Part 2

There are several things within our horizon to-day which conspire to give us hope of a speedy realization of this plan. Mr. Arthington’s offer still holds good. There is $15,000 for the work to begin with. Dr. O. H. White, the indefatigable Secretary of the Freedmen’s Missions Aid Society in Great Britain, is enthusiastic on the subject of this Mission, and reports to us that the interest of the English and Scotch people in it is deep and deepening. Already he has secured considerable sums to be devoted to this work. Recently he has written us asking for a definite agreement on the part of the Association as to what it will do in the way of providing from this country a portion of the fund deemed necessary to the inception of the Mission, if he shall raise from the mother country a second $15,000. The Committee has answered him that they will agree to provide the $20,000 to make the needed $50,000 for the start, and will then, “with the blessing of God and the assistance of the friends of the African race in Great Britain and America, perpetually maintain the Mission.”

The Committee felt free to make this pledge, in the present financial condition of the Association, and especially as final receipts from the Avery estate have recently come to hand, amounting to a considerable part of this sum, and which are devoted by the donor to the evangelization of the African race in Africa.

It is a great step for us to take; but we have felt that it would be a great mistake, a great failure in duty, for us not to take it. God bless Robert Arthington, of Leeds! God bless Dr. White in his efforts to raise this second fund! God bless every man and woman on either side the sea who shall join hands and put together their resources to carry the light of the gospel of love and liberty into the thick darkness of Eastern Equatorial Africa! Who will help us on this side the water?

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SELF-PROTECTION.

[We extract from the valuable address given at the Boston anniversary, by the Rev. Albert H. Heath, of New Bedford, Mass., his second division (all we can find room for), in which he treats forcibly of one most important aspect of our home work. In other portions of the address he spoke at length of our special obligations to these people and of the work in the light of a genuine Christian philanthropy. We commend these strong words to careful reading and thought.]

Self-protection is to be taken into consideration in this work. What effect, we may well inquire, is it going to have upon the beloved institutions of our land if these races are not Christianly educated? It is possible that many will feel that the Indian, whatever our treatment of him, can never offer any serious menace to our civil life; we may safely let him go, as his fathers have gone before him, marching before our fixed bayonets toward the setting sun. And if this military policy is to prevail, we shall all be glad when he has made his last trail across the plain and echoed his last shrill war-whoop amid the mountains’ fastnesses. But, after all, friends, it may be there is a God in Heaven who will remember and avenge the red man’s wrong. “They that take the sword shall perish with the sword,” is not alone to be found in Scripture. It is written in our constitutions; it is a fundamental law of our being; and history bears abundant testimony that it is no dead letter. We ought to remember this law as we press the Indian from his God-given right. It may be that we, the children of the Pilgrims, may yet find ourselves driven from our Eastern homes and the institutions which the century has helped us to build, while the red hand of Nihilism holds sway over the graves of our fathers, and crowds us, as we are to-day crowding the Indian, into the track of the setting sun.

But whatever may be the result of our treatment of the Indian, there can be no doubt what will be the effect if the Negro and the Chinaman are left uneducated and unchristianized. Already do we feel the hand of the black man in our politics; our ears have distinctly heard the low rumbling, and we have felt the shudder beneath our feet which betokens an eruption. Before we know it Vesuvius may be belching forth its fiery flood, darkening the sky and spreading far and wide its river of death. Nor will the exodus greatly change the matter. The demagogue and the office-seeker are a genus that thrives in all climes. They may be more poisonous at the South, as most reptiles are that breed under a tropical sun; but the frosts of the North do not kill them any more than they kill the larvæ of the insects which every April sun hatches into life. It only needs the warmth of an election to quicken them and bring them in buzzing swarms around your ears. There will be corrupt politicians in Kansas who will rob them of their political rights as readily as those in the South. It matters little where they dwell; even in New York or Boston they would find themselves still in the reign of demoniacal possession. While they remain an ignorant class they will be a dangerous class. To be shot and intimidated may not be, after all, their worst political fate; to be corrupted with bribery would be equally bad. The electioneering purse, in the hand of the Northern office-seeker, might prove as potent in robbing them of their rights as the pistol which Southern chivalry may point at their devoted heads. Let us not, therefore, cheer ourselves, nor encourage these, our colored friends, that there is any holy land in these United States to which they may go in solemn exodus and be safe. Wherever they may be, ignorance is their greatest curse; nothing but education and Christianization will dispel this shadow that is darkening their lives, and lift this yoke of bondage that is now galling their necks, and in no other way can they be converted into useful citizens. They are an element of danger to the Republic, until, like our Northern children, they grow up under the shadow of the school-house. It is possible that all are not aware how great is the weight of this ignorance, which is like loose ballast in the ship of State, ready at any sudden lurch to change sides and carry us to the bottom. We and our legislators have been most thoughtless in our treatment of this question. In a single day, by legislative enactment, we put the ballot into the hand of a million men, not one of whom knew a letter of the alphabet. A more suicidal blow has seldom been aimed at the heart of this Republic. We have given, almost indiscriminately, the right of suffrage to these Southern States, and yet in sixteen of them seventy-five out of every hundred of the population, according to the census of 1870, are growing up entirely without school advantages. At the present moment a majority of the voters in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi and South Carolina are without the ability either to read or write. In either of these States, or in all of them, any election can be carried by sheer weight of ignorance. Seventeen hundred thousand men, according to a statistical report which has been put into my hands, at the last national election cast the ballot which they could neither read nor write. No wonder we were plunged into confusion. Had not a kindly Providence been on our side we should have been plunged into anarchy. And this scene waits to repeat itself in 1880. The next President of these States will be elected to his high position by sheer force of ignorance—ignorance manipulated and controlled by men whose hearts are as black with treason to-day as they were in ’61. No thoughtful man can look upon these facts and not tremble for the safety of his country.

