ITEMS FROM THE FIELD.
Denominational Fraternity.--From High Point, N. C., we have the following:
One of the great hindrances to the evangelization of the colored people in the South is the constant flaunting of denominational banners by ignorant and unprincipled preachers. But I am happy to say, that at our special services on Lincoln Memorial Day, this spirit of evil was buried in High Point, at least for one day. It was pleasant to see Methodists, Baptists, and Congregationalists working harmoniously together to make the occasion successful. One brother and wife gave us 45 cents, and the pastor of the Baptist Church, after speaking a word in behalf of the American Missionary Association came forward and deposited a quarter on the table, at the same time urging his members to give liberally to help it overcome its great burden of debt. I am pleased also to note the self-denial of two faithful members, a mother and daughter of our own church, who out of their poverty gave 50 cents each. Both of these good women are out in service, and although their earnings are very small, they never give less than 25 cents each whenever special efforts are made to raise money for the support of the work.
Grateful Remembrances of the Past.--Rev. James Brown, of Anniston, Ala., recalls some memories of the past:
When we met as a church on October 22, to pray for the success of the American Missionary Association, it was touching to hear the testimony of people from thirty-five to fifty years of age as to the self-sacrificing spirit of the missionaries of the American Missionary Association, as they came from Talladega to this section more than twenty-five years ago. Some told how the missionaries had to hide from place to place to keep out of the reach of the Ku Klux, the speakers being almost eye-witnesses to the murder of Mr. Luke, a few miles from this place. If some of our Northern friends could have heard the words of gratitude for the work of the American Missionary Association, and seen the tears of joy over what has been accomplished, they would know that their labors and gifts had not been in vain.
Liberal Giving from a Small Income.--Rev. A. L. DeMond, of Lowell, N. C., writes:
The people have had a heavy burden upon them during the hard times of these winter months when there is so little for them to do in the way of earning money. Of their little means they give freely and gladly. Many of them are paid for their work in provisions at the stores so that they do not receive much money. One poor woman said to me: "I can always give a little something because[pg 193] I get forty cents every week for my washing." She lives in a little log cabin, through the sides of which the wind often whistles, but every Sunday she gives something for the church of Christ.
A Poor Woman's Fine Feeling.--One day last year our laundress sent her oldest boy, a lad fourteen years of age, on an errand. He was gone an hour or more longer than she expected him to be. Upon his return she asked him what he had been doing all that time. He told her that an expressman had been run away with, and had been quite badly hurt. He had helped get the man into a store, had gone for a doctor, and had done all that he could for him. When he left him the man told him to go to his office the next day and he would give him something. The boy's mother at once said that he mustn't think of taking anything for what he had done for the man when he was in trouble.
Who can say that the colored people are incapable of fine feeling? This poor woman was certainly not so well provided with this world's goods that she had no use for money. On the contrary, she was a widow, with a family of five children that she had kept together and had sent to school at the cost of much sacrifice and years of hard work at the washtub.