Chapter 3

"What do you want now?" said Mr. Moody at this point. Mr. Shelton replied: "We haven't a dollar for carrying on a single one of these missions after the first of September. It costs from $300 to $350 to carry each of them on. But I believe that God has started this work and will carry it on. Let me add a word with regard to the whole Indian problem. It is not the problem I presented to you two years ago; it has changed in the two years, and, thank God, it will change in two years more, if we do the work we ought to. Do we realize that our Indians are getting beyond the wild life? Forty thousand Indian people have come out of the tepee life into little homes that these Indian men have built for themselves, taking their people forward toward Christ. We talk of the Indian in his paint and blanket, forgetting that he is coming forth into life. His game is gone, his wild roving life is gone, his reservation is going. They understand their position; the old life is back of them forever. What is before them? Old Gall showed a scar reaching from his shoulder to his hip, and said: 'A white man gave me that; shall I trust him, dare I trust him, can I trust him?' The Indian takes a step ahead, and stops and trembles, doesn't know if he dare take another.

"Do you want to know the solution of the Indian problem to-day? In Christ's love take the Indians by the hand and lead them out into the same light, the same love, and to the same Christ that you have. You can talk about the government and land in severalty. Grand and good as these are, the first and all-important thing in that problem is the gospel of Christ. It must do it, it can do it, it is doing it, it will do it. The Women's Missionary Societies of fifteen Indian churches gave $200 more for home missionary work outside themselves than the Women's Missionary Societies in one hundred and forty churches of white people in the same time. They have Christian Endeavor societies there, and all kinds of Christian work. I saw one morning delegates from the Christian Endeavor Society going out to teach a white Sunday-school nine miles off in one direction, and another similar school four and one-half miles off in another.

"It is said that the young people will go back to the blanket. In ten years we have had only one case of that in our Santee school, and that was the case of a young girl who had only been in the school six months; 95 per cent. of all that come to the schools go back consecrated young men and women.

"When you think that your five stations have gathered in two or three hundred scholars and of the possibility for each, can you tell what will be the result of this work? There are thirty thousand poor Indians in Dakota alone, lifting up their cry to the Christian church for light and hope." He added: "I have turned my back to many storms on the Dakota prairies, but God grant you may never turn your back on a soul praying for light. I sometimes dread the day of judgment, because there is to stand the Indian. I would rather stand there in his place than to hear him say: 'I was hungry and ye gave me no food.' How shall we meet it, how shall we answer it? for to meet it and answer it we must before the throne."

Here Mr Shelton finished and sat down. "Now let's pay our debts," said Mr. Moody. "How many people will give $100 toward that $1,800 for sustaining those missions?" It didn't seem as though there were many responses at first, but in a few minutes eighteen names were handed to H.M. Moore of Boston, who was keeping account, and then Mr. Moody asked if there wasn't anything else he wanted--a new mission anywhere? Mr. Shelton of course said there was, and spoke of a place on the Rosebud Agency where $500 was needed to build a school, and $300 to take care of it for a year. Here was Mr. Moody's chance again, and he asked if some one wouldn't give $100 for that. One or two contributions of $100 were forthcoming, and any number of fifties came in, so that it was only a few minutes when Mr. Moore announced that they had $875 for that. Then Mr. Moody said he wanted to have the people start one more new mission and proposed that unfailing American resource, a collection. The hats were soon busy in all parts of the house, and at the end of the meeting it was found that $640 had been collected for another mission, making a grand total of $3,315.04, to be exact, raised within twenty minutes, for the work among the Dakota Indians. Mr. Moody looked more bright and cheerful than he has during the conference, as he kept calling for more contributions, and his method of applying for one seldom failed. "Col. Esty, of Brattleboro, isn't here, but he's all right, so we'll put him down for $100," he remarked, as the interest flagged for a moment, and that was the signal for a laugh and another name was sent up. Altogether it was the most enthusiastic and thoroughly roused audience of the session.

The Widow's Mite. -----------------

We gladly subjoin the following brief note from Mrs. Mary E. Fairbanks, of St. Johnsbury, Vt., addressed to Rev. Mr. Shelton. We appreciate, as she does, the gift of the widow.

