Part 4

The Theological Department, which has been for the last two years largely supported by the Am. Miss’y Association, closed its educational year on the 30th ult. The theological students have numbered forty-two, being eleven more than the previous year. Their number would have been still further increased could we have aided sufficiently all who were desirous of coming. Endowed and annual scholarships are a sore need of this as of kindred institutions. The young men have come from seven denominations of Christians, into each of which the leaven of intelligence and purity is thus being introduced. They have applied themselves well, and show commendable improvement. The most of them, not having enjoyed a training in Greek and Latin, are fitted for usefulness among the Freedmen by a prolonged English course of study; others take the full course pursued in any theological seminary. This year a class of seven studied Hebrew, and acquitted themselves most creditably. The anniversary exercises were held in the Fifteenth Street Presbyterian church (colored), a new and tasteful edifice, which was filled with an interested audience of both races, including several clergymen and Judge Strong of the Supreme Court of the United States. Four young men who had completed their course of study delivered orations. A Bible was presented to each by the President of the District Bible Society, and an admirable closing address was made to the students by Rev. Mr. Dinwiddie, of Alexandria, Va. Three of the young men go immediately to the care of churches which await them.

The indications are of a still fuller theological class next fall, the term beginning September 10th.

* * * * *

BEACH INSTITUTE.

Its History——Its Importance——Its Year’s Work.

MR. B. F. KOONS, SAVANNAH, GA.

Soon after the war, schools for the Freedmen were opened at Savannah in army barracks. In due time a suitable building was erected, and the school continued under the auspices of the A. M. A. until 1874, when the city rented the building and assumed the responsibility of the school. This arrangement continued until February, 1878, when the building was surrendered and the city school removed. The day after it was thus left, a stable standing near took fire, and the flames soon reached the building and destroyed the upper part of it. It was at once determined to rebuild and resume the work, strictly under the Association. During the summer, Pastor Markham remained and superintended the construction of the new building. When we landed here late last September, it was approaching completion, and on the last day of the same month a new corps of teachers began the work of the year. On the first day over 60 applied for admission, and the number has gradually increased to 338, in all grades from the Normal down.

There has been nothing specially marked in the year’s work. It has been one of very quiet, faithful, persistent labor on the part of both teachers and pupils, and a reasonable degree of success has attended their efforts.

The following facts may throw light upon the need of such an institution in this city.

The facilities afforded by the city were not sufficient to fit the persevering pupils to become teachers and leaders among their people, hence the need of Beach Institute. The good accomplished by this school is of a double nature, for the re-opening of it has led the city, for the present, to add one year more to its course of study, and to the enterprising it is an avenue to higher schools and wider culture, and so to greater usefulness.

There are some very efficient teachers in the public schools, but their hands are tied, first by the limited course of study, and then by unusual restrictions on their religious influence. There are two schools for the colored people of the city. In former years the children have been turned away from these by the score for want of room, and even during the present year they have been refused admission in great numbers. We, too, have had all we could accommodate, and even more than we could do justice to with the present corps of five teachers.

One of these buildings was purchased by a wealthy citizen, and by him given to the School Board for a colored school, with the expressed stipulation that no religious exercises of any character should be permitted, not even the singing of “gospel hymns.” It is reported that the same gentleman contemplates the purchase of the other building, which is rented by the city now, and the presentation of the same to the city, and, we may reasonably conclude, with the same restrictions. These stipulations are displeasing to many of the colored people. Ignorant as some are, they feel the need of Christian training for their children. We do not doubt that this restraint is equally unwelcome to many of the School Board and citizens of the city, but as a corporation they are involved, and perhaps they are doing the best they can under the circumstances.

The Catholics have a small school for the colored people, but some of the parents (good Catholics) have applied for admission for their children to our school, saying, “I have concluded that the teaching of the Catechism and but little else is not an education for my child; I want something better.” It seems that the hold they are getting upon the colored people of Savannah is rather feeble.

That the position was well taken in re-establishing the Beach, there can be no doubt, for it was needed as a connecting link between the city schools and the University at Atlanta, as well as for the Christian training which it will be able to give to a large class of the youth of the city.

