Is the Work in Vain?—Building Progress—A Missionary Spirit.
REV. HORACE J. TAYLOR, ATHENS.
Sometimes one is tempted to say that the work here is in vain. We know, for instance, that a great deal has been done during the last fifteen years by the Principal of Trinity School, and yet one can see that the work is by no means finished. Have not some people at the North been thinking that, after fifteen years of good work among the colored people of the South, the A.M.A. ought to be about leaving the field here for some other? Some here say to me, it will be a work of centuries to bring up this people; others, that the colored race never will be fit for anything but farm laborers; they must be hewers of wood and drawers of water. Some people in Ohio think the religion of the colored man in the South is a “pure and undefiled” religion. Some people here think there is no use in trying to give the colored man a pure system of religion. “They get together and shout and carry on, and that is all they are fitted for.” “Their religion is impure and defiled, and they cannot appreciate a pure religion.” So say the enemies of the colored race. Well, this is partly true; too true. The colored man has emotion, and his late masters were too often content with that “religion” in the slave. As slaves they were allowed to preach and steal and commit adultery, and all together, too.
When we think of the pit from which they have been lifted, and of their ancestry—only a few generations ago heathen all of them, cannibals some of them—can we think that the results are less than we might expect? A great deal has been done here, and there is a great deal to show for it. Some might think there was not much to be seen of good results. A church of forty-four members—three less than two years ago, five less than one year ago—some weak ones, the church as well as the school still pecuniarily dependent on the A.M.A., they will not be ready to cut loose from the fostering care of the Association for some years yet.
Christ said that the kingdom of heaven was like a grain of mustard seed, or like a little leaven. These churches and schools act like leaven in a mass of ignorance. And this leaven works. And it is because of this leavening power of the Gospel that we are encouraged. The whole will be leavened in time. But time is necessary. The Congregational churches have undertaken a mighty work, and they must patiently stick to it for years yet. Much as can be seen of the results of the work here, more than half of it cannot be easily seen. Other churches have been enlightened and helped. Even those who try to keep out the light can’t prevent some of it getting through the chinks.
You will want to know about the work for the new school building. If we had had the least idea that we must work five months with less than one hundred dollars in money, we never would have undertaken the job. We hoped a fair share of the subscriptions would be paid in cash. One or two had themselves to buy the moulds for making the bricks, and the shovels to dig with, and the cord to line the ground with. We had no boards to cover the bricks, so, instead of kilning the bricks as they were made, they were piled in an old log house. Many were broken in this way. Then they were moved when we had boards to cover the kiln; and many more were broken. And from the 1st of August—we didn’t begin to prepare the ground till July 17th—till November we had heavy and frequent rains. The papers said such a season had not been known for many years. We were hindered in our work, and lost bricks from the rains. But we have over a hundred thousand bricks, and a total expense of one hundred and fifty dollars. If the workers next summer can have the money, as we hope, they will not work to such disadvantage, for they will have boards on hand, and can kiln the bricks as they make them, and have tools. The building will be finished, but it takes more time than we at first thought. Such a school-house was not necessary fifteen years ago. Our neat church building, and the necessity for a substantial school building, are proofs of the great work done here by Miss Wells. I enjoy this work, and have become attached to the people. But it is too nice a place for me. I never expected to preach from a carpeted platform. I must go far hence to more destitute places beyond—to the islands of the sea. But the work is one. Whether in Alabama or Micronesia, under the A.M.A. or the A.B.C.F.M., we are working for one Lord, to establish the kingdom of Christ on earth. We can but praise Him that He calls us to work in any corner of His wide vineyard.
MISSISSIPPI.
Sunday-Schools—Student-Conversions—Crowded Rooms.
MRS. G. STANLEY POPE, TOUGALOO.
The year thus far has been most pleasant and profitable. During the fall term we had an unusually large number of students who entered into study with faithfulness and energy.
Many who had been teaching during the summer, gave most interesting reports of their work. The Sunday-school and temperance work had been vigorously pushed with excellent results; one of which is over thirteen hundred signers to the temperance pledge. Some conversions in their Sunday-schools were also reported; and quite often now some one speaks in our prayer-meeting of receiving a letter from a pupil asking for prayers that he may become a Christian.
Just at the close of the fall term we were visited with a remarkable outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Our good Dr. Roy had been here, and a sermon which he preached left impressions which brought some to decide for Christ. And then the Sunday-school lessons. I remember watching the young people during the closing exercises of Sunday-school the Sabbath before Christmas, and I saw that there was deep feeling, and felt sure that there were some who would not long resist the Spirit, and during the next three days there were nineteen conversions.
Three or four others have since then found Christ. There is also a marked Christian growth and a growing interest in the study of the Bible. Our hearts are greatly encouraged, and we go forward rejoicing that we are permitted to work for Christ. Truly “The Lord hath done great things for us whereof we are glad.”
