Some time since, the principal of a colored institution received an honorary degree from a Southern college, whose trustees had observed his work for a series of years. When conferring the degree, they said: “We recognize your fidelity to the principles of those who sent you forth.” It is fidelity to the principles that have actuated the A. M. A. for nearly forty years that is winning the hearts of the people, and every year confirms the conviction that we have only to press forward with renewed energy and perseverance in order to achieve the best results for the whole southern portion of our country.
The fathers are passing away. The death of Wm. E. Whiting, which occurred June 3, removes one of the most familiar names in the annals of the American Missionary Association. He was chosen member of the Executive Committee at the first election, and no complete list of the officers of the Association has been published since, that does not contain his name. Of that first list but one man survives him (a Vice-President), and of the administrative officers, he was the last. His position has been various; on the Executive Committee from 1846 to 1871; Assistant Treasurer from 1865 to 1875; Vice-President from 1876 till his death. In all Mr. Whiting’s relations to his associates in the office and to the workers in the field he was ever gentlemanly and courteous; in the discharge of his duties he was faithful and conscientious. He was among the first to enlist in the great anti-slavery struggle, and in the martyr age of that contest he bore his share of contumely, reproach and danger. In his private life and as a member of the Church of Christ, he had rendered himself so useful and so beloved that the heartfelt eulogy pronounced upon him at his funeral by his pastor might have seemed overdrawn but for the attesting evidence of the manly and womanly tears that throughout accompanied the eloquent words.
We were pleased to have a call on the 20th of May from Rev. D. K. Flickinger, the Missionary Secretary of the United Brethren in Christ, who had just returned from a tour of inspection at the Shengay Mission in the Sherbro country of West Africa, bringing with him the Rev. Mr. Gomer, a colored man who is the local Superintendent of the mission. We gained from them much valuable information concerning our own mission among that people. It is wonderful how much exposure that Secretary and his Superintendent have been able to endure in that climate. We bless God for the great work which their church through them is doing for West Africa.
The faculty and students of the Wesleyan Female College at Macon, Ga., on the 12th of May celebrated the birthday of their benefactor, Mr. George I. Seney. They sent him a telegraphic greeting, which he acknowledged. They had music and poetry and also an oration by Colonel Hardeman, one of the first orators of the State.
The Christian Recorder, the official organ of the African M. E. Church, thus pronounces its benediction upon Mr. John F. Slater, changing the Spanish Bishop’s cursings upon liberal journalists into blessings: