Part 4

There is a large territory spiritually to be occupied in Charleston. We have a population of 50,000, a large part of whom are colored. In this county there are 71,000 colored people and only 30,000 white. There are 604,000 colored people in the State, and 391,000 white. The colored vote is 40,000 in majority. There is great wickedness among these colored people. They copy and improve upon the vices of the whites, in addition to their natural depravity. Gambling, profanity, drunkenness, licentiousness and Sabbath-breaking abound. Some of these vices have been born of freedom, others have been increased by it. Drunkenness was rare among the blacks in slavery. Gambling was comparatively unknown. Now both of these vices prevail to an alarming extent. Outside the city limits on Sunday groups of men and boys are to be seen everywhere, throwing dice or engaged in some other form of gambling. An effort is on foot to reach these outlying masses and bring them under the influence of the Gospel. I know of but one missionary who gives her time to the work of visiting the thirty thousand colored people of this city. We could use advantageously a dozen.

Oh, how much there is to be done, and how few to do it; and how weak all our instrumentalities in the face of these obstacles! May God help us! Oh, that the churches at the North could see what a field is open to them here in the South! If we could have at least one more missionary here in Charleston we would be glad, and the money it would cost would be well expended.

The white people are waking up to more effort in missionary work. They have commenced in the temperance reform, and already a petition with 5,000 names attached has been presented to the Mayor and Council, asking that no more licenses be granted for the sale of intoxicating drinks. It is a beginning. A noble Christian woman, Mrs. Chapin, has been the prime mover of this endeavor. We hope its influence will not be lost if the petition is rejected. May God give us other and stronger petitions until the authorities see that Christian people mean business.

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GEORGIA.

Atlanta University.

REV. C. W. FRANCIS.

Several facts of interest are connected with the opening of the school year at Atlanta University.

1st. We are in possession of several valuable improvements, which give increased facilities long greatly needed. These are in consequence of recent gifts, the first fruits of which a conjunction of favorable circumstances made thus early available. They consist of an addition to the building for girls, nearly doubling its capacity for lodgers; to the dining room, furnishing nearly forty more seats; to one school room, furnishing desks for sixty pupils, and two convenient recitation rooms. And these are all in full demand, and the inquiry presses, “What shall we do next when the January rush comes on?”

2d. A largely increased attendance, especially of girls, 79 being now present as boarders, and these new pupils come largely from remote regions, some traveling more than 300 miles to reach school. This increase is the result of no special appeals or inducements—indeed, until much more extensive preparations were made it would not be safe to invite a larger attendance—but grows chiefly out of the interest awakened by old pupils in their own community, and in the schools taught by them during the summer vacation.

3d. A very satisfactory report of vacation work by nearly all of the more than 150 who engaged in it.

(_a._) Every pupil who was competent and desired a situation in the public schools, obtained one, and many were taken who had made but little progress in studies, and after all were gone, more than a score of applications were made for teachers to be sent from here, which could not be met from any source, and the schools were disbanded.

(_b._) No obstacles were met by any pupil caused by any of the white citizens of the state, but on the contrary, much assistance and support was cheerfully given, and that too, in many remote and rude regions.

(_c._) Temperance work had especial prominence and effectiveness. All were provided with a good supply of suitable temperance reading, which they distributed in connection with schools taught by them both on Sabbath and week days. This work was followed up by family visits and lectures and personal work, so that in some counties the vote was carried for prohibition under the local option law.

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Georgia Conference.

The Conference of this State held its annual meeting in Atlanta, at the First Church—Rev. C. W. Hawley’s—from the 2d to the 5th inst., Rev. Jos. E. Smith Moderator, and Rev. S. E. Lathrop and Prof. S. B. Morse, Secretaries. Rev. J. R. McLean preached the opening sermon, upon the encouragement to run the Christian race from the example of Christ. It was a refreshing and edifying discourse, too much in earnest for an introduction, but made three points and stuck to them and stopped at the end. The preacher is a graduate of Talladega.

As a good example for other Conferences, one evening was given to addresses in behalf of the several Congregational Societies, with alternation of color as to the speakers, but not as to the speeches. Supt. Roy reported the anniversary of the A. M. A. and the St. Louis triennial, and gave an address upon the independence of our churches as related to their fellowship. Rev. P. Snelson and Prof. C. W. Francis led off on “Church Discipline,” President Ware opened on “The School and the Church,” showing their natural relation as evangelizers. A half day was given to a visit at the Atlanta University, and one evening to a sociable. Two “church houses” have been built during the year at Marietta and Cypress Slash. The Conference missed Rev. R. F. Markham’s stirring way, but rejoiced in the coming in his place at Savannah of Rev. B. D. Conkling, whose transition from the moderatorship of the fortieth annual meeting of the Wisconsin Convention to a place in this humble body did not appal him. His sermon at the University was greatly appreciated. His combination of pulpit and business talent will find full scope in this work. _The Atlanta Constitution_ gave a report of the Conference each day.

