Chapter 3

Notwithstanding denominational preferences there has been unity of feeling and co-operation in Christian work. We feel from expression given that these young people will use their education for the betterment of those who look to them for leadership.

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FORT BERTHOLD INDIAN SCHOOL, N. D.

This school, as a whole, consists of a mixture of the three Indian tribes, the Mandan, Ree and Gros Ventre. The pupils come from homes scattered along either side of the Missouri River from Elbowoods to Berthold, a stretch of some twenty miles.

When one becomes acquainted with the children after they have been at the school a year or two and considers the homes from which some of them come, he is almost inclined to wonder at the transforming power of Christian education. Most of these Indians have graduated from the old-time tepee. Their houses to-day are of logs plastered with mud. Sometimes they consist of one room, but frequently have two or three rooms. A three-roomed cottage usually consists of a central room with one outside door, and a room at each end connecting with the central room, but having no outside door. The roof is made of rafters, upon which poles are laid crosswise, and the whole covered several inches with earth. The floor is sometimes of lumber, but more generally of bare earth, which in very wet weather is apt to be turned into mud by the rain that drips through the ground-covered roof. In the larger houses two or three families often live, sometimes with two or three grandmothers or grandfathers, or both.

The food being issued by the Government to them, each one has the same quantity and quality. They generally all eat together, the older ones sitting upon the floor, while the younger and more civilized eat from a table. Their dishes frequently correspond in quantity and quality with their advancement in civilization.

In the work of the school the principal writes: "As far as possible I intend to have the pupils 'know, and know that they know,' what they have gone over. I find that many of them seem to appreciate this careful and accurate knowledge. They may not make as good a showing in a report, but the purpose of the school is to work for the children and not for public recognition."

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A TRIBUTE TO REV. A. J. F. BEHRENDS, D.D.

SECRETARY C. C. CREEGAN.

I first became acquainted with Dr. Behrends when he was in Cleveland, and had a profound respect for him as a man, as well as one of the ablest preachers of our time. When I came to Brooklyn several years ago I was led to unite with his church. I can therefore speak from a personal knowledge of twenty-five years.

In the death of Dr. Behrends, who had served both as vice-president and member of the Executive Committee of the American Missionary Association, the Society, as well as the denomination of which he was one of the most conspicuous members, has suffered a great loss. Central Church, Brooklyn, where he ministered with distinguished success for seventeen years and where he was beloved by all, will feel the loss of this great and good man most keenly, but all the churches of his home city, where his voice was often heard and where his influence was so great, will mourn the departure of one of the greatest preachers of this generation.

Born in Holland, in the home of an humble Lutheran preacher, he came to this country with his parents when five years of age. While teaching school in his seventeenth year, near Portsmouth, Ohio, he was converted by the preaching of an obscure Methodist minister and at once decided to fit himself for the work of the ministry. Largely by his own efforts he worked his way through Dennison University, Ohio, graduating in 1862 in a class of three, all of whom became prominent clergymen. Three years later he completed his theological studies at Rochester Theological Seminary at the head of his class and was called at once to the pastorate of a large Baptist Church in Yonkers, N. Y., where he remained eight years. He was then called to the First Baptist Church of Cleveland, Ohio, where he won great distinction as a platform orator.

It was during this pastorate, which lasted only three years, that Dr. Behrends, after a great struggle, decided to resign from this strong church, where he was very popular, and enter another denomination. Six happy years were then spent in the Union Church of Providence, where he was recognized as one of the foremost preachers in the State and nation.

Dr. Behrends was a great scholar. It is the belief of those who knew him well that he was able to fill any chair in any of our theological seminaries. His services were in frequent demand for courses of lectures in our leading colleges and seminaries, and at least two of these courses have been put into book form.

While his services were often sought for on great occasions, such as the annual meetings of the A. M. A. and A. B. C. F. M., and similar gatherings, his best work was done in his own pulpit. His sermons were always prepared with the greatest care, and, except on rare occasions, were delivered without a note and with wonderful beauty of diction and irresistible logic to the audiences of two thousand cultured people who hung on his words every Sabbath and who regarded him, not without good reason, "the greatest preacher in America."

The secret of the great success of Dr. Behrends as a preacher was not to be found in his striking personality, nor in his musical voice, nor his profound scholarship, but rather in his strong faith in the Bible as the Word of God, as his only creed, and that Christ Jesus, the divine Saviour, is to win the whole world to Himself. From this belief he never wavered, and to him the preaching of the gospel to men and seeing them come into the kingdom was the joy of his soul.

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RICHARD SALTER STORRS.