At present we have one hundred and four boarders, with the prospect of more soon. Every room is occupied, and we are crowded to what seems the utmost limit of our accommodations. What we shall do with those yet to come, is a problem which neither mathematics nor the laws of expansion have solved. Shall they hang up in the trees or bivouac under them? We want to put an addition to the “barracks,” but have not the means necessary. Dear friends at the North, shall we turn these young people away? What is your answer? We hope that by a year from now, a good substantial building will be at least in process of erection, that shall do away with some of the temporary accommodations we now have.
TENNESSEE.
School Work and Week of Prayer.
E. A. H., MEMPHIS.
Next week will, I believe, close my second month’s work here. I find the work very pleasant, and am enjoying it greatly, though I think I am working harder than I have ever worked in a school before. The school has filled up very rapidly since the holidays. My room is full to overflowing, and I have been obliged to seat a few of my pupils in the Normal room. That room and the Primary are also quite full. Of course, these additions to the school have made the work of the teachers much harder. Besides my work with my own pupils, I am having some practice work done. Four students from the Senior Class of the Normal Department, are engaged for a short time each day in teaching in my department, and under my supervision. This corps of teachers is changed once in two weeks, thus giving each pupil in that class a chance to work. I also meet the Senior Class three times a week, for talks with them on school and class work, taking up the objects to be gained by recitations and the best methods used. I think I can see already that this work is doing good, and I hope that it may prove of great value to the pupils.
We have been observing the week of prayer in the school, by fifteen minute prayer meetings, directly after school. At first, these were held in a recitation room, but Thursday evening the meeting had grown so large that it was held in the Intermediate room, and Friday evening in the Assembly room. A good deal of interest has been shown, and a number have expressed a desire for the prayers of Christians. We hope that the interest may deepen and much good be done.
TEXAS.
Two Hours’ Work by a Student-Canvasser.
The following letter, with enclosure of $3.50 and fourteen names for the Missionary for six months, will not only explain itself, but may furnish a suggestive example to many.
Dear Friends: Of course you will be curious to know how it happened that some persons in this place—Marshall, Texas—suddenly conclude to read the American Missionary, consequently I send you these words of explanation. I am indebted to your schools for all the education I possess. I attended Straight University five months—from January to June, 1874; then beautiful Fisk University nearly nine months—from September to May, 1879, entering college regularly with the class. Commencement over, I set out for Texas, earnestly desiring to secure means to go through with; but, owing to bad health and the want of proper precaution, I failed. I was unwilling to return immediately to Fisk University empty-handed, to give my teachers additional concern about my welfare, and, as I am firmly resolved to complete the course, everything to the contrary notwithstanding, something had to be done. Hence I decided to remain in Texas a few months longer, giving my wife, who is at Nashville, the choice of remaining there or joining me here, until the difficulty is past. I could get no paying work right away, having walked upwards of two hundred miles and spent three weeks of valuable time in the search. Finally, weary, foot-worn and exhausted, I fell under the effects of intermittent fever—indeed, I was in trouble. Nothing remained, then, but to be idle two months or more, at the expiration of which I could begin to teach, in accordance with a contract that I then held. In the meantime my class would be making progress; this thought, believe me, gave me as much concern as my ill-health. I carried the subject to the Lord in prayer and became reconciled. I reached Marshall, on the 22d instant. I plainly stated my case to the teachers of this Institution. They seemed to sympathize with me, and on the following morning assigned me work. Thus, you see, I am doing something, though it may be very little.
I heard an interesting discourse Sabbath evening from I. Corinthians xv., 58. The preacher proved clearly to my mind that Christians ought to be zealous of good works for the churches to which they belong. He proved, too, that all could do something. The whole furnished me excellent food for reflection. I began to figure out how much we colored people in the South could advance your glorious work if we only had the zeal. I found, indeed, that we are neglecting a very important service; so I resolved, not having anything else in view, to secure some subscribers to the American Missionary, and within two hours yesterday I begged fourteen persons to put down their names. Now, suppose each one of your students in the South should do even that much, is it not plain that you would soon have a large constituency here as well as in New England? Such service alone would increase your subscription-list by many thousands, and add largely to your income, as well as disseminate, as should be, a wide knowledge of your work. Let, then, every one, put his hand to the wheel, for all can do something. Believe me, I am heartily ashamed of myself, now that I can see what an excellent opportunity of doing great good I have lost by not doing the lesser. I have lived, more or less, in no fewer than twenty towns, and I have taught in at least fifteen different schools since I first left one of your schools, at any one of which I ought to have raised at least as many subscribers to the American Missionary as I have here. I have been a Christian for several years, but unfortunately one of that class who are afraid to “stand up for Jesus.” I am feeling differently now, consequently am likely to fly to the other extreme. Should any little work, then, suggest itself to you, such as you may regard me capable of performing, why be assured that a willing servant is at hand. It is to be very much regretted that, since I have to remain here, I could not be with the teachers at Tillotson College; still those who can work will work anywhere.
Very sincerely,
H. C. G.