The health of teachers and pupils is good. At the Baptist Institute they were compelled to suspend school on Monday because of sickness resulting from the unusual cold and exposure.
Woman’s Work—Relief Fund—Health Matters—
Cottage Meetings—Northern Helpers.
MISS HATTIE A. MILTON, MEMPHIS.
The outlook seems much more encouraging this year than last, for several reasons, one of the most important of which is, that the relief fund gives us access to many more families. Last Sabbath five new scholars came to Sunday-school, all from families which had been benefited by the relief. One of the boys, eleven years old, who belongs to a very poor family, but who is quite a hero among his neighbors, because of his honesty and industry, I often met last year with others on the commons, but he could not come to Sunday-school because he was so ragged. As he was very anxious to attend, a suit of clothes was given him last week, and Sabbath morning he came to the church before his teacher was dressed for breakfast, and waited patiently during the three hours until the exercises began, enjoying his improved appearance.
The past few weeks have been very cold for this climate, and many a widow with her little children has been made to rejoice as she gathered her family around the bright fire and partook of the wholesome food provided by the A. M. A. relief. The yellow fever made terrible havoc in many families—indeed in some none are left to tell the tale of woe! For a few days, now, the weather has been very warm and there is much sickness, and the death rate is very high among the colored people—in many cases, no doubt, resulting from want of proper attention. A few days since I visited a man suffering with indigestion and cold; he had called a doctor, but was not relieved; his wife was anxious to help him, but knew not what to do; so she was told to let the light in from behind, instead of in front of the patient, as it was very painful to his eyes, then to apply cloths wet in hot water to the aching head and chest, and hot bricks, steaming with vinegar, to his feet. In half an hour he was relieved and the next day was almost well, only needing directions about food and ventilation. This is but an instance among many of those who suffer for the want of such simple remedies, of the use of which they have no knowledge. As the demand for nurses has been very great during the past year, we propose giving some attention to this branch in our school, which has filled up since Christmas and is doing well.
The industrial department is getting in good working order. I have about forty women and girls under my general supervision, the more experienced assisting me in teaching the others to cut and make garments. They seem much interested in the work. This department is looked upon with approval by most of the people, as but few mothers are capable of teaching their daughters these accomplishments, though they are very anxious that they should learn them.
My field of work is already twice as large as last year. Members of the different churches welcome me into their houses, and invite their neighbors to our cottage meetings, of which we have five every week in different neighborhoods. The pastor of the leading Methodist church here gave me the names of several members of his church who would be glad to have me hold mothers’ meetings in their houses, which was a great help in my work, as it did much to remove the suspicion with which they have regarded me. Some who are not professed Christians have invited me to their houses, saying they hope by so doing they may see the way more clearly. Many colored people look upon the epidemic of the past season as a judgment from God on account of their sins, and try to be more religious lest a worse evil befall them.
The Ladies’ Missionary Society, of Roseville, Ill., have become interested in this work, and have forwarded a box, for which we are thankful.
The “Little Girls,” of Crete, Ill., who last year sent a box, have this year formed a society, which they have named “The Milton Busy Bees,” have met every two weeks, and with their friends have prepared a box of very valuable clothing, which has been received, and has made many a heart beat warmer. May God bless all our kind friends at the North who aid us so much by these substantial signs of their sympathy.