Part 2

MACON, GA.——Friday, May 26, close of primary school. Saturday, closing exhibition of sewing-school. Sunday, address to the students of the Lewis High School, by J. W. Burke, Esq. Monday and Tuesday, examinations. Wednesday, May 31, closing exhibition, with presentation of certificates of scholarship. Wednesday evening, concert for the benefit of the school.

LEMOYNE SCHOOL, MEMPHIS, TENN.——May 28, annual sermon. May 29, Junior exhibition. May 31, graduating exercises and the annual address.

MOBILE, ALA.——Written examinations, May 23 and 24. Oral examinations, May 25. Closing exhibition on the night of the 26th.

MONTGOMERY, ALA.——Examinations and closing exercises, May 30 and 31.

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THE FREEDMEN.

REV. JOSEPH E. ROY, D.D., FIELD SUPERINTENDENT, ATLANTA, GA.

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REVIVAL NEWS

RELIGIOUS INTEREST AT TOUGALOO.

For the past two weeks there has been a great deal of religious interest among the students here. At the meetings, which have been held nearly every night during this time, twenty-nine persons have told us of their determination to serve God for the rest of their lives.

Many of those who have lately begun this new life are young people, who have a good deal of influence over their classmates and associates. We feel glad to know that now they are on the side of Truth and are ready to use whatever influence they may have in the best way. Not only have sinners been converted, but Christians have been stirred up to do better work.

One night, after a sermon upon the subject “Confession,” from the text: “Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me,” an invitation was given to all who felt it to be their duty to confess any sins that were weighing upon them. The first who arose was a young man who was converted a year or two ago, and who has ever since been foremost in every good work. He said that he had been guilty of an act of dishonesty which had caused him much sorrow. In a lesson that he had written upon the board a few days before he had misspelled a word. One letter was wrong, but as it happened to resemble very closely the right letter, he reported it as such when he saw his mistake. For the next three or four days he had no peace. He knew that he ought to confess the act to the teacher whom he had deceived, but he was afraid that she would lose all confidence in his integrity. He also tried to persuade himself that it was a very little thing, hardly worth reporting. Why not keep quiet about it? No one would ever find it out. But these thoughts brought no comfort with them. The more he thought about the matter, the more he felt convinced that his act was not a little thing. He knew that it was a _sin_, and therefore not a small thing.

After praying about the matter, this suggestion came to him: “Since you have asked the Lord to forgive you, you have done all that is necessary. You need not ask your teacher’s forgiveness.”

He soon saw that he ought not to expect God to pardon his sin until he had done what he could to set the matter right with his teacher. He felt now as if the very salvation of his soul depended upon his making this confession. As soon as possible, after coming to this conclusion, he went to her and acknowledged his sin. With this acknowledgement came peace.

Other confessions followed this. Some told of similar acts of dishonesty, which they had committed. All who spoke expressed a sincere determination to do better for the future. We felt as if these confessions had cleared the moral atmosphere and made it possible for more effectual work to be done for those who did not profess to be Christians.

Among the number recently converted is a middle-aged woman from the neighborhood. For at least thirteen years she has fully realized that she ought to lead a better life, but has been so much under the influence of old superstitions and ignorant associates, who told her that she could not be called a Christian until she would say that she had seen all sorts of impossible visions and had numerous strange experiences, that she has hardly known which way to turn. Now she has come out from under her yoke of bondage and feels as if she had seen a great light, a much clearer and better one than that for which she watched so many years.

We are hoping and praying that the good, work which has been begun here may continue: that those who have started in the right way may have strength of character enough to keep in it, even when the prospect looks dark and they do not feel so full of enthusiasm as now.

_Miss F. J. Webster._

A SUMMER SHOWER.

It fell out of a clear sky, without foretokening of cloud or of electric display. It was at Chattanooga, in Pastor Joseph E. Smith’s church. At the regular Wednesday evening prayer meeting a young man announces that he has made up his mind to turn and live a Christian life. Good Deacon Morford asks of the pastor: “How would it do to have a meeting to-morrow night?” It is appointed. Two or three more at that time come out on the Lord’s side.

Then a meeting every night is agreed upon, with a sermon from the pastor; and every night souls are hopefully born again. The series continues two weeks. For the last few days Pastor Penney and Superintendent Roy drop in to help glean a little. Over two-score souls are numbered among the believers. Forty are examined and approved by vote for membership in the church.

