Part 4

Tougaloo is seven miles from Jackson, the State capital, on the railway from New Orleans northward, having a location of wonderful beauty, and advantages peculiar to itself. The farm of five hundred acres is now under good cultivation. The facilities for marketing produce are good, and under judicious management it is believed the work of students may do much towards paying their expenses. The mansion house, built with great taste and care by a planter who was never to occupy it, crowns a gentle slope; while in front is a native grove, or forest, of as weird-like and enchanting beauty as can well be found on this rounded earth. The oaks are of the giant order, almost colossal in their proportions, while from the great arms hang abundant tassels of Spanish moss. Here, on June 3d, under this witchery of shade, on improvised seats, the exercises of Commencement were held. Horses, mules, and vehicles of all kinds, at an early hour, were hitched under the trees. Visitors came by the tens and the scores; but finally, a special train put down its brakes at the station, and hundreds, with lunch baskets in hand, were swarming through the woods, and massing themselves near the platform. Seven young men, after the ordeal of a searching examination, if I may judge from the little I was in time to hear, pronounced their orations and received their diplomas. The addresses of the graduates were thoughtful, full of moral earnestness, well delivered and well received by the great audience, among whom were representatives of the clergy at Jackson, the Board of Trustees, and the Superintendent of Education. Several of these visitors added words of hearty and well-deserved commendation. The impress of the instructors was manifest throughout the exercises. This thought pervaded all the speeches: _there is work to be done, and we wish to have a hand in it_. Back of the stage, as the class motto, hung the old, but not outworn, “Labor omnia vincit.” The motto suggested the theme of the first speaker. The address in the afternoon was on “The field and the victories of work,” and idleness had no mercy that day. Apparently, there is not much of it about the institution. Under the direction of the Principal, Rev. G. S. Pope, a man of long experience in this Southern field, singularly fitted for his post and well sustained by earnest co-laborers, both in-door and out-door industries have been greatly promoted. The farm and garden are beginning to show what good husbandry can do. Blooded cattle are taking the place of the native lean kine; improved groves are disclosing their richness; while the garden not only supplies the large family at the University, but is affording some surplus for others. Strawberries from nearly an acre of land have been picked this year, and largely sent to Chicago. This industry promises well, and will be increased in the future.

The needs of Tougaloo are as apparent as its present usefulness. Besides the mansion and the out-buildings, many of which are old, there is a chapel with a second story containing rooms for young men, and also a boarding hall, with dormitories for young women above. These three principal buildings are of wood, the mansion house occupying the centre. These accommodations are far too small. To meet a present necessity, a rough barrack has been put up, giving nine additional rooms. The attendance during the past year has been about two hundred, and nearly all have been boarders in the family. Increase the accommodations and the attendance might be doubled at once; but what would a school of four hundred be among the tens of thousands in this great State who are hungering for education? At mid-winter a work of grace pervaded the school, and not far from thirty, it was thought, of these pupils became Christ’s disciples, and they go forth with new purposes. The influences for good from Tougaloo are not easily computed; its grand possibilities reach out towards the infinite.

It seems strange to us who are on the ground, glad to man these out-posts and give what we have of life and vigor to the work, that needed supplies are not forthcoming. Give us adequate appliances, and we can greatly multiply our usefulness. We wish to be re-inforced, not relieved. Our commissariat is insufficient. We are glad to give ourselves to this work, but we need supplies. And we cannot think that life is cheaper than lucre; that men at the rear can afford to neglect those who are allowed to go to the front; and if America has any front in this nineteenth century, it is still down South. We wish to advance all our lines, and are simply waiting for supplies.

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BREWER NORMAL SCHOOL.

J. D. BACKENSTOSE, GREENWOOD, S. C.

The work of Brewer Normal Institute, for the past scholastic year, closed very successfully, and, as far as we know, to the satisfaction of all its patrons, on June 24th.

The two days’ examinations were unusually thorough and very satisfactory.

The Annual Address was delivered on the morning of the 24th, by Prof. J. Wofford White, of the Yorkville Academy at Yorkville, S. C., on “The benefits of an education.”

The address was worthy the man and the subject, and will doubtless be long remembered by the very large audience. On the rostrum beside the speaker were clergymen of three different denominations.

At 3 P. M. the audience again assembled, and was addressed by several of our former students, who have been engaged during the present year in teaching.

The annual exhibition took place in the evening, and long before the hour of commencing arrived, our large hall, (which was tastefully decorated with wreaths and flags for the occasion,) was crowded to its utmost capacity, so that we could hardly make our way to the rostrum.