CHARLES A. HULL, CHAIRMAN.

I shall not attempt to repeat what has been so fully said by the religious and secular journals of the country in reference to the life and work of this great and good man, but I desire to say a few words in regard to his connection with the anti-slavery movement, and his interest in the work of the American Missionary Association. He was an original Abolitionist, and one of the most pronounced even in the early years of the agitation in his opposition to the wickedness of slavery, and in later years the cause of the elevation of the freedman had no stronger nor better friend than he.

In an article written for the Fiftieth Anniversary Number of _The Independent_, of which he was one of the original editors, speaking of the conditions at the time _The Independent_ was founded, and the attitude of some of the societies toward slavery, Dr. Storrs added: "And repeated efforts to induce the American Board of Foreign Missions to take decisive anti-slavery ground, while carrying on its work among Cherokees and Choctaws and other slaveholding peoples, wholly failed of success--out of which failure came, however, the American Missionary Association, since so justly honored, and so widely and nobly useful."

By spoken and by written word he contributed much to the cause of Christian education in the South and among the so-called dependent races.

About ten years ago he preached a special sermon upon "Our Nation's Work for the Colored People," in which, speaking of the work of the Association, he said: "Now I affirm absolutely that if there ever was a work of God on earth, this is His work! If there was ever anything to which the American Christian people were called, they are called to this. If there was ever a great opportunity before the Christian Church, here it is; not to reach those people merely for their own immediate welfare; not to save our own national life merely; but to Christianize that immense continent which lies opposite to us on the map, which we have wronged so long with the slave-trade and with rum, and to which now we can, if we will, send multitudes of messengers to testify of the glory of the grace of God."

I wish in closing to say a few words of Dr. Storrs as a friend. Through many years he was not only my pastor but the most honored and beloved friend of my life. His sense of humor was keen, and his playfulness of manner constituted not the least of his charms to those who knew him intimately. He never seemed to take a narrow view of any subject, but was always lenient to and tolerant of those whose opinions differed from his own, and yet strong and vigorous in his own convictions. His loss to those closely associated with him in personal and Church relations is one which can never be filled. He was extremely modest in his estimate of himself and his efforts, and simple-minded to a wonderful degree for a man of such supreme power and influence. He never shirked what appeared to him a duty, and one of the pleasantest recollections of my life is of a journey made by him, at considerable personal inconvenience, only about a year ago, to visit a former parishioner who had not seen him for years, and who in his old age and feebleness desired to talk with him. His visit brought sunshine and mental and spiritual comfort, and will ever be gratefully remembered by those to whom he ministered.

In grandeur of thought, in nobility of utterance, and in his wonderful personality, he was unique, and his death has left in the American pulpit a void which we cannot expect to see filled.

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Obituary.

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PROFESSOR A. K. SPENCE.

Rev. Adam K. Spence, for twenty-five years a professor in Fisk University, died in Nashville, Tenn., April 24, 1900. He was born in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, in 1831. His parents removed to this country in his early childhood. He studied in Oberlin and Ann Arbor, graduating at the last named institution, where he taught for a time after graduation.

In 1870 he was appointed by the American Missionary Association as the principal of the school which afterward became Fisk University. Since then scores of young people have gone forth each year from this institution bearing the signate of Christian culture, and their widespread influence is telling upon the South. Prof. Spence laid the foundations of the Greek department in this university.

His love for music and appreciation of its finest effects amounted almost to a passion. He helped give the university a high standard of music, which has rendered it unique in Southern schools. Especially was he an advocate of jubilee music, and did much to gather these songs of quaint power and value into the archives of the university. His great interest was in the spiritual development of the students. Many revivals, resulting in the conversion of large numbers, were greatly promoted by his prayer and earnest efforts. Prof. Spence was always present at the prayer meeting when it was possible for him to attend, and his influence was profoundly felt.

At the funeral, when the people passed to take a last look at the familiar face, old men and women who had known him as their friend during all these years, students and little children gazed lovingly upon him. A large body of students went directly from Jubilee Hall to Mount Olivet, where his body was laid to rest.

H. M.

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REV. W. S. ALEXANDER, D.D.

The death of Dr. Alexander removes one who, in other years, occupied an important position in the mission service of this Association. Dr. Alexander was president of Straight University during a difficult and important period. He made his impression upon the institution, developing the work internally both intensively and extensively. He was an earnest student and encouraged scholarship among the students. His large influence was felt among the churches of lower Louisiana. He became something of a bishop in the Congregational work in that state. His judgment was wise and wholesome and his counsel always helpful. His name is held in esteem, almost in reverence, by many of the colored people of that region even to this day.

