Part 4

The Mission Home, of which we give a specimen in the accompanying cut, is at stations where we have churches and day schools, and is the home of the pastor and teachers. In some of the larger cities, as Wilmington, N.C., Savannah, Ga., Mobile, Ala., we have graded schools requiring a teaching force of from six to ten persons. Then there are the pastor and family and the lady missionary, and the home accommodates all. As each has a special line of duty occupying the full time, a matron is appointed to take charge of household affairs and secure by her good management a pleasant and happy home for the family. Sometimes the wife of the pastor or principal acts as matron, sometimes the duties of matron and missionary are combined. It is no insignificant position to have charge of such a home, and our matrons are as truly missionaries as any in our field; besides the direct opportunities of usefulness among the people, they may add to the efficiency of every member of the family by the cheerful, genial, restful spirit of the home, which it is largely in their power to maintain.

This plan of Mission Homes has its advantages to the work. It gives opportunity to teach by example varied lessons in home life, of neatness, economy and thrift. The family altar is set up, and often some members of school or church join in the morning or evening song of praise. Social parlor-gatherings are had, when the people are cordially invited and are engaged in pleasant conversation and games, which, while interesting them, tend to their improvement. Here are often held the mothers meetings and the sewing class, and daily the people come singly or by twos or threes for special help and advice, knowing that they are welcome, and that they will find in some members of the family the wise counsellor and friend.

We can scarcely overestimate the educative influence of these Mission Homes upon the people. Even where there are but few workers employed, we cannot wisely dispense with them. Within a year we have built a small house in a country district where two ladies are employed as missionary teachers. It is plain, two stories, contains five rooms, is simply furnished, and cost about $900. There the ladies keep house, and they testify, as also do other missionaries from the city station near, that this little “Home” has already done more for the people as an “object lesson” in home life than all previous effort in that direction.

In other articles in this department, our friends will learn how they may share with us in this method of usefulness.

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LETTER FROM MRS. CHASE, ATLANTA.

Mrs. Nelson has just called with her friend from the North, Mrs. Barker, who looked over school and domestic work very carefully, and then began plying me with questions, when Miss Stevenson, our missionary, dropped in. Mrs. Barker’s face lighted up as she exclaimed, “Now I have you both together, the teacher and the missionary, I want to know where you think a little money will do the most good?” Mrs. Nelson said: “Each one loves her own work too well to be a competent judge.” Miss Stevenson, you know, is one of our veterans, been in the field ever since the war. For years her mind and body were tied in the class-room six hours in the day, but her heart was in the cabins all the while; and as soon as she got relief from double duty, how she has put her whole soul into missionary work! With her pleading eyes upon me, how could I magnify my work above her’s?

Since they left, I’ve been thinking that Mrs. Barker probably represents many women who wish their mites to go where they are most interested. Their hearts, like that of every true mother, yearn over these girls in their great peril, and these boys, driven from their wretched homes to the street for recreation. If missionary work, unlike the school, were without organization, systematic routine, or superintendence, it could not recommend itself to the cautious. But under the well-defined plan adopted of associating the missionary labor with the school and church, the best results are secured.

Much as I love the model school, I can but see that the model home is its only sure foundation. So the work is all one.

I only hope that the grandeur of “Work for Women in the Home” may be so felt that the noblest women will be drawn into the service, and develop such plans and mature such methods that the multitude of busy mothers and children, all over our land, can cast in their pennies and feel sure of a wise investment.

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QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS.

H., N.Y.—What are the qualifications required of those who wish to become lady missionaries? Could one succeed with only a common-school education?

Sometimes a lady with only a common-school education does better than one more liberally educated. It depends upon the qualities of the woman, the executive ability, the tact, the practical good sense, and knowledge of human nature. Of course, all other things being equal, the more thorough the education the better the work.

B., N.Y.—What is the cost of supporting a lady missionary, and how many months during the year is it expedient for her to labor in the South?

It takes $450 to provide for a lady missionary for one year, including traveling expenses, board and a moderate salary. The time of service varies somewhat in different localities. At the extreme South she can wisely remain eight months of the year; further north, nine or ten. For other particulars we refer to the March number of the _Missionary_, which is devoted largely to woman’s work.

New York.—What assistance can sewing circles and ladies’ societies render during the summer months that would be most helpful and timely?

We shall need during the early autumn for replenishing our boarding departments and mission homes, quilts, sheets, pillow-cases, blankets, towels, table linen, table ware, and money for furnishing rooms in new buildings to be occupied by students. Help in either of these particulars will save so much for the support of the missionary work.

S., Ct.—What provision is made during vacation for young girls who have been taken from wretched homes into your institutions? Are they obliged to return to the temptations and want of their early associations? If not, what is the cost for their care during this time?

