Part 3

Mr. Cyrus H. McCormick has given $100,000 to the Presbyterian Theological Seminary of Chicago, to place it entirely out of debt.

The late David N. Lord, of New York City, left by will $100,000 for foreign missions, and $50,000 to the American Bible Society. He also bequeathed $62,500 to local objects of charity.

Mr. R. L. Stewart, of New York City, has given $200,000 to be divided equally between Princeton College and Princeton Theological Seminary, to be applied for the endowment of Professorships.

By the will of Mrs. Altana Wescott, of Jersey City, nearly $100,000 is given to institutions connected with the Episcopal Church.

The widow of the Cologne banker, Von Oppenheim, has given $150,000 for a hospital for poor children of all denominations, in memory of her late husband.

Mr. Wm. B. Spooner, of Boston, left by will $3,000, the income of which is to be expended for the education of the colored people at the South. He also made liberal provision for the State Total Abstinence Society and the National Temperance Society of New York, besides other bequests to worthy objects.

Mr. John T. Crawford, of Cincinnati, has left an estate valued from $30,000 to $100,000, to be applied for a home for aged colored men. His directions were that the institution be built on College Hill. There seems to be some doubt about the ability of the executors to carry out the conditions of the bequest.

The American Presbyterian Board of Missions has received from the estate of the late Mrs. Lapsley, of New Albany, Ind., the sum of $215,000, with the prospect of receiving $60,000 or $70,000 more from the same source.

* * * * *

GENERAL NOTES.

Africa.

—Sir Garnet Wolseley has given to the Berlin Missionary Society a large tract of land in South Africa to be used for a Mission Station.

—The mission at Frere Town, East Central Africa, has proved an inviting rendezvous for run-away slaves. The missionaries have no power to keep them, but have opportunity to expostulate with their owners for any cruelties they may inflict upon them. The practical result is that the masters become intimidated and angry, and would make an end of the missionaries if they had the power. The settlement has already been threatened with destruction. It is hoped, however, that the impending calamity may be over-ruled, to the overthrow of slavery on the coast.

—_The Victoria Nyanza Mission_ of the C. M. S., despite every difficulty and disappointment, still exists. Letters from Uganda bring intelligence down to Aug. 14. It appears that Mtesa had engaged Mr. Pierson to build him a boat, and that Mr. Litchfield, in company with Mr. Mackay, had made a journey to Uyui, arriving at that point June 5. As the locality proved favorable to Mr. Litchfield’s health he intended to remain there with Mr. Copplestone, while Mr. Mackay had gone back to Uganda. These brethren are cheered by the belief that the hearts and minds of many of the heathen with whom they have labored have been prepared for the Gospel.

Mr. Litchfield writes: “I have invariably found the poor people ready and eager to listen to the story of the cross. Numbers of instances rise up before me as I write, where the hearers have testified their astonishment and joy at the love of Jesus in dying for them. Do not give away an inch,” he says, “if the place is proposed to be given up. On Dec. 23 we had that crushing vote to reject Christianity and stop our teaching. Now things are changing and public opinion is coming round in our favor. The hand is on the plow and we must not look back.”

—The Jesuits have purchased a large tract of ground near Alexandria, Egypt, and purpose to build a convent for the reception of the members of their order who have been expelled from European countries.

—A short time since, the Khedive of Egypt commissioned Col. Sala to take charge of an expedition for the capture and liberation of slaves who are brought down the Nile from the Soudan into Egypt. The expedition crossed the Nile at Assouan and searched several localities where slaves were illegally retained. After much difficulty and many fruitless endeavors, Col. Sala succeeded in surprising a village during the night time, and capturing and liberating twenty-one negroes. This endeavor set on foot by the young Khedive indicates a more hopeful condition of affairs relating to the East African slave trade than any other event of recent occurrence.

—_News from Mr. Stanley._—A letter from Mr. Carrie, superintendent of the Mission at Loango, gives interesting details gathered from Mr. Protche, a French naturalist, concerning Mr. Stanley and his operations. Mr. Protche visited him for the purpose of connecting himself with the expedition, but failed in his object.

He reports that Mr. Stanley was living at Vivi, in a village which he had built with lumber from Europe. The houses were said to be quite comfortable. Mr. Stanley had already constructed a road extending three leagues east of his village, and was performing a large amount of work in a way that must be quite assuring to those who are responsible for his expeditions.

* * * * *

The Indians.

—The number of Indian youth learning trades in work-shops at the agencies under the care of the United States Government has increased from one hundred and eighty-five last autumn to three hundred and fifty-eight this year. Brick-making has been begun, and houses for the Indians are now almost exclusively built by the Indians themselves. The aptitude shown by the Indians for mechanical work, has, in many cases, been surprising.

