Part 3

MRS. G. S. POPE.

We deem it of the greatest importance that the girls be taught how to do all kinds of housework and sewing, neatly and thoroughly. So our house and laundry work is nearly all done by the girls, their work being changed every month, as for example: a girl who was last month in the laundry is in the sewing-room this month, the next is sweeping and dusting, the next washing dishes, etc. Our sewing department has only been in existence a part of the year, and we can hardly tell how it will pay financially. The girls have made some bedding and done other sewing that was needed; have made and sold some shirts. If materials are donated for sewing, I know we can accomplish very much. One of the girls said the other day: “Well, I have learned to make button-holes this month, any way.” Another thought she could go to work and make a shirt all alone. They are all willing and anxious to learn, and to work to help pay their board.

A great deal yet remains to be done for the girls of Mississippi. They need our help. We must throw about them such influences as will restrain them from the terrible evils around them, and lift them into a better life.

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VIRGINIA.

The Church and School at Franklin—Beginnings and Results.

MISS M. A. ANDRUS, CARRSVILLE, VA.

Ten years ago, the 10th of last month, I was sent by the American Missionary Association to Franklin, Va. The building I occupied they called their church. It was a slab building, without any windows, so that the light had to be admitted by an open door. The school was large, having, I think, some sixty scholars, and was the first school ever taught there for the freedmen. After teaching two sessions, I was providentially called to another place.

In the building spoken of, I also taught my first Sunday-school in the South. Soon a revival of religion followed, and a number were added to the church, many of whom are members still, though some have gone to their reward. One of these converts, after living three years a happy Christian life, said, to those around his dying couch: “As a little child rests in the arms of its mother, so I am resting in the arms of Jesus,” then sweetly fell asleep.

Some three weeks ago, God in his providence brought me again to Franklin. Instead of the old slab building, there was a new church, well lighted, lathed, plastered, comfortably seated (they sat on boards when I went there), and nicely warmed with two large stoves; and a minister, to whom they pay $400 a year.

I had the privilege of being in the Sabbath-school. After the lessons were over, the superintendent said, “The founder and first teacher of the school is with us this morning, and we should all be glad if she would address the school.” I arose and spoke to them some words of encouragement, then took my leave. I there saw some who were once my little ignorant scholars, now teachers in the Sabbath-school. The superintendent himself was under my instruction, and the preacher also. I commenced while there a Woman’s Prayer-meeting, which is still continued, and in which, last winter, began a revival, the largest they have ever had.

The day-school is now taught by Miss Delia Irving, a young woman who graduated last June at Hampton, and received the first prize, awarded to her by the hand of Mrs. President Hayes.

And now, in looking back upon these events and scenes, we behold some of the little streams which have flowed out of the American Missionary Association, and which are designed, no doubt, to widen and deepen, through time and through eternity.

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GEORGIA.

A Large Sunday-School—Faithful Teachers—A Temperance S. S. Concert.

MRS. R. F. MARKHAM, SAVANNAH.

For several months past, our Sabbath-school has been gradually and steadily increasing in numbers and interest. Last Sabbath morning there were one hundred and eighty-six present. We have a very faithful and efficient class of teachers—twelve in number. They are scarcely ever absent. We as much expect to see all our teachers in their places each Sabbath morning as to see the minister in the pulpit, and we are almost never disappointed. And their hearts are evidently in the work. We suggest the example (not boastingly) as worthy of imitation by some schools at the North, where the superintendents must, every Sunday, apply to the Bible-classes for substitutes to fill the places of absent teachers.

Last Sunday evening the school gave a temperance concert. The programme contained many passages of Scripture condemning the use of wine and strong drink, also showing the terrible effects and the final consequences of its use. In addition to the Bible showing of the matter, we had declamations, dialogues, recitations, music, and remarks by the pastor, all pertaining to the same subject.

