They are doing well in their work. The schools are growing and gaining in every way. A lack of proper text-books has hampered the teachers, and an unfortunate delay has occurred by the loss of a box containing a supply, which, with the boat which was conveying it from Freetown to Good Hope, failed to reach its destination. The church has received valuable accessions since Mr. Snelson and his co-laborers reached the field. We hope to have more regular and full correspondence to lay before our readers in future, from month to month.
An honored New Hampshire pastor writes: “I should be glad to see the A. M. A’s debt removed, and I am in hearty sympathy with the Society. It seems to me to combine, in the persons of the freedmen—to say nothing of the Chinese, etc.—the claims of Home and Foreign Missions in a remarkable degree. Patriotism and philanthropy meet and blend in its work.”
The same friend says: “Communism, so much, and thus far, perhaps, so extravagantly dreaded, will find friends among the black race at a future day, to an extent unexpected now, if we are not prompt to enlighten and Christianize that vast army of ignorant and voting laborers.”
When, at the opening of the war, the life of the infant Berea College was sought, the Angel of Providence said: “Arise, and take the young child and flee into the Egypt of Safety, and be thou there until I bring thee word; for the Herod of Slavery will seek the young child, to destroy him.” But, when Herod was dead, behold, the angel appeared, saying: “Arise, and take the young child and go into the land of Israel, for they are dead which sought the young child’s life.” And they arose and took the young child Berea, and went back into their own land. And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit. And other children were born to this household of faith—Howard and Hampton, and Fisk and Atlanta, and Talladega and Straight and Tougaloo, and several more. These do not have to flee for their life; but they need to be nourished into maturity, that they may do the mighty work assigned them in this and in coming generations, here and in other lands.
Apropos—A judge from a Western city told us, the other day, that, having had a black man to testify in his court, he turned and complimented him from the bench as the most intelligent witness he had ever had in that box.