On Monday the members of the Conference, called by letters missive, repaired to Marietta, twenty-one miles out, to sit in Council for the installation of Mr. E. J. Penney, a graduate of the Atlanta University and of Andover Seminary. The young pastor is taking hold of his work grandly. Let it be observed that the Congregational Churches of the South are seeking after the old paths. This is the third installation of a colored pastor within a month. The others were Rev. B. A. Imes, of Memphis, and Rev. J. W. Roberts, of Paris, Texas.

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ALABAMA.

A Visit to Marion.

REV. G. W. ANDREWS, TALLADEGA.

Marion was reached Saturday night, a grand old town of three thousand inhabitants, and an educational centre for the State. As the hacks were full, a colored brother, an old friend, and deacon in our church at this place, took my bag, and I hastened along the sidewalk a mile or more to what was once the “Teachers’ Home,” but now the parsonage, a house to which I was introduced ten years ago when I left my Connecticut pastorate for a winter in the Sunny South. I cannot tell you how I felt, passing along the streets, as I recalled the experiences of ten years ago. I shuddered as I neared the house where my friend, now of Chattanooga, came near losing his life in the small hours of the night by the hands of masked and armed men. The rush, the rope, the tree, the cries for help, the final deliverance, and much more, were very vivid and real to my awakened mind. I thought, also, of those eight consecutive nights when none of our family lay down to rest as usual; of the armed guard of twenty brave men in and about the house all those nights; of the warning letters received, the threats made, the Henry rifles in our chairs when we bowed around our family altar; of the preaching with hands in my pocket on my revolver; of the fear and trembling that seized us when special danger threatened; of our isolation from all except the poor we had come to bless by our labors. I thought, too, of the school-house, the three hundred eager learners, the little church of a dozen members, the precious meetings, the great outpouring of the Spirit, the hundreds of conversions, the “never to be forgotten” prayers and songs—in all the most precious revival of my life. As a drowning man recalls the events of a whole life in a moment, so in an incredibly brief space of time passed before me those early experiences of missionary life in this strange land, impossible for me now to relate. All is changed now. To-day the missionary is welcomed by many Christian people in Marion. The dreadful past is fading from our minds in the love and friendship of the present.

Sabbath morning I looked out upon the many cottages and cabin homes in the woods and fields all about, while near by I saw the church edifice with its graceful and airy bell-tower in which hangs a choice bell from the foundry of Veasy & White, of East Hampton, Connecticut, and the gift of the people there. The house will seat three or four hundred, is well proportioned, nicely painted and frescoed,—the most handsome and best kept church edifice of the colored people in the State.

I wish it were possible for me to give some suitable account of the Sabbath greetings and services. A few touches only, and your imagination must supply the rest. The bell called us to the house of God at 9 a.m. You first meet the men and women who joined the church ten years ago, and are now pillars in it and in the Sabbath-school. And such a welcome!—such hand-shaking, such glad hearts! You very soon know Paul’s warmth towards his beloved Church of Philippi, his first love in Europe, as this was my first love in Alabama. It was nearly five hours before these morning greetings, the Sabbath-school, the preaching and then more hand-shaking, were ended, and the people willing to go to their homes. The promise, “He shall bring all things to your remembrance,” seemed that day fulfilled. Precious memories of the wonderful work of grace that drew so many of them into the fold were present to all with power. “Our hearts burned within us” as we talked of these things there, and “by the way.” The night service, the Monday calls, the informal social gathering, the eager questions, the manifest Spirit’s presence, the next day’s farewells—all made a deep impression on us, and led us to feel anew that this missionary work is God’s work, for it was that work that inspired our hearts and was our theme from first to last.

This church has already put five young men into the Christian ministry, and is in morals, intelligence and management a pattern worthy to be copied.

Since my arrival home the one question that presses heaviest on my heart is, how can we provide for the boys and girls of Marion and other places visited that want to come to the college to school? In Childersburgh, Shelby Iron Works, Calera, Selma and Marion, places along the line of my journey, I found many smart boys and girls anxious to become educated men and women. In one place I found twenty-five eager to come, not one of whom could pay more than a small part of necessary school expenses. Low wages, poor crops, the cotton worm and inherited poverty keep them where they are, and so far as I can see they must live and die there in their poverty and hopelessness, unless those whom God has more highly favored are moved to help them. Our college expenses are so low that seventy dollars will keep one pupil in school one year, and sometimes, on account of labor done or aid from home, a much smaller amount will suffice. We need more than one thousand dollars to be used in this way this year, above the amounts already pledged. Christian education transforms these boys and girls. I wish you could see the eight young men that were graduated last June from the Theological Department of the college, and hear them preach the word to their people; you could but say, “Verily, this is God’s way and I must chime in with it.” Several young men are just now entering the Theological Department who are every way worthy, but wholly dependent for means to prosecute their studies to the end.