All our classes (except one of very little children) were represented. We were almost proud of our scholars, they performed their parts so well, and we had given them very little time for preparation. We had a crowded house, many stood about the doors, and many others left, unable to gain admittance. The audience gave marked attention, and evinced much interest during all the exercises, and excellent order was maintained, though the house was crowded. During some of the performances there were indications of rather noisy demonstrations of delight, which, however, were readily restrained. The music contributed much to the interest of the occasion.

We hope that good may result from the effort, as intemperance presents formidable obstacles to the progress of our work here.

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_McIntosh, Liberty County._

The Old Midway Church—Returning Courage and Prosperity.

SILAS DANIELS, GOLDING’S GROVE.

When Brother Floyd Snelson was first taken from us to go to Africa, we almost believed that we should have to strike camp in the wilderness. It gave us much pain to have him go, and the church did become very feeble at one time. Since Brother Jos. E. Smith took the place, we have had fresh courage, and have been going forward again. Yesterday was our Communion Sabbath. As usual, we had about 500 persons at the church. One young man was received to its membership. At the three communions since Brother Smith came, nine persons have joined the church. The people are coming up to their church duties with much zeal, and becoming more and more attached to their minister, and he is doing a good work among them. Our Sabbath-school, also, has been re-organized, and, with four teachers added, has an average of twenty-three or more scholars in each class. We have for the first time introduced the International Sunday-school Lessons, and all seem to be very much delighted with them.

We have a large church built by the A. M. A. that can seat five hundred persons comfortably, and it is pretty well filled every Sunday with people from all denominations, anxious to hear the true Gospel preached.

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Interest in Church and Sunday-School.

REV. JOSEPH E. SMITH.

As the weather grows warm, and the wet, muddy roads become dry, thus favoring travel, the people from all directions flock in great crowds to the house of God, eager to hear the “words of eternal life.” I preached to a crowded house on last Sabbath, and many wanted to know what they “must do to be saved.” God is with us. Every Sabbath brings new signs for encouragement. There are marked evidences of a growing interest on the part of the people to learn of God through His Word. Especially has this been true since the “International Lessons” were introduced in our Sabbath-school. It makes a peculiar impression upon one to see persons fifty, sixty, seventy, and sometimes eighty years of age, whom slavery has worn out, sitting in their Sunday-school classes, with white heads and bent over bodies, with their dim, sunken eyes fixed on the teachers, and sometimes lips and throat moving as if to swallow every word. None of them can read, and it is quite amusing at times to watch them trying to recall the kings of Judah in their order, telling who the good ones were, and naming some of the good things they did. The joy and satisfaction which one shares, in being an instrument in God’s hands for the revealing of His Word unto such babes, are inestimable.

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Needs of this Field.

REV. S. S. ASHLEY.

Not only is this field needy, but promising. A majority of the people, and those living about the old Midway Church, are nearly all colored. Many of the white landed proprietors are non-residents. Rice culture is the principal employment. The colored people are rapidly becoming land owners, and are remarkably successful in making their payments. Just now, their means are mostly consumed in this effort, consequently they can expend very little in improving their habitations; yet there is improvement in this respect. They are beginning to come out of the swamps and build by the roadside. As slaves, they were not allowed to dwell near the “big road”; therefore, the woods and the swamps seem to them more like home than the roadside. But without instruction they will not achieve much domestic improvement. In fact, they need instruction in every direction—in house-building, in road-making, in agriculture, in domestic economy, in the improvement of time, in business, as well as in schools and churches. A missionary to this people should be an Oberlin. An Oberlin’s work will pay richly. The whole field is accessible to missionary labor. Very many desire instruction. They listen eagerly to kind, plain, Christian advice, and will travel many miles for the privilege. Certainly these are the marks of a good missionary field.

