Various - American Missionary, Volume 50, No. 8, August, 1896
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Various >> American Missionary, Volume 50, No. 8, August, 1896
The American Missionary
AUGUST, 1896
VOL. L. No. 8.
CONTENTS
EDITORIAL.
THE JUBILEE YEAR FUND, 241
SHARES--LEADERS, 242
HARRIET BEECHER STOWE, 244
THE SOUTH.
THE HISTORIES OF OUR CHURCHES, 245
DEER LODGE, TENN., 245
ANNIVERSARY EXERCISES.
COMMENCEMENT AT FISK UNIVERSITY, 247
HOWARD UNIVERSITY, 249
LINCOLN ACADEMY, 249
ALLEN NORMAL SCHOOL, 251
SALUDA SEMINARY, 253
BURRELL SCHOOL, 253
BLOWING ROCK, N.C., 254
ENFIELD--LINCOLN SCHOOL, MERIDIAN, 255
A LESSON IN HOME BUILDING, 256
ITEM, 256
THE INDIANS.
CLOSING EXERCISES AT SANTEE NORMAL SCHOOL, 257
THE CHINESE.
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH, 259
SHARES JUBILEE YEAR FUND, 260
WOMEN'S STATE ORGANIZATIONS, 262
RECEIPTS, 264
NEW YORK: PUBLISHED BY THE AMERICAN MISSIONARY ASSOCIATION,
Bible House, Ninth St. and Fourth Ave., New York.
Price, 50 Cents a Year in advance.
Entered at the Post Office at New York, N.Y., as second-class mail matter.
* * * * *
_American Missionary Association._
PRESIDENT, MERRILL E. GATES, LL.D., MASS.
_Vice-Presidents._
Rev. F.A. NOBLE, D.D., Ill.
Rev. ALEX. McKENZIE, D.D., Mass.
Rev. HENRY HOPKINS, D.D., Mo.
Rev. HENRY A. STIMSON, D.D., N.Y.
Rev. WASHINGTON GLADDEN, D.D., Ohio.
_Honorary Secretary and Editor._
REV. M.E. STRIEBY, D.D., _Bible House, N.Y._
_Corresponding Secretaries._
Rev. A.F. BEARD, D.D.
Rev. F.P. WOODBURY, D.D., _Bible House, N.Y._
Rev. C.J. RYDER, D.D., _Bible House, N.Y._
_Recording Secretary._
Rev. M.E. STRIEBY, D.D., _Bible House, N.Y._
_Treasurer._
H.W. HUBBARD, Esq., _Bible House, N.Y._
_Auditors._
GEORGE S. HICKOK.
JAMES H. OLIPHANT.
_Executive Committee._
CHARLES L. MEAD, Chairman.
CHARLES A. HULL, Secretary.
_For Three Years._
EAMUEL HOLMES,
SAMUEL S. MARPLES,
CHARLES L. MEAD,
WILLIAM H. STRONG,
ELIJAH HORR.
_For Two Years._
WILLIAM HAYES WARD,
JAMES W. COOPER,
LUCIEN C. WARNER,
JOSEPH H. TWICHELL,
CHARLES P. PEIRCE.
_For One Year._
CHARLES A. HULL,
ADDISON P. FOSTER,
ALBERT J. LYMAN,
NEHEMIAH BOYNTON,
A.J.F. BEHRENDS.
_District Secretaries._
Rev. GEO. H. GUTTERSON, _21 Cong'l House, Boston, Mass._
Rev. Jos. E. ROY, D.D., _153 La Salle Street, Chicago, Ill._
_Secretary of Woman's Bureau._
Miss D.E. EMERSON, _Bible House, 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; letters relating to woman's work, to the Secretary of the
Woman's Bureau.
DONATIONS AND SUBSCRIPTIONS
In drafts, checks, registered letters, or post-office orders, may be
sent to H.W. Hubbard, Treasurer, Bible House, New York; or, when more
convenient, to either of the Branch Offices, 21 Congregational House,
Boston, Mass., or 153 La Salle Street, Chicago, Ill. A payment of thirty
dollars 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 give and bequeath the sum of ---- dollars to the 'American Missionary
Association,' incorporated by act of the Legislature of the State of New
York." The will should be attested by three witnesses.
