Chapter II: Part 2

—Nearly two thousand freight wagons have been in use by the Indians this year, with the result of saving considerable money to the government compared with the amounts formerly paid for the same transportation (of supplies, &c., to the agencies), besides furnishing a civilizing and welcome employment to a large number of otherwise restless Indians.

* * * * *

The Chinese.

—Two Chinamen were baptized and received into the Church at Stockton, Cal., Nov. 7. They were the first of that nation to join any church in that city.

—_Restriction of Chinese Immigration._—A treaty has been made by the United States with the Chinese Government which practically leaves the subject of regulating Chinese immigration to the authorities at Washington. Owing to the fact that the Chinese Government has never been anxious to have its citizens emigrate to any country, little difficulty was found in negotiating the treaty.

—The _Christian Advocate_ has a very interesting report of the sermons preached by the native pastors at the Methodist Conference at Foochow, China, in October last. We select one. Rev. Sia Sek Ong preached from the single word “Go:” “Leave father, mother, friends, fields; preachers go thus; world-men don’t like to go in that fashion. Where must we go? To the sea, for the fish. They are not on the surface; they are in the depths. We may find shrimps in shallow water, but we must go to the deep water for the large fish. Go to the mountains to seek the lost sheep. There are lions and tigers and snakes in the mountains; but we must go, not to find sport, but to find the sheep. Go to the vineyard, to work, to watch, to plant, to water. Go to the field to sow seed. Study the soil, and sow accordingly. Field-work is not play. Go to the market-place, and bid guests to the Master’s feast. Go into the army, to fight, to wrestle with the devil, to put forth your strength, and to come home singing songs of victory.

“Ask the Master for Peter’s hook to bring up the right fish; for David’s crook to guide the sheep aright; for Gideon’s torch to light up the dark places; for Gospel seed, without any tares in it; for Moses’ guiding rod; for the brazen serpent, to cure the bites of the world’s snakes; for David’s sling to prostrate your giant foe; for the armor inventoried by Paul in the last chapter of Ephesians; but above all, for the wonderful Holy Spirit, to help at all times. If we have all these, it is no matter where we go. We will come with rejoicing to conference next year, with songs and shouts of victory.”

* * * * *

ITEMS FROM THE FIELD.

NASHVILLE, TENN.—During the latter part of November a precious work of grace was going on in Fisk University, more than fifteen of the students having decided to come over upon the Lord’s side.

CHATTANOOGA, TENN.—As a result of some special meetings held by pastor Jos. E. Smith, assisted by Rev. E. J. Penney, of Marietta, Ga., the Church was greatly confirmed and six or seven were added to the company of the disciples.

TOUGALOO, MISS.—In the University Chapel, on the last Sabbath of November, Superintendent Roy preached a sermon, and delivered a missionary address before the young people, who were about to organize a Society of Inquiry in addition to their mission school association, and was permitted to rejoice on that day with the teachers over the conversion of a young man, who had been the occasion of a great deal of solicitude to them. Half a dozen others have been coming along this fall in a quiet way; whereas, one year ago, the Spirit appeared almost as a rushing, mighty wind, leaving nineteen students to the Saviour within twenty-four hours, all of whom are still holding on their way beautifully. There are now 107 boarding students, while not a few have been turned away for lack of room. The new house for the home of the President is nearly completed. A third story is to be put upon the Ladies’ Hall, and other enlargements are sufferingly needed. The industrial department is in vigorous condition.

PARIS, TEXAS.—On the 23d of Nov., an Ecclesiastical Council, at this place, after an eminently satisfactory examination, ordained two young men, graduates of the theological department of Talladega College, licentiates of Alabama Conference,—Mr. J. W. Roberts as pastor of the “African Congregational Church” of Paris, and Mr. J. W. Strong to go to Corpus Christi, to take the church work, while Rev. S. M. Coles, who has been doing double service there, will retain the charge of the school. Rev. W. C. McCune, of Dallas, preached the sermon, Rev. R. H. Read of the other Congregational Church, of Paris, delivered the charge. Rev. Albert Gray, who has had charge of the Church for several years, having been an old-time African preacher, extended the right hand of fellowship, and Supt. Roy, the moderator, offered the prayer of ordination, having spent five days in confirming and preaching for the cluster of churches in the country about, that have branched off from this one. These are Pattonville, New Hope, Paradise and Shiloh. The mother church, which, in 1868, paid $112 in gold for an acre and a half lot in the suburbs, has now bought a more central lot and will work toward a new “church house.”

THE FREEDMEN.

REV. JOS. E. ROY, D. D.,

FIELD SUPERINTENDENT, ATLANTA, GA.

* * * * *

THE “CENTRAL SOUTH.”

PRES. G. F. MAGOUN, D. D.