Dr. Alexander was born in East Killingly, Conn., August 29, 1835. He was a graduate of Yale College and Andover Theological Seminary. He held important pastorates in Connecticut and Wisconsin prior to the war. He served under the Christian Commission with the Army of the Potomac. He went abroad in 1872 and took charge of twelve free churches in Italy. Returning from that country, he accomplished fruitful missionary service in the South. In 1886, he became pastor of the North Avenue Congregational Church, in Cambridge, Mass., and served in this capacity until 1890. Since retiring from active pastoral duties he has ministered to churches in various cities, most acceptably to the people and with fruitful results.

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PORTO RICO NOTES.

CHARLES B. SCOTT, SANTURCE, PORTO RICO.

[Sidenote: Educational Notes.]

Of the 950,000 inhabitants of Porto Rico, only about 100,000 can read or write; 85 per cent. of the adult population are illiterate. Of the 200,000 children from five to sixteen years of age, all the schools, public and private, can accommodate about thirty thousand. The average daily attendance in all the schools of the island during the past year has been not more than twenty to twenty-five thousand.

The school population (five to sixteen years of age) of San Juan is about 6,000. The total seating capacity of all schools in the capital, public and private, is not more than fifteen hundred.

There have been during the past year in the public schools of San Juan nine or ten American teachers; forty more American teachers are scattered through the public schools of the island. About twenty are gentlemen acting as supervisors of districts and superintendents of city schools.

[Sidenote: Christian Schools.]

The American Missionary Association of the Congregational Churches has had during the past school year seven American teachers in Porto Rico, divided between Santurce, a suburb of San Juan, and Lares. The Presbyterians have had four American missionary teachers at Mayaguez. The Baptist Church has two American ladies devoting part of their time to teaching. The Christian Church has a school at San Juan, with three teachers from the states.

Porto Rico is divided for educational purposes into fifteen districts, each with an American supervisor in charge of from thirty to forty schools. These gentlemen must ride hundreds of miles, largely on native ponies, over poor roads and poorer mountain trails, inspecting the schools and helping, directing and often stirring up the native teachers.

The schools of the American Missionary Association have enrolled over three hundred children. At Lares the pupils have been very regular in attendance. In Santurce the attendance has been somewhat irregular. In both schools the subjects pursued in American schools in the first five grades have been taken up, with much attention to English. The fact that very few children knew any English, and that most of the teachers knew very little Spanish, made the work trying and slow at first. The children proved themselves about as bright as American children, quick in their perceptions, with good memories, weak in arithmetic, not good thinkers or reasoners.

Rarely do American teachers in the States receive so many little tokens of esteem and appreciation. On the other hand, the pupils are quick-tempered, with little power of self control; rather easily offended, and lack in perseverance and stability. They have little idea of attention and little power to study. They are anxious to come to school, and will sacrifice much to get clothes and pay tuition. On the other hand, they will often stay at home for trivial reasons, having no idea of the need of regular attendance. They always come to school well dressed and usually clean; they will not come barefooted, ragged or dirty. The children of the poorer classes roam the streets, before and after school, barefooted and ragged, saving their clothes and shoes for school.

The Christian schools, such as those of the American Missionary Association, do not exist merely to supplement the public schools. From the conditions in Porto Rico the public schools must be entirely and utterly non-religious. Not even religious songs or the Lord's Prayer are allowed. Any teacher discovered teaching any phase of religion forfeits his or her salary for that month.

[Sidenote: Bible Study.]

In the Christian schools, while the carefully-selected American teachers insure good schools and good teaching of the ordinary branches, there is a place for moral education, for simple religious exercises and for Bible study.

[Sidenote: Rural Education.]

The great problem in Porto Rico will be rural education. Probably 800,000 of its 950,000 people live in the country or in hamlets. The cities are already providing for teachers' training-schools. The field of greatest usefulness for the A. M. A. lies in giving the young men and women a fair education under Christian influences, and sending them out into the country and village schools.

The people of Lares are deeply interested in the school and willing to help the work; the location is as healthful as any in the island, and Lares, as a great coffee center, promises to thrive and grow.

The education most needed in Porto Rico is practical, industrial education. Santurce, near the capital, with a large, poor population about the school, dependent on their daily work for their support, furnishes an excellent location for an industrial school. The people and children do not know how to do anything. The women are "lavenderas," or washwomen, the children carry water, the men do odd jobs, and all are poorly housed, poorly clothed, poorly fed. The children need manual training, and gardening for the boys and sewing and cooking for the girls. Next year it is proposed to start these lines of work at Santurce. Head and hand and heart can be reached and trained for a better and more useful Christian life.