But to energize this prosperity, the meeting-house should be put into comfortable condition. It is a large but unfinished structure. In damp and chilly weather, it is uncomfortable—so much so, that the pastor doubts about the propriety of holding, in the winter, meetings at night. The place of Divine worship should be, not only comfortable, but refining and elevating. The people who have good meeting-houses will have good dwelling-houses. The meeting-house should be a teacher of neatness, care, attention, thrift and reverence. Unless the house is attractive, attractive preaching is well-nigh impossible.

Again, the school-house should be removed to the road, beside the meeting-house, and enlarged. Its present situation is out of the way, and it is too small to accommodate the pupils.

These are my impressions concerning the A. M. A. work in Liberty County. Brother Smith is succeeding well, but he needs the improvements I have mentioned. I hope that you can aid in completing the meeting-house. If the building stands a year longer without attention, it will require repairs as well as finishing. A portable _saw-mill_ would be a grand civilizing and missionary agency.

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Ogeechee.

REV. JOHN K. MCLEAN.

Rejoice with me, for the Lord has answered our prayer for an old man, who has spent sixty-five years in the service of Satan, but is now rejoicing in the great grace and love of a forgiving Saviour. It is quite a change in the old man, to see him in Sunday-school and at preaching service, and to hear him using his tongue in telling how good God has been to him, instead of taking His name in vain, as he used to do. But while we rejoice with this one, there are others for whom we are praying, and for whom we ask an interest in your prayers, that they may be brought into the fold of Christ.

I hope to be able to help a few of the young people, but the way seems dark at present. One of our Northern friends, who is here in the work, said to me not long ago, “The people North know nothing of the real condition of the people here; it is so unlike anything there, that they cannot realize just how it is. Before I came here I had heard a great deal about the state of things, but had no thought of finding the people in the condition in which they are.” I know that what she said is true, and that many of our friends North, and in England, have but little idea of the real condition of our people.

I am sure that if the representations that Christ and His disciples gave of the Christian life be true, there must be a much greater and deeper work among the people here before the Spirit of God can make them His. I have thought and said often, and I say it yet, that the work of the A. M. A., or a work of the same kind, is the only thing that will save the people of the South. Nine out of every ten know but little or nothing of what it is to live an upright life, and, therefore, they have no real communion with God, such as all His true children do have.

If the people here could be made to see the wrong there is in rum, and to put it down, there would be some hope for them; but so long as rum takes their labor, their money, their brains, and their God from them, there is no hope for them, and but little chance of doing them good. This is saying a great deal, but the truth is light, and that is what we want. Fourteen persons have been received into the church since I came here, and more are expected to come in with us. I am sure the Lord is waiting to bless this place.

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THE ALABAMA CONFERENCE.

Papers, Reports, Sunday-School Convention, Theological Institute.

REV. CHARLES NOBLE, MONTGOMERY.

The Alabama Conference met Friday evening, March 29th, in the college chapel at Talladega; the exercises opening with the annual sermon, by Rev. Mr. Ash, of Mobile, and an address of welcome to the delegates, by Prof. Lord. Rev. Mr. Andrews read a paper of very great interest, on the “Mission of Congregationalism in the South.” He first dwelt upon the history of Congregationalism, especially in its freedom from complicity with slavery, its prominence in the anti-slavery movement, and its comparative freedom from the sect spirit, as peculiarly indicating its call to work among the freedmen. He then brought out the peculiar features of the polity, independence and fellowship, and showed how they tend (1) to develop and sustain republican institutions, and to fit the church member for his duties as a citizen; (2) to promote intelligence; (3) to sustain an unshackeled pulpit, and (4) to develop personal piety, including moral reform and revivals. This is a very bare abstract of an essay which aroused great interest, and tended to encourage and cheer on the workers very much. Other papers were read, on “How to Develop Benevolence in our Churches,” by Rev. Fletcher Clark, of Selma; on the “Relation of Talladega College to our Church Work,” by Prof. Lord; and on the “Mission of the Young Ministers in the South,” by Rev. P. J. McEntosh—himself one of those young colored men who have gone out from Mr. Andrew’s teaching to work among their own people.

