Book: The American Missionary, Vol. 43, No. 7, July, 1889
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Various >> The American Missionary, Vol. 43, No. 7, July, 1889
THE AMERICAN MISSIONARY
July, 1889
Vol. XLIII. No. 7
CONTENTS
EDITORIAL.
FINANCIAL
CONGREGATIONALISM IN GEORGIA
ATLANTA UNIVERSITY
INDUSTRY AND SKILL OF THE NEGRO
PARAGRAPHS
CASTE IN THE CHURCHES
THE SOUTH.
MOUNTAIN WORK IN TENNESSEE
WILLIAMSBURG ACADEMY, KY.
MARSHALLVILLE, GA.
ALBANY, GA.
WILMINGTON, N.C.
SENIOR CLASS AT LE MOYNE INSTITUTE
ITEMS
THE INDIANS.
TRIP AMONG THE OUT-STATIONS
THE CHINESE.
THE CHINESE WORK, REV. DR. DANA
BUREAU OF WOMAN'S WORK.
MEETING OF STATE ORGANIZATIONS
MERIDIAN, MISS.
MACON, GA.
OUR YOUNG FOLKS.
WORK AMONG THE CHILDREN
RECEIPTS
* * * * *
NEW YORK:
PUBLISHED BY THE AMERICAN MISSIONARY ASSOCIATION.
Rooms, 56 Reade Street.
* * * * *
Price, 50 Cents a Year, in Advance.
Entered at the Post Office at New York, N.Y., as second-class matter.
* * * * *
AMERICAN MISSIONARY ASSOCIATION
PRESIDENT, REV. WM. M. TAYLOR, D.D., LLD., N.Y.
_Vice-Presidents._
Rev. A.J.F. BEHRENDS, D.D., N.Y.
Rev. F.A. NOBLE, D.D., Ill.
Rev. ALEX. MCKENZIE, D.D., Mass.
Rev. D.O. MEARS, D.D., Mass.
Rev. HENRY HOPKINS, D.D., Mo.
_Corresponding Secretaries._
Rev. M.E. STRIEBY, D.D., _56 Reade Street, N.Y._
Rev. A.F. BEARD, D.D., _56 Reade Street, N.Y._
_Recording Secretary._
Rev. M.E. STRIEBY, D.D., _56 Reade Street, N.Y._
_Treasurer._
H.W. HUBBARD, Esq., _56 Reade Street, N.Y._
_Auditors._
PETER McCARTEE.
CHAS. P. PEIRCE.
_Executive Committee._
JOHN H. WASHBURN, Chairman.
ADDISON P. FOSTER, Secretary.
_For Three Years._
J.E. RANKIN,
EDMUND L. CHAMPLIN,
WM. H. WARD,
J.W. COOPER,
JOHN H. WASHBURN.
_For Two Years._
LYMAN ABBOTT,
CHAS. A. HULL,
CLINTON B. FISK,
ADDISON P. FOSTER.
_For One Year._
S.B. HALLIDAY,
SAMUEL HOLMES,
SAMUEL S. MARPLES,
CHARLES L. MEAD,
ELBERT B. MONROE.
_District Secretaries._
Rev. C.J. RYDER, _21 Cong'l House, Boston._
Rev. J.E. ROY, D.D., _151 Washington Street, Chicago._
Rev. C.W. HIATT, _Cleveland, Ohio._
_Financial Secretary for Indian Missions._
Rev. CHAS. W. SHELTON.
_Field Superintendents._
Rev. FRANK E. JENKINS.
Prof. EDWARD S. HALL.
_Secretary of Woman's Bureau._
Miss D.E. EMERSON, _56 Reade St., N.Y._
* * * * *
COMMUNICATIONS
Relating to the work of the Association may be addressed to the
Corresponding Secretaries; letters for "THE AMERICAN MISSIONARY," to the
Editor, at the New York Office; letters relating to the finances, to the
Treasurer.
DONATIONS AND SUBSCRIPTIONS
In drafts, checks, registered letters, or post office orders, may be
sent to H.W. Hubbard, Treasurer, 56 Reade Street, New York, or, when
more convenient, to either of the Branch Offices, 21 Congregational
House, Boston, Mass., or 151 Washington Street, Chicago, Ill. A payment
of thirty dollars at one time constitutes a Life Member.
