Chapter 2

Another added difficulty is in an increased and deepened antagonism on the part of the great mass of Chinese to real Christianity. Multitudes have seen enough of the true light to reject it; and having rejected, now to hate it. Oh, it drives one back to God in an agony of mingled longing and despair to see this mighty multitude that will not come and be saved, drifting along in darkness and wretchedness through this life to the blackness of darkness beyond! And this is intensified by the thought of the children now quite numerous in our Chinese communities. We know to what the daughters are destined. We know what it is that gives them, in this country, a special money value; and as to the sons, one can scarcely conceive circumstances more perilous than those in which they are placed. Breathing our free American air, entering readily into the Young America spirit, they will not brook the harsh discipline which, in their native land, would have been submissively and perhaps with profit accepted. At the same time, the parents ill understand that discipline of love which adjusts itself to these new circumstances, and when it can no longer compel, succeeds in wooing and winning and molding aright the boyish heart. Demons incarnate, both American and Chinese, tempt these boys, while they are unprotected by any reverence either for the ancestors and idols of their own people or for the American God whom Americans by their conduct so cruelly belie.

And this suggests another added difficulty: the contrast which our Chinese Christians cannot but observe between the precepts of the Bible, the example of Christ, the exhortations of those who led them to Jesus, and the practices of multitudes of American professors of religion. And, too often, they are led to do as we do, and not as we say. While at the same time the indifference of many professed Christians to the salvation of this Chinese, and the attitude of many churches toward those already converted, loads the problem down with difficulties such as might well drive us to despair.

But, no; nothing shall drive us to despair. This problem must be solved. This mountain mass of heathenism must be--not removed and cast into the sea, but transformed into the mountain of the Lord's house, and made an element--an element of untold value and efficiency--in our American Zion. Let us have faith as the grain of mustard seed. Let us hear the voice which adds to our great commission the promise: "Lo, I am with you alway." Let us take courage at the remembrance of mercies past. With all these difficulties upon us it still remains true that no other non-Protestant foreigners are as accessible to us as the Chinese; and that in proportion to the resources of men and money used, scarcely any evangelistic work yields equal visible returns. There is only one thing to do--for Christ's sake, for our country's sake, for the sake of the uncounted millions beyond the sea--we must, and we will, claim and conquer these precious souls for their Redeemer and our Lord.

WM. C. POND.

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THE SOUTH.

PROF. ALBERT SALISBURY, SUPERINTENDENT OF EDUCATION.

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FISK UNIVERSITY, NASHVILLE, TENN.

A CLASS OF FIFTEEN GRADUATED FROM COLLEGE.

Anniversary week at Fisk University is closed. Its alternate shower and sunshine have fairly represented the rejoicing and the sadness that always come with this harvest time of the year. The week began on the evening of Friday, May 22, with the exhibition of the Senior Preparatory Class, and was followed by the Baccalaureate and Missionary sermons on Sunday, the anniversaries of the literary societies and the alumni association, and the graduating exercises of the Normal Department on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, and the final great day of the feast, the College Commencement, on Thursday, May 28.

This programme has become so fixed that to go over it in detail would be monotonous; let us rather note a few of the significant and interesting facts that belong particularly to this anniversary week. The comparatively large size of the classes entering and leaving college has been one marked feature and a source of great encouragement. Thirteen young men and three young women were received into the Freshman class, and a few days later thirteen young men and two young women, having completed four years of college work, took the degree of B. A. This is more than double the largest class ever before graduated from Fisk, and while the increase in numbers cannot yet be sustained with regularity from year to year, it does show a growth in our work and a strengthening of purpose on the part of our young people. In 1874, a class of six young men entered college, but only two ever got beyond the threshold: the others lost heart and purpose; of the present class three have fallen by the hand of death within the four years and only three have dropped out for other causes.

Commencement day revealed in the tone of the graduating orations a moral earnestness and uprightness of principle that called forth the commendation of our stranger guests. The best record of the class, however, is in the influence its members have exerted in the school during the whole of their Senior year.

It may be remembered that a year ago the Alumni Association adopted a plan by which, beginning three years after graduation, at least one per cent. of the earnings of each member is to be appropriated to an endowment fund for Fisk University. Whenever the sum reaches $1,000, it is to be devoted to some chair in the University. This year the Treasurer reported $140 on hand. The beginning seems small, but who can tell to what the stream may grow? Part of the Alumni anniversary was given up to a memorial service for one who, after six years of faithful work among her people, has died within the year.

