Chapter 1

The American Missionary

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JANUARY, 1888.

VOL. XLII.

NO. 1.

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CONTENTS

EDITORIAL. NEW YEAR'S GREETING--FINANCIAL PARAGRAPHS PROHIBITION ITEMS PARAGRAPHS

THE SOUTH. NOTES IN THE SADDLE RELIGIOUS INTEREST IN LINCOLN CHURCH, WASHINGTON, D.C.

THE INDIANS. THE FOURTH BROTHER. By Mr. Frank Wood

THE CHINESE. DOES RESTRICTION RESTRICT?

BUREAU OF WOMAN'S WORK. FOUNDATION LAYING AND HOME BUILDING IN THE SOUTH. By Miss Josephine Kellogg THE SANTEE NORMAL TRAINING SCHOOL AND INDIAN MISSIONS. By Mrs. Chas. W. Shelton THE DAKOTA MISSIONARY SOCIETY

RECEIPTS

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NEW YORK:

PUBLISHED BY THE AMERICAN MISSIONARY ASSOCIATION.

Rooms, 56 Reade Street.

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Price, 50 Cents a Year, in Advance.

Entered at the Post-Office at New York, N.Y., as second-class matter.

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American Missionary Association

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PRESIDENT, ---- ----

_Vice-Presidents._

Rev. A.J.F. BEHRENDS, D.D., N.Y. Rev. ALEX. MCKENZIE, D.D., Mass. Rev. F.A. NOBLE, D.D., Ill. Rev. D.O. MEARS, D.D., Mass. Rev. HENRY HOPKINS, D.D., Mo.

_Corresponding Secretaries._

Rev. M.E. STRIEBY, D.D., 56 Reade Street, N.Y. Rev. JAMES POWELL, D.D., 56 Reade Street, N.Y. Rev. A.F. BEARD, D.D., 56 Reade Street, N.Y.

_Treasurer._

H.W. HUBBARD, Esq., 56 Reade Street, N.Y.

_Auditors._

PETER MCCARTEE. CHAS. P. PEIRCE.

_Executive Committee._

JOHN H. WASHBURN, Chairman. ADDISON P. FOSTER, Secretary.

_For Three Years._

LYMAN ABBOTT, A.S. BARNES, J.R. DANFORTH, CLINTON B. FISK, ADDISON P. FOSTER,

_For Two Years._

S.B. HALLIDAY, SAMUEL HOLMES, SAMUEL S. MARPLES, CHARLES L. MEAD, ELBERT B. MONROE,

_For One Year._

J.E. RANKIN, WM. H. WARD, J.W. COOPER, JOHN H. WASHBURN, EDMUND L. CHAMPLIN.

_District Secretaries._

Rev. C.L. WOODWORTH, D.D., 21 _Cong'l House, Boston_. Rev. J.E. ROY, D.D., 151 _Washington Street, Chicago_.

_Financial Secretary for Indian Missions._ Rev. CHAS. W. SHELTON,

_Field Superintendent._ Rev. C.J. RYDER.

_Bureau of Woman's Work._

_Secretary_, Miss D E. EMERSON, 56 _Reade Street, N.Y._

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COMMUNICATIONS

Relating to the work of the Association may be addressed to the Corresponding Secretaries; those relating to the collecting fields, to Rev. James Powell, D.D., or to the District Secretaries; letters for "THE AMERICAN MISSIONARY," to the Editor, at the New York Office.

DONATIONS AND SUBSCRIPTIONS

In drafts, checks, registered letters or post-office orders, may be sent to H.W. Hubbard, Treasurer, 56 Reade Street, New York, or, when more convenient, to either of the Branch Offices, 21 Congregational House, Boston, Mass., or 151 Washington Street, Chicago, Ill. A payment of thirty dollars at one time constitutes a Life Member.

FORM OF A BEQUEST.

"I BEQUEATH to my executor (or executors) the sum of ---- dollars, in trust, to pay the same in ---- days after my decease to the person who, when the same is payable, shall act as Treasurer of the 'American Missionary Association,' of New York City, to be applied, under the direction of the Executive Committee of the Association, to its charitable uses and purposes," The Will should be attested by three witnesses.