So, also, is the ignorant and unchristianized Chinaman making himself felt in our politics. He casts no ballot, he holds no office. He does not come to the polls to drink and smoke and sell himself to the highest bidder on election day; and yet his political influence already is as wide as the continent; his unwelcome ghost stalks through the halls of Congress, and broods over every political or religious convention that is holden between the two oceans. Already have we seen one sovereign State changing the terms of its constitution and revolutionizing its laws out of pure regard for the Chinaman. And, still more significant, we have seen our great National Congress voting to change the very genius of the Government, and to shut the doors that have for a hundred years stood open, and which we mean shall not be closed for a hundred years to come; and we will write over these open doors in letters of fire, so that the most distant islands of the sea may read: “This is the world’s asylum, free to the oppressed of all nations.” Now, I doubt not there are evils connected with the coming of the heathen Chinaman. There is oppression and sorrow brought home to many hearts. I feel that there must be more or less of pollution in his touch. I pity the State into which this old world sewerage empties itself. But the remedy is not in building walls, though they be heaven-high, on our Chinaward side. This evil can be handled and neutralized only by the Christian virtue that is in us. Can we convert this heathen material—permeate it with Christian thought? Can we assimilate it and weave it into the civil fabric we are making? If so, it will do us no harm; otherwise it will rankle like poison in our blood, and possibly work our destruction in the end. This question should not be settled in the political arena. It is a moral, a religious question. The forces that are needed now are those that lie in the hand of the Christian church. We must permeate this festering mass with the leaven of Christ, and we must do it speedily. The evil is growing. Politicians are beginning to treat it, and therefore it is rapidly growing worse. It cannot be cured by legislative enactment. Legislation knows of no instrumentality, save that the civil statute ultimately seeks support in the bayonet. Before we know it, this question may be baptized in blood. Those western shores are far away. The Rocky Mountain wall lifts up a tremendous barrier to separate us and make us twain; only one little thread of iron binds us together and makes us one. Let us not wait until the whole Pacific slope bristles with rebellion as the South did in ’61; but let us pour the strains of our Christian influence over the mountains. If we can Christianize this heathen mass, then the trouble is over, the danger passed. Self-protection, then, affords a most powerful motive in the prosecution of this work.

ALBERT H. HEATH.

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SUNDAY-SCHOOL LETTERS.

The interest of the Sunday-schools in our Southern work has been increasing during the past year. The concert exercise has taken well, and many schools have sent us their first contributions.

How many of the schools connected with our churches understand clearly our offer in regard to correspondence from the field, we do not know. It is this: any Sunday-school which contributes ten dollars or more annually to the work of the A. M. A., if they request it, is entitled to a quarterly letter from one of our missionaries.

The “Children’s Page” of this number of the MISSIONARY contains such a letter. It is bright and interesting to both teachers and scholars. The following letter from a superintendent tells of the interest excited by such letters in his school.

Besides the good done by the money given, is it not well worth while to train up our children to give, and to educate them in the missionary spirit? This letter is in response to a Sunday-school letter from Miss Barr:

MISS L. E. B.

