American Missionary, Volume 44, No. 6, June, 1890 by Various
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Various >> American Missionary, Volume 44, No. 6, June, 1890
From Marion, Ala.--We need another grade established. Our primary has
numbered nearly or quite one hundred pupils. The average attendance has
been large and the school-room over-crowded. Three grades are now
virtually working in the primary department. We may look for a large
increase of attendance in all grades next year.
From Florence, Ala.--We need a building if the school is to be
continued. We are now inconveniently crowded, one hundred and sixty
children in a 20 x 40 room, with all the teaching to be done in the same.
To fail in giving us a building will certainly narrow our usefulness in
this field. Our school is constantly increasing in popularity. We can
safely count on an enrollment of over two hundred next year, with
someplace to accommodate them.
From Meridian, Miss.--The work of the school is hindered by lack of
room. We have enrolled this year two hundred and thirty two pupils, and
many have been turned off because we could not seat them. We opened in
December of 1888 with twenty-eight pupils. A school for more advanced
pupils is needed in this part of Mississippi. We have thirty young
people in school who come from the five adjoining counties. They are
boarding in good families and I have every reason to believe that they
have used their time and opportunities well; most of them are this
summer to teach.
From Straight University, N.O.--It has been a golden year for Straight
University. Financially it has been our best year. A larger proportion
of students able to pay came to us. We want to grow, and have every
opportunity to do so save that our quarters are too small. We have
turned away during the year probably two hundred applicants, many of
them for the boarding department. We have had to put cots in nearly all
the rooms, packing them too full for comfort, as it was very hard to
say No! to young people who came hundreds of miles and begged tearfully
for admission. The school has grown during the last eight years from
two hundred to six hundred, and only is not one thousand because we had
no room for them. Our graduates are filling important positions all
over the South. Several are Superintendents in Texas, Kansas,
Mississippi and Louisiana. One holds an important office in Honduras;
others are doing good work in Cuba and Mexico. Eight are filling
important positions in this city. We have no trouble in getting
positions for our young people. Indeed, we cannot supply as fast as
demanded. Often as many as twenty are called for when we have none to
send.
From Fisk University, Nashville.--The evidence of progress in the
educational department of the University is found in the very marked
increase of numbers in the first year of our normal course and of our
college preparatory department. Last year there were fifteen in the
first year of the latter department; this year there are thirty-one.
Last year there were thirteen in the first year of the normal
department; this year there are thirty-one. Last year there were in the
normal, college, preparatory and college departments, one hundred and
forty-five students; this year there are one hundred and seventy-six.
At the coming Commencement, we expect to graduate twelve young men, and
from the normal ten young women and one young man; making a total of
twenty-three. This is a little more than one-sixth of the entire number
of present graduates from these departments.
From a Teacher in the Tennessee Mountains:--Let me tell you of the
general interest manifest in several of the counties west and north of
us in attending this school. One of our students visited many cabins
over the mountains during his vacation, and found that school
advantages were very scarce and poor. He found poverty and ignorance of
the world and of books. Some of the people are still using the old-time
method of kindling their fires by flint and steel instead of matches.
He met many young people who were thirsting for books and schools, also
numbers who had struggled up through the darkness to become teachers in
the neighborhoods. These almost invariably wish to come to our school,
and say they shall be here as soon as their schools close. Many are too
poor to come. This is true of a large number of young girls, who would
come if they could work for their board or in any possible way pay for
it. Whoever will provide funds to meet the expenses of these neglected
girls, and place them at our school, and prepare them for the future
duties of life, will be doing an angelic work, and in the end will do
the greatest good that can be done to this people. Very much of the
money spent for this mountain people will be the same as thrown away,
if this effort is not made to educate the girls.
* * * * *
OUR CHURCH WORK.
A letter from Rev. F.R. Sims of the Medway Congregational Church,
McIntosh, Ga., reports that seventy persons have been added to that
church on confession of faith, within the last four months.
From Knoxville, Tenn.:--Our attendance at preaching services has been
large and attentive. On the second Sabbath of March the members and
friends made special efforts for collection and raised $30. There has
been a happy increase in the Sunday-school and the prayer meetings.
