The American Missionary. Volume 43, No. 12, December, 1889

Our Woman's Work. What is it? Whom is it for? Who should do it?

What is it? It is to take to heathen mothers and sisters here in our own country the glorious news of salvation for them; to bring the light and truth of the Gospel to those who are groping in the fog of superstition and a wrong conception of Bible truth; to plant the Christian school; to establish the Christian home as an object lesson; to show mothers how to train their children to honor and obedience, to mingle with the needy and helpless, and by sympathy and tact secure such changes in the homes as will lead to their permanent improvement; in a word, to follow the example of our Lord Jesus, by living and teaching the blessings of intelligence and godliness among those in our home-land for whose improvement and well-being we are peculiarly responsible. The American Missionary Association has ninety-four schools, and in most of these more women than men are engaged. It is the duty of the missionary teacher to avail herself of every opportunity which her relation with her scholars affords, either in day or boarding school, to inculcate Christian truth, to warn against the evils which she finds common among the people, to teach by example and precept the living Word, as manifested in the life of Christ. The wonderful change wrought in those who are brought under the influence of such consecrated missionaries, testifies to the value of woman's work in missions.

But who are these for whom we are peculiarly responsible, and why is there so especial need of woman's work?

They are our eight millions of negroes, of whom probably not more than one-fourth may be said to have felt the corrective influence of the Gospel upon their lives. Perhaps only those who have come in contact with these people for the sole purpose of helping them to manhood and womanhood, can comprehend the tremendous incubus of bad habits, stunted growth, blunted susceptibilities, with which they struggle. It is painful to note the limitations of those even who have had the best advantages. Yet they are ever reaching upward, and the struggle is bringing out noble qualities of character, showing the possibilities of the race. We have had a goodly recompense for Christian labor among them, and does not this increase our responsibility for the three-fourths that are yet to be helped to a good understanding of themselves and their duty toward man and God? And no one will question that in the development of the best womanhood there rests the surest hope of the elevation of this wronged, and even now, greatly oppressed people.

But our woman's work finds also its mission among the needy whites of the South. It seems almost incredible that there should be found, within thirty-six hours' ride of our Northern towns, so dotted with schools and churches and Christian homes, a section of our country where there have been in hiding, in the ravines and on the mountain sides, two or more millions of our American people, in gross ignorance and superstition. But such is the case, and as always, the women are the greatest sufferers. Doubtless the Negroes have the largest claim upon us, because of their past history, their present wrongs, and their great numbers, which have become so startling as to make it imperative that we yield no jot of advantage gained, but rather increase our efforts every year for their intellectual and moral improvement. Yet the work for the mountain whites is just now especially urgent. A missionary of much experience expresses the view, that if we can bring the forces of Christian education to bear mightily upon these mountain people for the next ten years, they will themselves become a power as our allies in the great battles of the future against immorality and false doctrines. A few weeks since I met in North Carolina near the Great Smoky Mountains a mother and daughter, the latter about eighteen years old. A school for mountain girls had been opened there, and the daughter had attended the last year. On entering she could not read a word, but now was in the Fourth Reader, and studying arithmetic and geography. The rich, soft color that came to her cheeks, and the kindling light of her eyes, told of the brightness this school had brought into her life; this Christian school, for here too, she had learned the way of eternal life. Even the mother's eyes sparkled like stars as she looked with admiration upon her "learned" daughter.

But our door stands wide open also towards the Indians and Chinese, and all the arguments that appeal to us so strongly for the disenthrallment of women in heathen lands, appeal with equal, yea greater force for the heathen in our own land, whom the Gospel only can make free.

Such is our great and urgent call for work for woman in the field of the American Missionary Association. Who should do it, and how? Who but the Christian women of our churches, either directly or by substitutes? Some can go, of those who have prepared themselves for the highest and best quality of Christian service. They should be thoroughly trained and disciplined teachers, but not this alone. Every teacher should be a careful and intelligent Bible student, able to instruct from the word of God, practical and earnest, self-sacrificing and co-operative, ready to do what seems most necessary, even though it should not call into action her finest mental qualities. Let those who cannot go, send a substitute, but let none fail to seize the opportunity for a part in this blessed work, for the salvation of our country, and its protection as a Christian land.

There are now twenty-six State organizations for Woman's Work in our own country through our Congregational Churches, which co-operate in the work of the American Missionary Association. Some have increased their contributions during the past year; others have not fallen below the standard they had fixed for this field, but have not made any annual advance. With a very few, co-operation has not yet extended beyond a study of our work. But a study of the field is encouraging, for a knowledge of the need brings responsibility to do all possible to meet it, and soon we trust these also will be contributing Unions. To facilitate the study of our field, our monthly magazine has been sent free to many ladies' societies, our literature has been distributed, and more than sixteen thousand copies of missionary letters have been circulated among the ladies. Would not the value of organization be shown in the larger flow of funds annually for a work of such pressing necessity as this? We rejoice that some have already demonstrated this value of united effort. More than one State Missionary Union, recognizing the importance of this work and remembering that in drawing upon the benevolence of all the Congregational Ladies' Societies in the State, it should not do a small thing, has raised the support of four or more missionary teachers for an entire school. And the officers of the Union have taken pains to stir up the pure minds of the ladies in each auxiliary by way of remembrance of this particular field.

