But the American Missionary Association of New York City, the almoner of funds received from the Congregational churches of the United States, has already, since the war, disbursed more money in the South for educational purposes than the entire gift of George Peabody, and is expending for the prosecution of the same work, every year, more than twice as much as the interest of the Peabody Fund.
In this statement no intention exists to depreciate the munificence of Mr. Peabody’s gift, but to call attention to the fact that the South owes a debt of gratitude to the American Missionary Association, which it should not be slow to recognize.
The Association was organized in 1846, for the purpose of “carrying the Gospel to the poor.” The first school for colored children was opened at Hampton, Virginia, in 1861. Since that time it has expended between $3,500,000 and $4,000,000, ninety per cent. of which has been appropriated to the support of its work in the South.
THE CHILDREN’S PAGE.
AN EXAMPLE FOR THE BOYS.
The following letter explains itself. A boy who gives to the poor the whole proceeds of his farm, and that within a month of Christmas, is worthy of special note. We would like to hear from more such boys.
I have wanted to do something for the freedmen. I am a little boy seven years old. Last spring grandpapa gave me a little plot of ground for my vegetable garden, consisting of corn, pop-corn, beans, summer squashes, Hubbard squashes, cucumbers, tomatoes, cabbages, watermelons. I took most of the care of the garden myself; only when I went on a sail my grandma picked the squashes. I sold the products of my garden to my grandma, and she paid me in money, amounting to a dollar and a half, with which I cheerfully send to you for the freedmen.