Part 4

Best of all, we had good words from many not heard in the Convention, and, perhaps, unknown to fame. There was Judge Harman, of Oswego. How his clear eye took in the large possibilities of our work, and how his great heart went out toward us! As he warned us of the perils of a life without Jesus, and the depths of despair into which life’s trials could plunge a soul unsupported by the Everlasting Arms, his peaceful face and silvery hair assuring us he knew whereof he affirmed, some of us had rare glimpses into the blessed beyond. The words of Rev. A. P. Foster, Dr. Tully, and several that I was prevented from hearing, so lifted both teachers and pupils above the plane of plodding school life, that we almost trembled to look down. The fact that many such men, of kindred mind and heart, filled the silent pews of the Convention, seemed to me the secret of its power. We had heard as good papers from other platforms, but the sight of such a body, all delighting in the Master’s command, “Feed My lambs,” was enough to send us to our homes feeling, as one of our girls expressed it, “I know I shall be a better woman for having attended the Convention.”

In response to an invitation for the delegates to visit our school, Governor Colquitt, who presided, remarked to the Convention: “The University is a good place to visit, and is doing a good work”; and added that he had a servant who had attended our school some years, and the instruction received there had not pushed him above his position—he was the same humble, faithful boy about his work. Every summer he came to him for a recommendation to teach, which he cheerfully gave him, and the boy always returned in the fall the same good, modest young man.

Dr. McVicar also took a public occasion to express his appreciation of our work. After the close of his sermon, at the Central Presbyterian Church here, while recounting to the audience the many things of interest he had enjoyed in their city, he remarked that he had recently visited most of the universities of Europe, and added that nothing in Atlanta, or the great universities abroad, had interested him so heartily as their Atlanta University.

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ANNUAL MEETING OF THE SOUTH-WESTERN CONFERENCE.

REV. W. S. ALEXANDER.

New Iberia was the place selected for our Annual Meeting this year, April 3-5, and one more attractive, or more important to the general interests of our work, could not have been chosen. This church was organized in 1866, and has a membership of 117, of which thirty have been received on profession of faith the past year. The population of the city is about 3,000, of whom nearly, if not quite, fifty per cent. are colored.

The South-western Conference is composed of fourteen Congregational churches, of which twelve were represented at our Annual Meeting.

The reports from the churches showed very clearly that the past year had been one of marked activity and spiritual prosperity. Several churches, as the Central, in New Orleans, and St. Mark’s, in Terrebonne, have been blessed with revivals of great power. Other churches have been cutting off dead branches, and putting themselves in condition for better service. In tabulating the reports, I find that the present membership of the churches of our Conference is 806. There have been added on profession during the year (ending April 1st, 1878,) _one hundred and thirteen_, and four by letter. Forty-seven adults and _eighty babies_ have been baptized.

As I have already spoken of the precious revival in Central Church, in which more than fifty were converted, and the church itself greatly quickened and refreshed, I will not recite the facts again. The church of Brother Clay (one of the veterans and pioneers of Congregationalism in Louisiana), in Terrebonne, has passed through joyful and glorious experiences. The church has been thronged for days and weeks. Mr. Clay said: “I did not know where all the people came from. The church and church-yard were filled with a dense mass of people. It seemed as though they sprung out of the ground.” Night after night the earnest truths of the Gospel were preached, and night after night “mourners” crowded the anxious seats, crying for mercy. The people came from long distances, five and seven miles. God put honor upon His word, and many have been converted, and still the good work goes on. Pastor Clay’s heart is filled with joy and thankfulness.

QUESTIONS DISCUSSED.

Among the topics considered at the Conference were the following:

_Revivals_: The best method of promoting and conducting them. _Education_: The demand of the hour; how shall we meet it? _Faith_: Its nature; how can we secure greater faith? Its joys and its triumphs. What more can we do to reach the people with the Gospel?

These questions were discussed with vigor and interest. Of course, no speeches had been prepared in advance, and I was surprised at the real excellence of the addresses. Mistakes in grammar were sometimes made, and there were not many classical allusions, but the speeches had the true ring, and good will come of them.

PUBLIC SERVICES.

The opening sermon was given by the Moderator, Mr. Alexander, from Matthew 1, 23: “They shall call his name Emmanuel; which being interpreted is, God with us.” It was a great pleasure to speak to such an audience. The church was densely packed, the entry was filled; people took positions under the windows on the outside, and fully one hundred, having sought admission in vain, went reluctantly away. Mr. Hall, of New Orleans, preached the second evening; after which, the Moderator made an address on “Christian Unity,” in the hope of removing or modifying some of the asperities and jealousies existing among the colored churches. The address was received with strong expressions of sympathy. One good old “auntie” said the next day: “Don’t you say anything against that minister. He is trying to build up both sides. He don’t wish to break down anybody.”

