Part 3

Senators Sanders and Oglesby, and Representatives Stewart and Van Voorhes report against the transfer, because of the abuses when the management was in the hands of the War Department down to 1849; because the Indians and the army officers agree in personally disliking the proposed transfer; because of the progress in civilization already made; on the ground of economy and appropriateness; and because not one-third of the Indians need military supervision in any form. They ascribe the failures of the past to the unwise recognition of the tribal relation, exclusion from the protection of civil law, and of landed rights. They recommend that the Indian Bureau be made a distinct department, with a Cabinet officer at its head, and that the President be authorized to transfer temporarily the control of hostile tribes.

The proposal to transfer was rejected by a vote of 101 to 88.

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The Chinese.

—The Committee on Education and Labor has introduced a bill, which has been passed in the House, forbidding the master of any vessel to bring more than fifteen Chinamen at any one time to the United States, under a penalty of $100 fine for each passenger, and imprisonment for six months. We hope the Senate will have the good sense to refuse its consent to such action, which is a slight upon the Chinese Embassy here, and may easily lead to a withdrawal of the privileges to American citizens in the Flowery Land, which it was thought worth a good deal of effort to obtain.

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OUR QUERY COLUMN.

We print with great satisfaction the two following answers to the question about the training of nurses. The first tells what is being done in Le Moyne Institute; the second lays down foundation principles.

Training for Nurses.

I note with interest the “query” in the January MISSIONARY relative to the training of nurses. It is but one of many indications of a rapidly growing dissatisfaction with the present system of education in this country. More and more it is coming to be the feeling that education, in its true sense, is not designed, as has been thought in the past, to fit people for “higher positions,” but rather to fit them to make the most of life in the positions they do occupy, and which must, in any event, be filled by some one. To satisfy this most reasonable feeling, more of the things that pertain to practical life must be thought and talked and taught in our schools. It is no doubt a serious question as to how a safe transition can be made from the present highly artificial system to one that will have a more practical bearing on the every-day life of the masses. In this case advice of a similar nature to that which Horace Greeley gave about resumption will prove, at least, the most reasonable. The best and only way to make the change is to _change_.

But for the query. At Le Moyne School, where we have one almost continuous daily session from 9 A. M. to 3 P. M., at least an hour of this time each day must be given by the pupils to some branch of practical or industrial knowledge. We cannot wait for all the desired appliances in this work, or to have a beaten track pointed out to us. We are beginning with such appliances as are at hand, and we expect to learn from our own experience as well as from other sources; but at any rate in time to _earn success._

In the direct line of training nurses, each girl in the school, sixteen years old or over, will devote the industrial hour, for two days in each week, to studies under this head, including special lessons in anatomy, physiology and hygiene. For the present, at least, no text-book is to be placed in the hands of the students. They are to gain their knowledge from lectures, which are to be followed by general and familiar conversation between instructor and pupils on the same subject. Each girl will be required to take notes of the lecture, and to write out what she can of the knowledge imparted. After a subject is completed, each member of the class is required to prepare an essay, putting in the best possible form her knowledge of the entire subject in all its bearings.

This is, in a general way, to effect the _theoretical_ training. We hope to find opportunity to give members of the class at least a little practice: First, in their own homes or circle of friends; second, possibly in the woman’s ward of the city hospital, located near us; third, in private families desirous of forwarding our work; or fourth, among the destitute poor really in need of such services. Our work is to commence with the simpler and more commonly occurring complaints of this section, as colds, accidents that happen often, chills and fever, etc.

I should like to write more fully of our plans as they relate to other industrial matters, but space forbids. We are thoroughly convinced, however, that in this matter of practical teaching, something more effective than “tracts” is required to make sure of accomplishing any great amount of good. We must come to closer quarters in this struggle; it must be made a hand-to-hand conflict. Along our part of the line we should have no fears of success if we could have placed at our disposal the appliances really needed for the work. In the training of nurses, we need and must have a good manikin, a human skeleton, some forms or models of different organs of the human body, etc., etc. Who will come forward and help us to them?

A. J. STEELE, _Le Moyne Normal Institute, Memphis, Tenn._

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The treatment which preserves health is the best treatment for its recovery. We should lead our pupils to see that wholesome diet eaten at proper hours, and sufficient sleep taken at the time which God appointed for sleep, will impart more physical vigor than any other two agencies; and that a disregard for them is a fruitful source of much sickness, especially among colored people.

