Chapter I: Part 1

The American Missionary

VOL. XLII.

NO. 9.]

EDITORIAL.

ANNUAL MEETING—FINANCIAL, 237
A CREED—PARAGRAPHS, 238
MR. MOODY—AFRICA—SIOUX BILL, 239
MOUNTAIN WORK AND THE COLORED PEOPLE, 240
EMANCIPATION IN BRAZIL, 241
INTER-BLENDING OF MISSIONARY WORK, 242
SCHOOL ECHOES—EXTRACT, 244
DEATH OF MRS. L. A. ORR, 245
ON TO JESUS; ON TO GOD, 246

THE SOUTH.

NOTES IN THE SADDLE. By District Secretary Ryder, 246
THE BUSY WORKERS, 248
TALLADEGA COLLEGE, 249
TRINITY SCHOOL, ATHENS, ALA., 251

STUDENT’S LETTER.

HOW I WON MY SCHOOL, 252

THE INDIANS.

SPEECH OF AN INDIAN CHIEF, 255
FORT YATES, DAKOTA, 255

THE CHINESE.

CHRISTIAN CHINESE EN ROUTE TO CHINA, 256

BUREAU OF WOMAN’S WORK.

LETTER FROM SAN FRANCISCO, 259

OUR YOUNG FOLKS.

LITTLE INDIANS, 260

RECEIPTS, 261

* * * * *

NEW YORK:

PUBLISHED BY THE AMERICAN MISSIONARY ASSOCIATION,

Rooms, 56 Reade Street.

* * * * *

Price, 50 Cents a Year, in Advance.

Entered at the Post Office at New York, N.Y., as second-class
matter.

American Missionary Association.

* * * * *

PRESIDENT, REV. WM. M. TAYLOR, D.D., LL.D., N.Y.

_Vice-Presidents._

Rev. A. J. F. BEHRENDS, D.D., N.Y.
Rev. F. A. NOBLE, D.D., Ill.
Rev. ALEX. MCKENZIE, D.D., Mass.
Rev. D. O. MEARS, D.D., Mass.
Rev. HENRY HOPKINS, D.D., Mo.

_Corresponding Secretaries._

Rev. M. E. STRIEBY, D.D., _56 Reade Street, N.Y._
Rev. A. F. BEARD, D.D., _56 Reade Street, N.Y._

_Treasurer._

H. W. HUBBARD, Esq., _56 Reade Street, N.Y._

_Auditors._

PETER MCCARTEE.
CHAS. P. PEIRCE.

_Executive Committee._

JOHN H. WASHBURN, Chairman.
ADDISON P. FOSTER, Secretary.

_For Three Years._

LYMAN ABBOTT,
CHARLES A. HULL,
J. R. DANFORTH,
CLINTON B. FISK,
ADDISON P. FOSTER,

_For Two Years._

S. B. HALLIDAY,
SAMUEL HOLMES,
SAMUEL S. MARPLES,
CHARLES L. MEAD,
ELBERT B. MONROE,

_For One Year._

J. E. RANKIN,
WM. H. WARD,
J. W. COOPER,
JOHN H. WASHBURN,
EDMUND L. CHAMPLIN.

_District Secretaries._

Rev. C. J. RYDER, _21 Cong’l House, Boston_.
Rev. J. E. ROY, D.D., _151 Washington Street, Chicago_.

_Financial Secretary for Indian Missions._

Rev. CHAS. W. SHELTON.

_Secretary of Woman’s Bureau._

Miss D. E. EMERSON, _56 Reade St., N.Y._

* * * * *

COMMUNICATIONS

Relating to the work of the Association may be addressed to the Corresponding Secretaries; letters for “THE AMERICAN MISSIONARY,” to the Editor, at the New York Office.

DONATIONS AND SUBSCRIPTIONS

In drafts, checks, registered letters, or post-office orders, may be sent to H. W. Hubbard, Treasurer, 56 Reade Street, New York, or, when more convenient, to either of the Branch Offices, 21 Congregational House, Boston, Mass., or 151 Washington Street, Chicago, Ill. A payment of thirty dollars at one time constitutes a Life Member.

FORM OF A BEQUEST.

“I BEQUEATH to my executor (or executors) the sum of —— dollars, in trust, to pay the same in —— days after my decease to the person who, when the same is payable, shall act as Treasurer of the ‘American Missionary Association,’ of New York City, to be applied, under the direction of the Executive Committee of the Association, to its charitable uses and purposes.” The Will should be attested by three witnesses.

* * * * *

THE

AMERICAN MISSIONARY.

* * * * *

VOL. XLII. SEPTEMBER, 1888. NO. 9.

* * * * *

American Missionary Association.

* * * * *

The next Annual Meeting of the American Missionary Association will be held at Providence, R.I., commencing at three o’clock Tuesday afternoon, October 23d. Rev. Arthur Little, D.D., of Chicago, will preach the sermon. On the last page of the cover will be found directions as to membership and other items of interest. Fuller details regarding the reception of delegates and their entertainment, together with rates at hotels, and railroad and steamboat reductions, will be given in the religious press and in the next number of the MISSIONARY.

A meeting of great interest is expected, and we trust our friends will make their preparations in due time to be present.

* * * * *

OUR RECEIPTS for the ten months ending July 31st are $235,884.73, an increase of $6,377.40 as compared with the corresponding months of last year. The increase from collections is $12,628.92, and the decrease from legacies is $6,251.52, leaving the net increase as stated. This increase from collections is gratifying; but our expenditures during the last ten months have been $27,079.89 greater than for the same months last year.

