Chapter 2

A little girl in the Sunday-school at Quincy, Mass., when asked what a missionary was, replied: "A missionary is a man who comes around to get our money." That expresses with a good degree of accuracy the object of the missionary's trip through New England, and it is wonderful what large sums of money come from these generous churches in response to the appeals of our different Societies.

It was pleasant to turn aside for a few weeks and mount again into the saddle, and visit the field into which these contributions go, and where so many earnest and godly missionaries are putting in their life work. There were evidences of progress in these mission stations on every side.

Lincoln Memorial Church at Washington have greatly improved their house of worship, expending upon it $1,500, collecting through their own membership almost this entire sum. Industrial classes are held regularly in the same building, taught by the pastor's wife. A kindergarten, in which a large number of little children are regularly taught, is also a department of this missionary work. I noticed among the other children a bright little French boy in this kindergarten school.

While waiting for a train in the depot at Washington, I noticed an old colored man very busy reading a book. Looking over his shoulder, I found that he was studying Barnes' Notes on Matthew! No white man was better employed than this. And this incident is typical of the desire of the colored people to learn, especially that which throws light upon God's word.

Excitement ran high in Florida over the murder of United States Marshal Saunders. A Southern man on the street, not knowing that any Northern man was present, remarked to a friend as follows: "I would not give $250 to any man to shoot a United States Marshal, but I would give $500 to help defend any man that shot him." The colored people were agitated over this murder, for it hinted at the possibility of general outrage and murder, in which they would be sufferers. I heard in a colored church in St. Augustine the following prayer: "O Lord! overcome those who oppress us, not by sword and bayonet and blood, but by the power of the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ." When the spirit that that prayer breathes becomes the spirit of the whole people of the South, black and white, the present desperate condition of things will come to an end.

The Girl's Industrial School at Thomasville, Ga., is crowded with pupils. The dormitory accommodations provide room for only forty pupils, and forty-two are already there. One feature of the work in this school is especially worthy of mention; and that is, the thorough study of the Bible. This is systematic and comprehensive. It does not consist in learning and repeating, in a parrot-like way, different dates and names. It is analytical, both in history and biography. It also includes careful study of Biblical geography. I am sure those in the North who visit this school will be especially gratified by the success in this department of the school work.

While looking for a friend in Tallahassee, Fla., I visited his office two or three times. The office-boy finally informed me that he had "gone to Liberia." I asked him whether Liberia was a country or a town, and he replied: "Why, boss! it's de place dey reads books." He meant the library. I related this experience to the barber at the hotel, and he turned to the porter and said, "You make just such mistakes, porter." The porter replied, "Yes, I knows I makes _sentimental_ mistakes." He supposed a sentimental mistake was one that was made in a sentence. Big words never stumble them. And yet, little by little they are gaining in the use of language, and naturally they are orators.

It gives a Protestant Christian a strange feeling when he observes the Christian bearing of the Roman Catholics toward the colored people in the South, and the unchristian bearing of many Protestant denominations toward them. Dropping into the Cathedral at St. Augustine, I saw graceful white ladies kneeling side by side with black women, and worshiping together. At Pensacola I went into a Catholic church, and there in a crowded audience were colored and white people sitting in adjoining pews with perfect freedom. I went from here into a Methodist church, and there was not a single colored person present. It would not be strange if the Roman church gathered into its fold a large part of the Negroes of the South. Whatever may be the superstition and errors of their church, they do recognize in every human being a child of God, and offer to all freedom in Christian service.

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THEN AND NOW.

BY MISS L.A. PARMELEE.

THEN.

Nearly twenty years ago a little company of Christians at Byron, Ga., decided to form a Congregational Church. Their place of worship was a bush arbor or "bush harbor" as it was usually called. Feeling the need of more frequent ministrations than the pastor of Macon could furnish, they asked to have one of their own number licensed as a leader. A Council of churches was called at Andersonville, and the candidate presented himself for examination.

He was a working man in middle life; his personal appearance bespoke him better fitted for the blacksmith's forge than the pulpit. His literary qualifications reached their limit when he could slowly read from his pocket Testament that "God so loved the world," and "Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners." In theology, he was prepared to discuss, with race shrewdness and quaint corn-field illustrations, the doctrines of election and future punishment. His Congregationalism comprised three points,--"To live by the Bible, to have only one wife, and to not drink whiskey"--good points for that time, and popularly supposed to represent the new denomination.