From Dudley, North Carolina;--It gives me much pleasure to write you
that the Lord has abundantly blessed us in our work at this point.
For three weeks a revival, with much success, has been going on in my
church, the Lord has been with us disturbing the slumber of the
sleeping Christians and bringing sinners unto repentance. We have ten
converts and ten more seeking the Lord. We are all very much encouraged
and are now looking forward for a brighter and more encouraging future.
From Macon, Ga.--At our last communion we baptized and received four
into our fellowship on confession of faith. They were all young people
who are in school and full of promise. Others are expected to unite
with us next month. There have been seventeen additions to the church
in the last eleven months. There has been some real progress made by
the church in all directions. I find in our church meetings a much more
gentle spirit between the members than when I first came here, and I
feel that this outward improvement is due to inward spiritual growth. I
can see this growth in the prayers and testimonies of the weekly prayer
meetings.
* * * * *
REVIVAL AT WILMINGTON, N.C.
PROFESSOR GEORGE A. WOODARD.
The revival which took place in this church the latter part of the
winter was, in some respects, a model one.
At the close of one of the Wednesday evening prayer meetings, our
pastor spoke to us with the view of ascertaining if the church were
ready for special work; then he appointed another prayer meeting for
Friday night. With faith, and resting upon the promises of God, the
work was begun the next week. At first the attendance was small; but,
as the meetings continued, the interest increased, and it became
necessary to move into the large hall of the school.
It was evident throughout that God was in the work and that the Holy
Spirit was striving mightily with sinners. A deep, quiet emotion
pervaded the meetings, in strong contrast with the revivals held in
many of the colored churches of the city, where the excitement becomes
intense, and the confusion great. Their meetings are often continued
until long after midnight, in a crowded, unventilated room, whereas
ours never closed later than ten o'clock.
As a result of our revival, although other revivals were going on
amongst the colored people at the same time, upwards of forty were born
into the Kingdom, for some of whom, many, many prayers had been offered
up; and all was done in answer to prayer. Among these were several
cases of interest, two of which I will mention. One is that of an
intelligent young man employed by the leading dentist of the city, for
whom he does the mechanical work, which previously had to be sent
North. Although of excellent character, he was a skeptic, reading the
writings of Ingersoll, Paine, and others. For years, our teachers had
taken a special interest in him laboring with him and praying for him,
that he might come into the light He was induced to attend these
meetings, and was finally led to believe that these things are so and
to accept of the Saviour. He has gone earnestly to work to bring in
other young men, teaches in the Sunday-school and is ready for any
Christian work.
The other is that of a brawny brick mason, a great sinner, who, while
earning excellent wages, often failed to bring home sufficient to feed
and clothe his children; and when remonstrated with by his wife, would
answer; "They are your children, you take care of them." All is changed
now. He gets up early Sunday mornings, assists in getting the children
ready for church, where the family, all neatly dressed, can be seen
regularly every Sunday; and in the prayer meeting his voice is usually
heard.
As a further result of this revival, the church has been greatly
quickened, the members have been brought closer together in brotherly
love, and God has given a fresh outpouring of his spirit.
On Easter morning, when a special communion service was held,
twenty-nine of the new converts were received into our church, amidst
the most touching and impressive services. But the revival has not
stopped with the special meetings. After every Sunday evening service,
an after-meeting has been held, in which several have been led to give
their hearts to God. All of these meetings have been marked by the
earnestness with which the church has labored for the salvation of
those who were yet without, and more fervent prayers never ascended to
the throne of grace.
* * * * *
FACTS ABOUT BALLARD SCHOOL, MACON, GA.
The opening of the New Year saw manifestations of the Holy Spirit in
our midst, and during the week of prayer there appeared to be a deep
interest among the pupils. Our prayers seemed to take a new meaning,
and we felt that they were about to be answered.
Nothing but God's Spirit could have laid the burden of souls upon so
many hearts at once, or have bidden us speak to different ones, while
our movements were almost unknown to one another.
In the meetings that were held in the different rooms, and those
conducted in the High School, which were attended by some of the pupils
from other grades, a large number expressed a desire to become
Christians; and there were about sixty who gave their hearts to Christ.