ORDINATION.

On Friday evening Mr. Homer Jones, a member of the church at New Iberia, but a resident at Lake Piegneur, having passed a faithful examination before the Conference regarding his Christian experience, his religious belief, and his ability to preach, was ordained as an Evangelist.

Bro. Jones is a warm-hearted Christian, and will make an able and successful minister. He has served the churches faithfully for two years or more without compensation. He owns a small farm of eighteen acres on the shore of the beautiful Lake Piegneur. His worthy wife was for a short time a student in Straight University. He expresses his willingness to leave his beautiful home, and go anywhere, even to Africa, where God may call him.

FAREWELL MEETING.

Friday morning was devoted to a “farewell prayer-meeting.” It was a most tender and impressive scene. As one after another spoke, “the fire burned”; every eye was wet with manly tears, and when the entire Conference rose and joined hands, and they sang or chanted an old refrain, peculiar to themselves, beginning “Good-by, and shake hands,” and we entered into covenant with God and with each other to go forth to another year of labor and self-denial, those dear brethren, in the excess of religious emotion, laughed and cried together. Thus was our meeting of 1878 brought to a close. The good pastor at New Iberia said: “Such a light was never kindled here before.” The Conference adjourned to meet in New Iberia next year, at the call of the Moderator.

Dear brethren of the North, pray for us, and remember that we are trying to hold this distant outpost of the Church, and to extend, in this beautiful and fruitful land, the cherished faith and polity of our fathers.

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THE SINGERS TO THE MISSIONARIES, GREETING.

We give the following extracts from a letter, written by the Jubilee Singers, from Erfurt, Germany, to the new missionaries to Africa. From the fact that they are all Fisk University students, the greetings of the gleaners in Europe to the sowers in Africa is full of pathetic interest:

ERFURT, GERMANY.

To ALBERT P. MILLER, ADA ROBERTS MILLER, ANDREW E. JACKSON, and ELLA HILDRIDGE JACKSON, Missionaries for Africa:

_Dear Brothers and Sisters_: The Jubilee Singers send greeting. Could we give you our greeting in person, it would be more satisfactory, as we can but feebly convey to you, in writing, how our hearts have gone out to you in love and sympathy, and up to God in thankfulness, since the glad tidings reached us of your having consecrated your lives and talents to mission work among our brethren in Africa. We have prayed and labored long for this day, and now, thank God, our prayers are being answered.

We realize in how large a degree our success has been attributable to the faithful prayers of you and your fellow-students, sent up daily in our behalf from Fisk University; and let us assure you that while you are doing battle for the Master, by helping to lift the dark pall of barbarism and superstition which enshrouds our kinsmen, you, in like manner, will be sustained by the prayers of your fellow students, and warm, earnest Christian hearts, not only in our own native land, but in Great Britain, Holland and Germany. They will follow your footsteps, faithfully and prayerfully, watching for the fruits which ye shall reap, in due season, if ye faint not, and rejoicing with you in the extension of Christ’s kingdom.

You are our first band of missionaries at the outpost of the American Missionary Association in the land of our forefathers. May the light of God so shine in your hearts that its reflected rays shall be a balm to those who may come to you, to be healed and taught of God. May He give you strength to thrust in the “sharpened sickle” when the fields are ripe for the harvest, and the laborers so few.

With the love and best wishes of the Jubilee Singers.

(Signed)

GEORGIA M. GORDON, F. J. LOUDIN, B. W. THOMAS.

_Committee_.

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AFRICA.

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Arrival of the New Missionaries.

REV. FLOYD SNELSON.

I received the letters, telling of the new missionaries on the way to our mission, with great joy. I left home late last Thursday afternoon for this place to meet them. We came on very well until Friday night about ten o’clock, at which time we were caught in quite a storm, and had to anchor. As I had not been here since our first arrival, there were many things to look after.

Just as I was finishing up last night, the steamer came in, bringing them. I got out to them about 8.30 P.M., and spent nearly an hour with them. I am very favorably impressed with the first view of my new co-workers, and hope now to be able to carry on the work to greater success and with more ease.

Next morning they came ashore, and expressed themselves as favorably surprised at the appearance of the place and people. On the 26th, we hope to leave early for Good Hope.

FREETOWN, SIERRA LEONE, _March 25th, 1878_.

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First Impressions of Africa—A Sunday Service—A School Celebration.

REV. ALBERT MILLER.

On reaching Freetown, and walking about the place and conversing with the natives, we were very favorably disappointed. Some are very intelligent and kind-hearted. We attended a Sunday-School in the afternoon, and were much pleased to hear the children read and sing. They reminded me of a small country school in the South. A little boy played on the organ. We visited several of the natives, and I was everywhere surprised at seeing so much intelligence displayed. Brother Snelson had made all necessary preparations for our coming. The mission house had been fitted up nicely, so that we soon felt as if we were in an American village. We remained in Freetown two days, and Brother Snelson lost no time in showing us the many things of interest in this African city. We visited the market, and saw many things in the line of fruits to interest us. All were well pleased, but still longed to reach our adopted home.

