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THE AMERICAN MISSIONARY

CONTENTS

• EDITORIAL.
  • Financial Outlook
  • Voices from the Field
  • Dividing Line Between the Two Centuries
  • Rev. C.W. Hiatt
  • Paragraphs—This Number—Mrs. Borden
  • School Echoes
  • Book Notice
  • Notes from New England
  • Frederick Douglass
• THE SOUTH.
  • Church Building in a Day
  • Items from Whitley County
  • Tougaloo University
  • Work at Hampton
  • Developing Patriotism among the Colored People
  • A Negro Girl's Prose Poem
• THE INDIANS.
  • One Day's Missionary Work
  • What Shall We Do About It?
• THE CHINESE.
  • Method of Conducting Chinese Sunday-schools
• BUREAU OF WOMAN'S WORK.
  • Meeting of Woman's State Home Missionary Organizations
  • Woman's Missionary Association of Alabama
• FOR THE CHILDREN.
  • Letter from a Teacher in Georgia
• RECEIPTS

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American Missionary Association.

• PRESIDENT, Rev. Wm. M. Taylor, D.D., LL.D., N.Y.
• Vice-Presidents.
  • Rev. A.J.F. Behrends, D.D., N.Y.
  • Rev. Alex. McKenzie, D.D., Mass.
  • Rev. F.A. Noble, D.D., Ill.
  • Rev. D.O. Mears, D.D., Mass.
  • Rev. Henry Hopkins, D.D., Mo.
• Corresponding Secretaries.
  • Rev. M.E. Strieby, D.D., 56 Reads Street, N.Y.
  • Rev. A.F. Beard, D.D., 56 Reade Street, N.Y.
• Recording Secretary.
  • Rev. M.E. Strieby, D.D., 56 Reade Street, N.Y.
• Treasurer.
  • H.W. Hubbard, Esq., 56 Reade Street, N.Y.
• Auditors.
  • Peter McCartee.
  • Chas. P. Peirce.
• Executive Committee.
  • John H. Washburn, Chairman.
  • Addison P. Foster, Secretary.
• • For Three Years.
    • J.E. Rankin,
    • Wm. H. Ward,
    • J.W. Cooper,
    • John H. Washburn,
    • Edmund L. Champlin.
  • For Two Years.
    • Lyman Abbott,
    • Chas. A. Hull,
    • Clinton B. Fisk,
    • Addison P. Foster.
  • For One Year.
    • S.B. Halliday,
    • Samuel Holmes,
    • Samuel S. Marples,
    • Charles L. Mead,
    • Elbert B. Monroe.
• District Secretaries.
  • Rev. C.J. Ryder, 21 Cong'l House, Boston.
  • Rev. J.E. Roy, D.D., 151 Washington Street, Chicago.
  • Rev. Rev. C.W. Hiatt, Cleveland, Ohio.
• Financial Secretary for Indian Missions.
  • Rev. Chas. W. Shelton.
• Field Superintendents.
  • Rev. Frank E. Jenkins,
  • Prof. Edward S. Hall.
• Secretary Of Woman's Bureau.
  • Miss D.E. Emerson, 56 Reade St. N.Y.

COMMUNICATIONS

Relating to the work of the Association may be addressed to the Corresponding Secretaries; letters for "THE AMERICAN MISSIONARY," to the Editor, at the New York Office; letters relating to the finances, to the Treasurer.

DONATIONS AND SUBSCRIPTIONS

In drafts, checks, registered letters, or post-office orders, may be sent to H.W. Hubbard, Treasurer, 56 Reade Street, New York, or, when more convenient, to either of the Branch Offices, 21 Congregational House, Boston, Mass., or 151 Washington Street, Chicago, Ill. A payment of thirty dollars at one time constitutes a Life Member.

NOTICE TO SUBSCRIBERS.—The date on the "address label," indicates the time to which the subscription is paid. Changes are made in date on label to the 10th of each month. If payment of subscription be made afterward, the change on the label will appear a month later. Please send early notice of change in post-office address, giving the former address and the new address, in order that our periodicals and occasional papers may be correctly mailed.

FORM OF A BEQUEST

"I bequeath to my executor (or executors) the sum of —— dollars, in trust, to pay the same in —— days after my decease to the person who, when the same is payable, shall act as Treasurer of the 'American Missionary Association,' of New York City, to be applied, under the direction of the Executive Committee of the Association, to its charitable uses and purposes." The Will should be attested by three witnesses.

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THE AMERICAN MISSIONARY.

American Missionary Association.

FINANCIAL OUTLOOK.

The Figures.

Our receipts for seven months to April 30th are, from donations, $118,051.25, estates, $20,308.09, incomes, $4,829.21, tuition, etc., $22,719.89, United States Government for Indians, $9,540.87; total, $175,449.31. Our payments to April 30th are $203,777.45. Debt balance, $28,328.14.

The Meaning of the Figures.

These figures mean a debt—growing at the rate of $4,000 a month. In passing "through the dark valley and shadow of"—debt, we walk with a goodly company. It is said that nearly every missionary society in Christendom reports a deficit this year. A common cause must underlie so broad a fact, and no one society deserves special censure.

How we get into Debt.

A missionary society cannot make its expenditures as a man provides for his family—from day to day—but must lay out its plans for the year. The missionaries, the teachers, the matrons and all employés must be engaged for that length of time. The appropriation must be made on the general expectation of receipts, with some allowance for added growth. Every prosperous business firm plans for enlargement. Shall the Lord's business only lack enterprise and growth? Must it move on a dead level, or on a declining grade? The churches would not long endure that, and the word of the Lord is: "Speak unto the children of Israel that they go forward."

How our Debts are to be Paid.

This cannot be done near the close of the year by dismissing the ministers and shutting up the schools. These self-sacrificing workers are dependent on their salaries, and the teachers, some of whom out of their small pittance are helping to sustain an invalid mother or sister, and in not a few cases are [152]aiding needy students, and should not be deprived of their wages. Repudiation of such debts is not the relief for a missionary society.

The only way, therefore, that we can see is, to throw ourselves upon the benevolence of the churches, whose agents we are in doing their work, and ask them to come to the rescue by increased donations. A little from each will make it easy for all.

VOICES FROM THE FIELD.

We wish our friends to see as we see and hear as we hear from the field, as to the need of enlargement and the difficulty of closing schools prematurely, and hence we present some condensed facts as specimens.

McINTOSH, GA.—One hundred and nineteen in a single room and with only one teacher. No boarding department and scores must be turned away.

FLORENCE, ALA.—In a rapidly growing city, school held in our church building. Large numbers turned away for lack of room.

JONESBORO, TENN.—No boarding place for either boys or girls. Boys live in rough rooms in a barn, six in a small room. No more can possibly be accommodated.

GRAND VIEW, TENN.—Buildings crowded full; no place for any more, yet pupils are trying to crowd in.

PINE MOUNTAIN, TENN.—Situated in a region nearly a hundred miles long, without a single school except the almost worthless district schools for two or three months.