But there was some preliminary work after all. The lady missionary, Mrs. Almira S. Steele, of Revere, Mass., who is sustained by the ladies of the Congregational churches of Chelsea, besides her general service, has had a Friday afternoon sociable for the women, which not only worked as a preparation but was used all through the revival with marked spiritual results. So her service in the Sunday-school, with the handling of the review intrusted to her, had borne upon the happy issue, and all the people, who are delighted with their lady assistant, trace the work back in part to her influence. The pastor, who had become almost discouraged, becomes a new man. The church is confirmed. This fruitage encourages the patient culturing of the Sabbath-school. It rewards proper teaching. There was no noise, no confusion. None of the inquirers were looking for visions and dreams, for long-drawn agonies, for “the power.” They were just marched up to the question of immediate submission and trust. This work shows how our little churches that are striving for purity and order and character may be spiritually empowered and built up.

REFRESHING AT MACON.

It will gratify our friends to know that our A. M. A. mission in Macon has been spiritually refreshed. There was a growing religious interest among the children of our day-school and Sunday-school, and early in February we were enabled to secure the aid of Rev. E. E. Rogers, of Orange, Conn. The neighborhood prayer-meetings and house-to-house visitation by day were followed by powerfully impressive meetings at night. The work spread remarkably among the children, many of whom have started out in the new life. For more than three weeks the scholars of our Lewis High School would voluntarily leave their play and spend the whole half-hour of noon recess in prayer and religious instruction at the parlor of the Mission Home to the number of sixty and upward. At one memorable pray-meeting in the school-house there were twelve or fifteen of the students who gave their hearts to God. It was a Pentecostal season, a time of great rejoicing to the faithful teachers who had so long prayed for their pupils. The clear, decided testimony of one bright little Sunday-school boy, eight years of age, who was converted in one of the Sunday-school prayer-meetings, would put to shame the half-way, timid professions of some older people. “Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings Thou hast perfected praise.” Sixteen members of our Sunday-school have joined our (Congregational) church. Twenty-two in all have united, of whom eight are heads of families, while eight or ten of the students have joined other churches, where their families are connected. The daily meetings continued for six weeks, with the efficient help of Rev. D. Sherrell, of Savannah, for a few days, after Brother Rogers’ departure.

GOOD HARVEST.

The religious interest in Atlanta University, which was reported to you some time since, has continued for five weeks without any abatement, and a good harvest has already been gathered. The meetings have been well attended, in spite of some sickness and bad weather, and have been marked by an earnest attention to the truth and a fervent spirit of prayer. We have good reason to believe that many more than a score of souls have chosen the service of Christ, and they show a tenderness of devotion and a carefulness of demeanor which promise well for their stability.

Scarcely one is left among those who made their home here who has not been deeply affected, and who has not taken some steps in advance. We do not expect any reaction or falling away from the uplift which the whole school seems to have experienced.

INCREASE IN PRAYER MEETINGS.

The prayer meetings at Hampton are well sustained, and the religious feeling in the school is good. There has been a marked increase in our prayer meetings this year. We often have 200 in our Sunday morning meeting conducted by the students, where last year there were only thirty or forty. We have kept up two Indian meetings during the week, in which a verse of the Bible is read in English by one of the students, then by all who can read English in concert, then by one in Dakota. Then it is explained. After trying several ways, this seemed to be the most satisfactory. Prayers are offered in Dakota, in Arizona and in English by the students.

A meeting is kept up by the English-speaking students among themselves in order to fit them to take part when they go back to their homes.

PARIS, TEXAS.

We are in the midst of a special work of grace. Nineteen have given evidence of having been born by the Holy Spirit. They all have been added to our church. Besides these, one came by letter from another denomination. Others are anxiously inquiring the way of life. All these converts, with two exceptions, are from the Sunday School. Among these “new-born babes” one is the wife of a minister and one is the wife of a deacon. The two oldest children of the pastor are among those that professed a hope in Christ.

M’INTOSH, LIBERTY CO., GA.

Last Sabbath was a “high day” with us. We have been holding extra meetings about four weeks. The result was the conversion of about fourteen persons, among whom were several of our most promising scholars. Our communion season came off last Sabbath, when nine of these converts came to unite with us.

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OUR YOUNGEST——THE TILLOTSON.

The Austin branch of the Texas Central, a few miles below the capital, falls into the valley of the Colorado. As you run up that lovely vale, you soon see on the right, just out of the city, the Tillotson, a five-story stone and brick edifice, crowning a ground swell that overlooks the river and town. Its neat fence and the grounds graded by nature are attractive. As we roll up the valley, I see a fine carriage standing at the door; and this, as I come up to the place, I find to be the turnout of Gov. Pease, who has brought his family up to visit the institute and to call upon the family of teachers. An original Connecticut man, 30 years a resident of Texas, her Governor for a term, during which a fund of $2,000,000 was set apart for public schools, and now a trustee of the Tillotson, his interest and influence are worth much to such an institution at the South.