This increase has been due not only to the imperative demands for the enlargement of the work, but to the added facilities afforded by the contributions of friends who have realized these needs and have provided the necessary buildings and improvements.

The patrons of the Association have been wont to rally in the month of September to save us from debt. Our average receipts from _collections_ for that month for the past three years have been $38,000, which is nearly double the average of our monthly collections for the past year. We hope our friends have not lost their zeal in our work, and that their hearts are as warm and their hands as liberal as ever.

We ask their attention to the two items that follow:

_A Practical, Thoughtful Man._

A gentleman once said to a Secretary of this Association: “I contribute regularly to all our Congregational societies, and in addition to that I lay aside $100 for the society that stands in the greatest need. I notice that one or the other of these societies comes to the close of its fiscal year threatened with debt, and this year I think the American Missionary Association must have the $100.”

Thanks were duly expressed.

_A Creed._

We believe that there are many such practical, thoughtful men in our churches who lay by money, some more, some less, for this good purpose.

We believe there are many more Christian people, who, while they do not plan so definitely, yet keep watch of the benevolent societies, and come to the rescue in time of need.

We believe that some give out of their abundance, and others, feeling themselves somewhat straitened yet realizing the difficulties of a benevolent society in like circumstances, decide, in the spirit of Christian self-sacrifice, to aid with their mite the embarrassed society.

We believe there are pastors, devoted and efficient in their parish work, who yet are broad-minded and large-hearted enough to keep a watchful eye on the interests of the great missionary societies, and, at the appropriate time, to urge upon their churches liberal contributions for the hour of need.

We believe that, at this time, the American Missionary Association is the society needing special help at the close of its financial year, and we earnestly exhort practical, thoughtful Christians and churches to make special remembrance of our wants by prompt and liberal contributions during the month of September.

* * * * *

WE begin this month the publication of a series of letters received from students or graduates of our various institutions in the South. They will be found very readable. Those of our friends who begin the one we publish in this number will read it through, we are very sure, and will be glad to read the others as they come in successive numbers.

* * * * *

HOW BRIEF the passage from life to death. This number of THE MISSIONARY contains a very interesting sketch of the Commencement exercises at Talladega College, written by Mrs. L. A. Orr; and yet, on another page, will be found the record of her death. Happy are they who are toiling in the Master’s vineyard when the summons comes.

* * * * *

WE had the pleasure of an intimate acquaintance with Rev. G. D. Pike, D.D., for nearly twenty years. We knew that his studies ran beyond the range of official work, but we never suspected that he indulged in writing verses. Since his death, several hymns have been found, written by him, and, on another page, we present one of these. It was written during his absence for his health and when he regarded the end of life as not far off, and indicates his faith and hope. The many friends of Dr. Pike will be glad to read this.

* * * * *

MR. MOODY.

Mr. Moody as a lay evangelist has made a marvellous, a unique, record in modern Christian labors. No layman, and few clergymen, have surpassed him in this peculiar work. But Mr. Moody’s efforts in another line are attracting the attention and admiration of Christians in all parts of the world. We venture the prediction that one hundred years hence Mr. Moody will be better known by the schools he has founded than by the evangelistic work he has done. There is something about a permanent institution, like the opening of a living spring on the hillside, that is refreshing and perennial. John Harvard and Elihu Yale opened such fountains. Other men of to-day are doing the same thing in the South, either by the consecration of permanent funds or the founding of permanent institutions. May their number be multiplied.

* * * * *

AFRICA.

Alas for poor Africa! The day of her redemption lingereth. The rebellion of the Mahdi hindered the progress of civilization in the vast regions of the Upper Nile. It occurred precisely at the time that Rev. Dr. Ladd was making his explorations near the mouth of the Sobat, with a view to the establishment of the Arthington Mission. The hope that was entertained that this sudden and disastrous outbreak would soon be quelled has been disappointed. The Mahdi is dead, but he has a successor, Khalifa Abdullah, who, if he does not inherit the Mahdi’s remarkable powers, yet can suffice to keep the Soudan in turmoil. Emin Bey has not been rescued and Stanley’s whereabouts and safety are uncertain. Is it not time that the duty of the American of African descent to the land of his fathers should be pressed upon him, and that the Christian church should help to prepare him for that duty?

* * * * *

THE SIOUX BILL.

The friends of the Indians have sought earnestly and successfully to secure proper legislation looking to the civilization of the Indians. The Dawes Bill and the Sioux Bill have been hailed with joy as important steps in this direction.

But Senator Dawes himself and other intelligent friends of the Indians have foreseen the possible difficulties in the way. The refusal of the Indians to sign the treaty at the recent council at Standing Rock, and the indication at this writing that the same refusal will meet the Commissioners at the Cheyenne, Rosebud and Pine Ridge Agencies, present the picket lines of these difficulties. But beyond all these lie the stronger hindrances. The great trouble is that the Indian is still an Indian, in his ignorance, his want of training for civilized life, his dislike of work, and his incompetency to make profitable use of the lands and teams and implements proffered to him. Of what use to any man, white or Indian, is 160 acres of land if he doesn’t want it, if he doesn’t know how to use it, and can’t make a living on it? After all that has been said and done, the thing that the Indian needs is a _Christian education_. If he has that, he will know how to work and will be inclined to work, and will become a good and self-supporting citizen. Christian friends of the Indian! rally to the great work of Christianing these Indians. The primer and the New Testament are their great want.

