TENNESSEE.
Le Moyne Library—Sunday-school Work.
MISS LAURA A. PARMELEE, MEMPHIS.
There has been some work and much time spent upon the library in labeling and cataloguing the two hundred and thirty new volumes, and arranging the whole five hundred in classes.
We have nineteen popular books of science; twenty-five bright records of travel; forty-seven good histories, essays, stories, &c., of genuine worth. Many of them are already in circulation. I am confident this must gather to our support the best elements in the colored community.
Some of the public school-teachers have spoken to Mr. Steele about reciting to him at night. They say they wish to review the lower branches. The arrangements have not been perfected. And a request has come that a class be formed in theology, for the benefit of young men who are obliged to work, but wish to fit themselves for preaching.
Just at this time we are in a state of chaos, waiting for the holiday merry-makings to be over, that people may settle down to plans for another year. We hope for a good year in every sense of the word. As I sit by my stove writing, a substantial Baptist sister is warming her feet on the hearth and making arrangements with Miss Milton to hold a neighborhood prayer-meeting at her house Tuesday morning. I think the missionary work is broadening. The yellow fever fund you sent is helping to break down barriers.
Generous Giving—Not Dying Out—Help Wanted.
REV. TEMPLE CUTLER, CHATTANOOGA.
During my seven months' absence from home the church managed to take care of itself with credit both to its zeal and its ability. Three months of the time it was ministered to by the Rev. G. W. Moore, a young preacher pursuing his studies at Fisk. Brother Moore gave himself most heartily to the work while here, and displayed qualities of mind and heart that give promise of great usefulness to his race. The church raised for him by its own contributions $50 per month, besides contributing nearly $50 to aid yellow fever sufferers in other cities in the early stage of the epidemic. The total amount of their contributions during my absence was $211.42. I do not think many of our Northern churches can show a better record, considering their income. It amounts to about $3.50 from each resident member. The income of our membership will not average $150 a year. Let these figures be compared with those of some of our city churches, and we will not blush. I sometimes get a little tried with the people when I see them waste their money on tobacco and a thousand little extravagances; but I immediately feel rebuked when I compare their extravagance with that of white people. If white people gave according to their income as these poor black people do, our debt would not hang like a millstone around our neck, and the Home Missionary Society would not still groan over $30,000.
I have heard it stated that the colored people are dying out. This is not the case among our people. I have been here two years and a half, and have not been called to attend a funeral of any member of our church. There have been but three deaths in the families, and two of them were yellow fever cases during my absence. Some of our members were sick, but none of them died. There were many, many cases of yellow fever among the colored people that were not reported. They held, perhaps, a superstitious notion—the doctors would say so, at least—that if they went to the hospital they would surely die; so they doctored themselves with herbs, and so far as I can learn not one so treated died.
We are in the midst of the trying season for these poor people. The cold weather is coming on; but thanks to the kind women of Yarmouth, Mass., and Skowhegan, Me., we have a good stock of garments for the most needy. Two barrels have come and their contents been distributed in part. The Lord bless the generous hearts and fingers that filled them.
I want to say to the friends of Tennie that she is making a grand record in school. I have another girl named Rosa for whom I bespeak an interest. If any Sunday-school or any body wants to take her off my hands, I will find another to take care of. Work done for these girls is good work.