THE FREEDMEN.

REV. JOS. E. ROY, D. D.,
FIELD SUPERINTENDENT, ATLANTA, GA.

[SOME FIRST IMPRESSIONS.]

1. I find this school and church work in more forward condition than I had expected. I had known of the slow process of building up educational and church institutions at the West. I knew of the greater difficulties in this line at the South. I am gratified to find the schools in such substantial buildings, and almost all the churches in houses of their own, some of them attractive, and some very rough.

2. I find that these people handle the Congregational system better than I had expected. They even excel in parliamentary tactics; and what is the course of Congregational usage but the wise procedure of a deliberative assembly? In their reaction from the experience of bondage they rejoice in the full liberty of Christ’s house. If this system was good enough to be given by the Apostles to the early churches round about the Mediterranean, which had not, as I believe, been trained in New England, and whose members had to take from them some severe rebukes in the line of morals, surely it is good enough for these lowly people.

3. I find an improvement of feeling among Southern people, both towards the Freedmen and our work among them. As the students come back from vacation service to our several institutions, they report this advance in good-will. The people are learning that ours is a philanthropic and missionary, and not a political process, and so their prejudice is abating. It is natural that some worthy people should feel a little chagrin at the slipping of this work out of their hands; but not a few of them are glad to see it carried on by anybody. They say, now that these people have been made citizens, they must be made the best of citizens.

4. I find that the school work is the almost indispensable prerequisite to the church work. It fixes the place. It draws out the material. It qualifies for church activity. It is no gain to the Kingdom for us simply to transfer the old-time church members to our system. Our work is to train up the youth, to develop intelligence, and to organize a fellowship of congenial material. A judicious man of another denomination, speaking upon this subject, said that the Congregationalists could afford to wait for the young; that his church could not wait. It is surprising to see how rapidly the young people come forward, for the mass of our congregations are of that class.

5. I find a philosophical reason for our call to the church work. This people have been taught to seek dreams and visions at conversion; to think that there can be no regeneration without a dreadful physical process of “coming through.” Now, there are not a few persons of strong minds and strong wills who say that they never can come through in that way. Some such have been delighted to find the quiet way of submission and faith. Some of the noblest natures now in our churches were of that sort. Happy have been the preachers and teachers who have led them in this way of peace.

6. I see a wise Providence in the opening of “Homes” for our workers. It was impossible to get board among the white people. The Freedmen had not the accommodations. It became necessary to provide “Homes” which should be the property of the A. M. A. They become castles of safety and abodes of comfort. They also bring to bear the example and influence of home, which is a valuable adjunct to the missionary scheme.

7. As the soldiers once took this country, so now the women seem to be taking it over again. In all our chartered institutions, men are at work, affording the masculine quality to the workmanship. But in all these, ladies are employed as teachers in the higher as well as in the primary departments. Many of the normal and high schools are under the exclusive control of ladies. In the earlier conflict their sex was their protection. In all the movement their patience and tact and heroism, and their loving devotement to the good of the people, have secured a crown of success. Our country will never know its debt to these patriotic women.

8. That whatever in politic or personal estate may betide the Freedmen, our business is to keep pegging away at the up-lifting process. Whether for the time their vote is allowed them or not; whether they be ku-kluxed or bush-whacked or bulldozed; whether the South favor this work or not, this one thing we have to do—to go forward patiently, kindly, and strongly in this rudimental work of Christian civilization.

9. That we are not to repress the emotional nature of this people, but to give it a basis of intelligence. This element, which is a beauty and a power in the endowment of man, abounds in the African mind; enriched by culture it may yet add a glory to our civilization. Barnabas Root and Prof. Blyden both argued that we should develop their race according to their idiosyncrasies; and yet the tendency seems to be that as they advance in cultivation they re-act to the more severe and logical style, and so lose somewhat of their power. We ought not to contribute to this result by our training process. Let them sing some of their rich “spirituals.” Give them our hymns and tunes that have an enlivening glow. Be not afraid to appeal to their hearts as well as to their heads. Let them be allowed the Pauline privilege of saying “Amen” to the “giving of thanks.” It is a robbery of this people to bring them down to the intellectual severity of the Puritans. It has been argued that we of the Caucasian blood have weakened ourselves by this ruling down of our emotional sentiments. It was a friend who said at Taunton, that what the Congregationalists needed was consecrated emotion. At the same place it was incorrectly argued that our system was not adapted to the freed people because of their tropical nature. Was it so with the Oriental nature 1,800 years ago?

