The Lincoln Institute at the Capitol, as a Normal School for colored teachers, receives an annual appropriation from the State of $5,000. A democratic editor told me that that was considered as a matter of honor, and that so there was no danger of its being discontinued. This institution of sacred name had also a sacred origin. For its founding, the 62d and 65th Regiments of U. S. colored infantry, when discharged from service in January, 1866, contributed a fund of $6,379. The Freedmen’s Bureau furnished $8,000; the Western Sanitary Commission, $2,000; and agents Beal and Lane raised $2,000. The building is of brick, 60×70 feet, three stories high, a comely structure crowning a hill just out of Jefferson City. Its current catalogue enrolls 123 students. It is controlled by a local board, of which the Governor and State Superintendent are ex-officio members. Revs. R. D. Foster and M. Henry Smith have served as principals the most of the time since it was opened in 1871.
The Association has its five school houses at Troy, Fulton, Westport, Warrensburg and Lebanon. These were procured in part by aid from the Freedmen’s Bureau in 1867–9. They were at first run by teachers sent from the North, but were gradually taken up by the local school boards. I find them all in such use now. Three will probably be sold to those boards at their present low valuation. Two will be sold to local colored Methodist churches, as the schools require larger and better houses, which the authorities intend to build. These houses have also been used all the time as places of worship by the colored people. The seven or eight colored teachers in these schools were educated in Lincoln, Fisk, and kindred institutions. I have found them young people of character, and of tact in handling their schools. They have to be examined. They receive from $35 to $45 a month, about the same as white common-school teachers.
The A. M. A. has done the work of initiation. By this tour of inspection I am deeply convinced of the wisdom of the A. M. A. in putting its strength upon Normal and Collegiate institutions, and so doing a wholesale business. Raise up teachers and send them back into the country. Raise up the men and women for the professions and for the higher walks of social life. That is the work.
AFRICA.
A CHURCH ORGANIZED AND DEDICATED AT AVERY
A meeting of Counsel and Advice was convened September 29th at Avery Station, by order of Rev. Floyd Snelson, and, on solicitation of the minister in charge, Rev. A. E. Jackson, to organize and dedicate a church to God. Owing to our inability to reach Avery on Saturday in time to hold preliminary exercises, examination of candidates for admission, etc., this part of our duty was deferred till Sunday morning. This, with our other duties, made our programme for the day quite full.
Early Sunday morning the Board met in the church to begin the labors of the day. The sun shone brightly, yet we could but feel that many round us were groping in darkness, without any clear idea of Him in whose image they are made. Brother Snelson was elected moderator, and A. P. Miller secretary. Brother Gomer, General Agent of Shengay Mission, who favored us with his presence, offered prayer. “Guide me, oh! Thou great Jehovah!” was sung.
In absence of letter missive, the minister in charge gave his reasons why a church should be established or organized at Avery. He spoke of the willingness of the people to receive the story of the Cross; said that some came far to hear “God palaver,” and express their joy in being permitted so to do. Brother Hallock, the interpreter (native), and Brother Wise, were asked several questions. Their reasons were clear and very satisfactory. It seems evident that the industrial work at this station, which gives employment to many, is a means of good both to mission and people. It was deemed fit to organize a church at Avery, to be known as the Second Congregational Church of the Mendi Mission.