His spirit was excellent, as, with genuine humility, he expressed his wish to serve the church only until it could command the ministrations of some one of better education and more general fitness for the position. His personal experience of religion was satisfactory, as were also the testimonials to his character, and so the Council licensed him to preach, Pastor Rogers, of Macon, giving him an earnest charge to be faithful in the service of Christ.

NOW.

The circumstance had faded from my mind, but suddenly was remembered two days ago, when sitting in the congregation that had gathered in the chapel of Livingstone Hall, Fisk University, to listen to the examination of ten young men who presented themselves to the Central South Association for license to preach. These candidates were physically and mentally alert, active, strong. With a single exception they were under thirty years of age.

Besides the ordinary helps of Concordance and Bible Dictionary, more than half of these young men in studying the Scriptures, can pick up from their study tables, Testaments in German, French, Latin and Greek, to gather the light these translations may throw upon any passage.

Their theology was clear, and showed acquaintance with the best thought upon the whole range of subjects. Their Congregationalism embraced two points, independence and fellowship. The right of private judgment based upon intelligent study of the Word of God, apparently covered the ground of their church polity. They hold modern ideas regarding Christian work along the lines of missions, temperance, Sabbath-schools, White Cross Leagues, Christian Endeavor Societies, Y.M.C.A. and similar organizations. All have had experience in some of these branches of work. The Association licensed nine of them for one year, and ordained the tenth to the regular work of a minister of the Gospel. Full of hope, courage and zeal, they give promise of usefulness.

The day of the corn-field and blacksmith preachers, is past. Some of them were good men. They have been exceedingly useful in holding the people together in church organizations and maintaining the forms of worship, even where gross errors were allowed. The present generation _must_ have and can have intelligent preaching from the lips of men above reproach.

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THE CENTRAL SOUTH ASSOCIATION.

BY REV. B.A. IMES.

Another "best of all meetings" has occurred. The Union Church at Fisk University, Nashville, Tenn., together with the combined population of that interesting institution, was "our host," and was most cordial in the entertainment of guests, from April 3d to 7th. Jonesboro, Knoxville, Chattanooga, Sherwood, Memphis and Nashville, Tenn., with Louisville, Ky., Sand Mountain, Florence and Athens, Ala., and Little Rock, Ark., were represented by from one to three delegates each, including pastors, except in cases of Louisville and Sand Mountain.

Rev. Samuel Rose of Jonesboro, gave the opening discourse--"If ye love me, keep my commandments." Friday morning devotional meeting found a good number of one accord in one place, asking for the renewed anointing of the Holy Spirit. The business session began with Brother Yancy B. Sims, of Little Rock, as Moderator, Rev. S. Rose, Recording Secretary. After roll-call, the narrative of the state of religion in the churches showed not any flattering condition of prosperity, but in general a state of hopefulness. Some of the churches are evidently becoming established, while pastors, laboring amid all the trials incident to the common poverty, the want of general culture, and of experience in self government, have occasion to walk by faith oftener than by sight. "_To patience, experience_," is a phrase we are studying in the original.

"Christian Benevolences and their Administration," was the title of a paper presented by B.A. Imes of Memphis. The general discussion was animated. It was agreed we should understand that contributions to the cause of religion are not gifts. When we offer to the Lord we only pay what we owe. Religion has too long been made to go a begging.

Prof. H.S. Bennett spoke on "Ministerial Support."

On Friday night, members of the Association found themselves "complimented" with tickets, and crowded in the chapel of Livingstone Hall, where Prof. Spence and the Mozart Society, of Fisk, treated us to an excellent rendering of Haydn's great oratorio, "The Creation." Many came over from the city, whites from "best families," all crowding in--listening, wondering, enjoying! How the music of those well-tuned instruments and voices caught us up and carried us away! Color-line melted and faded out! How we wished the politicians all might have been brought under that magic spell of solos and choruses! Next morning yet they were ringing in our heads, and stirring our hearts with the praises of God.

Saturday A.M. was largely spent in the able and effective presentation of the topic, "The Holy Spirit, His Personality and Work," by Rev. R.B. Johns, of Nashville. We agreed to carry the discussion further on our knees before God. Saturday P.M. nine young men were examined for licensure to preach. With few exceptions, their intelligent answers and general clearness of thought were creditable indeed. These young men belong to different college classes. They have taken instruction in theology with Prof. Bennett, at times crowded in between regular work in their classes. With these was Brother J.D. Pettigrew, a former Fisk student, who returned recently from Paris, Texas, to be ordained. His examination was conducted with something of scrutiny, and it was apparent that a clear head, studious mind and consecrated heart afford reason to expect for him a useful career. He seems devoted and teachable.

