The American Missionary. Volume 43, No. 04, April, 1889

Dr. Greene's message was one of counsel and instruction for his own people. He dwelt upon the generosity of the donor of this beautiful building with its furnishings, the improved facilities afforded for teaching, and the great need of a higher appreciation of the benefits thus brought within the reach of a larger number than ever before. He deprecated the common attempt to solve the Negro problem by stirring up discontent among the people, and making them dissatisfied with present conditions, unless a remedy is recommended and placed within their reach. He looked upon every Christian school in the South, every man or woman who walks uprightly and deals honestly, as helping to the only true solution of the Negro problem. He rejoiced in the raising of the standard of fitness to teach, on the part of the County Superintendent. His words had the ring of successful, manly effort in them, and commanded the respectful attention of all his hearers.

After returning thanks to Mr. Ballard for his noble gift, which brought the assembly together, to Messrs. Pettit and DeHaven for the fidelity with which they have wrought, to Prof. Zettler for his counsel, and to the Christian friends who have helped and encouraged the work by their sympathy, Dr. Beard gave an address full of information, concerning the work of the American Missionary Association, its aims, encouragements, and results. He emphasized the importance of making a right use of blessings, and spoke of the danger that attends all effort to help others, that it may become a hindrance instead of a help, according to the way in which it is received. He left a well-defined impression that it is the aim of the organization which he represents so to supplement the efforts of those who are trying to help themselves, that true independent manhood and womanhood shall be developed. He then introduced the subject of a change of name for Lewis Normal Institute. He stated that it was with the hearty concurrence of Gen. Lewis that he now announced that this school should be henceforth known as BALLARD NORMAL SCHOOL.

When Dr. Beard closed, Mr. Furcron, President of the Macon Sunday School Union, (Colored,) rose and made a motion in behalf of the colored people of Macon, that a rising vote of thanks be tendered to Mr. Ballard for this beautiful building and its convenient and tasteful furnishings. Dr. Warren made a special request that the franchise be extended so as to include the white friends present, that all might vote. It was responded to by the whole assembly's rising. After the benediction, the various rooms were visited and admired. The beauty and convenience of the rooms, the fine pictures on the walls, the beautiful desks and chairs for the teachers, the elegant Steinway piano, the bell, and the handsome stoves, were all noted and heartily commended.

The day passed off pleasantly with but one regret, viz; that Mr. Ballard was not with us to share in our joy and to let us all see his happiness in doing good to others.

TEN YEARS AT THE FRONT

BY REV. STANLEY B. LATHROP

The month of November, 1888, completed the cycle of ten years of my active service in the work of the American Missionary Association. They have been years of intense interest and great enjoyment. Ten years of study, four in the army, and eight years of pastoral labor in Wisconsin preceded; but of all these marked periods, none have been more truly enjoyable and fruitful than these last ten years of preaching the gospel to the poor. It has been my good fortune to visit at various times most of the prominent points in the work of the Association in the South, both in the colored and in the mountain white departments.

And so, from this decennial standpoint of experience and observation, I want to put on record a few thoughts which have been simmering in my mind.