This week has been devoted to examinations and the closing work of the year. The greater part of the previous days were devoted to written work; but it had been announced that in the morning hours of to-day public oral examinations would be held. At an early hour a good number of parents and friends showed the interest they have in their children and the school by coming in to witness the day’s work. The morning was spent in the various rooms, many of the old people as well as the children showing a lively interest in the examinations. At twelve o’clock our commodious chapel was well filled by an attentive and appreciative audience, to witness the closing exercises of the school, which consisted of essays from the fine members of the normal class and recitations and music from the other departments. After a very enjoyable hour and a half in the chapel, the various grades passed to their rooms, the promotions were read, the school dismissed, the good-byes said, the doors closed; and thus, with its cares and its perplexities, its joys and its sorrows, its successes and its failures, endeth another chapter of the great volume of life.

* * * * *

GEORGIA.

The Work——Temperance——Superstition.

REV. J. R. M’LEAN, NO. 1 MILLER’S STATION.

Miss Douglass’ coming here has been a blessing to us all, and a great help to the work. Through her we have been able, as we hope, to get money enough to finish our church inside. Our congregation has not been so large as we think it ought to have been, and yet our work is felt by all the other churches. The Sabbath-school has been larger this year than at any time before since I have been here, and we have seen indications of the good it is doing. God’s word will accomplish that which He pleases.

The day school has been good all the time. We have on the list about 55; it numbered a month ago 41 daily. Some of the larger ones have gone out of school to work on the farm. We have had a strong religious spirit in the school all the year. Some twenty or more have, as we hope, been converted; five of that number have been received into this church.

Five of the members of our church, who spent at least a dollar and a half a week for strong drink when I first came here, have left it off altogether and say they do not want to smell it now. One of them yesterday, at our communion, would not partake with us. When asked why, he said: “I wanted to take it the worst kind, but I was afraid it would make me want to go to drinking again,” and tears ran down his face as he spoke these words to Miss Douglass. You can see from this that some of the people are trying to leave off the habits of slavery, but it is done with no little effort, for the habits seem to have become a second nature.

A man who is a Jew, and cares nothing about religion, said to me, the other day, that he had been here thirteen years, and had never seen such a change as recently among the people. I am not able to say what has caused it. I feel sure that much of it has come from the labor of Miss D.; she has gone to see them in their homes and read the word to them, and prayed with them, and given them good tracts to read, and the blessing of God has been with her in the work.

But there is a dark side to my picture. We have so many Atheists here that it is very hard to do anything. The man who denies God’s word is just as much of an Atheist as the one who says there is no God. We find only a few who _believe_ God’s word. They say the Bible does not teach us the way to come to Christ, but that He brings us to Himself through a dream interpreted by some old ignorant godfather or godmother. These foolish ideas have led many of the hopefully converted ones to doubt and caused many of them to go in darkness for weeks, and some of them do not see the light yet. Some of those who gave their hearts to the Saviour in our meetings, (and such changes were seen in their actions, that no one could doubt their being Christians,) before they could join the old churches must go off and dream, and hear the little voice say, “Oh, my little one, go in peace, and sin no more.”

I find many of those who have joined this church much worse than they were before they thought of becoming Christians. The cause lies in the fact that they have been led to trust in forms and not to trust Jesus. A knowledge of the Bible is the only thing that is to save the thousands of my people. Their ministers teach the same foolish ways of which I have spoken. Nothing but the grace of Almighty God can lead this people in the way _everlasting_.

* * * * *

TENNESSEE.

The Kansas Fever——Le Moyne Normal School.

MISS LAURA A. PARMELEE, MEMPHIS.

Memphis has been very little affected by the emigration movement, but from students who are teaching in Tennessee, Arkansas and Mississippi, we hear enough to keep us interested.

From a neighboring village several families moved to Kansas in the winter. They are pleased with their prospects, and send word for a certain student to hold himself in readiness to come to them and teach as soon as they can get ready for school.

The following letter is from a member of last year’s class now teaching in Leota, Miss.:

“The Kansas fever, as it is called here, has reached our section of the country, and the people are entirely carried away by it. They quit their crops and sell their stock for little or nothing to get money to travel on. Fine milch cows and calves are selling for $10 or $12 at the highest. One man bought 125 chickens for $5.

“Having accomplished this much of their intention, about thirteen or fourteen hundred moved to town on May 2. In the evening, the white people became excited over the action of the colored people. They came to town and held a meeting. Then the colored people became excited over the action of the whites, and made ready to protect themselves.

“By night there were 2,000 persons in town, all armed. The sheriff was dispatched for; he came with many others. The next morning he went to the camp of the colored people and examined their arms. All but one submitted to his authority. The man drew his gun and the sheriff drew his pistol. If either of the two had fired there would have been trouble all around, but, thank God, there was none. This man was arrested and sent to jail.