"Please find enclosed (stamps) .50 for the Indian work. A few days after you were with us, a poor widow, aged and feeble, brought some sewing which she had done for me, and for which I paid her $2.50. She handed back fifty cents, asking me if I could in any way send it to Mr. Shelton for the work among the Indians. 'A widow's mite,' she said. I told her I would be very glad to do it. I think the Lord must have looked with favor on her gift. I have often sent to her missionary papers, magazines, etc., and know she had greatly enjoyed the reading. You certainly touched her heart, as you did many others. I hope the Lord is fulfilling your desires."

The Chinese ===========

The Pictures ------------

Dr. Pond has sent us two pictures which we are glad to insert in this number. Of one of them he says: "It is a photograph of our Oroville Mission House, pupils, teachers, etc. The taller of the two white men in light clothing is the young pastor of our church at Oroville, who is a real _helper_; the other is myself. The two white ladies are Miss Deuel, former teacher, on the right, and Miss Keifer, the present teacher, sitting next to me. The little American boy is her nephew, greatly interested in the school. The little Chinese boy is a child whom the brethren have partially and after a sort adopted, and who is very bright and promising and means to be a Christian. Our helper, Chung Moi, stands directly behind me; but the picture does him injustice. He has a very prepossessing face. The one who stands on the left of Miss Deuel (i.e. at _her_ right hand) is Gee Jet, the deacon of our little church and the stand-by of the mission. The trees in the rear grow at the water's edge of Feather River. The building, as you observe, is of brick, topped out with a shake roof put on by our brethren after the last (of two or three I believe) sweeping fires to which the little structure refused to succumb. It belongs to ex-Governor Perkins of this State--once a merchant in Oroville--and has been used by us for ten years or more, ever since our mission was established, free of rent."

The other cut is also a picture of the teachers and pupils at Oroville.

Lights And Shadows ------------------

Rev. W.C. Pond, D.D.

LIGHTS.--One teacher writes: "Mr. B. [a distinguished lecturer from Ohio] visited our school. He said that he had never seen before such bright, happy faces among the Chinese. I told him the reason; they have been brought out from heathenism. I love to notice the change it makes in them."

Chin Toy writes from Riverside: "Five boys converted and joined in Association since I came. Four boys are going to join Rev. Mr. Hunt's church, (Congregational), and be baptized at the first Sunday of July. This Association of Christian Chinese has ten members now. I like these boys and like these teachers too; they are so helpful to the Lord's work."

[Illustraton: Mission House At Oroville.]

Hong Sing writes from Petaluma: "Now I am going to ask you especially to pray for two scholars here who I hope for to gain him to Christ before I leave. I am glad that one accepted my advice and promised yesterday to join our Association, but sorry the other one excuse. I pray to God for the Holy Spirit to open his eyes to see his guilt and danger, and how much he needs a Saviour."

From a pupil in Santa Barbara, addressed to our missionary helper, Loo Quong: "It is now fifth month since I left you at Los Angeles. The time seems very long indeed. We hope dear God give you a great power to cast out the devil; and sowing the seed it bring forth fruit hundred fold into the only God. At beginning we came to the United States [i.e. I first came to the United States] about May, 1881. We did not know of Jesus Christ, because born in the heathen country and work here in the Chinese store. Then we hear the Chinese mission--talk with Jesus Christ, do nothing to our idols and very different from us, for we were with evil companions and do many things in gambling, lottery tickets, opium. Dr. Pond open Congregational mission school about 1887 in Los Angeles, very near our house. Then we was been to school about every evening. Mrs. Sheldon and you teach very kind to us, and you explain the gospel of Jesus. So we know the only true God, leave evil companions, join our Association and sixth month join Dr. Hutchins' church. 'And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all and followed him.'--Luke 5:11."