10. That those who, in this work, during the years past, have gone on in the face of prejudice and ostracism and persecution, have made the way comparatively easy for those of us who join them now.

THE CENTRAL SOUTH CONFERENCE.
The Annual Meeting at Chattanooga, Tenn.
REV. S. S. ASHLEY, ATLANTA.

This body held its annual meeting at Chattanooga, Tenn., on the 15th, 16th and 17th of January, the prevalence of the yellow fever having prevented its session at the regular time in November. Owing to the withdrawal of most of the Alabama and of all the Georgia churches, to form conferences in their respective States, the Conference now consists of the Congregational churches in Mississippi, Tennessee and Northern Alabama, twelve in number. The churches in Mississippi were not represented. Rev. Horace J. Taylor, of Athens, Ga., was chosen Moderator. Each evening of the session was occupied with preaching; Rev. S. S. Ashley, Dr. J. E. Roy and Prof. H. S. Bennett officiating. Papers were read as follows: “On the Diaconate,” by Dr. Roy; on the “Congregational Polity,” the Scriptural authority therefor, and its advantages, by Rev. Temple Cutler of Chattanooga; and interesting discussions were awakened by them. This Conference evidently believes that the time has come to push Congregational church extension in the South. The experience of those who have been long in this field is, that Congregationalism is eminently adapted to the South.

The narratives of the state of religion in the Conference developed several interesting facts concerning Chattanooga. That city was severely smitten by the yellow fever. Through all the autumn, business and meetings were suspended. The citizens had largely fled away, and the place was left to the sick, the dying and the doctors. The Chattanooga church consists of about eighty members; several of them were smitten, but not one died. “The Band of Hope,” a society pledged to abstinence from intoxicating drinks, tobacco and profanity, having between two hundred and three hundred members, lost only two members by the fever. This “Band” was organized by Rev. E. O. Tade some ten years since. Its object is to gather in and hold under strict New Testament temperance principles the youth of both sexes. Some twelve hundred names have been enrolled upon its records. Its power has been felt far and wide. A branch of the mother band has been organized in the city. It may be safely said that through its agency Chattanooga is more free from intemperance than any other Southern city hereabouts. Its elections are less noted for rioting and drunkenness than those of the cities of Georgia. Here is one result of A. M. A. work. Every church should have connected closely with it a kindred organization. The steadiness of this church in Chattanooga is largely owing to the temperance principles of its members, adopted while they were young.

Bro. Taylor gave the Conference an interesting description of his former mission field on the Gilbert Islands, pointing out their peculiar coral formation, the customs and character of the inhabitants, and the success of Christian missions among them.

Prof. Bennett gave encouraging statements concerning Fisk University. Prof. Spence is in Scotland; Prof. Cravath at his post, and the machinery is running smoothly. The number of students is about as large as usual; the religious interest not quite so decided as in former years.

It was voted to invite the Congregational churches of the South to meet in convention at Atlanta in November, 1880.

GEORGIA.
Atlanta University, Alumni and Students.
PROF. J. F. FULLER, ATLANTA.

This is the tenth year since the organization of this school. The first class graduated from the higher normal course in 1873, and the first from the college in 1876. Classes have graduated regularly from both departments each year since. The alumni number 52, of whom, at graduation, 50 were professing Christians. With the exception of three who are now pursuing a higher course of study, and one who has died since graduation, these are all doing active work for the Master among their own people, and, with others who have left school before completing the regular course of study, are selecting and sending to the University the more promising of their pupils.

The present year shows a larger number of students in attendance and of a better class. Besides those already established in different parts of the State, over a hundred of the students teach during the long summer vacation in the public schools, and also engage in Sabbath school work. It is estimated that during the year 1878 over ten thousand pupils in the State of Georgia were taught by those educated at this University. The influence of the school is commensurate with the number of its workers, and that influence, now very marked, is constantly increasing. The last catalogue shows 30 in the college classes, 37 in the preparatory, 72 in the higher normal, and 104 in the normal. The buildings are of brick, plain, substantial and convenient, but inadequate to the present and prospective needs. The grounds are ample—nearly sixty acres—and beautifully located in the outskirts of the city.

Revival among the Students.
REV. C. W. FRANCIS, ATLANTA.

