Part 3

I have to whitewash and try to paint the parsonage, as the church is not able, on account of struggling hard to raise money to paint the inside of the meeting-house, and to pay Brother Markham for some new benches. They have finished paying for the organ and have had the church nicely done up (whitewashed) outside. Our Sunday-night meetings are crowded. Our Sabbath-school and day-school are flourishing.

Last Sunday I received a note which read as follows: “I desire to become a member of this Sabbath-school. I promise to study hard and obey all its rules.” Signed, “Thomas.” In reading out my church notices I remarked, “Here is a note from little Thomas, etc. Yes, Tommy, we are happy to receive you. If little Tom is present he will please stand up.” Imagine my feelings when a big man got up and exclaimed, “Here is your little Tom, sir.” This person was a teacher in the Baptist Sabbath-school, and is a member of that church.

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A New Field.

REV. A. J. HEADEN, CYPRESS SLASH

I arrived here July the 3d. There are many things to encourage effort in this field of labor. We have a splendid situation for a church, and school, and a few earnest men and women. We need a church building very much indeed, and hope to secure one as soon as possible.

When I arrived here I found my people building a school-house of pine logs on the grounds near where we hope to build the church, in which a public school will be opened the 1st of August by Mr. Silas Daniels. We shall use the school-house for worship until we can build a church. It is 18 by 20 feet.

This field seems now to be ready for the harvest, and for that reason I would urge the importance of building a church as soon as possible. The people are poor, but willing to do what they can to push the work forward. With some help I believe great results may be obtained here for our Lord and his Christ. I do not think that money could be given to any field or people with more advantage than to this. The people are truly in earnest, and will put forth every effort themselves with the Association to establish here a Christian church and school.

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ALABAMA.

Swayne School.

MISS M. J. ADAMS, MONTGOMERY.

Swayne School closed its school year June 5th. We had pleasant public exercises for the little ones Wednesday evening at 5 o’clock and on Thursday night for the older pupils at the Congregational church. “We had a neat programme printed, the pupils bringing each a “nickel” to pay the printer. One was sent to each of the clergymen of the city, and to several prominent citizens.

The Board of Education and the mayor of the city, also two or three judges, responded by their presence. It was a very bright and happy occasion; a crowded house seemed to enjoy, without weariness, a two hours’ sitting.

Many kind words of approbation have come to us with regard to the high order and interest of the exercises. We trust that some new friends have been made, and a new interest developed in our work with some present that evening. It has been a very laborious year, but the teachers have all stood bravely and faithfully at their posts, and by the good hand of our God upon us, we have all “come through” without falling by the way.

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TENNESSEE.

Le Moyne School--Close of the Year--Conversions.

MISS LAURA A. PARMELEE, MEMPHIS.

At the closing exercises of the school our numbers were good, and the last recitation was as perfect as any lesson within the year. It was remarkable that interest in study did not flag in the least.

The most cheering of closing incidents was found in the prayer meeting. We have regretted the lack of a decided religious influence--it has been the one failure of the year. In the last meeting we were not left without evidence of the Spirit’s work. Two young men confessed their trust in Christ and determination to be his avowed followers. Another young man, whose voice has been silent for years, and who has seldom attended meetings either at school or church, asked prayers for himself in a manly way that spoke well for his expressed desire to resume his place in the ranks of Christian workers.

We are not satisfied with the spiritual record of the year. We hoped it would have been a harvest season.

I have not heard from the church since the fever panic. Am hoping it will not scatter the members or retard the work, which seemed prosperous.

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A Colored Girl’s Experience as a Teacher.

REBECCA A. MICHEL, MARION, ALA.

This little town contains about five hundred inhabitants. There are few colored people in Pikeville, but many live about it from one to three miles away. My school was not right in Pikeville, but just on the edge. The school-house was about eighteen by thirty. It is a frame house and has fourteen seats in it, all without backs except four of them.

My work for the year 1878 began the second week of June, the school being crowded from day to day. During the months of June, July, August, September and October, the number enrolled ran up to seventy-five. I heard from some of the citizens of that little town that the pupils attended the school more regularly than they were known to do before. I am glad to say that the greater portion of my school seemed to have a thirst for knowledge. Even the little ones worked earnestly in trying to prepare their lessons for the time when they should recite. My school opened each morning with singing, Scripture reading and prayer. At the close of the term every one could read, print, write and spell. Those who have been out in the dark regions to teach the people can sympathize with those of us who go into such places. They know something of the troubles that meet us. On the whole, the outlook is very hopeful.