Leaving Freetown on the 25th of March, we arrived here on the 28th, early in the morning. The men rowed all night. Mrs. Snelson, Mr. White and the children of the mission met us at the wharf. We could not have been more kindly received by any persons. We have been here several days now, and find the work promising and encouraging. Brother Snelson and his helpers are hard at work, and things, I suppose, are much more hopeful than they have been for years.

The church was filled last Sabbath to its utmost capacity with hearers. Brother S., I think is the right man in the right place. The only charge I am able to bring against him is overwork. He has the confidence of the people, which is so necessary to success. Services were conducted by Brother Jackson and myself.

I find the people kind and obliging. They are very happy to have us, of their own race, come and teach and labor among them. Some seem ready to shout. We are well pleased with our new home, and are in a good state of health. The heat is very intense. All things seem to indicate a better day for the sable sons of Ham. Africa is not what rumor represents it to be—at least, what I have seen of it.

APRIL 3, 1878.—To-day has been one of great interest, both to parents and children. The day-school, under the general management of Brother White, turned out. An examination took place in the forenoon, after which the schools (day and Sabbath), with two banners waving o’er head, came marching to a place near the mission-house, where a dinner had been prepared for them. Brother Snelson led the schools, and the children, full of joy, followed him. He led them through the principal streets of this our city, the sides of the streets being filled with lookers-on. All this seemed new to them, and I dare say it is new to this part of Africa. We had music, but very different from such as our American friends are accustomed to. An old tin box served as kettle-drum. This, with other instruments, made music sufficient for the children to march and keep pretty good time. Returning to the tables, the little ones ate dinner, using spoons, which is something very new to them. Each one seemed to be happy. The patrons were called upon to contribute for the giving of this dinner. Many responded, sending chickens, rice, etc. Of course, the whole affair was devolved upon Brother Snelson. He received contributions from traders and officials, many of whom are here on the coast. These, you will remember, are white, the friendship and kind favor of whom Brother S. has gained. They did not attend the exercises of the day, but came out at night, and listened to speeches from members of the school. The pupils spoke and sang well, and reminded me very much of my past experience in the South—so Southern-like.

All were highly pleased with the exercises of the evening. The American flag was on one side of the house, that of England on the other—thus bringing all in attendance between them. These two flags during the day were unfurled to the gentle breeze with which we were favored. Many of the leading men of Bonthe were here, and, with those from other places, took tea with us. I gain more interest daily for this my field of labor. I shall not wait to become acclimated, but shall proceed to labor at once.

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Advantages of Colored Missionaries.

EXTRACT OF LETTER FROM A. E. WHITE.

You would like to know what I think about colored missionaries doing good here. My firm belief is, that they can do more than any other missionaries under the sun. These people have always been used to colored people. Most of the white men whom they have seen were traders, seeking their own good. They robbed the people of their produce and children, and destroyed their confidence. A white missionary has to be more careful than a colored one. The natives look upon a white person as unnatural, and think he is above them in every way, and that God made him so. They also think it is of no use for them to try to do the things they see the white man do. But, on the other hand, when they see a colored man do anything, they think if he can do it they can do it themselves. They are a great people to imitate. For a proof of what I have said, look at the Shengay Mission. It is conducted altogether by colored missionaries, and stands ahead of others on the coast. Do not think I say this because I am a colored man. I say it because I know it is true.

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THE INDIANS.

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School Wants and Farm Work.

W. W. WHEELER, KESHENA, WIS.

The school opened very encouragingly this term, and before the close of the second week we had fifty-four different boarding scholars, and were compelled to refuse admission to others, on account of our limited accommodations. Soon the scarlet-fever broke out, and before the close of the term twenty-three boarding scholars, and many of our day scholars, had been sent home on account of sickness.

The boarding scholars seem, generally, to be happy and contented with us, and eager to return at the opening of each new term; and their progress in their studies, and general deportment, is much greater than with the day scholars. The general interest, also, of the tribe in the subject of education is greatly quickened. The boarding-school, with suitable accommodations, might be made a great blessing to the tribe. We feel sure we could readily obtain 100 scholars if we had the accommodations.

The tribe has asked the Department to appropriate, from their funds in the United States Treasury, $6,000 for the erection of a suitable building.

We see the dreadful results, in other tribes around us, of allowing the youth to grow up, without education, in contact with the whites, learning their vices and not their virtues, and it makes us long to see something done to save this people from the blight which has fallen upon so many other tribes before them.

