Part 3

REV. WM. GOODELL was born in Chenango County, N. Y., Oct. 25th, 1792. In his earlier years he acquired a practical knowledge of business affairs, but it was as a thinker, writer and reformer that he has made his mark in the world. He will be remembered as an editor and author, devoted earnestly and successfully to promoting reform in many directions, but especially in relation to intemperance and slavery. Mr. Goodell was present at the Convention in Albany, N. Y., at which this Association was formed, and took a prominent and effective part in its proceedings, preparing and reporting the elaborate address to the Christian public, which was adopted and sent forth as embodying the views on which the Convention based the new organization. From that time to the close of his life, his sympathy for our work was constant and earnest.

REV. J. S. GREEN died at his home in Makawao, Sandwich Islands, Jan. 5th, 1878, in the 82d year of his age. Mr. Green went out as a missionary to the Sandwich Islands in 1828, in company with Andrews, Gulick and others, and shared in effecting the wonderful transformation in those Islands. In 1842 Mr. Green resigned his connection with the American Board, and from that time until his death was a pastor, depending for his support upon his own labor and the contributions of his people. His strong anti-slavery sympathies led him to seek a connection, yet without salary, with the Union Missionary Society and subsequently with this Association, when that Society was merged into it. His name appeared for years in our list of foreign missionaries, and his reports were full and interesting. His ready pen, not satisfied with mere reports, was prolific in contributions on missionary subjects, and earnest in its denunciations of the evils of slavery in his native land. He was a man of deep and earnest piety, and his memory will be cherished in the warm regard of those who knew his worth and his useful career.

DEATH OF TEACHERS.

The painful intelligence has reached us of the death, on February 17th, of typhoid fever, after a four weeks’ illness, of Mr. MARMADUKE C. KIMBER, of Germantown, Pa., aged nearly twenty-four years. The son of one of the valued friends and trustees of Hampton Institute, Mr. Kimber, when just out of college in 1872, gave his services to the school for two years as a volunteer teacher. Since then he has been professor in a Western college, and after a year of travel in Europe, he took charge of the Friends’ Academy in Germantown, which position he held at the time of his death. He is remembered with sincerest esteem by the officers of the school and teachers who were associated with him at Hampton, and the students who were under his instruction.—_Southern Workman._

MRS. ALICIA S. (BLOOD) BROWN died at Leavenworth, Kansas, on the 26th of February. Mrs. Brown was for some years a teacher under this Association at Monticello, Florida, and her many friends there will remember the faithful instruction she gave and the kindnesses she bestowed. Her illness was long and severe, but when she did _not_ look for the Messenger, he came and took her away. In the midst of her sufferings, she could cheerfully say, that she wanted to “bear and suffer all His will.”

* * * * *

THE FREEDMEN.

* * * * *

TALLADEGA COLLEGE.

REV. E. P. LORD, PRESIDENT.

Almost in the very centre of Alabama, the great Allegheny range makes a last and only partially successful effort at rearing mountains, before losing itself in the low, flat _black belt_. Thus the pure and exhilarating atmosphere of more Northern latitudes is brought to the very border of the almost tropical country that belts the Gulf. Overlooking the rich, populous, and somewhat unwholesome low-lands, breathing the pure mountain air, is situated Talladega, seeming to have been Providentially placed as a city of refuge for the colored people of Alabama. The beauty of the surrounding landscape is a perpetual inspiration to teachers and students. The location of the college, in a quiet country village of two thousand inhabitants, invites the young people from the cities, and less favored localities, to an atmosphere as pure and healthful morally as it is physically.

But one other Southern State, if any, has so large a colored population as Alabama. A half million are now in the State, and the number is continually increasing. Of these, three-fifths cannot read. There are about two hundred thousand children of school age, and only one in ten of these was in school last year. Eighty-three cents only was expended upon the education of each of those who did attend. One would hardly judge that this could afford a _liberal_ education.

In a State needing moral and educational efforts so greatly, the A. M. A. has opened schools and organized churches in Mobile, Montgomery, Selma, Marion, Athens, and a few other places. In 1870 the Association established Talladega College, as the key-stone of the arch, or the centre of its system of educational and religious work in Alabama. The college is closely connected with the other points of the Association’s work in this State by means of the intimate social relations between the faculty of the college and the workers in those places.

The various departments designated by the name _Talladega College_, are so closely interwoven that any distinct mention of the workings of one must contain facts closely related to the others. For convenience I will speak of (1) the Literary Department; (2) the Industrial Department; (3) the Theological Department; (4) the Church Work.