Sunlight and pure air are important factors in making the sick well, and keeping the well from being sick. The _temperance pledge_ is also a cheap and safe medicine. A knowledge of the chemistry of food, of digestion, circulation and respiration is important, and may be taught to comparatively young pupils. Nature, like a sensible dame, resents an insult; and sickness is the punishment she imposes to avenge her injuries. Nor will punishment cease until reparation is made.

AMOS W. FARNHAM, _Avery Institute, Charleston, S. C._

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We are happy to make mention, which is all it would be proper for us to do in this place, of the book for boys written by Gen. O. O. Howard. Our friends are so largely his friends, that many of them will want to read “Donald’s School Days,” published by Lee & Shepard, of Boston.

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THE FREEDMEN.

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

FIELD SUPERINTENDENT, ATLANTA, GA.

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SOME FIRST IMPRESSIONS.

1. I find this school and church work in more forward condition than I had expected. I had known of the slow process of building up educational and church institutions at the West. I knew of the greater difficulties in this line at the South. I am gratified to find the schools in such substantial buildings, and almost all the churches in houses of their own, some of them attractive, and some very rough.

2. I find that these people handle the Congregational system better than I had expected. They even excel in parliamentary tactics; and what is the course of Congregational usage but the wise procedure of a deliberative assembly? In their reaction from the experience of bondage they rejoice in the full liberty of Christ’s house. If this system was good enough to be given by the Apostles to the early churches round about the Mediterranean, which had not, as I believe, been trained in New England, and whose members had to take from them some severe rebukes in the line of morals, surely it is good enough for these lowly people.

3. I find an improvement of feeling among Southern people, both towards the Freedmen and our work among them. As the students come back from vacation service to our several institutions, they report this advance in good-will. The people are learning that ours is a philanthropic and missionary, and not a political process, and so their prejudice is abating. It is natural that some worthy people should feel a little chagrin at the slipping of this work out of their hands; but not a few of them are glad to see it carried on by anybody. They say, now that these people have been made citizens, they must be made the best of citizens.

4. I find that the school work is the almost indispensable prerequisite to the church work. It fixes the place. It draws out the material. It qualifies for church activity. It is no gain to the Kingdom for us simply to transfer the old-time church members to our system. Our work is to train up the youth, to develop intelligence, and to organize a fellowship of congenial material. A judicious man of another denomination, speaking upon this subject, said that the Congregationalists could afford to wait for the young; that his church could not wait. It is surprising to see how rapidly the young people come forward, for the mass of our congregations are of that class.

5. I find a philosophical reason for our call to the church work. This people have been taught to seek dreams and visions at conversion; to think that there can be no regeneration without a dreadful physical process of “coming through.” Now, there are not a few persons of strong minds and strong wills who say that they never can come through in that way. Some such have been delighted to find the quiet way of submission and faith. Some of the noblest natures now in our churches were of that sort. Happy have been the preachers and teachers who have led them in this way of peace.

6. I see a wise Providence in the opening of “Homes” for our workers. It was impossible to get board among the white people. The Freedmen had not the accommodations. It became necessary to provide “Homes” which should be the property of the A. M. A. They become castles of safety and abodes of comfort. They also bring to bear the example and influence of home, which is a valuable adjunct to the missionary scheme.

7. As the soldiers once took this country, so now the women seem to be taking it over again. In all our chartered institutions, men are at work, affording the masculine quality to the workmanship. But in all these, ladies are employed as teachers in the higher as well as in the primary departments. Many of the normal and high schools are under the exclusive control of ladies. In the earlier conflict their sex was their protection. In all the movement their patience and tact and heroism, and their loving devotement to the good of the people, have secured a crown of success. Our country will never know its debt to these patriotic women.

8. That whatever in politic or personal estate may betide the Freedmen, our business is to keep pegging away at the up-lifting process. Whether for the time their vote is allowed them or not; whether they be ku-kluxed or bush-whacked or bulldozed; whether the South favor this work or not, this one thing we have to do—to go forward patiently, kindly, and strongly in this rudimental work of Christian civilization.