1.—The vast importance and far-reaching influence of the work that has been done. From all these schools and churches, scattered through this Southland, there have come forth, year by year, hundreds of young colored men and women, whose minds have been disciplined and characters deeply impressed for a good life. Thousands have gone out to teach and labor among their own people, with hearts aflame with true missionary zeal. They have labored among innumerable trials and discouragements, in leaky, rickety log-cabins, without desks, without blackboards, maps, charts, or other educational necessities. They have been eager and zealous workers for Sunday-schools, for temperance and righteous living, even when oftentimes opposed by the old-time preachers and church-officers of their own race, and sometimes opposed by the whites. So the leaven has spread far and wide. A great work has been accomplished by these schools and churches. These ten years have seen a most decided uplifting of character and power among the colored race. They are steadily acquiring property, building homes and improving their surroundings. There are now over eighty newspapers published by colored men in the former slave States of the South. Some of these are very creditable specimens in typography and in ability, and they have great and increasing influence. The great majority of these editors and teachers have been educated in the A.M.A. schools. There are also several colored lawyers, dentists and physicians, who have almost without exception been educated in our schools. The direct results in our Congregational church work are not as plainly apparent, because most of the students when coming under our influence are already connected with other churches, or else their parents are, which amounts almost to the same thing. So the Baptists and Methodists have reaped rich harvests through the training of their sons and daughters in our schools. But these same denominations have been through this means greatly uplifted and purified, so that great good has come to all these strong and numerous churches, besides the steady growth of Congregationalism as well. Rev. Dr. Curry, one of the leaders of Southern thought, said in a recent address before the Georgia Legislature, "The Congregationalists have done more than all other denominations for the education of the Negro—they have done grandly, patriotically." To my eyes, which have been wide open during these ten years, there are most marked and gratifying signs of progress apparent in every way. Far and near the leaven has spread, the older denominations are improving, the principles of industrial and Christian education are accomplishing untold good.

2.—There is also manifest in these ten years a marked improvement in the feeling between the races. When a man has lived for ten years in the South, he will begin to see how deeply rooted and immovably imbedded in the Southern mind is the sentiment of inborn contempt for the Negro. This was greatly intensified and brought to the surface by the passions and prejudices of the war, with the volcanic upheavals and chaotic events of the "carpet-bag period" which followed. Considering all these things, there has been in my opinion a remarkable loosening of the grasp of prejudice, a gradual melting of the caste principle, especially in the minds of the better class among the whites. I say this deliberately, with personal knowledge of the agitation of the infamous "Glenn Bill" in Georgia, and notwithstanding the prejudice in Alabama which broke up the colored normal school formerly existing in Marion, and afterward successfully opposed its re-establishment in Montgomery, or rather refused the previous State aid. Having been for many years on the Board of Trustees of Atlanta University, and being personally acquainted with a number of the members of the Georgia Legislature, yet I am prepared to state this astonishing paradox—that even the legislators who voted for the Glenn Bill have a much higher regard for the colored race and for the A.M.A. schools than they formerly had. I cannot take time to explain this singular phenomenon, but it is true. One of the prominent members of the Georgia Legislature said to me on the streets of Macon, when he heard the news of President Ware's sudden death at Atlanta University: "Mr. Ware was a hero of the nineteenth century, and deserves a monument to his memory from the State of Georgia." So, notwithstanding Col. Glenn and his followers, the same Legislature of Georgia has recently added two million dollars to the school fund of the State. The efforts of such brave and fearless leaders as Rev. Dr. Haygood, Rev. Dr. Curry, Hon. Walter B. Hill and others have not been in vain, and the good results of the A.M.A. work have commanded respect and even wonder from its bitterest opponents, whose number and zeal decreases. Wisdom and discretion in future will rapidly increase its friends.

3.—I could say much more concerning the colored work, in which (at Macon, Georgia) I spent eight and a half of the happiest years of my life. That branch of work needs to be sustained and extended for years to come. Having now been for eighteen months in the mountain white department of work, and having visited nearly all its most important posts, I am prepared to say that this, also, is a most needy part of the great missionary work which this Society has undertaken. Here are nearly two millions of people, scattered here and there over this great Cumberland Plateau, who because of their inaccessibility, their poverty and indifference, have been largely passed by until recently. The great tides of missionary effort have swirled and risen to the east, the south and the west, but have reached only a little way up into the caves and valleys of this great island plateau, which towers a thousand feet above the surrounding country. The inevitable effects of isolation, of intermarriage, of stagnation and neglect in mental and spiritual matters, has brought about a condition of things which calls for the aid and sympathy of all good Samaritans. They have not suffered in the same way as the colored race, from the former oppression and contagious vices of a superior race; but left alone in their mountain fastnesses, left behind in the march of human progress, they have been a nation of Robinson Crusoes, deteriorating and retrograding from the inevitable nature of mankind when left to itself. Having no momentum from outside, feeling nothing of the swing and swell of progress, hearing little and knowing little of the outer world, they need now our help to uplift and enthuse and save them. Schools, churches, industrial instruction, mental and spiritual training, help for the poor and the ignorant and the degraded is sorely needed. This is comparatively a new field of work, and is still largely unexplored and obscure. There is much to be done, and it should be done now. The results of a very few years of work are encouraging. Pray, friends, pray! Give, friends, give! Help, friends, help!