From Fresno; from Loo Quong: "Now I have some good news for you. There were three more of our pupils joined the Association, making nine in all. God will care for this little flock of his, and may they multiply a hundred fold! One of them was in school at Hong Kong many years ago before he touched the American soil. He also was in our Central School at San Francisco three years ago. Two months ago I was surprised to see him here. At once he attended our school and began to ask me about Christ's teaching. He would have no other lesson but in the Bible." (Miss Worley writes of this pupil that he wishes now to become a missionary). Of another of these three, Loo Quong writes: "He is one of the best young men I ever knew, * * so kind, so quiet, so modest, so full of love. I think he looks like our Lord when on earth. He is always on hand at school. When I asked him to join the Association, he said that he fully believed Jesus that he is the Saviour of his soul, 'but how can I be his disciple while I am in the gambling business?' We explained to him how God would take care of those who gave up all for him, and the next night he told me he was ready to give it up and walk with Christians." Of the third, also, a good account is given, but I must not use more space on the Lights, but turn to the

SHADOWS--One example must suffice. I must not mention either place or person, lest harm come of it. A teacher writes: "I feel sure that two little boys whom you sent to assist in our anniversary will grow to Christian manhood, fed as they are on the Word. With sorrow I compared with their surroundings those of our little ---- ----, and I write to know if something cannot be done. Two years ago he entered the school, having come directly from China. He has always been studious and well-behaved, loving his Bible and the gospel songs. The mission boys tell me that those with whom he lives are not his parents, but that this man bought him in China. The child remembers his mother and brothers. He also remembers a man offering him something if he would go with him. He did so and was carried off in a boat and sold. His owner is very fond of him, but is away from home. The wife does not care much for him. Sometimes there are black and blue marks on his hands where he says she strikes him. Once there was a small burned place on both his lips. I asked him about it, and he said "Mamma." One of the boys told me that he talked too much and she put the hot poker on his lips. I have heard that this man intends taking the boy back to China in a year or two, fearing that in this county he will lose him. They are bad people, keeping an opium den."

The shadow deepens when the question rises, "What can be done for this boy?" He is in the grip of an "_Imperium in imperio_," to which some years ago I had occasion to refer in these columns. Even Americans who know the facts and are eager to help him, feel as though it would be scarcely safe for them to rescue him. Our wisest Chinese helpers say: "Wait, watch over him, but don't disturb existing relations. It would break up our mission in that place. Chinese would not dare to be identified with it. The boy will soon come to understand his rights and will assert them for himself, and then you can help him." But it almost makes one's blood boil to think that on American soil such counsel can be given and perhaps ought to be observed.

Bureau Of Woman'S Work. =======================

Miss D.E. Emerson, Secretary.

All ladies interested in missions are earnestly invited to be present at the gathering of Women's Home Missionary Organizations to be held in Northampton, Mass., Tuesday, Oct 21st. This meeting will be in the First Church. Interesting speakers have been secured to represent the work of our six National Societies. The day promises to be one full of interest, and we hope there will be a large delegation of ladies present from all over our land, and that they will pray earnestly for the spirit of the Master to be present in this gathering.

NATHALIE LORD, COMMITTEE.

The Woman's Meeting of the American Missionary Association will be held on Thursday afternoon, October 23d, in the Edwards Church at Northampton, Mass. All are cordially invited to attend.

We call especial attention of ladies to the Woman's Meetings at Northampton, Mass., Oct. 21st and 23d. The first, on Tuesday, of which notice is given above, is the meeting of the Women's Organizations of the several States as represented on page 321. They extend from Maine to California, and we would that there might be present delegates from every State.

The second meeting, on Thursday afternoon, October 23d, is the Annual Meeting of the Bureau of Woman's Work of the American Missionary Association, at which missionaries from different departments of our work will come face to face with the friends who have cheered and supported them, and will tell somewhat of the every day life on the field. An unusually interesting programme is promised.

We take this opportunity and method of thanking those officers of the State Organizations who have been recently sent us a revised list of their auxiliaries to date, that the missionary letters from the field may be mailed directly to each church society thus represented. Every state that has pledged itself to aid the work of the American Missionary Association is entitled to these field reports, which are sent out from the New York office through the Bureau of Woman's Work, and we shall be glad to receive the correct address for each auxiliary society.

Christian Endeavor For The Boys And Girls Of The Southern Mountains -------------------------------------------------------------------

A New Need.