WILLIAMSBURG, KY.—Crowded full of students; more than sixty in one room large enough for only thirty.

JELLICO, TENN.—Our church and school building will not hold either our Sunday-school or those who attend the preaching services. Must be enlarged or no growth can follow.

ATHENS, TENN.—Growing town; nearly a thousand Northern people with no church suited to their needs. Some Congregationalists need aid in starting a church.

FORT BERTHOLD, DAKOTA.—Rev. C.L. Hall writes: "We have not at Fort Berthold the necessary buildings for our work. Our girls are in an old Government building out of repair, and a little cottage 16x22, and our boys and industrial teacher are crowded into the missionary's house, and a little one-story annex 14x22. There is no room for a guest to stay over night."

CHINESE IN CALIFORNIA.—Dr. Pond, the Superintendent of our Chinese Missions, makes a dollar go as far as any man in our service. He is one of the most careful men in making ends meet. But he has been caught in the cyclone and writes thus about the premature closing of the schools:

"Nothing seemed left for me to do but to notify the teachers that I could pay all bills for May, but could promise nothing more. When I had resolved [153]to do this, the workers passed before me, one by one: most of our teachers are dependent on this slender stipend for their daily bread—teachers that had been in our service for many years, never measuring their service by their pay, but working in season and out of season, and most of the time rendering help not bargained for fully equal to that which I could have required. The helpers also passed before me. Jee Gam with his wife and five children; our brave, unselfish Low Quong; our faithful, almost saintly Chin Toy, our earnest and eloquent Yong Jin—all of whom have sacrificed their pecuniary interests for service in the mission, and all of whom, if their income from missionary work ceases, will be compelled at once to seek an income elsewhere because of those dependent upon them. Then the schools passed before me—closed and silent, most of them, the scholars scattered and the momentum from many years of earnest, unremitting effort gradually dying away."

The Daniel Hand Fund.

It may be asked, Why not meet such pressing claims out of this Fund? We answer, That Fund is doing its noble work in its chosen field, among the colored people in the South, but cannot do all even in that; and it will be observed that most of these calls come from the other portions of our field, the mountains of the South, the Indians of the West, and the Chinese on the Pacific coast. Our main dependence must ever be on the churches.

THE DIVIDING LINE BETWEEN THE TWO CENTURIES.

The first century of the American Constitution has passed, and has been grandly celebrated. We now stand on the dividing line, and enter upon the Second Century with its unknown trials and triumphs. What these may be, we may judge, perhaps, in part, if we turn to those of the past. Among the many and serious objections made against the Constitution at the outset, demanding protracted discussions, Compromises and Amendments, none were graver or more far-reaching in their consequences than those respecting State Rights and the recognition of Negro slavery. The bottom difficulty in these was probably that of slavery, for, if it had not introduced such radically different industries in the two sections of the country, with their different interests, and habits of thought and life, the question of State Rights might have slumbered in quietude. But when slavery had to be defended, State Rights was the bastion behind which the defence sheltered itself. Whether the Compromise with slavery at the outset were the wise thing or not, it is not worth while now to consider. We do not know what the consequences would have been if the Compromise had not been made. We all know now, only too sadly, the dreadful price that was at last paid for the Compromise.

But the war killed slavery and buried it beyond resurrection. Logically, it also killed the State Rights doctrine. But we fear it "still lives" in the heart of Jefferson Davis, and in the hearts of the many millions who still [154]revere him as the leader of the "lost cause." Its avowal is still heard from Southern lips and in the Southern press. Will there be any occasion for its revival into active life? We fear there will be. Slavery has left behind it a ghost which no more than that of Banquo will "down." Race prejudice is as unyielding in the Southern heart to-day as was the purpose once to maintain slavery. Should that prejudice persist in its inexorable demands, another contest may arise, in which the enfranchised millions may be goaded to take part, and the North, as in the case of slavery, may be involved in the dreadful struggle. At what time in the coming hundred years of the Constitution this new struggle may come, no one can predict. The crisis will not be averted by merely deprecating it, and we know of no Compromise that can reach it. The only possible relief that we can see is by educating the Negro, till he shall rise to a position that will challenge the respect of his fellow-citizens and secure to him his equal rights under the glorious Constitution of the United States of America.

REV. C.W. HIATT.

The American Missionary Association has divided its Western Collecting Field. The boundary separating the two parts is the western line of Indiana. Dr. Roy, who has made so honorable record in the past, will retain the western portion with his office still in Chicago. The eastern portion will have its headquarters in Cleveland. Rev. C.W. Hiatt has been invited to take this District Secretaryship, and we have now the pleasure of announcing his acceptance. Mr. Hiatt is not unknown in his district, having made his mark in his pastorate in Columbus, Ohio. We ask the churches to give him a cordial welcome for his own sake as well as that of the Association.

PARAGRAPHS.

The letter of Dr. Pond in this number was written in response to a request from a Northern lady for hints in regard to the methods of teaching the Chinese. Many besides this lady will find profit in reading it. The article on "Church Building in a Day" cannot fail to interest. We only wish we could add that church services were held in the building on the following day, but of this we are ignorant. If any of our readers are desirous of knowing what expedients our missionaries among the Indians have to resort to in administering the communion at their out-stations, let them read "One Day's Missionary Work," by Rev. T.L. Riggs. We give our readers also a problem in the letter from Miss Collins at Fort Yates, "What shall we do about it?"

We have learned of the death of Mrs. Villa (Crumb) Borden at her home in Norwich, N.Y. During her three years' service in the work of this Association at Athens, Ala., she was untiring in efforts for the improvement [155]of her pupils. By her genial spirit, unselfish life and faithful labor in school, church, Sunday-School and the community, she greatly endeared herself to the people as well as to pupils and fellow teachers, who sincerely mourn her departure.

A friend who reads the magazine and studies it minutely, sends us a postal containing these encouraging words:

"A stimulating fact appeared in the MISSIONARY for April just received. The summary of receipts October 1st, to February 28th, shows nearly $14,000 received for tuition in that time—more than one-sixth of the donations."

Our friends who are denying themselves, oftentimes, to aid in sustaining our work, will be cheered to know that the funds they contribute are not thrown into a slough and lost, but are touching mind and heart and industry, and thus stimulating the people whom we benefit to help themselves.

In making up the catalogue of Fisk University for this year, the following facts are culled out:

Total number of students, 505, which is a gain of thirty over last year, and last year the attendance was the largest the University had ever had. Number of students in the Department of Music, 110; a gain of twenty over last year. Special students in Theology, 9; a gain of six over the previous year. There has been a gain of eight in the College Department, two in the Normal, and four in the College Preparatory.

Mr. Coffin graduated from Fisk University in 1885, and has held important positions as a teacher ever since graduating. He has also bought about $250 worth of books on one of the special courses of study established by the Illinois Wesleyan University, and so successfully complied with the requirements of the course that the result mentioned in the letter below has been reached.

