VOL. XXXVI. JUNE, 1882. NO. 6. THE American Missionary “THEY ARE RISING, ALL ARE RISING, THE BLACK AND WHITE TOGETHER” 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,

56 READE STREET, NEW YORK

THE

American Missionary.

American Missionary Association.

The receipts for April were $29,519.61, an increase of nearly 38 per cent. over those of last year. The total receipts for the seven months ending April 30, are $161,542.16, being $35,632.25, or 28 per cent. more than for the corresponding months last year. If this ratio of increase is continued for the remaining five months of the fiscal year, the $300,000 will be obtained, and we shall close the year without a debt, notwithstanding the unusually heavy expenses that the progress of our work has necessitated. These cheering facts, we hope, will stimulate our friends to realize the expectations of the annual meeting, and the pressing needs of the field.

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COLORED JOURNALISM IN THE SOUTH

Our colored brethren have been by no means lacking in journalistic ambition. Considering the short space of time they have had in which to develop the literary talent, I think they have done remarkably well. There have been many undertakings in this line, and of course a good many failures. Having seen in the Western States a great many ephemeral newspapers, which ran their course briefly and then vanished away, I am prepared to say that the percentage of newspaper failures is no greater among the negroes than the whites. Newspapers are very frail and mortal creatures, and to many of them it is appointed to die. Few of them can lay claim to immortality; like the human race, most of them die in infancy. Yet there are now more than fifty papers published by colored men, mostly in the Southern States. The State of Georgia has five; North Carolina has seven. As the general intelligence of the people increases, the usefulness of these papers also enlarges. There is a good deal of race pride among the colored people, and they greatly enjoy the achievements of their race, whether in the field of journalism or elsewhere. Of course they are not trained to habits of close criticism and literary discrimination. Like all whose education has not been very extensive, they delight in high-sounding phrases and long, sonorous words. Most of their editorials are somewhat open to criticism in this line, yet there are not a few examples of crisp, clear, terse, vigorous English which are refreshing to read in these pedantic days.

As a general thing these papers are edited by the younger generation of men, graduates from the A. M. A. colleges or elsewhere. No others have sufficient ability or perseverance to make a success in this line. They are mostly Christian men, and they print many articles upon temperance and other practical virtues, which are sadly needed here both among black and white. So these papers exert a widespread and generally beneficial influence, going into many homes that have no other reading. Like his white brother, the negro sometimes forgets to “pay the printer,” and hence there is an occasional suspension for lack of funds. So there is in the North as well.

More and more, as they increase in knowledge and in property, there will be a greater demand for good newspapers. The schools and colleges of the A. M. A. are calculated to have a wide influence in this field, training up writers and thinkers who shall through their periodicals exert a great deal of power. Besides preaching and teaching, there is to be in the future of the Anglo-African a vast field of usefulness in journalism. The power of thinking, and of putting thought into effective words, is to be more and more developed in these schools. Here then is a new argument for the thorough and adequate maintenance of the church and school work, to raise up men and women from among this patient race who shall prove, even as many of them are proving now, that “the pen is mightier than the sword.” The occasional crudity of expression, the extravagant adjective and preposterous grammar, must and will give place to true thinking and correct expression, under the steady polishing and mental training of our schools. Fresh vigor, greater power, wider and more salutary influence of the newspaper, will follow the inexact and “scattering” articles which have more or less prevailed, inevitably.

THE KIND OF UNIVERSITY MOST NEEDED IN THE SOUTH.

BY PROF. HORACE BUMSTEAD, ATLANTA UNIVERSITY, GA.

A university, in the old-world sense of the term, is an institution where all the branches of the higher education are taught, and these alone. In our country the name is often adopted by institutions as a prophecy of what they hope to become, while their present work is almost wholly that of elementary instruction—a work which they expect eventually to outgrow.

So far as the institutions of the American Missionary Association are concerned, I am inclined to think that there is a nobler ideal to be realized under the name of university than any feeble imitation of older institutions. A field is open here in the South for the development of an institution such as the world has not yet seen, and which, in a somewhat new but not unnatural sense, would justify its claim to be called a university.

