photograph likeness if you have one.

“Yours respectfully and truly, D. O.”

“N. A., MASS., May 25, 1878.

“Mr. D. O.: _Dear Sir_—Your very happy acknowledgement of the receipt of that money (or I might, say, of that ‘Jonah’), which went so far astray from the first direction given to it, was duly received, and the reaching of it listened to by our little boy, or the ‘fish’ with much delight.

“Our son’s name is Edwin H. He is ten years of age. He is quite pleased that the money is going to be used to do missionary work and that you have given him the privilege of deciding what direction it shall take in starting on a second trip.

“Now, Eddie thinks that if this Jonah has not done the work which he was first directed, and has had such a wonderful escape from a terrible death, that, he can do no better than to follow the directions given to the Prophet Jonah, who was saved by a much bigger ‘fish’ than himself, and those directions are found in Jonah iii. 2, viz.: ‘Arise; go unto Nineveh, that great city, and preach unto it the preaching that I bid thee.’ Therefore, this Jonah must go and sell himself for as many good little papers as he can, and be distributed among the little boys and girls of some mission Sunday-school; and may the good resulting be proportionate to that accomplished by Jonah of old.

“We have no recently-taken photograph, but such as we have I enclose, in compliance with your request.

“Yours very truly, C. R. D.”

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RECEIPTS

FOR JUNE, 1878.

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MAINE, $7.42.

Hampden. Cong. Ch. 5.32
Waterford. Cong. Sab. Sch. $1.60; Mrs. C. D.
50c. 2.10

NEW HAMPSHIRE, $128.36.

Amherst. S. C. A. and S. E. A. 50c. ea., _for
Memorial Inst., Wilmington, N. C._ 1.00
Candia. Cong. Ch. and Soc. 17.37
Canterbury. Cong. Ch. and Soc. 13.75
Chester. Miss C. S. G. 0.25
Gilsum. Cong. Ch. and Soc. $16.25; Cong. Sab.
Sch. $8.85; Dea. A. M. K. $1 26.10
Lyme. Cong. Ch. and Soc. (ad’l) 2.00
Nashua. Dea. James Hartshorn, _for Memorial
Inst., Wilmington, N. C._ 10.00
Pembroke. Cong. Ch. and Soc. 32.39
Short Falls. J. W. C. 1.00
Wakefield. Cong. Ch. and Soc. 8.50
Webster. Cong. Ch. and Soc. 16.00

VERMONT, $194.89.

Bellows Falls. Cong. Ch. and Soc. 18.38
Brownington. Dea. Wm. Spencer 5.00
Cornwall. Cong. Ch. and Soc. 45.34
Danby. Cong. Sab. Sch. 2.16
Danville. Cong. Sab. Sch. 8.44
Essex Centre. Cong. Ch. and Soc. 6.00
Fayetteville. Individuals by A. Birchard 1.00
Greensborough. R. E. Crane 5.00
Jericho. Mrs. Lucy Spaulding $10; C. H. L. $1 11.00
Norwich. Cong. Ch. and Soc. 10.00
Orwell. Cong. Ch. and Soc. 26.20
St. Johnsbury. North Cong. Ch. 8.00
Salisbury. Cong. Ch. and Soc. 7.82
Swanton. Cong. Ch. and Soc. 25.00
Wallingford. By Ettie A. Ballou $1.25, and bbl
of C. 1.25
Westminster, West. Mission Band by Nellie
Houghton, Treas. 6.00
Windham. Cong. Sab. Sch. $6.30; H. N.
Prentiss, $2.00 8.30

MASSACHUSETTS, $3,070.47.