DEAR SISTER IN CHRIST: Your kind letter of the 11th inst. came to hand by due course of mail, and your very valuable epistle to our Sabbath-school, of the 2d, came last Saturday. Accept my sincere thanks for the same, in behalf of the Sunday-school and myself. I think if you could have seen the eager faces and deep interest manifested by all while I read it to the school last Sabbath, you would be satisfied that at least one missionary of the A. M. A. would be mentioned by our praying ones in their petitions at the Throne of Grace for some time, and that all of us have so much of a missionary spirit kindled in our hearts, and so much interest awakened in you personally, that your next letter will be looked for so eagerly that it will seem a good while to wait. I think you must have a very earnest-working church in Atlanta, and that the Master will bless them and you is my prayer. I have no doubt but “Aunt Lucy” will have many prayers offered for a blessing upon her.

I am glad to know that your present field of labor in the vineyard is so pleasant; and that the Master will give you health and strength to labor for Him in it, and that you may be the means in His hands of gathering in many precious sheaves from it to the heavenly garners, is the sincere prayer of

Your humble fellow-servant,

R. H.,

_Superintendent Congregational Sabbath-school_.

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ITEMS FROM THE FIELD.

ANNISTON, ALA.—Rev. P. J. McEntosh writes: “My field is increasing in interest greatly. I have just closed a series of meetings in our church. The Lord hath once more visited this part of His vineyard. There have been twenty-two conversions in our meetings. Seventeen of these have cast their lot among us—seven strong, settled men, four settled wives, six promising young ladies. Others are still asking what they must do to be saved, and if I can induce them to take Jesus at His word and believe on Him, they too shall be saved. Pray for us, that I may lead them on in the paths of peace, and that they may learn from experience that ‘The path of the just is as a shining light, which shineth more and more unto the perfect day.’”

TALLADEGA, ALA.—Our first word from the new President of the College, Rev. H. S. DeForest: I came sound and dusty this p. m., having seen many things of interest to me at Hampton and Atlanta. The first look here more than meets my expectations. The buildings, grounds and scenery are very pleasant, and the possibilities certainly are grand.

ATLANTA, GA.—The Fall term of the University opened October 1st. The first week gives promise of a very full school. There are already thirty girl boarders, and the indications are that their Hall will be as badly crowded as last year. The reports of the Summer work of the students, in all parts of the State, are very cheering. There is an increasing desire for education. The white people are taking a deeper and more kindly interest in the education of the colored children and in the University.

Dr. Orr, State School Commissioner of Georgia, has, with the approval of Dr. Sears, established fourteen Peabody scholarships, each paying $72, in the Normal department of Atlanta University. The award is to be determined by competitive examinations.

The Storrs School is running over full.

CYPRESS SLASH, GA.—Brother Snelson writes: Last Sunday, 14th, I spent with Brother Headen at Cypress Slash. Gave the communion there, and received three new members. They have made a pretty good pole-house, about 28×20 feet, in which they hold school and meeting.

FLATONIA, TEXAS.—We are holding a protracted meeting, and last Sunday was our communion. There seems to be more interest in the church, and the prospect is fair for doing good. Last night seventeen persons rose for prayer. Brother Church has been here since last Thursday, and will remain a few days longer.

AUSTIN, TEXAS.—Mr. A. J. Turner writes: I was in Austin last week and visited Mrs. Garland’s school. She had just returned from the North and started her school. She has a full Sabbath-school. I visited with her the site of the new building, the walls of which are rising. It will be a beautiful place. I rejoice that Northern people are doing so much for our people.

GOLIAD, TEXAS.—“There is an increasing desire among our people to carry the Gospel beyond the bounds of our churches, and so far as it has been done, our polity and purity have attracted favorable attention. There is a growing dissatisfaction with the worship and moralities of the older churches on the part of some of their members and others who would join but for these. The young people, in their plays, imitate the ‘shouting’ to perfection. It is fine sport to them to see the church members perform. They laugh at the claim of Divine help to do what they can so easily do without that help. The young men, on this account, are increasingly more difficult to reach with the Gospel. Education, property and morality are cast aside as of little worth; stealing and shooting among themselves are not uncommon. Only a pure Gospel can save these young men from dissipation and crime; yet they see the grossest immoralities in church members, and the wildest fanaticism in their modes of worship. A wide door is open here for Christian workers, and as promising as any other to those of great patience and self-denial.”

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GENERAL NOTES.

The Freedmen.

—THE PEABODY EDUCATIONAL FUND—REPORTS OF THE GENERAL AGENT AND THE TREASURER.—The annual meeting of the trustees of the Peabody Educational Fund was held October 1st, at the Fifth Avenue Hotel. The chairman addressed the meeting, and in the course of his remarks mentioned with regret the shrinkage in the income from the investments, and expressed the hope that from other sources the funds would be rendered adequate to the work laid out.