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THE AMERICAN MISSIONARY.

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Vol. XLII. JANUARY, 1888. No. 1

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American Missionary Association.

A HAPPY NEW YEAR!

A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! It is an inspiring delight to hear and speak the greeting. It is a phrase that comes down to us from the ages. All the more gladly do we repeat it on that account. There are some things, thank God, even in this world, that never grow old. The greetings of Christmas and New Year are among them. This is because they are connected with Christ and his kingdom. True happiness for mankind first came into this world when Christ was born. In proportion as he is received into human life, happiness is experienced. Therefore, in wishing for our readers a happy New Year, we are wishing for them more of Christ in their thought and life.

But Christ never comes into a life to be held there in confinement. He seeks our life that it may become a channel through which he may flow to bless and make happy other lives. He is not only our peace--he is our righteousness as well. How miserable we would be in our sins and shortcomings were this not so! But all the more on that account will we desire to _do_ what we can to make up for our deficiencies. Loving him, we shall want to do his will. He wills that all shall hear of the salvation his gospel brings. We can proclaim the message. He wills that all shall see the power of his gospel in the benevolent fruits of his followers' lives. We can exhibit that power. Where we cannot go to tell the story and exhibit the power in person, we can send. Therefore, in wishing for our readers a happy New Year, we are wishing for them a righteousness that will manifest Christ actually saving the world in what they say and do. Happiness through service and sacrifice--this is the happiness THE AMERICAN MISSIONARY wishes for all its readers, because it is the only happiness worth having.

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While January is the first month of the calendar year, it happens to be the fourth month of the A.M.A.'s fiscal year. It is a good time for our friends to make new resolutions in reference to what they will do in support of our work the coming year. We closed last year out of debt. It was a cause for joy and thanksgiving. The Portland meeting felt and expressed it. Letters of congratulation came to us from all parts of the country. But there is something about prosperity that almost inevitably fosters decline. A woe seems to be attached to institutions as well as individuals of which all men speak well. We need $25,000 a month to pay necessary bills. We ought to have $30,000 a month to properly prosecute the work at this moment on hand. Our total receipts at the end of the first two months of the new fiscal year were $33,336. The lowest figure, in order to enable us to meet our bills for the two months, is $50,000. The result is, we are again obliged to report payments in excess of receipts. We do it unwillingly. We want very much to be delivered from the necessity of making special appeals along toward the end of the year. This necessity can be avoided only through our friends' securing increased receipts to our treasury the early part of the year. Now is the time to resolve that it shall be done. Let every church vote to give us a contribution. Let every individual friend resolve that he will, if possible, increase his contribution over that of last year, and that in any event he will by personal effort enlarge the circle of our supporters by inducing some friend or friends to take an interest in our work.

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Memorial services in honor of our late President, Hon. Wm. B. Washburn, were held at Greenfield, Mass., Gov. Washburn's home, November 29th, under the auspices of the Connecticut Valley Congregational Club. Addresses were made by U.S. Senator Hoar, Rev. Dr. Buckingham, and President Seelye.

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Thirty dollars constitute a Life Membership. Some of our friends utilize their contributions in this way. One of these writes us: "This is my thirty-first Life Member which it is my good fortune to make to your society." A good example to follow.

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Lord Shaftsbury once said: "I think it would be of the greatest value if the reports of the various Religious and Charitable Societies were at once, by Act of Parliament, elevated into the dignity of Blue Books. If every Member of Parliament, under the most severe penalty--and more particularly the ministers of the day--were compelled to study them accurately, and then undergo a competitive examination, I am satisfied that great good would accrue to themselves and benefit to their country; their enlarged notions, and probably improved hearts, would be felt in the legislation of the country."