But there are those not in the State organizations, whose help we record, as Sunday-schools and Christian Endeavor Societies. Many such have during the year asked for a special object for their contributions. What can the Secretary do? The particular things that can be accomplished with forty or fifty or seventy dollars are indeed few, but these sums combined may sustain a missionary for a year. So each such contribution is made a share of the four hundred dollars necessary for the purpose, and something definite is accomplished. What is it? This. A faithful Christian woman is sent to the field, where, in a neat cottage, she makes her home life an object lesson to the colored people or the mountain whites or the Indians for many miles around. Their homes begin to improve. Her day school, held in the little church near by, attracts not only children, but young men and women, and even young married people. A Christian Endeavor Society is formed. The Sunday-school and church take a new start under her teachings. Other Sunday-schools and Christian societies are maintained through her influence, and so the small contributions accomplish a large work.

Private individuals also have aided us. What a blessed privilege to be able out of one's own income to put worthy missionaries into such a field.

There has been an increase in aid rendered in sewing, a form of help that is very valuable in keeping our boarding schools and mission homes furnished, our sewing schools provided with basted work, and clothing ready for worthy but needy students. As with money, so with sewing, we could use wisely very much more than has been received.

We acknowledge also the kindness of ladies in furnishing books and papers adapted to the need. The young people, especially among the Negroes, are acquiring a taste for reading, and with their emotional and excitable natures, they take readily to sensational literature, with its startling illustrations. A neighborhood or society collection of books and papers will usually contain some of such a stamp, and you maybe sure they will not always discriminate in favor of the most instructive reading. Therefore select for them as you would for your own sons and daughters, what is attractive and healthful, and withhold all else.

And now we are just starting upon a new year. Four hundred and seventy-six laborers have been called into the missionary ranks of the American Missionary Association. One hundred and ninety missions are in operation, with their widening influence and ever growing needs. Of our one hundred and forty-two churches there are fifty-seven which have not at present any Northern missionary associated with them. The difference in the development of these churches, as contrasted with those which have the influence and help of Northern teachers, is so marked, as to constitute a most urgent appeal for more missionaries—faithful women—to gather in the young people, interest and instruct them, to live among them, an example of economy and thrift in housekeeping, of neighborly kindness, of faithfulness in church obligations and of consistent Christian life. I do not hesitate to affirm that in the field of the American Missionary Association such provision is next in importance to the preached word. Neither can take the place of the other. Either is at a disadvantage without the other. And yet there are fifty-seven of these mission stations this year, now, without such beneficent woman's ministry, waiting only for additional funds, the new money necessary to provide reinforcements.

I appeal to you, Christian women, in your organized capacity as State Unions; and as individuals—stewards to whom perchance our Lord has entrusted a goodly inheritance—for help to the American Missionary Association in this almost overwhelming responsibility. Send us the missionaries for these needy fields.

I appeal to you in behalf especially of the wronged and helpless women and girls of these ten millions of our own countrymen, American born, whose only hope is in the sympathy and the help of the Christian people of our own land. We do not live in the day of small things, but of great needs and large opportunities. Surely now, if ever, is the time to "enlarge the place of thy tent and stretch forth the curtains of thy habitation. Spare not, lengthen thy cords and strengthen thy stakes, that thou mayest spread abroad on the right hand and on the left, and possess the nations of our land."

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.

VERMONT.

WOMAN'S HOME MISSIONARY UNION.[1 - For the purpose of exact information, we note that while the W.H.M.A. appears in this list as a State body for Mass. and R.I., it has certain auxiliaries elsewhere.]

President—Mrs. A.B. Swift, 167 King St., Burlington.

Secretary—Mrs. E.C. Osgood, 14 First Ave., Montpelier.

Treasurer—Mrs. Wm. P. Fairbanks, St. Johnsbury.

MASSACHUSETTS AND RHODE ISLAND.

WOMAN'S HOME MISSIONARY ASSOCIATION.[1]

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

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

Treasurer—Miss Ella A. Leland, 32 Congregational House, Boston.

CONNECTICUT.

WOMAN'S HOME MISSIONARY UNION.

President—Mrs. Francis B. Cooley, Hartford.

Secretary—Mrs. S.M. Hotchkiss, 171 Capitol Ave., Hartford.

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.

OHIO.

WOMAN'S HOME MISSIONARY UNION.

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

Secretary—Mrs. Flora K. Regal, Oberlin.

Treasurer—Mrs. Phebe A. Crafts, 95 Monroe Ave., Columbus.

INDIANA.

WOMAN'S HOME MISSIONARY UNION.

President—Mrs. C.B. Safford, Elkhart.

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

Treasurer—Mrs. C. Evans, Indianapolis.