ITEMS.
Penalty for Lynching.—The Legislature of Ohio has passed the Anti-Lynching amendment which makes it possible for the heirs of a person lynched to sue the county in which the crime is committed for from $500 to $5,000. This is the right way to do. Every state in the Union ought to be made to pay either one of these amounts. Why not let us agitate on these lines. The government can never find the offenders, but under this law they can find the county.—The Conservator of Chicago.
The Black Millionaire on His Way.—Mr. T. Thomas Fortune, Editor of the New York Age, one of the bright papers published by colored men, stated at a recent meeting that the race problem, instead of being solved in the South, is being intensified by the present condition of things. He deplored the fact of the black man being excluded by the labor unions from earning an honest living, and, while the poor white people are employed in mills and factories of the cities, the black man is left to till the soil. He is barred out from manual labor and in many cases must either "starve or steal." This despised individual who "befo' de war," performed all the labor, is now hardly able to earn a living. Yet, for all that, Mr. Fortune is confident that in the future a "monstrosity" is coming. "I may not live to see him, but the black millionaire is on his way."
The Triumphant Death of a Christian Indian.—"It was my privilege to see her very frequently in these last days and to be with the family circle when she died. Whenever I intimated that my presence seemed like an intrusion, poor Uncle Elias always said, 'No, I like to have you here; it strengthens me.' And when I was not there, he sent to have me come. It was just the sympathy he felt. He was sure of that, for I loved her, too. Through it all Elias had been lovely, a constant wonder to me in the strength of his beautiful faith which never faltered for a moment. Again and again in those last hours, his voice led in prayer as we stood around her bedside, and it seemed the spontaneous overflow of his soul. And in the accompanying hymn each time, he also led. The last one which he gave out, only a few minutes before the faint breathing ceased, was 'Praise God—', the doxology, (as it is in the Dakota, of course). His faith triumphed over his sorrow for he knew she was going home to God. Only in that last prayer from his breaking heart, his voice trembled as he pleaded that God would help him. Surely He has helped him wonderfully."
Family Affection Among Indians.—I am impressed with the great degree of family affection in some cases. I know one young girl who would profit much by going for several years to Santee. Her parents are past middle life, and have buried many sons, and Millie is their only daughter, so naturally they cling most tenderly to her, and it seems to me most a necessity that the sacrifice should be made, and yet—I wish it could be different.
Salt Lake City, Utah, from Mrs. A. E. R. Jones, Missionary to the Chinese.—Since writing you last month I am happy to say that two of our pupils have entered Salt Lake College as students. They have joined the preparatory classes in arithmetic and grammar. It is a great step for them. We help them in our evening school in the lessons for the next day.
But this encouragement is little in comparison with the great blessing that has come to us. By God's grace we trust three persons have been led to Himself. These desire to be baptized next Sunday. It is no hasty act, but has been postponed for some time rather than to make haste. We believe that their conversions are of the Lord and are true and genuine.