Chapter 3

ITINERARY FROM AUSTIN TO CORPUS CHRISTI.

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

JAN. 4, Sunday.--Assisted in organizing at the Tillotson Institute a church of twenty-one members. Lord's Supper. Prof. W. L. Gordon's two children baptized.

JAN. 5, Monday.--At Austin depot. Waited for train five hours to 8 P. M.

JAN. 6, Tuesday.--Arrived in San Antonio at 1 A. M. Departed for Flatonia at 8 A. M., arriving at noon. Looked up the folks. Preached at night for Pastor T. E. Hillson, whose second child was baptized, as the first had been by the same hand at the dedication in Luling, his alternate church.

JAN. 7, Wednesday.--Up at 4 and off to Luling, arriving by daylight. Off then, by livery rig, 45 miles to Riddleville.

JAN. 8, Thursday.--On to Helena, 15 miles. Ride out with freedman, 3 miles, to our Colony Church. Lecture at night for Pastor Thompson.

JAN. 9, Friday.--Half a day of writing. Visited at another freedman's home, taking supper. Preached at night.

JAN. 10, Saturday.--Brother Thompson, with another colored man and myself, start for Corpus, 80 miles, reaching Goliad, 35 miles, at night. We are entertained at Pastor T. Benson's.

JAN. 11, Sunday.--In the morning, Sunday-school, preaching and communion. At night, preaching. Conferring all day, at the intervals, with "parties," being called upon even after retiring at night.

JAN. 12, Monday.--Up and off before daylight, without breakfast. But Mrs. Benson has provided for us a grand lunch box that lasts us three for the two days through to Corpus. No place on the way, to put up; no chance to buy eatables. Our boss has planned to reach the half-way spot on the Popolota for camping. The day wears away, and it is 10 o'clock before we come to the halting-place. For the last three hours Brother Thompson had led the way lantern in hand, splashing through the mud and water. We turn under a live oak, take out and feed the jaded horses, and eat our snack, and commit ourselves to the Heavenly Father, and at 11 o'clock turn in for the night, Brother Thompson on the ground, _under_ the hack, and Brother Eding and I _in_ the hack, doubled like a couple of jackknives into our four feet square of space, being all of a color. By our side the ponies through the night crunch their corn; and, by turn, we jump up to drive off the cows from stealing their hay. But we sleep, and snore, and rest some.

TUESDAY, Jan 13.--Up and off by daybreak. We camp for breakfast lunch. We camp for dinner lunch. As we consume the fragments, how we do bless Mrs. Benson. When, at her own table, we had praised her baking and cooking, she responded: "Oh, I learned that at Talladega College." Then I had to tell Dr. Strieby's story of the native preacher, who thanked him for the good wife who had been trained in one of the American Missionary Association schools, saying that he had gotten more than he had anticipated--a good cook and housekeeper. On, on we trudge through the heavy mud. Night has come, and we are yet seven miles from Corpus, and the cold, "wet norther" that has been drizzling upon us all day, as we had been fearing, has at last broken upon us. Again Brother Thompson is on the lead, with lantern in hand, through the slush, and he has walked more than half the way through the day. The black-waxy is heavy for the wheels, and slippery for the poor old freedman ponies that have no shoes. Pastor J. W. Strong, who for four years has manfully held this extreme southwestern outpost of Congregationalism, having learned of our approach from a dashing country rider, comes along in the dark, one mile out to meet us, in Oriental style. After our salaams, he gallops back to town to make the final arrangement for our entertainment. It is now 8.30 P. M., too late for the preaching; and, for once, the preacher is glad that the storm has kept the people away from the appointment. But the next night they make it up, and the preacher tries to make it up, too. When Mr. Thompson brought me down, six years ago, we came straight through by fording, belly-deep to the horses, across the reef, three miles long, that forms the nexus between the Nueces Bay and the Corpus Christi Bay. On either side was deep water or miring sand. Once, since that, he has had to _tote_ his passengers out on his back. The reef has been washed out in spots. Lo! this time we go up around the head of the bay, ten miles farther. Brother Thompson claims that he can endure such jaunts without wear or much weariness, because he is so abstemious as not to drink tea or coffee nor to eat meat. And everybody knows him to be a true, pure and high-minded Christian minister who, though he has had but little schooling, has been so taught of God in the Word, that after these eleven years in the same parish, that at Helena, he is yet confided in there as an able pulpit teacher. In old times, his people were Presbyterians. Blood will tell; and doctrine, too.

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WEEK OF PRAYER.