On the evening devoted to the Normal Department, Prof. Salisbury was expected to address us on some educational topic. In his absence, Prof. Smith, of the chair of Greek in Vanderbilt University, kindly filled the place and gave us an excellent address on Thomas Carlyle. Prof. Smith is of Southern birth, but has manifested a cordial friendliness and an interest that has led him to really investigate the work of Fisk University.

On Commencement Day, Rev. R. G. Hutchins, D. D., of Minneapolis, Minn., honored us with his presence and with an address, both wise and eloquent, on "Sublime Motives," holding up three as especially worthy to prompt to action: responsibility for the architecture of our own character, responsibility for the development of latent moral power, and the conservation of moral forces.

Few who heard it will forget the solemn charge given to the graduating class by President Cravath, illustrated by an incident, as told by the Rev. Sam. Jones, of the battle of Nashville. General Hood saw a Federal battery making dreadful havoc in his army, and sent to a subordinate general a messenger, saying, "Give him my compliments, and tell him I ask at his hands the battery in the Locust Grove." The general was in the thick of the battle and could not be found. The same message was sent to another with the same result. Finally to a third he sent the messenger, saying, "Give him my _love_, and tell him I ask at his hands the battery in the Locust Grove." The battery was speedily taken and the message of affection returned to General Hood. So are these young people sent out with the love of teachers and friends, to capture the batteries that are dealing moral death to this people.

After the degree of B. A. had been conferred on the fifteen graduates, that of M. A. was given to fourteen former graduates, who for three years or more have been engaged in scholarly employments.

To add to the interest of Commencement, Gen. Fisk arrived the evening before, and closed the public exercises of Thursday with an address, whose pleasantry made every one forget the fatigue of five consecutive hours of speech-making. Several members of the Legislature, now in extra session in the Capitol, were present both at the Commencement exercises and at the collation which followed.

A new and interesting feature of this anniversary was the part taken by the Girls' Industrial Department. A basket of cake made by members of the cooking class graced each table at the Commencement dinner and was by general consent pronounced excellent. In the Assembly Room of Jubilee Hall were displayed various garments and household articles neatly made by the sewing classes.

Nothing has been said about examinations; they are like the bread of our daily meals, always expected and very important. A more thorough examination than usual was given the classes in drawing and in vocal music. One exercise in the latter examination was the singing at sight of a tune, in four parts, composed by a member of the class.

Our halls are already deserted; nothing holds our students after Commencement: they scatter at once for work, and within a few weeks, in at least half a dozen States, miniature Fisk Universities will be in operation.

ANNA M. CAHILL.

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ANNIVERSARY AT HAMPTON INSTITUTE, VIRGINIA.

In beauty, interest and enthusiasm Hampton anniversary days abate nothing as years go on. The seventeenth anniversary exercises were held on May 21, with a graduating class of forty-two, of whom five were Indians. Visitors were present from North and South, East and West, and such expressions as "The half was not told me!" and "Why didn't I bring my wife?" were frequent, as usual.

Of the morning examinations, one of the most interesting was a general exercise conducted by the chaplain, in review of the current news of the world, which is daily read and discussed with the students. Victor Hugo, French and English politics, the Afghan trouble, Russia and Nihilism, Irish Nationalists, France and China, England and Egypt, were touched in the questions, and the answers and general interest showed the value of this daily exercise. In the ancient history class, printed questions were shuffled and distributed among the students, and question and answer were spoken out promptly by each scholar, giving an attractive quickness and vivacity to the recitation. The class of little Indian geographers stood before a table on which was a miniature United States made of sand, with its Eastern elevations, its great central plains, and its high Western ranges. A thread of blue worsted, put in place by the young world-builders, simulated the Mississippi, while cities (in the guise of white buttons) sprang up with a rapidity unknown even in the great West. The practice-teaching class is always of especial interest and significance, as over ninety per cent of Hampton's students devote themselves to teaching as their life mission. A dozen little bright-eyed, brown-faced primaries from the "Butler" training school received a geography lesson from one of the senior girls, criticised by her class-mates. Its grand _finale_ was a miniature volcanic eruption, creating a sensation among the Butler mites.

The industrial exhibits and the training shops, with their Negro and Indian apprentices, attracted interested attention, as usual.

The emotions of anniversary day culminated in the afternoon exercises, in which were several incidents of unusual interest. The pretty and graceful salutatorian, fair as most of her hearers, was introduced as a young representative of the family of faithful Mary Peake, who, just escaped from slavery herself, taught the first "contraband school" at Hampton. This introduction roused the war-memories of Rev. Dr. Strieby, who, greeting the young girl as she stepped on the platform, told the story of the first missionary sent down to Old Point by the American Missionary Association, his reception by the contrabands as an angel of deliverance, and his first school, opened Sept. 17, 1861, with Mary Peake as its teacher, till she gave up her life in the work for her people.

