The American Missionary. Volume 44, No. 06, June, 1890

Your true friend, – –."

OUR YOUNG FOLKS

Dear Children:—The first morning I entered my school-room South, such a mass of little dark faces as greeted me! At first it seemed so strange to me, they all looked alike, but in a short time I was able to pick out Simon, and Tommy, and Mollie, and Janie. Most of them want to learn, and are quite tidy in their appearance. One of the exercises they enjoy most is the singing. It would be hard to find a colored boy or girl who does not sing, and many of them have very sweet voices. They are able to sing the alto with very little practice. It often surprises me to find how well they keep their parts. One day we had a very severe shower, and it was so dark we could not see the black-boards or see to work, so I let them sing for nearly an hour. All over the building, if you could have visited the different rooms, you would have enjoyed listening to them. One of their own pieces which they like to sing, is "Roll, Jordan, roll." They pronounce it "Jurdon."

Many of the parents are working very hard to give their children an education, and I am glad to say that the children themselves are glad to learn. One little girl said, "I've got on a terrible bad looking shoe, and the big girls out doors were laughing at me yesterday, but I thought I'd rather come to school with the bad shoe, than stay away a day and not come at all. I pray every day that God will help me to do right and be a good girl in school. Last night papa was out of a job, and I prayed that he might get another one, and now he's got another one." Then looking at her shoes, she said: "I'd rather wear these ragged shoes than not to pay for my schooling at all."

And now, children, will you come with me for a little drive? We are going in a phaeton with our good horse, Maud. We drive about a mile out of the city, cross a little bridge, and finally drive through a gateway. The ground is sandy, in some places so white that it almost reminds one of snow. The trees are still green. Our attention is attracted by a procession moving slowly forward. There is one carriage and the friends, men and women, are walking. The words they are chanting show it to be a funeral procession. Every one wears a green badge, for most all the colored people belong to some order. Finally they come to a stop and gather about the grave. The mourners break out into a wail, and they begin to chant the words: "And must my trembling spirit glide into a world unknown?" The chant I can never describe, for there is no music in it, and we cannot distinguish any tune. Then the minister preaches, and they begin another chant. Let us look around a little. I am sure you are already interested and surprised at what you see. Here is a group of three little graves; on one, we find three dolls' heads, a quantity of shells, marbles, dishes and other toys with which the children used to play. On another, is a tin kitchen, a bell, a doll in a chair, a marble under a sugar-bowl cover, and part of a tea-set. On another, that of a grown person, is a long pipe with a paper of tobacco, medicine boxes with powders. A little further away we find one on which is a tooth-brush, ten medicine bottles, two lamps, a basket filled with sand, vases, tumblers, a toy boat made out of bark, and pieces of glassware. Among other decorations we find a ball and bat, pitchers, bits of colored glass, pill boxes, teapots, etc. But it is already growing dark, and Maud is anxious to start; I think you have seen enough to make you wonder at the curious customs, and I am sure that you want to help them to know a better way.

One day a little girl said to her teacher: "I got religion last night." Shall I tell you just here, something of what they mean by "getting religion?" It means bad air, late hours, shouting, screaming, and general excitement. Sometimes they sit for hours, and go night after night saying over and over the same words. When they finally do "get religion," they jump up and shout, and run about the church, falling into the arms of those standing nearest. I think the children are looking for some strange experience. They expect, from what they are taught, to see some vision, or hear some voice. I try to show them the simple way of salvation by just taking Jesus at his word.

And now let us turn to a brighter scene. One Sunday about a month ago, our pastor preached a sermon, which led us to feel that the Lord was especially near us, and that we had only to do our part to receive an outpouring of God's Spirit. Some of us agreed to pray for this. Then we began to pray for our scholars, and to invite them to our meetings. At first only a few came, but more kept coming every night, and we kept bringing in seats, until the mission room was so full we had to change to the large hall up stairs. Every night some would rise for prayers, and we would stay and talk with them quietly, and try to show them the way to Jesus. I think there are about forty now, who have expressed a desire to live a Christian life. Many of them are children and young people. Four are boys in my Sabbath-school class. We have held prayer meetings for this after school, and many are glad to come. About twenty joined our Christian Endeavor Society as active members, at our last consecration meeting.

And now, dear children, do you know that this is all given us in answer to prayer? We have simply asked and received. I knew that the home friends were praying for us. Their prayers are a constant help. Will you not pray this month that these little ones may be kept from falling, and that they may grow to be bright and shining lights in the world, to lead their own people out of the darkness of sin and ignorance?

Sincerely your friend,

    Minnie T. Strout.

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

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

[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.We would suggest to all ladies connected with the auxiliaries of State Missionary Unions, that funds for the American Missionary Association be sent to use through the treasurers of the Union. Care, however, should be taken to designate the money as for the American Missionary Association, since undesignated funds will not reach us.]Woman's Home Missionary Association

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. F.L. Fairchild, Box 932, Mt. Vernon, Ohio.

INDIANA

Woman's Home Missionary Union

President—Mrs. C.B. Safford, Elkhart.

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

Treasurer—Mrs. C. Evans, Indianapolis.

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.