We rejoice greatly over the work of the Spirit, and have the assurance
that "there is joy in the presence of the angels of God."
The study of the Bible is an important feature in the school work. One
hour each week is set apart for it. A visitor, passing from the lower
grades up, on Friday afternoon, would find Bible work going on in every
room. The work of the little ones is largely memorizing. The older ones
have a systematic course. The outlines of Bible history are first
carefully studied, then the more important events and characters in
detail. Work in map-drawing is done in connection with all the lessons.
A short time ago, a middle-aged woman applied for admission to our
school. She had been teaching for several years, but wanted to prepare
herself for the teachers' examination by taking a short course of
study. She was permitted to try the sixth grade examination and failed;
then the fifth with like results; finally she was placed in the fourth
grade, where it was discovered that she did not know the multiplication
tables, and evidently had never heard of division. Her knowledge of
spelling would not exceed that of an average third grade pupil, and she
is called one of the best colored teachers in the county from which she
came.
In the Industrial Department nearly two hundred and fifty girls sew
from a half hour to an hour every day. Excellent work is being done and
they are very much interested, some of them begging for the privilege
of sewing at other times than those designated for that purpose. The
industrial teacher finds difficulty in keeping the supply of work equal
to the demand.
Friends have kindly sent us donations of work, and much more will be
acceptable. Sheets, pillow cases, underclothing or patchwork, basted
ready for sewing, will be very thankfully received. The work in the
sewing classes includes patchwork, the making of dresses, all kinds of
other garments, and quilting.--_From the Ballard Record._
* * * * *
A DREARY PICTURE OF PLACE AND PEOPLE.
BY AN A.M.A. WORKER.
The country is low and flat, with here and there a small elevation on
which is a house or log cabin. For miles and miles the country is
dreary and monotonous. The swamps have a funereal aspect as one looks
upon the live-oak and cypress, hung with long Spanish moss swaying to
and fro in the gentle breeze.
Back in these pine woods are hundreds who have never seen the railroad,
a boat, carriage, or even a mail-bag. Sometimes a few will go to the
little obscure station on Saturdays and stand gazing at the train as it
goes thundering by, and many comical remarks are made, as: "Dat am de
train 'pon which no darkies nor crackers kin ride; dat am all de heben
dat dem buckra want and am gwine ter git."
Most of the people own their homes, which are poorly constructed of
pine poles with clapboards to cover the cracks, through which the
dampness and cold winds make it uncomfortable for the occupants, who
are seated before a clay chimney and a great lightwood fire. Very few
of the houses have any windows. A lightwood torch furnishes the light
by day and by night. Some of them are improving each year, but the most
of them are satisfied with a roof, and a few acres under cultivation.
The country people seem to be naturally religious, as they are all
church members, are so from childhood, and are great believers in the
"sperit," which must be the evil one. They are not denominational in
the sense in which enlightened people are. The church which allows the
greatest number of privileges, and the minister who will just be
preacher and make the most noise and have the greatest number of "big
meetings," are the most popular. They have a burial service, and
several months or a year after, they have a funeral service, which is
always a big time.
Caesar is considered the best preacher that has ever been in ----. He
comes once a month, and cannot read a chapter; "nor need you expect me
to get the one-thousandth part of the ingrejience out of this text," is
his introduction to every sermon, but he can get up steam enough to be
heard half a mile. One of the preachers wanting to be known as a
licentiate, said in meeting: "I want you to know that I am a licentious
preacher,"--which is the truth.
Our work has done an amount of good, even among those outside, and our
schools and the two churches have done more good in the country than
all other work combined. The recent fanaticism in the county did not
get one believer from our church.
* * * * *
REPORT FROM MOUNTAIN SCHOOLS.