The Literary Department.

This includes the various grades, from the elementary to the higher Normal course, the latter requiring three years for its completion. The studies pursued include in mathematics, University Algebra and Geometry; in science, Physical Geography, Physiology, Natural Philosophy and Astronomy, English Literature, Mental and Moral Philosophy, etc., with the theory and practice of teaching. Its students have accomplished much in teaching throughout the State. In seven years, according to their reports to the principal, these students have taught about five hundred day-schools, with fifteen thousand scholars. At the same time they have organized Sabbath-schools, and taught in them over twenty thousand scholars. These numbers fairly represent the power these young people have exerted for the moral and intellectual elevation of their people in this and other States. There are in the department seventy pupils. Next year a large number will be admitted from the intermediate grade, which now numbers one hundred, though, in our present poverty, it has had but one teacher the greater part of the year.

There are in attendance this year two hundred and fifty students, a much larger number than ever before, and there is every indication of an increase the coming year. During the last vacation the principal and the music teacher, with a company of students, visited many of the larger places of the State, lecturing, giving concerts, and stirring up the people generally on the subject of education. The Christian zeal and deportment of the students, and the information diffused, awakened a desire for education, and a public sentiment in favor of Talladega College never before known. The last commencement exhibited and also increased the new love and enthusiasm for the college. They gathered from the country for twenty miles around, on foot, on mules, in ox-carts and wagons. All the examinations were largely attended; many who could not read taking the liveliest interest in “two unknown quantities,” and experiments in philosophy. An instructive address by Rev. Dr. Brown, of Newark, N. J., the prize declamations and essays by fourteen of the Normal students, the graduating exercises of three young men from the Theological Department, the concert by the Musical Union, and other interesting exercises, furnished the only means for comprehending a liberal education, which hundreds of the great crowds in attendance had ever enjoyed.

The students, also, are taking a personal pride in bringing back the best scholars from their summer schools. One young man, having failed to collect any funds from his summer school in Georgia, started with his most advanced pupil on foot, their satchels upon their backs. Walking, riding in chance carts, and helped on by railroad conductors, who were evidently influenced to surprising kindness by the spirit of the Master, they reached this place. Incited by the enthusiasm of this young man, three more have followed him from his distant field of labor. From Mississippi, another young man brought back two. They walked about one hundred miles, and are now paying their way in school by labor on the college farm.

Both have begun earnest Christian lives, and are soon to unite with the church.

All the young men of the college are organized into a battalion of cadets for physical culture. Their government is conducted by means of this organization, its officers being held responsible for the conduct of the members, and being expected to set an example of manliness and courteous deportment. We find this to be one of the most potent factors of their moral as well as physical development.

Industrial Department.

At the close of the last school year, the Industrial Department was decided upon. One of the professors, with the approval of the Association, immediately proceeded to lay the matter before friends in the North; and the teachers gathered from all sources whatever they could secure, with which to begin the work. About three thousand dollars have already been received, and work in the following branches begun:

A printing press was secured, with which to bring our wants before the people of the North, and our influence to bear upon the intelligent colored people. Six students have learned a useful trade, and by its means are paying their way in school. In August they began the publication of the _Southern Sentinel_, a small eight-page paper, of which five hundred copies are issued monthly. Should any one doubt its usefulness, a year’s subscription (one dollar) would be an excellent test. Six hundred copies of the Sabbath-school Lesson papers, prepared with reference to the peculiar needs of our Sabbath-schools, are also printed, together with a large quantity of other matter.

Work upon the farm was begun in September. In October one hundred and sixty acres were bought, in addition to the thirty acres already owned by the college. The citizens of the place, both white and colored, have become deeply interested in the success of the enterprise. Gifts of all kinds, from a little girl’s pet chicken, to a fine eighteen dollar plow from a merchant of the town, and from an old auntie’s half-peck of potatoes to a fine cow and calf from one of the deacons of the college church, and varying in amounts from five cents to fifty dollars, have been given. Our most intelligent citizens say that no other enterprise for the benefit of the colored people has ever aroused so much interest among them as the Agricultural Department.

In the Girls’ Industrial School, sixteen young women are earning, wholly or in part, their board and tuition; while, at the same time, learning ways and methods which will make hundreds of homes brighter and happier.

In mechanical work, five hundred dollars’ worth of building and repairing has been done, under the direction of an excellent carpenter.

In these different departments of labor, the students have already received about fifteen hundred dollars as wages, in board and tuition.

Theological Department.

