The American Missionary

THE AMERICAN MISSIONARY ASSOCIATION.

PRESIDENT.

Hon. Wm. B. Washburn, LL.D., Mass.

CORRESPONDING SECRETARY.

Rev. M. E. Strieby, D.D., 56 Reade Street, N.Y.

TREASURER.

H. W. Hubbard, Esq., 56 Reade Street, N.Y.

AUDITORS.

M. F. Reading. Wm. A. Nash.

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.

John H. Washburn, Chairman; A. P. Foster, Secretary; Lyman Abbott, Alonzo S. Ball, A. S. Barnes, C. T. Christensen, Franklin Fairbanks, Clinton B. Fisk, S. B. Halliday, Samuel Holmes, Charles A. Hull, Samuel S. Marples, Charles L. Mead, Wm. H. Ward, A. L. Williston.

DISTRICT SECRETARIES.

Rev. C. L. Woodworth, D.D., Boston, Rev. G. D. Pike, D.D., New York.

Rev. James Powell, Chicago.

COMMUNICATIONS

relating to the work of the Association may be addressed to the Corresponding Secretary; those relating to the collecting fields, to the District Secretaries; letters for the Editor of the “American Missionary,” to Rev. G. D. Pike, D.D., at the New York Office; letters to the Woman’s Bureau, to Miss D. E. Emerson, 56 Reade Street.

DONATIONS AND SUBSCRIPTIONS

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 112 West Washington Street, Chicago, Ill. A payment of thirty dollars at one time constitutes a Life Member.

FORM OF 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.

American Missionary Association.

FINANCIAL.

Our receipts during the eight months of the fiscal year closing May 31 from collections and donations have amounted to $131,434.37. The collections and donations for the same months last year were $159,900.45, a decrease of $28,466.08. The legacies for these months last year were $31,516.63, while for this year they have been $47,450.24, an increase of $15,933.61. The total receipts for this year in collections, donations and legacies have been $178,884.61 against $191,417.08 for the same period last year, a decrease of $12,532.47. This decrease causes us great anxiety.

SCHOOL ANNIVERSARIES SOUTH.

The establishment of schools for Freedmen and the encouragement given for institutions for whites in the South since the war, has introduced into that portion of the country a new era. It has given a brighter horizon to the blacks and elevated the aspirations of the whites. In many localities it has afforded an entirely new industry, and given pleasures and pastimes foreign to all the former experiences of the lowly laboring people of that locality. This is especially seen in the anniversaries of the institutions founded through the benevolence of the North. These hold their closing exercises at this season, and in many instances make the country alive with enthusiasm for the progress of the rising generation. There are several features of these occasions that register the tide-mark of a growing civilization, and are, therefore, fitted to encourage those who are watching the destinies of the country and the success of Christ’s kingdom in the world.

It is a notable fact that philanthropic people from the North are interested to make journeys South to attend these anniversaries. Something[194] of interest and profit is expected not only by those immediately connected with the schools, but by the citizens of the country where the school exists. Commencement Day is coming to be a general holiday, a time when whole families come in for miles to be present to witness the graduation of children or friends; to hear the fine music, to listen to the addresses, and to observe whatever of interest attaches to the occasion. These great assemblies are inspiring, educative, reformatory. We give an account of nine such in this number of the Missionary, which we trust will be of interest and profit to our readers.

NATIONAL EDUCATIONAL ASSEMBLY.

The second annual session of the National Educational Assembly will be held at Ocean Grove, New Jersey, Aug. 9, 10, 11, 12. The purpose of the session is to bring together on the same platform prominent representatives of popular education, irrespective of section, church or political party; to awaken and direct public sentiment in favor of enlarged national, state and church efforts for the education and elevation of the illiterate masses of our country. The chief subjects for discussion during the Assembly will be National Aid to Common Schools, The Negro in America, the Mormon Question, and the Indian Question. The following, with other well-known persons, are announced to be present and address the meetings: Gen. John Eaton, Frederick Douglas, Bishop Simpson, Rev. A. D. Mayo, Senator Blair, of New Hampshire, Judge Tourgee, Hon. T. W. Bicknell, Bishop Whipple, Secretaries Strieby, Morehouse, Rust and Kendall. The Assembly will be conducted by Rev. J. C. Hartzell, D.D., who can be addressed at Saratoga Springs, N.Y.

CONFERENCE OF MISSIONARIES

A conference of missionary teachers and preachers who have heretofore labored, or are now laboring, in the Southern States from the North, is called to meet at Ocean Grove, New Jersey, Aug. 11 and 12. This conference will form a part of the proceedings of the National Education Assembly which will then be in session at that time and place.

An address of welcome will be delivered by Rev. C. H. Fowler, D.D., LL.D., of New York City, and responsive addresses will be made by representatives of the different denominations engaged in the work.

The Conference has the approval of the corresponding secretaries of the American Missionary Association, the Freedmen Aid Society of the Methodist Episcopal church, the Board of Missions for Freedmen of the Presbyterian church, and the Home Missionary Society of the Baptist church. These secretaries will all be present and participate in the conference.

A committee of entertainment will be on the ground to receive those who attend, and arrangements will be made for their entertainment at hotels and private houses at reasonable rates.

THE MENDI MISSION.

It will be remembered that in compliance with the instructions given at our last annual meeting, arrangements were made with the United Brethren in Christ to conduct the Mendi Mission for a term of years. Dr. Flickinger, the Secretary, visited Africa to mature plans for carrying on the mission in connection with the one maintained in the immediate vicinity (the Shengay) by his society. He has just returned and made report, from which we take the following extract:

“We opened a new station at Manboh, a town about midway from Avery to Shengay, immediately on the coast, which is quite a suitable place for a mission. This is in charge of Rev. Mr. Fowler, who commenced work at that point the middle of March, and when last heard from was doing well. We now have ten native missionaries employed, who are giving their entire time to teaching and preaching, and with the help afforded by Rev. Mr. Gomer and Mr. Wilberforce, are to preach in 113 towns as often as once in two weeks, and in some every week. With the four stations and 31 preaching places on the Mendi side and eight on the Sherbro side, we now have 12 stations and as many day and Sunday-schools, with 144 towns or preaching places to be provided for in connection with these missions. The Boomphe Mission, which has four stations and 40 towns lying to the northeast from Sherbro Mission, as Mendi lies to the southeast, the three extending over 100 miles along the coast and embracing 184 towns, are giving from twelve to fifteen thousand people the opportunity of hearing the Gospel and several hundred children the privilege of attending both day and Sabbath-school.”

THE JOHN BROWN STEAMER.

Rev. Dr. Flickinger was also empowered to contract for the John Brown steamer, and visited England last December, on his way to Africa, spending some days in conference with ship builders relating to the kind and size of vessel needful. Before closing the contract, however, he decided to examine the depth and width of the rivers upon which it was to be used and other matters involved in its success in connection with the Mendi Mission. Upon his return to England in May, he contracted with Mr. Edward Hayes, of Stratford, for the construction of the steamer. It is to be 60 feet long, 12 feet beam and 7 feet deep amid ships, draft of water 3½ feet, speed from 7 to 8 miles per hour to carry 15 tons cargo besides coal for running two days, and to have cabin accommodations for seven persons and room for the crew in the forecastle. It is to be of the best of iron and material throughout. Its engine will be 36 horse-power and of the most substantial kind, and the boiler of ample size and strength, adapted for wood or coal. It is to be finished in the early autumn and to cost £1,777. To this must be added[196] about £300 for transporting and putting it in order for use, or a little above $10,000 in all. We trust that unpaid pledges to this Association for the steamer will be forwarded to us without delay.

We call attention to the communication in this number from Rev. W. C. Pond, Superintendent of our Chinese missions. The magnitude and importance of his work will, we hope, stir the hearts of our friends to liberal contributions in its behalf.

GENERAL NOTES.

AFRICA.

