Read Ebook: The American Missionary — Volume 33 No. 06 June 1879 by Various

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As he alone in the South showed us sympathy and offered us aid, so now he alone is ready to receive learning and religion from the lips of Northern instructors. And is not this reason enough why our churches should improve the opportunity to fill his mind and heart with those principles which are so fraught with human weal, and are working so powerfully for the regeneration of the world? For every interest of the South as well as of the country at large, Congregationalism is summoned to put in its best work for the colored people. Only thus can we lay to rest the passions which have reddened the South with innocent blood, and bring to the land the reign of peace and love.

THE WORK STOPPED, BUT THE RECOMPENSE CONTINUED.

BY A DISABLED TEACHER.

Since you, in January, spoke of "the abundant recompense" which all your workers in the field have, I have been thinking whether those who have fallen from the ranks have any, and I feel sure that we, too, have a goodly share of it, and I want to tell you something about mine.

It comes to us in various ways--this "abundant recompense." We often thank the Master that when health and strength were ours He led us into the Southern field, and gave us so much to do there that self could not always have our first or best efforts. The consciousness that all the best years of our lives have not been wasted ones is worth a great deal to us, and as we think of the work, and plan and pray for it, even now our souls grow stronger, braver and truer. There has come into our lives a recompense in the Christian sympathy and love of noble souls who have toiled with us, and of those who have helped us over many a hard place with their money, and stayed our hands with their prayers and words of cheer. I hold in sweet and grateful remembrance many who have opened their purses in response to my importunate and oft-repeated calls, some of whom have entered upon their eternal reward.

Up from the Southland comes many a word to cheer and comfort the heart. From the pen of one who has long labored there comes the precious, but forgotten promises of the 41st Psalm. How the heart thrills with thankfulness and gladness, and, it may be, with a little pride, when a present worker assures us that some of those pupils in whom we are most interested, and for whom we have long worked and prayed, are growing in true manhood and womanhood, fitting themselves to go out into the harvest field to take up the work that has fallen from the tired hands of their teachers. Of those pupils who are already teachers many are carrying the light and truth received at school into the gross darkness which hangs over their people. From the rice fields of Ogeechee, where two of us began the work and labored from 1865-'67, comes a good report from one who has since, and in other places, been our pupil, and I have your assurance that he and his wife, also a former pupil of mine, are doing good work there. In that "School of the Prophets," the theological department at Talladega, are some who manfully struggled through common fractions under my instruction. To them it was a fiery ordeal, but it proved what manner of stuff was in them, and when they get out into the conflict of life, fighting against the powers of darkness, I shall look for victory.

One who nearly twelve years ago was taught to read in the old boat-house on that beautiful sea-girt isle, is moved to preach the Gospel. He writes me that his greatest desire is to go to Talladega to prepare for the ministry, and will do any kind of work to pay his expenses.

N. T.

ITEMS FROM THE FIELD.

A new and interesting feature has been introduced during the year. The young women who graduate from the higher Normal course are taught "Household Science," embracing plain sewing, cookery, house-cleaning, nursing the sick, &c. These branches are taught both by familiar lectures and by practice in those arts.

MACON, GA.--The Lewis High School is prospering under its competent teachers, Misses Gilbert and Phelps. It has been favored by the gifts of friends. Recently a fine Smith American organ was donated, and more recently another Northern friend has given six of Warren's fine geographical wall charts, which are of great assistance in teaching geography. A number of text books have also been donated. Daily instruction in vocal music is given, besides all the ordinary branches, and there are weekly rhetorical exercises. The three rooms have in all 750 square feet of good wall blackboard, and the best school furniture.

TALLADEGA, ALA.--Seven were received into the Talladega church, May 4th, which, with those received two months ago, make thirty-seven in all as the gathered fruits of the revival last winter. The meetings continue to be full of interest.

SELMA, ALA.--We are happy to learn that the Rev. H. E. Brown, of Michigan, who a few years since was in the employ of this Association, has been sent out under the auspices of the International Committee of the Young Men's Christian Association as a visitor to the colored young men of the South, and has been very successfully conducting a series of Bible readings and Union Gospel meetings in Selma, Ala.

HELENA, TEXAS.--On the last communion day two adults and nine children were baptized. The church and Sunday-school are prosperous, the latter numbering over sixty.

GOLIAD, TEXAS.--The quarterly meeting was a day of unusual interest. The church house was furnished with a new pulpit, and the teacher presented the church with two lamps for the same. One person was converted on that day and four children were baptized.

GENERAL NOTES.

The Freedmen.

--The Mississippi Valley Labor Convention met, May 6th, at Vicksburg. It was composed of both white and colored delegates; the latter, however, by their own choice, not voting, but hearing what there was to say to them. The resolutions which were adopted refer to many causes for the exodus to Kansas, among which they do not name extortionate and oppressive contracts, and express wonder at the credulity of the negroes. The practical suggestions are: 1. A system of contracts which shall be of mutual benefit. 2. Absolute political equality. 3. Free and fair elections. 4. A limitation of liens on expected crops. 5. Contradiction of false reports about Kansas. 6. The unrestricted right to emigrate. Governor Foote offered a substitute intimating that the true causes had not been given, and suggesting local committees to investigate grievances and protect the rights of the Freedmen, which was voted down.