A pertinent illustration of the force of this statement is the speech of Senator Frye, made at the Portland meeting. The Senator confessed that he had not been familiar with the history of the American Missionary Association, that he had been reading its Annual Reports, and making himself acquainted with its work. Thereupon, out of what he had learned, he constructed a speech that was, in every way, worthy of the Statesman that he is. We shall be much mistaken if Senator Frye does not find occasion to use the knowledge obtained in the study of our Association's history in some of his speeches or debates in the U.S. Senate.

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The citizens of Macon, Ga., gave Jefferson Davis a rousing reception on the occasion of his recent visit to that city. As a souvenir of his welcome, they presented him with 126 bottles of wine, thirty-three bottles of whiskey, fourteen bottles of brandy, and eleven boxes of cigars. If these gifts suggest anything in regard to the habits of Jefferson Davis, we can readily see that he was not a fit candidate for having the ladies put upon his lapel a blue ribbon. No wonder he rushed into print to assure the public that he was not in favor of total abstinence. A campaign in behalf of prohibition would have a hard time in the region of Macon.

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Evan P. Howell and Henry W. Grady are among the owners of the _Atlanta Constitution_. During the recent campaign on the liquor question in Atlanta these gentlemen were on opposite sides, so that the papers reported that while Mr. Grady was making a speech in behalf of prohibition in one part of the town, Capt. Howell was making a speech against it in another place. Two of Mr. Grady's speeches have been published in pamphlet form, and they are worthy of that gentleman's reputation as an orator. THE AMERICAN MISSIONARY is glad to find Mr. Grady on the right side of this question, and regrets that prohibition failed to carry the day in the election.

The colored people held the balance of power. We praised them last year when, using that balance, they carried the city for temperance. We regret that this year they have used it against temperance. There is no use of concealing the fact. Ignorant people cannot be depended upon to take the right side of any question. It will be a mere happening if they do. The election in Atlanta gives additional emphasis to the necessity of our work in the South.

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White ladies so far overcame their caste prejudices as to join their colored sisters in the campaign for prohibition. Together they prayed and worked. Many of the white people were disgusted at this exhibition of social equality. These white ladies have taken a step in the right direction, and, when all their white sisters join them, reform will be well advanced. May the day be hastened!

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The rum advocates resorted to all manner of devices to influence the colored people. They had a circular printed with a portrait of Abraham Lincoln. The picture represented him standing, with a slave in chains kneeling before him. Under the picture, in quotation marks, were the words, as if spoken by Mr. Lincoln: "Prohibition is slavery; I will cut the manacles from your hands." This was a mean trick. To put such lying words into the mouth of a man whose name the colored people revere nest to that of the Saviour, is a piece of wickedness that only rum-sellers could be guilty of. It accomplished their vile purpose, however, in leading a great many colored people to vote against prohibition.

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A colored preacher who made anti-prohibition speeches, referring to a statement that their meetings were not opened with prayer, said that he would make as good a prayer as anybody. Thereupon he slowly prayed: "Oh! Lord, I pray thee to help Atlanta in her extremity. Oh, do lift her up and restore her to the proud place she once occupied before these prohibition fanatics got her by the throat. Oh, Lord Jesus, do thou make these deluded preachers see the error of their ways. Do help the sweet inhabitants of this city. [Cries of 'Amen!'] Do restore to them pure liquor, and not compel them to drink the vile stuff sold as 'nerve tonic,' 'rice beer' and 'bitters.' [Applause and laughter.] Give us power to win the fight. [Cries of 'Amen.'] Put to rout the miserable hypocrites who parade as thy servants under the guise of Prohibitionists. Oh, do save us and let us win this fight, for Jesus' sake, amen. [Cheers, and cries of 'Amen.']" What can be expected of a church with such a man for its pastor, and what can be expected of a people if left to such leadership?