—A plan to expend $10,000,000 in the purchase of land to form two hundred new villages in Algeria will be presented to the French Chamber at the beginning of the session.

—Ahmed Tewfik Effendi, a Turk of high rank, has made a profession of Christianity and has gone to Cairo to work among the Mohammedans, under the direction of Mr. Klein.

—The Khedive has given a portion of land at Cairo to Miss Whately that she may erect a building for her school. The school contains 200 girls and 300 boys, of which two-thirds of the girls and one-half of the boys are Mohammedans.

—The London Daily News announces that the Egyptian government has decided to send an engineer to Soudan to form a plan for a railroad between Khartoum and Souakim.

—The Magwangwaras have released without ransom twenty-three Christian prisoners that they had taken at Masasi. The amount that had been destined to liberate these has been used to redeem the Makouas and the Yaos, their neighbors, who had been reduced to captivity with them. The farmers of Masasi, who have been sent to Zanzibar, will return to their station when it is deemed expedient.

—Mr. O’Neill will undertake a journey of exploration in the region between Mozambique and Nyassa. His principal object will be the study of the western and northern shores of the lake Chirona, and the ascension of a mountain near by, that is said to be covered with snow. The Geographical Society of London has given two hundred pounds for the enterprise.

—The English government has accepted an offer made by several chiefs to cede to it a strip of territory between Liberia and Sherbro 30 kilometres in length and two in width. The English rule will then extend in an unbroken line from Sierra Leone to the northern frontiers of Liberia.

—The chiefs along the river Magbeli have formed a union and concluded a treaty of peace, which has opened the river to commerce, and by this means a large quantity of products from the interior will be brought to the coast.

[197]

—The number of slaves liberated by the fact of their arrival on French territory increases rapidly at St. Louis. There are among them many small children that must be left with their mothers, but those who have attained an age when they can make themselves useful are placed in the families of the settlers.

—Captain Hore and his companions have successfully accomplished the arduous undertaking of conveying to Ujiji in sections the steel life-boat, which was dispatched from England in July last. The caravan reached its destination on the 23d of February.

—The reports this year from the Niger Mission sent in by the two African Archdeacons, Henry Johnson and Dandeson Crowther, are among the most remarkable of recent date. There are now 4,000 souls under regular Christian instruction at Bonny and Brass. On one occasion Mr. Johnson was invited to tell the story of the Gospel in a heathen town, where he found 500 people waiting to hear him.

THE CHINESE.

—Seven Chinamen were admitted as members of the Presbyterian Church at Los Angeles at the communion in April.

—The Hawaiian law prohibiting Chinamen from coming to the Islands has been repealed, and over 3,000 Chinese laborers have contracted for their passage there.

—“The Chinese American” is the name of a paper recently started in New York under the editorial management of Wong Chin Foo.

—It is reported that there are 2,500 Chinese in New York and its suburbs. Of these 600 are under instruction in Sunday-school, one school having 112 scholars in attendance at one time. Much labor is involved in their instruction, as a teacher is given to each scholar. About 40 are professing Christians. Three or four are studying for the ministry, and one has gone back to China as a missionary.

—There are 60 Chinamen in Springfield, Ohio, 30 of whom are members of the Sabbath-school. They claim that they cannot all attend at the same time, because the “Christians,” as they call all white people, will take advantage of their absence and break into their laundries and steal their money.

—Rev. C. R. Hager and Lee Sam, sent by the American Board to establish a mission in those districts of South China from which the Chinese in America have come, are already at work. A house has been rented and an evening school for the instruction of the Chinese in English provided for. The plan for instilling the truths of the Gospel into the minds of the scholars by using the Bible to some extent for a textbook, which has been so successful in California, will be adopted.

THE INDIANS.

—At the annual examination of the Carlisle Indian Training School, Secretary Teller, Commissioner Price and Albert K. Smiley of the Board of Indian Commissioners, were present. The school now contains 367 pupils, 240 boys and 127 girls.

INDIAN ENCAMPMENT.

—The ambition of the Alaska Indian boys is seen in the response made by one Rudolph who was urged to marry a chief’s widow, “I would never marry dirty old Indian; for $1,000 I never marry her. When I am a man, I want to take a good, clean girl for wife. I want her to know books and to [199]housekeep like Boston girl. I not like it my house all dirty, my children not washed.”

—According to the latest statistical report of the Missionary Society of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, it had among the Indians thirteen ordained and licensed preachers, seven candidates, forty ruling elders, twenty-nine deacons, twenty-four organized congregations, and five hundred and twenty-seven communicants.

—Bishop Whipple, on a recent visit to the Indians of his diocese, administered the communion to 247 Chippewas. Fifteen years ago there was scarcely one communicant among them; now there are 8 churches in that mission, and they are building one to cost $10,000.

BENEFACTIONS.

S. E. Lee, Esq., of Richmond, Va., has recently given $5,000 to Wake Forest College.

The Earl of Zetland has given $25,000 to the Edinburgh Association for the university education of women.

Mrs. Senator Grimes, of Burlington, has given $1,000 for Blair Hall, Iowa College.

Smith College, Northampton, Mass., is to receive $500 worth of new and valuable books, the amount having been secured through the influence of Miss Sanborn.

Mr. Moody’s Mt. Hermon school for boys has received a gift of $5,000 from England.

Union Theological Seminary, N.Y., has received $40,000 from a friend who does not give the public his name, for instituting a professorship for elocution and boys’ culture.

By the will of Robert Asa Packer, Lehigh University is to receive one half of his personal and real estate, which is believed to amount to several million dollars.

A gift of $7,500 has been made to Rutgers College by Henry W. Bookstaver, Esq., of New York City, a member of the Board of Trustees, for purchasing chemical instruments and other apparatus for the class room.

By the will of Miss Mary Anne McSorley, St. John’s College, Brooklyn, is to receive $2,000 for two scholarships for theological students, and St. Joseph’s school for girls $500.

Princeton College has received $60,000 from the estate of the late Frederick Marquand of New York.

The eight chartered institutions of the A. M. A. hold their anniversaries at this season. Each of them has good grounds, suitable buildings and a competent faculty. They are located at central points where they will be wanted for generations. Each one needs, and is worthy of, an ample endowment.

THE SOUTH.

Rev. Joseph E. Roy, D.D., Field Superintendent.

Prof. Albert Salisbury, Superintendent of Education.

ANNIVERSARY REPORTS.

HAMPTON INSTITUTE.

BY MISS HELEN W. LUDLOW.

The fourteenth anniversary of Hampton Institute was observed on May 24. The morning was devoted as usual to examinations and recitations, with exhibitions of the products of the various industrial departments and their operation. The Senior class was examined in political economy and civil government, literature, ancient history, arithmetic and algebra. They did very creditably, stimulated by the occasion, as is usual, to do their best. They had undergone less brilliantly, but on the whole fairly well, a severer test during three days previous, of written and oral examinations, conducted by or before an invited examining committee, consisting of Prof. Samuel Elliot, LL.D., late Superintendent of schools in Boston, and Prof. Albert Salisbury, Superintendent of Education for the American Missionary Association Schools. The general average of the class on the subjects marked by Prof. Salisbury (arithmetic and political economy) was 70 and a fraction, several standing from 90 to 93. Dr. Eliot’s eyes not allowing him to inspect papers closely, the others were marked by Mrs. E. N. L. Walton of Boston, who came down to conduct for the third time the annual Normal Institute at Hampton for its Senior class and graduates.