The university which missionary effort can make most useful in the South is one that shall represent, in their most perfect form, all the successive grades of education from lowest to highest. It should be prepared to train ordinary pupils of all ages rather than extraordinary ones of mature age only. It should also provide ample facilities for normal and industrial training, now so much needed in all the South. But especially it should magnify and dignify the work of primary instruction, regarding this as a permanent feature of its work, and not as an unavoidable evil to be shaken off as soon as possible. It should neither undervalue nor neglect the higher education. This should be held up as a worthy object of aspiration for all who show themselves fitted to receive it, by thorough work lower down. Such an institution would present, under one management, a kindergarten, or something like it, a graded school, a normal school, an industrial department, an academy, a college, and in course of time the professional schools.

In favor of such a university several reasons may be given. In the first place, the interests of the higher education would be better served by such an institution than by one devoted to the higher education alone. It is taken for granted that the Freedmen and their descendants, for whom largely our institutions are established, should, like all other people, have the opportunity of the higher education given them to the extent of their ability to receive and use it. The welfare of the masses demands that we train up leaders of intelligence and principle. That this work is not being overdone at present is evident from the fact that only ninety-one college students are reported in all the institutions of the American Missionary Association put together, and only about fifty in all have ever been graduated from our college courses since our work in the South began. Now, the principal reason why our work in the higher education has been so limited, has been the great scarcity of suitable material for college classes; and the reason of this scarcity has been that our preparatory departments have not been able to get hold of their pupils early enough. Pupils come to us heavily handicapped by a lack of proper training, moral and intellectual, in early childhood. Now, who can doubt but that the universities that are going to have the best college classes twenty years from now, and do the best work, will be those that soonest put the kindergarten, or some equivalent of it, underneath all their present courses of study, and thus manipulate the entire education of their pupils from the age of five onward? A thoroughness and symmetry of training could be realized by such an arrangement which would be scarcely possible under any other.

But a second reason in favor of such a university is the invaluable help it would render to the cause of general education. Here let it be explained that it would not be the purpose of the proposed institution to take the work of preparation for college out of the hands of preparatory schools elsewhere; nor would it expect to carry all its own beginners through to the end of its higher courses. It would, however, if properly manned and equipped, expect to show what might be called specimen work from the bottom to the top of an education. Such work would be a stimulus to all other schools of whatever grade, and the methods employed in these schools would gradually come to be patterned after those in vogue at the university. The more the lower work of the university was duplicated elsewhere, the more would its own recruiting ground for the higher courses be enlarged, and the wider would its influence become.

A third reason in favor of such a university concerns the association of normal and industrial departments with the collegiate. It should be our aim to cultivate manhood and womanhood rather than mere scholarship. The culture we give must be guarded from selfishness. The practical uses of all education must be kept prominently in view, and especially the urgent need of trained teachers and artisans. The dignity of labor must be emphasized. On the other hand, our normal and industrial work should be guarded from the narrow and materialistic spirit into which such training is sometimes apt to fall. Now, the association of all these departments under one general management will surely bring to each from the others some salutary restraint or broadening influence.

In connection with the practical aim of such a university, I desire to specify two features which should characterize it, both of them rendered necessary by the same cause—the almost entire lack of true homes among the people we are seeking to uplift. In consequence of this deplorable lack, two duties press upon us: first, to obviate the difficulties arising from this cause in our present educational work, and second, to remove the cause.

The first of these duties suggests the kindergarten, already proposed. I use this term for the lack of a more convenient one; contending simply for some system of training for children under the usual school age. Among cultivated people, and even the intelligent farmers and artisans of cultivated communities, every home is a kindergarten—a preliminary training-school for the eyes, hands, brains, and hearts of toddling and prattling humanity. Very few such are to be found among the poorer classes of the South. Hence arises the necessity of beginning our work earlier than elsewhere, and using appliances which elsewhere might seem superfluous. But it will not be enough to have the kindergarten composed entirely of day scholars from the neighborhood. There should be a special building for a children’s home, with an able matron and assistants in charge of it. Into this could be gathered from a wider territory as large a number of little boarders as might be thought desirable. The inestimable advantage of this arrangement would be that a considerable number of children would thus be separated from their unfortunate surroundings for twenty-four hours each day instead of six, and for seven days in the week instead of five. From this number, in after years, would undoubtedly come our best material for the college and normal classes.