The work of last summer was arduous, yet I went through it with the help of the Lord, seeing promises of most excellent results for the future. When I first went to Pikeville I found the people of both classes in a degraded and superstitious condition, and ignorance seemed to be the leading principle of the place. The Sabbath was regarded but by a very few of either class. Yet they were very anxious for an education, and tried in every way they could to make our schools comfortable and interesting. Their whole cry was, “Do all you can for us poor people who are in the dark, and are in so much need of an education.” I organized a Sunday-school, which I think was one of the most important parts of my work, to teach the people the word of God. I taught day and Sunday-school for five months, and had great success with both white and colored people. The white people were very kind to me. I had a long talk with some of them about the education of the colored people. They said if the colored man was educated they thought he would make a better citizen, and they were ready to do all they could in trying to help him toward an education.

My short but busy term closed with an examination and a good exhibition, well attended by white as well as colored people. All seemed perfectly satisfied with the work that I had done for them during the term. The white people gave me permission to have my exhibition in their academy, which held over two hundred persons.

I have come back to this lonely Sequatchie valley to stay with these people four or five months longer, in which time I hope to do much good for them. All welcome me back to my old home. They say: “The white people seem just as glad to have me back as the colored do.” Some of them stopped me on the street to shake hands with me, and to talk with me about coming to teach the young people manners and behavior.

One said: “I tell you, our young people do need education so much, and I am so glad you have come back to teach them.” Another said: “I knew you could not stay away from here.” I could speak of a good many more interesting facts, but time will not permit me to speak of them. I hope you will find this story interesting.

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MISSISSIPPI.

Letter from a Tougaloo Student--Vacation Work--Needy Recruits.

My public school closed last week, and I commenced teaching an independent school this morning, with thirty pupils. They pay one dollar per month, in _advance_. I think I shall have a very good school.

There are nine or ten promising young men here who want to go to Tougaloo, to school next year. Some of them are quite young, sixteen or seventeen years of age, and a great deal of good can be done with and through such boys. Very few of them will be able to pay anything for their board. They often come to my room in great numbers to talk of Tougaloo.

In speaking with young people about this University, I try to impress them with the knowledge that young men who are willing to work hard and study diligently are those for whom the school is open. I show them my five pound boots, etc. I think those who go there from here will not find it harder than they expected. I go into the country occasionally and meet young men who say: “Please talk to my father in my behalf, and try to induce him to send me to school.” A young man and his sister (who live eight or ten miles in the country) board here and go to school to me. The young man went to school in Selma, when he was quite a small boy. He also went to school at Tougaloo a few months. He is very anxious to be in school there next year, and his parents are very anxious to have both him and his sister go, but he thinks it is very doubtful unless he can get some work to do, and he is willing to do any kind of work. From what I have seen of him, I think him the most promising of any I have met. He is not a Christian.

There are two young women here who are also anxious to go to Tougaloo to school. Both are willing to work all they can. I want to explain their condition to you, and have you let me know whether anything can be done for them. One of them has been bound out for some time to a white family, and is now living with an old lady, and washing, ironing, cooking, etc., for her living. She was raised by those white people, and has every appearance of a lady, so far as I can see. She is about sixteen or seventeen years of age. She went to school to Miss V., who can tell you of her.

I have not come to the point yet. I want to know if you cannot give the people here an opportunity to work in preference to strangers from other places. If you can form an idea how much work you can furnish, I wish you would give me some information in regard to it, so that I can answer the many questions that are asked me.

At the closing exercises of my school, there were people present from ten or twelve miles in several directions. They were all pleased with the exercises, both the white and the colored people. The whites have been assisting me in getting up my independent school. A white man sends one child and pays for it himself. Some of the whites suggested that it would be a good idea to have a high school here for the colored people.

The editor of the paper sent to my room for me Saturday, and I had a long talk with him. He said he had not known very much about Tougaloo University.

There was such a gathering at the church on Wednesday evening that they could not all get into the house. I extended an invitation to all the people in the county to be present: it was well represented. I invited the people to sign the temperance pledge after a temperance concert. The invitation was responded to by a great number. A still greater number have stopped chewing tobacco, but have not signed the pledge, because they prefer giving themselves a trial before doing so. There will be quite a number of others who will sign the pledge soon, I think.

W. H. L.

AFRICA.

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THE MENDI MISSION.

Religious Progress, etc., at Avery.

REV. A. E. JACKSON, AVERY.