* * * * *

THE MOUNTAIN WORK AND THE COLORED PEOPLE.

There are three things which give special emphasis to the importance of pushing forward the “Mountain Work.”

1. The great material, intellectual and spiritual destitution of the more than two million people of our Southern mountains—a people of good natural endowments, who respond readily to the life-giving impulses of a pure gospel—is the thing which appeals most directly to our sympathy.

2. Many well-informed business men are confidently declaring that this is the richest mineral region of the world. Already they are either building or planning railroads through every part of the mountains, which are made profitable not only by the wonderful mines which open at their approach, but also by the great forests of black walnut, poplar, and other valuable timber. This, of course, means that the present primitive condition of things cannot long remain. It must give way to something else. Whether it shall be to godlessness and wickedness of every form, or whether the natural religiousness of the people shall be met with pure and uplifting gospel influences—with the Church and the Christian school—depends in a large measure on what our churches and individual Christians say through the treasury of this Association. What will take years of work and thousands of dollars in the future can now be done in months and with hundreds.

3. But this work has a connection with our other Southern work which has been little noted. These mountains extend down into the very heart of the South, in a territory 200 miles broad and 500 miles long. In the late war, the people were loyal to the Union almost to a man, and thousands of them fought for its preservation. Slaves were few among them, and colored people are now scarcely more numerous than they are in the North, though the proportion is increasing. The result is a natural affiliation with what are known as “Northern Ideas.” The feeling against a Christian treatment of the colored people is neither so bitter nor so deep-rooted as elsewhere in the South. It has been demonstrated that no-caste churches and schools can be established and maintained, and the general sentiment of the whole region can, by vigorous missionary work, be moulded to the Christian view.

The people of this region—vivified and developed, intellectually and spiritually, on the broad basis of Congregational Christianity; believing in, and practicing, the doctrine that all men were created free and equal and should have equal rights in all public matters; and, in their new and fast-increasing commercial importance, in constant contact with other portions of the South—would furnish an unanswerable argument against the fears of the Southern white people with reference to the amalgamation of the races, and other direful results, which would follow a just treatment of the colored man. “And seeing the man which was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it.”

* * * * *

EMANCIPATION IN BRAZIL—WHAT IS TO FOLLOW?

It is a curious fact that, in precisely the last fifty years, slavery has been abolished by the four great nations holding the greatest number of slaves and representing the three great forms of the Christian religion—the Protestant, the Greek and the Roman Catholic.

Thus England, a Protestant power, emancipated her slaves in the West Indies in 1838; Russia, of the Greek Church, freed her serfs in 1861; the United States, a Protestant nation, emancipated her slaves in 1863; and now, Brazil, a Roman Catholic empire, completes the circle by emancipating her slaves in 1888.

While these facts are remarkable, and present cause for profound gratitude to God, there is yet a lesson of vital importance to be learned which Brazil needs to understand, and which, indeed, the other nations are not fully practicing.

In the British West Indies, very few white people remained after emancipation, and the blacks lacked their guidance and example; and besides this, it was years afterwards before the British Government made any adequate provision for the education of the ex-slaves. From these two causes have come nearly all the evils that have grown out of the emancipation.

Russia presents a still more striking lesson. In 1861, as the result of a great national movement towards constitutional liberty, her fifty millions of serfs were emancipated. The next year, she celebrated the thousandth anniversary of her national existence, and the enthusiasm for a free government was intensified. But all these hopes were dashed—no new constitution was given, the Czar ruled autocratically as before, the serfs were not educated or enfranchised, and largely sunk into ignorance and intemperance. The result of all has been nihilism, and the Czar lives in hourly fear of death, and rules his people by terror, the prison and Siberia.

The United States has done far better. It enfranchised the slave and made him a citizen; the National Government, through the Freedmen’s Bureau, expended several millions of dollars for his education; the States organized public school systems, and the benevolent people of the North rendered still more effective service, being the first to introduce the work, acting always, when permitted, in co-operation with the Bureau and with the States, and continuing its work, blending the educational largely with the religious. But in spite of all this, a dark cloud gathers on our horizon—the blacks are not allowed the free enjoyment of their guaranteed rights, and the facilities for educational and religious enlightenment are entirely inadequate. Three millions of the blacks of ten years of age and upward, in 1880, could not write. America needs not only to ponder these facts, but to act upon them promptly, if it would avert the impending danger.

In these facts Brazil should read her warning. If her ex-slaves are left in ignorance and vice, she has her work only begun, and the last end may be worse than the beginning. The laws of Brazil have favored gradual emancipation. It was the work of a woman that completed it. In the absence of the Emperor, who was sick in Italy, his daughter, as Regent, issued the final decree.

May we not hope that the womanly wisdom and philanthropy which dictated the initial act may prompt to the persevering use of the means of the last great duty? And may we not hope that, as thousands of the educated women of the North devoted themselves to the uplifting of the blacks in the Southern States, so their sisters in Brazil may give the crowning glory to emancipation in Brazil?

* * * * *

INTER-BLENDING OF MISSIONARY WORK.

The great London Missionary Conference, recently held, awakened much enthusiasm on the spot in behalf of foreign missions, and we believe that the published records and addresses will intensify and perpetuate that salutary influence. The Christian world needs arousing to the great work of the church in heathen lands.