MY DEAR DR. WARREN:—Across the street from where I write is a Freedmen’s church, of modest pretensions, in which the Central South Conference of churches (Congregational) is sitting. It comprises the churches and pastors of Tennessee, Mississippi and Alabama. Just within the door a low pillar in the centre supports an “offertory,” to use an English, but hardly an American word, with the legend “Help us.” It is from great poverty and hardships, as well as great wrong, that this scion of ecclesiastical New England has grown, and the people are still needy. Behind the pulpit is the motto, “Take my yoke upon you;” they have accepted that of Christ as they have rejected that of man. Very happily, the earnest and intelligent young pastor elect, in welcoming the members of this Conference this morning, reminded them that they come to a Memphis unlike that of antiquity, from which the task-master has forever passed away.

This is a genuine Congregational body save in hue—one cannot long say just that, for we are to have many of the same hue. Its modes, motions, votes, reports, papers on appointed subjects, discussions, care to recognize the precedence of churches over mere officers of churches, and its devotional spirit, are like those of Maine Conferences. But in the half a hundred brethren and sisters who are present forenoon and afternoon, white faces are to be seen only here and there; those who possess them are admitted, so far as I can see, to an entire equality with others! The moderator is a white professor of languages in Fisk University; the scribe a colored pastor at Nashville. The preacher last evening was a colored minister from Alabama; a white minister from Iowa assisted him, whose daughter, teacher of music in the Normal Institute for Freedmen here, led the choir. In one corner sits Rev. Dr. J. E. Roy, the A. M. A. Field Superintendent in the South. The (white) chairman of the business committee is at the head of a church and one institution supported by the Association in Mississippi. Fervent and spiritual, yet orderly as a Northern prayer-meeting, were the devotional exercises of the first hour this morning.

Narratives from the churches coming first in the proceedings, indicated the practical working character of the Conference. One of them was the story of a church holding on its way without a pastor, growing in steady Christian work in its prayer meetings and in its Sabbath attendance, and fostering an institution of learning the while. Another was a written apology from the pastor for absence, because of conversions and a promising work of grace. Another was a thrilling narrative of a brotherhood whose main body, thirty strong, went two years ago to Kansas, and its Sabbath-school has twice since been swept away; yet it has come up from six to forty-five in numbers, built a pleasant house of worship, and made Christian education victorious over the deadly opposition of secular public education. I learned of another, not represented to-day, whose real acting pastor is a lady teacher, nineteen years at her solitary post. The dashing heroism of anti-rebellion days has been succeeded by the quiet, persistent heroism that is often the greater of the two; and the self-sacrifice of many of both races for the cause of Christ is wonderful.

There is hopefulness among these brethren and sisters as to the reviving of God’s work in the special direction of practical righteousness. With all the immense moral evils of a Federal election, they feel that conscience has been stirred, and profound gratitude to God for the result has been awakened among the Freedmen. Thought and energy, it seems to them, are more likely to turn in the direction of religion now than in any other great common channel, and they have courage and cheer for coming work. No salvation movement among them can overpass their need.

I add, at a later date, that an afternoon given to church extension and the spread of education was of the deepest interest. Between the two papers, or addresses, was another on more generous giving by the churches, entirely in keeping. How vast a work in both church and school is laid upon them, one needs to be among them, and to see and hear them, in order to realize. How the treasury of the A. M. A. could fill to repletion if all who support it could have an inside view. In conversations at Andover on two different occasions, Prof. Park uttered the strongest and most anxious impressions respecting our national future and the condition of the South. I am sure that he and all deep-sighted and far-sighted men would find them intensified on actual examination of the facts. The task before us is vast, and, but for divine help, overwhelming and impracticable. Nothing in church order and work can save these people but the freest and most intelligent system; nothing in education but practical training for the duties and competitions with a more favored race, guided and inspired by thorough Christian principle.

Another afternoon was given to an ecclesiastical council, called by the 2d Congregational church of Memphis, to advise as to the ordination of a pastor. The examination of the young man who had been preaching to them for some months was a thoroughly delightful one, specially full and rich in the recital of Christian experience. The young brother is a light colored man, a native of Pennsylvania, of an earnest, intense nature, studious, modest, instructive as a preacher, and edifying to a group of Northern white teachers in Le Moyne Institute, and bore himself as to clearness and soundness of doctrine, in a manner so admirable, that many candidates for the ministry from the more favored race might well look up to him. Very tender and sweet was his testimony to parental faithfulness, and the divine blessing upon it in the Presbyterian church in which he was brought up, and to the providential leading that guided him into the ministry “for the sake of the work in the South.” The Conference, at an earlier session, licensed two other young brethren, whose work in gathering churches and schools is sorely needed in the communities they represent. One of these preached before it.

Twice this week I have given before Freedmen’s institutions lectures prepared for Northern college audiences. One’s respect for these institutions and for their students could only be raised by the intelligent attention given. The city press—Democratic—has made courteous and even generous notice of the religious proceedings of the week. Dr. Roy and myself were promptly invited to occupy Presbyterian pulpits in the city, and were most kindly and respectfully received. We were assured that we should be heard with pleasure again, and that the Gospel which we preached was that which they received, knowing “no North, no South.” On Sabbath evening the place of worship of the 2d Congregational Church—the first is of white people—was crowded with attentive hearers of both races while the ordination exercises were held. The young pastor had been chosen by the Conference delegate to the National Council at St. Louis, and the people, at the close of the ordination, raised a sum of money to defray his expenses. I have never seen more genuine and grateful joy among a Christian flock at the gift of a pastor and teacher than these people showed as they crowded up to take his hand after he had pronounced the benediction. They are ordinarily more social and demonstrative at all religious gatherings than white Christians.