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TENNESSEE.

Revival at Memphis.

PROF. A. J. STEELE.

I know you will rejoice with us at the outpouring of the Spirit which just now is so manifest.

Our evening prayer-meetings, held for the past week each day immediately after school, are being greatly blessed. One of the students, a young man, professed Christ three days ago; the earnestness since then has deepened. The meetings of yesterday and the day before were especially blessed, and this morning two promising girls of the school rose directly after devotions, and before the entire school, gave most earnest and clear testimony to Christ as their Saviour. In this afternoon’s meeting, to which nearly the entire school remained, two smaller girls and two prominent young men professed, with rejoicing. The entire school seems moved, many are seeking most earnestly, and this evening, at seven o’clock, we have a special meeting in the sitting-room at the Home.

We are all rejoicing, as we doubt not angels are, over the repentance and return of those estranged from God. Will you not give thanks with us and pray for a continuation of the presence of the Spirit with us in our work!

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.

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

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LETTERS FROM PUPILS.

REV. W. C. POND, SAN FRANCISCO.

I often receive letters from pupils in our schools, and still more frequently read letters addressed to their teachers, which I have wished I could show to the Christian friends who are enabling us to carry on our work.

It is encouraging to see how much of saving truth they have contrived to learn, and still more to feel all through the throbbings of a Christian heart. The English is often in a sad tangle, but the effort to get hold of idioms so utterly opposite to their own sometimes gives an appetizing quaintness to their utterances such as freshens even oldest truth.

I venture to fill our columns for this month with a few extracts, realizing the fact that our interest in them may be wholly due to our personal interest in the writers, and that I incur the risk of their falling quite flat on the ears of others.

Here is one from Gin Sing, a member of the Presbyterian Church in Santa Barbara, now in Mexico: “Dear Sir, Mr. Pond: How are your health now? I hope you alway strong and able to do things. I have leave off [left] the city of Santa Barbara last Jan. 21st, but we living in Sonora of Mexico the county, at place of San Felix Mine. * * * I like to stay Santa Barbara very much, and so I have a chance to go church every Sunday; and this country none have church, and not very good country, but only mine was good, and country was dry the all time, and hot, too, and cold—sometimes was cold as can be. Oh, Dear Sir, I hear from Ah Foy [a Chinese brother, member of the Congregational Church] sometime ago. Tell me about Lee Wing Tie [a Baptist brother from San Francisco] been to Santa Barbara; done many good things for mission boys before he left; but Mission boys like him very much indeed, and very happy that time, and large school, too. Now Miss Clarke write me very few boys come. I am sorry. Sorry as can be. * * * Be prayerful, patient and pleasant, and never lose faith that the love and help of God, the Father, are with us in every hour. May God bless you always.”

And here is one recently received from Ny To Ging, a Stockton brother: “Mr. Pond: Dear Friend * * * Since I left you so long time, I never written to you any. Alway do I remember your kindness. I hope God will bless you and give you much strength to do his work. We are all sinners, and have wandered from God like lost sheep that have gone astray from the fold, but God is ready to forgive and take us back again in order to save us; so that we ought immediately to repent and become the disciples of Christ and be always prepared to do the will of Jesus. The Bible is the word of God. Holy men wrote it as the Holy Spirit taught them. The truths of the Bible never change. Every word is true, and God’s truth shall last forever. * * * I write to let you know and two Chinese [are to be] baptized in Stockton Church Congregational the next Sunday. I do not know how to write a letter well, but I make the attempt to write a little, hoping you will overlook all mistakes.” [In some portions of the above I think that as to the English our brother must have had the aid of his teacher’s corrections but the thoughts, I am sure, are his own.—W. C. P.]