There is, however, an inter-blending in all parts of missionary work that should never be overlooked. The home field is the source of the means, and men, and prayers, that must energize the work in the foreign field. Dead churches at home cannot give life to mission work abroad.

There is another form in which the home and foreign fields are blended. The American Missionary Association is ranked, and properly, as a home missionary organization, but it has its relations to the foreign field.

1. It is called to train the Freedmen of America for mission work in Africa. White men meet a speedy death in malarial Africa, and they come to the natives as strangers. The Freedmen can better endure the climate of their fatherland and will be welcomed by the people as brothers. We believe that the great problem of African evangelization is destined, in the providence of God, to be largely solved by the ex-slaves of America.

2. The Indians of the United States have been ranked heretofore as coming under the work of foreign missions. At one time the American Board had the largest share of its work among these people. Other Christian denominations so classed their Indian missions, in part, at least—and all this properly, for the mass of the Indians are still heathen. The day will come when the Indian will be lost in the man, and then gospel work for him will be home or parish work. But at present the American Missionary Association is doing foreign mission work in the home field, among these Indians.

3. The Chinaman in America, like the Negro in America, is cultured and Christianized here very largely for the sake of China. He comes here not to stay, but to go back to the home of his fathers. Now, if we don’t stone him, or mob him, but imbue him with the gospel, he goes back home as a missionary. A specimen of the spirit in which he returns can be seen in the touching letter from a Chinese convert in another column of this magazine. The Hong Kong Mission, established under the auspices of the American Board, and to which our converted Chinamen on the Pacific Slope contributed both men and money, is an illustration of the way in which the American Missionary Association touches the foreign field in China.

4. Last, but not least. The battle against caste must be fought, and the victory won, in America. As the last battle against slavery was fought and won here for the world, so we must fight the battle of caste here for India as well as for America. Fifty years ago very wise and good brethren said: “You Abolitionists are right _theoretically_, slavery is wrong and ought to be abolished immediately; but _practically_ you are a set of visionaries. Slavery is a local institution, and if you wish to push your denominational interests in the South, you must establish your churches there and let the question of slavery alone.” We have lived long enough to hear these brethren confess their mistake. There are wise and good brethren now that say: “_Theoretically_, caste is all wrong, but it exists and can’t be overthrown, and if you wish to press your denominational work in the South, you must ignore that question and plant your churches on the color line.” Somebody will live to hear those who take this position confessing their mistake. The American Missionary Association stands now on the caste question just where it once stood in regard to slavery. It will neither dodge nor compromise, and will plant schools and churches in the South, if at all, openly and avowedly disregarding class distinctions. It makes no effort to bring the races together, yet any man, woman or child, otherwise qualified, will be welcomed to its schools and churches, even if God has made him black. In waging this warfare in America, it is doing a Christian missionary work against caste in heathen nations of the old world.

SCHOOL ECHOES.

Question.—“When and how long did Solomon reign?”

Answer.—“10,000 years before Christ. He rained forty days and forty nights.”

Question.—“Susy, can you tell me what I read to you about yesterday?”

Answer.—“Christ and the twelve opossums.”

In Mississippi, one of our teachers taught her class faithfully the golden text, “Put off thy shoes from off thy feet; for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground.” The next Sunday, only one girl could remember it, and she recited it thus: “Moses, Moses, take off them shoes.”

The colored preachers of the old time, in selecting their illustrations from Bible characters, are wont to give them a strongly imaginative turn; as for instance when one, in a long story of Abraham’s trial in offering up Isaac, represented him as “going along, holding on and not making any fuss during the journey by day, but at night when Isaac was not by, as praying and crying all night.”

ENGLISH AS SHE IS WRITTEN BY INDIAN STUDENTS.

THE RACES.—They are five races, which are the white and yellow, and black and red and brown. The yellow race likes to eat rat, and the black race likes to eat man, and the white race likes to eat frog, and the red race likes to eat buffalo.

The Caucasian is the strongest in the world. The semi-civilized have their own civilization, but not like the white race. The savage race kept their own ways, and they have had three occupations: they were hunted, fished and foughted to the other people. They beat, too. The white race have three occupations: agriculture, manufacturing and commerce.

The white people they are civilized; they have everything, and go to school, too. They learn how to read and write so they can read newspaper. The yellow people they half civilized, some of them know how to read and write, and some know how to take care of themself. The red people they big savages; they don’t know anything.

* * * * *

EXTRACT.

We do not print the extract given below because it has our
approval, but because it is taken from a newspaper published by
colored men, and is significant.

We have yet to learn that unless we organize for self-protection and make use of our organization, we shall continue to be used as foot-balls, and a target for infuriated white mobs. Unless we take active and aggressive measures for our safety, we shall continue to receive treatment which should not be administered to the beasts of the field. We do not believe there should exist one law for the white man and one law for the black man, as there exists in the South to-day. We are all sovereign citizens, and should be protected by the laws alike. The present dispensation of the law in the South is an infamous outrage, and is unworthy of a great country like ours.

What is the remedy for this state of affairs? History shows that sooner or later oppressed people arise from their lethargy, and take by force that which is denied them by the laws of their country. What we need to do, is to organize such societies as the one so earnestly advocated by the editor of the late _Freeman_, and use such societies for the enforcement of the law and the obtaining of our rights when they are denied us.