Some views of their future, and of the great and grave problems involved in their elevation by a free Christianity and by Christian education, were deeply impressed upon me during my week among them, to which I may give utterance hereafter.—_Christian Mirror._

* * * * *

SOUTH CAROLINA.

Tannerism in Church Work—Charm of Old Songs—Temperance Revival.

REV. TEMPLE CUTLER.

Two years ago Plymouth church, Charleston, was in the hands of a man whom it believed to be a good man, and in the enthusiasm of the moment it undertook to support him without aid from the Association. They ran the church nine months, and then were glad to get back under the sheltering wings of their cherishing mother. They did not return a moment too soon. Life was at a very low ebb, and the church required very tender nursing to bring it up. The most I can say of it now is, that it is convalescing. The pulse is regular, the digestion normal, the eye is brighter and more hopeful, there is a degree of buoyancy in the step, the skin is more healthy, and if there shall be no relapse, we may confidently hope for full recovery. But I would not advise a repetition of such experiments. It isn’t a good plan to try how near we can bring ourselves to the gate of death and then get back. _Tannerism_ isn’t good for church work.

The greatest burden of the church now, is a debt of $1,200 which it owes to the A. M. A. We would like to pay this off, and no doubt the money would be of great use in some other department of our great work, but the people are very poor. They are willing to do what they can, but we find it hard to pay the interest on the mortgage. If any of the readers of the MISSIONARY desire to help a worthy cause, let them send their donation to Dr. Strieby, to be set to the credit of Plymouth church in Charleston.

We have been revising our list of membership. In the spring we had a solemn renewal of fellowship, and from that renewal we made up our list. In doing this we were obliged to drop from our record twenty-five names. We number now, present and absent, 180; but, I am sorry to say, some of them who are in the city, and who solemnly covenanted to walk in the fellowship with the church, still absent themselves from all our services. Still they regard themselves as exemplary Christians, and resent the imputation that they are not living consistent lives. It is here, as everywhere, a few faithful ones are the bone and sinew of the church.

I wish I could take you into one of our prayer meetings, such a one as we sometimes have, for they are not all of the same degree of spiritual fervor, but one of our good meetings is exceedingly enjoyable. The songs are so weird and the prayers are so fervent and frequent, and their attitude so devout—well, perhaps your fastidious taste would be shocked, but somehow I am drawn a little nearer Heaven here than anywhere else. I can’t help saying “Amen” down in my heart. And when they sing my body sways with theirs, just as the sailor rolls his gait with the motion of the deck. We sing a good many of the old time tunes, and some that have not yet been translated into written song. Our people sing their good old household hymns to these tunes. They have a happy faculty of adapting the words to the music, no matter what the metre may be. For instance, the tune in the Jubilee Songs, “I will die in the field,” is made to fit the hymn, “When I can read my title clear.”

Sometimes the hymn is divided up, and the chorus sandwiched in between the lines most ingeniously. But, however incongruous it may be to the rules of music, it has a peculiar charm.

The church was well supplied during the vacation by Rev. David Peebles, of Dudley, N. C. Bro. Peebles kept them together and strengthened their hands. His ministry was most acceptable to the people. If nothing happens to us we have every reason to expect the church now to grow. We need the baptism of the Spirit. We are looking forward to a meeting, soon to be held in the city, under the direction of Rev. H. E. Brown, who has been laboring in the interest of the colored people in the South with great success. The Minister’s Union has taken hold of the matter, and stands ready to give him a hearty co-operation. Bro. Brown’s method introduces Bible Readings in public, and from house to house. This is what we need, and what the people want. We hope for a large blessing to follow.

There is a large territory spiritually to be occupied in Charleston. We have a population of 50,000, a large part of whom are colored. In this county there are 71,000 colored people and only 30,000 white. There are 604,000 colored people in the State, and 391,000 white. The colored vote is 40,000 in majority. There is great wickedness among these colored people. They copy and improve upon the vices of the whites, in addition to their natural depravity. Gambling, profanity, drunkenness, licentiousness and Sabbath-breaking abound. Some of these vices have been born of freedom, others have been increased by it. Drunkenness was rare among the blacks in slavery. Gambling was comparatively unknown. Now both of these vices prevail to an alarming extent. Outside the city limits on Sunday groups of men and boys are to be seen everywhere, throwing dice or engaged in some other form of gambling. An effort is on foot to reach these outlying masses and bring them under the influence of the Gospel. I know of but one missionary who gives her time to the work of visiting the thirty thousand colored people of this city. We could use advantageously a dozen.

Oh, how much there is to be done, and how few to do it; and how weak all our instrumentalities in the face of these obstacles! May God help us! Oh, that the churches at the North could see what a field is open to them here in the South! If we could have at least one more missionary here in Charleston we would be glad, and the money it would cost would be well expended.

