ARREST OF OUR TEACHERS IN ORANGE PARK, FLORIDA.
Rev. T. S. Perry, of Limerick, Me.; Mr. O. S. Dickinson, of West Granville, Mass.; Principal B. D. Rowlee, of East Woodstock, Conn.; Mrs. B. D. Rowlee; Miss Edith M. Robinson, of Battle Creek, Mich.; Miss H. S. Loveland, of Newark Valley, N. Y.; and Miss Margaret Ball, of Orange Park, Fla., with two patrons of the school (white) residing in Orange Park, were all arrested by the Sheriff at Orange Park, Fla., on Friday the 10th of April, charged with the crime of teaching young people of two races under the same roof. They were not taken to jail, but were given until Monday—the intervening days of Saturday and Sunday—to procure bail. This esteemed pastor of the Congregational Church in Orange Park, the most worthy teachers and the patrons are awaiting trial for this crime! and are only saved from jail by the bail which has been procured for them. This is as far as the State of Florida has descended in its shame at present.
This enactment, which we have been careful not to call a law, was pronounced by the National Council to be "not only repugnant to Christian principles, but also opposed to the civil rights guaranteed by our Constitution," and the Association was called to persistently resist it with all legal measures.
Senator Hoar of Massachusetts writes of it: "I am amazed that even in Florida such things can be done. I think that this cannot stand a moment before the Courts of the United States."
Arrests of Christian teachers because they instruct a few white children under the same roof with colored children will not only call the attention of the Nation to the gross darkness which dwells in the minds of those who could make such an enactment, but it will bring about a public opinion which will hasten the progress of the State from its present low condition faster than almost any other agency.
Meanwhile Florida remains in shame.
The Hamilton Club has added the name of a colored man to the list of its members. It is the first of the leading men's social organizations in Chicago to abolish the color line. This special honor was conferred upon Adelbert H. Roberts. The name passed the test of posting and the directors were unanimous in his favor.—Chicago Times-Herald.
Horse Needed.—A faithful minister in our mountain field has great need of a horse. He reaches half a dozen preaching-stations among these Highlanders, often going on foot. Fifty dollars would purchase him a good horse, and if any friend will respond to this appeal it will increase the efficiency of an earnest missionary very greatly. If a larger amount than this is received it will be expended in the work among these mountain people.
Rev. H. E. Partridge, of Pomona, Tenn., will be glad to write full particulars concerning an opening for a Christian merchant in a store on the Cumberland Plateau.