Our year's work is rapidly drawing to an end. The older scholars are
doing well and are remaining with us through the year. They certainly
are gaining in this direction. They become very restless as soon as it
is "put in crap time." They sigh for the fields and "shovel plow," and
often look from the school-room windows with a longing for the log
cabin and the ground surrounding it. In many cases we have to be
_very_ persuasive to have them remain, yet they seem thankful for
the advice and remain. The older scholars seem to manifest an earnest
ambition to obtain situations through the summer, so that they may
procure clothing and help pay their tuition. We try as far as possible
to obtain situations for our girls. The better class of the people will
come to us for help, feeling that our girls have been educated in the
home and kitchen.
In our temperance meeting last Friday, I asked the question, "What
would you do if you were forced to take whiskey?" A little girl rose
and said, "My father asked me to take some and said 'you must.' I said,
'I can't. God would not be pleased.' He said, 'Well, I 'lows how you're
'bout right." What a happy girl she was. She knows if she will keep on
refusing, he will give up strong drink. Our greatest hope is in the
children.
A poor woman had some articles of clothing to take home with her. I
offered to wrap her parcel in newspaper. She said, "If you don't care,
I would like to have that ar paper." She never has a piece except what
is given her by some kind person. She utterly refused to have the
parcel wrapped. The people use the papers to keep the cold out. I have
seen pieces of paper four inches square and parts of letters pasted on
the boards. We save all the papers we receive, and have assisted in
making many poor homes comfortable.
There is a good Sunday-school in a neighboring town. The people listen
very attentively, and seem to be thankful for the Sunday-school and
church services. The average attendance for the last five Sundays has
been forty-two. The thought of leaving this school during the summer is
a _cross_. There are fathers and mothers who are present every
Sabbath. The children show the need of a good school.
* * * * *
FROM MISS M.A. BYE.
Our Christian Endeavor Society interests me very much, as I have given
more time and thought to that than to anything else outside of school
work. It has increased in numbers, and the members have for the most
part gained a great deal in interest and courage, and this term quite
a number of associate members have become Christians. We are working
now to send a delegate to the St. Louis Convention, and I anticipate
great pleasure in watching the effect upon our delegate of the
enthusiasm of the Convention and the sight of the city, and think it
will be worth the year's work to be with him, for we hope to send one
of the boarding boys.
* * * * *
THE KING'S DAUGHTERS SOCIETY.
About a year ago, ten or fifteen girls might have been seen sitting in
their teacher's room, at Tougaloo University, while she spoke to them
of forming a society. The members of this society, she said, were to do
all the good they could in every way they could.
Now, of course, we want a name for our society. If we are going to do
all the good we can, we are worthy to be called followers of Christ,
and as he is a King, we call ourselves "King's Daughters." When our
society began, we had but eight or ten members, but at almost every
meeting there was some one who wanted to join. The meetings were
carried on every Sunday evening, and some one of the members was
appointed to lead the next meeting. During the week we try in every way
to do something definite to please our King; to go to no place in which
we would be ashamed to have our King see us, and to keep no company
with which we would be ashamed to have him see us. Our society
continued to grow and prosper, and finally the young men concluded to
organize a King's Sons Society. During the summer the two societies
held joint meetings. New members were continually joining. As the
meetings were new to us when we first began, they were not as
interesting as they grew to be at a later date; but generally the time
was all occupied. Some one would read a portion of Scripture and offer
prayer, after which a story would be read or told by one of the
members, who had prepared it during the week. Then we would tell how we
had kept our pledge, or in what way we had been helped by being King's
Daughters. Sometimes, when we had broken our pledge, we would leave off
our badge for a week.
The first Sunday in every month we have what we call our consecration
meeting. The President calls the roll and each one answers by giving a
verse of Scripture, or her experience as a King's Daughter. The third
Sunday in every month we elect the officers who are to serve during the
next month. These consist of President, Vice-President, Secretary, a
sick committee, whose business it is to visit and help any who are
sick, and a committee on invitation, whose business it is to find out
who would like to join our society. They report the names at the next
meeting. Sometimes we have a question-box into which we put questions
regarding the society. These are written on small slips of paper and
read by one of the members. If they are directed to a particular one,
that person answers them; but if not, any one in the Society answers
them.