The white people are waking up to more effort in missionary work. They have commenced in the temperance reform, and already a petition with 5,000 names attached has been presented to the Mayor and Council, asking that no more licenses be granted for the sale of intoxicating drinks. It is a beginning. A noble Christian woman, Mrs. Chapin, has been the prime mover of this endeavor. We hope its influence will not be lost if the petition is rejected. May God give us other and stronger petitions until the authorities see that Christian people mean business.

* * * * *

GEORGIA.

Atlanta University.

REV. C. W. FRANCIS.

Several facts of interest are connected with the opening of the school year at Atlanta University.

1st. We are in possession of several valuable improvements, which give increased facilities long greatly needed. These are in consequence of recent gifts, the first fruits of which a conjunction of favorable circumstances made thus early available. They consist of an addition to the building for girls, nearly doubling its capacity for lodgers; to the dining room, furnishing nearly forty more seats; to one school room, furnishing desks for sixty pupils, and two convenient recitation rooms. And these are all in full demand, and the inquiry presses, “What shall we do next when the January rush comes on?”

2d. A largely increased attendance, especially of girls, 79 being now present as boarders, and these new pupils come largely from remote regions, some traveling more than 300 miles to reach school. This increase is the result of no special appeals or inducements—indeed, until much more extensive preparations were made it would not be safe to invite a larger attendance—but grows chiefly out of the interest awakened by old pupils in their own community, and in the schools taught by them during the summer vacation.

3d. A very satisfactory report of vacation work by nearly all of the more than 150 who engaged in it.

(_a._) Every pupil who was competent and desired a situation in the public schools, obtained one, and many were taken who had made but little progress in studies, and after all were gone, more than a score of applications were made for teachers to be sent from here, which could not be met from any source, and the schools were disbanded.

(_b._) No obstacles were met by any pupil caused by any of the white citizens of the state, but on the contrary, much assistance and support was cheerfully given, and that too, in many remote and rude regions.

(_c._) Temperance work had especial prominence and effectiveness. All were provided with a good supply of suitable temperance reading, which they distributed in connection with schools taught by them both on Sabbath and week days. This work was followed up by family visits and lectures and personal work, so that in some counties the vote was carried for prohibition under the local option law.

* * * * *

Georgia Conference.

The Conference of this State held its annual meeting in Atlanta, at the First Church—Rev. C. W. Hawley’s—from the 2d to the 5th inst., Rev. Jos. E. Smith Moderator, and Rev. S. E. Lathrop and Prof. S. B. Morse, Secretaries. Rev. J. R. McLean preached the opening sermon, upon the encouragement to run the Christian race from the example of Christ. It was a refreshing and edifying discourse, too much in earnest for an introduction, but made three points and stuck to them and stopped at the end. The preacher is a graduate of Talladega.

As a good example for other Conferences, one evening was given to addresses in behalf of the several Congregational Societies, with alternation of color as to the speakers, but not as to the speeches. Supt. Roy reported the anniversary of the A. M. A. and the St. Louis triennial, and gave an address upon the independence of our churches as related to their fellowship. Rev. P. Snelson and Prof. C. W. Francis led off on “Church Discipline,” President Ware opened on “The School and the Church,” showing their natural relation as evangelizers. A half day was given to a visit at the Atlanta University, and one evening to a sociable. Two “church houses” have been built during the year at Marietta and Cypress Slash. The Conference missed Rev. R. F. Markham’s stirring way, but rejoiced in the coming in his place at Savannah of Rev. B. D. Conkling, whose transition from the moderatorship of the fortieth annual meeting of the Wisconsin Convention to a place in this humble body did not appal him. His sermon at the University was greatly appreciated. His combination of pulpit and business talent will find full scope in this work. _The Atlanta Constitution_ gave a report of the Conference each day.

On Monday the members of the Conference, called by letters missive, repaired to Marietta, twenty-one miles out, to sit in Council for the installation of Mr. E. J. Penney, a graduate of the Atlanta University and of Andover Seminary. The young pastor is taking hold of his work grandly. Let it be observed that the Congregational Churches of the South are seeking after the old paths. This is the third installation of a colored pastor within a month. The others were Rev. B. A. Imes, of Memphis, and Rev. J. W. Roberts, of Paris, Texas.

* * * * *

ALABAMA.

A Visit to Marion.

REV. G. W. ANDREWS, TALLADEGA.

