MISSISSIPPI.
A Praise Meeting.
REV. G. STANLEY POPE, TOUGALOO.
Soon after the opening of the school we gathered together in our chapel, to tell a few of the things for which we were thankful. I wish some of our friends had been present to share the enjoyment of the occasion with us.
One said: “I have had the severest sickness of my life, but it proved a good thing for me. It kept me from going to my second school at Lake, where the fever was so bad afterwards. I see a great change in the people. They have been more thoughtful. I have not prayed once without asking God to protect and bless the teachers and scholars of our institution. My prayers have been answered.”
Another said: “I am thankful that I have been blessed with more light than many others. I never before saw how great the darkness is in our country. The condition of the people where I have been teaching is dreadful.”
Another, who is not a Christian: “I am thankful that I have at last got here, where I have so long desired to be. I hope I may be blessed spiritually as well as in my studies.”
Another: “I see the need of good teachers and preachers as I never did before. I am thankful for this, and that I am spared to get back under these kind instructors.”
“I have been in a very intemperate place, but the Lord has helped me to do good work. Secured a good many signers to the pledge. I am thankful for this, and that I have been spared during the sickness.”
One who was converted last winter said: “I am thankful that I have been with Christians who have led me to the Lord. I don’t know how to tell my gratitude. I am just beginning to know what it is to be upright and truthful.”
“When I left here last summer to go to a new place, I felt that I needed God’s aid. I asked Him to be with me. He has kept me and made my work successful. I thank Him for it. I will continue to thank Him.”
“The old mother thanks the Lord that she has been able to get here to hear the Bible read, and see the teachers back again.”
“I was teaching near Grenada. That was my P. O. The fever was on three sides of me. Some of my scholars had to leave school; but amidst it all God spared me, and I am thankful for it. There were some white young men came into my Sunday-school. At first I was afraid, but I spoke to them, and asked them if they would like some papers. They kept coming, and seemed just as much interested in what I said, and in getting the papers, as any of my pupils.”
“‘He leadeth me.’ I cannot begin to tell all the things for which I am thankful. Aside from the health of my own family, nothing rejoices me more than to see these faces. Our friends at the North cannot begin to realize the gloom that settled down over us here. It seemed as though we were breathing in death continually. I am thankful that God has spared us, and that I have had such a pleasant family during the summer.” To this effect spoke Brother Miner, who remained here during the summer with several of the young people to take care of the farm.
These are only fragments that were jotted down. An hour and a half was spent in this way. A few of our students had the fever, but we have not heard of one who died with it. This continues to be the cause of great thankfulness.
OUR TEMPERANCE MEETING,
a few nights later, was no less interesting. I noted down a few sentences, as one after another reported, which will show what kind of work has been done by our students during the summer. One young woman said, “When I first spoke to my scholars about temperance, they did not know what I meant. I would not allow any one to sign the pledge until I was sure he understood it. I read temperance stories, etc. I found one lady using snuff and toddy, who said she didn’t know as there was anything about drink in the Bible. She thought the Lord would forgive such a little thing. A minister said he never saw drink to be such a bad thing. He would not sign the pledge, but I have since heard that he is going to try to establish a temperance rule in his church. I got 28 signers to the pledge.”
Mr. T. said: “I got 48 names to my pledges; most of them were young people, some of them children. I tried not to receive any unless they thoroughly understood it. I met some opposition from the old folks, but some of them signed. One young man fifteen miles away came in and signed. He was afterward taken sick, and the doctor prescribed toddies, but he stoutly refused them. I think many can be depended upon. There is no other such work being done in the county.”
Mr. H.: “My work was not so great as I think it should have been. The community was very wicked, most of the older ones hung back, 24 signed, most of them my scholars. I took my pledge to school every day, and to Sunday-school. I told them very plainly what is meant by signing the pledge, or more would have signed, I found the very small ones understood it as well as the older ones. Some are so poor they cannot get drink.”
H. T. T.: “I have not much of a report. Did not find one who believed in temperance. Went to the older ones first, but they were not willing to sign. I secured 12 signers. Might have had more, but did not take the small ones. One minister said he had looked at it a long time, and thought it would be well to present it to his people, but would not sign. Another minister did.”
There are ministers here as well as elsewhere who are willing to preach, on the Sabbath, a purer type of Christianity than they exemplify in their home life during the week.
C. J. T.: “I did not make an effort at first. I was invited to their “Loving Society.” I went with my Bible, pledge and statistical essay in hand. I put in a good deal of vengeance and converted a good many right there. Got 25 names. At close of school I got some more; in all 47. We must keep this subject before them. A Baptist Convention was held there. I got three ministers to sign. Mr. Tanner labored with one minister who wrote out a resolution, and secured its passage in Convention, that their members should not drink.”
Miss C.: “I presented the subject to my Sunday-school. Had a meeting at night. Many of the parents came. I read about Daniel purposing in his heart, and then sung ‘Dare to be a Daniel.’ The first one to sign was a man about fifty years old; 24 signed. The next Saturday I went ten miles into the country and spent the Sabbath. 26 signed there. One man, who had no children and was well off, but spending his money rapidly for drink, signed and is now saving his money. I went to Lake to help Mr. T. Many signed his pledge there. One little boy at Forest wanted to be a Daniel and signed. He was snake-bitten, whiskey was prescribed, but he refused to drink it even after he was told that that would not be breaking his pledge. He recovered. Most of my signers were among the older ones.”
Other reports were as interesting as these, but I am afraid I am writing too much now. I have taken these reports in the order in which they were given. After hearing from all our students, I may send you the number of signers to the pledge, secured during the summer by them.