NOTICE TO SUBSCRIBERS.--The date on the "address label," indicates the
time to which the subscription is paid. Changes are made in date on
label to the 10th of each month. If payment of subscription be made
afterward, the change on the label will appear a month later. Please
send early notice of change in post-office address, giving the former
address and the new address, in order that our periodicals and
occasional papers may be correctly mailed.
FORM OF A BEQUEST
"I bequeath to my executor (or executors) the sum of ---- dollars, in
trust, to pay the same in ---- days after my decease to the person who,
when the same is payable, shall act as Treasurer of the 'American
Missionary Association,' of New York City, to be applied, under the
direction of the Executive Committee of the Association, to its
charitable uses and purposes." The Will should be attested by three
witnesses.
* * * * *
THE AMERICAN MISSIONARY.
VOL. XLIII. JULY, 1889. No. 7.
The American Missionary Association
* * * * *
FINANCIAL.
_The Figures Improving._
The receipts of the Association for the eight months to May 31, 1889,
are: from donations, $134,993.37; from estates, $26,530.09; income,
$6,479.21; tuition, $26,084.21; U.S. Gov't, $9,540.87, total,
$203,627.75. Expenditures for the eight months, $229,422.82. Debtor
balance, $25,795.07.
The debtor balance reported in the last MISSIONARY for the seven months
ending April 30th, was $28,328.14. The showing, therefore, is favorable,
and we appeal to our friends to make their contributions so generous
that at the end of the fiscal year we may report entire freedom from
debt.
* * * * *
CONGREGATIONALISM IN GEORGIA.
At the recent meeting of the American Home Missionary Society, held in
Saratoga (June 6th), the question of the future relations of the newly
formed Congregational Conference of Georgia to that Society, and to the
earlier Congregational Association of that State, was fully discussed,
and resulted in the following action:
In the full conviction that these churches are in accord with the
principles of Congregationalism, and with the principles of this
Society, and with those held by the Congregational churches which
it represents:
_Resolved._ That we heartily welcome them to fellowship with us
in the Gospel. We commend them to the fraternal sympathy and
prayers of all our people, and we request the officers of the
society to extend to them such financial aid as they may need as
promptly as the state of its treasury will allow.
_Resolved._ That this Society rejoices to learn that an effort is
making to unite the Georgia Congregational Conference and the
Georgia Congregational Association on principles of equal
recognition and fellowship of all the churches of each body, and
trust that such a union will be accomplished.
We are in full and hearty agreement with the general spirit of these
utterances. In the hope that the churches of the Georgia Conference are
in accord with the principles of Congregationalism, which do not
discriminate against men because of caste or color, we are prepared to
welcome them heartily. That Conference has already published its
Articles of Faith and of Church Government, and these have assured us of
its adherence to the general principles of the Congregational faith and
order. The only question still open is as to the readiness of that body
to unite with the Congregational churches already existing in that State
in the practical recognition of the broad Christian and Congregational
principles in the fellowship of all churches irrespective of caste
distinctions.
The second resolution quoted above rejoices in the effort now making to
unite the two Congregational bodies in Georgia on that basis. We trust
that effort may be successful, for we believe that such a union is
essential to recognition by the National Council and to the cordial
fellowship of the Congregational churches. The Georgia Association, ever
since its organization in 1878, has been recognized and represented in
every subsequent meeting of the National Council, and we cannot see how
the Council can consistently welcome another organization, covering the
same State, that is kept separate from the older body by the line of
race or color; nor do we believe that the Congregational churches of
this country will fellowship both organizations thus held apart. We are
confirmed in the correctness of this impression from the decided and
independent utterances of the influential religious papers which so
largely represent the sentiments of the Congregational churches of this
country.
We present below some extracts from such of these papers published since
the Saratoga meeting as have come to hand before the MISSIONARY goes to
press, while in another portion of our pages we give more at length the
prior utterances of these journals on the same general subject. We deem
the question to be so important that we wish to lay it fully before our
readers.
_From The Independent._
We have nothing but satisfaction to express with this action. It would
be absurd to imagine that Congregationalists could forget their spotless
record, and could now, for the pride of the addition of fifty or a
hundred churches, consent to help a movement that should put colored
brothers in a separate fellowship by themselves. This they will never
do. They will hold out a warm hand of welcome to all comers, and warmest
to those who come to them from the South, white and black: but they want
them to come together, not apart.
