THE YELLOW FEVER.
The yellow fever, in its ravages in the South, pays no regard to race, color or previous condition. Whites and blacks alike have suffered from its sudden and malignant attacks. Death levels all distinctions. The statement which has been often made, that the negroes are proof against this pestilence, seems to have been ill-based, as intelligent observers of its ravages in former years utterly contradict it. At any rate, it is not true of this year’s scourge.
Quite opposite assertions have been made in regard to the conduct of the blacks during the panic which this deathly visitor has occasioned. So contradictory, in fact, that we suspect the truth to be that they have acted very much like white people of the same intelligence. Some have stood at their posts, and done noble work as nurses, as ministers, and in humbler stations. And some, doubtless, like those of other races, have been carried by their fears away from the most sacred of duties.
How has it affected our work? Of course, our schools in the South are closed during the hot months, and most of the teachers and white pastors are in the North. Straight University, at New Orleans, La., is closed, and Rev. Mr. Alexander, the pastor of the church, is at his New England home. At Grenada, Miss., which has been almost depopulated by the fever, we had a school. The two teachers, however, we believe went to the country before the pestilence reached that beautiful town. The only one of our workers whom we know to have been stricken down is Rev. W. W. Mallory, the colored pastor of the church at Memphis, Tenn., who was still sick at our last advices. We have reason to hope for his recovery and restoration to full health.
We have transmitted some sums of money which have been put into our hands for special relief to the suffering colored people of these infected districts, to which we have added what we felt justified in doing from the funds of the Association.
But the peril is not over yet. Many days must intervene before the thrice welcome frosts may be expected to kill the germs of this fell disease, and famine always comes in the train of continued pestilence. It is the Lord’s work to avert suffering and relieve physical want. May the fountains of charity, which have been opened so freely through the land, continue to flow increasingly until there shall be no more thirst.