9. That we are not to repress the emotional nature of this people, but to give it a basis of intelligence. This element, which is a beauty and a power in the endowment of man, abounds in the African mind; enriched by culture it may yet add a glory to our civilization. Barnabas Root and Prof. Blyden both argued that we should develop their race according to their idiosyncrasies; and yet the tendency seems to be that as they advance in cultivation they re-act to the more severe and logical style, and so lose somewhat of their power. We ought not to contribute to this result by our training process. Let them sing some of their rich “spirituals.” Give them our hymns and tunes that have an enlivening glow. Be not afraid to appeal to their hearts as well as to their heads. Let them be allowed the Pauline privilege of saying “Amen” to the “giving of thanks.” It is a robbery of this people to bring them down to the intellectual severity of the Puritans. It has been argued that we of the Caucasian blood have weakened ourselves by this ruling down of our emotional sentiments. It was a friend who said at Taunton, that what the Congregationalists needed was consecrated emotion. At the same place it was incorrectly argued that our system was not adapted to the freed people because of their tropical nature. Was it so with the Oriental nature 1,800 years ago?

10. That those who, in this work, during the years past, have gone on in the face of prejudice and ostracism and persecution, have made the way comparatively easy for those of us who join them now.

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THE CENTRAL SOUTH CONFERENCE.

The Annual Meeting at Chattanooga, Tenn.

REV. S. S. ASHLEY, ATLANTA.

This body held its annual meeting at Chattanooga, Tenn., on the 15th, 16th and 17th of January, the prevalence of the yellow fever having prevented its session at the regular time in November. Owing to the withdrawal of most of the Alabama and of all the Georgia churches, to form conferences in their respective States, the Conference now consists of the Congregational churches in Mississippi, Tennessee and Northern Alabama, twelve in number. The churches in Mississippi were not represented. Rev. Horace J. Taylor, of Athens, Ga., was chosen Moderator. Each evening of the session was occupied with preaching; Rev. S. S. Ashley, Dr. J. E. Roy and Prof. H. S. Bennett officiating. Papers were read as follows: “On the Diaconate,” by Dr. Roy; on the “Congregational Polity,” the Scriptural authority therefor, and its advantages, by Rev. Temple Cutler of Chattanooga; and interesting discussions were awakened by them. This Conference evidently believes that the time has come to push Congregational church extension in the South. The experience of those who have been long in this field is, that Congregationalism is eminently adapted to the South.

The narratives of the state of religion in the Conference developed several interesting facts concerning Chattanooga. That city was severely smitten by the yellow fever. Through all the autumn, business and meetings were suspended. The citizens had largely fled away, and the place was left to the sick, the dying and the doctors. The Chattanooga church consists of about eighty members; several of them were smitten, but not one died. “The Band of Hope,” a society pledged to abstinence from intoxicating drinks, tobacco and profanity, having between two hundred and three hundred members, lost only two members by the fever. This “Band” was organized by Rev. E. O. Tade some ten years since. Its object is to gather in and hold under strict New Testament temperance principles the youth of both sexes. Some twelve hundred names have been enrolled upon its records. Its power has been felt far and wide. A branch of the mother band has been organized in the city. It may be safely said that through its agency Chattanooga is more free from intemperance than any other Southern city hereabouts. Its elections are less noted for rioting and drunkenness than those of the cities of Georgia. Here is one result of A. M. A. work. Every church should have connected closely with it a kindred organization. The steadiness of this church in Chattanooga is largely owing to the temperance principles of its members, adopted while they were young.

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Bro. Taylor gave the Conference an interesting description of his former mission field on the Gilbert Islands, pointing out their peculiar coral formation, the customs and character of the inhabitants, and the success of Christian missions among them.

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Prof. Bennett gave encouraging statements concerning Fisk University. Prof. Spence is in Scotland; Prof. Cravath at his post, and the machinery is running smoothly. The number of students is about as large as usual; the religious interest not quite so decided as in former years.

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It was voted to invite the Congregational churches of the South to meet in convention at Atlanta in November, 1880.

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GEORGIA.

=Atlanta University, Alumni and Students.=

PROF. J. F. FULLER, ATLANTA.