SCHOOL ECHOES.

Spelling by different authorities: Edgeucation, fraze, teadgeous, roughf, icecikles, natcheural, quallyfide, muskeline, femeline and nutur gender.

Definitions: "A word is a sound that consists from the loungs." "A participle is a form of a verb partaking of the nature of an adjective or a noun and expressing action or human being as flying and sleep."

A sentence reported in class of small boys: "By the time your brother get home, you'll be done et." (Translation, You'll be through eating.)

An example of a sentence containing an infinitive used as subject: "To be in the way is bad habits."

At a meeting held at Hampton last "Indian Emancipation Day," one of the Indian boys in his speech said:

"Whenever we do anything white man don't like, he call us 'Injun,' whenever we do anything Injun don't like, he call us 'white man.'" He also expressed his conviction that "Injun boy great deal smarter than white boy, 'cause folks expect that Injun will learn as much in three years as white boy does in nine or ten years."

An Indian boy writes from the country, "I have been confusion at the United States language."

BOOK NOTICE.

The Great Value and Success of Foreign Missions. Proved by distinguished witnesses. By Rev. John Liggins, with an introduction by Rev. Arthur T. Pierson, D.D. Published by The Baker and Taylor Co., 740 and 742 Broadway, New York.

This book contains not only leading facts and statistics regarding missionary work which are very valuable to all who are studying this subject, but also the testimony of diplomatic ministers, consuls, naval officers, scientific and other travelers who have witnessed the results of missionary labor in heathen and Mohammedan countries. This testimony from hundreds of representative men and women, among which we find the names of Lew Wallace, James Russell Lowell, R.H. Dana, Charles Darwin, James B. Angell, with English viceroys, governors and military officers, as well as prominent American and English ministers of the gospel, cannot but commend the book to all Christian people, and make it interesting at any page at which one may open it.

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NOTES FROM NEW ENGLAND.

BY REV. C.J. RYDER, DISTRICT SECRETARY.

A trip to Ohio this month to attend the State Association and to indoctrinate the new District Secretary into the esoteric mysteries of the American Missionary Association was a delightful experience, and yet one does not get out of New England by going to Ohio. The hills and valleys, and clear mountain brooks are left behind, but New England people are there as much as here. And what grand opportunities there are in these interior States for growth in missionary enthusiasm and benevolence! Congregationalism is taking Ohio. I remember when a boy in the Buckeye State there were few churches of our order off the "Reserve," or "New Connecticut," as the northern counties were called. "Congregationalism was not adapted to those conditions," we learned in our unwritten, uncongregational catechism. But since 1860 it has been discovered that Congregationalism is fitted for any conditions where Christians are seeking the advancement of our Lord's kingdom, and there are souls outside of that kingdom. So Congregationalism has grown in all sections of Ohio.

The beautiful city of Mt. Vernon opened her homes and hearts in large and generous hospitality. The American Missionary Association received an especially cordial welcome, because many remember the golden days when the senior Secretary of the Association was pastor of this Mt. Vernon church. It was he they wanted to present the work of the Association in his old pulpit, but a younger man went because he was younger.

The new District Secretary of the American Missionary Association, Rev. C.W. Hiatt, was welcomed enthusiastically, and his record merits such a welcome. The office of this district will be in Cleveland, Ohio, and its territory includes Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Western Pennsylvania and Western New York—a large field for one laborer to till successfully! Take this New England district: there are eleven hundred and forty-five churches in it, and only one Secretary to reach them all! Were it not that the pastors and many of the lay members were ready to give their cordial and hearty assistance, and for the occasional, earnest help of a missionary, it would be impossible even "to shuffle round in it." But there is this hearty assistance and it constantly increases in heartiness.

Rev. B. Dodge of Pleasant Hill, Tenn., a faithful worker in that mountain region, has returned with a glad and thankful heart to his field of labor. His appeal published in the February magazine, and his indefatigable personal labors with individuals, were crowned with success, and he rejoiced in sufficient receipts to warrant the erection of the "Girls' Dormitory" for the mountain girls. The help rendered was most generous and timely. But this new building, as imperative as its need is, increases the annual expense of the work. Larger contributions are necessary in order to carry on this work in its larger quarters. Prosperity involves expense.

[158]One of the true friends of Missions has hit upon a plan for gaining information that is worthy wider adoption than in her own church. She has organized a club of those who desire to read the magazines of the various Congregational Societies. This plan puts the magazine of each society into the hands of a large circle of readers, and the expense to each is very small. Are there any other clubs of this kind? Cannot one be organized in each church?

Few books would be of more real and lasting value in the libraries of our schools than "The Deathless Book," by Rev. David O. Mears, D.D. Dr. S.E. Smith says of it:—"It contains more items of knowledge in many a field than are often brought together, and all legitimately associated with the precious Book of Divine Revelation." A pledge has been given for a part payment in the purchase of one hundred volumes of this book, to be paid when the whole is pledged. It would be a great addition to our school libraries if this book were put into them. The publishers offer special rates. Will not some one make a special gift to complete this fund?

A letter just received from Corpus Christi brings the glad news of a deep and far-reaching revival in progress there. Many have been hopefully converted and the interest still continues.

FREDERICK DOUGLASS.

Few colored men in the United States have occupied a more prominent position than Frederick Douglass; and there are none whose opinions are more worthy of respect. His address delivered at the celebration of the Twenty-seventh Anniversary of the Emancipation of the Slaves in the District of Columbia was thoughtful, well-expressed and emphatic in its utterances. While we might not accord with every sentiment, we wish we could publish the whole. We content ourselves with a few pointed extracts.

THE IRREPRESSIBLE CONFLICT STILL IN PROGRESS.

"From every view I have been able to take of the present situation in relation to the colored people of the United States, I am forced to the conclusion that the irrepressible conflict, of which we heard so much before the War of the Rebellion and during the war, is still in progress. It is still the battle between two opposite civilizations—the one created and sustained by slavery, and the other framed and fashioned in the spirit of liberty and humanity, and this conflict will not be ended until one or the other shall be completely adopted in every section of our common country."

THE CONDITION OF THE PLANTATION NEGRO.

"From my outlook, I am free to affirm that I see nothing for the Negro of the South but a condition of absolute freedom or of absolute slavery. I see [159]no half-way place for him. One or the other of these conditions is to solve the so called Negro-problem. Let it be remembered that the labor of the Negro is his only capital. Take this from him and he dies from starvation. The present mode of obtaining his labor in the South gives the old master-class a complete mastery over him. The payment of the Negro by orders on stores, where the storekeeper controls price, quality and quantity, and is subject to no competition, so that the Negro must buy there and nowhere else—an arrangement by which the Negro never has a dollar to lay by, and can be kept in debt to his employer year in and year out, puts him completely at the mercy of the old master-class. He who could say to the Negro when a slave, you shall work for me or be whipped to death, can now say to him with equal emphasis, you shall work for me or I will starve you to death. This is the plain, matter-of-fact and unexaggerated condition of the plantation Negro in the Southern States to-day."

