NOTES IN THE SADDLE.
BY FIELD-SUPERINTENDENT C. J RYDER.
The Lincoln Memorial Church at Washington, D. C., are rejoicing in their remodeled building. Various branches of missionary work are carried on with increased vigor. The industrial training is now under the direction of the pastoress, Mrs. Moore, and is reaching a large number of women and girls. The outlook of this work at Washington was never so bright as now.
Dudley, N. C., is a smart little village, having in its entire population only four white families. The two saloons in the town, however, are kept by white men—a pretty sorrowful and disgraceful comment upon the white race. The County Superintendent of schools spoke in the highest praise of the A. M. A. school and church at Dudley. Congregationalism here, as elsewhere, is the synonym for intelligence and purity.
Wilmington is still saddened by the death of Rev. D. D. Dodge, for a long time the active pastor of the Congregational Church in that city. But the work goes on with continued prosperity.
A little nine-year-old daughter of the pastor of the A. M. A. church at Beaufort, N. C., has used her time so wisely between school hours that she sat down to the organ and played ordinary music readily. Can any other little A. M. A. girl no older show better use of her time? This little girl has had only a few weeks’ instruction in music.
No one who has not visited Charleston, S. C., can form any idea of the terrible results of that awful earthquake visitation. The citizens have accomplished wonders in repairing the ruins of their homes and churches and shops, but it will be months yet before the fearful desolation can be overcome. Poor Charleston, what with war and cyclones and earthquakes has she not suffered! Is it Divine punishment for her rash and fearful sins of the past? Who can say it is? Who dare say it is not? The Congregational Church was uninjured by the “quake.” Extensive repairs had just been made in the building, and the services of re-dedication came immediately after that night of earthquake horrors, and were very impressive. Many conversions have taken place since the re-opening of the church.
Avery Institute suffered seriously from the earthquake. Extensive and expensive repairs were made necessary before the school could be opened. These are now completed. I learned of some two hundred pupils who were waiting to enter Avery as soon as it should be opened.
At Savannah, Ga., I found a most delightful state of religious interest. More than a hundred have been hopefully converted during the few weeks just passed. Many interesting incidents have occurred. One young man, who has been rather a wild young fellow, became a Christian. He was at once anxious for his mother, who was not a Christian. One night she refused to come to evening service. The friend who went to invite her gave up in despair. But God did not give up. His spirit still strove with her, and she came into the church and took the very back seat. But she was the first to come forward when the invitation was given to those who desired prayers for themselves. She sat with bowed head a long time. Her son was there praying for her. There was no excitement. At last this mother, rising to her feet, walked across the house, and taking the preacher by the hand, said: “I will venture.” There was joy in many hearts. The mother and son are now praying that the aged grandmother may find her way into the fold of the Good Shepherd, even in her trembling old age.
McIntosh is also rejoicing in a spiritual harvest. Twenty-eight, all on confession of their faith, joined the A. M. A. church on the last communion Sabbath. Dorchester Academy is full, and more than full. The enrollment for January was 250, and sixty pupils had been turned away because there was no “room to receive them.” Miss Plimpton, with three young lady assistants, does this tremendous work with marvellous success. The pastor had been ill for a few Sabbaths, and the Sabbath duties fell upon these overworked and heroic women. As I looked into the schoolrooms, crowded to their very doors, hot and oppressive, it seemed to me that if anywhere on this continent the Master’s work is being done, it is right here at McIntosh, Ga. They are indeed Sisters of Mercy. A little girl in one of our schools was asked what the feminine of Friar was. She replied, “Fricassee.” In that hot school-room it seemed almost possible that these Protestant teachers might be unwillingly converted into female Friars, according to the little girl’s definition.
The teachers are reaching out in every direction. In a little tumbled down, or tumbling down, log cabin, Miss Robertson holds mission service every Sabbath. From seventy to ninety, mostly men and boys, gather to sing, hear God’s word read, and gather useful lessons from the wise and loving counsel of this earnest Christian soul. One hundred dollars are needed at once to put this cabin into such shape as shall make it suitable for these services.
In pushing out through the swamps that lie all round Dorchester, the teachers not infrequently see great, venomous snakes (water moccasins) tumble off the path before them into the water. And yet these are timid ladies, and shrink just as you do, gentle reader, from such monsters. They are there for Christ’s sake, and in His name they go forward.
Will not some earnest Christian at the North increase his contribution, so that the school facilities at Dorchester Academy may meet the demand another year, and so that the hearts of these Christian heroines may be comforted and cheered?