Nine Months, Ending June 30th.
The receipts are $237,141.25, exclusive of Reserve Legacy Account, an increase of $24,922,63 compared with last year. There has been an increase of $15,751.36 in donations, $5,800.96 in estates, $852,26 in income and $2,518.05 in tuition.
The expenditures are $249,148.75, an increase of $21,699.95 compared with last year. The debt showing June 30th, this year, is $12,007.50—last year at the same time $15,230.18.
We appeal to churches, Sunday-schools, Christian Endeavor Societies, Woman's Missionary Societies and individuals, and also to executors of estates, to secure as large a sum as possible for remittance in July, August and September. The fiscal year closes September 30th. We hope to receive from all sources every possible dollar. The Association closed the year 1897-98 without debt, and the year 1898-99 without debt, and it earnestly desires to close this year, 1899-1900 without debt.
Annual Meeting, Oct. 23d-25th.
The Fifty-fourth Annual Meeting of the American Missionary Association is to be held in Springfield, Mass., October 23d-25th. The Court Square Theatre has been secured, containing the largest auditorium in the city. A great gathering is anticipated. Rev. Newell Dwight Hillis, D.D., will preach the sermon. Reports from the large and varied fields will be presented by missionaries. The fields now reach from Porto Rico to Alaska, and present various and interesting conditions of life. The great problems of national and missionary importance that are pressing themselves upon the attention of Christian patriots everywhere will be ably discussed. Contributing churches, local conferences and state associations are entitled to send delegates to this convention of the American Missionary Association.
A New Departure Program.
Santee Training School presented a unique and interesting program at the closing exercises, June 15th, 1900. "A New Departure Program for Closing of School" was the title upon the printed page. The program was divided into two parts. Part first was confined to history. The general subject presented in the papers was "The Development of Civilized Ways of Living." One of the Indian pupils read a paper on "First Ways of Getting Food and Clothing." Another on "First Dwellings." The future as well as the past in race development and elevation was considered. "Beginning to Provide for the Future" was the subject of another paper. "Clothing" was discussed in relation to its production and value.
The second part of this "New Departure Program" presented science in a practical and helpful way. The general subject was "Natural Forces are for Human Use." Interesting and valuable papers were presented on such themes as "Wind Mills," "Non-conduction in Electricity," "Plant Breathing," "Food Stored," and other suggestive and important subjects. Throughout abundant illustrations were presented impressing upon these Indian boys and girls important lessons in independence and self-control and self-help essential to development and progress. Santee is to be commended surely for this new departure, which must prove not only interesting but of permanent value in race elevation.
A New Departure Program.
The attention of the whole world has been focalized on China during the past few weeks. Many hearts are deeply anxious for friends who are in the midst of this upheaval and whose lives are threatened. Beginning with mobs instigated by a secret society, apparently without preconcertion, a state bordering upon war now exists. Whether the Empress Dowager is at the head of this movement it seems impossible to decide. The conservative element of the Chinese is certainly in sympathy with the Boxers in their effort to exterminate the "foreign devils." What the outcome of this insane uprising and mad onslaught involving substantial war against the civilized nations of the world will be, no prophet of modern times can foretell. Many of us wait with anxious and sorrowful hearts for messages which we hope and yet fear to receive, lest they confirm our apprehension and alarm.
We hope to present in the next issue of the Missionary an article from Rev. Jee Gam, the missionary of the A. M. A. in San Francisco, giving his views and interpretations of the trouble in China. This Association is closely related to the great work in this Empire through the missions in our own country among the Chinese. How much the civilized nations are responsible for the present condition through their eager and often ill-advised efforts to absorb the territory, or to gain political and commercial advantages, is a serious problem. The need of aggressive and earnest work for the Chinese who come to our own country is emphasized by these alarming conditions. Hundreds should be sent back as missionaries to their own people. We hold the key to the solution of foreign missions in Africa, China and Japan in members of these races in our own country.
A United Annual Meeting.
Several state and local conferences have passed resolutions in favor of one annual meeting for all our six missionary societies. Such a convention would probably occupy a week. Each society would have representation during such a portion of the time as the magnitude of the work represented demanded. The general sentiment seems to be that the Sabbath should be used as a day of missionary and spiritual arousement, for the general interests of the Kingdom of God, as represented through our denomination. This plan met the cordial approval of the Home Missionary Convention in Detroit recently. It is certainly worthy of the careful consideration of all our societies.
The Testimony of Prof. Roark.
Prof. R. M. Roark, of the Kentucky State College, at the commencement of Chandler Normal School, Lexington, Ky., bore the following testimony to the strength and value of the negroes of the South: "Forty years ago the race had nothing; now property in the hands of the negro has an assessed valuation of nearly five hundred million dollars. Not a few individuals are worth seventy-five thousand to one hundred thousand dollars. Forty years ago it was a violation of the law to teach a negro; now there are thousands of children in good schools; and there are two hundred higher institutes of learning for negroes, with an attendance of two hundred thousand or more. There are many successful teachers, editors, lawyers, doctors and ministers who are negroes. All these professions are fully and ably represented here, in conservative and aristocratic Lexington, and as regards these men and women there is no race problem. Worth, honesty, clear knowledge, self-respect and independent support lie at the foundation of any citizenship, white or black. May these young graduates carry these with them into the life conflict, and be the leaders of their race into the widest opportunities of free American citizenship."