If the colored people are to be elevated, in no class is education more necessary than in the ministry. One of the leading Baptist ministers in the State, being asked how many of the young ministers educated in their schools were now in the ministry in this State, replied “One, and we expect soon another.” Yet this church includes by far the largest number of the colored people. To meet this great want, a Theological Department was organized in connection with the college in 1872. Four young men constituted the first class, three of whom are now in the ministry. The number of pupils last year was twenty-seven; at present it is nineteen. The decrease is owing to the requirement of a higher standard in literary training. The colored people are naturally theologians and Bible students. Three distinct lines of study are pursued, all of which have special reference to practical, Christian work. (1) To make the pupils familiar with the facts of the Bible. (2) To establish them in a system of Christian theology. (3) To acquaint them with the best methods of Christian work. Twenty-five Sabbath-schools are carried on by the students. Six of these have grown into churches, the young men acting as their pastors. Sabbath-school Conventions, and various other kinds of Christian work, are conducted by the students, often assisted by teachers from the college. This department has a library of over eight hundred volumes.

Church Work.

We doubt if anywhere else in the South the Church and School are both so strong and so closely united as here. The Congregational Church of Talladega was organized in 1868. There are at present one hundred and forty-nine members, with a Sabbath-school of three hundred. Of course the larger part are students, but a goodly number are citizens, heads of families, having good homes, and being comparatively prosperous. Not only the members of this church, but of the other churches in the village, are thoroughly interested in whatever affects the college. In all the church services citizens and students mingle, with always a sprinkling of members from other churches. In the social gatherings of the students, the members of the church are always welcomed, and enter heartily into their pleasures. Thus the college is anchored by means of the church in the hearts of the people themselves. Many colleges are held in their present location by the force of gravity, or by the adhesive force of brick and mortar alone; but Talladega College, were her buildings burned to the ground, or blown aloft into the air, would remain firmly fixed in the hearts and affections of the people.

* * * * *

NORTH CAROLINA.

“A mighty still religion.” “Good Christians is Peaceable.”

MISS MARTHA MOORE, WILMINGTON.

With a larger working force this year, we are able to do more outside work, and we find in our visits among the people plenty of poverty, misery and sin. We almost wonder if _any power_ is sufficient to raise them from their degradation. Yet, the many noble exceptions bring to view the _possibilities_ of the race, and encourage us to labor on.

To show how the old heathenish idea of religion seems to those who have received more light, I will copy a letter from one who, only a year ago, was led to embrace the truth and to join our church. She writes from her old home in the country, where she is spending the winter with her father. She has, as you will see, a very limited education. She writes:

“DEAR FRIENDS: I arrieved home safe found All injoying helth I went with Brother to the Sunday School But Could not Injoy it; Some had their spelling Books And Some their testaments and speled And read the lessons over and out to play. then the Church gather in to Class and in a half hour every bodys mouth was open and their was nothing to be heard But I have been redeemb. I stod aside and look at them till at last one of them Caime to me saying sister what are you doing havent you got the Spirit on yet? why, your religeon dead why what sort of Still thing is this. ha you must be up And a doing let the world no that you got the spirit on Show your light and let them see. Well I says I think that a very poor way to show the Christian light. O well if you say this a poor way you got no religeon honey; what Church you belong to. I tole them, why I never heard of that before well if they are like you I don’t no how it is but its mighty still religeon well I says Im Sorry that you all think that unless you Make a loud noise the world wont see your Light. I believe in showing the light in our walk And Conversation home and abroad not wait to go To the Church; But they say you must get the Spirit on, so you see its imposible for me to injoy their worship. I hope you will all pray for my deliverence for I do not think the lord intend to keep Me in this purgatory.

“Yours, L. S.”

We have in our night-school some who are making great efforts to improve in knowledge. It requires no little resolution, after working hard all day, to walk a mile or two and study two or three hours. A stranger came a few weeks ago, wishing, as he said, “to cultivate his brain.” There was evidently need of it, and we were glad to learn that his recent conversion had awakened him to the importance of knowing how to read for himself. He also expressed a wish to come here to church, as he had become acquainted with one of our members, who, as he said, “seemed to be a good, civil sort of Christian,” and he thought he would come and see what kind of meetings produced that effect. He had attended another church, but said he “didn’t like there, for they had some crossness, and good Christians is peaceable; they can’t help being peaceable”;—a good lesson for all who bear the Christian name.

Our Sunday-school averages about 130, and the truth seems to be gaining a firmer hold in the minds of some of the older pupils. The day-school is prospering. One of the little ones of the primary department, a bright little fellow, was yesterday laid in his grave.

