Part 2

Fortunately, or as I like better to say, providentially, the way is now opened for that result. A system has been devised and perfected in England, and is now beginning to be generally adopted in this country, which so simplifies the study of music as to bring it within the comprehension of a little child. That system bears the name which stands at the head of this article. A technical description of the system would be out of place here. It is enough to say that the result is accomplished and the study of music now is made easy and delightful where it was formerly perplexing and confusing. How much this means for the colored people, with their musical gifts and inspirations, it is impossible to imagine. It is not to be supposed that such special powers were bestowed upon a whole race without some very important and far-reaching purpose. The unfolding of that purpose was begun in a very wonderful way by the Jubilee Singers. But their mission was among the Caucasian races rather than among their own people. The Tonic Sol-fa system comes to fill a widely different sphere, viz.: to give to the masses an intelligent possession of the world of music.

The A. M. A. has done a very wise thing in taking steps to test at once the value of this system for its constituents. They have commissioned a teacher to go to the Fisk University and teach it during the remainder of the school year. The method is so easy and natural that a thorough knowledge of its fundamental principles can be imparted in that time, and not only that, but _all who learn it can teach it intelligently in their schools during the coming summer_. Its advantages will thus begin to be felt in remote country districts, and the reform will be carried on just where such reforms should always begin, among the masses of the common people.

The teacher who has been appointed to this important post, Mr. J. W. Adams, is one who is singularly fitted by his history and antecedents to engage in this special work. Born in England, he was taken by his parents to the island of St. Helena at the age of three. When nine years old he accompanied his father, a sea captain, on one of his voyages. The vessel was wrecked on the coast of South Africa, and the young lad remained there for eighteen years. He traveled extensively throughout the country on trading expeditions, and thus became thoroughly acquainted with the manners and usages of the native tribes as well as of the British and Dutch settlers. He learned the Tonic Sol-fa system there and became so interested in it that at length he resolved to qualify himself as a teacher. It is certainly a singular and interesting fact, that the person who is first to introduce the system among the Freedmen of America should have learned it in Africa.

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SUCCESS, REAL AND APPARENT.

It is often difficult, not to say impossible, to know just what success has been achieved by any special missionary effort. After years of faithful labor the missionary, if challenged to do so, may not be able to adduce a single satisfactory proof that he has not labored wholly in vain, so far as the results he has been seeking are concerned.

On the other hand, changes so remarkable, so exactly in the line of what is sought and hoped for, follow the very first proclamation of the Gospel, which we gladly attribute to Divine grace; we grow confident that at last the promise is nearing its fulfilment when “a nation shall be born in a day.”

Now, it should be understood that we are in danger of mistake as to the real condition of things in each case; a mistake which breeds despair where there may be good reason for rejoicing, or excites hopes that are fatally false on the other hand.

Doubtless many a faithful toiler has spent his whole life in laying foundations, deep and broad, but out of the sight of ordinary observers, upon which shall rise, in magnificent proportions, a temple to our God after he has gone to his reward—to the reward of one who has been faithful, rather than of one who has been observed. The merest accident may place another in such relation to this man’s toils that he shall seem to be the creator of all the results for which he labored, while he bears no other relation to them than the minnow does to the swell and roar and irresistible rush of the wave by which it has been caught and upon which it rides.

Again, men possessed of certain gifts, but devoid of needed restraints in their use, may arouse the enthusiasm of their fellows, sway their passions, play upon their imaginations, excite their emotions and propel them along certain lines of activity until confidence is created that now, at last, the kingdom is coming with millennial celerity and power. But a reaction from all this is certain, and the Gospel ship which just now was riding with grace and beauty upon the crest of the wave lies half buried in mud and sea-weed to await the rising of another tide. The whole movement has been that of an anchored boat, without the possibility of advance, and worse than useless, for in this case it has been with the waste of spiritual force.

There are two facts which all who are laboring for the coming of the kingdom of our Lord should regard as fixed, and being fixed some good degree of fixedness will be secured for their hopes with reference to its progress. One of these is the amazing ignorance and wickedness of those over whom this kingdom of light and love is to be established; and the other is the Divine power of that kingdom and the Divine purpose to establish it, and hence the certainty of its establishment.

The Gospel will never gain its conquests in such way as to relieve the Church of the duty and labor and self-denial and discipline of carrying it and proclaiming it to the heathen, who will find it, as all people have, opposed to all their habits and pleasures and traditions, and will, therefore, when they understand it, resist it before accepting it. The cheering news which so often comes to us from Central Africa and other lands will doubtless be followed by most discouraging news of disappointment and seeming disaster.

On the other hand, it must be remembered that in all really substantial buildings, especially if erected on doubtful ground, a large proportion of the cost and of the most valuable material, and also of the time, must be expended out of sight before it becomes a feature of the landscape.