_From The Congregationalist._
This, we are confident, was the proper attitude for the Society to
assume. No one wanted to grieve or irritate the Southern brethren, by
clauses in the resolutions, which might seem uncalled for, or at all
distrustful of their explicit utterances. At the same time it should be
distinctly understood that the unanimous action taken means that the
Congregational churches stand exactly where the Presbyterians do, in not
abating one hair of their principles, and in forever demanding that
color shall prove no barrier to Christian fellowship in its truest,
deepest intent. This journal has taken this position repeatedly, and it
re-asserts it. Sooner or later, but as surely as the sun-rise, it will
prevail, because it is right, and our grandchildren, if not our
children, will wonder that any of our generation ever hesitated about
it.
_From The Advance._
Then, the question as to the color-line in the churches, as known to
exist in the South, could not be ignored. Our Congregational churches
and their two great Home Missionary Societies, the American Home
Missionary Society and the American Missionary Association, hold to
certain principles respecting the universal brotherhood of believers in
Christ, and for which they stand before the world as witnesses,
historically, conspicuously, always and everywhere. Do these newly
constituted Congregational churches in the South stand with us on this
point? To ask this question implies not the slightest suspicion or
distrust. Not to have asked it would have been to betray a great
responsibility.
For one thing, the Home Missionary Society could not afford to even seem
to be indifferent to a matter of this kind. And if there is to be this
close fellowship and co-operation and mutual assistance, there should
obviously be, from the beginning, the most perfect frankness. The best
way to insure permanence of happy mutual relations is to begin right.
* * * * *
ATLANTA UNIVERSITY.
The State officials of Georgia are disposed, perhaps it might be said
they desire, to renew the gift of eight thousand dollars to the Atlanta
University, insisting, however, upon compliance with the color-line
requisition. To this, the University cannot yield. The controversy on
that subject was not of its seeking. The children of the professors had
for years attended the classes, and the State Examiners had known this
all the time and had made no objections. The demand for the exclusion of
these pupils from the classes was suddenly made by an outside pressure,
and was not provoked in any way by word or deed of the teachers. To
surrender now is simply to yield a principle for money.
Some of the officials of the State express the wish that a compromise
may be effected, but others of their number--the large majority, we
believe--regard this as impossible, and hence both parties--the State
and the University--must pursue their independent lines of action. Under
these circumstances, the Trustees of the University have deemed it wise
to resume relations of co-operation with the American Missionary
Association. This question was fully discussed at the recent meeting of
the Board of Trustees, May 29th, two of the members, Drs. Beard and
Strieby, being present and presenting, in behalf of the Executive
Committee of the Association, some overtures for co-operation. One of
these was accepted, and is now the basis of the relations existing
between the Association and the University. It stipulates that the
Trustees of the University shall elect six of the sixteen members of the
Board, on the nomination of the Executive Committee of the Association,
as vacancies may exist, and that the Association shall (after the
present fiscal year) contribute $3,000 per annum towards defraying the
current expenses of the University.
Four vacancies were found to exist in the Board, and, in accordance with
the vote, they were filled by the unanimous choice of Rev. Drs. Twichell
of Hartford, Llewellyn Pratt of Norwich, Cooper of New Britain, and
Brand of Oberlin. These honored brethren, friends alike of the
Association and of the University, will, if they accept, add to the
efficiency of the school and to the confidence of the public in it. We
believe there is a bright future before the University. It will pursue
its work quietly, having no controversy with the State, and will
continue its noble efforts for the education of the colored race, thus
benefiting both the State of Georgia and the Nation.
* * * * *
INDUSTRY AND SKILL OF THE NEGRO.
In replacing the burned portion of our building at Le Moyne Institute,
Memphis, Tenn., the work was done by colored men. The Principal of the
Institute says that, "though the job was far from simple, not a single
error or mistake has occurred from beginning to end to mar our
satisfaction at its successful completion."
The architect who drew the plan expressed considerable anxiety lest a
colored mechanic with all colored assistants should not prove equal to
so large and important an undertaking. The result shows how unfounded
were his forebodings.
The job is done, and well done, and with so much expedition that in
sixty days after the fire they were moving into the reconstructed and
improved building. Every one who has had any hand in the work has seemed
personally interested and anxious to expedite the work, from the
architect and lumber dealer to the commonest laborer.
* * * * *
Superintendent Hall writes:
Testimony as to the working power and will of the Negro is to be had on
all sides whenever a person speaks honestly.