By competent judges, the declamations were pronounced superior to any heard on former occasions of a similar character, and not inferior to many exercises presented in regular college commencements.

The school has been larger this year than ever before, and it has been difficult for us to accommodate all who have applied for admission.

We have had much for which to be thankful during the past year connected with this Institute; but let this be an inspiration leading us to greater achievements during the year to come.

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STORRS SCHOOL.

The Storrs School at Atlanta, Ga., closed one of its most successful years, on the 23d of June, with an examination that gave great satisfaction to Sec. Strieby, Prof. Chase and Supt. Roy, who were present. A large number of the parents and patrons were present to rejoice in that evident progress of their children. This school has had for the year a total of 543 pupils; the largest number at any one time, 356, and an average of 333. The course of study is that of the Grammar School.

It is recognized by the school authorities of Atlanta as a school of the very first quality. Miss Amy Williams, who has been at the head of the Storrs for more than a dozen years, and whose qualifications as an instructor and a disciplinarian are truly admirable, has had associated with her this year Misses Julia Goodwin, Amelia Ferris, M. E. Stevenson, F. J. Norris, and Abbie Clark.

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NORTH CAROLINA.

The Year’s Work at Woodbridge.

REV. WILLIAM H. ELLIS.

During the whole of last year, it seemed impossible to make any deep religious impression on the community. Very few attended our services. The children attended theirs and the grown people theirs, and it often happened that we could not get enough together at either to make “a meeting.”

During the summer, generous friends contributed a good supply of clothing, which was bestowed only on temperate persons. This caused a good deal of complaint and some ill-will; but we insisted that articles contributed by industrious, temperate persons, many of whom were in straitened circumstances, should not be given to the intemperate or unworthy. I am glad to report that I found in all 160 persons, old and young, whom I judged worthy. We succeeded in making temperance respectable in clean clothes. Our Band of Hope had been organized five years, but was not yet really a power. We now clothed our members, overhauled our books, expelled the unworthy, elected new officers, and went ahead.

For a few weeks, we spent all our time in trying those who had broken their pledges. We also passed laws that members might be brought to trial for anything dishonorable to the Band, and that all on trial must stand on the platform during trial. So each Sabbath every member is asked, “Have you broken your pledge, and do you know any one who has?” They were shown the evil of having broken God’s holy law, the guilt and danger of sin, their own personal responsibility to God and need of a Saviour, the dying love of Christ, His willingness to forgive and power to save, and they were especially encouraged to trust Him for strength to overcome every sin. The fact that they were “sinners before the Lord exceedingly” met them at every turn, but was enforced so lovingly that a closer bond drew all together as one. No gloomy views of religion were inculcated, but the Christian life was placed before them as something to be longed for and striven after. They were often called aside by themselves, perhaps for discipline, perhaps to be commended for good behavior, and then personal faith in Christ was explained to them, often with prayer. We saw the signs of a mighty work at hand in their endeavors to leave off all sin, the evident desire to know and do the right, and the almost breathless attention when religious subjects were spoken of. Some meetings were held especially for those who desired to become Christians.

Meanwhile, the Christian people were appealed to over and over again. In fact, our main teaching this year has been “Bring forth fruits, meet for repentance.” Sin has been rebuked, publicly and privately, the Lord’s people have been urged to deeper consecration, and shown that if they brought their little ones to the Lord in faith, He would receive them.

On the first Sabbath in February we had our Sixth Temperance Anniversary. The children fairly astonished everybody by their enthusiasm and ability. The Band then made its reputation, and the number has since been increased from 90 to 116, and we are glad to say, most of the new members are grown people, who have joined under full conviction of the usefulness of our Band, and of their own duty to it and themselves.

The drill and excitement attendant upon the anniversary having passed away, the minds of the scholars were free to think again. They could not study or play, and some would be often in tears in school time. We were careful not to encourage any sudden hopes which might prove false. The work was evidently of the Spirit, who was sure to finish it. So we allowed time in each case to settle the great question. Fourteen in all believed during the week. Some were forbidden to pray at home. When they came to school they might go out in the woods to pray, and not get punished, so they went home too happy to care for whippings.

In time the work reached the grown people in the neighborhood, and nightly meetings were held for weeks.

Our own people were quiet enough. We had a little confusion from other churches represented, but nothing serious. The number, hopefully converted on the first of March, was 31. Twelve have been added since, and still there are seekers. I am glad to say that every one, so far as I know, still holds out well.