You will be glad to know that at this school we are in the midst of a deep and effective work of grace, which has already brought into the kingdom a goodly number of precious souls. There has been a good degree of religious interest since the school came together in October, and during the week of prayer, which we faithfully observed, that interest was deepened; and since that time some have been committing themselves to Christ’s service. The day of prayer for colleges, just observed, was an occasion of deep and solemn interest, and a considerable number took a step forward. A few extra meetings have been held; but, for the most part, affairs have gone on as usual, with no interruption of school work; and but for the greater quiet and improved order and discipline of the school, and increasing fidelity to duty, an observer would not know how thorough a work was going forward. Our reliance has been mainly upon the truth, earnestly and plainly presented, rather than upon any unusual measures, and our aim to reach the conscience, and thus secure an intelligent and thorough submission to the claims of God. All the members of the classes to graduate this year now profess to be Christians, and we hope will be well prepared to do effective work for the Master in the wide and needy field open before them. Some who have long withstood every good influence are already affected, and we hope will soon yield to Christ’s claims; indeed, there are hardly any in the family who are not ready to acknowledge a deep interest in the subject. We do not like to give numbers, but we may reasonably hope that as many as twelve have already begun the new life, and more than as many more are deeply serious. We hope for a greater work and a deeper consecration, and that the Lord may baptize afresh for the great and growing work pressing upon us. There are constantly, even at this season, calls for teachers in all parts of this State which cannot be answered, and in almost all cases Christian character is one of the first qualifications sought.

ALABAMA.
Christmas Festival—Bearing One Another’s Burdens.
REV. WILLIAM H. ASH, FLORENCE.

From the depletion made in September by many of our members going to Kansas, a dark cloud for a time gathered over the work here; but I believe the crisis is past, and some that were active in opposition are now working in harmony with us, and endeavoring to take part in every good work. The faithful few are ever encouraged by these cheering words: “But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.”

Up to the Sabbath previous to Christmas we were undecided as to whether it was best to have a Christmas tree; but I found so many willing hearts and ready hands eager to help, and particularly some not members of the church, but friendly to it, that I threw all my influence in this direction to make it a success. At first we planned to have it in the church; but finding that the building used for our Sunday services was too small, it was removed to the court-house, where we had ample room. The church would only accommodate about one-fifth of the people who came with their children to receive the gifts, for we had something for nearly every Methodist and Baptist boy and girl, as well as every Congregationalist in town.

On Friday night, the ladies of our church gave an entertainment to aid in defraying the expenses incurred by the burial of a member of the church who had died very suddenly. He would have been buried by the town but for a few loyal and faithful brethren who revolted at any such idea, and at once assumed the responsibility, though there was not one cent in the treasury. At the supper they cleared enough to pay the debt, and quite a little sum in addition. Our polity is guarded with the same sacredness as in New England.

LOUISIANA.
Straight University and the Central Church— A Week of Prayer and Work of Grace—Revival Incidents.
REV. WALTER S. ALEXANDER, NEW ORLEANS.
New Orleans, La., Feb. 1st, 1879.

The terrible epidemic which held this city in its relentless grasp for five months and created general gloom and depression, delayed the opening of the University till December 1st. When we closed the last term and planned for another year—our first year in the new University building—our hopes were strong and enthusiastic, and we said, “With the attraction and novelty of a fresh, beautiful building in a central position, and the tide of public sentiment strongly in our favor, the new year will be a marked period in the educational interests of our State.” These brilliant expectations were changed to grave uncertainty and anxiety. But God is with us, and our fears are already dissipated. In the first place, the colored people were wonderfully exempt from the ravages of the fever. There were instances of the fever, but the mortality was slight. The only disadvantage was the uncertainty regarding the time of opening the term, which induced a large number to enter into other school arrangements. At this writing we have in the Academic Department 175, and in the Law Department 25. New students are enrolled every week, and we have great occasion for satisfaction and gratitude. Our friends will be glad to know that the new University building suits our needs to perfection. We could hardly suggest a change in the arrangement of rooms. In many respects it is a model house. If our friends could understand how earnestly we desire to furnish our beautiful chapel and two additional recitation rooms, into which we are almost ready to “swarm,” and how we long to see a neat fence surrounding the lot, isolating and protecting us, situated as we are on the grand boulevard of the city, I am sure that some good heart would suggest the means of accomplishing these things. But this is God’s work, and He will send relief if we can only wait.