The reports from the churches showed a very encouraging condition of things. One new church has been organized during the year, making a total of thirteen within the bounds of the State. All are, at present, supplied with ministers. Almost all reported additions on profession of faith, and evidence of the special presence of the Spirit. Though it has not been a year of remarkable revivals, it has been one of hopeful and vigorous growth. The feeling seemed general and strong, that these little churches have “come to stay” in Alabama, and have no idea of dying whatsoever. A great deal of missionary activity was reported. Talladega College sustains twenty-five Sabbath-schools; Montgomery and Selma, four each; and others are not behind, according to their means and opportunities. It is certainly a suggestive and encouraging fact that, in the very heart of Alabama, a body of men could come together so full of enthusiasm for Puritan ideas, and should, without exception, report that their hold upon the communities in which they labor is manifestly strengthening.

The Sunday-school Convention opened Monday night, with an address on “The Object of Sunday-school Effort, Winning Souls,” by Rev. George E. Hill, of Marion; followed by a lecture on the “Geography of the kingdom of Judah,” by Rev. G. W. Andrews. Tuesday, Mr. Clark, of Selma, gave a Bible Reading on Faith; Prof. Lord taught the lesson for the following Sunday; Mr. Hickok opened the question box, and gave a variety of helpful answers; and the delegates from the different Sunday-schools made their reports. These showed that the work of our churches rests on a good foundation, in numerous live, growing Sabbath-schools; and that, in trying to save as many as possible of the present generation, the men and women of the next thirty years are not being forgotten.

Tuesday night, the Theological Institute began with a very elaborate paper on the “Relation of Mental Philosophy to Theology,” by Rev. D. W. Hickok. Wednesday, we were treated with examinations in Smith’s O. T. History, and the Psalms, conducted by Prof. Andrews and Mr. Hickok, and a paper on “Future Punishment,” by Rev. Mr. Hill. Thursday, there were plans of sermons offered for criticism by Mr. Clark and Mr. Hickok; a paper on “Joseph Cook,” by Mr. Noble; and an examination on the “Patriarchal Period,” by Mr. Andrews; closing with a free conference of workers in the evening.

Even more interesting to many of us than the proceedings of Conference, was our observation of the work of Talladega College. The Conference met Prof. Lord, for formal consultation in regard to the College work by a committee; and that committee’s report will be published. We met the students and faculty constantly at table, and in the meetings; had a very pleasant picnic gathering in the woods of the College Farm, and listened to a very entertaining concert by the “Musical Union.” I cannot forbear expressing, what I feel sure was the _universal_ feeling, interest and admiration for the good work Prof. Lord and his co-laborers are doing. Many of us were specially interested in the “Industrial Department,” and wish the brethren of the College the greatest success in that effort to build up manly, womanly, _self-reliant_ characters in the pupils.

My visit at Talladega, and my intercourse with the workers there, have made me feel more deeply interested in the work than ever. I could not ask a happier lot than to be permitted to give my life to this field. It seems to me so _unmistakably_ the work of Christ.

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ALABAMA.

Science and Religion.

REV. G. W. ANDREWS, TALLADEGA.

The Theological Department of Talladega College has just been favored with a special course of lectures on the “Relation of Science to Religion,” by the Rev. D. L. Hickok, recently of Kingsville, Ohio. The lectures were full of instruction, and awakened a great deal of interest among our pupils. Mr. Hickok is an able thinker, and an inspiring and enthusiastic speaker.

Skepticism has little footing here, and will have still less now that we have such a flood of light thrown upon what was before mysterious, and supposed to be known only to the scientist. Let the scientist give us the “living” from the “not living” if he can, and let him bridge the frightful chasm between different species of the animal kingdom, before our faith in his new theories is much strengthened. We believe in Mr. Cook, and wish we could see him face to face to thank him a thousand times for his three published volumes. We hail with joy these lectures by Mr. Cook, and mean to do our part to reflect the light he is shedding, until it finds its way, as it is sure to do, into the hearts of the masses, to bless them with the “rest of faith.” His powerful arguments are taking strong hold of us all.