A professional gentleman in Andersonville operates five large
plantations without any white overseer except himself, and is making
money from the land. He states his principle to be: "I make a short,
clear contract with the Negroes and do _exactly_ what I promise, and I
require the same execution of their side of the bargain. _And I pay them
just what I agree to pay them._ They work six days every week. I give
them a chance to attend a funeral or church service if they keep up the
work."
A prominent contractor, builder and brick-maker in Thomasville, Ga.,
employs from one hundred to three hundred Negroes constantly in all
branches of his business. He says: "They are a patient, reliable class
of workers. If a man will be fair with them and do as he agrees, he will
never have trouble. They are not cranky as some white workmen. They do
the finest part of mason's and carpenter's work well."
These two men are native Southerners, whose parents were large slave
owners.
Fault is found with the Negro on the coast line, wherever the turpentine
business exists, because he will not work on the plantations. The
turpentine work with its "boxing," "scraping," "gathering" and
"distilling," is all piece-work, paid in cash. The Negroes are among the
trees before daylight and work till dark. By so doing they earn 75c.,
$1.00 or $1.25 per day. The plantations pay "rations"--a peck of common
meal and four pounds of bacon per week, and 35c. to 50c. per day, the
latter mostly in promises.
A lady in New Orleans who keeps a popular boarding house for tourists
said, when Straight University was mentioned, "Just as soon as a colored
girl goes to school she is good for nothing afterward. She won't work.
I've lost several bright, likely girls that way." Inquiry shows that the
lady pays five dollars per month and requires the help to sleep at home.
A constant demand is made on our Normal Department for teachers for from
twenty to forty dollars per month. Strange that educated colored young
men and women will not "work!"
* * * * *
PARAGRAPHS.
Dr. Roy, in his lantern lectures, sometimes meets with pleasant
incidents. Recently, at East Saginaw, before the General Association of
Michigan, coming to Fisk University on his programme, he had brought on
his canvas pictures of the Jubilee Singers, Jubilee and Livingstone
Halls and of Jowett, one of the students, and when he came to present
Mr. Ousley and his wife, a venerable man jumped up and remarked, "We
received Mr. Ousley and his wife at the Zulu Mission on their way to
East Central Africa. So also Miss Jones. Within two weeks I have
received from Mr. Ousley his photograph." This man was Rev. Dr. Rood,
for forty years a missionary among the Zulus, just now back to this
country. After the lecture, Mr. Rood told Dr. Roy that Mr. Ousley was
one of the most level-headed men in the mission, and so had been made
the treasurer of the mission--a good tribute to one of Fisk's graduates.
* * * * *
Our readers will remember an account in our last month's magazine of a
communion service held by Rev. T.L. Riggs at one of the out-stations
where he was obliged to use the back of a hymnbook covered with a napkin
for a plate, and a tin cup for a baptismal bowl. It gives us pleasure to
say that Mr. Riggs has received from Mrs. Farnam of New Haven, a
beautiful and complete traveling communion service closely packed in a
small morocco case, with the needful linen, which also goes in the case.
One piece fits into another in such a way that the whole service takes
up scarcely more room than is required for the largest piece. Mrs.
Farnam also sent suitable bags for the different pieces, so that Mr.
Riggs, when he goes on horse-back can carry them in his saddle pouches.
This is certainly the right gift in the right place.
* * * * *
The _New York Sun_ says: The merchants of Chinatown have heard of the
Johnstown disaster and have contributed their share to the relief of the
survivors. Tom Lee explained the matter to them, and at a mass meeting
at the Chinese municipal hall on Tuesday a subscription was opened. Here
is a list of some of the subscribers: Tuck High, $15; Tom Lee, $50; Sang
Chong, $15; Sinn Quong On, $15; Kwong Hing Lung, $15; Kwong Chin Cheong,
$15; Yuet Sing, $10; Yuen Kee, $10; Wo Kee, $15; Ju Young Keau, $2; Wong
Chin Foo, $3; Wing Wah Chong, $15; Jow Shing Pong, $3; Ham Lum Chin, $3;
Mai Li Wa, $2; Kwong Yin Lung, $15; Quong Lung Yuen, $15 and Ung Wah,
$10.
* * * * *
The _New York Tribune_ says: It appears from a report made to the
Presbyterian Assembly that the mountain districts of North Carolina,
Southwest Virginia, Southern and Eastern Kentucky and Eastern Tennessee
contain a population of about 2,000,000 white people, largely of Scotch
Irish descent, of whom 70 per cent, can neither read nor write. This
statement suggests the reflection that if there is one thing which is
more essential than the education of the Southern Negroes it is the
education of the Southern whites.