In all religious movements it is especially true that much of the best material, and much of the cost, is utterly lost to sight before the world sees any result. In the South, for the past fifteen years, the foundations have been laid for a superstructure which is to arise in grand and glorious proportions, the joy of our land and the praise of all people. We are just reaching the surface, and others than the workmen themselves are now able to see that something has been going on during all these years.

If structures, however beautiful, which have no foundations, must topple, and we should feel no disappointment when they do, we would yet understand that much has been done when a foundation broad enough and strong enough has been laid.

The work will go on now with apparently tenfold rapidity, for, since it attracts attention it will also attract helpers, and those who doubted and sneered will co-operate in carrying it forward.

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BENEFACTIONS.

It is reported that John I. Blair has recently given $40,000 to Lafayette College.

Hon. Levi Parsons has given $50,000 to Union College for the benefit of worthy students.

Mrs. Orra Bolles, of Hartford, Conn., has given $15,000 to different benevolent enterprises, mostly under the auspices of the Baptist denomination.

Ex-Secretary Delano has given $10,000 to Kenyon College.

The Botanical Department of the Cornell University has recently received a donation of $10,000 from the Hon. H. W. Sage, of Ithaca, N. Y.

Mr. Spurgeon is reported to have recently received $200,000 for his Pastors’ College, and $125,000 for his Orphanage.

Mr. Amasa Stone, of Cleveland, Ohio, has offered $500,000 to the Western Reserve College, conditioned on its removal to Cleveland.

James Mackey, of California, has signified his intention of giving $50,000 to Bowdoin College. It is said his example is likely to be followed by a gentleman in Philadelphia.

The will of Mrs. Maggie Embry, of Eleton, Ky., which has been admitted to probate, gives $200,000 in Louisville and Nashville Railroad Stock to the Vanderbilt University at Nashville.

Judge Forbes, of Northampton, Mass., has left $300,000 to found a second free library in that town.

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GENERAL NOTES.

Africa.

—King Meneleck, who rules in Southern Abyssinia, has recently abolished the slave-trade in his dominions.

—Tunis and Algeria are now united by a daily postal service, and letters are transmitted at a cost of fifteen cents each.

—M. Lombard, corresponding member of the Norman Society of Geography, has been charged with a scientific mission in Abyssinia. He has arrived at Massoua.

—The caravan of the missionaries from Algeria, bound for Lake Tanganyika, has arrived safely at Karéma, near the Lake. Those that started, however, for the Victoria Nyanza, have been pillaged on the route.

—The Chamber at Paris has approved the grant made to a company for a railroad from St. Louis to Dakar and voted a credit of 1,700,000 francs for laying a cable from Dakar to St. Vincent. This last line will place Senegal in direct communication with Europe.

—The Church Missionary Society has received an offer from Mr. Arthington, of Leeds, of $25,000, the income of which they will be at liberty to use towards maintaining a steamer and staff of agents on the Upper Binué and Lake Tchad. In returning thanks to Mr. Arthington, the Society was obliged to inform him that the amount would be insufficient for the purposes mentioned.

—Mr. J. M. Cnouwer, a Hollander, has undertaken a journey from Alexandria to the Cape of Good Hope. It is announced that he will be joined on his way by a Frenchman who has lived a long while in Abyssinia. He possesses considerable fortune and has had much experience as a traveler. It is not his purpose to take with him more than a single servant and a small amount of luggage. If he succeeds in his endeavors, his name will be placed by the side of the most renowned African explorers.

—Stanley continues his travels towards the interior without allowing himself to be stopped by the difficulties of his enterprise. The 7th of November he was rejoiced to meet H. Savorgnan de Brazza, who, after ascending two tributaries of the Congo and establishing a station, traversed the territory of Apfourous and reached by land the shores of the Congo. Resuming navigation he descended the course of the river half way to Stanley Pool, where he founded a new station. Then, continuing to follow it, he rejoined Stanley. It appears that the journey made by Brazza, which traversed a territory north of the lower Congo towards the interior of Africa, is a much more practicable route than the one up the river itself.

—Praggia, who is engaged in exploring the Soudan south of Khartoum, between the Blue and White Nile, is said to have met a large caravan with thousands of oxen, cows, goats and sheep. The children held in their arms the lambs and kids and even the little calves. The chiefs were mounted upon mules and asses, while their commander, upon a beautiful dromedary, ran hither and thither and superintended everything. These troops of quadrupeds were accompanied by bands of birds, which flew over their backs. Praggia estimated that the caravan would count 50,000 living beings. He also met other and smaller caravans of the same character. The object of the emigrants seems to have been a purpose to escape from the flies and particularly the tsetse. The region from whence they came lies a little northeast of the territory where it is proposed to establish the Arthington Mission.

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The Indians.