As the people think that to omit washing feet at the communion would endanger their title to heaven, we can form no church. The Band of Hope is practically our church, with one thing in its favor—we have 100 more members than we could have in a church. Almost everybody around belongs to it, except some of the old people, and they are coming. Our members are bound by voluntary covenant. Christ is the corner-stone, and obedience to Him the standard by which all are judged. We warn, exhort, discipline and expel according to Bible rules, and draw sanction from it for all proceedings. There are only seven unconverted members, old enough to know themselves, and they are under conviction. We lack only the name and ordinances of a church.

It is most pleasant to see the evident affection shown by the young towards the teacher, and our theological student, Brother Scott, on whom a large share of the work has fallen, and who, if he can be assisted to an education, bids fair to be a power in the land. The children come early and stay late; they crowd around us, and do all they can to please us. They have the freedom of the house, but we never miss even a button. Such a school full of honest, truthful, obedient and affectionate children is rare anywhere. What shall be said of a set of _very dark_ colored children, in a community where the ignorance is simply appalling, and many of them go hungry?

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ALABAMA.

REV. W. H. ASH, FLORENCE.

The work in Florence for the last two years has been comparatively a new one. The exodus of the colony from here not only took from the town some of the best citizens, but it robbed our church of its strength, both in a temporal and spiritual sense, leaving behind the weakest spiritually and the poorest financially. My first endeavor was to impress upon the people in their discouraged condition, the necessity of having faith in God.

Since that time the church has grown in religious life and character; members have been added to it such, I hope, as shall be saved.

We have had a revival which served as a great quickening influence, though there were not the number of conversions we had hoped for. Within these two years, we have built a beautiful house of worship, which helps greatly as an attraction to our service; as also does our organ, sent by friends, being the only organ in the colored churches.

The Sunday-school has grown in interest and numbers, and has been able to pay for its lesson papers this year. The school has been built up almost entirely out of new material. My wife and self have taught a day-school in connection with the church-work, which has given strength to the church. Outside of the primary and intermediate classes, we have a class in United States history, one in English composition, and one in algebra. Up to this time forty-six scholars have been enrolled. Last year we began with three scholars, closing with thirty-five. We have had quite a number of applications for boarding scholars, but had no accommodation for such, with the exception of one girl whom we felt almost bound to take. Some of the others found places with difficulty, because they wanted to go to the Congregational school (so-called, while the public is called the Methodist school).

Strange to say, in this community the country people are more able to sustain a “pay-school” than are those in town. But there is a reason for it: wages are very low, and it really takes what is needed for their absolute wants to pay dollar a month, particularly if a family numbers six or seven, which is really the case in my parish. A woman’s wages average from four to five dollars a month. I sigh, and wonder how these poor people ever will rise.

The Christian people who give so liberally, and those who are intrusted with the responsibility of this work, do not know the difficulties and trying circumstances under which Congregationalism has grown, and is growing, in some parts of the South. Past experience has taught that tardiness in the appropriation of ample facilities for the work in some fields has caused the loss of rich results. If those who have gone to Kansas had seen the present condition of the church, I believe it would have been a great check upon their going, although there were other reasons which helped to drive them from the South aside from a lack of proper facilities for the education of their children.

Since the dedication of the church, I have been anxious that our lot should be inclosed, and on April 9th we gave an entertainment whose results surpassed our most sanguine expectations, as we made $64 above expenses.

We have put up a neat fence in front, well painted, which improves the looks of the church, and have ordered lumber for the other sides of the lot, and by next week the whole will be fenced.

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THE CHINESE.

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“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.

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MISSION WORK AMONG THE CHINESE MINERS.

REV. W. C. POND, SAN FRANCISCO.

Can it be done? That is the question. That it needs to be done, there can be no question. There is scarcely a mining camp in the State but has its Chinese quarter, and there are many small camps where the entire population is Chinese, because Americans view the placers as worked out. Close upon every advancing wave of Caucasian emigration, these follow into Nevada, Utah, Idaho, Montana, and, just now, Arizona especially. Thither all but two of those in Santa Barbara, of whom we hoped that they were born of God, have gone, and one of the last two writes me that he is soon going. On the other hand, two of our best brethren in Oakland have just migrated to Montana; one of them, Lee Haim, who was our excellent helper at Oroville till taken from our work by a peremptory summons to return to China. This doom has been commuted, but only upon his undertaking to remit amounts larger than he could possibly save out of a helper’s salary. The other of the two is Len Soon, a man of fine presence, good judgment, warm heart and earnest Christian spirit, whose ever-ready volunteer aid made him a pillar in our Oakland work.