Splendid Benefactions.
Mr. Rossiter Johnson has recently compiled a list of bequests to benevolent objects during the last year in the United States. This is a remarkable showing. The grand total is nearly sixty-three million dollars. The year previous it reached the good sum of thirty-eight million, and in 1897, forty-five million. In three years, therefore, over one hundred and forty million dollars have been bestowed by generous men and women for charitable and educational objects. There never has been a time in the history of the world when generosity and riches were so often held in possession of the same person as to-day.
Important.
Mr. R. H. Learell, of the Class of 1901, at Harvard University, was awarded the first prize in the Harvard Bowdoin Series. His subject was "The Race Problems in the South."
An interesting and valuable lecture was delivered before the students of Western Reserve University, Ohio, by Prof. O. H. Tower, Ph.D. His subject was "The Food of the Alabama Negro and its Relation to His Mental and Moral Development."
A Useful Record.
LeMoyne Normal Institute, at Memphis, Tenn., has just completed the twenty-ninth year of its history. It was founded by the American Missionary Association in October, 1871. The work of the school has grown into large proportions. The enrollment of students for the year has numbered 725 in all grades. More than 200 of these have studied in the normal department. They are thus fitting themselves for teaching among their people in the public and private schools of the state.
The graduating class of 1900 consisted of twenty. Dr. LeMoyne, of Washington, Pa., after whom the institute is named, gave the ground and the buildings and the original outlay. The American Missionary Association has maintained the work during these twenty-nine years. The Alumni Association of the institute has contributed generously in proportion to their means to the work at the school. The Alumni have been much interested in the development of the industrial department, and have contributed for that purpose. Woodworking, cooking and nursing classes will be conducted in the school next year, offering still larger opportunities for the training of these young people for a larger and more useful life-work.
Whittier High School.
The closing exercises of Whittier High School were held in the Congregational Church, on the 18th of May. This school is situated in the Highlands of North Carolina. It reaches the young people of a considerable area, and is an influence for large good among them. Among the speeches or essays presented at the closing exercises, was one entitled: "The South, Her Strength and Weakness." It is a hopeful sign that the young men of the South, who are to be the leaders in their section, are seriously considering these problems. In the "New South," a large element of strength and progress will come from the educated young men of the Highlands. They are somewhat slow to be moved, but are strong, steadfast and courageous in the defense of that which they believe to be right, when they do move.
Grit that Wins.
In one of our schools among the American Highlanders a young mountaineer, then scarcely out of his teens, applied for membership. When asked what funds he had to support him in his proposed study, he replied: "Only fifty cents." He had dependent upon him two sisters, a brother and his mother. It seemed rather limited capital for such an undertaking. He went to work, however, cutting logs, built a log-cabin, moved into it with his family, and with an eagerness that can scarcely be appreciated by those who have had larger opportunities, went to his study in the schoolroom. It is not necessary to say that such grit and devotion won for him success. He has fitted himself for Christian instruction among his people, and is rapidly becoming a leader. This young man, however, is not an individual but a type of hundreds of such Highland lads and lassies who are struggling with great self-sacrifice for an education in our American Missionary Association schools.
Prepared for Life Work.
The graduating class from Williamsburg Academy, Kentucky, numbers three. They are all from the State of Kentucky, but from different counties. The mountain people only are represented. One contemplates the study of medicine next fall. One expects to teach. The other, a young lady, will probably remain at home for a time. All are Christians and in active Christian work.
Grand View Institute, Tennessee.
This school, among the Highlanders, has closed a most successful year. The following item comes from the principal: "The young men have held a mid-week prayer meeting twice each week during the month. These meetings were well attended, and much interest was manifested. At our last mid-week service, before the closing of the school, our little church was well filled, and a large number took part in the service. The topic for the evening was 'Some of the benefits I have received during the school year in Grand View.' The meeting was exceptionally impressive. Many of these students have, during the year, taken Christ into their hearts and lives, and this, after all, we feel is the 'one thing needful.'"
Manual of Savannah Congregational District.
Through the courtesy of the Moderator, the manual of this conference has been presented to the editor of the Missionary. It contains the constitution and by-laws, and a brief historical sketch of this group of churches in Georgia. It is an interesting document. Among other things, it illustrates the desire of these churches to have an educated and upright ministry. Article XII of their constitution reads, in part, as follows: "Congregationalists have always believed in a Godly and educated ministry. To meet the wants of local conditions, a three years' course of study shall be provided for in the by-laws, for all who are not graduates of normal, college preparatory or college classes.... The by-laws shall provide a four years' course of conference study, leading up to the printed certificate. Any person holding a printed certificate shall be addressed as Reverend, preach without annual examination, on condition of good behavior, and may be ordained if called by a church to be its pastor.... Ordained preachers coming to us from bodies having a lower standard shall pursue our four years' course of study and pass annual examinations, if they are under fifty years of age."
This is certainly an earnest and systematic effort on the part of our brethren of these churches to establish higher educational and ethical standards on the part of the ministers in that state. The benefit will accrue not only to our Congregational Churches, but to all others in the state.