The colored people of this country need not expect that their white fellow-citizens are going to aid them in this struggle, so we might as well put our shoulder to the wheel, buckle on our armor and go forth to the conflict with stern faces and undaunted courage. Blessings never come to those who recline upon the indolent couch of ease and wait for them; the honors of this life do not come unsought; a tree planted does not grow to maturity and produce abundant fruit unless nurtured and cared for until it is able to withstand the changes of the seasons. So with our condition in this country. As long as we remain silent while our rights are being filched from us, we may expect a continuance of this kind of thing.

Let us organize ourselves into a powerful and extensive organization and then we shall be in a position to make a systematic and aggressive, as well as harmonious, struggle for our rights. If we do this, we shall command the respect of all men, even if we fail in obtaining what we struggled for. But we shall not fail. Truth and justice sooner or later triumph, if those who champion them are only true to themselves.

* * * * *

DEATH OF MRS. L. A. ORR.

In the rest and quiet of vacation, death has come to the little band left at Talladega.

On July 15th, Mrs. Orr passed suddenly away from earth. The day before, while riding with a friend, the horse stumbled, and falling forward pulled her out of the buggy to the ground. It was not supposed she was seriously hurt, but later it was found that the fall had produced concussion of the brain. In about two hours she became unconscious, and lay in that condition through all the hours of the night. At 9:30 on Sabbath morning, without a word or look of recognition, she passed away. Thus has ended a most useful and consecrated life. She was president of our W. C. T. U., and none will be more missed. Tired teachers ever found a warm welcome, rest and quiet in her pleasant rooms, and guests of the college will remember with gratitude Mrs. Orr’s careful thoughtfulness for their comfort.

Leaving a pleasant home at the North and remunerative occupation, Mr. and Mrs. Orr came into this missionary work with but a single aim, that of doing good, and nobly has it been accomplished. By their efforts, mission schools in two out-stations have been established and funds obtained for a school and church in one, to be called Clinton Chapel in honor of the donors, most of whom lived in Clinton, Mass. Mrs. Orr visited these schools. Her personal presence cheered and encouraged them, and she gave from her own means with no unsparing hand to further the work. The death of their friend brings great sorrow to the people of these neighborhoods, and they are greatly cast down. “Shall we have to give up our new chapel?” and “What can we do without Mrs. Orr?” are questions asked on all sides.

Dear friend! God help us to more faithfully and prayerfully carry on the work you have laid down.

A. R. D.

* * * * *

ON TO JESUS; ON TO GOD.

BY REV. G. D. PIKE, D.D.

Holy Spirit, comfort me:
I am sadly stained by sin;
Help thou mine infirmity,
Lead me where the Lamb hath been.
Thou canst guide me o’er the road,
On to Jesus; on to God.

I have grieved thee oft and sore,
Quenched thy gentle, kindly voice;
Take, O take me evermore,
Let my soul again rejoice.
Set my feet upon the road;
On to Jesus; on to God.

Finish thou the work in me,
Now so graciously begun;
Thanks and praise my song shall be
To the blessed three in one,
As I hie me o’er the road,
On to Jesus; on to God.

When my mortal days are done;
When I meet the Lamb that died;
Grant, O grant thy erring son
Rest among the glorified,
Ransomed, saved, along the road.
On to Jesus; on to God.

MATLOCK BANK, ENG., July 1, 1882.

* * * * *

THE SOUTH.

* * * * *

NOTES IN THE SADDLE.

BY REV. C. J. RYDER, DISTRICT SECRETARY.

The Sunday-school work of the A. M. A. has always been an important element of that work. The rapid development of this department within the past few years has been somewhat remarkable. Our friends expressed grateful surprise at the Portland meeting that the statistics were so exceedingly encouraging along this line. “The total Sunday-school enrollment, as it appears in the Annual Report of 1882, was 7,835, but we are able to report this year an enrollment of 15,109, an increase in five years of 7,274, or nearly 100 per cent.,” was the very satisfactory showing as given in the last Annual Report.

Two interesting bits of history have recently come to me, which indicate that the Sunday-school work of the Association is developing with still greater rapidity and success. Reports were gathered from twenty-two of the students of Straight University, New Orleans, who taught school during the summer vacation. These students were not so busy with their work in the day-school as to neglect their duty as Christians in the organization of Sunday-schools. They were scattered throughout Louisiana and Mississippi, and reached many needy fields. They reported the following facts:

Number of pupils in the day-schools which were taught by them 1,398
Number of Sunday-schools organized 13
These students were superintendents or teachers in 22
Number of scholars in these Sunday-schools 1,574
Number of hopeful conversions to Christ 168
Five Bands of Mercy were organized with a membership of 181
Four Temperance Societies were formed with a membership of 241

These facts furnish us excellent evidence of the judicious and enthusiastic efforts of these colored students to save and elevate their own people. _Fifteen hundred and seventy-four_ children gathered into Sunday-schools, most of whom were absolutely unreached before, by these twenty-two under-graduates of a single A. M. A. school!

It is not strange that the President of Straight University, in giving these facts, adds, with evident satisfaction:

“If a complete record could be made of all the work done in one year even, by past and present members of our school, or any of the A. M. A. schools, it would make an aggregate most wonderful.”