The under classes had their customary reviews. The Indian classes were special attractions, as usual, particularly the division of latest comers, in which some tiny girls and solemn braves emulated each other in telling, in unexceptionable English, what went into and out of a remarkably omnivorous bag, and what evolutions were performed by its various contents; their teacher winning Dr. Eliot’s enthusiastic declaration that “her praises ought to be sounded from the gutter to the university.” The Indians also did well in geography, history, arithmetic and an elementary botany class. The little kitchen-gardeners from the Butler School were as captivating as usual in their white pinafores and red turbans and housekeeping accomplishments. The center of the industrial exhibition was the Stone Memorial building; handsome wood work, turned moldings, flooring, doors, sashes, etc., from the “Huntington Industrial Works;” shoes ready for filling the contract for agency supplies; shining tinware from the “Indian Training Shop,” sets of harness from the same; desks, settees, tables and cupboards made for the school, and a neatly painted sign—all the work of Indian and colored apprentices, whose names, with the period of their training, from five months to three years, were indicated on cards affixed to their respective productions. The wheelwright and blacksmith shops showed similarly ax-helves, wheels and iron work, and outside the door two gaily painted farm carts proclaimed the skill of Indian and Negro mechanics. The tailoring department showed suits of clothes made by colored and Indian hands. The girls of both races were represented by very neat sewing and inviting-looking cake. The farm products had a table to themselves; early vegetables, grains and grasses. An interesting exhibit was that of the little carpenters from the Butler School, a couple of miniature frame houses, clap-boarded and painted, with sets of tables, desks and chairs for furnishing.

[201]

The Normal School Press office had its own exhibit of printing and book binding. The press was running, the student compositors, boys and girls at their cases, and the veteran United States soldier at his book-binder’s table.

The various shops were all in operation through part of the morning, and many visitors walked through them to see the Afric-American, native African and Indian apprentices working side by side at their various trades in the commodious quarters in which most are at last accommodated. Some extended their walk to the barn to visit the stock.

The afternoon exercises in Whitin Chapel and Virginia Hall consisted, as usual, of essays by the graduating class and former graduates, with music by the school choir, a recitation of one of Whittier’s poems by a modest ladylike Indian girl of the Junior class, and a talk in the Sioux language by one of the three young Indian fathers now in training with their families at Hampton. His wife and baby boy stood admiring listeners in the doorway, ready to vanish when the applause of the latter became too vociferous. The Indian said impressively (interpreted by a school mate), “You all know that when a man walks in darkness, if he sees a light somewhere he will go to it; so I want you all to have compassion on us and teach us more of your knowledge. I am always thinking about the good news. I came myself to learn how to tell the good news to my people and show them the right way. We know that you have helped us, but we need more help. If anybody told you to do something you never had done before, could you do it at once? They will have to tell you three or four times before you know how to do it. My friends, that is just the way with the Indians.”

Diplomas were presented to the twenty-eight members of the graduating class. Interesting speeches followed by several of the invited guests. Prof. Newell, Superintendent of the Maryland State Normal school in Baltimore, Dr. Eliot, Rev. Dr. Furber of Newton, Mass., Rev. Dr. Mix of Fall River, Rev. Dr. Burrows and Rev. Mr. Spiller of Norfolk, the last, a colored minister, all made very enthusiastic and telling impromptu addresses under the inspiration of the occasion.

The average attendance of pupils for the year just past, has been 510, of which 110 have been Indians. The work done compares favorably with that of former years. The annual reports of the Principal, teachers and heads of industrial departments, published in the June number of the Southern Workman, and still more fully in pamphlet form, with the treasurer’s report, give many interesting details of Hampton’s work and prospects.

FISK UNIVERSITY, NASHVILLE.

MISS ANNA M. CAHILL.

On Sunday, May 20, the baccalaureate sermon was preached in the chapel of Livingstone Missionary Hall. This and all the other exercises of Commencement had the added interest of being the first held in our new building—a building in whose beauty and usefulness for school purposes we have rejoiced all the year.

Ten young people—three graduating from the higher normal course and seven from the college course—listened to the earnest words of President Cravath, spoken especially to them, from John 14:23, on the power and need of an inner life of communion with God.

The annual missionary meeting which is always held by the missionary society on the evening of Commencement Sunday, was duly observed. Tidings had reached us of the illness of Secretary Woodworth, who was to have given the missionary address, and, failing to supply his place, we were thrown back upon our own existing missionary zeal, which, we were glad to find, burned[202] brightly enough upon the home hearth to make a solemn, impressive hour of this last Sunday service.

Our Commencement week happened to coincide with “military week” in Nashville, for which great preparation had been made, and the city was gaily decorated with the national colors, and crowded with people. We had feared the effect of the excitement on the school, but found no cause for anxiety. Our pupils were too much absorbed in their work to be drawn away by the attractions of the parade ground, and our audiences seemed not to be much increased or diminished by the event. The class admitted to college on Monday evening numbers eight, three of whom are children of professors in the university. Among the essays and orations of the evening, were pleas to imaginary millionaires in the audience for a gymnasium, a conservatory of music and other improvements. Thus the incoming classes are seeing needs and making demands which the university has no means of meeting.

On Tuesday there drove up to the door of Livingstone Hall a furniture wagon, from which was unloaded a suspicious-looking rectangular box addressed to Prof. A. K. Spence. Strange that through the law of association so much of harmony can be suggested by so simple a geometrical form. Curious eyes watched the opening, and saw with delight on lifting the top a handsome Steinway square grand piano. It was carried into the chapel and placed upon the platform. Rumor said it was a gift, but nothing further could be learned until Commencement day.

In the midst of the exercises of the higher normal graduation on Wednesday evening, Secretary Woodworth entered and took a retired seat on the platform. His health was so far restored as to enable him to travel, though not in time to reach us before Sunday. The alumni address, which formed part of the programme of the evening, was given by Prof. McPherron. After this Secretary Woodworth was called out from his retirement and spoke for a few minutes. The list of alumni was read, the present work of each stated and the announcement made that steps had already been taken by the alumni to raise gradually a sufficient sum to endow a professorship in the university.

The last great day, Thursday, was as perfect as clear skies and fresh, dustless air could make it. A large audience of both white and colored people assembled early. The young men marched to Jubilee Hall, and a procession was there formed to return to the chapel. The British flag was draped over the platform on this birthday of England’s queen, and the room was bright with terraces of flowering plants. The seven young people who appeared as candidates for a degree represent many years of work on the part of student and teacher; the average length of time spent in the institution by members of the class is seven years. The one young lady took for her theme, the great field of work opening before and among the girls of the South and the necessary training for that work. Spoken from her standpoint her words were full of solemn meaning. After the graduates had finished their part, we listened eagerly to the address of Dr. Washington Gladden on the causes of poverty, ignorance and vice—the threefold evil against which we are fighting.

When the final piece of music had been sung, Prof. Spence asked permission to say a few words, and after some rapid wheeling of pianos to certain places on the platform, announced that Mrs. General Fisk had presented the new piano for the chapel of Livingstone Hall. Its companion was given by the same lady some years ago for the parlors of Jubilee Hall. Mention was made of the many other gifts of Mrs. Fisk, and a vote of gratitude for her kindness was heartily given by the[203] entire audience. To afford an opportunity to hear both pianos together, Mendelssohn’s wedding march was played as a quartet.

A prominent Southern gentleman of Nashville, himself a former slaveholder, was present for the first time with other invited guests at the alumni dinner, and spoke warmly, cordially and strongly for our work. The most encouraging comment that I have heard on the exercises of the week was made by a former student, who was present: “It seems to me that every Commencement is better than the last.” So may it continue to be while Fisk University stands.

TALLADEGA COLLEGE.

BY REV. C. L. WOODWORTH, D.D.

Talladega, in Eastern Central Alabama, is a bright village of a thousand people, lying high up among the hills, away from the malaria which lurks in the valleys below. The air is soft and bracing, the water pure and sweet, and the whole region eminently beautiful. Here Talladega College was founded in 1867. The college is beautiful for situation, and in this respect would contest the palm with any institution we have, except possibly, Fisk at Nashville. Encircled on all sides by green mountain ranges, lying far up among the hills, it is one of the most inviting and salubrious spots in the State, and must have been foreordained as the site of a college.