The thirteenth annual report was presented by Dr. Sears, the general agent. He said that the work had made satisfactory progress during the past year. The difficulties arising from the poverty of the South, he continued, are now increased by the pressure of the State debts. The necessity of aid from the Federal Government is now greater than ever before. The evils that are certain to grow out of popular ignorance, if the public schools are suffered to languish, or if they reach only a part of the population, will not be limited to the States where they first appear, but will cast their blight over the whole country.

It might be thought best to limit the assistance to the colored population, if any should be granted. By an act of the General Government the right of suffrage has been extended to them. A large proportion of them are confessedly unqualified for a judicious exercise of this power. If the colored people are the “wards of the nation,” in what way can the nation so well perform the duties of its trust as by qualifying them for citizenship?

Of the two grand objects of this fund, the first, the promotion of common school education, has been thoroughly established, and the chief attention should be henceforth given to the second, the professional training of teachers. In some of the States that stand most in need of efficient normal schools, it would be impossible to provide at once the requisite funds for their establishment.

Though there are very few normal schools of a high character besides our own in the States with which we are concerned, there are several of different grades of excellence, either maintained or aided by public authority. Some of the former, and all of the latter, are for colored teachers. Much good has been accomplished for the colored schools by the universities and other endowed institutions with normal departments, maintained by different Christian denominations. One association has already sent out from its numerous institutions 5,267 teachers, by whom about 100,000 pupils have been instructed. A large proportion of the graduates of all these institutions become teachers.

The report by States shows the following facts: In Virginia less than half the children of the State attended the public schools last year. In the colored schools there was a loss of 3,271, compared with the year before. Over $250,000 of the school money has been diverted to other purposes; but in the future three-fourths of the appropriation are secure.

In North Carolina the attendance is less than one-half. Difficulty has been found in this State to induce young men of character and talent to prepare for the business of teaching, as the pay is uncertain and but little more than the wages of a common laborer.

The school attendance in South Carolina has increased 13,843 during the year. For several years the system of public instruction was in a disordered condition; but, during the last year, a better state of things has been manifest. But the want of normal schools and of more funds is painfully felt. Such, at least, are the views of the State Superintendent. In regard to scholarships he says: “The agent of the Peabody Fund has placed at my disposal ten fifty-dollar scholarships in the Normal and Agricultural Institute at Hampton, Va. A visit to the Institute and observation of the manner in which it is conducted convince me that it is doing exactly what it professes to do.” He adds: “There are dangers before us which it will require the highest patriotism and the wisest statesmanship to avoid. Nearly 57 per cent. of the voting population of the State are unable to read the ballots which they cast.”

In Georgia, notwithstanding the increase of nearly 40,000 in the school population, the number of the illiterate is diminished 20,614. Great encouragement is felt regarding the educational prospects in the State.

In Florida education is advancing rapidly. Two-fifths of the children attend school, and there are applicants promised for all the Normal College scholarships that can be allowed to that State.

Opposition to the public free school system is disappearing in Mississippi, and a healthy condition is reported. A normal institute has been established. One-third of the school population attend in Louisiana. In the Colored Normal School we have had twenty scholarships of $50 each. This arrangement is the result of an extended correspondence with the State Superintendent.

In Tennessee, never since the first year of the present school system has so much money been raised for its support; never has the school tax been paid more cheerfully. Speaking of the use made of Mr. Peabody’s gift, the Superintendent says: “The encouragement given by the wise disposition of this fund has always proved an invaluable accessory in the arduous work of organizing and sustaining the cause of popular education in this State and in the South.”

The State Superintendent of West Virginia says of the aid received from the Peabody Fund for the Normal Institutes: “It is of the highest value to the cause of education, and contributes more, perhaps, in general advantage than an equal expenditure in any other direction could do.”

The appropriations from the fund for the last year were: Virginia, $9,850; North Carolina, $6,700; South Carolina, $4,250; Georgia, $6,500; Florida, $3,000; Alabama, $3,600; Mississippi, $4,000; Louisiana, $7,650; Texas, $7,700; Arkansas, $5,600; Tennessee, $12,000; West Virginia, $4,000; total, $74,850.

The Treasurer’s report showed a balance of about $83,000 available for expenditure during the coming year. In former years the income has amounted at times to as much as $110,000, but there has been some shrinkage since the 6 per cent. bonds, in which much of the fund was invested, have been called in, the new investments being in 4 per cent. bonds.

The officers of the Board, who have been continued from year to year, are Robert Winthrop, Chairman; G. Peabody Russell, Secretary; Samuel Wetmore, Treasurer; the Rev. Barnas Sears, General Agent.

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The Indians.