* * * * *

Turning now to the progress of Sunday-school work in our great Mountain field, we find the same remarkable development. Calvary Congregational Church was organized at Pine Mountain, Tenn., Nov. 26, 1887, with thirteen members. The following striking facts are just reported as the results secured in the past few months by the energetic Christian workers in this church. Sunday-schools have been established in the following places, with the enrollment given below:

Calvary Church Sunday-school enrolled 142
Shiloh “ “ 127
New Prospect “ “ 68
Lick Creek “ “ 78

making a grand total of 415 children and young people gathered into these Sunday-schools on the mountain, and only _ten pupils_ of this whole enrollment _had ever been in Sunday-School before_!! Another school is soon to be formed in this neighborhood. This “Pine Mountain” field is about 20 × 60 miles, and the little church which the A. M. A. built during the past few months is the only framed “church house” in the whole region. Think of it, O Christian friends, you who hold the Lord’s money in trust, 1,200 square miles, with cabin homes scattered along every “cove” and fertile valley, left, to this year of our Lord 1888, with only one suitable place of worship!

In building this new church, the people themselves have strained every nerve and made large personal sacrifices. They have had the occasional services of the General Missionary of the A. M. A. for that locality, and I visited them once when Field Superintendent. They have also been assisted from the A. M. A. treasury, but they have labored in season and out of season themselves in order to establish this splendid work. The rapid development of the Sunday-schools is not the only feature of this work that merits our attention. One member of this church has distributed during the year 424 new Bibles and 145 second-hand Bibles. He has visited 500 families personally. He found that 60 per cent. of these people were without the Word of God in complete form. A few had mutilated copies of the Bible.

* * * * *

There are hundreds of fields in the Mountain Work of the A. M. A. just as needy and just as hopeful as Pine Mountain. All the facts indicate that God has now opened this field to us. An intelligent mountaineer said to me, some months ago: “Our great and only hope lies in the A. M. A. and the Congregational churches of the North.” Surely these churches will not disappoint this hope, nor refuse to heed the voice of God speaking to them in all the stirring events of this Mountain Work.

* * * * *

THE BUSY WORKERS.

The hive of the American Missionary Association in the South
has no use for drones. The bees are at work summer and winter,
and they improve not only the “shining hour,” but have to be
busy in rainy days as well. One of our workers who has long
been in the field, and who deserves to be kept there still
longer, writes as follows in accepting re-appointment:

I most cheerfully accept the work for another year, and to show you that it means work for me I will just give you my programme for the past two weeks: A rough ride two weeks ago this P.M. to the top of the mountain, and then on foot down the mountain to Spring City, to take the night train for Lexington. Got into Lexington Wednesday morning in a rain. Looked at this and that piece of property during Wednesday and Thursday, it raining most of the time. Came back Friday to Helenwood. Made some calls on Saturday and preached at night. Preached at 11 A.M. next day, and walked eight miles to Robbins and preached at night. Got up at 3 o’clock and walked four miles to catch a train that would stop at Glen Mary. Reached Spring City for breakfast at 6:30. Came up home and answered what letters I needed to, and went back to Spring City to stay all night. Took train at six o’clock Tuesday morning for Sunbright. Rode out to Deer Lodge. Made four pastoral calls, walking four miles to do it, and was ready for an eight-mile ride in lumber wagon, Wednesday morning, in the rain to Mt. Vernon to deliver the oration of the day. Went back to Sunbright next morning and found your letters of the 3rd. Went to Emory Gap that evening. Walked out two miles in mud to see Bro. Clark. Came back to Sunbright Friday, so as to reach Deer Lodge for a church meeting that night. Made some calls Saturday morning, and then walked three miles to call on a Congregational family that ought to unite with our church here, and came back to preach at night. Taught a lesson in Sunday-school next morning, and preached. Walked to Sunbright, seven miles, and preached at night. Got up at 2 o’clock to walk seven miles to Glen Mary to take the early train to reach home and attend to correspondence so I can get off to Crossville to-morrow.

I do not always have it put on quite so thickly as this, but it is a pretty fair average.

* * * * *

TALLADEGA COLLEGE.

MRS. L. A. ORR.

Talladega College has just passed its eighteenth annual Commencement which, in many respects, was the most successful ever held.

The exercises began on Thursday night, June 7th, with an exhibition in the chapel by the second and third grades of Cassedy School, followed on Friday by exercises in the Primary Department, and at night by an exhibition by the fourth and fifth grades of Cassedy School, all of which reflected credit upon the teachers in charge. To many of our Northern friends, these may seem a very insignificant part of Commencement exercises, but to these parents, who consider all school work a failure which does not close with an exhibition, and who will travel miles to hear their children “say their pieces,” they are a very important part. At these exercises the chapel was crowded almost to suffocation, the hall and windows were full, and many went away, as they could not find even standing room.

On Sunday, in the absence of Pres. DeForest, the baccalaureate sermon was preached by Rev. J. M. Sturtevant, D.D., of Cleveland, Ohio, and was full of rich thought and practical suggestions. At night, Rev. G. M. Elliott, of Selma, preached an excellent missionary sermon, very helpful to the students who go out into the dark places to labor among their people.

The mornings of Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday were occupied with public examinations in the different departments, and they all gave evidence of faithful work having been done by teachers and pupils. The examinations in theology and moral philosophy were especially fine, and would do credit to any Northern white students.

Monday night was given to the exercises of the three literary societies connected with the college and these were conducted wholly by the students.