WHY THE NEGRO DOES NOT EMIGRATE?

"I will tell you. He has not a cent of money to emigrate with, and if he had, and desired to exercise that right, he would be arrested for debt, for non-fulfillment of contract, or be shot down like a dog in his tracks. When Southern Senators tell you that they want to be rid of the negroes, and would be glad to have them all clear out, you know, and I know, and they know, that they are speaking falsely, and simply with a view to mislead the North. Only a few days ago, armed resistance was made in North Carolina to colored emigration from that State, and the first exodus to Kansas was arrested by the old master-class with shotguns and Winchester rifles. The desire to get rid of the negro is a hollow sham. His labor is wanted to-day in the South just as it was wanted in the old times when he was hunted by two-legged and four-legged bloodhounds."

NO FEARS OF THE FINAL RESULT.

"In conclusion, while I have plainly portrayed the sources of danger to our people, I have no fears as to the final result. The American people are governed, not only by laws and selfish interests, but by large ideas of moral and material civilization. The spirit of justice, liberty, and fair play is abroad in the land. It is in the air. It animates men of all stations, of all professions and callings, and can neither be silenced nor extirpated. It has an agent in every bar of railroad iron, a servant in every electric wire, a missionary in every traveler. It not only tunnels the mountains, fills up the valleys, and sheds upon us the light of science, but it will ultimately destroy the unnumbered wrongs inherited by both races from the system of slavery and barbarism. In this direction is the trend of the nation. States may lag, parties may hesitate, leaders may halt, but to this complexion it must come at last. States, parties and leaders must, and will in the end, adjust themselves to this overwhelming and irresistible tendency. [160]It will make parties, and unmake parties, will make rulers, and unmake rulers, until it shall become the fixed, universal, and irreversible law of the land. For fifty years, it has made progress against all contradictions. It stemmed the current of opposition in church and State. It has removed many proscriptions. It has opened the gates of knowledge. It has abolished slavery. It has saved the Union. It has reconstructed the government upon a basis of justice and liberty, and it will see to it that the last vestige of fraud and violence on the ballot box shall disappear, and there shall be one country, one law, one liberty, for all the people of the United States."

THE SOUTH.

CHURCH BUILDING IN A DAY.

Condensed from the Southern Enterprise of April 18th.

Saturday morning, the 13th instant, at nine o'clock, was the time appointed for the laying of the corner stone of our first church edifice in Deer Lodge, Tennessee. Rev. G.S. Pope—founder of the church, and now General Missionary of the American Missionary Association for the Cumberland Plateau, had been notified of the occasion, but not in time to be present, and the duties were committed to Rev. Aaron Porter, the present pastor. The early morning was a little cloudy, but before nine o'clock the sun shone out, and the remainder of the day was as pleasant as possible.

The locality of the Church is on Ross Avenue between Knoxville Avenue and Spring Street, where four beautiful lots were selected some time ago by Rev. Mr. Pope and the building committee, and donated by Mr. A.L. Ross. At the appointed hour, the citizens and neighbors collected around the foundation, and occupied the piles of lumber as seats while they listened to the interesting exercises. These consisted of singing, reading of Scripture, an original hymn composed by the pastor, prayer, address, enumeration of articles to be placed in corner stone, depositing, cementing and closing the box, remarks, singing and benediction.

After a few moments of interchanging of views of the situation, and of the good fellowship now prevailing in our pioneer community—all the men present took hold, and soon raised the entire framework to its place; it having been prepared previously by Mr. Hodge and his assistants in such careful manner that every piece fitted to its proper place. The crowd then retired to enjoy the good dinners some of the citizens had prepared for them; after which they returned to the grounds, and before sundown had the entire frame work enclosed with sheeting in diagonal style. In addition, the frame of the tower was raised and encased. Saturday was a day of pride to Deer Lodge, as probably the same amount of work has not been accomplished in the same time on any other occasion in this country.

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ITEMS FROM WHITLEY COUNTY.

MRS. A.A. MYERS

In giving a little report of the condition of Prof. Lawrence, and of what has been done with the assassin who attempted his life in May last, I think I will but be answering the unexpressed wish of many of the readers of the MISSIONARY. Mr. Lawrence is far from well. We fear he will never recover from the nervous strain and great suffering of the past year. He has but little use of his right arm and hand. He is now at Champaign, Ill., and has not been able to attend trial. As to the assassin, he walks our streets and frequents our saloons at pleasure. He is out on $1,000 bail; whiskey men on his bonds. Northern people need not be surprised at such justice, when Haddock's murderers are running at large; and here we have not only whiskey and its money against us, but secret fraternities, Southern prejudice, and sectarian intolerance. We have hardly dared hope for justice in these courts, but rely on the truth of the motto we have put in our church on the wall near where one of the bullets struck—"Vengeance is mine, I will repay, saith the Lord."

One of our native preachers not far from here made this unanswerable argument in a sermon on apostacsy. He said, "'If they shall fall away'—means that they cannot fall away, for anybody that knows anything about the English language, knows it is a verb in the impossible mode and everlasting tense."

Two ministers in Whitley County had called a public meeting to discuss their peculiar doctrines. They became quite excited, and at the close of the discussion, one of them prayed, "Oh God, make Elder So-and-so's heart as soft as his head is."

A good meeting means a big excitement as much among the white people as among the colored. This little incident, which occurred in a service among the hills of northern Alabama, was told us by an eye witness, and goes to show the depth of Christ-like feeling (?) that prompts some, at least, of the great happiness they express. An underwitted youth seemed to get religion in one of these times of shouting and excitement. He swung his arms and marched back and forth shouting with the rest. To see him so happy made the others shout the more. Amid all the noise, no one knew what he was saying till, all of a sudden, as often happens, there was a lull; then, as he kept on he was understood, and these were the words he was repeating over and over: "Run, chicken, with your head pecked off, a'n't we having a good time?"

It may not be uninteresting to hear how some of the bodily ills are ministered to here in the mountains.

If a person is subject to headache, he can be cured by cutting some of his hair off and putting it in a stream of running water.

In certain kinds of sickness, there must be the greatest care that none of [162]the covering on the bed be turned over. If it should be, the case will terminate fatally.

In fevers, I have known milk to be strictly forbidden, but ham and biscuit recommended by the physician.

Quite a number of people, and even those of whom you would expect better things, employ "charm" doctors. They make passes and say over a lingo, and it will cure cancers, toothache, or any other disease. I have never heard what their magic words are. In fact, if a woman tells a woman, they lose all their curative properties. But these are the words they use to charm away the botts in horses. I think they ought to be given to the public for the benefit of stock growers generally. Putting the fingers on the animal's nose, they pass the hand along the head and spine, repeating, "King Solomon plows with a golden plow. He plows deep and he plows shallow, and he kills all the worms."

TOUGALOO UNIVERSITY.