The institution is well equipped for work. Stone Hall, Swayne Hall, Graves Hall, and Foster Hall are solid and comely, and have accommodated more than 298 students the present year. And of the campus, on which Swayne Hall sits, shaded with superb water oaks, it must be said we know of nothing finer in the South. Connected with the college is a farm of some 200 acres, mostly cultivated by the young men. Here they learn the art, as well as the science of farming, and here the supplies for the students’ table are principally raised.

It may be doubted whether any school of the A. M. A. is occupying a more needy field, or has around it a larger constituency. Alabama has a colored population of some 630,000, for whom Talladega College is the only institution in the State offering to them the advantages of the higher education. For the supply of trained teachers, of educated ministers, and of intelligent and reliable leaders—for this immense multitude Talladega must be the main reliance. The college, therefore, has a mission at its own doors, and for the present has more than it can do to meet the home demand. Its students are scattered throughout the State, as teachers and preachers, and their influence is felt in every public interest.

The Faculty of the college is able, clear-headed and intensely in earnest. President De Forest is an enthusiast in his work. Scholarly, inspiring, magnetic and full of faith in the capacity of the negro for the finest culture, and to reach the highest manhood, he does not mind the isolation of his position, nor the ostracism attending it, but finds perpetual joy in seeing the good work prosper in his hands.

It was my good fortune to be present during parts of three days in Commencement week, though not permitted to witness the exercises on Commencement day. Of the general air of the school there can be only words of praise. The quiet of the students on the campus, on the streets, in the class rooms, the self-respect in their bearing everywhere manifest, was a token both of the discipline of the school and of the spirit of the scholars. We heard creditable examinations in grammar, in Virgil, in the evidences of Christianity and in the life of Christ. But the exercise which interested us most was the reading of six or seven essays by members of the theological class. These papers, we were assured, had received scarcely any alteration in passing through the hands of the professor. They were[204] clear, sharp, radical in thinking and independent in style and expression. Two college presidents were brought to the bar of criticism, and it really looked as if the students had the best of the argument. Yet there was no appearance of arrogance or of self-conceit; only the air of honest, thoughtful men.

The class of students as a whole seemed made up of earnest, aspiring youth, eager for an education and willing to make every possible sacrifice in order to secure it. As an instance, I saw a man in the grammar school, somewhere from thirty-five to forty years of age, who will work in the foundry six months or a year, and then will take his earnings and go to school as long as they will last. This he has been repeating for years. Another was pointed out to me who had worked on the farm a whole year, and then was using up his credits in schooling and board.

I should not give a complete idea of the college unless I spoke particularly of its religious tone. This is of the highest, and was especially satisfactory. President De Forest is a man of profound religious convictions, and has not the slightest faith in education which does not include the moral as well as the intellectual character. Hence the Bible is put underneath all the courses of instruction, and religion made the practical and ever-present duty of the daily life.

Talladega, like so many other institutions, needs endowments for its various chairs of instruction. For lack of these it is sadly limited in the good it might accomplish, and its Faculty are badly handicapped and bearing burdens which are making them old before their time. Let me whisper into the ear of men who are asking what they shall do with the wealth committed to their care: Here is an object worthy of their largest charity, and, at the same time, an object most needy and most appealing. Let them give to this thousands and tens of thousands, and they will make no mistake.

STRAIGHT UNIVERSITY, NEW ORLEANS.

REV. W. S. ALEXANDER, D.D.

It would, we believe, be the judgment of the Faculty and the public, that the past year has been one of exceptional prosperity. Our catalogue shows a roll of 380 names with an average attendance larger than any previous year. The examinations in the Law Department came first in order. The ordeal was severe, certainly a fair test of legal reading, and fidelity to lectures. Ten young men, eight white and two colored, met this ordeal with great credit to themselves and their instructors, and received their degree of Bachelor of Law. They have since been admitted by the Supreme Court to practice in all the courts of the State. It should be mentioned as a sign of growth in public sentiment, that one of the Professors in the Law Department, a native Charlestonian, has lately published a Book on Admiralty Law, and on the title page appended to his name the following: “Professor of Commercial Law, Equity, and Admiralty in Straight University.” The Sumner Literary Society was addressed by Gen. R. B. Elliot, formerly in Congress from South Carolina. He is one of the most eloquent representatives of the colored race. His treatment of the theme “The Advance of Civilization in the United States,” was able, eloquent, and scholarly. It was a rare pleasure to listen to him. He was a friend of Charles Sumner, and the dead statesman had no more eloquent eulogist than he. Our Alumni Association was addressed by Rev. A. E. P. Albert, of the class of ’81. His oration was a careful defense of the negro against the rude and savage assaults recently made upon him. A poem was delivered by Mr. Colwell, of Baton Rouge, of the class of ’79. It possessed real poetic merit, and was gracefully delivered. He was cheered to the echo. It was interesting to[205] observe the hearty enthusiasm of the audience over “the coming poet.” The Annual Exhibition at the University Chapel, under the direction of our most faithful and efficient Dean, was a great success. The Chapel was crowded to excess, and a happier audience is seldom gathered.

Our Commencement on Tuesday evening in Central Church was an indication both of the excellence and efficiency of the instruction afforded by the University, and the strong hold which the school has gained in the public regard and appreciation. The large auditorium was crowded. A fair estimate of the audience would place it at 800, and they remained with delighted attention from 8 o’clock to 11 o’clock. Four young men and one young woman graduated from the Classical Department, and two young men from the Higher English Department. Their orations were well and carefully written, showing mature thought and manly convictions. It was certainly suggestive of the possibilities of the race to see the manly bearing of these young people, and to hear them treat with real ability and eloquence such themes as “The first Century of the Republic,” “The Survival of the Fittest,” “Pride of Race” and “Head Workers and Hand Workers.” To those who have a chronic habit of detracting from the abilities of the negro we say, “beat them if you can.” It was a delightful feature of Commencement that the son of our beloved dean took his diploma in the Higher English Department, and delivered an oration on “The Future Fields of Conquest in Science,” which did credit to his heart and his head. We departed from our usual custom in conferring upon two of our graduates the degree of Bachelor of Science. It was the judgment of the Faculty and our Board of Trustees that this should be done. The young men have devoted several years to classical and scientific study in the University; their scholarship has averaged 9¼ on a scale of 10, and they have pursued such special studies as the Faculty have assigned them. At the close of the regular examination a special examination was appointed for them before a committee of the Board of Trustees, in whose presence they also read a scientific thesis, the one on “Applied Electricity” and the other on “The Copernican System.” Thus closes another school year, and we are able to say as never before: “Hope is in the ascendant” for our beloved University. Service this year has been a joy, and Almighty God has crowned that service with his blessing. To Him be all the glory.

TOUGALOO UNIVERSITY.

The assembling of the Sunday-school and the study of the lesson entitled Paul and Barnabas in Cyprus, with “Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them,” as its key-note, seemed a most fitting introduction to the Commencement exercises upon the close of which a large number of the students were to go forth to their summer’s work.

Following the Sunday-school exercises, and in keeping with the custom of previous anniversaries of this institution, a Sabbath-school convention was held, in which was discussed a variety of topics calculated to stimulate and aid the students in their Sunday-school work. These exercises were enjoyed by a large number of people, many of whom were from a distance.

At 7:30 P.M. the chapel was again filled. The well-drilled choir sang “I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills” in a way to inspire all present. The sermon to the graduating class was upon the words, “Return to thine own house and show how great things God hath done unto thee.”

Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday were occupied with the oral examinations of the different departments. These examinations were well sustained by the students,[206] who gave good evidence that their instructors had been faithful and thorough in their work. The attendance of visitors upon the examinations was good, but as the last day drew near, large numbers arrived by every train. Many came by their own conveyances. One persistent young man, a former student, eager to attend the Commencement, came a distance of thirty miles on foot. On Wednesday evening the audience room was filled with an expectant throng. The exhibition which called it together was greatly enjoyed, and reflected much credit upon those charged with the laborious task of planning and training and bringing it to pass.