—A small congregation of full-blooded Chickasaw Indians lately gave $400 for the Foreign Missions of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.

—The largest tribe of Indians in the United States is the Sioux, or as they call themselves, the Dakota. Since the Sioux were first known, they have occupied a large portion of the center of the American continent, including the head waters of the Mississippi River.

—In the last Annual Report of the educational work of the Friends among the Indians, it is stated that at the Osage agency there are 2,745 Indians. Of these, 205, on the average, are in attendance at the two boarding-schools sustained at that point.

—The American Sunday-school Union has planted 121 Sunday-schools in the Indian territory. Next year they are to have a Sunday-school camp-meeting of ten days in August, at Atoka, in the Cherokee Nation, where a large gathering of full-bloods, who are averse to meeting in houses and among strangers, is anticipated.

—The laws of the Indian Colony at Metlakahtla, British Columbia, under the auspices of the English Church Missionary Society, are fifteen in number, and worthy to be imitated by those laboring for the Indians everywhere. These have been summarized as follows:—1. To give up their Indian magic. 2. To cease calling in conjurers when sick. 3. To cease gambling. 4. To cease squandering their property. 5. To cease painting their faces. 6. To cease using intoxicating drinks. 7. To rest on the Sabbath. 8. To attend to religious instruction. 9. To send their children to school. 10. To be clean. 11. To be industrious. 12. To be peaceable. 13. To be honest. 14. To build neat houses. 15. To pay their village tax.

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The Chinese.

—In one district in Japan seventy-one Buddhist temples have been diverted to secular uses since 1873, and over 700 in the whole empire since 1871.

—Mr. D. Smith, of the Presbyterian church of England mission at Formosa, has lately been privileged to baptize nine natives, making in all thirty-two members of the Peh-tsui-Khan Church. There has besides been a considerable amount of inquiry here, so that the congregation of hearers has greatly increased. Other places in this island have also had blessing and additions to the churches.

—Dr. Happer thinks that Prof. S. Wells Williams over-estimates the population of China at the present time. The loss of life in recent years, caused by wars and famines, has been considerable, and the recuperative power of the Chinese people has greatly decreased on account of the use of opium. Mr. Happer estimates the present population as 300,000,000.

—The singular idea prevails among some in China that the reason why Chinese become Christians on reading the Bible is, that they are stupified by the ink used, in consequence of which they lose their reason and are thus ready to believe what is false. People are warned, therefore, against buying or reading foreign books.

—The students sent by the Chinese government for study in this country live in American families, and visit the headquarters at Hartford at certain times for inspection, and for drill in their own language. The number is distributed at present as follows: Boston Institute of Technology, 8; Troy Polytechnic Institute, 5; Lafayette College, 2; Lehigh University, 5; Bethlehem, Pa., 2; Institute of Technology, Hoboken, 2; Yale College, Classical, 9; Scientific, 5; Amherst, 1; Harvard, 1; Columbia, 1. The greater number are in Hartford and vicinity.

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ITEMS FROM THE FIELD.

FLORENCE, ALA.—Rev. W. H. Ash, with aid from this Association, is putting up a neat parsonage by the side of the new and tasteful church-edifice.

NASHVILLE, TENN.—The new enthusiasm in Fisk, at present, is over the novel “Tonic-sol-fa system” of vocal music. By means of this excellent voice culture, Mr. Adams is bringing out the strength and beauty of voices for which nature has already done so much. The first interest does not abate, and very perceptible improvement daily increases.

Livingstone Missionary Hall is now building, and over this is much rejoicing.

LOUISVILLE, KY.—On the Sabbath, Feb. 20th, Superintendent Roy preached for the Congregational Methodist Church of this city, as well as on the two preceding nights. The church, which has 95 members, a Sunday-school and a class-meeting along with the prayer-meeting, and which worships in a hall, owning its own organ, voted to unite with the Kentucky Association, and invited the A. M. A. to furnish them with a pastor. A similar church at Junction City, Ky., is moving in the same direction, having its own modest church property.

LITTLE ROCK, ARK.—On the 28th of February, after preaching on the Sabbath previous, in the “Sons of Ham” Hall, the Superintendent organized the First Congregational Church of that Capital and of the State, with forty-six members and ten more educated and influential persons ready to come, and “more to follow.” Rev. B. F. Foster, a former student of Fisk University and a licentiate of the Central South Conference, was invited to serve the church for three months. The people are moving at once to purchase a house of worship. As would be the right of any Congregational Church, this one incorporated the class meeting into the constitution found in Roy’s Manual. A Sabbath-school, thoroughly organized, with one hundred scholars and seventeen officers and teachers, started off at the first.