—Nearly two thousand freight wagons have been in use by the Indians this year, with the result of saving considerable money to the government compared with the amounts formerly paid for the same transportation (of supplies, &c., to the agencies), besides furnishing a civilizing and welcome employment to a large number of otherwise restless Indians.

* * * * *

The Chinese.

—Two Chinamen were baptized and received into the Church at Stockton, Cal., Nov. 7. They were the first of that nation to join any church in that city.

—_Restriction of Chinese Immigration._—A treaty has been made by the United States with the Chinese Government which practically leaves the subject of regulating Chinese immigration to the authorities at Washington. Owing to the fact that the Chinese Government has never been anxious to have its citizens emigrate to any country, little difficulty was found in negotiating the treaty.

—The _Christian Advocate_ has a very interesting report of the sermons preached by the native pastors at the Methodist Conference at Foochow, China, in October last. We select one. Rev. Sia Sek Ong preached from the single word “Go:” “Leave father, mother, friends, fields; preachers go thus; world-men don’t like to go in that fashion. Where must we go? To the sea, for the fish. They are not on the surface; they are in the depths. We may find shrimps in shallow water, but we must go to the deep water for the large fish. Go to the mountains to seek the lost sheep. There are lions and tigers and snakes in the mountains; but we must go, not to find sport, but to find the sheep. Go to the vineyard, to work, to watch, to plant, to water. Go to the field to sow seed. Study the soil, and sow accordingly. Field-work is not play. Go to the market-place, and bid guests to the Master’s feast. Go into the army, to fight, to wrestle with the devil, to put forth your strength, and to come home singing songs of victory.

“Ask the Master for Peter’s hook to bring up the right fish; for David’s crook to guide the sheep aright; for Gideon’s torch to light up the dark places; for Gospel seed, without any tares in it; for Moses’ guiding rod; for the brazen serpent, to cure the bites of the world’s snakes; for David’s sling to prostrate your giant foe; for the armor inventoried by Paul in the last chapter of Ephesians; but above all, for the wonderful Holy Spirit, to help at all times. If we have all these, it is no matter where we go. We will come with rejoicing to conference next year, with songs and shouts of victory.”

* * * * *

ITEMS FROM THE FIELD.

NASHVILLE, TENN.—During the latter part of November a precious work of grace was going on in Fisk University, more than fifteen of the students having decided to come over upon the Lord’s side.

CHATTANOOGA, TENN.—As a result of some special meetings held by pastor Jos. E. Smith, assisted by Rev. E. J. Penney, of Marietta, Ga., the Church was greatly confirmed and six or seven were added to the company of the disciples.

TOUGALOO, MISS.—In the University Chapel, on the last Sabbath of November, Superintendent Roy preached a sermon, and delivered a missionary address before the young people, who were about to organize a Society of Inquiry in addition to their mission school association, and was permitted to rejoice on that day with the teachers over the conversion of a young man, who had been the occasion of a great deal of solicitude to them. Half a dozen others have been coming along this fall in a quiet way; whereas, one year ago, the Spirit appeared almost as a rushing, mighty wind, leaving nineteen students to the Saviour within twenty-four hours, all of whom are still holding on their way beautifully. There are now 107 boarding students, while not a few have been turned away for lack of room. The new house for the home of the President is nearly completed. A third story is to be put upon the Ladies’ Hall, and other enlargements are sufferingly needed. The industrial department is in vigorous condition.

PARIS, TEXAS.—On the 23d of Nov., an Ecclesiastical Council, at this place, after an eminently satisfactory examination, ordained two young men, graduates of the theological department of Talladega College, licentiates of Alabama Conference,—Mr. J. W. Roberts as pastor of the “African Congregational Church” of Paris, and Mr. J. W. Strong to go to Corpus Christi, to take the church work, while Rev. S. M. Coles, who has been doing double service there, will retain the charge of the school. Rev. W. C. McCune, of Dallas, preached the sermon, Rev. R. H. Read of the other Congregational Church, of Paris, delivered the charge. Rev. Albert Gray, who has had charge of the Church for several years, having been an old-time African preacher, extended the right hand of fellowship, and Supt. Roy, the moderator, offered the prayer of ordination, having spent five days in confirming and preaching for the cluster of churches in the country about, that have branched off from this one. These are Pattonville, New Hope, Paradise and Shiloh. The mother church, which, in 1868, paid $112 in gold for an acre and a half lot in the suburbs, has now bought a more central lot and will work toward a new “church house.”

THE FREEDMEN.

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

FIELD SUPERINTENDENT, ATLANTA, GA.

* * * * *

THE “CENTRAL SOUTH.”