When Thursday morning dawned, many more were added to the number of visitors already present. The audience assembled promptly at 11 o’clock. Members of the State Board of Visitors, with other distinguished guests, were upon the platform. The music by the choir elicited much praise. Three young men and two young women having completed the Elementary Normal Course were graduated, receiving certificates of fitness to teach the common English branches. Five others were appointed to supplement the programme of literary exercises.

The essays and orations presented covered the following range of topics: “The Teachers;” “Genius and Success;” “Whitewash;” “Why a Young Man Should Seek a Thorough Education;” “The Material Advancement of the South;” “The Cause of Temperance;” “As You Would Have It;” “The Study of Physical Science;” “The American Missionary Association;” “Home.” The Principal of the Normal Department then presented certificates to the graduating class, setting forth in a few well chosen and emphatic words the nature of these certificates, of the step the graduates had taken, and that there was more beyond. Col. J. L. Power, editor of the Clarion, a man of wide influence in the State and a staunch friend of the school, spoke on behalf of the State Board of Visitors, of which he is the Secretary. He paid a glowing tribute to the work of the school and of the American Missionary Association. In referring to the essay on “Whitewash,” he said there was no whitewashing done at Tougaloo—that it was the genuine stuff. Referring to the oration on the American Missionary Association, he said he had known considerable about the Association and its work, but that he was amazed at the magnitude of its work. In closing his speech, which also was without “whitewash,” he said it would be the pleasure of the Board of Visitors at the meeting of the next Legislature to ask for at least as large an appropriation as the institution had received for the last two years. Rev. Dr. C. B. Galloway, Editor of the Southern Christian Advocate, was then introduced. He commended the work of the institution and expressed his satisfaction with the original, direct, practical, common-sense way in which the essays and orations had been written and presented. He was impressed with the absence of grandiloquent gush, so characteristic of the youthful mind on Commencement platforms.

After the Commencement dinner the graduating class held their “Ivy Exercise,” which consisted of a class song, class poem, planting the ivy and an address by a member of the Faculty.

In the evening R. W. Jackson, class of ’80, delivered the address before the Alumni, on “Decision.” It was well written and full of interest. At its close Mr. G. W. Jackson of Whiteside, Tenn., a former student, and Miss Rosa McCutcheon of Chattanooga, Tenn., class of ’82, stepped upon the Commencement platform and were united in Christian marriage, constituting by this sacred tie a Christian family. Thus closed a most successful year of faithful work.

THEOLOGICAL DEPARTMENT, HOWARD UNIVERSITY.

REV. J. G. CRAIGHEAD, D.D.

The anniversary exercises were held in the Fourth Presbyterian Church, Washington City, May 4, when six young men who had completed the regular three years’ course of study received the usual certificate of the department. Five delivered addresses before a large audience, and were subsequently complimented by many of the most judicious friends of the race who were present, for the discriminating and just treatment of their subjects, and for their evident improvement of the advantages of instruction which they had enjoyed. One of the graduates sails in June for Africa, as a missionary of the Presbyterian Board; another is waiting an opportunity to labor on the same continent; the remaining four go to the wide and needy field in the South—each in a different State, so great is the demand for capable laborers.

The past year has been one of marked favor and prosperity to the department. Thirty-four students have been under instruction, and there has been no interruption in study, by reason of sickness, either on the part of professors or students. The location of the institution on the high ground north of the city, overlooking both it and the Potomac River, is most conducive to health, while it secures the quiet essential to educational work. With a complete and regularly systematized course of studies extending over three years; with six Professors (thanks to the wise liberality of the American Missionary Association) imparting instruction in all the branches of study pursued in like theological seminaries in this country, pious young men can here be prepared to become effective workmen for Christ, either at home or abroad. As these advantages become better known to those wishing to study for the ministry, we may expect that an increased number will seek to profit by them.

And this is desirable for many reasons. With our present facilities we could equally well instruct twice or thrice the present number did the men present themselves having the proper preliminary education for the study of theology. Our greatest need is scholarships, both to secure this elementary training and to assist students while in the theological department. Without some aid, but few can obtain a proper education for usefulness in the university. Not much is required, as compared with what white students require and receive, but this little is necessary to stimulate personal effort, and to help them over insurmountable obstacles on the road to useful knowledge. Is there a cheaper or better way for patriots or Christians to solve this social, political, moral and religious problem?

WILMINGTON, N.C.

BY MR. W. H. THRALL.

Perhaps the tendency of this people is to give much prominence to showy performances. We have aimed this year in Wilmington to check this, and not to allow preparations for the “exhibition” to interrupt regular recitation-room work.

The scholars were early given to understand that the last monthly examinations would be more than usually difficult; that they would be oral as well as written, and that very much would depend upon the results. The last four days of the school year were given up to the examinations. If the readers of The American Missionary could have hurried through the deep sands of Wilmington’s streets, to our school building on one of those days, they would have seen four rooms crowded with anxious workers, telling with tongue or pen, what they had been learning during the months past.

Some of the pupils, after writing steadily for two or three hours at a time[208] begged the privilege of continuing their work at the noon recess and after school hours. The papers spoke for the thoroughness of the work that they had done.

Upon the walls were hung map drawings, specimens of penmanship and of freehand drawing, that would compare well with exhibits which I have seen in rooms of the same grades in the best schools in the North. In the First Primary Room were two things of especial interest: a table covered with needle-work made by the smallest girls of the school, and two sets of papers placed side by side, showing the penmanship, spelling, figures, etc., of the same pupil in October, 1882, and in May, 1883. The work of the pupils of that room at the number-table, and their writing and reading, encourage us that there is reason for hope in the coming generation of colored people.

The closing exercises of the school were held Tuesday evening, May 29th. The hall, the aisles, entries, doors and windows were crowded. The men even climbed the verandas to reach us. The pupils had flooded us with the choicest flowers, grasses and foliage, and the hall was beautifully decorated. The part the pupils had in adorning it spoke well for their taste. At the appointed time the audience of between four and five hundred was called to order, and the programme commenced. For two hours and a half the throng sat or stood, listening to recitations, declamations, dialogues, essays, one oration, songs, etc. I wish the people of the North who question the promise of this race could have been present. There was hardly one hesitation in the recitations; the essays and oration showed thought and good English; and little boys and girls gave concert recitations in perfect unison.

Important features of the programme were, a tableau called “The tempted boy and the guardian angel,” designed to give an object lesson on temperance, and an illustrated poem by pupils of the Grammar and Normal Room. Both of these exercises proved the pupils’ readiness to understand and their quickness to execute. The teacher in charge had but little time to teach them, yet everything was done with ease and rapidity.

The evening’s entertainment was a fresh exhibit to us all of the talent and the tact that lie dormant in this race, which is to be the ruling race in twelve States at no distant day; and we bade “good-bye” to our pupils with new courage to go on with a work which must be slow, but is essential to the very life of our country.

EMERSON INSTITUTE, MOBILE, ALA.

BY MISS HELEN D. BARTON.

Anniversary exercises at Emerson Institute, May 25th. The much-talked-of and long-looked-for last day of school had come. Though it was the last day many of the last things had already been done. The last hour of hard study was over, the last recitation heard, the last examination paper marked. The two days preceding had been devoted to what were, by courtesy, called oral examinations. In reality, however, much of the time, in the lower rooms at least, was devoted to the entertainment of the visitors. The favorite songs were sung and the best recitations made. If George Washington’s mother or sister came in, George’s classes were called, his slate work was examined and compared with others, and he was invited to recite his “speech.” A variation from the programme was made again and again that as far as possible the visitors might judge of the work of the children in whom they are more especially interested. This could be done as the certificates for promotion were given on the standing of the pupils in the written examinations held the second week in May.

