THE APPEAL OF THE EXODUS.
We have kept a close watch upon this strange inter-State migration, the causes of which will make a blushing page in the history of our country. Its sad story should be a strong appeal to all who have a heart to feel for the wrongs and sufferings of the helpless.
After many urgent solicitations, and repeated investigations, we felt, despite all hindrances from lack of funds, that the time had fully come for action, when we were informed that the General Association of Kansas had appointed its Superintendent of Home Missions, the President of its College and others, a Committee, to confer with us in regard to this work.
The Corresponding Secretary and the Field Superintendent went up from the National Council to consult with this Committee and inaugurate such a movement as might seem best.
At Topeka, which has a large colored population, were found the General Committee of Relief, and a committee of Refugees, whose duty it is to take charge of arrivals, departures, etc., and watch the subsequent course of these people. It was decided to purchase lots in Tennessee Town, a suburb of this city, and erect a house at a cost of $1,000, under the superintendence of our old, tried worker, Rev. R. F. Markham, and we are glad to announce that, despite the cold weather, it is nearly ready for occupancy.
This is to be the home of our night school for adults under charge of Mr. and Mrs. White, of Oberlin. The pupils of this school are excluded from the public schools because of their age, and because they are necessarily occupied through the day. In it also will be sheltered the vigorous mission Sunday-school which Pastor Blakesley’s church has sustained, and which will be under charge of Mr. A. J. De Hart, a young colored man from Washburn College, recently ordained by a council at Cleveland, Ohio.
We have also located one of our Southern colored preachers—a young man—in the Second Congregational Church of Lawrence, where there is also a large colored population. Other points on this frontier of colored population will be kept in view.
Of the $2,500 which this work will cost for the year the citizens of Topeka have raised $700, and we have on hand a Kansas fund of $450. This leaves still $1,350 to be raised as a special sum, as this work is not provided for in the regular appropriations for the year.
The Executive Committee, urged as it has been, both by our friends and by the pressing need of this much abused and suffering people, has ventured on this expenditure, confident that it is a duty which must not be neglected, also that our friends will meet the exigency by sending in promptly the amount needed.