Rev. Mr. Hickok is an original thinker, and has done us a good service by his lectures. It is such men, of commanding influence and power, that we need in this work of peculiar difficulties among the freedmen. We wish other and similar institutions might be favored as we have been.

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LOUISIANA.

Part of a Day Among the Poor.

MISS JOSEPHINE PIERCE, NEW ORLEANS.

In the rear of St. Charles Avenue you may enter and see an old man. He says he has been converted since he was ninety years of age. The Psalms are all his delight. There has not been a chip of wood nor a grain of coal in his room all this winter. With the strength of a hundred years in his muscles, he grasps a crust of bread, and asks for more. His daughter replies: “Father, you should put your mind on the Lord, and then you wouldn’t be so hungry; people that pray all the time don’t have such an appetite.” As if this were not enough, in this same room, the worse than fatherless baby, Leopold, has come into New Orleans life, with that stain upon his birth, which all the waters in the ocean cannot wash away. For these four generations, from the great-grandfather to the babe of yesterday, only one woman’s frail hands to keep the wolf from the door, and hers held from going out to work, by the sickness that cannot spare her from home. With all Father H’s ever-flowing liberality, there have been weeks in succession, this winter, when there has not been twenty-five cents’ worth of corn-meal to give the old man; for if he had it, Aunt Deborah, who has seen General Washington many and many a time, would have to go without; and if she had it, blind Aunt Bagatelle would have to go without; and if she had it, blind Aunt Milly would have to go without.

Perhaps it will be easier to breathe in the next house. Over the way, as the mother’s hand is clasped in greeting: “You miss your boy?” “Yes, James is dead. He wanted white sugar in his tea, and I couldn’t get it for him. He wanted medicine, and I couldn’t get it for him. He was hungry-like. So it’s good the Father has taken him; I gave him the medicine your minister sent him. I put a spoonful of the medicine that didn’t need sweetening into the medicine that did need sweetening. It seemed to do him good.”

Let us go to the sunny side, three miles away. “God bless you, my child,” was all the mother’s gift to Baby Vasa. A foster-mother welcomed the orphan to her heart and her home. As she stands by the tub—“I have no bonnet,” she says; “but we have the baby. We used to have milk in the family, but since the baby came we haven’t stopped the cart. I don’t know how to make clothes for him, but I think I can learn.” God bless thee, Baby Vasa, for all the unselfish love thy little fingers work out in the daily life about thee! A can of milk for Baby Vasa brought a never-to-be-forgotten light into the foster-mother’s eyes.

Here is a house without a number. As you lift the wooden latch, you feel that some one is waiting for a coming step. “I was sick last night,” Aunt Jemima says. “I thought the angels would come for me; I sometimes think they will come very soon.” Her bed is under the rafters, just at the head of those narrow stairs. The room, without a door, is the only thoroughfare for another family. There is no sheet on the bed; cotton was given for it, but was saved for something else. She goes on: “People won’t come in one of these mornings, and say, ‘Aunt Jemima’s dead, and she’s very poor, and we’ll have to go right out and buy her some clothes,’ for I have a skirt and a white dress, and a pair of new stockings.” “But the stockings were given to you year before last—ar’n’t they worn out yet?” “Oh, no! you don’t think I would ever put them on. When the sun shines, I hang them on that pole to air them.” A piece of sugar-cane is in the ashes for fuel. The old limbs failed the last time they went out to Lake Pontchartrain for drift-wood. A satisfied smile lights up the whole face—the ear bends close to the lips, and they murmur: “I am rich; when the angels come for me, I have a pair of new stockings.”

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KENTUCKY.

Temperance and Evangelistic Work.

REV. JOHN G. FEE, BEREA.