Friday morning the children came together as a school for the last time. After devotional exercises the departments were dismissed to their own rooms, where[209] the teacher read the per cents. of the examinations and presented each pupil with a certificate grading him for the coming year. Many faces brightened with pleasure. Some few showed dissatisfaction; having fallen slightly below the desired average they find the obnoxious word conditionally written on the card. Others still feel bitter disappointment; having failed, they must remain in the same grade. Some of these deserve our sympathy, the failure being caused by poverty or sickness; others are only reaping the reward of carelessness and indolence.

When the distribution of certificates was completed, Miss Caughey, the principal, went in turn to each department, and after adding her word of encouragement to the disappointed ones and approbation to the successful ones, invited the promoted class to seats in the room the next grade above. This ceremony was impressive, and many showed the conflicting emotions of joy and sadness, joy at the honor conferred and a sadness at the thought of separation from teacher and schoolmates which caused them to go reluctantly to the places assigned.

At the appointed hour in the evening the assembly room was filled to overflowing with the eager happy children and their friends. After prayer by Rev. O. D. Crawford the exercises given by the pupils were called in, according to the programme. Mr. Crawford and General Slaughter, Post-Master of the city, made brief remarks. Where each one endeavored to do his best, it is difficult to mention those who excelled. “Mother Goose and her Friends” chiefly served the spice for the entertainment. One of our white friends found it difficult to believe that this ancient singer of nursery rhymes was not a middle aged woman instead of the young girl she really is. The “Friends” were received with enthusiasm also, even down to the “brave boy” Johnnie Horner, the baby of our school. The tableau of “Hiawatha” was thoroughly enjoyed. In “Songs of Seven,” the recitations “Seven Times One,” by little Odelia Chavanah and “Seven Times Seven” by Miss Sallie Washington, were received with gratifying applause. The valedictory by Miss Belle Daniels deserved and received high praise. To critical eyes, no doubt, many defects were evident; but our audience seemed well pleased and congratulations were freely given. I think most of those present would agree with old Aunt Gracie in her remark, summing it all up: “It was delightful to be looked at.”

LE MOYNE INSTITUTE, MEMPHIS.

[A large amount of space is given in the Memphis Daily Appeal, the Daily Memphis Avalanche and the Public Ledger to reports of the anniversary exercises of the Le Moyne Institute. These, with accompanying editorial paragraphs, indicate the high esteem in which Prof. Steele and his corps of workers are held and the appreciation of his school. The anniversary was attended by two thousand people. The enthusiasm is represented to have been continuous from the beginning to the end of the exercises, and the effort of Prof. Steele to raise money for the Institute from the citizens of Memphis was endorsed by many present. We give below an extract from the Appeal which represents how our work is regarded by the better class of Southern people.—Ed.]

The feeling in this city in favor of universal education was never stronger than it is now. This is plainly shown by the interest everywhere manifested in the Le Moyne Institute or school for negroes, which gave so enjoyable an entertainment at the Greenlaw Opera-house Monday night. A number of prominent citizens who were present expressed the greatest surprise and astonishment, and the opinion was general that the inculcation of ideas such as those of which the graduates seemed possessed was bound to do good to them, and by reflection upon the balance of the community.

[210]

“Was the entertainment at the Opera-house just as you reported it?” asked a gentleman of an Appeal reporter yesterday.

“Justice was not fully done,” was the reply.

“And the Le Moyne is a colored institution?”

“Yes.”

“You surprise me,” the gentlemen replied. “I have heard the Le Moyne frequently spoken of, but had no idea it was accomplishing all it is said to have done. Why, the subjects chosen by the essayists could be handled only by those possessed of considerable knowledge.”

“Yes, it is a new idea in the South,” remarked a listener, who had been present at the entertainment, “and I find it difficult to say whether I was most surprised or delighted. I heard every essay and recitation from beginning to end, and there was not a break or stumble, no stopping to recover breath, no tedious repetitions. The absence of the parrot was noticeable. The novelty of the affair held my attention at first, but I soon forgot this, and found myself drifting along with the essayists as they waded into their subjects. Another thing that struck me forcibly was the absence of rant in the young men and the failure to giggle on the part of the young women. They seemed to take it as a matter of course that they were there, and that their audience would be interested in what they might have to say. I, for one am heartily in favor of keeping up the good work. No man who thinks can say that every negro in the land would not be better off and better fitted to cope with the age in which lives, if he had enough education to enable him to throw off the dense cloud of superstition—a mixture of ignorance and faith—in which he is now enveloped. The country would be better, its tone purer and healthier, if every man in it were educated.”

“The music furnished by the graduates particularly attracted me,” said a lady teacher who heard it. “I have always contended that the negro had a passion for music of a certain rich and melodious kind, but could not appreciate its delicate shading, and could have no conception of it as a science. I am ready now to say I was mistaken. Though the music the other night was nothing extraordinary, I heard enough to convince me that its interpreters had a good idea of symphony, and could with proper training, rise to a high degree of excellence. The solo ‘I’ll Follow Thee’, was one of the sweetest things I ever heard in public or private. The voice of the young woman who sang it was pure and clear, every cadence soft and melodious, every note in perfect tune. It was a genuine revelation.”

“The whole entertainment was a revelation to me,” remarked an old planter. “I attended the exhibition out of pure curiosity, never dreaming that it would impress me as it has done. I have always scouted the idea of negro education, and I may say I have been its enemy. I am perfectly willing to give way now, however. But I have one lingering fear—that it will take a wrong direction and have a tendency to create an idle class and deplete the ranks of labor, farm labor especially. If those who have the training of the negro will keep this danger before them and guard against it, then the result of their labor will be good; but if they fail and allow their pupils to think labor is degrading; to think that man’s only province is to cultivate his mind, then the result will be deplorable. This I notice, however, has already been seen, and I cannot say I have any fears on that score from the Le Moyne Institute.”

Perhaps no subject has been more discussed than this since the exhibition last Monday night.

THE INDIANS.

CATHOLIC MISSIONS.—RECENT CHANGES.

REV. MYRON EELLS, S’KOKOMISH, W.T.

About 30 years ago a Catholic priest came here, taught the people, baptized some of them, made a few Indian priests, and left, so that for many years previous to the assignment of the Agency to the American Missionary Association they had received little religious instruction. Intermarriage with some of the tribes where the Catholics have had teachers has kept up remembrance of those early times. One Indian especially, who has been among the very worst, belongs to this class. Having failed to conquer the agent, he gave up, but when he returned seemed determined if he failed in one way to try another, and so began to revive the old Catholic religion, and he has held such services frequently for a number of years.

About two years ago an Indian before his death saw several strange visions, which combined some truth with much of the old Indian superstition. This man leaned toward the Catholics, partly because I did not believe these revelations to be of as much value as the Bible, and partly because his relations favored the Catholic religion. A few of them set up regular services, partly Catholic and partly after their own revelations. At funerals they sometimes wished me to officiate in company with them, but in most cases they have given up and let me have the whole service.

Last fall another Indian who had moved away and taken a homestead about 20 miles from here apparently died, but after six and a half hours revived and told of wonderful things which he had seen. He has since been baptized by the Catholics, built a church and become a priest.

Last summer I spoke of two promising young men whom I hoped would be of great Christian service here. The most promising after doing very well for a time, brought great disgrace upon himself and was suspended from the church. I have tried to show him his error, but thus far it has not produced the result desired.

These Indians have almost entirely lost faith in their old religion as such, but naturally want one of some kind. They are, however, unwilling to give up their horse-racing and some of them their gambling. I have been asked by several to baptize them, but refused because of these things. The Catholic religion allows all this, and so they have turned to it. The consolidation of the three Puget Sound agencies into one last fall has given us thus far less moral force here.

There have been occasional light spots. A letter came from Pearl Street Church, in Hartford, where I taught a Sabbath-school class fourteen years ago, offering us a barrel. It seemed very providential, as if God were saying: “You work on, and I will take care of the support.” The barrel came and everything appeared to be so good that the children squealed, as they do not often, while each article was taken out, and their mother often said: “How very thoughtful the people were,” and we all had to thank God for it.