MARION, ALA.—Our large room is filled every Monday afternoon at the ladies meeting, and all hearts are full; and the dark faces look beautiful to me, shining through smiles and tears, as we talk of the dear Saviour. The same room is filled to overflowing with young people and children Saturday afternoon. The interest has been so evident that Mr. Curtis has held a few extra meetings. Twelve children have been forward for prayer, and we believe they have given their hearts to Jesus. Mr. C. will hold meetings next week also, and we hope for a great blessing.

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THE FREEDMEN.

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

FIELD SUPERINTENDENT, ATLANTA, GA.

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VIRGINIA.

Pastor’s Testimony.

REV. H. B. FRISSELL, HAMPTON.

I have very pleasant meetings with the Indians here. I let them read the verses from the English Bible and then explain them. When I first came I used to read myself, but I found that they liked better to take a part in the services. Then we sing together from Dr. Robinson’s Songs of the Sanctuary. After that I give the meeting into their hands. They suggest their favorite hymns and lead in prayer, usually in their own language. They all seem attentive and devout. It is very pleasant to see their faces light up as they get some new thought from God’s word. I have seldom seen men more earnest in the study of the Scriptures. One of those who united with the church at the last communion has been confined to the house with sickness. The nurse tells me that he often sits for two or three hours at a time patiently spelling out the words of the English Bible, and asking her the meaning of that which he cannot understand. I am pleased to see that they are interested to work for one another. I found the other day that one of the older boys, Jas. Murrie, had been accustomed to get a number of the others who were not Christians together, and read the Bible and pray with them. Excellent work, isn’t it, for a young chief who will soon go back to take charge of his own tribe? They have a meeting of their own on Wednesday evening, of which they take charge themselves. I could give you instances of how these Indian boys have resisted temptation in a way which seems to me really remarkable.

My work among the colored students progresses very pleasantly. It is hard to get out of their minds wrong conceptions as to what a Christian life is. They expect to see visions and dream dreams when they enter upon it, and seem to look upon the entering as the all important part. They haven’t been used to thinking of the Christian life as a struggle against sin. It is a real pleasure to preach to them, and they are earnest to know the truth.

I am trying to make the Christian boys and girls feel their responsibility more. I am trying to make them work for others. We have started a Missionary Association for work in the country about. On Sunday afternoon twenty-five go out into the cottages to read the Bible and pray with the poor families. Many of them work in the Sunday-schools in Hampton. One goes out to the poor-house, another to the prison. They all make the reports of their work to me. We are talking of starting a Sunday-school in the Butler School House. We think we could get in many who do not now attend, and it would give our students a chance for work. I am anxious to make them feel that they are not merely to be recipients. There is a good interest in our meetings, and although I don’t feel at all contented with what is being done, and look for much greater things, yet I am thankful for the evidences of God’s favor which I see.

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GEORGIA.

Revival Interest.

REV. C. W. FRANCIS, ATLANTA.

We have great reason to rejoice in all the good things the Lord has done for us in this school. Since the day of prayer for Colleges on the last Thursday of January, we have had a very marked and general interest in religious things, and we have reason to believe that very many have become reconciled to God and taken up the service of Christ. Nearly every one in the family, numbering about two hundred students, who was not already a follower of Christ, has been affected and confessed an interest in the subject, and not many have drawn back thus far. About sixty have attended inquiry meetings, and we hope a large proportion of them will hold on their way.

There has been a great quickening of those who bore the Christian name, and many of them have taken up the work as though for the first time. We have held meetings every night for five weeks, and there has been the steady presentation of the truth and much personal effort, and so a great harvest gathered, which fills our hearts with gladness.

Regular school work has not been broken in upon to any great extent and there has been no tendency toward undue excitement but a deep and solemn attention to the claims of God has characterized the experience of most.

We cannot tell how many have become decided Christians, certainly more than twenty, and perhaps twice that will upon trial be found steadfast. Some have already gone away to distant places to open schools, and will, we trust, carry the light with them, and others will go soon. If they had not been reached just at this time we should probably never have had opportunity to lead them again. Next month we hope quite a number will unite with our church, and many more will in due time unite with other churches. We are aware of the tendency to over-estimate immediate results and to be mistaken in regard to the permanent effects of such a work here; but it is the testimony of all that this is the most thorough and general work for years in this school. It has been blessed to be here and to have a share in it. “It is the Lord’s doing and marvelous in our eyes.”

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The John the Baptist of the Church—Genius for Piety.

REV. B. D. CONKLING, SAVANNAH.

Having some friends who read the MISSIONARY—when sufficiently urged to do so by their pastors—I would like a little space to give them, not some conclusions, perhaps, but some impressions of the A. M. A. work.

I remember hearing a zealous brother, at the Chicago Annual Meeting, earnestly urge that the A. M. A. push more vigorously the “Church work,” that the conversion of the Freedmen was the thing to be aimed at rather than their education, etc.