* * * * *
The Annual Meeting of the American Missionary Association will be held
in Chicago, Ill., commencing October 29. Rev. R.R. Meredith, D.D., of
Brooklyn, N.Y., will preach the sermon.
* * * * *
We would still call attention to our Leaflets for distribution in the
pews on the taking of collections for our Association. We shall be happy
to furnish them to those making application.
* * * * *
The _New York Tribune_ says: "The Rev. Joseph Jordan, who was ordained
in Philadelphia on Sunday, is the first colored man to enter the
ministry of the Universalist Church. He is to engage in mission work in
the South."
* * * * *
CASTE IN THE CHURCHES.
OPINIONS OF THE RELIGIOUS PRESS.
_From The Congregationalist._
If report be true, the South Carolina Episcopalians have compromised
their difficulty in the matter of color in a manner which is not likely
to be permanently satisfactory. A portion of the diocesan convention had
seceded because the bishop declared that he could not exclude a
regularly ordained minister who was black. The canon law now has been
amended so as to exclude henceforth all other black men, and the
seceders have returned, consenting to make the best of the one obnoxious
colored man, but indignant because he has not been ejected. Whether the
General Convention will endorse or repudiate this compromise remains to
be seen. In either case the Episcopal branch of the church might as well
abandon its efforts to make headway among the colored race in that
State. So far as we can see, the bishop has made a manly stand, however,
and deserves commendation and sympathy. But the seceders have shown a
sad lack of the true spirit of Christ.
_From The Advance._
There have been in Georgia for ten or more years a number of
Congregational churches and a State Congregational Association. This
included, along with the pastors of colored churches, the President and
some of the Professors in Atlanta University. Last year, when that
interesting body of churches hitherto known as Congregational
Methodists, saw fit to take measures for becoming in name as well as in
fact Congregationalists, a "Georgia Congregational Conference" was
formed, a committee was also appointed to confer with the previously
existing Congregational Association, with a view to the right adjustment
of relations between the members of the two organizations. We publish
on another page the reply recently addressed by the "Association" to the
"Conference," with a view to unity on terms that would be in themselves
Christian and agreeable to both the parties interested, as well as
acceptable to Congregationalists everywhere. All of our churches have an
interest in a matter of such significance, as they would also be
sensitive to the reproach of there being two distinct Congregational
Associations in the same State, separated from each other on the
un-Christian caste line of race and color. With the temper and spirit
manifest in the communication referred to, it would seem that the way is
now open for a happy consummation of Congregational fellowship in the
State of Georgia, on terms which not only Congregationalists but
Christians of every name at the North will warmly approve and applaud.
_From The Independent._
The members of the Presbyterian General Assembly can go home from New
York assured that they have vindicated truth and righteousness. The one
vital, vicious fault in the report of the Conference Committee of the
Northern and Southern Presbyterian Churches on Co-operation was amended
out of it and as it now stands adopted it gives not even by implication
any support to the unchristian doctrine of separate presbyteries and
synods for black and half-white Presbyterians.
When the General Assembly met a year ago the Church had been somewhat
stirred up, though the leaders and editors generally seemed so anxious
for a proud reunion that they were ready to forget the wrong proposed to
the colored brothers. Indeed, a volunteer commission of editors and
managers had gone all through the South visiting the synods of the
Northern Church where the Negroes were in the majority, persuading them
that it would be better for them to go by themselves and get their share
of the honors. Not willing to be an obstacle, the Negroes had very
generally yielded to the persuasions of their kind visitors.
But there were a number of earnest men who were not willing to yield the
principle, and who would make a fight. It was the Centennial year, and
the two Assemblies were meeting at the same time and in neighboring
cities, ready to consummate the union if desired. But the previous
discussion had stirred up the Southerners also, and they had discovered
that the temper of the North was not all that had been represented. They
were not at all sure that the color-line could be peacefully drawn. They
had decided, therefore, not to unite. The report of the Committee of
Conference was accordingly withdrawn, and the matter referred to another
committee, which praised the fidelity of the Committee, declared it
premature to act on their report, and approved "the general principles
enumerated in the replies of the Committee," and recommended that the
committee of thirteen be enlarged by the addition of five more men, and
continued to devise methods of co-operation with the Southern Church. In
fear of acrimonious discussion this was railroaded through in two
minutes.