The pastor's class was represented by a Baptist minister from Hampton, who gave an account of the Old and New ministry, somewhat characteristic of both. This pastor's class has become an interesting feature of Hampton, with a mission of peace and good-will to both races and all sects and sections. Now in its second year, it numbers, as pupils, 17 colored pastors of Hampton and vicinity. Baptist and Methodist; and as teachers Rev. Mr. Frissell, chaplain, and Rev. Mr. Tolman, ex-chaplain of the school, Northern Congregationalist ministers, with Miss Alice Bacon, who thus worthily wears her venerated fathers mantle, and the Southern white ministers from Hampton, Episcopal, Baptist and Methodist, in unity of spirit that is verily "a good and a pleasant thing to see." The studies are the Bible and Bible history, pastoral theology and composition. In cultivating better understanding and kindly relations between these colored and white neighbors, and the relations of the school with both, as well as in helping meet the great need of an intelligent ministry, this pastor's class is doing important work. Some of its members board at the school, working their way in part like the other students, sometimes entering their classes. Some are helped to come by their congregations, who appreciate the opportunity.

A handsome gold medal, presented by Mr. W. J. Demorest, of New York City, was awarded to Harris Barrett, of the senior class, for excellence in the junior elementary studies, the three R's, geography, grammar and spelling, in which the whole class were examined for the prize without special review, only one falling below an average of 50 per cent. on all, and five averaging above 90--a better showing than some Northern college seniors could make, I fear.

As usual, some of the school's former graduates returned to tell the story of their labors, and nearly fifty were present on the invitation yearly renewed to all.

The valedictorian was the youngest of a family of one sister and four brothers, children of a minister, who have graduated at the school, the last two with the honor of the valedictory.

The Indian graduates were represented by two of their number, a young man of the Sac and Fox tribe, Indian Territory, who gave his own reasons for claiming and desiring citizenship for his people, which were: 1st, that the Indian also is a child of the Father; 2d, that he was once owner of the land; 3d, that without this protection and help he must perish; 4th, that with it he can become a useful member of the nation, a man among men. An Indian girl plead eloquently for the Indian woman, and protested against the use of "savage" as a synonym of Indian, since "there are also yellow savages, black savages and white savages." The representations of the past, present and future of Indian life will not soon be forgotten by those who saw them. The past's barbaric glories were typified by a tall young brave and Indian girl in the beautiful dress of the wilderness. They stood silent, like a vision of the ancient days, while their story was told. The present's pathos was represented by "_Lo_" the _very_ "poor Indian" and squaw in shabby blankets, bewailing--as their Indian interpreter explained--the loss of lands and buffalo, asking where to go next--"white man everywhere"; the future's hope by a promising pair of Hampton students, able to speak for themselves, work for themselves and teach their people, with their white brethren's help, in the Christian's road. As the three groups stood in striking tableau--a visible embodiment of truth which I wish every white citizen of the United States could have seen and taken to heart--their comrades of the Indian school rose behind them, and started a Dakota hymn, recognized by the melody as "From Greenland's Icy Mountains," or, as interpreted to Indian understanding, "From the very distant cold land--from the hot land far away." As the plaintive strain died away, it was taken up in English in the richer chorus of their colored schoolmates, and the whole audience, rising, joined in the grand third verse, "_Shall we whose souls are lighted_," with effect not to pass from their hearts.

Diplomas were presented by Rev. Dr. Strieby, vice-president of the Board of Trustees, to the graduating class of seventeen colored and three Indian young women, and twenty colored and two Indian young men, 42 in all. Eloquent addresses were made also by Rev Dr. McVickar of Philadelphia, and Rev. Dr. Armstrong of Norfolk, imprisoned once by General Butler because he would pray for Jefferson Davis, but now thanking God for the new order, and rejoicing in Negro education.

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GREGORY INSTITUTE, WILMINGTON, N. C.

The year at Gregory Institute, as usual, has been a busy one, both in school and out. As a worthy colored member of our church expressed it, "We are tormented with Christian work at Wilmington." We have had this year a total enrollment of 284 pupils, and the percentage of attendance has never been greater. The pupils have, as a rule, worked well, and in many cases the progress has been very marked. While we are not completely satisfied with the results, yet there has been very much to encourage our labors. The Lord has been merciful in keeping the workers in good health, and there has been no death and but few cases of sickness among the pupils.

The last week was taken up with examinations, both oral and written, and in perfecting arrangements for the anxiously looked-for event among our people, the closing exhibition.