PROGRESS OF EDUCATION IN THE SOUTH

PROF. H.H. WRIGHT

I call your attention to the fact that the Board of Education of the city of Nashville have extended the course of study in the public schools for the colored population, so that there is in existence now a fully-fledged High School for the colored youth, having precisely the same course of study as that of the white youth; and the members of the school are subjected to the same written and oral tests as those of the white school. So far as I know, this is the first instance of the kind in the South. Most boards graduate the colored children from the eighth, or at most, the ninth year of school.

The colored High School of Nashville had public exercises in the Grand Opera House in June, when a class of seven graduated. The Superintendent of Public Schools, the Board of Education, and prominent citizens, white and colored, occupied the platform and gave their approval of the innovation by their presence.

The first class of the white High School was graduated twenty-eight years ago and numbered seven. This class of colored graduates also numbered seven.

A member of that first white class is now the President of the Board of Education, and presented the diplomas to the members of this colored class. Altogether, the occasion was auspicious for better things in the public school system in Tennessee.

THOMASVILLE, GA

One incident that has brightened our year is the arrival of a pretty school organ, the generous gift of Mr. S.D. Smith, President of the Smith Organ and Piano Company, Boston, Mass. It chanced that at the same time, Mr. Hall, our Superintendent, came to visit us, and one morning early we found him at work with his own hands removing it from its box. On its being taken into the school-room where all the pupils were assembled for the morning exercises, Mr. Hall in a felicitous manner presented it to the school in Mr. Smith's name, taking from the children in return a hearty "Thank you" for the donor, and a promise to make use of the organ "in the cause of temperance and for the Lord Jesus Christ." Then the first notes pealed forth from the sweet-toned organ, notes of praise, accompanying the children's voices in the Gloria Patri. Then holy hymns and temperance songs filled the air with melody.

The jubilee ended with grand old "America," and as we came to the closing lines, how truly our hearts echoed the prayer:

"Long may our land be bright
With freedom's holy light,
Protect us by thy might,
Great God, our King."

THE INDIANS

VISIT TO PARK STREET CHURCH STATION

BY MRS. T.L. RIGGS

For a long time I have wished to see something of the people and of the work at White River. The station there, Park Street Church Station, so-called because the church of that name in Boston contributed the money for its establishment, was almost the only one under Mr. Riggs's care that I had not visited. Although the supervision of it, and of the whole Rosebud Agency field, has recently been assumed by Mr. Cross, Mr. Riggs continues to confer with him in regard to the management of it, and for this purpose made a journey thither a few weeks ago. A happy combination of circumstances at home made it possible for me to accompany him.

After three days of travel in pony-cart, we came in sight of the White River, and before descending into the valley and crossing the river caught a glimpse of the station building and the villages on the hills near it. Climbing the hill at the rear of the station, we drove into the yard, completely surprising Mr. Cross, who, nevertheless gave us a most hearty welcome.

As soon as the news of our arrival had spread, we began to have visitors, but, knowing that I should not see many of the people, especially the older women, unless I went to their homes, I arranged with Mr. Cross to take me to the different villages. We spent two days in going about.