These losses at the points already occupied, suggest one way in which God, taking the matter into his own hands, is sending the Gospel to the Chinese in the mines. They afford a partial solution of the problem before us. A portion of our scattered seed is made to fall upon those moral wildernesses. We follow these brethren with our prayers; and I have ventured to pledge to them our practical co-operation if they should settle in any place where a hopeful missionary work could be begun.

But a hopeful work of this sort, anywhere in the mines, could scarcely be conceived of but for faith. The difficulties are unique, and are very great. Our Home Missionary Society finds no other service so fraught with discouragements, as that in these regions. The toil required is very hard, and the returns are very scanty. Some churches have been thrifty, and one or two are thrifty still; but outside a less number of points than you could count on the fingers of one hand, they are either dead or perpetually dying; preserved from utter extinction only by persistent pastoral service, sustained mainly by missionary aid. But the difficulties encountered in such work among our own people, will be greatly enhanced in labor among the Chinese. Miners are always migratory, but the Chinese miners most of all; and migration tends to barbarism, among the Chinese most of all. Miners depend upon luck. There is no possibility of knowing what there is in a piece of ground till you have worked it through, and gotten it out. A single day may show your season’s work to be a success, or may doom it as a failure, and what that day will disclose no sagacity will enable you beforehand to determine. Such occupations nurse the gambling spirit, favor spendthrift habits, and tend almost irresistibly to poverty. And this is specially true of the Chinese. In certain seasons of the year, miners are apt to be waiting and idle; in others, when the golden harvest must be gathered, if at all, working to excess; and in either case, the moral effect is evil, not less so with Chinese than others. American miners, with a few noble exceptions, seem to know little about the Christian Sabbath. It used to be, and in some parts of California it still is, the day for cleaning-up, for coming to the central village for trading, for gambling, for getting drunk; but even this distinction in the more prominent mining districts is passing away, and the wheels of labor roll remorselessly over the laborer’s best boon, the weekly day of sacred rest. How much less can we hope for the help of Sabbaths in reaching with the Gospel the Chinese?

And yet, there they are, by the hundreds and the thousands, precious souls, bought with the blood of Jesus. Must we let them die, without a single hand stretched out, a single voice uplifted for their rescue?

The mission at Oroville was our first attempt to deal with this problem of work among the Chinese miners. It was begun, so far as downright and determined effort was concerned, February 1st, and continued till June 1st. The school is closed during the hot months, but will be resumed, I trust, about October 1st. In some respects it has fulfilled our hopes, and abundantly repaid our somewhat large expenditures. Six Chinese are reported as converted, but we did not reach many of the miners through the school, as such. They would come to hear Lee Haim or Lem Chung preach, thronging the little mission house sometimes, and listening to the Gospel, as, indeed, news, good news possibly, with eyes fixed and ears and even mouths wide open, to receive the words. But coming and going, here to-day to trade at the temple for luck and at the stores for “grub,” to-morrow gone we know not where, we could learn but little of the work that good news wrought within their hearts.

It is evident, however, that if we are to reach our Chinese mining population it must be mainly through evangelistic service—a mission school at some central point, as a headquarters, and a well-trained helper to go forth from it, preaching here and there on Sundays and on week days, in the cabins or on the streets, wherever he can induce his countrymen to lend him a listening ear. And in order to this, we ought to be training helpers by the dozen where now we are training one; not by sending them to Academies or opening for them a Theological Seminary, but by putting them to work and letting them learn to preach by preaching. This was Wesley’s method for those half heathen among whom his victories were gained in England, and I am persuaded that it is the beat method for these whole heathen for whom our struggle is going on to-day. Do not educate the helpers up out of the range of easy sympathy with those from whom they spring and among whom they go, but let teaching and working, lesson and practice, go hand in hand. I am eager to do more of this next year than we have ever done. I am greatly encouraged respecting it, by the results vouchsafed to us already; but how to do it aright, with the resources now at command, I do not, and I fear, I cannot see, for the rules of arithmetic are against it, and those rules are stubborn things. You cannot, in this case, reduce the multiplicand (_i. e._ the helper’s salary, for it is at the lowest point that justice will admit already), and you cannot increase the multiplier (the number of helpers) without enlarging the product (_i. e._ the expense to be met and the drafts to be made). What shall we do about it?

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RECEIPTS

FOR JUNE, 1880.

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MAINE, $55.00.