The year thus far at Tougaloo University has been one of great success. The enrollment, three hundred and thirty-five, has already surpassed that of any previous full year, and many more have signified their intention of attending next term, when a special Teacher's Training Course is to be held. The necessity under which many labor, of teaching school in order to pay their own school bills, makes attendance somewhat irregular. The grade of the school is being steadily advanced, and under efficient teachers and Principal, the pupils are making solid advancement. The upward grading process will prevent the graduation of any pupils from the normal department this year, but that is of slight moment compared with the substantial gain of more thorough scholarship.

The industrial work of the school has this year been more thoroughly systematized and made more efficient than before. There has been special improvement in the girls' industrial work. Even the younger pupils enter into the sewing and cooking classes with zest. The boys' industries include blacksmithing, carpentry, tinning, wagon making, painting, steam sawing, turning, scroll sawing, and farm-work in its various branches, the care of stock, etc. It would be difficult to estimate the value that this combined school and industrial work is destined to have on the Negroes of this State of Mississippi. Not in legislative enactments, but in the gradual process of education along this line, will the main problems connected with the Negro race be solved.

The Biblical department of the school, recently established, designed to train preachers, has as yet but one class, of three members. These are making good progress, and they take turns in preaching at Clinton, at the Mt. Hermon School, fourteen miles away. The training in this department under the President, is especially directed towards knowledge of the Bible and of human nature, earnest and practical preaching, and the development [163]in the preacher of sterling character. If preachers can be sent forth who are well grounded in these things, much may be expected of them. Says Dr. Haygood, "The hope of the black race lies mainly in the pulpit."

The most interesting feature of the work of this year has been the very deep religious interest which began soon after the Week of Prayer and which has not passed away. Special services were conducted for several weeks by President Woodworth, and the feeling was strong and earnest. It has been a quiet work, but it is believed that it is deep. Between fifty and sixty expressed a determination to live the Christian life. One of the most helpful features in the Christian work of the school is the Covenant for Christian Service, a pledge somewhat similar to the Christian Endeavor pledge, though there is no organization. Over one hundred have signed this covenant within the past year. The school is growing rapidly; its outlook is most hopeful. It is already cramped for room. Every recitation room has been full, and many crowded, this term. One class had to overflow into the chapel. Between thirty and forty girls who wished to come were obliged to stay at home because the Ladies' Boarding Hall has been crowded to its utmost capacity. A new one is very greatly needed.

WORK AT HAMPTON.

REV. H.B. FRISSELL.

You will be glad to know of the missionary work that the students are doing in the community. Our graduates have started a Young Men's Christian Association in the town of Hampton, hired rooms, chosen one of their number secretary, paid a large part of the expense out of their own pockets, have fitted up the rooms prettily and made an attractive, pleasant place for the young men of the town. They have social, literary, musical and religious gatherings there. A boys' club has been started in connection with the Association. The colored pastors have became interested in the work, and take turns in conducting the Sabbath afternoon prayer meeting in the rooms.

Our Holly Tree Inn, on the school grounds, is now in active operation. It is under the direction of our school temperance society. Coffee and rolls are furnished for five cents, with a pleasant room and open fire in winter. The result has been that some of our students who used to be tempted into saloons and doubtful places, find a comfortable, pleasant room on the school grounds where they can get what they want. We consider it a valuable object lesson, to the students, of what they can do at their own homes.

The work of the students in the Sunday-schools about is continually increasing. The school at Slabtown, started by the students with twenty scholars, had over a hundred last Sabbath. The school-room given by a generous friend in New York is fairly ready to burst with its living contents. [164]During the week, teachers and normal school scholars go out and teach the women and children how to sew.

Another Sunday-school, at Little England, is conducted very largely by our Indians under the direction of teachers. The Indian boys hold services at the jail and furnish music for an afternoon service at the Soldiers' Home. You would be interested to be here of a Sunday morning and see the happy groups of missionaries going forth in every direction, on foot, by boat, by wagon, to jail, to poor house, to the cottages of the old and sick, carrying the good news. Every colored Sunday-school in the neighborhood has a large number of its teachers from the Normal school. We consider this missionary work of the students most important in keeping up their interest in their own people, and in developing the Christ-like spirit of work for others.

Our school for Bible study, though cramped for room, is exerting an important influence on this community. Almost all the colored pastors of the place have received instruction in its classes. All the white pastors of the place, with one exception, take part in the instruction of their colored brethren. This school has sent out colporteurs under the American Tract Society into the country about. With what knowledge they have received here, they have been able to unite the office of teacher and preacher in the country districts; they have earned their way by the work of their hands and so secured a chance to preach. In this way, they are able to stay in one community during the whole year. One of these men went over to the eastern shore of Virginia last year; worked on the railroad during the day, taught a night school in the evening, got together a congregation, put up a comfortable church, building it largely with his own hands, and came back to school in the fall with money enough for his next year's expenses. One of the class sailed last spring for Africa.

DEVELOPING PATRIOTISM AMONG THE COLORED PEOPLE.

REV. G.S. ROLLINS.

The security of any nation rests largely upon the patriotism of its people. America is in danger, not from foes without, but from within her own borders. How to Americanize the foreign element, is the problem which confronts the people of our great cities; a question which more directly concerns the Northern portion of our country.

Here in the South is a different case. We have eight million negroes— born Americans. The one all-absorbing question is, how to fit them for citizenship—how to make patriotic citizens of them.

Is patriotism in danger among the colored people? Yes, and mainly for two reasons.

First, because of their ignorance of our country; its history, constitution and government. Some will think that this is a danger which will soon pass away, as the older and more ignorant ones die. It is true that the number [165]of those who were advanced in years at the close of the war is rapidly decreasing, but there is an astonishingly large number of those who were young at that time and are now in the prime of life. They are ignorant of our National history previous to the Civil War. What they have learned since, has been politics rather than patriotism. They look upon our nation as two great political parties, each struggling for the mastery. One they regard as hostile, and the other friendly, to them. This is the extent of their knowledge of United States history. Although they have been told that we are a great nation under a beneficent government, such a fact is difficult for them to comprehend, since all they see is the by-play of party politicians. They know they have a right to vote, but how can they respect a government that does not always and everywhere protect them in the exercise of that right?

A second reason why patriotism is in danger among the colored people: They are not surrounded by that intensely national spirit which prevails in other parts of our country. By this, I would not take one iota from the loyalty and patriotism of the Southern people. The fact cannot be denied, however, that one in the South hears and reads but little about the United States of America. Much is written and said about the State, but little genuine enthusiasm for the whole country is displayed. A general spirit of distrust of the Federal Government is constantly coming to the surface. Newspapers and men talk as if they were constantly afraid the government would overstep its bounds and encroach upon the rights of the States. The Southern press is ever complaining of the sectionalism of the North. And when confronted with the necessity of teaching United States History in the public schools, it rejects the current school histories. It is not the present object to remark further upon this than to call attention to the fact that there is a state of public sentiment which is not productive of warm patriotism. Two years ago, the writer, while attending an anniversary in a Northern city, witnessed a scene that will not soon be forgotten. Fifty thousand people were gathered on a public square, and at a given signal a beautiful new flag was unfurled, and the band struck up "America." Fifty thousand voices took up the tune. Men cheered until they were hoarse. One gray-haired Irishman with tears shouted, "Thank God I live under the American flag." Such scenes develop patriotism. They are rare in the South.

