LETTER FROM A LADY MISSIONARY.
——, Ga., January, 1885.
Dear Friends: As I take my pen to write my mind goes back to the general letter that I wrote. Can I tell you of any improvement among those with whom we have to do, since that time? Watching the progress of our school from day to day the upward tendency seems slow, but looking back a year a marked improvement can be seen. While they learn readily they remember well, and the homes of those who come in contact with our church and school are different. Last Saturday was the coldest day of the winter, but Miss Robertson and I, according to a previous appointment went to the Dunwoody settlement to hold a woman's meeting. I think I wrote you about a similar meeting one year ago; this is the third one that I have held, and the meetings have gained in interest. In that settlement, before they commence planting, the people have a fast day; they neither eat, wash their faces nor perform any ordinary duties from one sunset to the next. They pray in their homes and unitedly for God's blessing upon the labor of their hands. It reminds me of the way fast days used to be kept in the early history of New England. I am inclined to think they caught the idea from the people who came from New England here. I do not know that such a custom is observed except in this settlement. I asked the women if a blessing followed their prayers? They answered decidedly, "Yes," and said that while the people all about them had suffered for the necessities of life, in that settlement they had never since freedom bought corn, rice or potatoes, but had raised sufficient for their needs. In their simplicity they take God at His word, "Ask and ye shall receive."
Last Sabbath another couple entered upon the "matrimonial sea," this time young people. The gorgeous attire of the wedding party can be better imagined than described. We see few tokens of love and affection among this people. In the Sunday-school lesson of last Sabbath the questions and remarks of our pupils led us to think that it was almost a missing link in their lives; it seemed impossible for them to understand why the people should fall on Paul's neck and kiss him; it is a rare sight to see a kiss exchanged among them.
Yesterday, after school, the parson went with me over the swamps to the homes of some of our scholars. We passed through several ditches, where the water was up to the hubs of the buggy wheels; there was a log for a foot-path over these places. It was very muddy all along the way, and yet these children are seldom absent from school. To-day, the clouds are heavy and dark, and the rain has come down in torrents, yet many have come into school from these long distances, to our surprise, one boy having the promise of being promoted into the second reader came at least six miles, bringing a chicken and six eggs to pay for his book; when he arrived he was wet to his skin. Two-thirds of our school were present to-day. I realize as never before the effort these children are making for themselves. Oh! I remember how freely money was given and the young men from our homes that freedom might be obtained for this people; then the women must wait and pray at home, but now the way is open for women to teach the young of this vast race that the future may not disclose a nation within a nation, hostile to the good and true of a Christian people. Shall there not be volunteers among our New England girls, who shall say: "Here am I. Send me" to the work?
Very cordially yours, E. P.
Some of our hard-worked sisters at the North may wish to enter the service of the A. M. A., that they may get a little rest and find time for literary culture. We commend to such a careful perusal of the following report.
monthly report by miss h.
Days taught during the month, 25; Hours taught, 150; Scholars classified, 73; Tuition collected, $54.75; School books sold, 111; Book money, $24.00; School programmes, 10; Slates corrected, 1,250; Arithmetical examples (oral), 325; Words written on the blackboard, 225; Spelling words (oral), 450; Reading lessons, 50; Golden Texts, 4; New song taught, 1; Five-minute talks, 10; Conducted chapel exercises, 4; Conducted home devotions, 5; Tuesday evening public talk, 1; Interviewed mothers of refractory scholars, 5; Notes to parents, 10; Postal cards (absent scholars), 20; Written examination, 1; Choir meetings, 4; Whipped scholar, 1; Attended woman's prayer meeting, 4; Church services, 20.