TENNESSEE.
School Work and Week of Prayer.
E. A. H., MEMPHIS.
Next week will, I believe, close my second month’s work here. I find the work very pleasant, and am enjoying it greatly, though I think I am working harder than I have ever worked in a school before. The school has filled up very rapidly since the holidays. My room is full to overflowing, and I have been obliged to seat a few of my pupils in the Normal room. That room and the Primary are also quite full. Of course, these additions to the school have made the work of the teachers much harder. Besides my work with my own pupils, I am having some practice work done. Four students from the Senior Class of the Normal Department, are engaged for a short time each day in teaching in my department, and under my supervision. This corps of teachers is changed once in two weeks, thus giving each pupil in that class a chance to work. I also meet the Senior Class three times a week, for talks with them on school and class work, taking up the objects to be gained by recitations and the best methods used. I think I can see already that this work is doing good, and I hope that it may prove of great value to the pupils.
We have been observing the week of prayer in the school, by fifteen minute prayer meetings, directly after school. At first, these were held in a recitation room, but Thursday evening the meeting had grown so large that it was held in the Intermediate room, and Friday evening in the Assembly room. A good deal of interest has been shown, and a number have expressed a desire for the prayers of Christians. We hope that the interest may deepen and much good be done.
TEXAS.
Two Hours’ Work by a Student-Canvasser.
The following letter, with enclosure of $3.50 and fourteen names for the Missionary for six months, will not only explain itself, but may furnish a suggestive example to many.
Dear Friends: Of course you will be curious to know how it happened that some persons in this place—Marshall, Texas—suddenly conclude to read the American Missionary, consequently I send you these words of explanation. I am indebted to your schools for all the education I possess. I attended Straight University five months—from January to June, 1874; then beautiful Fisk University nearly nine months—from September to May, 1879, entering college regularly with the class. Commencement over, I set out for Texas, earnestly desiring to secure means to go through with; but, owing to bad health and the want of proper precaution, I failed. I was unwilling to return immediately to Fisk University empty-handed, to give my teachers additional concern about my welfare, and, as I am firmly resolved to complete the course, everything to the contrary notwithstanding, something had to be done. Hence I decided to remain in Texas a few months longer, giving my wife, who is at Nashville, the choice of remaining there or joining me here, until the difficulty is past. I could get no paying work right away, having walked upwards of two hundred miles and spent three weeks of valuable time in the search. Finally, weary, foot-worn and exhausted, I fell under the effects of intermittent fever—indeed, I was in trouble. Nothing remained, then, but to be idle two months or more, at the expiration of which I could begin to teach, in accordance with a contract that I then held. In the meantime my class would be making progress; this thought, believe me, gave me as much concern as my ill-health. I carried the subject to the Lord in prayer and became reconciled. I reached Marshall, on the 22d instant. I plainly stated my case to the teachers of this Institution. They seemed to sympathize with me, and on the following morning assigned me work. Thus, you see, I am doing something, though it may be very little.
I heard an interesting discourse Sabbath evening from I. Corinthians xv., 58. The preacher proved clearly to my mind that Christians ought to be zealous of good works for the churches to which they belong. He proved, too, that all could do something. The whole furnished me excellent food for reflection. I began to figure out how much we colored people in the South could advance your glorious work if we only had the zeal. I found, indeed, that we are neglecting a very important service; so I resolved, not having anything else in view, to secure some subscribers to the American Missionary, and within two hours yesterday I begged fourteen persons to put down their names. Now, suppose each one of your students in the South should do even that much, is it not plain that you would soon have a large constituency here as well as in New England? Such service alone would increase your subscription-list by many thousands, and add largely to your income, as well as disseminate, as should be, a wide knowledge of your work. Let, then, every one, put his hand to the wheel, for all can do something. Believe me, I am heartily ashamed of myself, now that I can see what an excellent opportunity of doing great good I have lost by not doing the lesser. I have lived, more or less, in no fewer than twenty towns, and I have taught in at least fifteen different schools since I first left one of your schools, at any one of which I ought to have raised at least as many subscribers to the American Missionary as I have here. I have been a Christian for several years, but unfortunately one of that class who are afraid to “stand up for Jesus.” I am feeling differently now, consequently am likely to fly to the other extreme. Should any little work, then, suggest itself to you, such as you may regard me capable of performing, why be assured that a willing servant is at hand. It is to be very much regretted that, since I have to remain here, I could not be with the teachers at Tillotson College; still those who can work will work anywhere.
Very sincerely,