* * * * *
THE AMERICAN MISSIONARY
VOL. L. AUGUST, 1896. No. 8.
* * * * *
The Jubilee Year Fund.
Extract from the appeal of the Executive Committee of the American
Missionary Association:
Fifty Dollars a Share.
It is proposed to raise during the next six months a special Jubilee
Year Fund of $100,000 in shares of $50 each, with the hope and
expectation that these shares will be taken by the friends of missions
without lessening those regular contributions which must be depended
upon to sustain the current work.
+--------------------------------------------------------------------+
| FORM OF A PLEDGE. |
| |
| Share, $50. $100,000. |
| |
| THE JUBILEE YEAR FUND |
| OF THE |
| AMERICAN MISSIONARY ASSOCIATION. |
| |
| I hereby take .... shares (Fifty Dollars each) in the |
| Jubilee Year Fund of the American Missionary Association, |
| to be paid before the close of the fiscal year, Sept. 30, 1896. |
| |
| Name . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
| |
| P.O. Address . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
+--------------------------------------------------------------------+
JUBILEE SHARES.
Our readers will notice that our jubilee share list is increasing in
numbers. We have reason to be grateful to God in that he has moved the
hearts of so many and led them to help our Lord's needy ones. We would
that those who have responded to our appeals could see the things that
we see, and hear the things which we hear. We have nothing but gratitude
for the fact that in this time of financial distress and uncertainty,
when money is so hard to get, the cause which we bring to the Christian
love and patriotism of good people is not losing, but gaining in their
sympathies and help. This trying year--trying to so many, therefore
trying to us--brings a jubilee thanksgiving to us, in that we are not
sinking deeper into the horrible pit and miry clay of debt, but are
little by little being pulled out of the slough. We know not how long
the pull may be, but if those who love the Lord Jesus Christ will pull
all together we shall not fail, and we need not be discouraged. Our feet
will get upon a rock and our goings be established; for which we pray.
LEADERS.
The _Home Mission Monthly_ of the American Baptist Home Mission Society,
in an article upon "Leaders," agrees with us in saying: "A different
style of men is needed as leaders of the colored people to-day from that
of those who aspired to leadership twenty-five years ago; the race has
made great progress; there are multitudes now of Negro men and women who
have had the advantages of the common schools, many who have a college
education, and some who have university culture; to wisely influence
them in their thought and action is more difficult than to control the
masses of the illiterate and untrained. It is especially worthy of
consideration that among the Negroes of the South to-day are some men of
power and of education who are leaders; but whose leadership,
unfortunately, is in the wrong direction. This renders it all the more
urgent that the Mission Society and kindred organizations should seek to
supply them with a class of leaders who, by reason of their godly
character, their knowledge, their training, their consecration, will be
able to counteract the evil influences now at work, and to lead their
people into paths of righteousness.
"The Mission Society does not attempt to provide a college education
for the multitudes of Negroes; even this would be a task beyond its
resources. What it does aim to do is simply to secure, if possible,
the education of a comparatively few young men and young women, who
shall become leaders among their people; men and women who by their
knowledge, training, culture, power, will be able to organize and
direct the energies of the masses of the people. Leaders are needed,
and these should be thoroughly competent for leadership; it is a hard
task to influence successfully the development of a race of eight
million people, and those who attempt the work require natural
qualities of a high order and also unusual attainments."
What is to prevent these people who have been enfranchised from
becoming the prey of demagogues and designing men who wish to use
them for unchristian purposes and in unchristian ways, unless they have
large minded, thoroughly educated leaders with knowledge of history
and of life who can lead their own people in the ways of righteousness?
Events now transpiring give significance to this question.
* * * * *
The University of Pennsylvania has conferred the degree of Doctor
of Philosophy on Mr. Lewis B. Moore, who graduated from Fisk University
a few years ago. We listened to his "graduating address" at
the close of his college years at Fisk, whence he went to Philadelphia
to take charge of a branch of the Y.M.C.A. While attending to the
laborious duties of this position he has, during four years of earnest,
patient, and thorough study, earned his degree of Ph.D. in Greek
and Latin and Ethics, in one of the severest graduate schools in the
country. Dr. Moore is one of "our boys"; and there are many of
them who are preparing themselves, by their vision of a larger life
and their attainment of larger possessions, to be wise leaders among
their people. Dr. Moore is now an instructor in Howard University,
Washington, D.C.
