A Persian Boys’ School and the Favorite Mode of Punishment

EDUCATION, BULU TRIBE, AFRICA

There is no more extraordinary feature of the work among the Bulu than the readiness with which this little forest creature submits himself to the discipline of school. From a heritage of liberty he comes to knock at the Mission door and to set his little jiggered feet upon the new way of order. He who came and went at will keeps the commandments of the school drum. He who has been bred to inter-tribal hatred eats out of the pot with his hereditary enemy. He earns his food in all honor under the Mission law of labor. He permits himself to be “tied” with “ten tyings” to a standard of conduct which is the reverse of his racial standards.

In the rude school house, with his alphabet before him, or in the open, cutlass in hand, he performs daily acts of order and discipline, and these little tasks are regenerative. His little sister is beside him and subjected to the same process. The presence of the Mission in a Bulu community is a great blessing to a little girl. It is a kind of sanctuary and a police patrol. I cannot think that you would like to know from what perils it saves her.... Such little girls, following in the paths after their brothers, have come to own a slate, to own a primer, to ply a needle, to sleep at night in peace under a Christian thatch and in innocent company. (“Other Children” by Jean Mackenzie, Wom. For. Miss. Soc. Pres.)

A GIRLS’ SCHOOL IN THE KURDISH MOUNTAINS

Ever since coming here I have talked to both men and women, as occasion offered, about the folly of not allowing girls to learn anything. When I felt pretty sure of two little girls, I announced one Sunday to the women who were gathered in my room that on Thursday I should begin a girls’ school for any who cared to come. What was my surprise and delight on Thursday to have one of the Kashas (Old Church pastors) come bringing, not two but four little girls who promptly walked up to me and kissed my hand. The next day another, who had not heard of the school the first day, came. After three days one girl disappeared. On Saturday I visited her home and found they were keeping her to work, and this, according to my idea of the circumstances, seemed very unnecessary, for I keep them only two hours a day at present. When I expostulated with the father, he said, “Why should I take the trouble to let her go to school, when after a little time I’ll marry her into some other family?” Here girls are married very young, at twelve years, many of them. All I could say was of no avail. During all this conversation poor Rachel sat between us, the tears running down her face, and saying repeatedly, “Father, let me go.” The father was too selfish to be moved by her pleadings. (Letter from Mrs. E. W. McDowell.)

BIBLE READING
TEACHING THE CHILDREN

Deut. 11:18–21 with 2d Tim. 1:5 and 3:14–17.

The natural, constant teaching of God’s commandments in the daily life of the home by parents and grandparents will prepare the children to lead prosperous, successful, useful lives. What is learned in childhood “furnishes” the man or woman for life.