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LOSS OF SUPPLIES FOR ALASKA.

Our missionaries at Cape Prince of Wales, Mr. and Mrs. Lopp, sent us in the spring their request for supplies of provisions and other necessities for the coming year. This request was immediately fulfilled by purchases in San Francisco, and the supplies were duly sent out in the bark "Alaska."

We have received intelligence from Dr. Jackson, at Nome, that the bark "Alaska" was driven ashore and wrecked in the surf on Wednesday, June 6th. In this letter Dr. Jackson mentions that the wrecked ship contained a cabinet organ for the Prince of Wales mission, which was ruined, and that the ship also brought up a turkey from San Francisco for Mr. Lopp's Thanksgiving dinner.

The next day Dr. Jackson wrote us a brief note, saying: "The bark Alaska that went ashore on Wednesday went to pieces in the storm yesterday, and the supplies for the station at Cape Prince of Wales are a total loss, even to the Thanksgiving turkey, which was drowned." He added that he hoped to meet Mr. Lopp sometime next week.

The destruction of these supplies renders it necessary to send others at once. The faithful missionaries at this important station must not suffer. The friends of our Alaska mission who have so generously contributed to its support will not forget this additional financial necessity coming in this strange and unexpected calamity.

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Department of Christian Endeavor.

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STATE AND CITY ORGANIZATION.

BY SECRETARY J. E. ROY.

The Association Building (Y. M. C. A.), in Chicago, furnishes offices for several of the National Missionary Societies, among them the American Missionary Association. In addition to these we have the depository and reception-room of the United Society of Christian Endeavor, which is also used as the headquarters of the Illinois and Chicago Union. Here the state board holds its weekly session. Here is kept the supply of Christian Endeavor literature for the varied needs of the Christian Endeavor workers, helps for missionary and temperance and good citizenship meetings, with an array of programs. Among all Endeavorers, as among all missionary society workers, the hunger for programs is great indeed. Blessed be the man or woman who has the genius for preparing such stimulating outlines of study.

In this city there are two hundred and fifty Christian Endeavor Societies. In fifteen societies in the South Division of the city the sum of $791.28 has been given to missionary work since January 1st, of which $588.43 went to foreign missions, $61.54 to home missions and $141.40 to city missions.

Nine societies of Evanston in the last year have given $688.55 to missions--$255 to foreign, $59 to home and $374 to city missions. All have given something to the famine sufferers in India. Some of the societies visit hospitals and take flowers to the sick; one society visits a crippled lady once a week and holds a little prayer-meeting with her. The First Congregational Society has given $290 to the Chicago Commons.

A member of one Chicago society, a business man who is a great Christian Endeavor worker, has a library of over sixty volumes on missionary subjects which he is loaning all the time. Our Pilgrim Church has a society which publishes its own paper, _The Pilgrim's Progress_, that serves all the purposes of the church in its several departments.

[Sidenote: The Chicago Chinese Endeavor.]

The Chinese school in Dr. Goodwin's church, the First, has its Christian Endeavor Society. It is conducted mainly by the Chinese in their native language. They sing our gospel songs in Chinese and are earnest in the study of the Bible, pursuing the customary order of worship and of work. The school was started in 1884, with 32 pupils and 20 teachers. The number soon came up to 80. Then, as other schools were started, this number was diminished, but from the first the work has been a success. In 1897, a Monday night school was started and it is flourishing yet. As many as forty from this school have publicly professed Christ. Four united with the church in the last year. Four have been for several years in missionary work in China, one of them, Chan Sui Chung, as assistant of Rev. Dr. C. R. Hager, M.D., has charge of a chapel in the village of Hoi Yin, and Dr. Hager reports him quite helpful in preparing native evangelists, and says that God has greatly blessed his labors. Chan Sui Chung had over fifty baptisms in his mission in 1899. They soon catch the benevolent spirit of the Gospel. Last year the members of this school gave $50 for mission work in California, $60 for aid in building a house of worship near their families in China, and one of them, from his own earnings, gave $500 for mission work in his own land.

Rev. J. A. Mack, who has been for many years secretary of the Chicago Bible Society, and who is the volunteer superintendent of this Sunday-school, is just now out in our _Times-Herald_ with an article from which I get these statistics. He also says there are some 2,000 Chinese in this city and for them ten Chinese mission schools--the number of pupils depending upon the number of Chicago Christians who are ready to teach them.

[Sidenote: A Live Endeavor Church.]