--The Refugee Relief Committee of St. Louis reports that over six thousand of the emigrants have passed through that city. About two thousand of these were able to pay their fares to Kansas. The others were sheltered, fed and partly clothed while there, and had their passage paid to the same destination.

Africa.

--A letter dated Demidris, Jan. 1, to Gordon , Governor-General of Southern Egypt, from one of his officers who was sent to break up the slave depots in the neighborhood of Bahr el Gazal, in the Province of Kordofan, reports an engagement with Suleiman, one of the chief slave-traders and owner of 25 depots, in which it is stated that the women alone, waiting importation into Egypt, number 10,000. The Egyptian forces numbered 3,000, and were intrenched, a part of them being armed with Remington rifles. On the morning of the 28th of December, Suleiman, with 11,000 men, attacked the intrenchments. After numerous assaults, in which the Arabs, under the personal lead of Suleiman, fought with desperate courage, the attack was completely defeated, and the assailants fled in disorder, leaving 1,087 dead on the field. The Egyptians lost 20 men. A special dispatch from Alexandria says: "On the day after the battle between the Egyptians and Arabs, under the lead of Suleiman, 5,000 deserters came over to the Egyptian camp. The Egyptians followed the retiring enemy, killed ten chiefs and 2,000 more men, and were still in pursuit at last advices. The capture of all the slave depots is considered certain."

--A telegram dated London, May 5, says: Conflicts between the Egyptian troops and the slave-dealers on the 13th and 14th of January, in Upper Egypt, resulted in the complete defeat of the latter, with the loss of six thousand killed and wounded and prisoners. The Egyptian troops lost two hundred men.

--A telegraph line is now proposed from Cairo up the Nile southward to Gondokoro; thence to Mtesa's capital; thence to Unyanyembe; thence to Ujiji west and Zanzibar east, from Bagamoyo to Lake Nyassa, and to meet a line from Cape Colony to Pretoria, in the Transvaal at Pretoria. This is said to be no more difficult than was similar work accomplished in Australia and India.

--A letter from Zanzibar announces the arrival of Henry M. Stanley, the African explorer, with M. Dutalis, the officer in command of the Belgian expedition in Africa. It is stated that Mr. Stanley will act as guide and interpreter to the Belgian exploring expedition under M. Dutalis.

--An interesting discussion is begun as to the likeness between Lake Tanganyika and the Dead Sea. No outlet of the lake has been discovered, but the exploration has hardly yet been sufficiently thorough to make the negative a proof. The freshness of its waters is in striking contrast with the saltness of the Dead Sea, and, so far, against the theory proposed. We wait for further light.

The Indians.

--Two new projects for a wholesale intrusion into the Indian Territory have come to light: one promoted by certain railroads who claim land grants there, and another expedition of several hundred emigrants, under the lead of C. C. Carpenter, who led the Black Hills expedition into the Sioux country several years ago. In view of these illegal purposes, the President has issued a proclamation, in which he says: "I do further warn and notify any and all such persons who may so offend that they will be speedily and immediately removed therefrom by the agent, according to the laws made and provided; and, if necessary, the aid and assistance of the military forces of the United States will be invoked to carry into proper execution the laws of the United States herein referred to."

The Chinese.

--Eleven young Chinese, nine males and two females, were recently received into a Presbyterian Church in San Francisco.

--The following card is furnished for publication by the Chinese Six Companies: "The Chinese Six Companies are daily in receipt of applications for laborers to go to Southern States, notably Mississippi and Louisiana, to take the place of the negro labor now emigrating. The officers of these companies wish it to be expressly understood that they have no control over their people's labor, and have never brought or caused to be brought one of their countrymen here; and have never contracted their labor or collected their wages in any manner whatsoever, the press of California to the contrary notwithstanding."

--It has been very well said recently: "In America if a man is black, we enslave him; if he is red, we steal his lands and massacre his wife and children; and if he is yellow, we won't let him come here at all."

OUR QUERY COLUMN.

THE FREEDMEN.

FIELD SUPERINTENDENT, ATLANTA, GA.

A TOUR OF A MONTH THROUGH THE SOUTH ATLANTIC STATES.

At Savannah, the Beach Institute and the mother church, with her four or five daughters settled in the suburbs, were found to be in a prosperous condition. Pastor Markham and Principal Koons, with their corps of lady teachers, are making a decided impression upon that city.