“The town is crowded now and is guarded at night (every night) by the whites. It seems that they will not allow the boats to interfere and convey these poor people to St. Louis. They have been waiting on the bank four days. Yesterday (Sunday) it rained very hard, and the women with their little ones and household goods were out in all of the storm. We have had very heavy rains; the thunder and lightning was as if the world were coming to an end. The people are exposed to the weather, but determined to go to Kansas.

“The whites are doing all they can to get them back to their homes to stay this year. They go to the camp, talk and coax, but the people have not yielded yet, and it is doubtful if they will.

“I cannot relate the whole story; it is very long and sad.”

Another letter just received says the people returned to the farms for this year. Hunger and the necessities of the case compelled them to yield. Both the writer of this letter and the young man called to Kansas, expect to return to Le Moyne next year and graduate.

We do not graduate a class this summer, but shall give diplomas to a large and well prepared class next season. If we are denied the privilege——or deny ourselves——of graduating students, we find ample compensation in the excellent work and character of our young people. I wonder if Mr. Steele has told you of our five ministers scattered around in different classes——two Baptist, two Methodist, one Christian Adventist. Four of the five are settled over churches and are of excellent spirit, possessing fair ability.

Yesterday the churches had a grand union picnic. A procession headed by a band of music marched to Estival Park, which has opened its gates to colored people within the past fortnight. A few of our scholars were excused to attend, but all the older students preferred to continue at work and were entirely unaffected by the excitement. Three years ago, two days had to be given to Sunday-school picnics——the Thursdays when the Baptists and Methodists held anniversaries. We think it quite a triumph to have reached the point of ignoring such events.

We discuss plans for enlarging our work in the industrial department, and long for dormitories to accommodate the strangers that come to us. Miss Milton has charge of the sewing class, and informs you of its success. Next year we hope to have a text-book on nursing introduced as a regular study. Lippincott & Co. are issuing a book that meets our wants. Thursdays, after the regular lecture to the young ladies, recipes for plain and sick cooking are distributed. There is a demand for recipes for pies, cakes, etc., which has to be gratified once in a while.

We recognize the duty of endowing the colleges at the earliest possible moment, and rejoice that Fisk, Atlanta, Straight and Talladega can be established more firmly. We would not take anything from their strength. Certainly they must be maintained, and we will help them by sending our students abroad as soon as possible. The young people who come to us are not able to pay the twenty-five dollars extra that is needed to carry them to Nashville. They must come here, or not go to school at all.

They will not go to Nashville until they finish the course at Le Moyne; and the better training we can give, the more will they be likely to desire instruction in other branches than are allowed here.

I will in a short time send you report of our library receipts and expenditures during the year. We did not think one year ago it could be possible to be in possession of so large and excellent an assortment of books as now stands upon our shelves. What more we can accomplish for it remains to be seen.

* * * * *

THE CHINESE.

* * * * *

“CALIFORNIA CHINESE MISSION.”

Auxiliary to the American Missionary Association.

* * * * *

THE NEW CONSTITUTION AND OUR MISSIONARY WORK.

REV. W. C. POND, SAN FRANCISCO.

The inquiry is raised with much anxiety by Eastern friends, what will be the effect on our missionary work of the adoption of our new Constitution.

That the spirit and intent of this instrument are intensely hostile to the Chinese is well understood. To find it providing as skilfully and malignantly as possible for forcing them out of the State will create no surprise. It stands alone, I apprehend, among all our State Constitutions in singling out one class among those upon whose industries the State lives, and by whose taxes its treasury is replenished, and making it the object of restrictive and oppressive legislation. One whole Section (XIX.) is devoted to this, and bears as its title “Chinese.” Stigmatizing them as “aliens who are or may become vagrants, paupers, mendicants, criminals or invalids, * * * or otherwise dangerous or detrimental to the State,” it directs the Legislature “to discourage their immigration by all the means within its power;” “to impose conditions upon which such persons may reside in the State, and to provide for their removal from the State” if the conditions are not fulfilled. It forbids any corporation from employing them “directly or indirectly in any capacity;” and requires that cities and towns be empowered by the Legislature to “remove the Chinese beyond their limits, or to locate them within prescribed limits;” and to “make and enforce all such local, police, sanitary and other regulations as are not in conflict with general laws.” These provisions are broad enough to admit any and every cruelty conceivable to be practised under the forms of law, and the Chinese cannot, as heretofore, appeal to our State Supreme Court with any hope of relief from oppressive enactments. The question is, what will the result be, and what can we do about it?

