BUREAU OF WOMAN’S WORK.
It has become an axiom in missionary work that no race can be lifted out of ignorance and degradation except as its women are elevated. One of the marked features of this age in mission work is the clearness with which this is seen and the enthusiastic and successful efforts put forth by the noble women of the churches in this behalf. It is not merely the money which these efforts bring to the missionary societies, but the zeal for the conversion of the world infused by them into the church and the home. The Christian mother catches the enthusiasm, and the children feel its inspiration. Missionary education becomes the life-work in the family.
The American Missionary Association has from the outset realized the indispensable need of the elevation of woman in its work in the South, among the Indians, and, as far as possible, among the Chinese at the West. Its workers, largely women, have been specially adapted to it. The lady teachers have reached not merely the girls in their schools, but the mothers in their homes. The lady missionaries have labored for the purification of the home through direct visits, in mothers’ meetings, in industrial work taught to the girls, in the Sunday-school, and in temperance work. We have become so impressed with the importance and success of this part of our work that we are constrained to give it a broader basis and a more thorough organization. Our aim is not only to do more work for woman, but to give the Christian ladies of the North and West more full information as to the way in which they can co-operate with us. We wish to show that not only in varied ways, but with small sums of money they can reach the women for whom we labor.
To attain these results the Executive Committee of the A. M. A. has organized a Bureau of Woman’s Work. The object is:
1. To give information to the ladies in the churches of the variety of work now sustained by the Association, and to assist in devising plans of help.
2. To promote correspondence with churches, Sabbath-schools, missionary societies, or individuals, who will undertake work of a special character, such as the support of missionaries, aiding of students, supplying clothing, furnishing goods, and meeting other wants on mission ground.
3. To send to the Churches, Conferences or Associations desiring it some of our experienced and intelligent lady missionaries, who can address them giving fuller details of our methods.
We believe that such a Bureau will meet a felt want and be welcomed by the earnest Christian women of the country. The selection of the head of the Bureau will be made and announced soon, and in the meantime inquiries can be addressed to Bureau of Woman’s Work, American Missionary Association, 56 Reade street, New York.
The Mozart Society of Fisk University tendered a complimentary concert to the members of the Tennessee Legislature. The invitation was accepted; and on the evening of March 15, the members with their ladies, and other friends to the number of three or four hundred, filled the University chapel. The concert was excellent, and the guests were deeply impressed. Complimentary speeches were made at the close by the Speaker of the House and the President of the Senate; and both houses afterwards passed a resolution of thanks. One member sought an introduction to President Cravath after the concert, saying, “This evening marks an era in my life. You have converted me on the negro question.” Much credit is due to the Mozart Society and to Prof. Spence for the manner in which the whole entertainment was rendered.
At our last annual meeting, held in Cleveland, a committee was appointed to report amendments to the Constitution of this Association. The Committee consisted of Hon. Wm. B. Washburn, Rev. G. M. Boynton, A. L. Williston, Esq., Rev. W. T. Eustis, D.D., Rev. A. H. Plumb, D.D., of Mass., Austin Abbott, Esq., John H. Washburn, Esq., of New York, Jacob L. Halsey, of New Jersey, Rev. L. W. Bacon, D.D., Rev. L. T. Chamberlain, D.D., of Conn., Rev. C. T. Collins, of Ohio, Rev. A. H. Ross, of Mich., Rev. F. A. Noble, D.D., of Illinois. Feb. 21, the above Committee met at the rooms of this Association, all the members being present except Drs. Noble and Chamberlain, who were detained by sickness in their households.
After protracted discussion and the earnest advocacy of various views, the Committee unanimously agreed to report a draft of a Constitution, which we give elsewhere in this number of the Missionary. The Committee will submit the Proposed Constitution to the different State Conferences and Associations for action in accordance with the instructions given at the annual meeting.