Marion was reached Saturday night, a grand old town of three thousand inhabitants, and an educational centre for the State. As the hacks were full, a colored brother, an old friend, and deacon in our church at this place, took my bag, and I hastened along the sidewalk a mile or more to what was once the “Teachers’ Home,” but now the parsonage, a house to which I was introduced ten years ago when I left my Connecticut pastorate for a winter in the Sunny South. I cannot tell you how I felt, passing along the streets, as I recalled the experiences of ten years ago. I shuddered as I neared the house where my friend, now of Chattanooga, came near losing his life in the small hours of the night by the hands of masked and armed men. The rush, the rope, the tree, the cries for help, the final deliverance, and much more, were very vivid and real to my awakened mind. I thought, also, of those eight consecutive nights when none of our family lay down to rest as usual; of the armed guard of twenty brave men in and about the house all those nights; of the warning letters received, the threats made, the Henry rifles in our chairs when we bowed around our family altar; of the preaching with hands in my pocket on my revolver; of the fear and trembling that seized us when special danger threatened; of our isolation from all except the poor we had come to bless by our labors. I thought, too, of the school-house, the three hundred eager learners, the little church of a dozen members, the precious meetings, the great outpouring of the Spirit, the hundreds of conversions, the “never to be forgotten” prayers and songs—in all the most precious revival of my life. As a drowning man recalls the events of a whole life in a moment, so in an incredibly brief space of time passed before me those early experiences of missionary life in this strange land, impossible for me now to relate. All is changed now. To-day the missionary is welcomed by many Christian people in Marion. The dreadful past is fading from our minds in the love and friendship of the present.

Sabbath morning I looked out upon the many cottages and cabin homes in the woods and fields all about, while near by I saw the church edifice with its graceful and airy bell-tower in which hangs a choice bell from the foundry of Veasy & White, of East Hampton, Connecticut, and the gift of the people there. The house will seat three or four hundred, is well proportioned, nicely painted and frescoed,—the most handsome and best kept church edifice of the colored people in the State.

I wish it were possible for me to give some suitable account of the Sabbath greetings and services. A few touches only, and your imagination must supply the rest. The bell called us to the house of God at 9 a.m. You first meet the men and women who joined the church ten years ago, and are now pillars in it and in the Sabbath-school. And such a welcome!—such hand-shaking, such glad hearts! You very soon know Paul’s warmth towards his beloved Church of Philippi, his first love in Europe, as this was my first love in Alabama. It was nearly five hours before these morning greetings, the Sabbath-school, the preaching and then more hand-shaking, were ended, and the people willing to go to their homes. The promise, “He shall bring all things to your remembrance,” seemed that day fulfilled. Precious memories of the wonderful work of grace that drew so many of them into the fold were present to all with power. “Our hearts burned within us” as we talked of these things there, and “by the way.” The night service, the Monday calls, the informal social gathering, the eager questions, the manifest Spirit’s presence, the next day’s farewells—all made a deep impression on us, and led us to feel anew that this missionary work is God’s work, for it was that work that inspired our hearts and was our theme from first to last.

This church has already put five young men into the Christian ministry, and is in morals, intelligence and management a pattern worthy to be copied.

Since my arrival home the one question that presses heaviest on my heart is, how can we provide for the boys and girls of Marion and other places visited that want to come to the college to school? In Childersburgh, Shelby Iron Works, Calera, Selma and Marion, places along the line of my journey, I found many smart boys and girls anxious to become educated men and women. In one place I found twenty-five eager to come, not one of whom could pay more than a small part of necessary school expenses. Low wages, poor crops, the cotton worm and inherited poverty keep them where they are, and so far as I can see they must live and die there in their poverty and hopelessness, unless those whom God has more highly favored are moved to help them. Our college expenses are so low that seventy dollars will keep one pupil in school one year, and sometimes, on account of labor done or aid from home, a much smaller amount will suffice. We need more than one thousand dollars to be used in this way this year, above the amounts already pledged. Christian education transforms these boys and girls. I wish you could see the eight young men that were graduated last June from the Theological Department of the college, and hear them preach the word to their people; you could but say, “Verily, this is God’s way and I must chime in with it.” Several young men are just now entering the Theological Department who are every way worthy, but wholly dependent for means to prosecute their studies to the end.

* * * * *

TENNESSEE.

Revival at Memphis.

PROF. A. J. STEELE.

I know you will rejoice with us at the outpouring of the Spirit which just now is so manifest.

Our evening prayer-meetings, held for the past week each day immediately after school, are being greatly blessed. One of the students, a young man, professed Christ three days ago; the earnestness since then has deepened. The meetings of yesterday and the day before were especially blessed, and this morning two promising girls of the school rose directly after devotions, and before the entire school, gave most earnest and clear testimony to Christ as their Saviour. In this afternoon’s meeting, to which nearly the entire school remained, two smaller girls and two prominent young men professed, with rejoicing. The entire school seems moved, many are seeking most earnestly, and this evening, at seven o’clock, we have a special meeting in the sitting-room at the Home.

We are all rejoicing, as we doubt not angels are, over the repentance and return of those estranged from God. Will you not give thanks with us and pray for a continuation of the presence of the Spirit with us in our work!

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 Mooar, D.D., Hon. E. D. Sawyer, Rev. E. P. Baker, James. M. Haven, Esq., Rev. Joseph Rowell, Rev. John Kimball.

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

* * * * *

LETTERS FROM PUPILS.

REV. W. C. POND, SAN FRANCISCO.

I often receive letters from pupils in our schools, and still more frequently read letters addressed to their teachers, which I have wished I could show to the Christian friends who are enabling us to carry on our work.