This is the _tenth_ year since the organization of this school. The first class graduated from the higher normal course in 1873, and the first from the college in 1876. Classes have graduated regularly from both departments each year since. The _alumni_ number 52, of whom, at graduation, 50 were professing Christians. With the exception of three who are now pursuing a higher course of study, and one who has died since graduation, these are all doing active work for the Master among their own people, and, with others who have left school before completing the regular course of study, are selecting and sending to the University the more promising of their pupils.

The present year shows a larger number of students in attendance and of a better class. Besides those already established in different parts of the State, over a hundred of the students teach during the long summer vacation in the public schools, and also engage in Sabbath school work. It is estimated that during the year 1878 over _ten thousand_ pupils in the State of Georgia were taught by those educated at this University. The influence of the school is commensurate with the number of its workers, and that influence, now very marked, is constantly increasing. The last catalogue shows 30 in the college classes, 37 in the preparatory, 72 in the higher normal, and 104 in the normal. The buildings are of brick, plain, substantial and convenient, but _inadequate_ to the present and prospective needs. The grounds are ample—nearly sixty acres—and beautifully located in the outskirts of the city.

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=Revival among the Students.=

REV. C. W. FRANCIS, ATLANTA.

You will be glad to know that at this school we are in the midst of a deep and effective work of grace, which has already brought into the kingdom a goodly number of precious souls. There has been a good degree of religious interest since the school came together in October, and during the week of prayer, which we faithfully observed, that interest was deepened; and since that time some have been committing themselves to Christ’s service. The day of prayer for colleges, just observed, was an occasion of deep and solemn interest, and a considerable number took a step forward. A few extra meetings have been held; but, for the most part, affairs have gone on as usual, with no interruption of school work; and but for the greater quiet and improved order and discipline of the school, and increasing fidelity to duty, an observer would not know how thorough a work was going forward. Our reliance has been mainly upon the truth, earnestly and plainly presented, rather than upon any unusual measures, and our aim to reach the conscience, and thus secure an intelligent and thorough submission to the claims of God. All the members of the classes to graduate this year now profess to be Christians, and we hope will be well prepared to do effective work for the Master in the wide and needy field open before them. Some who have long withstood every good influence are already affected, and we hope will soon yield to Christ’s claims; indeed, there are hardly any in the family who are not ready to acknowledge a deep interest in the subject. We do not like to give numbers, but we may reasonably hope that as many as twelve have already begun the new life, and more than as many more are deeply serious. We hope for a greater work and a deeper consecration, and that the Lord may baptize afresh for the great and growing work pressing upon us. There are constantly, even at this season, calls for teachers in all parts of this State which cannot be answered, and in almost all cases Christian character is one of the first qualifications sought.

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ALABAMA.

=Christmas Festival—Bearing One Another’s Burdens.=

REV. WILLIAM H. ASH, FLORENCE.

From the depletion made in September by many of our members going to Kansas, a dark cloud for a time gathered over the work here; but I believe the crisis is past, and some that were active in opposition are now working in harmony with us, and endeavoring to take part in every good work. The faithful few are ever encouraged by these cheering words: “But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.”

Up to the Sabbath previous to Christmas we were undecided as to whether it was best to have a Christmas tree; but I found so many willing hearts and ready hands eager to help, and particularly some not members of the church, but friendly to it, that I threw all my influence in this direction to make it a success. At first we planned to have it in the church; but finding that the building used for our Sunday services was too small, it was removed to the court-house, where we had ample room. The church would only accommodate about one-fifth of the people who came with their children to receive the gifts, for we had something for nearly every Methodist and Baptist boy and girl, as well as every Congregationalist in town.

On Friday night, the ladies of our church gave an entertainment to aid in defraying the expenses incurred by the burial of a member of the church who had died very suddenly. He would have been buried by the town but for a few loyal and faithful brethren who revolted at any such idea, and at once assumed the responsibility, though there was not one cent in the treasury. At the supper they cleared enough to pay the debt, and quite a little sum in addition. Our polity is guarded with the same _sacredness_ as in New England.

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LOUISIANA.

=Straight University and the Central Church—A Week of Prayer and Work

of Grace—Revival Incidents.=

REV. WALTER S. ALEXANDER, NEW ORLEANS.

New Orleans, La., Feb. 1st, 1879.