There is nothing more important for the well-being of many colored girls than suitable watch and care during their summer vacations. We have been unable to do much in this direction. A few have been kept in the different boarding institutions, where the buildings have been open. These have been given work whenever opportunity offered. Thirty or thirty-five dollars would provide for a girl in addition to what she could earn. We would be glad to correspond with any who are disposed to assist in this way.

R., Mass.—Our children have been accustomed to contribute to the Dakota schools through the Woman’s Board of Foreign Missions. Does the A. M. A. wish us to continue our interest in that particular work?

Certainly it does. We sincerely hope that all those who have been interested in the support of missions among the Indians will continue their efforts and forward their gifts to us. The April number of the AMERICAN MISSIONARY is devoted largely to the work the Association has accepted from the American Board, and is now carrying on. We shall need the cordial co-operation and support of all the friends of the Indians in order to conduct the enlarged work we have undertaken in their behalf.

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CHILDREN’S PAGE.

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FIVE KINDS OF PENNIES.

A boy who had a pocket full of coppers, dropped one into the Missionary-box, laughing as he did so. He had no thought in his heart about Jesus or the heathen. Was his penny not as light as _tin_?

Another boy put in a penny and looked around to see if anybody was praising him. His was the _brass_ penny; not the gift of a lowly heart, but of a proud spirit.

A third boy gave a penny, saying to himself, “I suppose I must, because all others do.”

That was an _iron_ penny. It was the gift of a cold, selfish heart.

As a fourth boy dropped his penny into the box he shed a tear, and his heart said, “Poor heathens! I’m sorry they are so poor, so ignorant and so miserable.”

That was a _silver_ penny, the gift of a heart full of pity.

But there was one scholar who gave his, saying, “For Thy sake, Lord Jesus! Oh, that the heathen may hear of Thee, the Saviour of mankind!”

That was a _golden_ penny, because it was the gift of faith and love.

THE PENNY BOX.

They were giving away Missionary boxes at a Juvenile Missionary meeting to the boys and girls who thought they could collect a little money for sending the Gospel to the heathen. Among those who asked for a box was a poor child, so poor that the chairman hesitated at first to give her a box; on consideration, however, he let her have one.

About a fortnight afterward, this little girl called upon him in great trouble. He said to her, “Why, Sarah, what are you crying for? Cannot you get any money to put into your box?”

“No, sir, it is not that,” sobbed Sarah, “it is so full I don’t know how I shall get any more in, the last penny was so hard to get in I had to take a hammer to hammer it!”

The gentleman said, “Well, Sarah, I think we can easily get over that difficulty—here is another box for you.”

But this was not all; when Sarah first applied for a box, she did so just because her feelings of compassion had been awakened for the poor heathen children; but while she was busily engaged in collecting, the thought came into her mind, “What am I collecting this money for? That the poor _heathen_ children may be taught about Jesus, but what do _I know about Him myself_?”

Sarah then began to pray, and begged God the Holy Spirit to teach her about Jesus, and that was the commencement of a new life to the dear child.

WHAT A PENNY CAN DO.

Willie’s penny made heaven rejoice. It would not have bought more than a stick or two of candy or given much help to a starving family. What did he do with it? His sister was a missionary’s wife in Africa, and the family were filling a box to send her. As one after another brought their gifts Willie said, “I want to give my penny.”

“What shall be bought with it?” was the next question. It was decided to buy a tract and write its history on the margin, and with a prayer for its success send it on its distant errand.

The box arrived on the mission ground, and among its valuable contents Willie’s gift was laid away unnoticed and for a while forgotten. But God’s watchful, all-seeing eye had not forgotten it. One day a native teacher was starting from the mission station to go to a school over the mountain. He knew the language well and was a great help to the missionaries, but he was not a Christian. He had resisted everything the missionaries had done to make him one.

In looking over some papers, Willie’s tract was discovered, with writing on the margin, which said that prayer was offered in America that it might do good. It was handed to the native teacher. He read it on his journey, and what years of labor by the missionaries had not done was now brought about by the penny tract. The man became a sincere Christian. Those who put the tract in his hand were overcome with joy, and there is joy in heaven over one sinner that repents.

So you see how Willie’s penny made heaven rejoice.

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RECEIPTS FOR MAY, 1883.

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MAINE, $141.46.