It is encouraging to see how much of saving truth they have contrived to learn, and still more to feel all through the throbbings of a Christian heart. The English is often in a sad tangle, but the effort to get hold of idioms so utterly opposite to their own sometimes gives an appetizing quaintness to their utterances such as freshens even oldest truth.

I venture to fill our columns for this month with a few extracts, realizing the fact that our interest in them may be wholly due to our personal interest in the writers, and that I incur the risk of their falling quite flat on the ears of others.

Here is one from Gin Sing, a member of the Presbyterian Church in Santa Barbara, now in Mexico: “Dear Sir, Mr. Pond: How are your health now? I hope you alway strong and able to do things. I have leave off [left] the city of Santa Barbara last Jan. 21st, but we living in Sonora of Mexico the county, at place of San Felix Mine. * * * I like to stay Santa Barbara very much, and so I have a chance to go church every Sunday; and this country none have church, and not very good country, but only mine was good, and country was dry the all time, and hot, too, and cold—sometimes was cold as can be. Oh, Dear Sir, I hear from Ah Foy [a Chinese brother, member of the Congregational Church] sometime ago. Tell me about Lee Wing Tie [a Baptist brother from San Francisco] been to Santa Barbara; done many good things for mission boys before he left; but Mission boys like him very much indeed, and very happy that time, and large school, too. Now Miss Clarke write me very few boys come. I am sorry. Sorry as can be. * * * Be prayerful, patient and pleasant, and never lose faith that the love and help of God, the Father, are with us in every hour. May God bless you always.”

And here is one recently received from Ny To Ging, a Stockton brother: “Mr. Pond: Dear Friend * * * Since I left you so long time, I never written to you any. Alway do I remember your kindness. I hope God will bless you and give you much strength to do his work. We are all sinners, and have wandered from God like lost sheep that have gone astray from the fold, but God is ready to forgive and take us back again in order to save us; so that we ought immediately to repent and become the disciples of Christ and be always prepared to do the will of Jesus. The Bible is the word of God. Holy men wrote it as the Holy Spirit taught them. The truths of the Bible never change. Every word is true, and God’s truth shall last forever. * * * I write to let you know and two Chinese [are to be] baptized in Stockton Church Congregational the next Sunday. I do not know how to write a letter well, but I make the attempt to write a little, hoping you will overlook all mistakes.” [In some portions of the above I think that as to the English our brother must have had the aid of his teacher’s corrections but the thoughts, I am sure, are his own.—W. C. P.]

This is from Jou Mow Lam, recently baptized in Bethany Church, addressed to his teacher in Stockton: “My dear teacher, Mrs. L. Langdon, I write few words to you. I think you good take care your scholar. I leave you long time. I do pray to God, hope you very well. I was very sorry, can get no work, know you help me. Pray to God to change my new heart [change my heart: make it new] no make me darkness. Soon I have baptized [shall be baptized]. I have read also in the gospels about Jesus; he rose from the grave on the third day after he was crucified, and went to heaven. I wish to be a Christian that I may go to heaven. I do not cease to pray for the pardon of my sin, and a new heart. I cannot tell you how I long to meet you my dear Christian friend.” This one is from Ny King, a beloved brother in Bethany Church, addressed to teachers who had recently removed from San Francisco to Stockton. It was written just as he was about to sail for China: “I sorry I can not write all I want, but I will try to write a few words to you. You are kind and patient to teach our Chinese, and I am very sorry you have to go to Stockton and leave us. Still we are glad, for you shall have a good chance to do much good for our Christian Chinese up there. I hope you remember me while you pray, that I may go home to China, to hold up the light of Christ, and tell the kindness of your Christian people to my own countrymen which they might receive it. One day, one of my heathen friends call up to me in a store: ‘Ny King,’ said he, ‘are you go home next steamer? I will tell you something, that you might not forget it. Now you say you are a Christian, but in about a month more, you will say you are something thing else,’ for he thought the Christian only good for here, and never can be in China. If the power of man, it might be so, but God who is the highest [is] _Almighty_. Now I must close my letter. I have no time to write any more. Good bye.”

Many other letters lie before me, each with its own point of interest, but I shall trespass on another’s space if I indulge in any more extracts. I will venture, however, to give without connection, the following sketch of a sermon from Wong Ack, a helper recently introduced into service, and from whom our readers have not heard before.

The text is Matt. ii., 28: “Come unto me all ye that labor,” etc.

1. The world is now already led by Satan, that who follows him, it is heavy labor he has to bear: and every grief in his heart that never feels any comfort, so that Jesus has shown His kind heart, and sound His merciful voice that whosoever will leave the devil and come to Him, they will receive His rest.

2. Jesus now on this world is like to what?—Like a gong which is sounding on the place while the thieves surround the people at night, and might wake them up, so they know the mischief was near, and try to escape out of the murderers’ hands, and hope they might save their life.