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Rev. Geo. C. Rowe, of Charleston, S.C., in company with brethren Snelson, Maxwell, Jordan and Herron, going to attend the Association at Macon, Ga., by reason of a delayed train were in danger of missing connection at Jessup, a junction. The authorities telegraphed for the train to wait. When the little party reached Jessup, they found the train in waiting, and boarding it entered a first-class coach. We let Mr. Bowe tell the rest of the story:

"A burly white train-hand came in, and said, in a threatening way: 'The forward car is your car.' We gave him no answer, but kept our seats. The conductor came through and looked at us, but said nothing. At the door he asked, roughly, of a colored train hand, 'Why did you let those men go into that car?' They hardly knew how to act, as we were the only passengers who came on the S.F. & W. train, and they had been ordered to wait for passengers on that train; so, doubtless considering discretion the better part of valor, they left us severely alone, and we rode from Savannah to Macon, an eight-hour journey in _Georgia_, first class, without molestation. Of course, the white people who entered at various stations stared at us, but we were good at that and returned the compliment. First class, indeed! Men with turpentine clothes, or rags, on; women chewing snuff, etc., etc. If I looked, acted and talked like some of the people that I saw on that train, I should certainly feel myself an appropriate subject for an ox-cart in the backwoods, rather than for a first class coach on a railroad; yet these are the people who object to respectable, well-dressed, intelligent and Christian men and women riding in a decent coach, on account of their color."

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THE SOUTH.

NOTES IN THE SADDLE

BY FIELD-SUPERINTENDENT C.J. RYDER.

Pleasant Hill, Tenn., has now a school building worthy the growing importance of that interesting field on the Cumberland plateau. The teaching force has been enlarged and the influence of the school is constantly widening. Another building to be used for boarding pupils is in process of erection, and is greatly needed. Maine has joined hands with Tennessee in this most important work, several of the churches having given to this field.

A new church has just been organized at Crossville, Tenn. Many northern families have come into this region within the past few months, and they will greatly assist us in gathering the native mountain people.

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Grand View Academy, occupying a most commanding site on the top of a mountain overlooking the magnificent valley of the Cumberland River, has also increased its school accommodations. There will be here, in the not very distant future, a large college, reaching in its influence the mountain people back on the plateau and in the coves, and those who are rapidly filling the fertile valley along the foot of Cumberland Mountain and Walden's Ridge. If we, as Congregational Churches, hold this grand work, we must generously support it _now_.

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A specimen, a hybrid of civilization and paganism, I saw on the streets of Fort Smith, Arkansas. He seemed to illustrate the result of our governmental efforts to citizenize the Indian without Christianizing him. A tall Indian, of fine, commanding figure, walked down the street dressed in the following fashion: His feet were cased in moccasins, his legs in buckskin breeches. Both of these garments were highly ornamented with quills and beads. He was purely Indian so far. His tall lithe body was closely buttoned in a faded black Prince Albert coat. On his head he wore a Derby hat. So much for civilization. The hat had a hole in the crown, and in this hole the Brave had stuck a large tuft of eagle feathers that stood several inches above his head and nodded and danced above him as he walked with the royal dignity of a Mogg Megone. Here was civilization and savagery in dress at least. This is about what our Government is doing for this people; urging them to put on the faded coat of imperfect citizenship, and at the same time forbidding that they be instructed in the truths of religion in their own language. We can never civilize the body while we leave the heart savage. A visit to Fort Smith would convince anyone of the absolute failure of this method. In the miserable prison pen, one hundred and forty-four were crowded like cattle. Among this multitude of criminals were young boys, just entering upon a life of crime, imprisoned for some paltry offence, and herded with them were grey-headed murderers. All these prisoners were from the Indian Territory, or the "Nation" as they call it. One man had just been convicted of murder. Two beautiful daughters of an Indian mother stood weeping beside him. A gallows stands constantly on the edge of the "Nation," and is used with appalling frequency. A lawyer who courteously introduced me into the esoteric mysteries of the law as executed in this United States Court, pointed out the peculiar construction of the gallows which increased its capacity. "Eight men can stand on that plank and the drop will swing them all off at once," he said with evident pride, then added apologetically, "I never saw but six hung at one time, but they do hang eight."

"Hanging day," I was informed, was one of the great festival occasions. Thousands of Indians, of more or less purity of blood, gathered from the "Nation" to enjoy this treat. There is an excuse for a fence around this perpetual gallows, but there are wide openings in it and the awful scene enacted within its enclosure can be witnessed from surrounding elevations.