I have just returned from a visit to the Clallam Indians. I found some of them doing well and some very badly, the agent having during the past seven months had six times as many Indians to look after as formerly, and the best subordinates which he has been able to obtain have disappointed him. On the other hand, some have done quite well, especially those who have procured land for homes. The Christian[212] Indians thus far stand well. They are not perfect, but progressing. Two were received into the church during my visit, and three others joined last November. The school-teacher, who had resigned, left while I was there, and it is thought best to give them a long vacation before sending them another. He had charge of the Sabbath-school. The church expects to keep up its regular services, including that of the Sabbath-school and a weekly prayer-meeting. I have been fortunate in procuring some large, cheap Bible pictures, which have taken the fancy of the Indians very much. They have been in demand by all classes. I have already obtained or ordered about 185 of them. I can impart religious truth by them better than in any other way.

THE CHINESE.

ANNIVERSARIES—THE WORK DURING APRIL AND MAY.

REV. W. C. POND.

My report of progress in our Mission covers two months and even more. It will be difficult to compress within my space all that I would like to say.

Our mission at Santa Cruz celebrated its second anniversary on Sunday evening, April 8. It was an occasion of great and encouraging interest. Instead of the fifteen or twenty Chinese present at the previous anniversary, we had at least fifty with us. Instead of an assembly of Americans occupying in respectable numbers the pews of the church, we had every inch of available standing-room occupied, and I am told, at least two hundred went away from the church door, unable to enter.

The fact that Chinese once settled in Santa Cruz, seem inclined to stay there, and that consequently the membership of the school has been less changeable than in some other places, gave us a better opportunity than is sometimes afforded to measure the progress during a year. The showing gave me great encouragement. There had been marked progress in the use of the English language and in the knowledge of the truth. Best of all, several who a year ago were heathen, now seem to be true followers of our Lord Jesus Christ. The contribution was the largest I ever received on any such occasion, except in our own Bethany Church. It amounted in cash and in pledges to over $100.

Our schools in San Francisco celebrated their eighth public anniversary on April 29. This, too, was an exceedingly interesting service, and our Bethany Church was filled. The point of special interest and encouragement about it was this: That while the exercises were in all respects equal to those of any previous year, we were not obliged to call in the aid of any of our helpers, except as they assisted in the service of song. The original address in English by Lung Chung was a frank, manly and effective statement of his own Christian life, with its faults and shortcomings, as well as its new, strange light and peace.

I lay before the readers of the Missionary the following paragraph, which I placed in the Pacific of May 9. I trust they will be interested in the statement of facts, and am not without hope that they will listen kindly to the appeal:

“The monthly reports for April show seventeen schools in active operation and thirty-nine teachers and helpers employed. The total number of pupils enrolled was 991; the average attendance, 415. The attendance in this city is temporarily diminished on account of the darkness of the streets; otherwise the enrollment would have exceeded 1,000, and the average attendance would have approached 500. Of those now in attendance on the schools 172 profess to have ceased from [213]idolatry, and 116 are believed to be true Christians. Two hundred and thirty-one new names were enrolled, and the total number who have been connected with our schools during the last eight months is no less than 2,356. With the beginning of this month of May, another school is added to our list—the one in Alameda. It has been sustained for several years with a most Christ-like devotion by Mrs. E. L. Wilson. Unable to carry it on any longer alone, she appeals to our mission for aid, and though the operations already in hand task our resources to their utmost, we could not let so good a work as Mrs. Wilson had been doing die for the lack of a helping hand. It will be necessary to raise in addition to the appropriation made by the American Missionary Association, $5,500 to carry this work through to August 31, the close of the present fiscal year. The utmost care is taken to make each dollar do its best, but it is impossible to sustain so large a work on less than $1,000 per month. A careful review of the statistics given above will lead, I am sure, not to criticism of the amount, but rather to surprise that at so little cost so much has been accomplished. Of the $5,500 needed, I have on hand, or in sight, $3,000, and for the balance I make an earnest appeal to our churches, and to all friends of Christ and of humanity.”

BUREAU OF WOMAN’S WORK.

TO THE LADIES OF THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCHES.

Dear Friends: Permit me to call your attention to the urgent needs of the American Missionary Association in its department of Woman’s Work.

Many earnest Christian women are personally engaged as missionaries at the South, and among the Chinese and the Indians. They give instruction in home duties, improved housekeeping, family government, the best use of money; they gather children into Sunday-schools, teach in day and boarding-schools—bearing with them always the blessed Gospel truth, the foundation on which we build.

We need your aid in the support of these missionaries and missionary teachers, who will thus become your representatives in the field. Laboring with a lowly and despised people, they are cut off in many instances from social privileges, and your Christian love and remembrance will give strength and good cheer.

We need scholarships to aid worthy and needy students. Our boarding-schools are doing a great work for girls, and often a young girl is saved to a useful life by supplementing her meagre funds and retaining her in school. We need supplies of clothing for distribution by missionaries in getting the young into school and Sabbath-school; also furnishing of bed and table linen for mission homes and boarding halls. Already our matrons are asking supplies of this kind.

We are indebted to the ladies of many of the Congregational churches for valuable aid rendered, and now that the way is opened for more direct communication with you, may we not hope that all will become co-workers with our noble band of missionaries in seeking to instruct and benefit the women of races so ignorant and degraded as those with whom we labor?

We invite special correspondence in regard to the various fields and the aid that can be given. Surely so important a work, not limited to schools, but extending to the family and the church relations, cannot be accomplished until woman reaches forth her hand to sister woman in uplifting helpfulness.

Yours truly,

D. E. Emerson, Secretary.

MISSION HOMES.

MISS D. E. EMERSON.

“What is the Mission Home?” The question has often been asked by friends contributing to our work, as well as by those about to engage in it, and from the latter we have had some rather striking descriptions of what they supposed the home to be, and of their pleasant surprise upon reaching it. It is not a boarding hall for students, as many have thought. Such halls are in connection with boarding schools and accommodate both teachers and students.

The Mission Home, of which we give a specimen in the accompanying cut, is at stations where we have churches and day schools, and is the home of the pastor and teachers. In some of the larger cities, as Wilmington, N.C., Savannah, Ga., Mobile, Ala., we have graded schools requiring a teaching force of from six to ten persons. Then there are the pastor and family and the lady missionary, and the home accommodates all. As each has a special line of duty occupying the full time, a matron is appointed to take charge of household affairs and secure by her good management a pleasant and happy home for the family. Sometimes the wife of the pastor or principal acts as matron, sometimes the duties of matron and missionary are combined. It is no insignificant position to have charge of such a home, and our matrons are as truly missionaries as any in our field; besides the direct opportunities of usefulness among the people, they may add to the efficiency of every member of the family by the cheerful, genial, restful spirit of the home, which it is largely in their power to maintain.

This plan of Mission Homes has its advantages to the work. It gives opportunity to teach by example varied lessons in home life, of neatness, economy and thrift. The family altar is set up, and often some members of school or church join in the morning or evening song of praise. Social parlor-gatherings are had, when the people are cordially invited and are engaged in pleasant conversation and games, which, while interesting them, tend to their improvement. Here are often held the mothers meetings and the sewing class, and daily the people come singly or by twos or threes for special help and advice, knowing that they are welcome, and that they will find in some members of the family the wise counsellor and friend.

We can scarcely overestimate the educative influence of these Mission Homes upon the people. Even where there are but few workers employed, we cannot wisely dispense with them. Within a year we have built a small house in a country district where two ladies are employed as missionary teachers. It is plain, two stories, contains five rooms, is simply furnished, and cost about $900. There the ladies keep house, and they testify, as also do other missionaries from the city station near, that this little “Home” has already done more for the people as an “object lesson” in home life than all previous effort in that direction.

In other articles in this department, our friends will learn how they may share with us in this method of usefulness.

LETTER FROM MRS. CHASE, ATLANTA.