This is from Jou Mow Lam, recently baptized in Bethany Church, addressed to his teacher in Stockton: “My dear teacher, Mrs. L. Langdon, I write few words to you. I think you good take care your scholar. I leave you long time. I do pray to God, hope you very well. I was very sorry, can get no work, know you help me. Pray to God to change my new heart [change my heart: make it new] no make me darkness. Soon I have baptized [shall be baptized]. I have read also in the gospels about Jesus; he rose from the grave on the third day after he was crucified, and went to heaven. I wish to be a Christian that I may go to heaven. I do not cease to pray for the pardon of my sin, and a new heart. I cannot tell you how I long to meet you my dear Christian friend.” This one is from Ny King, a beloved brother in Bethany Church, addressed to teachers who had recently removed from San Francisco to Stockton. It was written just as he was about to sail for China: “I sorry I can not write all I want, but I will try to write a few words to you. You are kind and patient to teach our Chinese, and I am very sorry you have to go to Stockton and leave us. Still we are glad, for you shall have a good chance to do much good for our Christian Chinese up there. I hope you remember me while you pray, that I may go home to China, to hold up the light of Christ, and tell the kindness of your Christian people to my own countrymen which they might receive it. One day, one of my heathen friends call up to me in a store: ‘Ny King,’ said he, ‘are you go home next steamer? I will tell you something, that you might not forget it. Now you say you are a Christian, but in about a month more, you will say you are something thing else,’ for he thought the Christian only good for here, and never can be in China. If the power of man, it might be so, but God who is the highest [is] _Almighty_. Now I must close my letter. I have no time to write any more. Good bye.”

Many other letters lie before me, each with its own point of interest, but I shall trespass on another’s space if I indulge in any more extracts. I will venture, however, to give without connection, the following sketch of a sermon from Wong Ack, a helper recently introduced into service, and from whom our readers have not heard before.

The text is Matt. ii., 28: “Come unto me all ye that labor,” etc.

1. The world is now already led by Satan, that who follows him, it is heavy labor he has to bear: and every grief in his heart that never feels any comfort, so that Jesus has shown His kind heart, and sound His merciful voice that whosoever will leave the devil and come to Him, they will receive His rest.

2. Jesus now on this world is like to what?—Like a gong which is sounding on the place while the thieves surround the people at night, and might wake them up, so they know the mischief was near, and try to escape out of the murderers’ hands, and hope they might save their life.

3. Our friends, this mischief nobody is able to deliver you from, but only Jesus who is our Saviour: He will preserve us, if we trust in Him. Oh! how sorry for them now which are asleep! Their hearts were full of dreams, and their eyes were closed up by Satan’s plans. Wake up, our friends, wake up! Come, come to Jesus as possible as you can [as quickly as you possibly can]. He is ready, waiting for us. * * *

4. That labor which I had spoken of is in this world. But you ought to know beforehand _that labor_ which [is in] the world to come. Now turn to Luke, xiv chapter and 24th verse: that will tell you how that is. Therefore Jesus said, “Come unto me.” What you think of this voice? * * * Now, our friends, should we all come to Him? Should we rather love to go to heaven, than go to hell? Yes, we must all come to Him, and turn our hearts toward the way of heaven, and hope our Lord Jesus Christ lead us in to His glory forever and ever.

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CHILDREN’S PAGE.

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A CHRISTMAS GIFT LIKE BELL BENNET’S.

MRS. T. N. CHASE.

“Annie, will you please come in a minute?” called Mrs. Duncan to a merry maiden tripping home from school. Annie Bennet looked up, nodded, and turned toward Mrs. Duncan’s mansion. As soon as her feet touched the grand stone steps, she felt changed into a dignified young lady, as quickly as ever Cinderella turned into a fairy. And as handsome Will, just in from the same school, opened for her the massive doors, some fresh roses jumped into Annie’s cheeks and some fresh sparkles into her dancing eyes. As soon as the three were seated in the cosey bay-window, Mrs. Duncan said, “Annie, you know, with my lame foot, I cannot go to see your mother, so I called you in to tell you my Christmas plan for our little May. You know how the child loves your little sister Bell. Well, last night while the little darling was saying her prayers, she added, ‘Please, Lord, tell Santa Claus to bring a Christmas gift to Bell just like the one he brings to me.’ Now we had planned getting her a tiny diamond ring, it would be so lovely on her dainty little hand, and I thought if your mother knew of May’s sweet little prayer, she’d like to strengthen the child’s faith by getting one for Bell like it.” Annie thought it was a beautiful idea and hastened home to tell her mother.

As soon as Mrs. Bennet heard Annie’s story, a greater pain came into her heart than had been there for many a day; for they had lately received a fortune from a rich uncle, and she felt that her motives for simplicity and economy would not be understood. Her greatest anxiety, however, was for her children. How she had prayed that the love of this money might not be to them “the root of all evil,” and “pierce them through with many sorrows.” She well knew how her precious Annie would now be petted by the gay and fashionable, and here had come her first great trial in this irresistible message from charming Mrs. Duncan. Annie understood her mother’s hesitation and said, “Mamma, wouldn’t it be a pity to have little May think her prayer was not heard?”

“My child, May did not pray for a diamond ring, but for a gift like Bell’s. Perhaps if you tell Mrs. Duncan I cannot conscientiously grant her request she will get a simple gift like one we get for Bell.”

“Oh, mamma, I never could tell Mrs. Duncan that. Don’t you think the habit of economy, that of necessity you have practiced all these years, may be mistaken for conscience?”