We shall graduate a class of six, of whom five are young men. They all have bright minds and are first-class scholars. It is a real pleasure to teach them. I hear them every morning in Upham’s Mental Philosophy, and the most exacting teacher would ask no better recitations than are uniformly given. The inducements for young men and women to qualify themselves for teachers of the highest grade are all that could be desired. It is impossible now to answer the demands for competent teachers for the colored schools of Louisiana. I have received an application for a principal of a large parish school, with a salary of $1,200, and two are now in hand for lady teachers, with salaries of $30 per month, in a town where good board can be obtained for $7 per month. This demand will constantly increase both in Louisiana and Texas. Two of our last senior class are teaching in Texas, and receiving $50 per month.

When I returned to the church, after an absence of more than five months, the people greeted me with enthusiasm, and said to me, “You find us a united people. God has kept us together during this sad summer. We are ready for work. When will the revival begin?” I told them we should begin special meetings with the “Week of Prayer;” but the time for earnest labor was already at hand to prepare the people for the work of grace, which I felt sure God had in store for us. Our prayer meetings were largely attended, and I could see that the Church were longing and praying for a glorious revival. What a joyful duty it is to preach to such a people! The “Week of Prayer” came, and with a deep feeling of dependence upon God we gathered for our first special meeting. Night after night the attendance increased. Christians yielded themselves to the spirit of the meetings; the flame of religious fervor burned more brightly; and when, in sympathy with the Christian world, we had considered the topics assigned by the Evangelical Alliance, we felt ready to enter upon the holy work of winning souls, and of directing all our thoughts and energies to this object. For four weeks we gathered every night, with an attendance ranging from 80 to 150, seldom falling below 100. Members of other churches flocked in; unconverted men and women heard the good news and joined the waiting throng. The result has been joyful—blessed—glorious. In some respects I have never witnessed a revival of greater spiritual power. The work has been quiet as the under-current of a river, but deep, heart-searching and vital. The number of converts has been less than in some previous revivals; but when the position and influence of those who have been reached, one-half of them heads of families, is considered, the general result is highly important. A few instances will illustrate the nature of the good work. During a previous revival a fair young girl was one of the joyful converts. She has been a steadfast Christian, honoring by a consistent, holy life her vows as a church member. One year ago she was married to a young man of many attractive qualities, and the centre of influence in a wide circle of friends. During this revival not only the husband, but the mother have found Christ, and to-day there is great joy in that household. On the night when the mother uttered the exultant cry, “Christ has set me free; I am redeemed!” the child, who had prayed for her husband’s and her mother’s conversion, fainted from excess of joy and emotion. Another mother is made happy by the conversion of her son, and expresses her joy with fast-falling tears. Now a student from one of the country parishes yields to conviction and takes his stand as a Christian. Another, a painter by trade, who says he knew nothing of Christianity before, seeks earnestly till he finds the Saviour. We shall never forget his impassioned eloquence when he announced his conversion. It was the utterance of a deep, overwhelming joy. A young man, whose home teaching has been all wrong, walks for days beneath the dark shadow of doubt and fear. On one night he rose in meeting, and weeping freely said, “Why do I not find peace? Why will not God have mercy? Oh, pray for me and help me!” Such agony of soul cannot continue long. It was the profound darkness before the dawn. To-day his faith is strong and joyful.

There came into our meeting a wife, in whose conversion peculiar interest was manifested. Listening with eager interest from the first, she soon became intensely engaged in her own salvation. Near the close of one of our services she exclaimed, so soon as her emotion would permit her to speak, “God, have mercy! Everybody pray for me!” Earnestly she inquired the way of life, and after a brief but bitter struggle the light came beaming in upon her soul, and she goes from house to house, spreading the glad tidings and telling what great things the Lord has done for her. Last year a married woman—a public school-teacher—experienced this blessed change of heart, and the religion of Christ has been the absorbing theme of her life since. Now her daughter, an interesting girl of sixteen, shares the faith of the mother, who says, “Have I not reason for loving God as I do?” One who became a Christian years ago, but who, through indifference, had lapsed from the enjoyment of the Christian life, has been recovered. When she sought my counsel, I said, “Don’t expect to be converted over again. Take your place as a Christian woman, and live as a Christian should live.” The change with her has been like a new conversion. The cloud has been dispelled, and she rejoices in the restored favor of God.