During the school year of 1888, we made a box of clothing to send to
the Indian mission school in Dakota. We would meet every Saturday
evening and sew until we had made enough to fill our box. Whenever one
of us finished a piece we would write our name and pin it on. One of
our girls wanted to sew a little on every article, so as to have her
name on all of them. Well, when we had finished our box of presents, we
each wrote a letter and put into it. We intended to make this a
Christmas present, but severe snow-storms prevented it from reaching
its destination in time. They received it about a month after
Christmas, and the things were divided among the Indian girls. Some of
them wrote to us, thanking us for the presents which they had received.
After our society grew to about twenty or thirty, we were divided into
tens. Each ten had a name given it, such as the Truthful Ten, the Judge
Not Ten, the Do Without Ten and the Polite Ten. Most of us find it
hardest to be Judge Not Tens and Truthful Tens.--_From the Tougaloo
Quarterly._
* * * * *
THE INDIANS
OUR S'KOKOMISH MISSION.
BY DISTRICT SECRETARY J.E. ROY.
The S'kokomish Reservation is at the extreme southwestern corner of the
Puget Sound, where the S'kokomish River empties in, and is three miles
square, with five thousand acres, embracing rich bottom land and
mountain timber land, the river and the sound furnishing the best means
of transportation to the market. On the place I measured the stumps of
red cedar that were eight, ten and twelve feet in diameter. The waters
at hand are of the best for fishing. As we--Mrs. Roy was with me--were
going up from the river where we had been set across after a ten-mile
mountain drive from Shelton, we saw a Mr. Lo lugging a three-foot
salmon into the missionary home; and at Olympia, the capital, and
another point on the sound, the fishmonger told us they did not sell
such fish by the pound, but by the piece, twenty-five cents each. When,
in 1855, this reservation was set apart by the treaty, it was for the
three bands of this tribe and for the Clallams up at the entrance of
the Sound, who, because of variance with one of the other bands, never
left their ancestral habitation to go to the selected spot. The people
belonging to the Reservation now number about six hundred and twenty.
The handling of the Indians here was one of the first fruits of
President Grant's Peace Policy, by which the agencies were assigned to
the several missionary societies, which were to nominate their
respective agents. This was one of those which were assigned to the
American Missionary Association. In 1871 the Association nominated to
this Agency Edwin Eells, Esq., the eldest son of Rev. Gushing Eells,
D.D., who was one of the mission band that crossed the Rocky Mountains
in 1838, under commission of the American Board, to be associated with
Dr. Marcus Whitman's series of Indian Missions. Here is an illustration
of the wisdom of that policy, which has secured a highly successful
management in all the secular, educational and religious affairs of the
Agency, and one that has been continued on through the changes of
governmental administration, and also one that has resulted in repeated
promotions, until now Agent Eells has charge of five of the seven
distinct Reservations in the State of Washington. His present
headquarters are at the Puyallup Agency, near Tacoma, where he has just
completed an eight thousand dollar building to displace an old one, for
the Government Boarding School. In all these five reservations, lands
have been secured in severalty to the Indians, and largely through his
persistent devotion to their welfare. For two or three years his father
had care of the S'kokomish Mission under the American Missionary
Association, and in 1874, his brother, Rev. Myron Eells, was appointed
to the same work, in which he still abides. Besides the preaching, the
care of the Sunday-school and the prayer meetings and the pastoral
work, in which he gets around among his people as often as once in a
month, he has also the charge of the Indian Church among the Clallams,
near New Dunginess, the brethren of that station, in the pastor's
absence, maintaining stated worship. The people at S'kokomish have
gotten beyond Government payments; they live on their own allotted
lands, in cabins or frame houses, wearing citizens' dress, and doing
business as white men do it. One of Pastor Eells's first Sundays at the
mission was noted for the celebration of Christian marriage on the part
of seven or eight couples who had been living together under their
heathen way of taking up. So they have been shuffling off their
polygamy. While we were there, a man of middle life came to the
pastor's house with his first wife, to be married to her after the
Christian form, having made a satisfactory pecuniary arrangement with
the second, who was a sister of the first. In this case there were no
children to complicate settlement. After I had addressed the church
upon their duty of doing more for the support of their pastor, even as
I had betimes had to do before in white home missionary churches, the
several responses were as decorous and assuring as could be desired.