Part 3

It was in 1863 that Speke and Grant discovered the great lake Victoria Nyanza, and made known to the world the existence of Uganda and its people. Since then only four whites have visited that country—-Mr. Stanley, M. Linant de Bellefonds, Col. Long, and Dr. Emin Effendi, until the visit of Mr. Wilson, who returns with the first natives who have visited Europe from that region.

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—The Peninsula of Sierra Leone is 22 miles long by 12 miles broad, with a population of 37,000, all of whom excepting about 4,000 bear the name of Christians. About one-half of these are connected with the C. M. S., and the remainder are for the most part Wesleyans. It became a diocese in 1852, and may, with as much propriety, be called Christian as England or the United States. It is no longer considered missionary ground. The church sustains itself, and the whole peninsula is divided up into parishes, the same as England, each one having its own clergy, Sunday-school and church council. The cost of all is met by voluntary subscriptions, as it has been for nearly twenty years. Three hundred and forty-three persons partook of the Lord’s Supper at Lagos last Easter Sabbath, members of one church, which during the past three years has contributed no less than £3,412 for church purposes.

Sierra Leone is the oldest, but not the only, mission of the Church Missionary Society on the West Coast of Africa. Yoruba has eleven stations, thirteen African clergymen, more than two thousand communicants, and nearly six thousand professing Christians; and the Niger Mission, begun 23 years ago, has its African bishop and clergy, two hundred communicants and 1,500 Christians.

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—ROBERT ARTHINGTON AND THE ENGLISH BAPTIST MISSION.—It is difficult to decide whether to admire most the overflowing love which prompts his gifts, the large, unsectarian spirit with which they are bestowed, or the wisdom with which they are placed and limited. Evidently, he has profoundly studied the problem whose solution he feels called to attempt. He has just written a letter to the directors of the English Baptist Missionary Society, offering 4,000 pounds toward putting and maintaining a steamer on the Congo River, for the use of the Congo Mission of that Society. He writes:

“I believe the time has come when we should make every necessary preparation to carry out the original purpose of the Congo Mission to place a steamer on the Congo River, where we can sail north-eastward into the heart of Africa for many hundred miles uninterruptedly, and bring the glad tidings of the everlasting Gospel to thousands of human beings who are ignorant of the way of life and immortality.

“I have, therefore, now to offer your Society a thousand pounds toward the purchase chase of a steamer, of the best make and capacity, every way suitable for the purpose, and its conveyance and launch on the river at Stanley Pool, and three thousand pounds to be carefully invested, the interest only to be used for the perpetual maintenance of such steamer on the Congo and its affluents, until Christ and his salvation shall be known all along the Congo from Stanley Pool to the first cataract of the equatorial cataracts of the Congo—beyond the mouths of the Armvimi and Mbura Rivers.”

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—The Uganda envoys from King Mtesa’s court sailed on the 22d of June for Aden, whence they will take the British-Indian steamer to Zanzibar; the closing of the Nile route making it necessary for them to return by way of the East coast. Mr. Felkin, whose health will not admit of his going back to Uganda, accompanies them to Zanzibar and will return to England. They will be conducted to their home by Mr. Stokes, who is on the coast making the necessary preparations for the journey. They carry back valuable gifts, have seen much of England’s civilization and the fruits of her religion, and it is not unreasonable to expect that the future of their country will be greatly influenced by this visit of her intelligent chiefs.

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ITEMS FROM THE FIELD.

FISK UNIVERSITY.—The following statistics relating to the religious condition of the University were read at a meeting, held on the day of prayer for colleges: In Model School—Number of Christians, 35; not Christians, 56; total, 91; percentage, 38.4. Normal School—Number of Christians, 61; not Christians, 55; total, 116; percentage, 52.5. Collegiate Department—Number of Christians, 77; not Christians, 9; total, 86; percentage 89.5. Total number in school, 293; number of Christians, 194; percentage, 59. This meeting occurred in the midst of, and was followed by, great religious interest, which greatly reduced the percentage of non-religious students.

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TOUGALOO, MISS.—A young woman, who has been teaching, writes to Mr. Miner, of Tougaloo, a letter which, although intended for no eye but his, we think ought to be seen by others. She is explaining why she has not returned to school: “I have had bad luck again in collecting what is due me from the people. They all promised to pay me by the first Saturday of the month, but they did not; so I am left with but little money for going to school.

“Mr. M. I am very sorry! Sorry and hurt to my very heart, to think how I have longed to go to school and learn something, and now I am not able to do so and pay for my own board. Probably I could do so, but I have a poor afflicted mother to help, and six younger brothers and sisters and an orphan cousin; all of them I must help. I am 23 years old to-day, and I have craved to go to school ever since I was seven years old, which is sixteen years I have craved for it; and all the time I have gone, after all, is not more than one year and five or eight months. And now I am almost discouraged of ever going to school like I want to go, that is, to bear my own expense.”