Sunday at eleven A.M. Prof. Bennett gave the sermon from "I magnify mine office." Then followed the solemn act of ordination. Rev. Jos. E. Smith, H.S. Williams, Prof. Bennett, and B.A. Imes, the latter offering the prayer, laid their hands on the kneeling brother's head and "set him apart for the ministry." All present seemed impressed with the solemn ceremony. The afternoon brought us to the Lord's table. Five young people were taken into the church.

At night a service of song led by Prof. Spence and his "sweet singers," together with addresses by Rev. George Smith, President Cravath, Rev. Eugene A. Johnson and B.A. Imes closed the delightful day and another meeting of the Central South.

Florence, Ala., is to be the next meeting place.

Rev. J.H. Frazee of Knoxville Pilgrim Church was received "by letter" into the Central South Association. Also Rev. Lot Lake of the Welsh Church, and Rev. F.E. Jenkins of New Decatur. The latter reported his church as expecting to join in the near future. The Plymouth Church Knoxville, was received in response to its application, by letter; the two delegates appointed, business men, were hindered from coming. However we have these tokens of the blessed Gospel spirit uniting these churches in fraternal union, we hope in spirit as well as name, and casting out from the Lord's people the demon of color-caste.

Not the least interesting feature of our gathering was the presence of the many bright and promising young people at Fisk University. And we renewed our appeal for a Theological Seminary, which is greatly needed.

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"SIX DAYS SHALT THOU LABOR."

A superintendent in our Mountain Work writes:

I left home on horseback last Wednesday, after dinner, rode twenty-one miles to Crossville, stopping on the way to contract for some lumber, arriving in Crossville in time for an eight o'clock supper; spent an hour after breakfast with brother Cameron, rode twenty-seven miles to Deer Lodge, half the way in a hard rain, getting pretty wet. The monotony of the trip was broken, Thursday, by picking my way through the brush rather than following the road. For ten miles before reaching Deer Lodge, I followed closely the track of the storm, the week before. Trees were torn up, houses and barns unroofed, the fragments, in some cases, being strung along the way for rods.

There were new roofs and one or two new houses along the road. The men had been so busy fixing shelter for themselves and their neighbors that they had done nothing toward cutting trees out of the way. I got through in time to dry out a little, take supper with brother Lusty and attend the Christian Endeavor meeting with him. Twenty were present; they have now twenty-six active members. Next morning, I examined the buildings, found the church building injured but little, it having moved only two or three inches on its foundation. But the school-house was the next thing to an utter wreck. It will have to be rebuilt. After dinner I rode fourteen miles to Wartburg, making twenty-eight miles, Friday.

Saturday morning, I rode twenty miles before dinner to Harriman, made several calls, led the Sunday-school teachers' meeting at night, and a business meeting afterwards. I had charge of the Sunday-school the next morning, heard a sermon by a Methodist brother in the afternoon, after which I completed the organization of our "Pilgrim Congregational Church of Harriman." We organized with fifteen members. At night I led a praise service, the room being packed full. Monday morning, I was in the saddle again, calling at the new town of Cardiff, and getting home, after riding twenty-two miles, in time for a late dinner. This kind of work does not give me much time to enjoy (?) blue Monday!

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ENCOURAGED AND THANKFUL.

(From a Lady Teacher in the Mountains.)

We have been greatly encouraged in our work. A marked earnestness has been expressed by our scholars. The industrial building has afforded work for a number. Our boys enjoy their work much and are so thankful they "can git to go to school." Many of the older scholars who enter our school have never had any advantages, or, as they express it "pow'ful bad chance of gittin book-larnin."

They are willing to take their places with the small children. It is really pitiful to see the embarrassment of a young man of nearly thirty years, when he cannot read a single sentence in the Second Reader. Two years ago, a young man entered my department who had not attended school in fourteen years. He actually knew nothing; one week he did nothing but listen. He was ashamed; he thought he could not stand it. He was a Christian young man, and asked God to help him. His progress has been a wonder. To-day, he stands at the head of his grade and conducts one of our out-station Sunday-schools every Sabbath. He has an excellent influence among his people, seeing their needs, and his great desire is to carry the blessed news of the gospel among his own people. The possibilities of our girls and boys God only knows.

During our vacation a number of our scholars went home. One girl visited her home, a distance of about fifteen miles. Her brother, a rough mountain boy, came for her with his "wag." She was a happy girl, for her love for her mother is great. She did not return, and we thought she had left us. To-day she appeared, bounding in and crying for joy. 'I just struck out and walked, and I'm nigh plumb giv out.' The change in these girls is often very encouraging. We feel greatly our cramped room, but we have strong faith in God, and look for more room, better buildings and greater success in our work.