3. Our friends, this mischief nobody is able to deliver you from, but only Jesus who is our Saviour: He will preserve us, if we trust in Him. Oh! how sorry for them now which are asleep! Their hearts were full of dreams, and their eyes were closed up by Satan’s plans. Wake up, our friends, wake up! Come, come to Jesus as possible as you can [as quickly as you possibly can]. He is ready, waiting for us. * * *

4. That labor which I had spoken of is in this world. But you ought to know beforehand _that labor_ which [is in] the world to come. Now turn to Luke, xiv chapter and 24th verse: that will tell you how that is. Therefore Jesus said, “Come unto me.” What you think of this voice? * * * Now, our friends, should we all come to Him? Should we rather love to go to heaven, than go to hell? Yes, we must all come to Him, and turn our hearts toward the way of heaven, and hope our Lord Jesus Christ lead us in to His glory forever and ever.

* * * * *

CHILDREN’S PAGE.

* * * * *

A CHRISTMAS GIFT LIKE BELL BENNET’S.

MRS. T. N. CHASE.

“Annie, will you please come in a minute?” called Mrs. Duncan to a merry maiden tripping home from school. Annie Bennet looked up, nodded, and turned toward Mrs. Duncan’s mansion. As soon as her feet touched the grand stone steps, she felt changed into a dignified young lady, as quickly as ever Cinderella turned into a fairy. And as handsome Will, just in from the same school, opened for her the massive doors, some fresh roses jumped into Annie’s cheeks and some fresh sparkles into her dancing eyes. As soon as the three were seated in the cosey bay-window, Mrs. Duncan said, “Annie, you know, with my lame foot, I cannot go to see your mother, so I called you in to tell you my Christmas plan for our little May. You know how the child loves your little sister Bell. Well, last night while the little darling was saying her prayers, she added, ‘Please, Lord, tell Santa Claus to bring a Christmas gift to Bell just like the one he brings to me.’ Now we had planned getting her a tiny diamond ring, it would be so lovely on her dainty little hand, and I thought if your mother knew of May’s sweet little prayer, she’d like to strengthen the child’s faith by getting one for Bell like it.” Annie thought it was a beautiful idea and hastened home to tell her mother.

As soon as Mrs. Bennet heard Annie’s story, a greater pain came into her heart than had been there for many a day; for they had lately received a fortune from a rich uncle, and she felt that her motives for simplicity and economy would not be understood. Her greatest anxiety, however, was for her children. How she had prayed that the love of this money might not be to them “the root of all evil,” and “pierce them through with many sorrows.” She well knew how her precious Annie would now be petted by the gay and fashionable, and here had come her first great trial in this irresistible message from charming Mrs. Duncan. Annie understood her mother’s hesitation and said, “Mamma, wouldn’t it be a pity to have little May think her prayer was not heard?”

“My child, May did not pray for a diamond ring, but for a gift like Bell’s. Perhaps if you tell Mrs. Duncan I cannot conscientiously grant her request she will get a simple gift like one we get for Bell.”

“Oh, mamma, I never could tell Mrs. Duncan that. Don’t you think the habit of economy, that of necessity you have practiced all these years, may be mistaken for conscience?”

“The habit doubtless makes it easier for me to obey conscience, but I cannot think I am mistaking one for the other,” replied Mrs. Bennet.

“But, ma, do you think it proper for us to live as simply now as we did when papa had a salary of only $2,000 a year?”

“Annie, dear, have we not been able to dress respectably, has not our table always had well-prepared, wholesome and appetizing food, has not our little cottage contained all that was absolutely necessary for real home comfort?”

“Yes, ma, we have a sweet home: you know I love it. I was not complaining of the past, but why did God give us this fortune if He did not wish us to enjoy _luxuries_ now as well as comforts?”

“I think He did, Annie. I’m sure we can all now enjoy the luxury of doing good as we never have before. Then just think what a luxury it will be not to weary ourselves with making over worn garments. We can now give them to the needy and help still others by hiring them to make our new clothing,—not that we may be idle, but that we may have ‘a heart at leisure from itself to soothe and sympathize.’ We can have dear grandpa and grandma with us all the time. We will have several cosey bed-rooms added to our cottage, and shall not feel too poor to invite our less favored cousins and many dear friends to spend long vacations with us.”

“But, ma, we might do all this and still appear poor, while if we had a grand home like Mrs. Duncan, and exquisite curtains, and a fine carriage, and Bell had her diamond ring, and we all wore expensive and stylish clothing, everybody would know papa was rich.”

“Yes, Annie, and what good would it do people to know papa was rich?”

“Well, I cannot think of any good it would do them.”

“What good would it do _us_, darling, to have people know it?”

“Oh ma, it would be so pleasant to have every one polite to us, and treat us beautifully as they do rich people.”

“Do not all who _know_ us treat us well, Annie?”

“Oh yes, ma, _very_ well; but you know even _strangers_ admire those who dress, dine, and drive as only the rich can.”

“Now think, Annie, what this consideration of strangers costs. Friends envy us, the poor hate us, the irreligious question our sincerity, our own hearts are made vain, if not proud, millions are spent in useless luxuries that might bless the poor, and—well Annie, this is enough for once, isn’t it? When you have been in the city did you ever notice boys slowly pacing the streets and often ringing a bell, who were all covered over with an advertisement of some sale or show?”