On Tuesday afternoon was the inspection of the industrial classes, printing office, barns, &c. In the large airy sewing-room were samples of work done by the girls, including quilts, garments of all kinds, and some very neat darning. In the printing office several young men were engaged in type-setting, presswork, etc., and the neatness of the printed programmes testified to the good work done by the “college press.” Visitors to the Slater shop found the blacksmith at his forge, the painter, the glazier and the cabinet-maker busy at work, and the wonder was that one small shop could accommodate so many trades. The brick masons were laying the foundation for an addition to the building, which will give better facilities for work. The fine stock on the farm, the new and improved farming tools, the steam engine in operation, and neat barns, attracted many visitors.

A lecture at night by Dr. Sturtevant, on the subject “Manners,” closed a very busy day.

Thursday was Commencement and the fullest day of the week. First came the graduating exercises; the class numbered seven, three young women and four young men from the Normal Department. Next came the alumni address and essay, after which the treasurer gave a brief statement of the resources of the college. The increase in attendance as compared with last year was more than eighty.

At the alumni dinner, in Foster Hall parlor, were present the alumni, the Faculty, and friends from the North, South, East and West, to the number of seventy in all. After supplying our physical wants, next in order came the toasts and responses. Dr. Andrews was master of ceremonies and in response to the toast “Our Theological Work,” Rev. Spencer Snell, of Birmingham, spoke of the great need of an educated ministry among the colored people, and told an amusing story of the “call to preach” of a colored man. He was at work in the field, but soon got tired, and leaning on his hoe, he said to himself, “Dis hoe am _so_ heaby, an’ dis row am _so_ long, an’ dis sun am _so_ hot, I tink dis nigger am called to preach de gospel.”

Next Paul Bledsoe of Laredo, Texas, spoke for “Our Normal Work,” James Brown for “Our Students,” and Mr. Stephen Childs, of Marion, for the “Parents of our Students.” Rev. J. Silsby, of Tenn., who was personally acquainted with the early history of the college, responded to the toast “The Founding of Talladega College.” “Our Churches” was responded to by Rev. C. B. Curtis, of Selma, and J. R. Sims, of Shelby Iron Works. Dr. Andrews closed with a few words for the college.

At night, W. P. Hamilton and J. A. Jones, who were graduated from the theological department in 1887, were ordained to the work of the gospel ministry. This closed the exercises of the week. During the week, many kind words were spoken for the college by friends from different parts of the State, showing that the best colored people in the State appreciate the thorough work done here.

During the week President DeForest was very much missed, but we all hoped that what was our loss would be his gain in health and strength from his trip across the ocean.

* * * * *

TRINITY SCHOOL, ATHENS, ALA.

Another year of pleasant work has just closed. Teachers and students, though looking rather worn and weary, are in the happiest mood, for all feel it has been a _good year_. The latter part of this school year has been specially characterized by very earnest study, and an ambition to reach one hundred per cent. in every thing. _One_ student has done this with a single exception, and says that he “shall surely make that up during vacation.” All have attained a higher standing than usual, and our final examinations were excellent.

Our sending a class to Fisk University this year, with favorable reports of them coming from month to month, has proved a constant inspiration to our classes here, and we hope as the years go by, to send many more in the same direction.

But the great struggle with us is to hold our students long enough to take them through even an elementary normal course. Parents in their ignorance and extreme poverty, are in such _a hurry_ to have their children teach and earn money to help support the younger ones, that, as soon as they can get a third grade certificate to teach in the public schools of the State, they are supposed to be _educated_.

And, too often, the people in the rural districts, impressed with the wonderful attainments of the young teacher, add to the folly of the parents in making these young people themselves, (only the weaker ones), think “they know enough, without going to school any more,” and so they drift into the ranks of those who “think they are something, when they are nothing.”

This is one of our discouragements, but we have very much for our encouragement in the beautiful _homes_ that are springing up all over this fair South-land, and in the noble band of intelligent, consecrated, Christian workers who, in pulpits and school-houses, and in the conscientious and successful management of business, are leading their people to a higher plane of living and to a truer citizenship.

Our closing exercises were held on Monday night, May 28, our twenty-third anniversary. Our large and beautiful hall was packed as never before. The audience was appreciative and very enthusiastic. There were visitors from Birmingham and Decatur, and all the towns along the lines of railroad. They expressed great interest in what they saw and heard, promising to send us many new students in October; but the difficulty is to find suitable places for them to board, as the parents all prefer to have their children in the Institution under the constant supervision of teachers.

Our exercises were quite novel, and had some unique features that greatly pleased the patrons. In all that was attempted, the pupils acquitted themselves well, and the _little_ children especially pleased the patrons of the school in their beautiful and perfect Scripture recitations. All the Sunday-school Golden Texts from October to June, were recited without a mistake, also several Psalms and an entire chapter from Isaiah. Bible truth planted in the hearts of these young children, will, we trust, bear precious fruit in their future lives.

M. S. WELLS

* * * * *

STUDENT’S LETTER.

* * * * *

HOW I WON MY SCHOOL.

MR. W. B. ROSS.

In the spring of 1881, I left Fisk University in search of a summer school. Knowing nowhere else to go, I went to the southwestern part of Arkansas. I had been informed by a Fisk student that there were vacancies in Hempstead county, and thither I bent my way in company with two other young men, also seeking summer employment, both of whom opened subscription schools in the State. I had taken two lessons a day in Latin during the school year just ended, and expected to “double my Greek” the next year. This would necessitate my being in at the beginning of the school year. I had always been politically inclined, and so had studied almost every artifice to win among strangers.