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MILLER’S STATION, GA.—Rev. J. R. McLean, after an absence of seven years, has taken a vacation trip to his old home in McLeansville, N. C. He reports a good work at that point by Rev. A. Connet, the examinations and closing exercises of whose school he attended. Among many changes noted, he says: “Perhaps the greatest is in some of the plantations. Where once there were from 50 to 100 slaves and from 30 to 40 horses and mules, with large barns, granaries and many cabins, desolation now reigns. One cause of this is the low wages paid for labor (for men, $6.50 or $7 per month; for women, $3), which causes the young men to leave home and work in the tobacco factories. These are schools of vice, as are all places in which young men congregate free from restraint; and the money earned is speedily spent in forming evil habits. In looking over these desolated plantations, I could but be reminded of the prophecy of Jeremiah iv., 27, and Isaiah v., 9-25. As I talked of these things with the only one left of those who formerly ruled over my home and people, it seemed as if the frown of God was resting upon these old homes. May God speed the day when men of all races shall love Him as a common father, and each other us brethren.”

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ANNISTON, ALA.—The Iron Company whose furnaces are at this place, which is about to erect also a woolen mill, is doing much to improve the condition of the colored people. The neat church edifice and parsonage, occupied by the Rev. P. J. McEntosh, were largely built by this Company.

The parish school taught by the pastor, assisted by Miss R. Cruikshank, a graduate of Talladega, closed on the 30th of June a successful term. Miss C. was able to add music to the list of studies, to the great advantage of both school and church. In this she was much aided by the valuable gift of an organ from Mr. Robert Cushman, of Pawtucket, R. I.

The need of women missionaries and teachers, to visit and labor in the homes of the colored people, is deeply felt and strongly urged by the pastor.

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THE FREEDMEN.

REV. JOS. E. ROY, D. D.,

FIELD SUPERINTENDENT, ATLANTA, GA.

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A JULY VACATION.

“Once at Clifton Springs, always there.” That is the proverb. Well, why not? Dr. Cuyler boasts of his thirty years at Saratoga Springs; and he has been a tolerably healthy man, able to do some work in preaching and writing for the newspapers. Multitudes of other people go to the same place year after year for rest and recuperation; and so do many find it to their inclination and profit to come to these springs, season after season. The make-up of Dr. Foster’s Sanitarium develops a peculiar home feeling. The judicious medical treatment, if needed, is an attraction. The water, with, its sulphates of lime and magnesia and soda, has in many cases a remedial quality. I think that within the time I get more of revivification here than I could get anywhere else, and so I am now on my fourth summer at Clifton.

Nor can I refrain from saying that I find a peculiar pleasure in coming back to this place, where, during two years of enforced respite from labor, God was preparing my mind for the transition in His life-plan for me, by which I was to be taken from my own dear West and set to doing much the same work at the South, which I have already learned to love. Here I told the Lord that if He would only let me up so that I could again preach the Gospel of His dear Son, I would go anywhere, even to the ends of the earth. But I may as well confess that when He took me at my word and pointed out the field, it did cost a struggle, a night without sleep. Up North to have been a good friend of the slave was one thing; to go down and put one’s self by the side of the depressed ex-bondsman, to take chances with him, to try to lift him up, that was another. Now I bless God for the joy of the work. It is a missionary service without the labor of acquiring and using a strange language. It is in some sense the work of a foreign missionary without going from under the flag of my own country. I feel unworthy of the gratitude of these people, of whom the Master speaks as “these my brethren.” These two years I have gone everywhere from Virginia to Texas, without receiving one word or act of discourtesy, but with many tokens of approbation, from my white fellow-citizens.

I find this also a good stand-point from which to look back upon my field, to review the work of the year gone by, to devise for the next, and also to catch the inspiration of Northern interest in this work. Here are Christian and patriotic people from all parts of our country and from all branches of the Church of Christ. A single address before them in the chapel, in behalf of Christian education among the Freedmen, elicits a gratifying expression of sympathy, and imparts an impulse to the cause through several denominational lines.

In the review, this seems yet the exigent work of the time. It is not the caring for one, two or three new Territories or States at a time, but for five millions of people scattered over fifteen States, who are needing, all at once, the helping hand. This going back and forth makes one realize that this is all one country, with one language, with one history, with one Christian religion, with one interblended destiny; that the comfort of the whole body must depend upon the welfare of every member; and that so our common patriotism requires the uplifting of these lowly poor. This glance back over the field brings immense encouragement as to the results of this evangelizing process; brings assurance that, if it is only prosecuted with vigor, there need be no fear as to the outcome of the great act of emancipation; and brings evidence of cheerfulness and happiness among the hundreds of workers, Northern and native, male and female.

