Part 4

This institution, under the direction and control of the American Missionary Association, is doing a most excellent work in the education of the colored youth of the State. For a number of years after its establishment an annual appropriation was made by the State, supplementary to the funds contributed by the Society, and a Board of Trustees was appointed on the part of the State. This Board still exists; but inasmuch as the last Legislature failed to make appropriation for the University, and as the property belongs to the Missionary Society, it would appear to be useless. The Principal, writing on the 20th of December, 1879, says: “The improvement in the school is very marked. This is seen in the general training of students, in the greater number who are desiring to complete the regular course of study, the increased number in attendance in the higher grades, in more frequent visits from patrons, and by the friends it is making among the whites where our students have been at work.

The management of the institution is admirable, its teachers are superior, and everything connected with it is in excellent condition, as I have had occasion to learn from personal observation. As a recognition of the good work being done by the American Missionary Association in the education and elevation of the colored people of the State, it is recommended that a liberal appropriation be made, that it may be rendered still more useful.”

J. A. SMITH, _State Supt. of Public Education_.

* * * * *

LOUISIANA.

Revival in the Central Church—Theological Department—Church Dedication.

REV. W. S. ALEXANDER.

The hope expressed in my last letter that I might have glad tidings to send you, has been fully realized, and it is my happiness to record one of the most precious revivals in the history of the Central Church. I do not forget the history of the past four years, and the seasons of spiritual awakening through which the church has passed. The present movement differs from the preceding, if at all, in a more intelligent grasp of the truth, and in a deeper spiritual tone. The past summer was a time of preparation for the scenes that were to follow. The Revival was the constant theme of conversation and prayer. It was the one burden upon their hearts. Sunday, January 4, the first day of the week of prayer, was marked by evident signs of deepening interest. On that day, eight were received to the church, of whom three came on profession of their faith. For twenty-seven consecutive evenings, we met in our lecture room. The Gospel was preached with directness and earnestness. A “church in earnest” took hold of the work and pressed it forward. Beginning with an audience of 75, the numbers in constant attendance rapidly increased to 200. The interest suffered no diminution to the last night, when six came forward to the “mourners’ seats” with the cry, “Pray for us.” Some continued in an anxious state for two, three or four weeks, while others, coming in from motives of curiosity merely, were stricken down by God’s Spirit, and as quickly brought into the light and liberty of believers.

An old man of 70 years was brought into the Kingdom, and is as happy as the youngest convert. Another, much in political life, and who publicly said, “I have been an awful sinner,” seems now to be a reformed and converted man.

Four of our University students have joyfully professed Christ.

While incidents occurred daily which touched our hearts, and added to the tenderness and deep solemnity of our meetings, they cannot of course be faithfully recorded, and I do not attempt it.

Let me say that there was no undue excitement, and not the slightest approach to merely physical and emotional demonstrations. The work was too intelligent, too spiritual for that. In prayer, in song, and in appeal, human agency was forgotten, and the converting power of the Divine Spirit was reverently recognized.

Sunday, Feb. 1st, was our “Feast of Ingathering.” Of the _thirty_ converted in the meetings, twenty-four were received to the fellowship of the church, with two who came to us by letter. The people brought flowers for the pulpit and communion-table. Of the 250 present in the audience, 150 received the sacrament. “The Lord hath done great things for us whereof we are glad.”

_The Theological Department_ is larger than in any previous year. It numbers twenty members, young men of zeal and promise, not only willing but eager to be instructed in the truths and doctrines of God’s word. Four of the class are ordained ministers, of whom two are pastors of churches in New Orleans. Not all of them have the ministry in view. Those who have not, are hoping through this instruction to become more useful and efficient in the church. Three theological lectures are given each week, and there are besides sermons given by the students before the class for criticism, and discussions on religious topics. Our great lack is books of reference. We have no systems of theology, and no commentaries to which the young men can have access. In the “good time coming,” these we trust will be supplied, and so the efficiency of the department be increased.

_Church Dedication._—In response to an earnest invitation from the Congregational Church in New Iberia, I went down on Saturday, the 14th inst., to assist in the dedication of their new church. The terrific windstorm of last September laid their tasteful and really beautiful house of worship in ruins. The building was a total wreck. The storm, as it swept up the bayou, left only desolation in its track. The people, with commendable energy and self-denial, bating not one jot of heart or hope, set themselves to the work of rebuilding. They purchased more ground, put up a larger and better building, and the machinery of the church is again in working order. They have expended something like $450, and urgently need $200 more for painting and furnishing. The people feel that they have exhausted their resources. It is a noble enterprise, and should be encouraged. Loyalty to our Congregational polity in Louisiana should call forth a hearty response to their appeal. At the service of dedication, the house was crowded to its utmost capacity. Both morning and night the word was received with all readiness and gladness of heart. Southern Louisiana is a beautiful country, unsurpassed for productiveness, and should be dotted all over with churches where the Gospel in its simplicity, clearness and power may be preached. God speed the day!

