Back in these pine woods are hundreds who have never seen the railroad, a boat, carriage, or even a mail-bag. Sometimes a few will go to the little obscure station on Saturdays and stand gazing at the train as it goes thundering by, and many comical remarks are made, as: "Dat am de train 'pon which no darkies nor crackers kin ride; dat am all de heben dat dem buckra want and am gwine ter git."
Most of the people own their homes, which are poorly constructed of pine poles with clapboards to cover the cracks, through which the dampness and cold winds make it uncomfortable for the occupants, who are seated before a clay chimney and a great lightwood fire. Very few of the houses have any windows. A lightwood torch furnishes the light by day and by night. Some of them are improving each year, but the most of them are satisfied with a roof, and a few acres under cultivation.
The country people seem to be naturally religious, as they are all church members, are so from childhood, and are great believers in the "sperit," which must be the evil one. They are not denominational in the sense in which enlightened people are. The church which allows the greatest number of privileges, and the minister who will just be preacher and make the most noise and have the greatest number of "big meetings," are the most popular. They have a burial service, and several months or a year after, they have a funeral service, which is always a big time.
[pg 184]Cæsar is considered the best preacher that has ever been in ——. He comes once a month, and cannot read a chapter; "nor need you expect me to get the one-thousandth part of the ingrejience out of this text," is his introduction to every sermon, but he can get up steam enough to be heard half a mile. One of the preachers wanting to be known as a licentiate, said in meeting: "I want you to know that I am a licentious preacher,"—which is the truth.
Our work has done an amount of good, even among those outside, and our schools and the two churches have done more good in the country than all other work combined. The recent fanaticism in the county did not get one believer from our church.
REPORT FROM MOUNTAIN SCHOOLS.
Our year's work is rapidly drawing to an end. The older scholars are doing well and are remaining with us through the year. They certainly are gaining in this direction. They become very restless as soon as it is "put in crap time." They sigh for the fields and "shovel plow," and often look from the school-room windows with a longing for the log cabin and the ground surrounding it. In many cases we have to be very persuasive to have them remain, yet they seem thankful for the advice and remain. The older scholars seem to manifest an earnest ambition to obtain situations through the summer, so that they may procure clothing and help pay their tuition. We try as far as possible to obtain situations for our girls. The better class of the people will come to us for help, feeling that our girls have been educated in the home and kitchen.
In our temperance meeting last Friday, I asked the question, "What would you do if you were forced to take whiskey?" A little girl rose and said, "My father asked me to take some and said 'you must.' I said, 'I can't. God would not be pleased.' He said, 'Well, I 'lows how you're 'bout right." What a happy girl she was. She knows if she will keep on refusing, he will give up strong drink. Our greatest hope is in the children.
A poor woman had some articles of clothing to take home with her. I offered to wrap her parcel in newspaper. She said, "If you don't care, I would like to have that ar paper." She never has a piece except what is given her by some kind person. She utterly refused to have the parcel wrapped. The people use the papers to keep the cold out. I have seen pieces of paper four inches square and parts of letters pasted on the boards. We save all the papers we receive, and have assisted in making many poor homes comfortable.