NASHVILLE, TENN.--The week of prayer was observed here this year as usual, a meeting being held each day. Notwithstanding the bad weather, the attendance was fair and the interest good, although not of a revival kind. Before that time special efforts had been made in connection with the labors of Rev. Mr. Field, the evangelist, and twenty-five professed conversions took place. A pleasant state of feeling in religion has existed since then. In the circumstances the order of subjects for prayer was closely observed, except that the subject of missions was postponed until Sunday evening, that being the regular time for our monthly missionary meeting. The occasion was one of unusual interest. The special subjects considered were the Congo territory, the Congo conference, the mission to Bihé and that to Umzila's kingdom. In the last mentioned mission we here have a peculiar interest, as two of our former students, Mr. and Mrs. Ousley, have been sent there as missionaries by the American Board. Both are graduates of our college course and Mr. Ousley has since studied theology at Oberlin. A letter from him, written at Cape Town, Africa, was read at our meeting. Since then one has been received from Mrs. Ousley, dated at Durban, Natal, which they had reached in safety and good health and spirits. They were about to sail the next day for Inhambane, their final destination. So as to locate them better we had at the meeting, on our board, a map of that station. Our society writes them once a month. They are very dear to us and we hope they will do much good in Africa. Mr. Ousley dedicated himself one Sunday in the summer of 1878 to that field of labor and has never swerved from his purpose. The last part of the meeting was devoted to a season of prayer for Secretary Pike in consideration of his serious illness.

A. K. SPENCE.

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MEMPHIS, TENN.--Our church, as formerly, observed the week of prayer, with, however, nothing of special note in the way of outward results. The stormy weather from the first until the middle of the week greatly hindered the attendance. There was, notwithstanding, for those who came, a blessed realization of spiritual benefit.

There were no special meetings at the Le Moyne School, the teachers attending the night meetings at the church.

We were quickened by the thought that even a few souls gathered in each of many places, make up a great company in supplication before God. The topics presented for each evening came to our minds with more than ordinary freshness and force, and the weight of all accumulated to the last. I trust that we were duly impressed with a sense of the obligation incurred by thus confessing to the truth and importance of those themes, and by coming with them to the Lord. Those members of church who, unhindered by other things, come to meeting in stormy weather are more clear in their testimony that it pays, in direct returns of spiritual strength and joy in the fellowship of Christ.

The spirit of our meetings at the close was just such as warrants a continuance of effort, but the winter has been unusually cold and, unlike the custom North, it would be an extraordinary excitement which would secure a general interest and attendance now.

B. A. IMES.

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SAVANNAH, GA.--The week of prayer was a spiritual feast to those who attended the meetings, held each night in the Congregational Church, and the results still continue to appear. Topics assigned by the Alliance followed.

To our church the week of prayer was largely a season of review, the whole cycle of blessings, needs and hopes passing in prayerful review. The meeting for thanksgiving, on Monday night, was a goodly remembrance of special blessings during the past year, and the exercises were chiefly supplications, experiences and rejoicings of those who one year ago had no Christian hope. By count, more than one-half of the persons present were, as one said, only "yearlings." The ready use of Bible promises at this meeting measured well the value of our special missionary's Bible work. Two mothers, each with her family about her, testified in word and deed that the one year of Christian life had created home forces and blessings of infinite worth. The time of confession and consecration lasted the whole week, and proofs of genuineness are not wanting. Said one: "The new year shall not be so dull as the old one." Another: "The new year I give _all_ to my Master, Jesus." And kindred promises were frequent and fervent.

Results of week of prayer: Church much encouraged and quickened, new consecration to work, one convert, a number of interested souls, but chiefly the quickened desire for growth of individuals in all that makes Christian character; and, more than all, the growth of missionary spirit shown in the earnest prayers for the conversion of the world to Christ.

At the close of the "Missionary night" meeting, one of the oldest members of the Church called at the pastor's study and asked for the Missionary magazines, saying: "I am just beginning to hear God's call to missionary work, and I want to know more of what the A. M. A. is doing for our people, and to have my part in it." Seed _will_ grow.

DANA SHERRILL.

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SANTEE AGENCY, NEB.--We remembered the week of prayer by services in the chapel every evening, except on Thursday and Saturday, when we held the meetings in the afternoon for the convenience of our Indians who live at a distance from the Mission. The spirit of prayer rested upon all of our several school boarding halls, and we felt that the mercy seat had come near.

The line of instruction in these meetings was concerning the Holy Spirit as enlightening the mind, convicting of sin, revealing Christ to the soul, and abiding with the believer.

Our young men very generally took part in prayer. And their prayers showed a clear understanding of the truths spoken, and deep feeling with regard to their own needs and the wonderful revelation of the mercy of Christ. And they seemed to open their hearts to the ministry of the Spirit.

The same spirit of tender prayerfulness and devotion to the Master was manifest among the girls, a number of them coming out as candidates for church membership and eagerly forming a class for the study of the Catechism.

In the middle of these days of prayer, we were startled by the word that came from a brother missionary's family, the Rev. J. P. Williamson, at Yankton Agency, Dakota, that his children were all sick with scarlet fever, that one was dead and another dying. We took their burden on our hearts in prayer. And the merciful Father spared the one on the borders of death.

By this I was called away from Santee for two days to attend the burial of the dear missionary child that was taken. But I found no interruption of interest when I returned. Thus, all in all, the experiences of this week have been very precious, and we believe that larger fruits of it are yet to appear.

ALFRED L. RIGGS.

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LETTER FROM A STUDENT.

----, Miss., January 18, 1885.

DEAR PROFESSOR: As I only wrote you a few days ago, you will no doubt be surprised somewhat to receive this letter so soon after. But it is on a matter of great importance that I write you. I think I told you in my letter previous to this that I found no Sabbath-school here, and that I had formed a little class among my day pupils.

This is my second Sabbath here, and we met this morning in our little schoolroom for the first time. How happy it made me feel to meet with such a pleasant little band of children, all eager to talk and learn of Jesus. But I was greatly pained to find that the teachers who recently taught here failed to have Sabbath-school. I inquired of those present this morning how long since they had Sabbath school here, and was informed, "three years." I then asked what the teachers did who previously taught free school here; the answer which came from many was, "They visited on Sundays." I don't see how they could content themselves at doing nothing in a place like this, when there is so much work to do. I have not in all my experience of school teaching found a place so pitifully neglected and needful as this. What I want to say, Professor, is this: We have no Sabbath-school literature of any kind.

Have you anything that you could send me, Professor, for my little Sabbath-school? If so, please send it at my expense. I shall be glad to get anything that I could interest them with; I mean to have them come to my room Sunday afternoons, that I may read to them and talk with those who are not Christians, and perhaps you can find something that would be good for that purpose. We shall be glad of anything. There is so much work here, and I shall be so glad if I can do any good. Now, Professor, if you can find ANYTHING to send us, do send it at once. Hoping to hear from you soon, I remain your pupil and friend,

---- ----.

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THE CHINESE.

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LOU QUONG AT HIS HOME IN CHINA.

BY REV. W. C. POND.

Our brother Lou Quong, for several years the Chinese Helper in our West School in this city, has recently returned from a visit to his native land. I was so greatly interested in his account of his experience as a Christian, thrown back into the heathen associations of his childhood, that I asked him to write it out for me, and I give it to the readers of THE MISSIONARY with only a few corrections of his English,--respecting which, during his absence, he has lost some ground:

"I came to California in 1876, and lived in the city of San Francisco. In the day-time I worked in a family, but in the evenings I attended the Mission school. In 1877, I became a poor Christian among our countrymen here. The schools were cared for by all the good Christian friends that are in this free country, and even by some from England and other nations. They were looked after by Rev. W. C. Pond, pastor of Bethany Church--the same church that all our Chinese brethren go to, to take the Lord's Supper, once in two months.

Last September I paid a visit to my home--the home that I had left for so long a time. But before I go I make up my mind to stand up for Jesus, who has kindly given His life for my soul. At first my heart was some troubled about going back to my heathen country, but I pray, and kept praying that Jesus would go with me. So He heard my humble prayers. He was going before me, and made everything smooth for me. I got home Oct. 9th, at noon. In a few moments there came all the people of my village, both young and old, women and men, asking me about California. I answered them the best I could. Some of them try to get a look on my head at first, to see if my hair is all right, for they believed Christian Chinese have their queue cut off, and belong to California. He is no more Chinaman. For this cause they trouble me many days.

I met Rev. C. R. Hager at Hong Kong, when first I got there. We fell to talking of the Mission work among our people.

When I was at home, as soon as my father worshiped the ancestors or the idols, he sent one of my little sisters to call me to join the worship; but my mother, who has a better spirit, told my father that I would not worship them any more, "for (as she said) he have told me that he did thank God _in his heart_, and that he love us the same." Thus, my mother stopped the calling for the worshiping of the ancestors ever since. I thank God for this first.

During the time I was at home there were seven or eight brethren called at my house and did shake hands with me. Some of them I knew in California, but the rest I knew not and never saw them before; yet they could find their fellow-brethren in Christ, and came from far to do so. Some of them are Bible-sellers; some are preachers. They show their brotherly love and Christian faith by bringing candy and oranges for my sisters. And my father was also glad to see them, each time they call. Some of them did take dinner with us in our family. Rev. Mr. Jones also call, and he preached to the people in my village. He can use the chop-sticks, and did eat our food. In the evening, with the moon shining, and in the day-time he asked me to take him to the market-place, to tell the people the same thing in Chinese as we preached here in California. He was astonished that the people treated him so well, and did not say a bad word to him about it.

Now comes the hardest thing for a Chinese Christian to bear; that is, the marriage day. I was married on March 28, 1884. I had been engaged by my parents when I was fourteen years old to a girl who was only nine, and lived four miles away. When she come to our house to live with us, then she begin to ask me why I did not worship the ancestors with her on the marriage day; and I begin with my lesson to her in simple things, telling her why I don't worship those things any more. When I make a prayer to God before I go to bed she laugh at me because I pray to nothing--no God that I can _see_. But I told her that she must bow her head too when I pray, and must keep still. So, after this, she pay more attention to what I tell her about this great God that I have found in California.

Once she ask me why I don't take Mr. Ying's example, and do just like he do to please all men. For Mr. Ying was living in the same house with us, and had come back from California at the same time with me; and though he had been in our Mission schools for two or three years, yet he will not take Jesus as his Lord. So when he got back to China, he do things just as free as any heathen. So I ask her: "Well, suppose a man who served his ancestors, and all the dead and all the idols with all his heart; yet he would not take care of himself and go about smoking opium, gambling, throwing away his money in foolishness, and leaving his whole family uncared for. Now, how do you like that?" Then she said, without delay, "I will not like such a man. I rather take a man that is called a Christian, and have him do good, than to have him serve ancestors and gods and do bad things." Though she was a heathen, yet I think she see a little light now. I left home to come here again, Oct. 29, but I still pray God to keep her on the right way; and may she become a Christian woman by the Lord's power alone! Thus the Lord blessed me. May He bless all the workers in His vineyard."

I have exceedingly interesting accounts from the new fields: Alturas, Modoc Co.; Tulare, Tulare Co., and San Diego. In Sacramento where Rev. Mr. Jones is engaged in special services, we hear of crowds gathering about him in the street when he speaks there, and following him into the mission house till it is completely packed. We hear also that some hearts seem to have been touched; and that the hope is cherished that some who were far off have been brought nigh. Space fails me to go into details; but I bespeak the earnest prayers of all who love this cause and love our Lord, that this evangelistic work may yield us the glad harvests for which we have been wrestling with God.

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BUREAU OF WOMAN'S WORK.

MISS D. E. EMERSON, SECRETARY.

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We are glad to notice that the ladies of Connecticut have recently organized a State Missionary Society to co-operate with the leading benevolent societies for work in our own country. Nothing in these days can be accomplished without organization. What is everybody's business is nobody's business, and causes whose support is left to those who merely happen to have an interest in them are very likely to be neglected. We wish that in every State of the Union, ladies' domestic missionary societies might be organized. The great work which our Association is called upon to perform among women needs to be specially brought to the attention of the Christian ladies in our churches. This information can only be effectually disseminated through organized and systematic effort. We are prepared to furnish interesting missionary material to all who will ask for it. We invite correspondence with missionary societies, promising to give careful attention to any inquiries they may make. With gratitude do we record the fact that the interest in the woman's department of the American Missionary Association's work is steadily enlarging.

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LETTER FROM A LADY MISSIONARY.

----, Ga., January, 1885.

DEAR FRIENDS: As I take my pen to write my mind goes back to the general letter that I wrote. Can I tell you of any improvement among those with whom we have to do, since that time? Watching the progress of our school from day to day the upward tendency seems slow, but looking back a year a marked improvement can be seen. While they learn readily they remember well, and the homes of those who come in contact with our church and school are different. Last Saturday was the coldest day of the winter, but Miss Robertson and I, according to a previous appointment went to the Dunwoody settlement to hold a woman's meeting. I think I wrote you about a similar meeting one year ago; this is the third one that I have held, and the meetings have gained in interest. In that settlement, before they commence planting, the people have a fast day; they neither eat, wash their faces nor perform any ordinary duties from one sunset to the next. They pray in their homes and unitedly for God's blessing upon the labor of their hands. It reminds me of the way fast days used to be kept in the early history of New England. I am inclined to think they caught the idea from the people who came from New England here. I do not know that such a custom is observed except in this settlement. I asked the women if a blessing followed their prayers? They answered decidedly, "Yes," and said that while the people all about them had suffered for the necessities of life, in that settlement they had never since freedom bought corn, rice or potatoes, but had raised sufficient for their needs. In their simplicity they take God at His word, "Ask and ye shall receive."

Last Sabbath another couple entered upon the "_matrimonial sea_," this time young people. The gorgeous attire of the wedding party can be better imagined than described. We see few tokens of love and affection among this people. In the Sunday-school lesson of last Sabbath the questions and remarks of our pupils led us to think that it was almost a missing link in their lives; it seemed impossible for them to understand why the people should fall on Paul's neck and kiss him; it is a rare sight to see a kiss exchanged among them.