* * * * *
There are those who object to the constitutional rights of the Negro,
and some who object to his Christian privileges, lest his recognition as
a man shall lead to "social equality," whatever this may mean. The
following from a leading Negro paper, _i.e._, edited by a Negro for a
Negro constituency, is a testimony as to what is and what is not the
Negro's idea of "recognition":
"That the Negroes in recognizing constitutional rights are at the same
time seeking an arbitrary social equality with any other race is
erroneous. From the time of emancipation, the colored people have had no
disposition to force a social alliance with the whites. The colored
citizens have all their civil and political rights, and these rights
they demand. When honored colored men or women enter a first-class
hotel or restaurant, or seek a decent stateroom on a steamer, they do
not enter these places because they are seeking social contact with the
whites, but because they demand their just privileges for their personal
protection and comfort."
* * * * *
HARRIET BEECHER STOWE.
Of the illustrious ones who laid the foundations for the liberation of
the slave, the name of Harriet Beecher Stowe leads all the rest.
What America's greatest woman did towards making freedom possible, our
devoted and consecrated women teachers have been carrying out these
thirty years to the full Christian conclusion. Those who read the
records of the closing days of our schools in this present August number
of THE MISSIONARY will be reminded how these faithful teachers are still
engaged completing the unfinished work of their greater sister.
Next to "Uncle Tom's Cabin," perhaps the book which has the truest stamp
of the genius of Mrs. Stowe is her "Old Town Folks." In her incomparable
description of "School Days in Cloudland," in which she shows how her
sympathies went out to the people of every nation and tongue who are
oppressed, she compares the influences of education in New England with
a country without schoolhouses, saying: "Look at Spain at this hour and
look back at New England at the time of which I write, and compare the
Spanish peasantry with the yeomen of New England. If Spain had had not a
single cathedral, if her Murillos had all been sunk in the sea, and if
she had had, for a hundred years past, a set of schoolmasters and
ministers working together as I have described Mr. Avery and Mr.
Rossiter as working, would not Spain be infinitely better off for this
life at least? That is the point that I humbly present to the
consideration of the public."
This point which Mrs. Stowe presents to the consideration of the public,
is the one to which her younger sisters are faithfully directing their
faith and their works among a people who up to Mrs. Stowe's day never
saw a schoolhouse.
We make our tribute to the gracious memory of her whose words went out
into all the world and extended to the ends of the earth: and we ask
remembrance of those who under the same inspiration are living among the
children of these liberated ones and are taking with them the love and
wisdom of Him who was "anointed to preach the gospel to the poor, the
recovery of sight to the blind, and to proclaim the acceptable year of
the Lord."
We are sometimes asked how this work of education, which Mrs. Stowe did
more than any other person to inaugurate, is regarded by the intelligent
white people of the South. We can gladly say that we have too much
recognition and appreciation of our work among good people of the South
to be otherwise than thankful for it, and for the fact that these good
people are increasing every year in numbers and in readiness to
encourage us. We have never united in more earnest prayers for our work,
and for those who carry it on, even in our annual meetings than in our
worship in the South with many Southern pastors, and nowhere have we
heard more appreciative words respecting our work than from good people
of the South who have acquainted themselves with what we are doing and
how we are doing it. That multitudes are still unable to see and unready
to prophesy does not count. The day of appreciative recognition has not
fully come, but it has dawned, and will come by and by.
* * * * *
THE HISTORIES OF OUR CHURCHES.
We have asked the pastors of some of our churches to give to us
sketches of the histories of those churches--their location, pastors
and membership, the condition of their members financially and otherwise,
how many have homes of their own, and what are their employments.
The details are truthful and are of value as showing the people
in their church, home, and business life.
* * * * *
DEER LODGE, TENN.
By Mrs. Ella Gill Sedgwick.
Deer Lodge, on the Cumberland Plateau in east Tennessee, is delightfully
located. The adjacent country is highly picturesque--rocky cliffs, deep
ravines, winding wooded streams, giving beauty to the landscape. To the
eastward, stretching far in undulating lines, are the mountains, seen
through a purple mist of great beauty. We often repeat the words, "As
the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so the Lord is round about his
people." We are nearly 2,000 feet above the level of the sea, so the air
is pure and healthful. A spicy fragrance fills the air, blown down from
the pines that crown the hills.
