ITEMS FROM THE FIELD.
Fisk University.—The following statistics relating to the religious condition of the University were read at a meeting, held on the day of prayer for colleges: In Model School—Number of Christians, 35; not Christians, 56; total, 91; percentage, 38.4. Normal School—Number of Christians, 61; not Christians, 55; total, 116; percentage, 52.5. Collegiate Department—Number of Christians, 77; not Christians, 9; total, 86; percentage 89.5. Total number in school, 293; number of Christians, 194; percentage, 59. This meeting occurred in the midst of, and was followed by, great religious interest, which greatly reduced the percentage of non-religious students.
Tougaloo, Miss.—A young woman, who has been teaching, writes to Mr. Miner, of Tougaloo, a letter which, although intended for no eye but his, we think ought to be seen by others. She is explaining why she has not returned to school: “I have had bad luck again in collecting what is due me from the people. They all promised to pay me by the first Saturday of the month, but they did not; so I am left with but little money for going to school.
“Mr. M. I am very sorry! Sorry and hurt to my very heart, to think how I have longed to go to school and learn something, and now I am not able to do so and pay for my own board. Probably I could do so, but I have a poor afflicted mother to help, and six younger brothers and sisters and an orphan cousin; all of them I must help. I am 23 years old to-day, and I have craved to go to school ever since I was seven years old, which is sixteen years I have craved for it; and all the time I have gone, after all, is not more than one year and five or eight months. And now I am almost discouraged of ever going to school like I want to go, that is, to bear my own expense.”
Miller’s Station, Ga.—Rev. J. R. McLean, after an absence of seven years, has taken a vacation trip to his old home in McLeansville, N. C. He reports a good work at that point by Rev. A. Connet, the examinations and closing exercises of whose school he attended. Among many changes noted, he says: “Perhaps the greatest is in some of the plantations. Where once there were from 50 to 100 slaves and from 30 to 40 horses and mules, with large barns, granaries and many cabins, desolation now reigns. One cause of this is the low wages paid for labor (for men, $6.50 or $7 per month; for women, $3), which causes the young men to leave home and work in the tobacco factories. These are schools of vice, as are all places in which young men congregate free from restraint; and the money earned is speedily spent in forming evil habits. In looking over these desolated plantations, I could but be reminded of the prophecy of Jeremiah iv., 27, and Isaiah v., 9-25. As I talked of these things with the only one left of those who formerly ruled over my home and people, it seemed as if the frown of God was resting upon these old homes. May God speed the day when men of all races shall love Him as a common father, and each other us brethren.”
Anniston, Ala.—The Iron Company whose furnaces are at this place, which is about to erect also a woolen mill, is doing much to improve the condition of the colored people. The neat church edifice and parsonage, occupied by the Rev. P. J. McEntosh, were largely built by this Company.
The parish school taught by the pastor, assisted by Miss R. Cruikshank, a graduate of Talladega, closed on the 30th of June a successful term. Miss C. was able to add music to the list of studies, to the great advantage of both school and church. In this she was much aided by the valuable gift of an organ from Mr. Robert Cushman, of Pawtucket, R. I.
The need of women missionaries and teachers, to visit and labor in the homes of the colored people, is deeply felt and strongly urged by the pastor.