* * * * *

TENNESSEE.

Revival in Fisk University.

PROF. H. S. BENNETT.

A quiet but deep work of grace has been in progress since the week of prayer in our institution. The week of prayer was observed as usual with us, but without any special increase of interest. The question then came up, “Shall we pass through the year without our usual work of grace?” This led to earnest prayer and consecration on the part of teachers and Christian students. The result was soon perceptible in greater earnestness among Christians, and a wide-spread spirit of inquiry among the impenitent. At this point the attendance on the half-hour prayer meetings was largely increased. From six to ten inquirers presented themselves for prayers from night to night, and from this time the work went forward. Four students were converted on one Sabbath, and others were brought out into the light. Thus the work went forward hopefully but quietly, until, up to this time, fourteen students have expressed a hope in Christ. This is the second season of interest during the present scholastic year. Before Christmas, a brief season of spiritual awakening brought seven students out upon the Lord’s side, so that the results of the year have been twenty-one conversions. Several others are still inquiring, and the work goes on, though with less manifest power than a few weeks ago.

The results of the revival have been seen in the deepening of the earnestness of Christians, so that much of the power of the good work does not appear.

* * * * *

THE INDIANS.

* * * * *

CHURCH—CHRISTMAS—BIBLES.

REV. MYRON EELLS, S’KOKOMISH, WASH. TER.

The first Sabbath in this year we received five members into our church, three of them on profession of faith, two of whom were our older scholars. One of the scholars whom we received a year ago died some time since. It was on the Sabbath, and after his brother, also a member, had returned from church, he took his brother’s hand and held it until he died, urging him to hold steadfast to his Christian profession to the end.

We have, to our great regret, been obliged to discipline two others for misconduct, suspending them for three months.

On Christmas I arranged so that a dinner was prepared for the oldest Indians, who are unable to support themselves. They enjoyed it, coming through storm, snow and cold in order to get it. It was the first affair of the kind we have had for them alone. Between Government and the Indians, feasts have been prepared for the Indians in general, but never for the old decrepit ones. They are nearly always neglected.

For more than two years I have been serving as Local Agent of our Territorial Bible Society. On making my report for the last year, I find that I have sold books to the amount of $32.19, viz. thirty Bibles and forty-five Testaments. Of these, twenty-one Bibles and eighteen Testaments have been bought by the Indians, for which they have paid $22.72. These have varied in price from the five-cent Testament to the royal octavo Bible, gilt, reference, the latter having been for a newly married couple, both of whom have been in school.

* * * * *

THE CHINESE.

* * * * *

“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 Mooar, D. D., Hon E. D. Sawyer, Rev. E. P. Baker, James M. Haven, Esq., Rev. Joseph Rowell, Rev. John Kimball, E. P. Sanford, Esq.

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

* * * * *

OUR NEW FIELDS.

It will be remembered by such of our friends as keep a close watch of our movements, that on or about the first of February, we commenced work in three new fields, Oroville, Grass Valley and Marysville. They will read with interest the subjoined extracts from letters already received:

_Marysville._—I requested Lee Haim to stop at Marysville, on his way to Oroville, and spend the Sabbath there, preaching as he had opportunity. I also invited Lem Chung, our helper at Sacramento, to accompany him, and to spend a week there assisting to start the school. A postal from Lee Haim and Lem Chung, written in Chinese and addressed to “The Brethren of the Congregational Association of Christian Chinese,” has been translated for me as follows: “Dear Brethren, We write to tell you that we arrived safely in Marysville a little after 4 P. M. An hour later we went to Chinatown, and on the street we preached to our countrymen. A large crowd was gathered at first by our singing, and they listened to both preaching and singing with great interest. At 7 o’clock the same evening, we had so large an audience in our school-room that many went away on account of lacking seats. Our hearts were filled with joy, and we preached to them from the Chinese Testament, and explained to them the meaning of the hymns we sang. We trust the seed sown will soon spring up to a good harvest. Our countrymen here in school treat us very kindly, and we know this is due to your and Mr. Pond’s prayers. Please pray for us continually.”