If a man values highly his reputation for sagacity, he does well to be careful how he prophesies; and if anywhere such caution is needed, surely it is here in California; but as I have no reputation to be anxious about, I will tell how the prospect looks to me.

1. There can be no question that these provisions, carefully framed though they are, are in conflict with the Constitution of the United States, and with not only our present treaty with China, but any other treaty that could possibly be framed. Of course, all this may amount to nothing until the question of their constitutionality has been passed upon by the U. S. Supreme Court; but it seems to me that the interests involved are so many and so great that soon an issue must be made and be pressed through to decision. This done, that whole section——vile blot that it is on the fair fame of America!——becomes void, unless, indeed, the whole land can be dragooned by Californian politicians, overriding its treaties and trampling under foot the most sacred axioms of its civil polity——dragooned into a timid, restrictive, barbarous policy which we taught China years ago to discard. I do not believe this can be done. I have faith in a free people among whom the leaven of Christ is at work——faith that no question can get _settled_ among them till it is settled right, and that however selfishness and oppression may triumph for awhile, their “latter end shall be that they perish for ever.”

2. If, however, the laws enacted in virtue of these new provisions are made to work, there cannot but be a large exodus of the Chinese from California. They will be starved out. We have come to the proud distinction of having, as a State, introduced starvation into our organic law. Those who can go, must go; and those who have not the means of travelling must starve or be removed at State expense. But as to the effect of that exodus, God is giving us beforehand an impressive object-lesson. The negro is scarcely more essential to the industry of the South than the Chinaman is to that of California. Let this exodus be large and simultaneous, and the backbone of business here is broken. There will be harvests that cannot be reaped, because the Liverpool price of wheat will not pay the cost of harvesting. There will be mills and other manufacturing establishments idle, because the manufactured goods can be laid down here from New England or Old England cheaper than we can produce them. There will be mines deserted, unless white men are found to work at Chinamen’s wages; for who wants to run off his gold-bearing dirt and thereby run himself off into bankruptcy? The hundreds of little businesses which, by the aid of the Chinese, yield men a small return, must be abandoned, for the higher wages will absorb the profits and the capital besides.

But, it may be said, white men have prospered elsewhere without the aid of the Chinese, why not in California? No doubt they can prosper here, but only as a new and lower level for American labor is found. Prices must fall, and the work must be steadier and harder than now it is apt to be. You see, perhaps, a good side to this in the frugality and industry to which it will compel our children; but my expectation is, that when this discipline begins to make us sore, when the real facts are forced upon men’s vision, then these provisions of our new Constitution will, by common consent, become inoperative, and Chinese labor or its equivalent will be welcomed back again.

I venture such predictions, but whether they prove true or not, this thing is certain, the Chinese still _are here_; and while they remain our work remains. If the time is short, so much the more urgent must we be in pressing upon their attention the Gospel of Christ. If the enmity against them rises with its opportunity and crowds them to the wall, so much the more must they hear from us the voice of Christian kindliness, commending to them Him who was the friend of publicans and sinners. If they are to be driven back to their own land, we must be the more earnest to let them know——not by our words only, but by our deeds rather——that it is not Christianity but the lack of Christianity that has exiled them; and we must see to it that as many as possible go to be self-sustaining missionaries, telling the story of redeeming love.

* * * * *

CHILDREN’S PAGE.

DEAR LITTLE ONES:

I know you would all like to hear about a sweet little girl who moved a big, big mountain out of my way a few days ago.

“How did she do it?”

“Was it a real mountain?”

“Who was she? and, and ——”

If you all keep asking questions, how can I get a chance to answer them? And then you don’t begin at the right end with your questions. Who was she? ought to have been the first, and it’s the very last. Never mind, we will take them backwards. Let’s see how many there are. There are three, counting either way. Now if you all sit as still as nine little white mice all in a row, I’ll answer every question. First, who is she? Her name is Clarissa Smith, and she is as black as a little blackbird, and has to look just as the wee birdies do to our dear Father in Heaven for her daily bread. I am sorry to say that she is not pretty to look at, but it’s a fact. Her clothing is old and ragged, she has no shoes and no hat, though the round basket she carries on her head, peddling berries or vegetables, makes a broad enough one, for that matter.

Now for question number two, Was it a real mountain?

Yes, it was a real mountain; far more real than one of earth and stones. It was one that has a habit of getting between us and the light of God’s sweet love, and its name is _Discouragement_. Sometimes it gets between little girls and their sewing and makes them say, “Oh, dear me, I can’t do it!” Sometimes it piles itself upon a little boy’s book and makes him say, “I never can learn this lesson.”