But a second pressing duty is to help the growth of true homes among these people. This must be done largely through the girls who come under our care. For this also a separate building should be provided as a housekeeping school. It should be constructed like an ordinary dwelling-house, with such conveniences within and around it as civilized people aim to secure. It should not be too large, lest the coziness of home be lost. It should have a parlor with pictures and books. It should have a garden with flowers and shade trees. Above all it should have the most commodious and convenient kitchen and pantry that can be arranged. Let a dozen girls together occupy this house for a fortnight at a time—all those in the university taking their turn in the course of the year. Let some good woman, as near like Mrs. Cornelius or Marion Harland as can be found, be put at the head, and let her teach these girls how to cook, sweep, dust, make beds, set the table, wash the dishes, and in general how to make home as attractive as our Christian civilization knows how.

Finally let it be observed that such a university would be simply an expansion of what is now being done in our present higher institutions, and which the force of circumstances has compelled us to do. Why should we not accept it cheerfully as the mission which Providence has given us, and by a deepening and broadening process convert our present universities into something that shall bring new honor to the cause of Christian education?

BENEFACTIONS.

The late Thomas M. Reed, of Bath, Me., bequeathed $3,000 to Bangor Theological Seminary.

Mr. Reed, of Boston, has given $5,000 to the Hampton N. and A. Institute.

Mr. Ahok has given £10,000 towards the Methodist College in Fuh Chou.

Sir Erasmus Miller has given £10,000 to endow a pathological chair at an institution in Aberdeen, Scotland.

Yale College is to receive $50,000 for a laboratory from Messrs. Thomas and Henry Sloan, in honor of their father, William Sloan.

Thomas McGraw, of Poughkeepsie, N.Y., has given $50,000 for the endowment of the President’s chair at Amherst College.

Mr. Holloway, of England, has conveyed to the trustees of the Enghaman Institution, for the higher education of women, £400,000 for endowment purposes.

Iowa College has received $1,500 to be known as the Ellingwood Scholarship Fund for the education of ministers.

Hackettstown Seminary, N.J., has received $15,000 from Mr. Geo. I. Seney, of Brooklyn, N.Y., for the liquidation of its debt of $36,000, which is now entirely provided for. The property of the institution cost $175,000.

Mr. John F. Slater, of Norwich, Conn., has given $1,000,000 to a Board of Trustees, the income of which is to be applied for the education of the recently emancipated race in America.

We are happy to report that our appeals for endowment for Talladega College have met with additional responses since the statement given in our February number. One friend has given $5,000 towards the endowment of the President’s Chair, and another has pledged $5,000 for the Theological Department.

GENERAL NOTES.

AFRICA.

—W. F. Mieville has been appointed English consul at Khartoum.

—Ambassadors from Abyssinia have gone to Cairo to regulate the question of the frontiers and to seek the appointment of consuls of the two countries—of Egypt and of Abyssinia.

—After working with an indefatigable zeal to gather the means necessary to the establishment of a new mission, Mr. Coillard will set out with his wife in May to found a station between the Zambeze and Lake Bangueolo.

—Mgr. Taurin Cahaque, apostolic vicar, has made from Harrar an excursion among the Gallas and founded a station around which he hopes to gather a Christian colony.

—The council of ministers at Cairo has decided upon the complete abolition of slavery in Egypt. Abdelkader Pasha has been nominated Governor of Soudan. A special administration of the Soudan has been created at Cairo with the purpose of making out the statement of receipts and expenditures of that province and of re-organizing the military service with a view of maintaining order upon the Abyssinian frontier. It will take measures for the complete suppression of the slave trade.