In the midst of indifference toward the national government, the colored race is developing and multiplying, and that so rapidly that it is a most important factor in the political affairs of the nation. Like begets like. Indifference toward the government on the part of the whites, breeds the same in the Negroes.

Now, true patriotism is a positive power. A new generation of colored people is growing up. Upon these rests the future of the race. These two defects, lack of education and unpatriotic surroundings, will best be remedied by the education of this new generation.

United States History should be a prominent study, even in the primary [166]departments of our schools. The vast majority of the colored children can remain in school only long enough to get a knowledge of the elements, and among these should be American history. What if children cannot pronounce the names of all the cities in Siberia? Teach them to speak intelligently of Lexington, Bunker Hill and Yorktown. Hang the walls of the school-room with pictures of great Americans. Let incidents from their lives be used as illustrations of moral lessons. Explain the principles and form of our government. Dwell upon the extent of its domain and its vast resources. Define simply the privileges conferred, and the duties imposed, upon the citizens of our government. Four things should be taught them: the three Rs and American history. What is needed among all our citizens, is a great lifting up where a broad view of our great land can be had. Make the children feel that they dwell in a great and goodly land, that they enjoy great privileges under its government, and they will learn to love it.

When Independence Day arrives, arrange for public gatherings of the people, and in short addresses explain to them the meaning of the day. Let it be a day of opportunity for instructing them in the history of our country and in the duties of citizenship. These are some of the ways in which the colored people may be aroused from their apathy and indifference toward their country, and inspired with a patriotism, not blind and spasmodic, but intelligent and permanent.

A NEGRO GIRL'S PROSE POEM.

In attendance at one of the ward schools of Indianapolis is a little colored girl nine years old. She is miserable, indeed, for at home she is ill treated, and the shoes she wears, and often the clothes, are supplied by the teachers or some of her classmates. There is a tender, poetic vein in her make-up, and it found vent in a composition. The teacher took a little pansy plant to school one day and told the pupils of the flower. Two days after, she asked them to write a story of it, and gave them the privilege of having the pansy talk and tell the story, and this is what the little colored girl wrote, the word pansy in the copy being the only one dignified with a capital:

"I am only a Pansy, my home is in a little brown house. I sleep in my little brown house all winter, and I am now going to open my eyes and look about. 'give me some rain sky, I want to look out of my window and see what is going on,' I asked, so the sky gave me some water and I began to clime to the window, at last I got up there and open my eyes, oh what a wonderful world I seen when birds sang songs to me, and grasshoppers kissed me, and dance with me, and creakets smiled at me, and I had a pretty green dress. there was trees that grow over me and the wind faned me. the sun smiled at me, and little children smelled me. one bright morning me and the grasshoppers had a party he wood play with me and a naughty boy pick me up and tore me up and I died and that was the last of Pansy."—

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THE INDIANS.

ONE DAY'S MISSIONARY WORK.

REV. T.L. RIGGS, OAHE, DAKOTA.

Early in the winter, I had a pleasant day of work regarding which I want to write you. It was the day appointed for the observance of the Lord's Supper at the out-station about ten miles from home, and as the river had not frozen over thoroughly, I thought it better to go down in the saddle rather than drive the cart. This made it impossible for Mrs. Riggs to accompany me as she sometimes does.

I brought out my saddle camp-pouches (small square cases that strap to the horn of the saddle) and emptied them of their camp furniture, and in these were placed the bread and wine and also the service for the communion. My pouches are so small that I could take but one glass and a little china pitcher for our service. Usually I am able to take a china plate as well, but this time there was no room.

I went early in the day, and after some little difficulty the river was safely crossed, though my poor horse, not being shod, fell upon the ice more than once. He was not hurt, however, and I followed the river shore down to the out-station which is on the west side of the river.

I found the people gathered, and we had a morning session of nearly two hours. It was rather a preparatory service, and I talked familiarly with those present, individually as well as collectively. There were three men and their wives who wished to be married. Seven applied for admission to church membership, and there were also several infants to be baptized.

After dismissing the morning gathering, I arranged for communion service. I had no plate, so I sent a boy to his home to get one. He returned saying they had none, and I sent him to another house, from which he returned saying he could not get in. Then I decided to use the best I had, which was the card-board back broken from a hymn book. This I covered with a napkin and it answered very nicely. I had not prepared for any applications for baptism and had to send for a bowl, instead of which a tin cup was brought just as we were ready to begin service.

After the opening of service, I first married the three couples, (one of these consisted of an old man and woman nearly seventy years old, both of them gray-headed). The applicants for Christian fellowship were asked to give some public expression of their faith and were received into membership and baptized together with the infants. We, also, at the close of the service elected a deacon, who holds office for two years, and then I talked to them regarding the duties of another year. When dismissed, all went to their homes. I, too, went to a house near by and drank some coffee, for by this time I was quite faint. After this I rode home, reaching there just as the family were separating from the tea-table.

[168]It seems odd to speak of men and their wives coming to be married—it is meant that they are husbands and wives after the Dakota custom. When they come to understand Christian marriage, and especially if they desire to unite with the church, they ask to have the marriage solemnized in a Christian manner. Sometimes a man and woman who have several children, perhaps a baby in arms, present themselves for marriage.

It is required of married candidates for admission to the church, that they be married in a Christian way. This sometimes seems hard, as in a case which has been before our Oahe church for some time. A woman of fine character whom we believe to be a sincere Christian, desires to unite with the church. Her husband, who is a veritable heathen, refuses to marry her. He says he never has had another wife and does not intend to take one, but he is a Dakota and does not wish to adopt white people's ways. They have a large family of children, and the wife does not feel that it is best to separate from her husband, though she really desires to do her whole Christian duty. In such cases, this regulation seems hard, but in the early days of the Dakota Mission, anything else brought confusion and trouble into the church, and this method of action was decided upon.

WHAT SHALL WE DO ABOUT IT?

MISS M.C. COLLINS, FORT YATES, DAK.