Thence to Orangeburgh, S. C., where Rev. W. L. Johnson is pastor, and also principal of a large school, in which his wife is assistant. Mr. Johnson had been trained up at the North, in the Dutch Reformed way, as a prot?g? of the Rev. Dr. E. P. Rodgers of New York. The visitor gave from his big map a lesson upon the geography of our country. As a guest of Rev. Dr. Cooke, President of the Claflin University, he had an opportunity to become acquainted and favorably impressed with that fine institution of our Methodist brethren. In Charleston, a Sabbath was given to the Plymouth Church, now happy under the new pastorate of Rev. Temple Cutler, and one day to the Avery Institute, under Prof. A. W. Farnham, who is reproducing the style of his own Alma Mater, the Oswego Normal. It was a delight to witness the orderliness and accuracy of that training. It is only common fame that this Institute stands ahead of every other in the city. It has a corps of six teachers, and scholars enough to work them hard. Our lady missionary, Miss H. E. Wells, I found getting hold of her peculiar work quite hopefully; as also Miss Douglass, at Miller's Station, Ga. I think this arm of our service will prove equal to the anticipation of its friends.

At Beaufort I found the church and school making headway under Mr. Michael Jerkins, a graduate of the Theological Department of Howard University. At Morehead City, a town once of great expectations, now blighted, our school and the city lie dead side by side.

At Woodbridge our school is under the care of Mr. W. H. Ellis, a graduate of Williams, who was recently licensed to preach by Mr. Peebles' church, of Dudley. Last year, in this school, under the excellent Miss Waugh, a revival was enjoyed which enlisted more than a score of the scholars as disciples of the Great Master. Mr. Ellis ministers the word on the Lord's day, and a church fellowship must soon be gathered here. At this place, at North River near Beaufort, and at Dudley, some years ago, the A. M. A., with funds specially provided, purchased several hundred acres of land to be sold to the Freedmen. Not all of this has yet been taken up. The highest ideal of such an investment has not been realized at these points. Nevertheless, I find that the Freedmen almost everywhere are making advance in securing homes and farms.

At Goldsboro', a fine railway centre, we found an urgent call for a church and school movement, which must soon be set forward. Chapel Hill, the location of the State University, offers a similar opening.

Heretofore the churches of this State have been unassociated. Feeling the need of such fellowship, they have now secured it. In the North Carolina Conference, which was organized at Raleigh on May 2d, holding over a Sabbath, the five churches at Wilmington, Dudley, Beaufort, Raleigh and McLeansville, with their ministers, were thus united. The pastor of the church, Rev. G. S. Smith, a graduate of Atlanta, was made the moderator of the Conference, and Rev. David Peebles secretary. It was a rich and glowing meeting. The several parts and methods of a regular Conference came together as naturally as though this were an experienced ecclesiastical body. The entertaining church was greatly comforted, and some special services were to follow, Rev. David Peebles remaining to assist. The next meeting is to be at Dudley, beginning on the first Friday of May, 1880.

The Washington School of Raleigh, these many years under the formative influence of Miss E. P. Hayes, now assisted by the pastor's wife and Miss Hettie Minton, has here, as with our schools everywhere else, been the great feeder of the church. It has prepared not a few school-teachers and started some young men on the way to the ministry. The Sabbath-school held in the Washington school-house, also under the superintendence of Miss Hayes, has been complimented by one of the white pastors as the best Sunday-school in the city. Its teachers are all from among the former pupils of the school, except the pastor and his wife, who have large classes of adults. It ordinarily numbers from two to three hundred. It is gratifying indeed to hear the young people, who from these schools have come on to be teachers and preachers, publicly express their profound appreciation of these godly women who have led them along the path of education and of character. It is characteristic of these students in general that they delight to put honor upon their lady teachers. They are not too proud to own that they came up under the tutelage of women.

On the home stretch I visited, inspected and addressed the church and school at McLeansville, N. C., under the care of Rev. Alfred Connet and his daughter, and also the Brewer Normal School at Greenwood, S. C., under Principal Backenstose. Since going to his field last summer, Pastor Connet has shared with his people in a gracious revival and in the building of a parsonage. The structure serving for church and school use is comely and convenient.

This tour through the old North State has greatly increased my appreciation of its material resources, its people of both colors, its recuperative process, and its public institutions.

TENNESSEE.

Students' Day at Le Moyne.

PROF. A. J. STEELE, MEMPHIS.

April 23d was Students' day at Le Moyne. This interesting day was a complete success in every respect. The school was under such excellent discipline that there was no hesitancy in surrendering it entirely to the students for a day's experience. The faculty were chosen by the school with a great deal of judgment, and on Wednesday morning they took their places upon the platform.

The new principal is a man of a great deal of promise--the principal of the intermediate department, a young man Who is an earnest student and who has already had some experience in teaching. Other teachers were equally well chosen.

The lower schools came up as usual, marching to the music of the piano. After appropriate devotional exercises, the pupils re-passed to their school-rooms below, and the other classes to their respective duties. The work in the classes was as usual, and the order and attention were remarkable. The teachers deported themselves with much dignity, and seemed anxious to avoid an assuming, overbearing manner, which might have been expected from the newness of the positions.

Many visitors were in and out during the day, and remarked upon the order and good feeling manifested. The influence of these days upon the school is most excellent. We can but feel that being thrown upon their own resources in this way, their executive ability and devotion to work is tested to the utmost; and it requires no small moral culture to avoid temptations to disorder that might come to those whose hearts are not thoroughly in the work.

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