I should think there are between forty and fifty houses in the three villages near there. In each of two houses, we found three wives and ten children, and the others were well populated. All were in ignorance, and filth, and degradation, pitiable to see. Some babies nearly a year old had never been thoroughly washed since their birth. Some of the older people had never been to the school-house. A few rather pride themselves upon keeping aloof from the native teacher and the various exercises he conducts. We were pleasantly received at all the places. Some of the people had heard of "The Sacred Herald's" wife, though they had never seen me.

Wishing to have all the women come to the school-house, that I might see more of them and have them meet Virginia De Coteau, the teacher's wife, we invited them to a feast. This is something the Dakotas are very fond of, though usually it is connected with some of their dances or other heathen customs. Some of the old women wished to know if I was going to preach to them, evidently wanting to fight shy of anything of this sort, but I told them no, it was to be a real feast, not a prayer meeting.

Mr. Cross entered heartily into the preparations for the festivity. We made about five gallons of coffee and the same quantity of stew, consisting of meat, onions, turnips, beans, rice and crackers, with the gravy well thickened—a very savory mess it was, too. We had crackers to pass around. Not a very elaborate menu, but one which appealed strongly to the Dakota taste.

By noon the women began to gather, and soon the school-room was well filled, a good many sitting on the floor. There were about fifty present, not counting little babies. There were only two painted faces, though in our visiting there was scarcely a house in which there were not two or more of the women painted; the most of them had washed their faces and put on clean dresses.

I had told them all to bring their own dishes, and the variety was amusing. There was everything in size from an ordinary cup to a milk-pan and one much battered long-handled dipper. Coffee and crackers were passed first, then the stew. "Oh, it smells of onions!" was the exclamation as I dished it out. All seemed very happy, and laughed and joked as they ate. I told them I had been ten years among the Dakotas and had never before made a feast; that I had planned for a long time to visit them and had not been able, and perhaps it would be a long time before I should see them again, so I thought I would make them happy in this way. The old women replied, "We have often heard of you, and now we see you; we will always remember you and speak of you as 'the woman who made the feast.'" After they had finished, I talked to them a little of the "meat which perisheth not," and of the "Bread and the Water of Life," closing with prayer. It was a very enjoyable experience. I also met the women one afternoon at a special prayer meeting. It was not very well attended on account of the storm, which was almost a blizzard on that day. There are only two Christian women in that community besides Louis' wife. We spent two Sundays with the intervening days at this station, gaining a new insight into the needs of the out-station work, and new inspiration for carrying it on.

One thing that interested me very much was seeing a little girl who was a member of our Oahe School two years ago. She is the daughter of a prominent man in the village near Park Street Church Station. She was in native dress when she came to us; when I saw her over there, although her mother was away at the Agency and she was staying with relatives, she looked very neat and clean. She wore a pretty dress made after the style worn in our school and in every respect looked as well as though she had just come out of school. I think she would have returned with us had her parents been at home.

There were two young women also, whom I should be glad to have in the school here. They have just united with the church and been baptized. They seem quite superior in many ways to their surroundings. They can both read in Dakota and so have the Bible to learn from. Of course they have in a manner isolated themselves from their youthful companions in having given up their heathen customs; it seems as though souls so young and untried in the Christian life must meet with many temptations and many trying experiences. I should be glad to have them here in a Christian community, where they could learn more of our Christian work. I am sure they would gain help and strength from the prayer meetings and missionary work, as well as from the sympathy of all who engage in such work. Then, doubtless, they would be benefited by the industrial training and the academic work, though I doubt if they would do much with the English language, as they are both over twenty years old and would probably not remain in school more than a year.

My journey has been a help to me. Living away from the people and losing sight of the ignorance and filth and heathenism, we forget what our chief aim should be, not simply school-work for the children, but Christianization and civilization for the masses. This, in its greatest effectiveness, can be done at the out-stations and in the vernacular only. It is necessary to have the gospel preached constantly in order to have it penetrate these darkened hearts, preached in a tongue which can be understood, and necessary to have a Christian life lived in its simplicity in their very midst. The native missionary's family is an object-lesson of value not half appreciated by our Eastern constituency. If, in addition to this, there is a white teacher to uphold, support and push with Anglo-Saxon energy the efforts of the native, the value of the out-station work is greatly increased. Would that all could understand this fully!

