MISSISSIPPI.
A Brother’s Devotion.
MRS. G. STANLEY POPE, TOUGALOO.
When we first came to Tougaloo, two years ago last fall, we found a young man who had been here a few days, Frank H——. He had run away from his uncle, because of his cruelty to him. He was then about nineteen years old. He was anxious to get an education; and although he had not a cent of money, he proved to be such a faithful boy, both at his books and at work, that with but little help he managed to earn his board and pay his way in school. He had been a very wicked boy, but Christ wrought a great change in him, and before the year closed, he became a most conscientious Christian.
He remained right here, working on the farm during the summer, and studying when school was in session, until about two months ago, when he left and went to work. He had often spoken of a sister who was still with his uncle, and he was anxious to get her away, and have her in school. A little over a week ago, he received his pay for his work, and went to get his sister. He tried to persuade his uncle to let her go, but he would not listen to it, and said she should never leave him. Frank found out from her that she was greatly abused, and that she wanted to leave and come with him. She is not more than fourteen years old, and small for her age, but when Frank found her she was burning brush and helping to clear up new land. Her whole work has been in the field, plowing and hoeing, picking cotton and “pulling fodder.”
Frank finally made up his mind to “kidnap” her; so a little after dark, when she was feeding the mules, he told her his plan, and they left at once for the swamp, as it would be less easy to track them there. After going through that, they walked till nearly midnight to get to a railroad station farther away than the one they usually went to, as Frank knew his uncle would be down there in the morning to find them. The girl, whose name by the way is Leah, had no clothing on except a cotton dress and a bit of an old shawl over her head; so, early in the morning, Frank went to a store and got calico for two dresses, and hired them made, both being finished (after a fashion) by night, he paying a dollar apiece for the work. He also bought her some shoes and a few other things, and a little after dark they took the cars for this place, arriving here about midnight. Frank stayed over the Sabbath, and then went back to his work to earn money to keep her in school. He said to me, “she’s all the sister I’ve got, and I want her to do well.” She did not know a letter, but she is quick and bright, and during the few days she has been in school she has done well; she knows nothing about housework, but is willing and tries to learn. I asked her yesterday if she knew about God. “Not much.” “Have you ever been to Sabbath-school?” “No.” “Ever been to church?” “Twice.” “Do you know about Jesus?” “Never heard of him.”
Oh, Christian women of the North! do you need to go to India or Turkey to find heathen? I assure you, Leah is not an isolated case; she is a fair sample of thousands in the South.
Your “Woman’s Board of Missions” is doing a good work for God and humanity. I would not underestimate its value; but while you are responding so liberally to the calls for help from afar, are you not forgetting this work of no less importance which lies nearer to you, the work of giving Christian education to the despised and degraded colored women of the South?
We are very sorry to have Frank out of school. He can not afford it, neither can you afford it, for if he could be in school for one or two years longer, he would make a very fair teacher for the country schools.
He hopes to be here next year; but if he has to clothe himself and his sister, and pay seven dollars apiece a month for their board, I don’t see much chance for him. Does any one feel called upon to take the responsibility of her board bill?
Report
Of the State Superintendent of Public Education to His Excellency Governor J. M. Stone, and the Honorable Legislature of the State of Mississippi.
TOUGALOO UNIVERSITY.
This institution, under the direction and control of the American Missionary Association, is doing a most excellent work in the education of the colored youth of the State. For a number of years after its establishment an annual appropriation was made by the State, supplementary to the funds contributed by the Society, and a Board of Trustees was appointed on the part of the State. This Board still exists; but inasmuch as the last Legislature failed to make appropriation for the University, and as the property belongs to the Missionary Society, it would appear to be useless. The Principal, writing on the 20th of December, 1879, says: “The improvement in the school is very marked. This is seen in the general training of students, in the greater number who are desiring to complete the regular course of study, the increased number in attendance in the higher grades, in more frequent visits from patrons, and by the friends it is making among the whites where our students have been at work.
The management of the institution is admirable, its teachers are superior, and everything connected with it is in excellent condition, as I have had occasion to learn from personal observation. As a recognition of the good work being done by the American Missionary Association in the education and elevation of the colored people of the State, it is recommended that a liberal appropriation be made, that it may be rendered still more useful.”
J. A. Smith,
State Supt. of Public Education.