Miss Mattie A. Flint, the teacher, writes: “I have 25 names on the roll, with an average attendance of about 15. They all take a great deal of interest, especially in the singing. Already they can sing three or four of the hymns on the card very well. We have organized a Sunday-school. Visitors drop in occasionally and express much interest. I myself am deeply interested, and will do all in my power to teach them of their Heavenly Father. They are learning to read very fast.” The Christian co-operation of Rev. P. L. Carden, pastor of the Presbyterian Church in Marysville, has much to do with the good promise of the work there.

_Grass Valley._—Rev. F. B. Perkins reports orally, that he has succeeded in renting a school-room already tolerably well furnished, and expects to pay the rent by donations made upon the field. The average attendance thus far is but eight—owing partly, perhaps, to the fact that the school-room is rather remote from the Chinese quarter. But there is a good prospect of increase. I wish I could dare to send a helper to each of these points.

_Oroville._—Lee Haim wrote as follows after spending a fortnight in his new field: “The school was opened on the 5th day of this month” (the room not being ready before). “Only had school two evenings. Then we have vacation two days for New Year’s. At New Year’s day I made a call at every store (Chinese) in Oroville. On the second day of our new year I went to the other Chinese town three miles from here, and when I reached there I first made a call on every store. After that I preach to them and sing several hymns in Chinese in the opening” (_i. e._, of his street service). “It seems to me, by my own judgment (so far as I could judge) they were pleased to hear. Twenty were present at our last prayer-meeting, and when the school was opened again, the school-room was quite crowded. I hope the Almighty God will send His Holy Spirit to remove (move) their heart, and still lead them coming; that they may hear this wonderful word, and repent, to be the children of God.”

At a later date Miss Waterbury writes: “We are going on very well, and have as many as we can teach with any degree of profit. Last night I should judge there were fifty or more. It is impossible to tell the exact number, as many come in, take a lesson, and leave before the school is closed. Two-thirds, I should think, began at A B C. Many of these are now spelling words. [After less than a fortnight’s instruction.—W. C. P.] Last night I had twelve or more in their letters, and taught them from a card hung upon the wall, till lungs and strength gave out. Among them were two little boys about six years old, uncommonly smart and quick. Several old men have been spelling “dog,” “man,” etc. with great patience. The school is a new thing and creates much interest. Sometimes several will crowd around, looking over the shoulder and listening eagerly to the one who reads. I do not think this will always last, but I think there is a great field here for good. Oh, to be filled with the spirit of God, that I may be the channel of grace to these dark souls! Who is sufficient for these things?”

I add an extract from a letter from Miss Helen E. Clarke, teacher in one of our old fields—Santa Barbara. It is written in the familiar terms of a friendly correspondence, and not at all as a formal report; but it gives, for that, all the more graphic picture of the “ups and downs” of our work:

“I am very sorry to say that Ah Sing has left Santa Barbara. We shall miss him very much in the school. He went to the gold mines in Mexico, I think. He said he would write you when he got there. Gin Gem took the wash-house, [previously carried on by Ah Sing.—W. C. P.] It makes quite a difference whom they have there, and I am very glad he has it, for I think him a very good boy. He said the reason he wanted the place was, so that he could come to school every night. He and Gin Foy expect to unite with our church to-morrow.”

EDWARD P. SANFORD,

a director in our California Auxiliary, from its organization, for many years Superintendent of the Chinese Sunday-school of the First Congregational Church in Oakland, was transferred to the church above on Feb. 16th. A fearless friend of all who are unbefriended by the world at large, an eager, efficient and prayerful follower of Jesus, a strong pillar in the church, a man who united a careful and intense energy and an unflinching and unspotted integrity, with the gentleness and kindliness sometimes supposed to adorn womanhood alone, genial, generous, helpful everywhere,—how _can_ we spare him? But how high and holy and beneficent must be the service prepared for him above, since the Master who never mistakes, thought good to take him there!

* * * * *

CHILDREN’S PAGE.

* * * * *

A VOYAGE TO AFRICA—PROF. CHASE TO HIS FOUR-YEAR-OLD BOY.

* * * * *

MY DEAR LITTLE BOY:

It is a good many days since papa left you and mamma, and he has been sailing on the water most all of the time. I was in the boat that you and mamma left me on twelve days, as many as you have fingers on both hands and two more. Then I was on land three nights. Then I came on this ship, and have slept on it as many nights as you and mamma both have fingers on your two hands. The little beds on this boat are just like those you saw.