PRES. G. F. MAGOUN, D. D.

MY DEAR DR. WARREN:—Across the street from where I write is a Freedmen’s church, of modest pretensions, in which the Central South Conference of churches (Congregational) is sitting. It comprises the churches and pastors of Tennessee, Mississippi and Alabama. Just within the door a low pillar in the centre supports an “offertory,” to use an English, but hardly an American word, with the legend “Help us.” It is from great poverty and hardships, as well as great wrong, that this scion of ecclesiastical New England has grown, and the people are still needy. Behind the pulpit is the motto, “Take my yoke upon you;” they have accepted that of Christ as they have rejected that of man. Very happily, the earnest and intelligent young pastor elect, in welcoming the members of this Conference this morning, reminded them that they come to a Memphis unlike that of antiquity, from which the task-master has forever passed away.

This is a genuine Congregational body save in hue—one cannot long say just that, for we are to have many of the same hue. Its modes, motions, votes, reports, papers on appointed subjects, discussions, care to recognize the precedence of churches over mere officers of churches, and its devotional spirit, are like those of Maine Conferences. But in the half a hundred brethren and sisters who are present forenoon and afternoon, white faces are to be seen only here and there; those who possess them are admitted, so far as I can see, to an entire equality with others! The moderator is a white professor of languages in Fisk University; the scribe a colored pastor at Nashville. The preacher last evening was a colored minister from Alabama; a white minister from Iowa assisted him, whose daughter, teacher of music in the Normal Institute for Freedmen here, led the choir. In one corner sits Rev. Dr. J. E. Roy, the A. M. A. Field Superintendent in the South. The (white) chairman of the business committee is at the head of a church and one institution supported by the Association in Mississippi. Fervent and spiritual, yet orderly as a Northern prayer-meeting, were the devotional exercises of the first hour this morning.

Narratives from the churches coming first in the proceedings, indicated the practical working character of the Conference. One of them was the story of a church holding on its way without a pastor, growing in steady Christian work in its prayer meetings and in its Sabbath attendance, and fostering an institution of learning the while. Another was a written apology from the pastor for absence, because of conversions and a promising work of grace. Another was a thrilling narrative of a brotherhood whose main body, thirty strong, went two years ago to Kansas, and its Sabbath-school has twice since been swept away; yet it has come up from six to forty-five in numbers, built a pleasant house of worship, and made Christian education victorious over the deadly opposition of secular public education. I learned of another, not represented to-day, whose real acting pastor is a lady teacher, nineteen years at her solitary post. The dashing heroism of anti-rebellion days has been succeeded by the quiet, persistent heroism that is often the greater of the two; and the self-sacrifice of many of both races for the cause of Christ is wonderful.

There is hopefulness among these brethren and sisters as to the reviving of God’s work in the special direction of practical righteousness. With all the immense moral evils of a Federal election, they feel that conscience has been stirred, and profound gratitude to God for the result has been awakened among the Freedmen. Thought and energy, it seems to them, are more likely to turn in the direction of religion now than in any other great common channel, and they have courage and cheer for coming work. No salvation movement among them can overpass their need.

I add, at a later date, that an afternoon given to church extension and the spread of education was of the deepest interest. Between the two papers, or addresses, was another on more generous giving by the churches, entirely in keeping. How vast a work in both church and school is laid upon them, one needs to be among them, and to see and hear them, in order to realize. How the treasury of the A. M. A. could fill to repletion if all who support it could have an inside view. In conversations at Andover on two different occasions, Prof. Park uttered the strongest and most anxious impressions respecting our national future and the condition of the South. I am sure that he and all deep-sighted and far-sighted men would find them intensified on actual examination of the facts. The task before us is vast, and, but for divine help, overwhelming and impracticable. Nothing in church order and work can save these people but the freest and most intelligent system; nothing in education but practical training for the duties and competitions with a more favored race, guided and inspired by thorough Christian principle.

Another afternoon was given to an ecclesiastical council, called by the 2d Congregational church of Memphis, to advise as to the ordination of a pastor. The examination of the young man who had been preaching to them for some months was a thoroughly delightful one, specially full and rich in the recital of Christian experience. The young brother is a light colored man, a native of Pennsylvania, of an earnest, intense nature, studious, modest, instructive as a preacher, and edifying to a group of Northern white teachers in Le Moyne Institute, and bore himself as to clearness and soundness of doctrine, in a manner so admirable, that many candidates for the ministry from the more favored race might well look up to him. Very tender and sweet was his testimony to parental faithfulness, and the divine blessing upon it in the Presbyterian church in which he was brought up, and to the providential leading that guided him into the ministry “for the sake of the work in the South.” The Conference, at an earlier session, licensed two other young brethren, whose work in gathering churches and schools is sorely needed in the communities they represent. One of these preached before it.