But, so soon, the house is full to overflowing, in its assembly-rooms, in its dining-hall and in its dormitories. So that already the call is for another building. I find 140 scholars, of whom 65 are boarders. I find enthusiasm and spring in these freshly gathered students. In this State the colored people are getting land faster than in any other: partly, for the reason that, from the beginning, there was here the least opposition to their doing so; and, partly, from the fact that Texas is a new and largely a Western State; and so, these more well-to-do parents are ready to avail themselves of the advantage of such a school. The father of one of these young men was a slave, but now owns 500 acres of land, on which he has paid $6,000 of the $7,000 purchase money.

The President, Rev. W. E. Brooks, who left his pastorate in West Haven, Conn., to take this position, is supported by Prof. J. J. Anderson, a graduate of Beloit College, with a dozen years of experience, and by Misses Hunt and Topping, graduates of Olivet, who are born teachers and disciplinarians. The President, besides teaching several classes, preaches on the Sabbath in the chapel, and also conducts a Sunday-school. He is welcomed to the pulpits of the city, and is on the friendliest terms with the first citizens. Rev. Dr. E. B. Wright, pastor of the Northern Presbyterian Church, is one of the trustees, and is greatly attentive to the interests of the Institute. Mrs. Brooks, an accomplished pianist, has _twenty-eight_ colored pupils in piano music, which shows the zest for cultivation. Once a week a lecture is delivered before the students by teachers or prominent citizens. The wife of Judge Garland, who has had an A. M. A. school in Austin for fifteen years, continues in a primary school near at hand; and the Judge himself, for the present stress, is volunteering a half-a-day of teaching for a month. A New Hampshire schoolmaster, he became a lawyer, then a judge in Texas, under appointment of Gov. Davis.

A grand future is apparent for the Tillotson in this Empire of a Commonwealth. The only question is whether it can keep up with its opportunity and its demand. It gives us no time to rest. No sooner is it opened than it calls for more room. The growing brain makes room for itself, and so must this educational enterprise.

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ALABAMA.

TEACHERS’ INSTITUTE AT TALLADEGA.

_President, Henry S. DeForest._

Of late it has been the custom to end the spring term at Talladega College with a teachers’ institute, giving special training to those who are so soon to go out and teach. The one just held at the last of March has been very pleasant and helpful. Prof. A. J. Steele, of the Le Moyne Institute, Memphis, Tenn., was present, bearing a large part in its instruction, and giving it the choicest fruits of his own training and experience. The Hon. H. Clay Armstrong, State Superintendent of Education, had a place on the programme, and Rev. Daniel Duncan, the County Superintendent, was present at every session from beginning to end. Three years ago, at the beginning of the series, he said, that was “the first institute ever held in Talladega County, from the creation of the world.” This one, especially, roused all his enthusiasm, and again and again he gave his testimony to the good that was effected.

The need of such institutes and of the steady, persistent work of a college to train teachers and preachers is most apparent, when it is considered that probably not more than one in ten of the blacks, in a State where they make about half of the population, can read so as to make the sense, and half of the voters of all colors are unable to read either God’s Law or the amendments to the Constitution. Some are teaching who have never been at school themselves. School-houses are few, and often without floor, or window, or fireplace; desks and school-books are scarce; the school-year averages only 67 days, and the appropriation _per capita_ for the year is 97 cents.

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GEORGIA.

HON. WILLIAM E. DODGE AND ATLANTA UNIVERSITY.

_Mrs. T. N. Chase._

Some of you doubtless remember seeing a recent account of a very cordial welcome given Gov. Colquitt, of Georgia, at a handsome reception in the home of Hon. William E. Dodge, of New York. The courtesy was soon reciprocated, and a few days ago the Atlanta _Constitution_——a democratic daily which stands at the head of Southern journals——announced the expected arrival of Mr. and Mrs. Dodge in Atlanta.

This good man and his noble wife have made frequent trips to Georgia and Florida during the past ten years, always stopping to say a cheering word to Atlanta University and shake hands with two or three needy students, who each year for all this time have been supported by the generosity of these good people. To-day they visited the school, accompanied by Mrs. Gov. Colquitt and one of her lady friends.

Mr. Dodge said he remembered well the first time he addressed the students. He wondered how many had a purpose to go out and gather forty and fifty about them to do for those in the dark places what had been done for them by their teachers on this hill. He begged them to remember that unless they sought first the kingdom of Heaven and its righteousness all other knowledge would be vain. He said he must add a word about temperance, in which he knew they were so much interested. He could not believe any before him would ever reel through the streets a staggering drunkard, but their only safety lay in total abstinence.

