I have very pleasant meetings with the Indians here. I let them read the verses from the English Bible and then explain them. When I first came I used to read myself, but I found that they liked better to take a part in the services. Then we sing together from Dr. Robinson’s Songs of the Sanctuary. After that I give the meeting into their hands. They suggest their favorite hymns and lead in prayer, usually in their own language. They all seem attentive and devout. It is very pleasant to see their faces light up as they get some new thought from God’s word. I have seldom seen men more earnest in the study of the Scriptures. One of those who united with the church at the last communion has been confined to the house with sickness. The nurse tells me that he often sits for two or three hours at a time patiently spelling out the words of the English Bible, and asking her the meaning of that which he cannot understand. I am pleased to see that they are interested to work for one another. I found the other day that one of the older boys, Jas. Murrie, had been accustomed to get a number of the others who were not Christians together, and read the Bible and pray with them. Excellent work, isn’t it, for a young chief who will soon go back to take charge of his own tribe? They have a meeting of their own on Wednesday evening, of which they take charge themselves. I could give you instances of how these Indian boys have resisted temptation in a way which seems to me really remarkable.
My work among the colored students progresses very pleasantly. It is hard to get out of their minds wrong conceptions as to what a Christian life is. They expect to see visions and dream dreams when they enter upon it, and seem to look upon the entering as the all important part. They haven’t been used to thinking of the Christian life as a struggle against sin. It is a real pleasure to preach to them, and they are earnest to know the truth.
I am trying to make the Christian boys and girls feel their responsibility more. I am trying to make them work for others. We have started a Missionary Association for work in the country about. On Sunday afternoon twenty-five go out into the cottages to read the Bible and pray with the poor families. Many of them work in the Sunday-schools in Hampton. One goes out to the poor-house, another to the prison. They all make the reports of their work to me. We are talking of starting a Sunday-school in the Butler School House. We think we could get in many who do not now attend, and it would give our students a chance for work. I am anxious to make them feel that they are not merely to be recipients. There is a good interest in our meetings, and although I don’t feel at all contented with what is being done, and look for much greater things, yet I am thankful for the evidences of God’s favor which I see.
GEORGIA.
Revival Interest.
REV. C. W. FRANCIS, ATLANTA.
We have great reason to rejoice in all the good things the Lord has done for us in this school. Since the day of prayer for Colleges on the last Thursday of January, we have had a very marked and general interest in religious things, and we have reason to believe that very many have become reconciled to God and taken up the service of Christ. Nearly every one in the family, numbering about two hundred students, who was not already a follower of Christ, has been affected and confessed an interest in the subject, and not many have drawn back thus far. About sixty have attended inquiry meetings, and we hope a large proportion of them will hold on their way.
There has been a great quickening of those who bore the Christian name, and many of them have taken up the work as though for the first time. We have held meetings every night for five weeks, and there has been the steady presentation of the truth and much personal effort, and so a great harvest gathered, which fills our hearts with gladness.
Regular school work has not been broken in upon to any great extent and there has been no tendency toward undue excitement but a deep and solemn attention to the claims of God has characterized the experience of most.