A large number of the mountain people are so poor that they cannot pay even the bare cost of living for their girls and boys in order that they may have the privilege of attending school. Rarely can a family send more than one child to school, and in every case where one can go a boy is selected. The brothers must wait until perhaps too late, and the sisters must remain at home in ignorance. Thus it is found that the advantages of Christian schools, brought so near to the mountain boys and girls by the American Missionary Association, are not yet sufficiently within their reach, and this gives rise to a new need in connection with our work in the South. It is a need of young people and we turn to young people to meet it, believing that our Christian Endeavor Societies and other Young People's Societies will not lose this special opportunity for missionary work.

A Student's Fund of $3,000 is to be raised in $50 shares, upon which we will draw to bring the young people of the mountains into these schools, and to help them over hard places according to their need. Pupils will be encouraged to help themselves all they can, and no pledges will be made to any until they have reached the limit of their own resources, and no specified amount will be assigned to any one pupil. Each will be helped according to his condition. A boy may be able to reach the school and work part of his board and need only a small sum to cover the expense of the full year. A girl may need to have her traveling expenses paid and only this; another, giving promise of usefulness, may have her full way paid during the year. Some will be kept through the entire school year, who otherwise could study but a few months.

The training the young people receive in these schools brings a sure reward. We quote from a letter just received from one of our missionaries:

"I am very hopeful for the Christian work among the students this year. The Christian Endeavor Society is in much better condition than last year. The members understand better the meaning of 'Christian Endeavor,' and that being a Christian means a daily application of Christian principles to every day life."

Now why cannot our Christian Endeavor and Young People's Societies take this work to their hearts, and thus be the means of preparing others for Christian work? Why not do for these poor, but bright and interesting American boys and girls there, what will bring more of them into the fraternity of Christian Endeavor?

We will send at once to any who desire it, full information of our mountain work, and all who contribute to this fund may have their offering assigned to aid pupils in one of our schools, from which letters will be written by a missionary during the year, giving information directly from the field.

Here is an urgent need outside our usual lines of expense, for which we seek new and additional help--not the diversion of regular annual contributions. We break the fund into shares of $50 that many may have part in it. Early response either in cash, or pledges to be cashed by July, 1891, will result in giving many of these young people the advantages of Christian education during the present school year.

Woman's Work In North Carolina ------------------------------

We have a Woman's Missionary Meeting once a month; it began last November, with six members; there are now eleven. We have, too, a Mission Band, which many of the older scholars have joined as associate members. It is held fortnightly, after the Sunday school, and generally the whole congregation stay to hear what is going on.

Last Sunday morning we went to Pekin, starting at 8 A.M. It is a drive of fifteen miles through turpentine forests, and the roads are very rough; we go up hill and down all the way, three creeks to cross and one river. Across this there is a bridge, rather originally constructed. We go down a steep and sharp curve, on the edge of high banks, and then through a covered bridge across the rushing stream, which is seen between the foot planks, and we are thankful to get across without any backing on our horse's part. The woods are very lovely just now, very few wild flowers, but such a variety of foliage, and we notice a beautiful flowering shrub, called "ivory "; it is a mass of delicate pink or white blossoms. These turpentine forests are by no means all pines, there are many varieties of oak.

The Sunday-school at Greenlake church, Pekin, is held at 9 A. M. Our object this morning is to meet the children and teachers, before they disperse, and organize a Mission Band. The little church, or rather schoolhouse, is situated on a hill, and there is a fine view of the rolling country; only this morning one longs for a little shade. One of our former scholars (now working in the turpentine) comes out and takes our horse.

The school is just over, and we hear there is to be preaching at 11; it is now 10:15, so we ask the pupils to stay. We sing and then Miss Bechan explains about foreign missions and mission bands. They give in their names and appoint officers, agreeing to meet twice a month. They have also a Woman's Missionary Auxiliary, which has been meeting once a month since last December.