Such a clamoring for tickets one never heard. Of course, not one-fourth asked for could be issued, for lack of room; but, as far as possible, the parents were admitted. Although a thunder-storm, lasting about an hour, came up just as the doors were opened, the people continued to pour in until the hall was as full as an egg, upwards of 500 finding seats.

The programme, which was a long and varied one, was carried out without any drawback whatever, thanks to the untiring efforts of the teachers and of Mr. and Mrs. Dodge, who all planned so well to make it a success. For three and one-half hours the audience gave the closest attention, and the comments since have been very flattering. Several, including some Northerners, have declared it to be the best exhibition they ever attended.

It would tire you to read the entire programme, so I will mention and describe briefly only a few of the pieces, though all were as creditably rendered as if it were a white school, with the singing perhaps better. The pupils, without exception, acquitted themselves nobly, and their neat appearance was worthy of special mention.

You would have been pleasantly entertained had you witnessed the Missionary Colloquy, in which 20 girls, some taken from each department of the school, took part. First came a girl bearing the American flag and representing America, who spoke, and was then followed by another girl with a Bible, representing Christianity. Next came singly nine girls in costume, each to represent a heathen nation, and making an earnest plea for the Gospel. Then followed a band of nine little American missionary workers, each stepping to the front and telling how she had earned her money which she was about to give to the noble cause. After dropping her gift in a basket held by "America," she repeated these words: "O happy, happy child am I, to serve the Lord of earth and sky;" then taking her place, another came forward in the same way until all had spoken. "America" now hands her basket, with its treasure, to Christianity, whom she addresses; then both turn and address the heathen in concert. In the time, missionary hymns were sweetly sung by the girls, and the piece, as presented, was one of the finest I ever saw.

The doll drill was another interesting part of the evening's entertainment. The little primary girls went through the different evolutions with almost military precision, eliciting rounds of applause.

So I might name many pieces of almost equal interest, but suffice it for me to mention further only the closing. This was "The Cross and Crown," consisting of tableaux and recitations taken mostly from "The Cross-Bearer." The time occupied in this was fully 45 minutes; and although the hour was so late, our audience did not fail to appreciate this beautiful piece. Several of the older people being asked which piece they liked best, replied, "I believe I liked the one with the angel best."

A very important part of the evening's work must not be omitted from mention. This was the presentation of certificates to the graduating class on the completion of the Elementary Normal Course ending with the 10th year or grade. The members of this class, one young man and two young ladies, have been reared up in our school, and would be a credit to any school. This is the first graduation from the course; and although the class is small, it has incited others to say, "I mean to stick to the school until I can stand where they did."

We think the entertainment was filled with sermons, and we trust that the influence produced may be all for good.

GEO. A. WOODARD.

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RELIGIOUS INTEREST IN TALLADEGA.

The second Sabbath in May was a notable day with our college church at Talladega. It was a feast of ingathering.

As early as eight o'clock a band of young men assembled on the banks of Talladega Creek, that three of their number might be immersed. It was a lovely spring morning, and the green banks, the running waters, the sweet air, the bright sunshine, the hymns, the prayers, the remarks of the pastor, and the Sacrament itself (administered by Rev. Spencer Snell, the pastor having had a congestive chill the preceding week, and being forbidden to go into the water) were full of solemnity and sweet instruction.

Two hours later we met again in the college chapel. One of the most pressing needs of this church is a house of worship. There has not been, rain or shine, since I came here, a Sabbath congregation that was not too large for our chapel. Growth is impossible. How it will be during the college vacation, I cannot say; but during this college year it has always been uncomfortably crowded, and every Sabbath has overflowed up on to the platform. This morning all seats were filled and extra benches occupied. The Lord's table was spread for His people, and after a sermon from the text, "How can this man give us his flesh to eat?" forty were received into the fellowship of the church and welcomed to the table. Of these, thirty were baptized by sprinkling. To those acquainted with the ways and prejudices of these people, the fact that we sprinkled thirty, while we immersed only three (these three were mature men), will be full of significance. None others asked to be immersed, or suggested it.

This addition to our church embraced about one-third of the number professing conversion during our recent series of meetings, conducted by Brother Field. Others will come to us, but many who are students here will join the churches at their homes. The success of those meetings, reaching as they did every student in the college buildings, with a single exception, was so notable that a word as to the manner in which they were conducted may be of interest.

The beginning of the extra meetings was providentially postponed more than once. They did not begin with the coming of the new pastor in the fall, nor with the week of prayer, nor with the day of prayer for colleges. These occasions were all used, but our extra meetings did not begin until the desire for them and the feeling of our great need of the Divine blessing had grown strong in the church, nor until they had been talked and prayed over, prepared and planned for.