It is helpful, too, to come home and see our Indian neighbors, who less than fifteen years ago were in the same ignorant condition as those we have just seen, now living as white people, earnest Christians, doing much to help us in our work for their heathen relatives.

While you work for the schools, pray, also, for the work of the out-stations; pray that the light may shine into the darkened hearts so near us, pray that those who are living among them to teach them of the Saviour of men may be granted wisdom and strength to teach and live aright, that many souls may be won for Him whose servants we all are.

THE CHINESE

SAN DIEGO CHINESE MISSION

BY REV. J.B. SILCOX

The anniversary of the Congregational Chinese School at San Diego, organized about six years ago, was held in the Congregational Church on Sunday evening, February 10th. The church, capable of seating about five hundred and fifty, was filled to its utmost capacity. There were about thirty Chinese scholars present. The services were conducted by Rev. Dr. Pond, who had come down from San Francisco for the purpose of visiting the missions in Southern California. The pastor of the church, Rev. J.B. Silcox, assisted in the opening services. The Chinese boys were catechized by Dr. Pond, and showed by their answers that they were being grounded in the fundamental truths of the Bible. Lum Goon Kee recited the Twenty-third Psalm, and Chung Chong the Ten Commandments, and another "The Apostles' Creed." The first and second commandments received a new meaning to us as we heard them recited by one who until recently bowed himself down to graven images of God and the devil in the Joss house. They sang Christian hymns in Chinese and English. Charley Nun gave an address in which he testified to the benefits in being "a Jesus boy." Hom Gee had written and read the story of his conversion to Jesus. It was interesting to listen as they told how they were led out of darkness into light, and asked for the prayers of all good Christians. The audience felt that human hearts are the same the world over, and that the Holy Ghost had been given unto them, "even as unto us." The address of Low Quong would convince the most skeptical of the power of the gospel to purify the heart, illumine the mind and elevate the life and character of the Chinamen as well as others. He spoke in good English, and by his clear putting of the gospel truth, touched the hearts of all. The service made many converts. It convinced the hearers that the Chinaman was made in the image of God and is included in the "every creature," to whom the gospel is to be preached.

There are about one thousand Christian Chinamen connected with the Congregational Churches of California and Oregon. They contribute about $2,500 for home mission work and have organized a foreign missionary society, and with $1,400 as a starter, have sent two missionaries, one a Chinaman, back to China to do work there.

There is considerable opposition to Chinamen in this State. It does not wholly arise from "sand lot" orators either. These "little brown men" are industrious, patient, cheerful, obliging. They make the best of servants. But the average working man of America cannot compete with him in the labor market, and I would be sorry if he could. I hope the day will never come when the working man of America will be reduced to such cramped conditions of home life as "The heathen Chinee" luxuriates in. Paganism can live where Christianity cannot. A hut will do for a pagan Zulu. When he becomes a Christian, he wants a shirt and a house. "Chinatown" in any California city, and especially in San Francisco, where sixty or seventy thousand are housed and herded in a few blocks, will open the eyes of Eastern men as to the wisdom of restricting Chinese immigration. But there is no question as to our duty to those that are here. We cannot afford to let them live and die in their heathen vices. The best solution of the Chinese problem is to Christianize those that are here. The best way to reach China with the gospel is via California. Make Christians of these and they will become missionaries to their brethren across the Pacific.

BUREAU OF WOMAN'S WORK

MISS D.E. EMERSON, SECRETARY

WOMAN'S STATE ORGANIZATIONS

CO-OPERATING WITH THE AMERICAN MISSIONARY ASSOCIATION

ME.—Woman's Aid to A.M.A.