On the last night of our special services fully 150 people were present. I think we shall begin another special campaign the 1st of March. Pray for us that a great light may be kindled here, which God will never suffer to go out. Oh, the progress of this dear church these last three years! Their self-respect, their pure lives, their faith in. God, give cause for Christian confidence, affection and recognition. The true church of God will not withhold them.

TENNESSEE.
Fisk University—The Day of Prayer, etc.
PRES. E. M. CRAVATH, NASHVILLE.

The meeting for prayer for the Association and its work was held on Monday afternoon, January 6, at three o’clock, in the chapel. The number in attendance was very large, and there was an unusual freedom in prayer and a deep and tender interest in all the exercises. Prof. Bennett spoke of the falling off in receipts, of which you had made mention in a recent letter to him, and this called forth very earnest supplication that God would move men’s hearts to liberal giving, so that the good work among their people might not suffer. The occasion was one of unusual interest.

There have been two very clear and interesting cases of conversion since Christmas, and some among us are anxious. There has not yet been so large an increase in the number of students since New Years as we had expected. The weather has been intensely cold and money seems to be very scarce.

The health of teachers and pupils is good. At the Baptist Institute they were compelled to suspend school on Monday because of sickness resulting from the unusual cold and exposure.

Woman’s Work—Relief Fund—Health Matters—
Cottage Meetings—Northern Helpers.
MISS HATTIE A. MILTON, MEMPHIS.

The outlook seems much more encouraging this year than last, for several reasons, one of the most important of which is, that the relief fund gives us access to many more families. Last Sabbath five new scholars came to Sunday-school, all from families which had been benefited by the relief. One of the boys, eleven years old, who belongs to a very poor family, but who is quite a hero among his neighbors, because of his honesty and industry, I often met last year with others on the commons, but he could not come to Sunday-school because he was so ragged. As he was very anxious to attend, a suit of clothes was given him last week, and Sabbath morning he came to the church before his teacher was dressed for breakfast, and waited patiently during the three hours until the exercises began, enjoying his improved appearance.

The past few weeks have been very cold for this climate, and many a widow with her little children has been made to rejoice as she gathered her family around the bright fire and partook of the wholesome food provided by the A. M. A. relief. The yellow fever made terrible havoc in many families—indeed in some none are left to tell the tale of woe! For a few days, now, the weather has been very warm and there is much sickness, and the death rate is very high among the colored people—in many cases, no doubt, resulting from want of proper attention. A few days since I visited a man suffering with indigestion and cold; he had called a doctor, but was not relieved; his wife was anxious to help him, but knew not what to do; so she was told to let the light in from behind, instead of in front of the patient, as it was very painful to his eyes, then to apply cloths wet in hot water to the aching head and chest, and hot bricks, steaming with vinegar, to his feet. In half an hour he was relieved and the next day was almost well, only needing directions about food and ventilation. This is but an instance among many of those who suffer for the want of such simple remedies, of the use of which they have no knowledge. As the demand for nurses has been very great during the past year, we propose giving some attention to this branch in our school, which has filled up since Christmas and is doing well.

The industrial department is getting in good working order. I have about forty women and girls under my general supervision, the more experienced assisting me in teaching the others to cut and make garments. They seem much interested in the work. This department is looked upon with approval by most of the people, as but few mothers are capable of teaching their daughters these accomplishments, though they are very anxious that they should learn them.

My field of work is already twice as large as last year. Members of the different churches welcome me into their houses, and invite their neighbors to our cottage meetings, of which we have five every week in different neighborhoods. The pastor of the leading Methodist church here gave me the names of several members of his church who would be glad to have me hold mothers’ meetings in their houses, which was a great help in my work, as it did much to remove the suspicion with which they have regarded me. Some who are not professed Christians have invited me to their houses, saying they hope by so doing they may see the way more clearly. Many colored people look upon the epidemic of the past season as a judgment from God on account of their sins, and try to be more religious lest a worse evil befall them.

The Ladies’ Missionary Society, of Roseville, Ill., have become interested in this work, and have forwarded a box, for which we are thankful.

The “Little Girls,” of Crete, Ill., who last year sent a box, have this year formed a society, which they have named “The Milton Busy Bees,” have met every two weeks, and with their friends have prepared a box of very valuable clothing, which has been received, and has made many a heart beat warmer. May God bless all our kind friends at the North who aid us so much by these substantial signs of their sympathy.