The boat stopped a little while at some places, and I saw people without much clothes, like the pictures you saw in the book, and little boys and girls, as big as you, who had not any clothes at all. They did not seem to care; but I think they would feel very fine if they had nice little sailor suits like yours. These black people eat real funny. On the little boats that came out to get things from this big boat they had little stoves with one pot. A boy about as big as Johnnie C——, with no clothes but one piece tied around him—no hat, no shirt, no coat, no pants, no socks, no shoes—made the fire and cooked the food. He took some fishes that he had caught in the water and cut them into small pieces, and then took some rice, and put the pieces of fish and the rice into the pot over the fire with some water in it. Then he put something into a hole in a big log and pounded it with the end of a shovel-handle, and when he had pounded it enough he poured it on the fish and rice in the pot. By and by he poured what was in the pot into a large tray and all the men began to eat. But they did not eat as we do. They did not have any plates, nor any knives, nor any forks. They just had one spoon. One took this spoon and ate a little, and then handed it to another and he ate a little. The others put their hands into the tray and took out a handful of the fish and rice and made it up into a ball, as boys where you are make snow-balls, and then ate it as people eat apples. I don’t think you would like to have your papa and mamma eat in that way, and I don’t think you would like to eat just fish and rice, no meat, no potatoes, no bread, no butter, no pie, no cake. But the rich people here in Africa have _some_ nice things to eat. Mr. Smith bought a lot of nice oranges for about a cent apiece. They were real sweet and juicy and do not make my teeth sore, and we have some real nice bananas—I wish you and mother had some of them—and where we are to stop next, pine-apples grow.

It is not cold here as it is where you are. The sun is real hot and the trees are all covered with leaves and oranges, and bananas and pine-apples are growing on the trees and just getting ripe. I expect to leave this ship to-morrow. The next day will be Sunday, and we shall spend that day in Sierra Leone. Then we are to ride in a small boat that black men will make go with their oars, like that boat the boy took us to see the soldiers in last summer, when you were just a little afraid it would tip over and spill us out into the water. Don’t you remember?

So in four days more we are to stop going, going, going on the water, and live on the land in a house once more.

From your loving papa, T. N. C.

P. S.—We reached Sierra Leone Sunday morning, and found a little steamer bound for Good Hope, to which we have been transferred. We went ashore yesterday and attended church at the Wesleyan Mission, at which a native minister preached, and took lunch with Rev. Dr. Godman, who is in charge of the Wesleyan Missions. The boat is to leave at 12 to-day, and we plan to go ashore meanwhile.

* * * * *

RECEIPTS

FOR FEBRUARY, 1880.

* * * * *

MAINE, $394.68.

Andover. Mrs. Eldridge Poor $2.00 Augusta. John Dorr 15.00 Bangor. Central Cong. Ch. and Soc. 151.18 Bethel. ESTATE of Mrs. Sarah J. Chapman, by A. W. Valentine, Ex. 20.00 Blanchard. “A Friend of Missions” 5.00 Brownville. Hon. A. H. Merrill 100.00 Dennysville. Mrs. Samuel Eastman 5.00 Falmouth. Second Cong. Ch. 10.60 Garland. Cong. Ch. and Soc. 5.00 Minot. “A Friend” 1.00 Monson. Rev. R. W. Emerson 20.90 Orland. “A Friend” 7.00 Orono. “A Friend” 5.00 Searsport. Cong. Sab. Sch., _for Student Aid, Atlanta U._ 10.00 Winslow. Cong Ch. and Soc. 20.00 Yarmouth. First Ch. and Soc. 17.00

NEW HAMPSHIRE, $374.27.

Alstead. Third Cong. Ch. and Soc. 13.11 Amherst. W. D. L. 0.50 Auburn. Cong. Ch. and Soc. 7.35 Bennington. Cong. Ch. and Soc. 20.00 Chester. Cong. Ch. and Soc. 11.80 Concord. “A Friend” 1.00 Dunbarton. Cong. Ch. and Soc. 11.01 East Pembroke. John Rand, deceased, by W. Martin. 2.00 Fisherville. J. C. Martin 10.00 Fitzwilliam. Dea. Rufus Phillips 5.00 Gilmanton Iron Works. Cent Charitable Society of Cong. Ch. 7.30 Keene. “A Friend,” $100; Cong. Ch. and Soc., $63 163.00 Langdon. Cong. Ch. and Soc. 5.00 Lyme. Cong. Ch. and Soc., $36.11; Cong. Sab. Sch., $10. 46.11 Lyndeborough. Cong. Ch. and Soc. 8.25 Marlborough. Ladies’ Benev. Soc., Bbl. of C. _for Talladega C._ New Boston. Presb. Ch. and Soc. 11.10 Plymouth. Cong. Soc., $24.14; H. W. H. $1. 25.14 Rochester. Cong. Ch. and Soc. 25.00 Salem. Mrs. G. D. K. 0.50 Troy. M. W. W. 1.00

VERMONT, $207.84.