I have spent nearly three weeks going over the Reservation since school closed, visiting from farm to farm, encouraging the Indians to make larger improvements; and I have been very greatly gratified to notice so many already clearing up new lands. I have only found three or four families who will not clear up some new ground this spring. Some will clear as much as three or four acres. Many are chopping and logging heavy timber without any team to help them.

I think there will be 300 acres of new land cleared this spring. I expect to distribute (only to those who clear at least one acre) 1,000 bushels of potatoes, besides corn, oats, wheat, and vegetable seeds, for many of them have not yet learned to provide beforehand. There are, however, quite a number who not only have enough for their own seed, but some to sell.

Could the boarding-school be kept up regularly for a few years, we should have great hopes for the future of this tribe, but there seems to be a strange lack of interest in this matter on the part of the authorities at Washington. We are now anxiously waiting for instructions to re-open this school. Meanwhile, the day-school is in operation, with an attendance of twenty-two scholars.

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An Indian Wants a Cow.

Dr G L Mahon

Dr Sir i thought i would write a few lines to you to asking you that you dint not answered me when i was asking you while you was here about the Cow i want you to give me one if you Can i thing i would use the Cow very much if you would give me one i could get Some Butter from her and i could make good living on Butter with Potatoes if you Send me one Send who have a young Calf in her thats the one i like to have her and you will let me know it By G Wheeler and another thing about Potatoes Zack Brown told me he hasent got enough Potatoes Seeds for in a spring and ive got Plenty potatoes in Net Lake and if you want any i could Sell it to you Some that is for Zack Brown wants it Now i send my Best Regards to you

from ADAWWAN-NE QUA BENANS VERMILLION LAKE.

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THE CHINESE.

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“CALIFORNIA CHINESE MISSION.”

Auxiliary to the American Missionary Association.

PRESIDENT: Rev. J. K. McLean. D. D. VICE-PRESIDENTS: Rev. A. L. Stone, D. D., Thomas C. Wedderspoon, Esq., Rev. T. K. Noble, Hon. F. F. Low, Rev. I. E. Dwinell, D. D., Hon. Samuel Cross, Rev. S. H. Willey, D. D., Edward P. Flint, Esq., Rev. J. W. Hough, D. D., Jacob S. Taber, Esq.

DIRECTORS: Rev. George Moor, D. D., Hon. E. D. Sawyer, Rev. W. E. Ijams, James M. Haven, Esq., Rev. Joseph Rowell, E. P. Sanford, Esq., H. W. Severance, Esq.

SECRETARY: Rev. W. C. Pond. TREASURER: E. Palache, Esq.

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Fung Affoo’s Bible Class—Visalia and Petaluma.

REV. W. C. POND, SAN FRANCISCO.

Remembering that the Sabbath worship at our Central Mission had never been described, though often alluded to in the MISSIONARY, I requested Bro. Fung Affoo to give an account of it, and received the following communication:

“As we have not much time to teach them the Scripture on any other evening, we set apart Sunday and Wednesday evenings to teach them to read the Bible instead of their other lessons. On Sunday we have the “Bible-class,” commencing at half-past eleven A. M., and continuing for one hour and a half. We sing about half an hour either in Chinese or in English, then offer a prayer, and then read a chapter from the Bible. Each verse they read after me, then I translate it into Chinese; when through interpreting, on each verse or paragraph I make some remarks which I have studied out during the week days. After we get through the chapter, I speak about ten minutes on a subject selected from that chapter beforehand, then one of our brethren offers prayer; we then unite in singing the Doxology, and close with the Lord’s Prayer. Our exercises on Wednesday evening are similar to those we have on Sundays. It gives me much encouragement in the work seeing that they like to read the Bible more than ever before. Formerly only about one-half of the school attended the Bible-class on Wednesday evenings, but now they number nearly as many on that evening as on any other evening of the week. It seems as though their hatred of Christianity becomes less. Of course, many come to read the Bible only for the sake of learning the English, but in time we hope, when they know the truth of God, they will change their mind and heart, as some of them have already done, who are now on Christ’s side, battling for the Lord.”

“FUNG AFFOO.”

The attendance at this Sabbath noon service averages about fifty-five. Of course, my pastoral duties render it impossible for me ever to be present. I do not think, however, that my presence would add anything to the worship or the work. I assist the helpers in their preparation, but I believe that in dealing with their countrymen they are more skilful than I could be, even if I could speak Chinese. It needs an experience in heathenism, to enable one to reach the heathen in the most efficient way. God chooses saved _sinners_ to be messengers of salvation to those still lost. I think that the programme of this service, as Bro. Fung Affoo gives it, illustrates this fact. It is not one of my planning—not the one I should have chosen; but as I carefully consider it, I ask, “What _could be_ better fitted for those for whom the service is arranged?”