But, as it is, our church-work is not destitute of encouragement now in regard to numbers. Fifteen years ago there was not a colored Congregationalist in all the South, except in the two ancient white Congregational churches of Charleston, S. C., and of Liberty Co., Ga. The system itself was utterly unknown, as it is to this day, except where it has crept in since the war. The experiment, in one single locality, of swallowing down the old-time churches, proved a failure, and taught us a lesson. The only gain has been by the slow process of enlightenment and of assimilation, mainly by the Christian-school process. A high official in the M. E. Church said of us: “You can afford to wait for the youth; we cannot.” He was right. That great Church, which is doing so grand a work for the Freedmen, had already on its hands hundreds of thousands of adult members, who must be cared for at once. By our policy of waiting, the last Annual Report set down sixty-seven churches, and 4,300 church members, an average of 69 members to each. As this is all new work, let us compare it with new work at the West. Alas, for the lack of church statistics in our last Year Book! By that of the former year, we find that the churches of Missouri and Nebraska had an average in each State of 27 members; Kansas had 34; Iowa had exactly our average of 69; and Illinois, which has been under Home Missionary culture for sixty years, has an average of only 25 members more than that of the churches of this Association.
THE HAMPTON ANNIVERSARY.
Distinguished Visitors—Speeches by Pres. Hayes,
Sec. Schurz, and Others—Natural
Development—Three Questions Settled.
REV. ADDISON P. FOSTER.
The graduating exercises at the Hampton Normal and Agricultural Institute, on May 20, were of even unusual interest. A large and distinguished company was in attendance, including Governors and other notabilities from Massachusetts, and President Hayes and Secretary Schurz from Washington. A military parade by the students under the inspection of the President, recitations, and an exhibition of the various industries of the school, occupied the morning. The work of the Indian boys excited special interest. A farm-cart, complete in all its parts, tin-ware, tables and large silicate globes, were among the articles which they had made.
Whitin Hall was crowded in the afternoon. The students, 300 in number, seated on benches rising toward the rear in front of the audience, were a picture of neatness, intelligence and content. Those who remembered the squalor and ignorance of the colored people as they sought refuge in the Union lines during the war, could not fail to recognize the value of the work done by the noble educational institutions which the American Missionary Association has brought into existence through the South. This thankful feeling was deepened as the students took up the parts assigned them. Their addresses were not mere essays, but the expression of their opinions on practical, vital themes, concerning the welfare of their race. These utterances were marked with rare good sense, a freedom from bitterness for past or present ill-treatment, and a hopeful courage for the future. More than once some expression unexpectedly pathetic, or forgiving, or consecrated, brought tears to the eyes of those who heard.
The exercises of the students were followed by admirable addresses from some of the dignitaries present. President Hayes showed how the relation of the different races and nationalities in the land was one of our most vital problems, and how Hampton was solving it. Secretary Schurz considered at length the experiment of Indian education, which is being tried at Hampton, and showed why it might succeed now when it had not in the past. Governor Long, of Massachusetts, referred to the presence of these educational institutions in the South as one of the most important results of the war. Ex-Governor Rice, of Massachusetts, regarded the Institution at Hampton as the natural development of advancing civilization, which is breaking down the barriers of the races and bringing all nationalities together as brethren.
The concurrent testimony of these speakers, and the manifest conviction of the visitors present, was that Hampton is doing a grand work.