There is a recess of ten minutes, then the preaching begins. The preacher is a young man, who would gain much (as would his hearers) by attending school a few years. This is one of the heart-sores in the work here--the great ignorance of many of the preachers. Some of them will tell you, they have had "no education," and, indeed, it is all too plain, from their curious expressions and mis-applied long words; but worst of all is their ignorance of the Bible. But how can they do better till they have been taught? There is a crying need of educated pastors in these country places. The young men tell us, they "do not find religion interesting;" one said, that, after "having tried it two or three times." It is hardly to be wondered at, that they are not interested, when the thunder is all that is shown them. They are told they ought "to quake and tremble," and if they do not, they "show by their actions that they mean to go to hell."

Woman's State Organizations. ----------------------------

Co-operating With The American Missionary Association.

MAINE.

WOMAN'S AID TO A.M.A.

Chairman of Committee--Mrs. C.A. Woodbury, Woodfords, Me.

NEW HAMPSHIRE.

FEMALE CENT INSTITUTION AND HOME MISSIONARY UNION.

President--Mrs. Joseph B. Walker, Concord. Secretary--Mrs. John T. Perry, Exeter. Treasurer--Mlas Annie A. McFarland, Concord.

VERMONT.

WOMAN'S HOME MISSIONARY UNION.

President--Mrs. A. B. Swift, 167 King St., Burlington. Secretary--Mrs. M. K. Paine, Windsor. Treasurer--Mrs. Wm. P. Fairbanks, St. Johnsbury.

MASS. AND R.I.

(2)WOMAN'S HOME MISSIONARY ASSOCIATION.

President--Mrs. Alice Freeman Palmer, Cambridge, Mass.

Secretary--Miss Nathalie Lord, 32 Congregational House, Boston.

Treasurer--Miss Sarah K. Burgess, 32 Congregational House, Boston.

CONNECTICUT.

WOMAN'S HOME MISSIONARY UNION.

President--Mrs. Jacob A. Biddle,35 West Street, South Norwalk.

Secretary--Miss Ellen R. Camp, New Britain.

Treasurer--Mrs. W.W. Jacobs, 19 Spring St., Hartford.

NEW YORK.

WOMAN'S HOME MISSIONARY UNION.

President--Mrs. Wm. Kincaid, 483 Greene Ave., Brooklyn.

Secretary--Mrs. Wm. Spalding, 6 Salmon Block, Syracuse.

Treasurer--Mrs. L.H. Cobb, 59 Bible House, New York City.

PENNSYLVANIA.

WOMAN'S MISSIONARY UNION.

President--Mrs. W.H. Osterhaut, Ridgway.

Secretary--Mrs. C.F. Yennee, Ridgway.

Treasurer--Mrs. T.W. Jones, 218 So. 37th St., Philadelphia.

OHIO.

WOMAN'S HOME MISSIONARY UNION.

President--Mrs. J.G.W. Cowles, 417 Sibley St., Cleveland.

Secretary--Mrs. Flora K. Regal, Oberlin.

Treasurer--Mrs. F.L. Fairchild, Box 932, Mt Vernon, Ohio.

INDIANA.

WOMAN'S HOME MISSIONARY UNION.

President--Mrs. W.A. Bell, Indianapolis.

Secretary--Mrs. W.E. Mossman, Fort Wayne.

Treasurer--Mrs. D.T. Brown, Michigan City.

ILLINOIS.

WOMAN'S HOME MISSIONARY UNION.

President--Mrs. B.F. Leavitt, 409 Orchard St., Chicago.

Secretary--Mrs. C.H. Taintor, 151 Washington St., Chicago.

Treasurer--Mrs. C.E. Maltby, Champaign.

IOWA.

WOMAN'S HOME MISSIONARY UNION.

President--Mrs. T.O. Douglass, Grinnell.

Secretary--Miss Ella E. Marsh, Box 232, Grinnell.

Treasurer--Mrs. M.J. Nichoson, 1513 Main St., Dubuque.

MICHIGAN.

WOMAN'S HOME MISSIONARY UNION.

President--Mrs. George M. Lane, 47 Miami Ave., Detroit.

Secretary--Mrs. Leroy Warren, Lansing.

Treasurer--Mrs. E.F. Grabill, Greenville.

WISCONSIN.

WOMAN'S HOME MISSIONARY UNION.