We three rode from Hope, Arkansas, to Washington, a distance of ten miles, in an old-fashioned ambulance.

On arriving at Washington, we were taken to the house of the colored teacher of that place. I looked at him; he extended his hand; I explained our business, and immediately he volunteered to assist us.

I had a particular school in view on leaving Nashville. On arriving at Washington, I learned from Mr. Shepperson, the teacher referred to, that one of the trustees of that school was in town.

I immediately started out in search of him. In a short time I was presented to a stoutly-built, heavy-set man, who was introduced as the gentleman I desired to see. I forthwith explained to Mr. Holt, for such was his name, that I had been informed that there was a colored school to be taught that summer in his district, and that I had come hoping I could get it.

“Yes,” said he, “there is a school there, but it will be a month before it can open.”

“Is that so?” said I. “I don’t see what I’ll do. Have you any objections to its being opened now?”

“Oh, no; if the colored people are willing, I am,” said he.

But I could see in the tone of his voice something that showed an unwillingness to have the school begin before Mr. Holt’s cotton was worked out. However, I took him at his word, and set out in the hot sun and sand, with my satchel on my back, to the desired plantation. On the way, I saw two million lizzards, one billion spiders, and a trillion scorpions, to say nothing of tarantulas and centipedes that appeared in countless numbers along my path. I arrived at Mr. H.’s house about six o’clock in the evening, and proceeded immediately to the cabin where the colored people lived. Finding no one at the cabin, I went to the field.

“Good evening,” said I to an old colored lady.

“Good evenin’,” said she.

“I am from Fisk University, Nashville, Tenn. I have come out here to teach this school for you.”

“Whar’s ’Fesser Thomson?” said she.

“I don’t know where the Professor is, but I’ll teach for you. My name is Ross.”

“Yas, sah.”

“And your name?”

“Daffney.”

“Mrs. Daffney, will you show me how to find the rest of the colored people in this settlement?”

“Yas, sah. Go down here and cross yonder, and you’ll come to a big field and some trees, sah.”

Before leaving Nashville, I put on my best. I knew, in case of any difficulty, my clothes would be an important factor in obtaining success. I went to an old colored man, plowing in that field, opened my duster, showed him my nice coat and shirt-stud, at the same time telling him, as fast as I could, whence I came, my object in coming, and reading the Fisk catalogue to let him learn something about the school.

He seemed satisfied with me. His countenance had changed from its troubled appearance to a pleasant one. But for ten minutes we argued the possibility of a cotton crop being made there if school opened then. I made point after point, but could not convince him, so put out after his wife. She was readily convinced of the desirability of having school open immediately; she promised to send three children, and to turn the old man.

I next encountered Jack Davis. “If you open school now, we’ll starve next winter,” said he.

I tried to show him differently, but was unsuccessful. I asked him for a drink. On reaching the house for it I explained my mission to his wife, and obtained her consent to open the school, with her promise to send two.

I next met a man who had no children to send. When I showed him the picture of Fisk University (Jubilee Hall), he immediately volunteered to work for me. He and I went and saw nearly every man in the community before 9 o’clock that night.

The majority were against me, but I had resolved to open school there and then. Time would not permit me to delay longer. The next day (Sunday) I was given a Bible class to teach in the Sunday-school. To my surprise, on going out doors I found that a preliminary school meeting had been held under the trees and that the Sunday-school teacher, though against me on coming there, had changed and was marshalling his forces for the great meeting on the morrow.

At 11 o’clock that same morning I heard a rousing blast by a huntsman’s horn. On inquiring, I found that my childless friend was telling the people to come together the next day. In the meantime, Jack Davis came over and discussed the matter with me. He closed by saying that I talked too fast for him, but that one thing was sure: he would send no children.

I did a great deal of talking that Sunday; not willingly, but on being introduced to the people as they came around to see me, nothing was left but to discuss in full the question of opening. It was an ox in the mire. Well, Monday came. The horn once more resounded through the woods. The people gathered from far and near. The chairman was elected, and, on stating the object of the meeting, took occasion to show them the impracticability of opening before the first of July. “There,” thought I, “whipped again. The chair is against me.” I arose and spoke ten minutes. On taking my seat, one opposed to me spoke. Among other things, he said: “Too many rascals are out from school, anyhow.” Here one would rise on my side; there one on the other side. Every man, including myself, seemed to do his best to talk loud enough. The chairman showed weakness in presiding, and was lacking in a knowledge of parliamentary usage. Thought I, “here is my chance.” Every time he blundered I arose and pointed out his error; showed him how to appoint his committees, and instructed him as to what motions took precedence. He saw my object, and informed me openly that he had participated in conventions in Helena. “It makes no difference,” said I; “you are wrong in your ruling.”

He began to look pitiful in the eyes of all. Men began to leave the room. Soon one-half of them were on the outside. The tide was turned. I went out to inquire more fully into matters. Nearly every man was now for me. “Then, come in,” said I; “you can’t help me out here.” I remained behind to see that all came. The previous question, namely, to open the school on the first of June, was called. All stood up in the affirmative except the man who had seen the “rascals.” I had won through the chairman’s ignorance. I have often thought of it since, and see more fully every day that most battles are lost or won through incompetency on one side and superiority on the other, and that knowledge is truly a power.