I am glad to say that there is an increasing interest religiously among the people. They seem to be growing more and more in the love of God, and to exhibit it in their lives. They have begun to be a more Sabbath-observing people. They are also attending church more regularly than usual, and give better attention than ever before. These are all features of encouragement in our work.

Sunday, May 11, was our communion day, and the Lord seemed to be present with us in the Spirit’s power. Two adults were added to the church, and five children christened. There is also a growing interest in our prayer meetings; several are inquiring the way of salvation. We earnestly ask the united prayers of your church for our work.

The tornadoes are fast coming to a close, and the rains are rapidly approaching. There will doubtless be very great suffering on the part of the natives this season, on account of the scarcity of rice. This comes from the fact that the rains came on much earlier than usual last year.

The agricultural work is progressing quite nicely. The coffee farm is in quite a good condition, and Brother Anthony is now having it cleaned.

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Travels into the Interior--The Heathen--The Country--The Opportunity.

REV. ALBERT P. MILLER, GOOD HOPE.

It was my privilege to visit, during last mouth and part of this, a large extent of country toward the interior of this broad continent, directly in front of the Sherbro Islands, to form an opinion as to the prospects of “stretching our lines.” I cannot promise to give you a detailed account of all incidents of interest that came under my observation, but shall dwell upon that which presses my mind most in regard to our work--the opening up of new places for missionary operation.

On the 13th of May ultimo, Brother Jackson and I left Avery with a view of visiting places in the Bargroo country, and at the same time of getting children to be trained at Avery for missionaries. We skimmed along nicely on the Big Bargroo River, passing many neatly built and arranged villages. We stopped at some to ask for children, but the chiefs informed us, generally, that they would have to hold consultations with the people on the matter.

On every side signs of heathenism exhibited themselves. Little mounds, built by certain insects of the country, neatly covered by the natives, are bowed down to and worshipped. Small pots or bottles are placed before their doors to keep away evil spirits.

COCONANNY AND DODO.

Late in the evening we arrived at Coconanny, the extreme military post of the English. This is kept here to suppress the slave-trade, though much of it is carried on, I am informed, clandestinely. It is a beautiful place, elevated and healthy; vegetation, too, grows luxuriantly. The trader, Mr. Hayes, with whom we put up for the night, has built, at his own expense, a small chapel, in which services are conducted mornings and Sundays. Mr. Hayes is a friend of the Mission and our work, and desires very much to have us come and begin missionary work in behalf of those among whom his lot is cast. The villages round about are abundant, and I think a good work could be done in this community. The people are willing to have us come and establish a permanent Christian work among them. British protection being here would render property safer and less liable to plunder.

Leaving Coconanny early next morning, we made our way to Dodo. The neatness of the places visited was everywhere noticeable, the people in their very expressions seeming to welcome “the missionaries” who had come to visit them. There is nothing strikingly beautiful about the part of the Bargroo country that I visited. Mangroves extend to the village of Dodo, which we have in abundance in Sherbro. The scene to me was rather monotonous. “We reached Dodo late in the evening, and after the usual ceremony, which consists in giving the chief presents, we disclosed to him the nature of our journey, among other things telling him that we desired very much to get children from his territory to train in our mission for missionaries. For his people he could not speak just then, but his majesty informed us that the matter would be brought before them for consideration as soon as practicable; he was in a position to speak for himself, and would give the only son large enough to leave home at the time. A large goat was slain and brought in and laid before us, with a peck of rice, for our supper. Although we were very hungry, this was more than we felt able to consume at one or two meals. A hind quarter was sent in to the chief, the rest being shared between ourselves and our men. Here we stopped overnight. The place is strongly barricaded, and is very neat and cleanly. A place was offered our Mission on which to establish a station. Here is a fine opportunity to make a step more directly toward the interior. They want us to come; what must we tell them? Brother Jackson visits the chief as often as time and strength will allow. He was once ransomed by Brother Snelson when on the point of being sent to Freetown, accused and found guilty of selling slaves. They dread very much to fall into the hands of the English, and he was a happy man when Brother Snelson paid his ransom for him, and stood between him and the English authorities. He has given up warring, and his people are seemingly prosperous and happy. His subjects are chiefly Sherbros, but they speak Mendi as well as their mother tongue.

Our Mission, through former missionaries, is known far into the interior, and the natives generally are favorably disposed toward it. We left Dodo early next morning, homeward bound, with Joe, the chief’s son, with us. He wore only nature’s garment, and seemed as happy as a bird. The people here don’t bother themselves too much about clothing. Industry is characteristic of them. We stopped at places that we visited on our advance up the river, and were informed in most cases that the “big man” was away, or the chief at Dodo. Humper Ranko had not been consulted. The people dare not do anything of this nature without first consulting their head. However, we succeeded in getting four children, who were carried, as we found them--without a rag on--to Avery.