Alfred. Mrs. Edith Davis, _for Student Aid, Atlanta U._ $ 0.35 Augusta. Joel Spalding 10.00 Bangor. Hammond St. Sab. Sch. 10.00 Bangor. Ladies of Third Cong. Ch. ½ Bbl. of C., _for Wilmington, N.C._ Calais. First Cong. Ch. and Soc. 25.00 Dover. W. F. Sampson 5.00 Lebanon. Miss R. H. Weld, _for New Orleans, La._ 30.00 Lebanon Center. “J. M.” 5.00 Limerick. S. F. Hayes, _for Student Aid, Atlanta U._ 1.00 Limington. Miss Arzilla Boothby 1.59 Thomaston. Cong. Ch. and Soc. 12.00 Waterford. Centre. Ch. Sab. Sch. 9.00 Yarmouth. First Cong. Ch. and Soc. 32.61

NEW HAMPSHIRE, $341.93.

Acworth. Cong. Ch. and Soc. 11.53 Alstead. Third Cong. Ch. and Soc. 10.00 Canterbury. Cong. Ch. and Soc. 14.15 Dover. First Cong. Ch. and Soc. 73.63 East Alstead. Rev. G. A. Beckwith, _for Freight_ 1.10 Hancock. Mrs. A. W. Hills 3.00 Hopkinton. “Friend,” _for Student Aid, Atlanta U._ 3.50 Langdon. Cong. Ch. and Soc. 10.00 Mason. Hon. Dana D. Goodwin, _for Lewis Pub. Library, Macon, Ga._ 2.00 Milford. Peter and Cynthia S. Burns 30.00 Monroe. Cong. Ch. and Soc. 5.00 Orfordville. Cong. Ch. and Soc. 4.04 Pembroke. Cong. Sab. Sch. _for Student Aid, Talladega C._ 18.20 Portsmouth. North Cong. Ch. and Soc. 101.82 Salem. Mrs. G. D. Kelley 1.00 Swanzey. Cong. Ch. and Soc. 12.00 West Lebanon. Cong. Ch. and Soc. 16.30 West Lebanon. Children’s Miss’y Soc., by Mrs. T. C. Pease, _for Indian M._ 7.00 Winchester. Cong. Sab. Sch., _for Student Aid, Atlanta U._ 17.66

VERMONT, $317.82.

Brookfield. First Cong. Ch. and Soc. 10.00 Chelsea. Cong. Ch. and Soc. 25.55 Clarendon. Cong. Ch. and Soc. ad’l 7.22 Corinth. Cong. Ch. and Soc. 31.00 East Berkshire. Cong. Ch. 10.00 Dorset. Women’s Home M. Soc. _for Student Aid, Atlanta U._ 11.00 Georgia. Cong. Ch. 7.15 Ludlow. The late Mrs. B. P. Spaulding, by Dr. J. N. Moore 25.00 Montpelier. Bethany Cong. Ch. and Soc. 36.85 Newbury. Cong. Ch. and Soc. 42.00 Pittsford. Mrs. S. A. Denison 5.00 Randolph. Mrs. M. K. Nichols 2.50 Saint Albans. A. O. Brainerd, 20; H. M. Stevens, 10, _for Student Aid, Fisk U._ 30.00 Pittsford. “D.” 1.00 ------- $244.27

LEGACIES.

Brattleborough. Estate of Mrs. H. M. Linsley, by C. F. Thompson 30.00 New Haven. Estate of H. P. Bingham, by Jeremiah Powers 43.55 -------- $317.82

MASSACHUSETTS, $3,354.37.

Amherst. Officers and Students of Amherst College 83.07 Amherst. Miss Lizzie Stebbing’s S. S. Class, _for the poor, Atlanta, Ga._ 10.00 Andover. Free Ch. and Soc., 224.67; Francis H. Johnson, $100; Chapel Ch. and Soc., 92 416.67 Andover. G. W. W. Dove, _for Student Aid, Atlanta U._ 27.15 Ballardvale. Mrs. L. J. T. Burnap 5.00 Boston. Shawmut Ch. Sab. Sch., 75; Park St. Sab. Sch., 50; Coll. at Prayer Meetings—Mt. Vernon Ch., 13; Phillips Ch., 12; Park St. Ch., 7; E St. Ch., 6;—Missionary Concert, Highland Ch., 11.10; Dea. Silas Potter, 25; Miss Kirk, 10; Miss Minnie Woods, 10; Mrs. Tead, 5; Mrs. Tyler, 5; “A Friend,” 2; Mr. Gates, 1, _for Student Aid, Fisk U._ 232.10 Boston. Mrs. Henry H. Hyde, 10; Mrs. Emily P. Eayrs, 5 15.00 Boston. Unitarian Sab. Sch. Pub. Soc., Pkg. Books and Papers, _for Macon, Ga._ Byfield. Cong. Ch. and Soc. 10.50 Cambridge. “A Friend”, _for Indian M._ 5.00 Canton. Evan. Cong. Ch. and Soc. 10.00 Chester. Second Cong. Ch. 5.66 Chelsea. Central Cong. Church and Soc. 24.46 Charlestown. “A Friend” 10.00 Clinton. Mrs. Abbie R. Winter 2.00 Curtisville. Rev. A. G. Beebee 5.00 Dedham. First Cong. Ch. and Soc. 168.00 Dorchester. Village Ch. and Soc. 10.00 East Bridgewater. Union Ch. and Soc. 29.96 Fitchburg. Rev. and Mrs. J. M. R. Eaton, 10; “Mrs. C. W. H.,” 10 20.00 Framingham. Plymouth Ch. Sab. Sch., 13.12; “Q. N.,” 10 23.12 Franklin. First Cong. Ch. and Soc., Estate of Susan Stewart 95.12 Granby. Miss A. Bliss, _for New Orleans, La._ 5.00 Great Barrington. “A Member of Cong. Ch.” 1.00 Groton. Cong. Ch. and Soc. 59.30 Holbrook. Winthrop Ch. and Soc. 44.00 Holden. Miss N. Perry 2.50 Holliston. Cong. Ch. and Soc. 94.20 Lakeville. C. L. Ward 10.00 Lee. Cong. Sab. Sch. 75.00 Lee. Bbl. of C., _for Selma, Ala._ Lowell. High St. Ch. and Soc. 82.75 Maynard. Cong. Ch. and Soc., to const. REV. EDWIN SMITH, EZRA S. TARBELL and J. W. FLOOD, L. Ms. 90.00 Maynard. Young Ladies of Cong. Ch., _for Student Aid, Atlanta U._, and to const. FRANK H. HARRIMAN, L. M. 50.00 Medford. “A Friend.” 0.50 Newton. “A Friend.” 40.00 New Bedford. First Ch. Acushnet 53.66 Newburyport. Belleville Cong. Ch. and Soc., 54.82; North Cong. Ch. and Soc., 22.94. 77.76 Newburyport. “Miss T.,” 2; “Mrs. W.,” 1, _for Washington, D.C._ 3.00 Newton Center. First Cong. Sab. Sch. _for Lady Missionary, Chattanooga, Tenn._ 53.68 North Abington. Cong. Ch. 5.00 Northbridge. Cong. Ch. Sab. Sch. 2.21 Palmer. Second Cong. Ch. 25.00 Peabody. Prof. J. K. Cole, _for Student Aid, Atlanta U._ 2.00 Rockport. “Pastor’s Class,” _for Indian M._ 6.59 Roxbury. Eliot Sab. Sch., _for Student Aid, Fisk U._ 25.00 Sandwich. Mrs. Robert Tobey, _for Indian Student Aid, Hampton N. & A. Inst._ 5.00 Springfield. Olivet Ch., 23.78; I. Merrill, 5 28.78 Springfield. Cong. Ch., Box and 2 Bbls. of C.; First Bapt. Ch. (Col.) Box and Bbl. of C., _for Washington, D.C._ South Egremont. Cong. Ch. 10.00 South Framingham. South Cong. Ch. and Soc. 148.69 South Framingham. Ladies’ Assn. of Cong. Ch. 2 Bbls. of Bedding, etc., _for Atlanta U._ South Hadley Falls. Cong. Ch. and Soc. 30.00 Southampton. “L.” 10.00 Stockbridge. Miss Alice Byington 10.00 Upton. Freight 3.00 Ware. First Cong. Ch. and Sch. 34.20 Wellesley. Cong. Sab. Sch. _for Washington, D.C._ 2.25 Westborough. Ladies Soc. Of Cong. Ch. Bbl. of C., 1 _for Freight_ 1.00 West Medway. Second Cong. Ch. and Soc., 7.89; Ladies’ Soc. of Second Cong. Ch., Bbl. and Box of C. 7.89 Westminster. “Friends” _for Williamsburg, Ky._ 60.66 West Roxbury. South Evan. Ch. and Soc. 66.40 West Springfield. First Cong. Ch., 20; Second Cong. Ch., 14.90 34.90 Weymouth and Braintree. Union Cong. Ch. 28.49 Wilmington. Cong. Ch. and Soc. 27.05 Winchendon. Atlanta Soc., Box of Bedding, _for Atlanta U._ Worcester. Salem St. Ch., 64; Union Ch. and Soc., 30; C. K. W., 50c. 94.50 Yarmouth. First Cong. Ch. and Soc. 38.10 --------- $2,654.87

LEGACIES.

Fitchburg. Estate of Aaron Eaton, by Daniel Messenger and Ezra B. Rockwood, Exrs. 200.00 Uxbridge. Estate of Willard Judson by Jacob Taft, Ex. 500.00 --------- $3,354.87

CONNECTICUT, $2,630.38.