“Yes, mamma.”

“Well, I often see young ladies on the street who always remind me of these advertising boys, as their dress makes them a walking advertisement of their father’s wealth. One Sunday night, after attending service in a very wealthy church, I dreamed that all the ladies wore pocket-books on their heads instead of bonnets. Some were too full to be closed, and small coin often dropped out. Others were tightly clasped and ornamented with all manner of precious stones. A few were thin and worn, but all were labelled with the exact amount of contents. And when one lady walked in with $2,000,000 blazing in diamond figures on her pocket-book how all the congregation bowed down.”

“Oh mamma, what a funny dream!”

“Now Annie, if Christian women would all feel that they were Christian stewards of their Lord’s money, and could see what foolish vanity it is to wish the world to know of their wealth, then we should all have some comparatively definite standard of a Christian style of living. But as long as Christian women have no guide but the varying length of a husband’s purse, we shall have no standard, no conscience in the matter, and the world will continue to jeer and the poor to suffer.”

Annie’s dread lest Will Duncan and his mother should think them old-fashioned or Puritanical, or possibly avaricious, was a sore temptation to her, and once more she plead—“But ma, would it not be right to call this ring a thank-offering for the great dowry we have received?”

“My dear Annie, I cannot see how a gift that would simply be a badge of our wealth, and tend to flatter the vanity of our innocent little Bell, would be a suitable thank-offering to the Lord. I believe in thank-offerings, however, and have written my dear old friend Mrs. W——, who is engaged in missionary work South, you remember, inquiring how I can best help her. Perhaps when her reply comes you will feel differently.”

Poor Annie avoided passing Mrs. Duncan’s home for two days, dreading to speak of her mother’s decision. The second day the expected letter came from Georgia. It told of a delicate little colored girl—a graduate of the Higher Normal Department of an A. M. A. School. This girl’s father had run away $150 in debt, and the home that sheltered the little family was to be sold at sheriff’s sale to pay the debt. This girl found a man who would pay it and wait for her to pay him in small sums as she earned it by teaching. As soon as this was paid she begged her sister to go to the school from which she graduated. The sister thought she was too old to begin to go to school again, and could not be persuaded till at last she was told—“Now Sis, kind friends at the North have helped me get my education and _I_ am going to send _some_ poor girl to that same school, and if you don’t go, some one else will be glad of my help.” So now she is paying nine dollars a month for that sister’s board and tuition, and buys her books and clothes, better ones, too, than she wore herself. A letter was also enclosed from this girl to her old teacher, begging for help to build a school house where she is now teaching. So besides educating her sister she is trying to build a school house. But I have the letter and will let the girl tell her own story:

“Dear Friend, Mrs. W——: I know you are very busy, and will not
want to hear the word ‘building,’ but I don’t know whom else to
write to. We have paid $71.70 on an acre of land for our school
lot. We have $68.30 to pay and twelve months to pay it in, with
no interest. We want to ask the A. M. A. if they will help us
build a school house. We can begin now as soon as we are able.
We want the A. M. A. to take full control of the house and the
building of it, and we will help all we can. We want this to be a
school for _everybody_. We have six men as trustees of the land,
and have worked hard and are working still. * * * The whites
are helping us and urging us to go on. Three white men gave $5
apiece, and others less. They were a little careful about giving
this time, as money has been solicited twice before for the same
purpose, so most of them would put their names down and say,
‘Come when you are ready for it.’ There was no trouble in getting
it yesterday when we went for it. I was anxious to decide the
matter and make a payment yesterday. I’ll try to get my money to
you by the 10th for sister.

“Very truly,
———— ————”

When Annie got home from school she read both letters with great interest, but said, “Ma, don’t you suppose such letters are sometimes gotten up for effect?” “Perhaps they are, but I am sure this one was not, for you know I wrote asking for some case of pressing need, and the girl’s letter never could have been written for my eyes, as it is dated some weeks ago.”

“But, ma, I have seen some missionaries who are so long-faced and sanctimonious that some way I can’t enjoy their reports.”

“I am glad you hate cant, Annie. So do I, but if you should see this friend of mine who wrote that letter, you’d feel very sure there was none of it about her. She is one of the merriest, sunniest, most genial ladies I ever knew. And I never knew a person hate shams or pretense of any kind more thoroughly than she. How I wish you had been home when she was here two years ago; but you must take the letter to Mrs. Duncan, for she is a dear friend of hers too.”

“Is she, ma? I’m so glad.”

Annie stopped next morning at Mrs. Duncan’s and left the letter with the servant at the door, saying she’d call for it on her way home. When she called in the afternoon, Mrs. Duncan told her how delighted she’d been to hear from her old school friend, and that she must certainly help that brave little colored girl build her school house. Annie then ventured timidly to say her ma felt she ought to do that instead of buying so expensive a gift for Bell.

“Now, Annie, that is just like your sweet mother,” said Mrs. Duncan. “I wish I was half as good. I did hope, though, little May’s prayer might be answered.”

“Ma says it might be if you could get a simple gift like the one we get Bell,” shyly suggests Annie.