There are two places in this wilderness of moral darkness now open to us which, I think, could be worked up with very small expense to the Mission. Both are on the Bargroo River, leading toward the interior, which is navigable at all seasons of the year by small boats. May the Lord in His own good time send to these our benighted brethren the advantages of a Christian civilization.

KAW-MENDI.

In accordance with your request I visited, last month, Kaw-Mendi and vicinity, where the banner of the Cross was first unfurled in this part of a heathen land by men sent out by the American Missionary Association. This place, as you will remember, was deserted for a long time. Of late years Mr. J. M. Williams, of his own accord and on his own responsibility, has resumed the work. Here lie some of the sainted dead who fell in pure devotion to the cause of the Christian religion, to the cause of suffering and unenlightened humanity.

A mangrove tree here and there and roads leading in different directions only remind one that once better things were here. Some of the scholars who attended school when Kaw-Mendi was in her bloom are still round about, and they still remember their old teachers, many of whom, doubtless, are now gone. They all seemed glad to have us come and visit them. One of the “Amistads” is here--Father Smith. He is growing quite old; yet he is active. Old Aunt Maria and Limby are still alive and can tell you all about Mr. Raymond and others who, in the infancy of missions here, came to Africa. Brother Williams has prayer meetings in his country house, mornings and evenings, to which those near are invited to come. Regular preaching services are held in a country chapel on Sundays. The chapel has been recently built, and the membership is such as to necessitate its being organized and dedicated. Old pupils of the Mission, who had lapsed into heathen habits, having long been left without any spiritual leader, have been reclaimed and brought into the church.

The chief is favorably disposed toward missionaries and accompanied us to many places in his territory. Were it not for his favor, Brother Williams could not get along so well in his work. There are 21 boys under Mr. Williams’ immediate care in his country house, (which is very neat and comfortable), whom he is instructing. He feeds and clothes them, and how he does it is a mystery to me. One thing helps him, and that is his agricultural department, connected with his school. His boys are taught to work. Although the farm is small, still it is very good.

We took Brother Williams by surprise and notwithstanding his poor accommodation, as he termed it, we (Mrs. Miller, Mr. Jowett and myself) spent two or three days very pleasantly in and about Kaw-Mendi. We went up the Little Boom as far as Kambia. This was a very strongly barricaded town, held by Tom Cabby Smith, the most powerful and wealthy chief in all this region of country. He died last year, and his estate is going to ruin. The walls have fallen, the slaves are widely scattered, and things in general are in a very unsettled state. He was once connected with the Mission at Kaw-Mendi as a common laborer and was a very industrious man. Villages all along the banks of the river were flourishing and rice crops promising. Everything indicated prosperity, so far as the natives are able to be prosperous without the light of the Gospel.

The country is Mendi-speaking, and though it is large and the people are plentiful, and are not opposed to the Christian religion, still there is but one man in this country to tell them of Jesus.

I am favorably impressed with the country and the people. It is a day’s travel from Good Hope. Stretching out toward the interior, the country is low, but Brother Williams pronounces it healthy. He is a West Indian, and has lived in Africa for the last twenty years. It may be that he is quite acclimated, and it is not unhealthy for him.

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Places up the Big Boom were also visited in the interest of the Mission, some of which were formerly occupied by missionaries under the general direction of the American Missionary Association, but are now abandoned. Three of these, doubtless, are well remembered--Salem Hill, Lawana, and Mo-Tappan.

The lower portion of the Boom River waters a section of country that is very fertile, and might be called, very appropriately, the “Palm-growing Region.” The towns in this section of country are prosperous looking, and as one beholds palm-trees stretching into the distance, he can but think of the old missionary hymn--

“From Greenland’s icy mountains, etc., From many a palmy plain.”

Surely from these plains, rich in the production of palm-nuts, etc., they are calling Christian men and women to deliver them, not from physical bondage, but from that bondage that enslaves the soul forever--the bondage of eternal death!

GBAP, TROM, MARKETAH.

We stopped all night at a place called Gbap, where the king of a large extent of country, lying or bordering on the Big Boom, resides. We had very comfortable lodging here, although we failed in seeing his majesty the king.

Mrs. Miller was along; also Mr. Jowett, our interpreter. Two of the schoolboys also attended us. The next morning we got a good peep at the place. It was very neat, and I was informed that the Mission once had a teacher here.