Deer Lodge has been settled mostly by Northern people. In a religious
point of view we are divided into Congregationalists, Methodists, and
Baptists, with a few Episcopalians. There is only one church building,
however, the Congregationalists'. This is a beautiful little edifice
worthy of the growing importance of this interesting field on the
Cumberland Plateau. The church has a choice location on Ross Avenue.
On April 13, 1889, the corner-stone was laid, and on August 4 of the
same year the church was dedicated. The church has good officers and
earnest working members. The present membership is forty-one. No
hostility is shown toward our church by the members of other churches,
but all are united and recognize in every one who loves the Master a
fellow-worker in the vineyard of Christ.
The present pastor, Rev. G. Lusty, during his residence among us has
endeared himself to all. A promising work is being done in the
Sabbath-school, and we believe that from it constantly go forth many
little rills of influence that are entering the homes and bringing the
people a higher and purer life. The Christian Endeavor society is doing
a good work among the young people. The prayer-meetings held on Thursday
evenings are well attended. The growth of the church has not been rapid,
but is steady, and during its history has enjoyed some revivals of
religion.
Under the direction of the pastor's loyal wife the young people have
been gathered into a sewing-school at her home every Saturday afternoon,
and everything is done to encourage the little fingers in their attempts
to guide the needle; and we feel that here, too, is a work being done
that will bring forth fruit in the homes.
The barrels of supplies, sent to us by friends in other States, have
enabled us to assist many needy ones. While packing these missionary
boxes, if you could only see "the other end of the line" you would feel
rewarded for your gifts. The kindness done for Christ's sake will not be
forgotten.
The country around Deer Lodge is sparsely settled. One can travel miles
without meeting any one. The people are somewhere--where, we are unable
to tell; yet when they have an opportunity to hear preaching you will
always find many people gathered in the schoolhouse where the "meeting"
is to be held. In traveling through the surrounding country you will see
many rough log houses, with only one room and often without windows, two
doors opposite each other, one door always kept open winter and summer.
A huge fire-place is in one end of the room. If you would have a view of
humanity in its simplicity, visit one of these mountain homes. You will
find everything of the most primitive kind. The hum of the
spinning-wheel and the heavy thud of the loom will greet your ears. In
one room you will very often see several beds, while the rest of the
furniture will consist of a few wooden chairs, a table and perhaps a
cupboard, and into this one room will be gathered the whole family, the
women with old shawls over their heads, sitting by the fire chewing
tobacco, or with the invariable snuff-stick in their mouth. But
everywhere you will be treated with kindness and invariable civility.
"Come and see us," they say; "we are mighty poor folks, but we will do
the best we can." These mountaineers take life in a slow and easy way;
you cannot make them "step to Yankee time."
Last Sabbath we attended one of the afternoon services. Our road passed
for several miles through a lovely forest, with its soft shadows and
calm repose. The only sound to break the stillness was the song of the
birds. After a while we heard ringing out through the pine woods the
echo of gospel hymns. Following the sound, and wending our way a little
farther through the woods, in a quiet glen we came to the school house
where the services were to be held. Here we found an earnest, attentive
audience. In one place an outdoor meeting was held. It was a rare,
perfect day. The people came in twos and threes, finding places wherever
they could. One could almost fancy that other scene of centuries ago,
beneath the blue skies of Palestine, where, when the multitude were
gathered upon the mountain, the Master "opened His mouth and taught
them."
Among these mountaineers are young men and women eager in their desire
for knowledge, and anxious for an opportunity to learn of a better way
of life. We believe that to the question, "What of the night?" the
answer can be given, "The morning cometh."
* * * * *
COMMENCEMENT AT FISK UNIVERSITY.
By Miss Alice M. Garsden.
I cannot promise you a sketch of our commencement abounding in local
color, for, if one were afflicted with color-blindness, he would
probably be unable to discover many points of difference between
commencement at Fisk and the same exercises at an Eastern college of
about the same size.
