The proverb runs, “A man far from home is near to danger.” The most direct way, certainly, of bringing better things to these people, and to the South, is through the home.
Our lecture course for this year is about made up. Dr. Magoun, while here in attendance upon the conference and to visit his daughter, our music teacher, gave the first lecture in this year’s course. Among others to speak are Rev. Dr. Max Samfield, Jewish Rabbi; Rev. Mr. Mayo, of Boston; Judge Pierce of the Circuit Court, two physicians and other prominent professional and business men here. Our idea is to have all the lectures, as far as possible, deal with practical matters, in some degree according with our regular industrial work. In the past four weeks we have been greatly blessed by the Spirit’s presence with us, over thirty of our pupils having found the “better way,” we trust. With the exception of one or two sitting-room meetings, we have only held a half-hour prayer meeting each day directly after school. Some of the conversions have come with wonderful power and presence of the Spirit, but all with quietness and assurance. We hope for still more, and we are glad to have before us so much of the year with its opportunities for training these “lambs” in the Christian life. Most of them go with their parents and friends to the old churches, where, too often, the weekly or occasional emotional outburst or religious frenzy takes the place of real Christian growth and experience. A number will join our church, two or three even breaking away from friends and parents to find a more intelligent, helpful church connection.
THE INDIANS.
LETTERS FROM INDIAN BOYS.
Miss Eustis sends us the following letters from two of our Indian boys at Hampton. She says: “Almka came to us a little more than two years ago in his blanket and long shaggy hair, and knew no word of English, and Tom Smith was only a little better off:”
My Dear friend
I want to speak English. Hampton boys I like very much and colored man massachusetts I staye very good I like very much very nice eat bread caks butter tea coffee milk and sweet appls and sweet potatoes and meat and chicken. I back my home I think take again work hard. I like work I like shop very much I know how make wheels. Mr. williams show me. I like him very much I think good to make wheels I back my home very glad so see my friends Indian boys and my father and sister and mother and brother. I like very much white man and colored man and colored woman and white woman. I stayed in Boston four day very good time. I went to christmas day very nice.