There is a time in our work, if it progresses as we would like, when it seems to go beyond us. The work here now is at that point. When I came here the people were beggars. Their acquaintance with the Agency people and the Army people had been such as to cause them to think that white people were all wealthy, and that one had only to ask for a thing to receive it. I have labored diligently to induce them to earn what they have. It is very seldom now that any one begs, but I am over-run with applications for work. Each individual is jealous of another, if I give one work and refuse another. If I hire a woman to wash, I must hire another to iron, another to bring in my wood, another to wash the floor and still another to clean up my yard. If I hire a man to make some repairs, I must hire another to cut wood, another to haul water or ice, and so it is. This is very expensive, and yet I see no way to avoid it. I cannot say to a man, "It is a disgrace to beg bread for your hungry child," and then refuse to give him work. Now, let some of your wise people in the East who are friends of the Indian try to remedy this great difficulty. Let a part of the Indian money be spent in educating the Indian in his home to work and to earn something. The church or the Government ought to devise some plan by which Indians at their homes can earn money. I do all I can, but the expense is more than I can bear. There is no market for the Indian, and no work to be done by which he can earn anything, and no man can become self-supporting until he is provided with a way to support himself. What can we do about it?

[169]

THE CHINESE.

METHOD OF CONDUCTING CHINESE SUNDAY-SCHOOLS.

REV. W.C. POND, D.D.

I have been requested to give in the columns of the MISSIONARY, some hints as to the opening and conducting of Chinese Sunday-schools. I wonder that I have waited for such a request, and did not long ago take this good method of replying to letters of inquiry, which, attempting to answer one by one, I have been obliged to respond to briefly, hurriedly, and unsatisfactorily.

1. First, "Catch your hare"—get the Chinese to come. This is less difficult, I fancy, in our Eastern cities, than in those of California. And yet, even there, it may require repeated and persistent invitations. I would not despair even though the teachers came several times at the hour appointed, and found that the expected pupils had broken their promises and failed to appear. You will at length prove to them that you are in earnest and have something for them worth their consideration.

2. When they come, do not undertake any opening exercises, but as soon as the first one appears, let the teaching begin. They are generally so situated, that to exact strict punctuality, is to require the impossible. Give them a reading lesson in whatever book they bring; or, if they bring none, in any primer you may have at hand, Chinese who have made no beginning in English, need to have each one his own teacher. This may not be possible always, but it is very desirable. It is exceedingly important that as much as possible be learned of English in the first few lessons, in order to prepossess the pupils favorably and get them interested in the school. Those who have already learned to read can, of course, be put into Bible classes, but beginners ought to be at liberty to take, each one his own pace, and get on as fast as possible; and for this a teacher for each pupil is needed.

3. From the beginning, let each class or each pupil have one and the same teacher. This is of almost vital importance. The establishment of a personal relationship and the development of a special personal friendship, are almost indispensable, if we would lead such dark souls into light. General exercises will not do this fast enough to meet the emergency. It needs personal contact; careful "hand-picking."

4. That which seems to me the best text-book for Chinese schools is "Jacobs' Reader." It was prepared originally for the deaf and dumb; and thus suits well those who are to us—as we to them—virtually deaf and dumb. Its object words are all represented in pictures. Its lessons are so arranged that the advance involves a perpetual review, and thus fastens in the memory what has been acquired. This is particularly desirable in the case of the Chinese, because the methods of teaching in China are so utterly diverse from ours. Teaching that turns back is in no favor with the average Chinaman. [170]He wants you to pronounce the words and let him pronounce them after you as fast as possible. Go over it two or three times, very much as if you were teaching a parrot to speak, and then let him try himself. He is impatient of protracted explanations. What he wants is sounds; the more of them the better. After he has got the sounds, he will be willing to take the meaning they convey. One beauty of this book is, that it conveys the meaning through the eye, and keeps pupils reviewing without their knowing it. The teacher is in danger of becoming impatient with this Chinese method, for we know that our way of teaching is better. But remember that the end you have in view is not the most effective instruction in English, but the leading of the soul to Christ; and you can be content with a poorer method of doing the former, if thereby you can keep within reach that lost, but blood-bought soul. Another good point in this little book is, that there is just about enough in it concerning God and Christ to give the teacher an occasional opportunity to preach Jesus, without frightening the pupil away by too abrupt a "setting forth of strange gods." And, finally, this one Reader well studied will place the pupil where you can safely commend to him the New Testament as the cheapest and the best book to take next.

5. Instead of opening exercises have closing ones, as extended and as interesting as possible. Have pictures selected from the Sunday-school rolls, and, at each session, make one of these the subject of a little gospel-talk. Ask the pupil best versed in English to be your interpreter, and use such English as he can understand. And, even though you have no interpreter, five minutes given to a Bible story will not be lost, if you have a picture that is apt and suggestive.

Then sing the gospel to them, asking them to read the verse after you, word by word, and then sing it with you. I will gladly supply, at bare cost, Song Rolls in Chinese, containing familiar gospel hymns translated into Chinese and so conformed in metre to the English original that the time remains unchanged, and the teachers can sing the English words, if desirable, while the Chinese use their own. There is no more effective preaching of the gospel than that in song.

6. The Sunday-school, at its best, needs to be supplemented by some sort of week-day work. The Chinese Sunday-schools of California, though started with great éclat, would long ago have perished utterly, but for the mission schools whose work knows no cessation. Our Christian Chinese are now so widely scattered that it seems as though there could scarcely be anywhere Eastward a city of considerable size without at least one of them. If there is one, he will hear of your Sunday-school and will be there. Utilize him to the utmost. Make a missionary out of him. And it seems to me that the evangelistic work which we have been doing—imperfectly as yet—in California, ought to be extended to the Eastern cities, and that among our Christian Chinese some ought to be appointed to this work, spending (say) a month in each city where any considerable number of Chinese are found, endeavoring [171]to reap the harvests that are ready, and to organize for Christian work whatever converted Chinese he may find. Already, without any such special agency, our "Congregational Association of Christian Chinese" reports one "branch" with sixteen members, in Brooklyn. I am sure it would be well, if the same thing, or something similar, were organized elsewhere.

7. Finally, I must caution the American workers against too ready an acceptance of pious talk on the part of their Chinese pupils as an evidence of real piety. Grievous disappointments, involving reproach to Christ and to all missionary work, sometimes grow out of this. Herein consists, in part, the benefit which would attend the visits of reliable Chinese evangelists. They would "take forth the precious from the vile" (Jer. 15:19), and would give to the American workers not only much greater results of their labors, but a surer confidence in such as they have.

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

VT.—Woman's Aid to A.M.A.,
Chairman of Committee, Mrs. Henry Fairbanks, St. Johnsbury, Vt.

VT.—Woman's Home Miss. Union,
Secretary, Mrs. Ellen Osgood, Montpelier, Vt.

CONN.—Woman's Home Miss. Union,
Secretary, Mrs. S.M. Hotchkiss, 171 Capitol Ave., Hartford, Conn.

[1]MASS. and R.I.—Woman's Home Miss. Association,
Secretary, Miss Natalie Lord, Boston, Mass.

N.Y.—Woman's Home Miss. Union,
Secretary, Mrs. William Spalding, Salmon Block, Syracuse, N.Y.

ALA.—Woman's Missionary Union,
Secretary, Miss. S.S. Evans, Birmingham, Ala.

MISS.—Woman's Miss. Union,
Secretary, Miss Sarah J. Humphrey. Tougaloo, Miss.