Twice this week I have given before Freedmen’s institutions lectures prepared for Northern college audiences. One’s respect for these institutions and for their students could only be raised by the intelligent attention given. The city press—Democratic—has made courteous and even generous notice of the religious proceedings of the week. Dr. Roy and myself were promptly invited to occupy Presbyterian pulpits in the city, and were most kindly and respectfully received. We were assured that we should be heard with pleasure again, and that the Gospel which we preached was that which they received, knowing “no North, no South.” On Sabbath evening the place of worship of the 2d Congregational Church—the first is of white people—was crowded with attentive hearers of both races while the ordination exercises were held. The young pastor had been chosen by the Conference delegate to the National Council at St. Louis, and the people, at the close of the ordination, raised a sum of money to defray his expenses. I have never seen more genuine and grateful joy among a Christian flock at the gift of a pastor and teacher than these people showed as they crowded up to take his hand after he had pronounced the benediction. They are ordinarily more social and demonstrative at all religious gatherings than white Christians.

Some views of their future, and of the great and grave problems involved in their elevation by a free Christianity and by Christian education, were deeply impressed upon me during my week among them, to which I may give utterance hereafter.—_Christian Mirror._

* * * * *

SOUTH CAROLINA.

Tannerism in Church Work—Charm of Old Songs—Temperance Revival.

REV. TEMPLE CUTLER.

Two years ago Plymouth church, Charleston, was in the hands of a man whom it believed to be a good man, and in the enthusiasm of the moment it undertook to support him without aid from the Association. They ran the church nine months, and then were glad to get back under the sheltering wings of their cherishing mother. They did not return a moment too soon. Life was at a very low ebb, and the church required very tender nursing to bring it up. The most I can say of it now is, that it is convalescing. The pulse is regular, the digestion normal, the eye is brighter and more hopeful, there is a degree of buoyancy in the step, the skin is more healthy, and if there shall be no relapse, we may confidently hope for full recovery. But I would not advise a repetition of such experiments. It isn’t a good plan to try how near we can bring ourselves to the gate of death and then get back. _Tannerism_ isn’t good for church work.

The greatest burden of the church now, is a debt of $1,200 which it owes to the A. M. A. We would like to pay this off, and no doubt the money would be of great use in some other department of our great work, but the people are very poor. They are willing to do what they can, but we find it hard to pay the interest on the mortgage. If any of the readers of the MISSIONARY desire to help a worthy cause, let them send their donation to Dr. Strieby, to be set to the credit of Plymouth church in Charleston.

We have been revising our list of membership. In the spring we had a solemn renewal of fellowship, and from that renewal we made up our list. In doing this we were obliged to drop from our record twenty-five names. We number now, present and absent, 180; but, I am sorry to say, some of them who are in the city, and who solemnly covenanted to walk in the fellowship with the church, still absent themselves from all our services. Still they regard themselves as exemplary Christians, and resent the imputation that they are not living consistent lives. It is here, as everywhere, a few faithful ones are the bone and sinew of the church.

I wish I could take you into one of our prayer meetings, such a one as we sometimes have, for they are not all of the same degree of spiritual fervor, but one of our good meetings is exceedingly enjoyable. The songs are so weird and the prayers are so fervent and frequent, and their attitude so devout—well, perhaps your fastidious taste would be shocked, but somehow I am drawn a little nearer Heaven here than anywhere else. I can’t help saying “Amen” down in my heart. And when they sing my body sways with theirs, just as the sailor rolls his gait with the motion of the deck. We sing a good many of the old time tunes, and some that have not yet been translated into written song. Our people sing their good old household hymns to these tunes. They have a happy faculty of adapting the words to the music, no matter what the metre may be. For instance, the tune in the Jubilee Songs, “I will die in the field,” is made to fit the hymn, “When I can read my title clear.”

Sometimes the hymn is divided up, and the chorus sandwiched in between the lines most ingeniously. But, however incongruous it may be to the rules of music, it has a peculiar charm.

The church was well supplied during the vacation by Rev. David Peebles, of Dudley, N. C. Bro. Peebles kept them together and strengthened their hands. His ministry was most acceptable to the people. If nothing happens to us we have every reason to expect the church now to grow. We need the baptism of the Spirit. We are looking forward to a meeting, soon to be held in the city, under the direction of Rev. H. E. Brown, who has been laboring in the interest of the colored people in the South with great success. The Minister’s Union has taken hold of the matter, and stands ready to give him a hearty co-operation. Bro. Brown’s method introduces Bible Readings in public, and from house to house. This is what we need, and what the people want. We hope for a large blessing to follow.