As my eye takes its usual course and sweeps around the coast from the point where the old Mason & Dixon’s line struck the Atlantic to the boundary of Mexico, all the way it brings up colleges and professional departments, and normal institutes and high schools, which, under the management of this Association, are sources of light, fountains of blessing. It brings up the hundreds upon hundreds of primary schools, in which, during the last year, the native teachers of our own training were instructing their one hundred and fifty thousand pupils. It brings up the seventy churches of the primitive faith, which are the outgrowth of that educational scheme, and which as to their influence for good, by their character are multiplying their number many times. It brings up the multitudes of youth in those higher schools, who are ambitiously taking on a Christian cultivation that they may use it for the good of their people. It brings up those Christian congregations so hungry for the word of God, so anxious for the best things in church-life. It brings up, too, those masses, beset with ignorance and superstition and unthrift, who need to be rallied by some worthy aspiration. And then it turns with all hope to that corps of men and women, who, under God, have wrought such great things already, whose excelling in the passive virtues has commanded respect, and made it so comfortable for those of us who come to join them now, and whose service for the Republic and the Kingdom makes them high benefactors in our time and land.

Clifton Springs, N. Y.

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DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

Lincoln Mission.

REV. S. P. SMITH, WASHINGTON.

One of the most beautiful sights on the streets of Washington, on the 5th of July morning, was the colored Sunday-schools coming out from different churches, going to Howard Park, Vaness Garden and other places to pass the day. The little ones seemed to be in a delirium of happiness while marching on the street, keeping step with the music, as their banners floated in the air.

But we felt very sad to think that our poor children at the Lincoln Mission did not have this privilege. They could not go because we have not enough teachers now to look after them. All the teachers who taught here during the winter, left on the thirteenth of June and will not be back until September. Some thought that it would be well to close the school during the summer; but others thought that we had better continue it, if we could have only five teachers and fifty scholars. We do not expect to have so many scholars in the summer as in the winter; but what we lose in quantity we hope to gain in quality. Moreover, to keep up the school through the summer, will aid us in our church-work.

It has been said that this school cannot be carried on successfully here in the summer, for it has been tried and uniform failure has been the result. But if the Lord be with us we shall endeavor to carry on the work; if we fail, it will be no more than what has been done already.

One of our greatest difficulties is to secure teachers; we have tried very hard to get some from among the colored people, but have few as yet.

We are very grateful to those who have come from the Colored Presbyterian Church in the city to help us. But we feel especially thankful to Mr. J. W. Cromwell, editor of _The People’s Advocate_, a colored newspaper, published in the city. He holds a high position in one of the Government departments here, but this does not make him forgetful of the children of his humbler brethren. He is found every Sunday afternoon at the Lincoln Mission (unless called away from the city) teaching the youth some truth from the Bible.

Indeed, he manifests such zeal in our work that we cannot but believe him to be one of our warmest friends. He is our example for all educated colored young men.

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ALABAMA.

Florence and Her People.

REV. GEORGE W. MOORE.

Florence is one of the prettiest towns in Northern Alabama. The climate is fine, the water good, and the scenery picturesque. It stands upon the banks of the majestic Tennessee, which is fast being opened to navigation; boats now come here from the Ohio and Mississippi rivers, and it is intended to open its channel so that it shall be navigable as far as Chattanooga.

This is a land of abundant foliage, and one cannot but be attracted by the beautiful gardens of flowers and groves of cedar. To those seeking rest, or health, the springs of various kinds of water and the wholesome food are especially welcome.

Good air, pure water and magnificent scenery, ought to have a good influence upon its people, and it may truthfully be said that Florence furnishes a good example to our race; her people are healthy, cheerful and hospitable. Some of them have nice homes, and there seems to be a disposition in all to improve their condition. To this end, they have societies, schools and churches, and, last but not least, they work.

One of the additions to the town is a beautiful Congregational edifice, which is a little gem, and the people, irrespective of race, say that it is an ornament to the city; but, best of all, it is paid for.

The A. M. E. and Baptist denominations have large and prosperous churches. The Sunday-schools of all the churches are well attended and in a flourishing condition.

The educational work of the county is in full blast; the whites have good seminaries and normal schools and our people have good common schools. The school at Florence, under the management of Mr. Y. A. Wallace, is a centre of quite a number of schools taught by students of the Baptist Institute, Central Tennessee College and Fisk University. The great need of the place and demand of the colored people, is a good Normal school. These common schools would become feeders of this Normal school, and thus meet a great need of the county and do much good for the State.

Another mark of progress may be seen in the effort some have made, and are making, to get farms. I am told that some of our people in this county have farms containing from ten to three hundred acres. The crops are unusually good this year. If we have rain soon we shall have fine crops of corn and cotton.

With the church to Christianize, and the school to educate the people, and the plow to cultivate the soil, the county of Lauderdale may well be considered a power for good.

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LOUISIANA.

Lady-Missionary’s Letter.

[Without designating either the lady or her field, we give a letter from a missionary among the Freedmen in a Southern city. These devoted women, for whom there is a vast work, under many discouragements and difficulties are carrying the Gospel of sympathy and comfort into the lonely cabins in the South, and helping in many ways our larger and more fundamental work. It would be a great mistake to withdraw needed funds from our teaching, and give them to the visiting missionary, but it would be a great loss in many ways, not to multiply the number of those whose mission is to visit the mothers in their homes, carrying the Gospel of cleanliness and thrift, and a knowledge of wifely and motherly ways, to those who are to shape so largely the next generation.—ED. MISSIONARY.]

I must tell you of my experience last Sabbath in the “House of Refuge.” At 3 P. M. I took a car up the long, beautiful, white shell-road—through “St. Patrick’s Cemetery”—to the Institute buildings, expecting there to meet our superintendent and teachers. For some reason they were detained, so I had to proceed, though trembling and alone. The position can be appreciated only by those acquainted with the history and training of these poor children. During the school hours, for our benefit, boys were screaming, dogs snarling just outside the doors, pupils called out, and once the whole school utterly refused to sing the hymns so pleasing to them.

This made me afraid of what might occur to-day; but the service must not be given up, though the door was locked and the “key lost”—the bell overturned, and no official to be seen about the grounds. Trusting, however, for guidance, I followed one of the boys through the yard and work-house to the little chapel, where all had been to mass in the morning. Thirty or forty were awaiting our arrival, and I am sure the Lord helped me, for that wild, uproarious group, through the hour, remained quiet and gentle, while I had no difficulty in interesting them.

My Sunday-school class in Central Church is a great joy and help in my work. Commencing with thirty little ones, the names have increased to one hundred and twenty. Through these, I find entrance to many homes otherwise closed to all religious influences.

Nothing is so pleasing to the mother as interest taken in her children, and many interviews, following these friendly calls, will long be remembered. Only kindness and welcome do I receive everywhere among them. I have learned truly to pity these poor mothers, who tell me, with tears, how hard it is to bring up their children properly in the midst of all this abounding iniquity. All I can bring under the influence of the A. M. A. work I deem a great gain.

During the last three days I have visited thirty-four families. Quite a good number were promised for church and Sunday-school.

One Sabbath I was pleased to see in church three mothers and ten children whom I had visited during the week. There are many discouragements attending these efforts, but there are also many rewards—many bright, happy faces, and many happier homes; many children learning good, rather than all evil ways; and so the days go by, while we take courage in the growing work, hoping that the little seeds, as well as the greater, will take root and grow.

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TENNESSEE.

Better Prospects of Memphis—Effect upon School-Work—Value of Industrial Work—Hopeful Outlook.

REV. A. J. STEELE, MEMPHIS.

In October, 1879, few were hopeful of immediate prosperity for Memphis. All her interests seemed paralyzed, her best friends discouraged and even hopeless.

But now, in June, 1880, all is changed, despondency and fear have given place to the utmost assurance of a great future for the business and social influences of the city.

The business season just ended has been one of unexampled prosperity in the history of the city; all classes have been kept busy; and as the sanitary improvements, including a complete and almost perfect system of sewerage, and durable street pavements, are pushed forward, little fear is felt of another visitation of the fever this year.

Our work has seemed to take on new life and vigor, and the year just closed, though cut short two months by the fever, has been one of special success in every respect.

Though an unusual number of our students have continued teaching during the year, our classes have been constantly full, the enrolment being in advance of last year and the attendance more steady.

In industrial work, such as may be undertaken in a day-school, we have met with every encouragement and success. The sewing classes, two each day, have done much in learning to cut garments and in the various branches of needle-work, knitting, etc. The class of older girls in nursing and care of the sick has been a feature of interest. A prominent physician said of the examination which the class passed, “If your class answered those questions they ought not only to make safe nurses, but also fair physicians.” We hope another year to have better facilities for this work, meeting as it does a sad need in colored homes, and at the same time the most hearty approbation of both colored and white people.