TENN. and ARK.—Woman's Missionary Union of Central South Conference,
Secretary, Miss Anna M. Cahill, Nashville, Tenn.

LA.—Woman's Miss. Union,
Secretary, Miss Jennie Fyfe, 490 Canal St., New Orleans. La.

OHIO.—Woman's Home Miss. Union,
Secretary, Mrs. Flora K. Regal, Oberlin, Ohio.

IND.—Woman's Home Miss. Union,
Secretary, Mrs. W.E. Mossman, Fort Wayne, Ind.

ILL.—Woman's Home Miss. Union,
Secretary, Mrs. C.H. Taintor, 151 Washington St., Chicago, Ill.

MINN.—Woman's Home Miss. Society,
Secretary, Miss Katharine Plant, 2651 Portland Avenue, Minneapolis, Minn.

IOWA.—Woman's Home Miss. Union,
Secretary, Miss Ella E. Marsh, Grinnell, Iowa.

KANSAS.—Woman's Home Miss. Society,
Secretary, Mrs. G.L. Epps. Topeka, Kan.

MICH.—Woman's Home Miss. Union,
Secretary, Mrs. Mary B. Warren, Lansing, Mich.

WIS.—Woman's Home Miss. Union,
Secretary, Mrs. C. Matter, Brodhead, Wis.

NEB.—Woman's Home Miss. Union,
Secretary, Mrs. L.F. Berry, 734 N Broad St., Fremont, Neb.

COLORADO.—Woman's Home Miss. Union,
Secretary, Mrs. S.M. Packard, Pueblo, Colo.

DAKOTA—Woman's Home Miss. Union,
President, Mrs. T.M. Hills, Sioux Falls;
Secretary, Mrs. W.R. Dawes, Redfield;
Treasurer, Mrs. S.E. Fifield, Lake Preston.

We would suggest to all ladies connected with the auxiliaries of State Missionary Unions, that funds for the American Missionary Association be sent to us 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.

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FINAL NOTICE OF THE MEETING OF THE WOMAN'S STATE HOME MISSIONARY ORGANIZATIONS.

This meeting, as previously announced, will be held Tuesday, June 4, 1889, in the Congregational Church, Saratoga, N.Y.

The following ladies will take part in the public afternoon session: Mrs. H.S. Caswell, Editor of the Home Missionary, Mrs. F.K. Regal of Ohio, Mrs. Smith Norton of Wisconsin, Mrs. W.E. De Reimer of Iowa, Mrs. E.W. Williams of Minnesota, Mrs. A.J. Drake of Dakota, Mrs. A.B. Dascomb of Vermont, Miss D.E. Emerson of the American Missionary Association and Mrs. E.R. Drake of Kansas. The exercises will commence promptly at 2 o'clock. For information in regard to morning session, see AMERICAN MISSIONARY for April, or address Mrs. J.A. Biddle, South Norwalk, Conn.

WOMAN'S MISSIONARY ASSOCIATION OF ALABAMA.

BY MRS. H.S. DE FOREST.

Mobile welcomed the Woman's Missionary Association of Alabama at its twelfth annual meeting, March 31st. A well arranged programme, with reports from the eight auxiliaries, filled with interest a three hours' session. Necessarily much of the work in these local societies must be for building up the church, helping toward the minister's salary and caring for the destitute in the immediate vicinity; but it was most encouraging to note that aside from this, work had been done for the foreign field through the American Board and for the Home Missionary Society, while several societies had contributed toward the support of a teacher at Fort Berthold, Dakota, under the American Missionary Association. Organizations were reported among the women, young women and girls, with one society of King's Sons, who are interested in the foreign field. The Penny Plan had been tried with much success by one society of girls. This band has given during the year forty-five dollars for foreign, home and local work.

Interesting and practical papers were read upon "Africa and our duty to it," "Systematic Work in our Local Societies," and "Prohibition: our Relation to the Movement."

Miss Emerson, providentially present, brought the greetings of the American Missionary Association, cheering and encouraging all with her helpful and inspiring words. Changes in the Constitution seeming desirable, they were suggested and adopted at this meeting. The name is changed from Woman's Missionary Association to Woman's Missionary Union, thus bringing the society into line with similar organizations in Northern States.

Under the new wording, local societies may work for any branch of missions, home or foreign, contributions being sent through the established agencies of the Congregational churches. By thus broadening the field, it [173]is hoped that more and better work will be done, and that an intelligent interest will be created in many branches of the Master's work.

The Union adjourned to meet in Marion, one year hence.

FOR THE CHILDREN.

A LETTER FROM A TEACHER IN GEORGIA.

DEAR CHILDREN:

Would you not like to hear about some of the little black children in our mission Sunday-school down here in the Southland? One of our scholars, a certain ragged boy, was for many weeks among the missing. A few Sundays later, one of the first arrivals was master James, but he was so decently clad that I did not recognize him, and was obliged to inquire his name. A blue jacket, much too large for him, and ornamented with brass buttons, gave him a very distinguished air, but we soon learned that clothes do not always make the man, for time has proven him not as worthy as we thought. O, such a little scamp as he is! and yet so full of good nature in his mischief, that it is not easy to scold him for naughtiness. Living only across the lane, he runs in and out as much as he pleases, and if one starts after him, he is often found just outside on the step, peeping through a crack, and grinning at authority. He is simply irrepressible, as a little incident will show you. One day, as the Superintendent was speaking of the collection, a little boy said he had no money. "Aw! ye've got yer pocket cram full," was the comment of the boy with brass buttons. It was said for the benefit of all present, and in no modest tone.

You have not heard, I believe, about the three little boys I call "my babies." They are yet in dresses, and as cunning as can be, very regular in attendance. Harry, Eddie, and—well I must tell you about the other name. Down here, many nick-names are used, such as son, bubba, or boysa for the boys, and sister or missy for the little girls. When this little fellow was asked his name, he very bashfully said, "Son." "But you have some other name?" If he knew any other, he was afraid to speak, so I asked whether anyone present knew his name. A little girl called out "He is Son Anderson Baby Boy," and now I always use the four words when speaking to or of him. We are very good friends, but he has doubted my sincerity since one time when I ventured to examine a small brown pipe held tightly in his hand. It proved to be chocolate candy, and as he did not choose to risk his treasure with me, he put down his little mouth, and took in not only the candy, but my finger as well. He is quite shy of me now, evidently fearing that some of his rights will be denied.

Mordecai is an unruly specimen, and then there is Simeon, who never fails to have an answer ready. His favorite one is, "Be humble, and ever mindful of death." I suppose he learned it in the catechism, [174]for he rarely fails to give it when any question is asked concerning duty to God or man. When we had the lesson about "The Sick of the Palsy," his class were asked what they would do if they had a sick friend who was unable to walk to a physician, and had no horse. "I'd get some mare and tote him," was Simeon's original thought, and he did not know the story either. It always seems as if I had just begun to write when time and space warn me to stop, so now good-by.

RECEIPTS FOR APRIL, 1889.