Mrs. Nelson has just called with her friend from the North, Mrs. Barker, who looked over school and domestic work very carefully, and then began plying me with questions, when Miss Stevenson, our missionary, dropped in. Mrs. Barker’s face lighted up as she exclaimed, “Now I have you both together, the teacher and the missionary, I want to know where you think a little money will do the most good?” Mrs. Nelson said: “Each one loves her own work too well to be a competent [215]judge.” Miss Stevenson, you know, is one of our veterans, been in the field ever since the war. For years her mind and body were tied in the class-room six hours in the day, but her heart was in the cabins all the while; and as soon as she got relief from double duty, how she has put her whole soul into missionary work! With her pleading eyes upon me, how could I magnify my work above her’s?

A MISSION HOME.

[216]

Since they left, I’ve been thinking that Mrs. Barker probably represents many women who wish their mites to go where they are most interested. Their hearts, like that of every true mother, yearn over these girls in their great peril, and these boys, driven from their wretched homes to the street for recreation. If missionary work, unlike the school, were without organization, systematic routine, or superintendence, it could not recommend itself to the cautious. But under the well-defined plan adopted of associating the missionary labor with the school and church, the best results are secured.

Much as I love the model school, I can but see that the model home is its only sure foundation. So the work is all one.

I only hope that the grandeur of “Work for Women in the Home” may be so felt that the noblest women will be drawn into the service, and develop such plans and mature such methods that the multitude of busy mothers and children, all over our land, can cast in their pennies and feel sure of a wise investment.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS.

H., N.Y.—What are the qualifications required of those who wish to become lady missionaries? Could one succeed with only a common-school education?

Sometimes a lady with only a common-school education does better than one more liberally educated. It depends upon the qualities of the woman, the executive ability, the tact, the practical good sense, and knowledge of human nature. Of course, all other things being equal, the more thorough the education the better the work.

B., N.Y.—What is the cost of supporting a lady missionary, and how many months during the year is it expedient for her to labor in the South?

It takes $450 to provide for a lady missionary for one year, including traveling expenses, board and a moderate salary. The time of service varies somewhat in different localities. At the extreme South she can wisely remain eight months of the year; further north, nine or ten. For other particulars we refer to the March number of the Missionary, which is devoted largely to woman’s work.

New York.—What assistance can sewing circles and ladies’ societies render during the summer months that would be most helpful and timely?

We shall need during the early autumn for replenishing our boarding departments and mission homes, quilts, sheets, pillow-cases, blankets, towels, table linen, table ware, and money for furnishing rooms in new buildings to be occupied by students. Help in either of these particulars will save so much for the support of the missionary work.

S., Ct.—What provision is made during vacation for young girls who have been taken from wretched homes into your institutions? Are they obliged to return to the temptations and want of their early associations? If not, what is the cost for their care during this time?

There is nothing more important for the well-being of many colored girls than suitable watch and care during their summer vacations. We have been unable to do much in this direction. A few have been kept in the different boarding institutions, where the buildings have been open. These have been given work[217] whenever opportunity offered. Thirty or thirty-five dollars would provide for a girl in addition to what she could earn. We would be glad to correspond with any who are disposed to assist in this way.

R., Mass.—Our children have been accustomed to contribute to the Dakota schools through the Woman’s Board of Foreign Missions. Does the A. M. A. wish us to continue our interest in that particular work?

Certainly it does. We sincerely hope that all those who have been interested in the support of missions among the Indians will continue their efforts and forward their gifts to us. The April number of the American Missionary is devoted largely to the work the Association has accepted from the American Board, and is now carrying on. We shall need the cordial co-operation and support of all the friends of the Indians in order to conduct the enlarged work we have undertaken in their behalf.

CHILDREN’S PAGE.

ABOUT GIVING PENNIES—SELECTED.

FIVE KINDS OF PENNIES.

A boy who had a pocket full of coppers, dropped one into the Missionary-box, laughing as he did so. He had no thought in his heart about Jesus or the heathen. Was his penny not as light as tin?

Another boy put in a penny and looked around to see if anybody was praising him. His was the brass penny; not the gift of a lowly heart, but of a proud spirit.

A third boy gave a penny, saying to himself, “I suppose I must, because all others do.”

That was an iron penny. It was the gift of a cold, selfish heart.

As a fourth boy dropped his penny into the box he shed a tear, and his heart said, “Poor heathens! I’m sorry they are so poor, so ignorant and so miserable.”

That was a silver penny, the gift of a heart full of pity.

But there was one scholar who gave his, saying, “For Thy sake, Lord Jesus! [218]Oh, that the heathen may hear of Thee, the Saviour of mankind!”

That was a golden penny, because it was the gift of faith and love.

THE PENNY BOX.

They were giving away Missionary boxes at a Juvenile Missionary meeting to the boys and girls who thought they could collect a little money for sending the Gospel to the heathen. Among those who asked for a box was a poor child, so poor that the chairman hesitated at first to give her a box; on consideration, however, he let her have one.

About a fortnight afterward, this little girl called upon him in great trouble. He said to her, “Why, Sarah, what are you crying for? Cannot you get any money to put into your box?”

“No, sir, it is not that,” sobbed Sarah, “it is so full I don’t know how I shall get any more in, the last penny was so hard to get in I had to take a hammer to hammer it!”

The gentleman said, “Well, Sarah, I think we can easily get over that difficulty—here is another box for you.”

But this was not all; when Sarah first applied for a box, she did so just because her feelings of compassion had been awakened for the poor heathen children; but while she was busily engaged in collecting, the thought came into her mind, “What am I collecting this money for? That the poor heathen children may be taught about Jesus, but what do I know about Him myself?”

Sarah then began to pray, and begged God the Holy Spirit to teach her about Jesus, and that was the commencement of a new life to the dear child.

WHAT A PENNY CAN DO.

Willie’s penny made heaven rejoice. It would not have bought more than a stick or two of candy or given much help to a starving family. What did he do with it? His sister was a missionary’s wife in Africa, and the family were filling a box to send her. As one after another brought their gifts Willie said, “I want to give my penny.”

“What shall be bought with it?” was the next question. It was decided to buy a tract and write its history on the margin, and with a prayer for its success send it on its distant errand.

The box arrived on the mission ground, and among its valuable contents Willie’s gift was laid away unnoticed and for a while forgotten. But God’s watchful, all-seeing eye had not forgotten it. One day a native teacher was starting from the mission station to go to a school over the mountain. He knew the language well and was a great help to the missionaries, but he was not a Christian. He had resisted everything the missionaries had done to make him one.

In looking over some papers, Willie’s tract was discovered, with writing on the margin, which said that prayer was offered in America that it might do good. It was handed to the native teacher. He read it on his journey, and what years of labor by the missionaries had not done was now brought about by the penny tract. The man became a sincere Christian. Those who put the tract in his hand were overcome with joy, and there is joy in heaven over one sinner that repents.

So you see how Willie’s penny made heaven rejoice.

RECEIPTS FOR MAY, 1883.

RECEIPTS OF THE CALIFORNIA CHINESE MISSION, E. Palache, Treasurer, from Jan. 24, to May 24, 1883.

H. W. HUBBARD, Treas.

56 Reade St., New York.

STATISTICS FOR 1882.

Churches: In the South—In District of Columbia, 1; Virginia, 1; North Carolina, 9; South Carolina, 2; Georgia, 14; Kentucky, 7; Tennessee, 4; Alabama, 14; Kansas, 2; Arkansas, 1; Louisiana, 17; Mississippi, 5; Texas, 6. Africa, 3. Among the Indians, 2. Total, 88.

WANTS.

1. A steady INCREASE of regular income to keep pace with the growing work. This increase can only be reached by regular and larger contributions from the churches, the feeble as well as the strong.

2. Additional Buildings for our higher educational institutions, to accommodate the increasing number of students; Meeting Houses for the new churches we are organizing; more Ministers, cultured and pious, for these churches.

3. Help for Young Men, to be educated as ministers here and missionaries to Africa—a pressing want.