As a mere reprint of the programs of the various anniversary exercises,
which continued for three or four days, would occupy more space than is
allowed for this article, it is evident that many things of interest
must be crowded out.
_The Department of Music_ gave a characteristic performance. Every
selection on the program was well rendered. No music but the best is
ever studied at Fisk, and the productions of the great composers are not
only well played, but also well appreciated by our students.
The exhibition given by the _Gymnastic Department_ showed that Fisk has
athletes as well as musicians. The young men went through a series of
feats which showed both agility and strength. If they fail in the work
of life, it will not be for lack of hard, well-trained muscles. This
department has been under the direction of a student for the past two
years.
Rev. Ira Landrith, D.D., of Nashville, preached the annual "missionary
sermon." Dr. Landrith possesses true Southern eloquence, and was
listened to with marked attention. During the year he has, on several
occasions, expressed himself as heartily in sympathy with our work. Such
friendliness on the part of an influential Southerner is pleasant to
note.
Dr. Beard, our secretary, preached the "baccalaureate sermon." He
presented in a very vivid manner the blessings to be won by those who
conquer the hindrances of life. He showed how the law of struggle is the
law of strength and of possession. The duty and necessity of overcoming
evil, as well as the rewards, were illustrated and urged.
The various alumni associations are now endeavoring to raise a fund of
one thousand dollars for the university. They are faithful to their alma
mater.
The graduating exercises of the Normal Department were largely attended,
and the thirteen young women of the class would have been listened to on
any Northern commencement platform with earnest and thoughtful
attention. President Cravath's address to them was on "The New Woman."
"The educated young colored woman of to-day," he said, "is, in a
peculiar sense, the new woman of her race." He contrasted the
opportunities of the young women before him with those which their
mothers had, and besought them to consider their peculiar
responsibilities linked with their opportunities.
For the regular college graduation exercises every seat in the spacious
chapel was filled. Plants and wild-flowers had been used to decorate the
platform, while large flags were artistically draped on either side. The
class, numbering fifteen, occupied the front seats. President Cravath,
Dr. Beard, and other guests were on the platform. The orations were,
without exception, highly creditable. The speakers chose subjects of
current interest instead of recounting the exploits of the ancient
Greeks and Romans or making Napoleon fight his battles over again for
us. They bore the marks of thoughtful and accurate study. After the
conferring of the degrees, the audience rose while the Mozart Society
rendered the Hallelujah Chorus. What a debt of gratitude we owe to
Handel for giving us that Chorus! General Fisk used to say that there
were glories and hallelujahs and amens enough in it to make several
rousing Methodist camp-meetings.
After the commencement exercises a collation was served to which all
the alumni and the parents of the students present were invited. After
the refreshments the speeches followed. These were not of the
time-honored sort. Fathers and mothers rose and told of the struggles
they had made to get their boy or girl through school. Many were the
expressions of gladness and of hope, and when President Cravath
announced that the school year was ended, all of those who had taught
felt rewarded for the toils and anxieties of a fruitful college year.
* * * * *
HOWARD UNIVERSITY, THEOLOGICAL DEPARTMENT, WASHINGTON, D.C.
By Prof. J.H. Ewell, D.D.
The American Missionary Association was obliged to reduce the
appropriation for our work by one-fourth this year. This has occasioned
so much extra work, care, and anxiety, but the good hand of our Heavenly
Father has been upon us, and the teachers have increased their hours in
the classroom, and kind friends and churches have lent a helping hand.
Grateful mention should be made of large assistance from the First
Congregational Church, of Washington, and of aid from young churches
with heavy burdens upon them. One devoted and steadfast friend who gave
according to her power, yea, gave beyond her power; whose means were
small, but whose charities were large, because she spent so little upon
herself, Miss Mary F. Andrews, of Millbury, has been called home during
the year. Who will take her place? I wish there were space to speak of
all who have co-operated with us by giving. Almost every gift has some
association that has made it specially cheering.
Our Anniversary Exercises received the heartiest commendation. The class
numbered eight more than four years previously. We are greatly
encouraged by the good work that our graduates are doing. May the Lord
reward all of our beloved supporters! We always pray for them and for
the Association, and for all our varied workers under its auspices, and
we ask especially that all who are interested in our work will pray for
us that Charles Wesley's petition may be fulfilled in us,