I also added something to this fund by giving lessons to some who were able and willing to pay for the instruction.
Sunday was my most busy day; besides attending church and Sabbath-school, I went out to read the Bible to those who were not at home during the week. I seemed to find no rest days; indeed, there was so much for one pair of hands to do, that many times I could not sleep as much as needed. Another meeting was held weekly. I gave Bible readings on those subjects which were of the most interest and importance to mothers, after which we had a prayer-meeting, which was often very interesting.
Near the end of the year, a temperance movement was started in our church and Sabbath-school; many signed the pledge, among whom were about thirty from my class. The colored people are very intemperate, and nearly all the women use snuff and tobacco. One, who was complaining of her poverty, upon being told she could ill afford to use snuff and tobacco, said she only paid ten cents a box, and was astonished to find that in a year it amounted to half as much as her rent. She seemed to try to live an honest Christian life, and before I left had given up all her bad habits, and was very proud and happy.
Although these people are naturally religious, still their religion consists in going to meeting, where they sing, pray, and relate imaginary experiences, and get wrought up to such a pitch that they scream, roll on the floor, and often remain until the small hours of the night. They go home, thinking they are very holy, but have no idea of showing it by a well-ordered life; on the contrary, they continue to live with unlawful companions, steal and lie with impunity; in fact, in many respects, they will compare with their heathen forefathers, from whom they have inherited their superstitions and forms of worship. The bonds of slavery have prevented them from becoming enlightened.
However, I am glad to say there are some grand exceptions to this dark picture; some noble Christians, a few who have good homes. Among these, the good accomplished by the mission-school and the little Congregational church, sustained by the A. M. A., can be seen. The pastor, Mr. Mallory, allows no wife whipping in his church, and he has caused the large number of those who were living together unlawfully to be married. Indeed, his church will compare favorably with white churches of the North. These things show the dawning of day to these benighted people, and give us great encouragement to proceed with our work. But the mass are worse than tongue can tell or pen portray. I feel that in my description the half of woe and degradation has not been told. The Lord was with me in this work, and was a present help in every time of need. Many mornings I would start out with a heavy heart, for it would seem that my efforts to do good were almost in vain; but trusting alone in Jesus, I would go forward. Just then the Lord would show me that some one was becoming better, and I would return at evening upbraiding myself for my want of faith, and reminded of that Scripture which says, “He that goeth forth, and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.” It was a precious privilege to comfort these broken-hearted ones with His words, of whom it was said: “Never man spake like this Man.”
The Bible is the only book the colored people have any confidence in. A sick man, whom I visited, said he would like to hear the Bible read through; he was not a Christian. For some time he seemed but little interested; but one day he greeted me with a smile, saying: “I can trust the Lord now, and it is all that Bible-reading. Many have talked to me before, but I never thought of what they said; but I could not forget these words from the Bible, and I studied about it all the time, and last week, after you left me, I just did as the Bible said: gave up all, and trusted Jesus. I am ready to go now, and am not afraid.”
When the time drew near for me to return North, the women said: “What will we do without you? Who will visit us when sick, and read comforting words from the Bible? And who will teach us how to train up our children? Now that we have had some one to do these things for us, we feel as if we could not get along without you.” And many were the expressions of gratitude towards those dear ladies in the North, who had sent them a missionary, and many the prayers offered in their behalf. There were many signs of encouragement, though, no doubt, much seed that was sown will not spring up at once, but in the future will bear precious fruit, for the Lord will not permit His word to return unto Him void. This has been the happiest year of my life, for this work has its own reward, both to the missionary and those who send her, which is more valuable than silver or gold. I sometimes think the angels might almost envy us in this work.