His words were so instructive and his benign face so inspiring that the very instant he took his seat the entire school burst spontaneously into the plantation melody:

“Do you think I’ll make a soldier?”

I might as easily describe an exquisite fragrance as these choruses of young voices from our 250 students, especially when singing this “spiritual,” whose words so touchingly portray the mingled hopes and fears of those deep, emotional natures. But, when in verses second and third they triumphantly sing:

“We are climbing Jacob’s ladder, Every round goes higher, higher,”

our hopes with theirs conquer our fears, and we sympathize with Mrs. Colquitt when she remarks: “I feel like making a speech to the school myself.”

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ATLANTA TEACHER AT MACON.

_Miss Julia A. Goodwin._

Everything here is new to us, and we enjoy the country-like city in its irregularity, broad streets, steep ascents and descents, its profusion of flowers, especially its roses. Then it is a real pleasure to compare the workings of the school and church with our own. We think we could not accomplish what these teachers do who are obliged to teach some of the time——two of them in one room, each conducting a recitation at one and the same time; but they work admirably together, without a particle of friction, and are a very happy family. Mrs. Lathrop’s sewing-school is also very interesting. As we walked into the room last Saturday morning, two old ladies, who were sewing just as busily as the children, arose from their seats and came across the room to greet us. One of them, whose sprightly manner and unwrinkled face would never have betokened her great age, said to us: “I am ninety-two years old if I live till Monday. I can’t do much, my hands are so stiff; but I thank the Lord that I can come here and sew a little;” and she showed us her patch-work squares with as evident satisfaction as any of the younger pupils. Ninety-two years old and learning to sew! Ah, thought I, most old ladies are through with their needle at that age. These sewing-schools must bring some comfort into many homes.

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AFRICA.

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MR. LADD’S JOURNAL.

_Saturday, Dec. 3._——We started from Assiout at five o’clock this morning on our voyage up the Nile. The air to-day has been wonderfully fine. The landscape, too, has presented a constantly varying panorama full of novelty, full of interest, full of beauty. We have called for a few moments at a number of villages to leave the mail. We have been peering through our glasses, as we sat under the awning on deck, at the natives along the banks in their varied costumes, and in almost no costume at all, at the high bluffs, which in some places rise abruptly from the river, and at the wonderful tombs with their hieroglyphic inscriptions cut out high up in the rocks. The river is full of boats of one kind or another coming and going.

_Sunday, Dec. 4._——One misfortune of travel on the Nile is that any discussion of the weather becomes monotonous and trite. Every day is like every other day, beautiful, bright and balmy. No church bells ring for us to-day, so our thoughts naturally turn homeward. The views, as we slowly steam up the river are charming. We pass some bold headlands, call, as yesterday, at many villages by the way, and witness many interesting and peculiar scenes. A fringe of “shadoofs,” with half naked men hard at work at them watering the crops, keep up a constant creaking. We notice also great numbers of birds of every size and shape. We tie up for the night at Keneh, celebrated for its porous jugs, its dates, and once on a time, its dancing girls, whom the march of civilization has driven higher up the river.

_Monday, Dec. 5._——We have seen something of what is left of the great city of Thebes, its magnificent temples, its stupendous halls, its wonderful colossi, its interesting tombs——Karnak and Luxor, on one side, Gourna on the other. It is hard to realize what pomp and splendor were once displayed among these ruins, still so grand in their desolation. The strong current of the river got the best of us to-day. The steamer in rounding a point could not be made to obey her helm, and before we knew what was going to happen, with full steam on we ran bunt up against and on to the steep bank. The men pushed and grunted, and finally we got clear and righted up again. We have witnessed a nearly total eclipse of the moon this evening, soon after it rose, which for the manner in which it came on and went off was very remarkable. We could hear the natives in their villages trying to frighten away the dragon which was supposed to be swallowing the moon. We tied up at Esneh for the night. Here we went ashore with torches and lights to visit a portion of a temple, which is in an excellent state of preservation. I first went to see the Mudir to get him to telegraph for us to Korosko for camels. He had retired for the night, but as our business could not be transacted at any other time, I sent in our orders from Cairo, and he soon appeared. Coffee was served, our papers made out, viz.: An order to the governors of places where we might call within his _mudirieh_ to show us proper attention, and a telegram signed by the Mudir to provide camels for us at Korosko. Then joining the rest of the party we visited the temple. The top of it is only a little above the successive deposits of ages, and one has to descend a long flight of steps to reach its floor. It is completely covered with sculptured work, which is finely preserved. This, however, is only the portico of the real temple, the entrance to which is walled up.