No doubt an attempt at justice is made in the United States Court. I attended the trial of a case and it seemed to me the accused had a fair hearing, but what a comment on our Christian civilization: A court overrun with cases; a prison pen with young boys and grey-headed criminals herded together in it; a gallows standing ready the year round; saloons and brothels permitted at every turn; bad men and worse women appealing to the lowest passions of ignorant and degraded men--all these the legalized representatives of a Christian civilization. Is it strange that these Indians do not accept more readily our Christian theories, when they come into constant contact with our most unchristian practice? The Indian language is used in saloons and gambling hells and brothels to lead these poor, heathen people to physical and moral perdition, but is forbidden by Government to be used in mission schools to lead them to the Lord Jesus Christ! We ought to plant a mission for the Indians and the colored people at Fort Smith this year. The work is painfully urgent.

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RELIGIOUS INTEREST AT LINCOLN MEMORIAL CHURCH, WASHINGTON, D.C.

Rev. James Wharton, the English Evangelist, recently spent a little more than two weeks with the Lincoln Memorial Church, Washington. The people were deeply stirred, and the church was greatly quickened. About forty persons professed conversion, and a large number are still inquiring the way.

The conversions were mostly among the young people. There were eight or ten adults who decided to live Christian lives, two of them being aged men, one 61 years and the other 75 years of age. They are both very happy in their new-found hope in Christ.

Many of the young people would gladly unite with us, but their parents will not consent for them to do so, as they will not be convinced that the children can be Christians unless they can give a _remarkable experience_, and some will not be satisfied of their conversion unless the child has seen a vision or heard a voice.

I called to-day to see the mother of a little girl who confessed Christ as her Saviour in our meetings. She said that her little girls, one eight years and the other twelve years of age, say that they are Christians. When the mother told Josie, the youngest child, that she did not have "_religion_," the little girl replied: "I love the Saviour, and Jesus loves me. He died for my sins, and I have accepted him as my Saviour and am happy in His love. Mamma, Mr. Moore says that that is religion. If that ain't religion, then, mamma, what is religion? I want to be an earnest Christian; will you show me how?" The mother says that Josie sticks to it that she is a Christian, and that she does not know what to do about it.

The most of these young people, some of whom are twelve and fourteen years of age, will not be allowed to join any church, but will be laughed at and persecuted and led to expect some remarkable experience like "Saul of Tarsus," or to see a vision and hear a voice. We shall do what we can to encourage them to cling to Christ.

We have succeeded in closing two saloons near our church, and are hopeful of closing another notorious den about a square away.

There is no place where earnest Christian work is more needed than here at the nation's Capital, where we have a colored population of nearly 80,000, the majority of whom are out of Christ, and thousands are still shrouded in the darkness of ignorance and superstition.

GEO. W. MOORE.

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THE INDIANS.

THE FOURTH BROTHER.

BY FRANK WOOD, ESQ.

I believe that if the Master were visibly present with us to-day, and we should ask, "Where shall we go first with the Gospel?" he would say, "Go to that fourth brother, the North American Indian;" and for the strongest reasons.

First, because he is in the greatest need. There are no people in want whose cry does not at once reach the heart of the American people. When Chicago was burned, when there was an earthquake in Charleston, when there was a famine in Ireland, public sympathy was immediately awakened, and all that was needed was sent. The only people who seem to be in need and do not receive help are the aborigines of our soil--the people whom we have dispossessed; whom we have crowded from their homes; whom we have shut into reservations until they are nothing but prisoners of war; whom we have placed under the control of a despot called an Indian agent, who is not controlled by law, who on that agency governs by his own will, with no courts to protect those who are wronged. These Indians are shut in on these reservations, kept from all civilizing and Christianizing influences, kept from trade and commerce. A trader is appointed over them, from whom they must buy everything they need, paying whatever he may ask, to whom they must sell everything that they would sell, taking what he may choose to give.