* * * * *

ALABAMA.

Debt-Raising in a Colored Church.

REV. CHARLES NOBLE, MONTGOMERY

At the annual meeting of the church, in December, it was found that of the $100 pledged to the pastor’s salary, only $25 had been paid; and that an old debt for sexton’s services remained, amounting to $34. In the extra effort made to pay for the painting and repair of the church, and other expenses in spring and summer, these things had been neglected. It was a surprise, and, of course, a disagreeable one to many of the church; but there was a decided feeling that the amount ought to be raised at once, and not left to be a burden on the church any longer. A debt of $109 is as much to this people as some of the $50,000 debts, which Mr. Kimball has been helping churches North to clear away, are to them. Therefore, it seemed to me that the matter was one to be carefully and prayerfully managed. I appointed a meeting for the consideration of the matter, and opened it by reading Chaps, viii. and ix. of 2d Cor., and briefly explaining their teachings. Then we spent half an hour in prayer, the brethren bringing the burden right to the Lord in the simplest and most touching language, expressing their sorrow and self-reproach at having failed to make good their promises, and asking forgiveness and help. Then they talked the matter over, and decided to raise the amount at once by subscription. A fair was suggested, but the decision was against it, on the ground that it wasn’t quite honorable to call in outside help to make good their own delinquency; and, moreover, that a fair involved a great deal of unprofitable labor and excitement, and was a fruitful mother of dissensions. These points they made themselves, and in view of them they decided to raise the amount by voluntary offerings. The subscription began at once, and the matter being presented to the church for two successive Sundays, the whole amount was raised by voluntary pledges. I am certain that the brethren who so cheerfully and promptly pledged, and paid, $7.50 and $6 and $5, gave as abundantly, in proportion to their means, as those who pledged $5,000 and $2,000 at Providence. The spirit in which it was done was the most beautiful part of it. It was more than willingly done. The gifts were brought forward thankfully, joyously, and I never saw happier people in my life than those who joined in thanksgiving to God, when the whole amount was raised. We observed the week of prayer, with meetings every evening, and there was real evidence of the presence of the Spirit. One who has long been in the dark was brought out into the light; and it seemed to us that we must go forward. We had meetings for two weeks with good attendance, and very tender feeling. Quite a number of people rose for prayers, and we hope that four at least have found the Saviour. The church has certainly been quickened and strengthened very much.

* * * * *

LOUISIANA.

Revival News—“Pray for My Child!”—Older Converts—Romanists Reached.

MRS. T. N. CHASE, NEW ORLEANS.

You will rejoice to hear of the good work in the Central Congregational Church of New Orleans. The interest has been sufficient to bring an unusual number every night for four weeks to our prayer-meeting. One evening, after the pastor had taken nearly the usual time, he called for brief testimony from Christians. Fifty-three responded in the limited half hour.

The fruit to be gathered in was from among the older students of the school, who were not already professing Christians. This was what would be expected by those who know their faithful, Christian teachers. All teachers know the thrilling interest that clusters around the conversion of young persons under their tuition. So, as I have heard our teachers talk of this scholarly young man, and that promising young woman, coming over to the Lord’s side, I knew very well what a burden of prayer and effort was lifted from their hearts and hands.

The third week of our meetings a younger class seemed interested. One evening a widow begged us to pray for her daughter, in tones that would have melted a heart of stone. As she passed out of the door, at the close of the meeting, I overheard her saying to one and another, “Pray for my child! pray for my child!” An earnest mother, I thought; who can doubt the reality of her religion? On my way home I learned that her husband had been a devoted member of our church, and a wealthy, intelligent, respected colored citizen. I am happy to find such men are not rare in New Orleans. The next evening the mother, with the same pleading earnestness, begged us to pray for her child. Since her husband’s death her property had gone, other dear ones had passed on, and it seemed as though she could not be denied the conversion of her child. The grandmother was present, too, and gave us a soul-stirring testimony of her long pilgrimage. When those who wished our prayers were requested to come forward, several responded. All were strangers to me; but when a certain little girl went forward just behind the others, a tide of emotion almost overcame me. She was as much a stranger to me as the others, and I, for a moment, wondered at my tears. Then it flashed upon me that she must be the widow’s child, and my emotion was caused by the flood of sympathy that was involuntarily surging from heart to heart for that praying mother. On inquiry, I found I was not mistaken. You can imagine, better than I can describe, the scene, when mother and grandmother gathered about the child, pleading with her to yield to Jesus, as we all knelt to commend the lost lambs to a loving Shepherd.