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TOUGALOO UNIVERSITY.

Tougaloo University, established in 1869, located at Tougaloo, Miss., on the Illinois Central Railroad, is one of the chartered schools of the American Missionary Association. Its enrollment is now over four hundred, with seventeen teachers. Accessible from all parts of Mississippi and adjacent States, no school of the American Missionary Association is better located for effective work among the Negroes. In the four nearest counties, the colored population which was, in 1880, a little over 87,000, is now probably more than 100,000, none of it more than thirty-five miles from Tougaloo. Within a radius of seventy-five miles there are not far from 450,000 Negroes. By the last census, Mississippi's colored population was 650,291. The lowest estimate of the present number is 800,000. At least seventy per cent. of this population is illiterate. Tougaloo is thus in the very midst of America's Africa. Just at hand, also, is the Yazoo-Mississippi Delta, into which Negroes are pouring from other States. Here they are gaining homes and establishing communities. Their numbers are expected continually to increase. It will probably be as prosperous and influential a Negro section as any in the land. Tougaloo is the nearest school of high grade to this Delta region. From lower Arkansas, central and upper Louisiana, Tougaloo is drawing increasing numbers of pupils each year. With such a location the only limit to the growth of Tougaloo in numbers and influence will be that set by the means which Christian beneficence provides for its support. Tougaloo aims to give a thoroughly practical education to colored youth of both sexes. A colored minister well expressed it when he said: "It is the aim of the teachers of Tougaloo to enable the Negro to have the grace of God in his heart, knowledge in his head, and money in his pocket."

Is there not in this work a rare opportunity for an investment that will return an ever increasing rate of interest? Enlightened patriotism, philanthropy, Christianity, all urge the prompt and generous support of such a work as this.--_Tougaloo University Reporter._

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Rev. Eli Tapley, pastor of four of our churches in Mississippi, died March 2, in Lowndes County. He was born in the same County and State in 1839. When he was eight years old, his parents moved to Alabama. At seventeen years of age he was converted, and immediately entered with zeal upon the active duties of a Christian life. Uniting with the Methodist church, he was soon appointed class leader and Sunday-school teacher. Afterwards as exhorter and licensed minister he labored without salary, as he had opportunity, both among white and colored people. In 1869, he removed to Lowndes County, Miss., united with the Congregational Church there and was ordained to preach, and for many years he continued his work under the Christian Commission for Free Missions, of Wheaton, Ill. He was often the subject of great persecution, because he labored among the colored people and refused to take any part in the Civil War. In 1881, he began labors under the American Missionary Association, which he continued until his death, filling the pastorates of Salem, Piney Grove, New Ruhamah and Pleasant Ridge Churches in Mississippi. He was an earnest and true man. One of his latest rapturous exclamations, with face beaming with smiles as if in full view of the Celestial City, was, "Heaven through Christ."

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THE INDIANS.

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A JANUARY TRIP.

BY REV. JAMES F. CROSS.

_Missionary among the Indians in Dakota._

On the 8th of January, I started from home at the Agency to visit Northfield and Park Street Church Stations. A snow, heavy for this region, had fallen, and I thought a sled would run easier than a buggy, so I made a sled. I had counted on the road being broken, as fifty wagons had gone over it only a day or two before. Here was my first difficulty. Only a few hours before I started a heavy wind arose and filled up every track. So for every step of the thirty miles I had to break a new road. Most of the way it was knee deep, and in some places it was entirely impassable and it was necessary to go half a mile or even a mile to cross a ravine forty feet wide. In one place where the road seemed plain, the snow was particularly deep. The crust was just thick enough to hold a horse until he began to pull. Then down he would go. Finally one horse could not reach the ground and rolled over on his side, and left me not yet halfway up the hill. I unhitched the horses, tramped the snow down so they could stand, drove them out and around perhaps forty rods, and then took in the situation. There was the sled half way up the hill. To pull it up was impossible; to turn it round the same, to back it down by hand the same. The only thing left was to haul it down. Here is where a picket line is the best kind of a missionary. It will often help a man out of a hard place, or unto a hard place, as in this case. Making a turn of a rope around the sled and hitching the team on forty feet down the hill we were soon on solid ground. After eleven hours of hard work I reached Black Pipe Creek, where our Northfield Station is situated. In ordinary weather the trip would take five or six hours and not worry a team. But the longest road generally leads to a warm house and the coldest drive is forgotten when your team is in a warm stable and the prospects are good for a hot supper.