—A company with a capital of 150,000 livres sterling has been formed under the name of River Gambia Trading Company, to develop commerce on the Gambia, which is navigable for 640 kilometers.

—The Church Missionary Society has established at Lokodja, near the confluence of the Niger and the Bénoué, a school to teach the native instructors the English language and the language spoken along the lower Niger.

—Mgr. Lavigerie, promoter of the missions of Algeria, has transferred to Malta the college which was formerly at St. Louis, to prepare a medical faculty for the Negroes of Equatorial Africa and the Soudan.

—A dispatch from Tripoli to the English Journal announces that 600 native Algerians of the Chambas tribe have proceeded to Ghadamès to demand the punishment of the Touaregs who assassinated the missionaries and ill-treated the Chambas.

—In a war between the tribe of the Paums and that of the Veys, sustained by the government of Liberia, the latter have been beaten and in part massacred, and the survivors have fled to Cape Mount, where help has been given them by the American missionaries. The government of the United States has sent the ship Essex to aid the troops of Liberia against the Paums who intercept communication between Monrovia and the northwest whence they obtain palm oil.

—Dr. Krapf, one of the pioneers of missionary work in Central Africa, has just died. Entering the service of the English missions in 1837, he sailed on the Tiger, the Choa and the Amhara. Not being able to enter the country of the Gallas by the north, he conceived the project of attacking the continent by the east, and in 1844 commenced with his friend Rebmann the mission of Mombas. His travels gave impulse to the discoveries of the last 25 years. Since 1856 he has been living at Wurtemberg, occupying himself with literary works upon the languages of eastern Africa.

THE INDIANS.

—The Superintendent of the Indian School at Caddo recently prepared a concert exercise with an illuminated Jacob’s Ladder. The sides and steps were covered with tissue paper of different colors. On each step were five wax tapers which lighted up cornucopias filled with candies. A lecture was given on Jacob’s Dream, accompanied with appropriate music, etc. Over 80 Indian children were in attendance. The occasion is said to have been a grand and beautiful one, cheering beyond thought to the heart of the Christian workers.

—Rev. S. G. Wright, of Leech Lake, Minn., writes: Our school was a real success. Several of our scholars began a life of prayer during the winter, and all were much improved. The Christian women who were converted when we were here before still regularly sustain a prayer meeting. We have just buried one of our staunch Christian men. His daily life in all places was a living testimony to the power of the Gospel to save even this poor despised people. In his long sickness of five months he exemplified the patience of the Gospel.

—Tindestak, Alaska, is a Chilcat village of 16 houses and 162 people. Each of the houses cost the Indian owners over a thousand dollars. Their desire, however, for the Gospel was so great that the whole population left the village last October and moved to the new mission station at Willard that they might have school and church privileges.

THE FREEDMEN.

REV. JOSEPH E. ROY, D.D., Field Superintendent, Atlanta, Ga.

AFTER THE SOWING, THE REAPING.

BY SUPERINTENDENT ROY.

It was at Athens, Ga., a city whose classical name has had associated with it the University of the State. Sixty-five years ago, my father’s pastor at Basking Ridge, N.J., Dr. Robert Finley, left there a church of 600 members and an academy in which he had trained Theodore Frelinghuysen, Senator Dayton and other such men, to come and serve a church of only a score of members, and the University as its President. I look up here his sepulchre and learn of the savor of his godly influence.

In 1867 the Knox Institute is built, a large two-story frame structure, with four school-rooms in it. For four years this is occupied by our Northern teachers. Meantime students are going forward from the “Knox” to Atlanta University; and then some of the advanced students of the latter institution are sent one by one, to serve as principals with colored assistants. In this way came S. B. Morse, John McIntosh and J. G. Hutchins. The last-named receives an appointment to a clerkship in Washington, and a recent graduate of the University, Paul E. Spratlin, is appointed as Principal with three lady assistants. Morse has now a position in the Custom-House at Savannah, and McIntosh is a representative of Liberty County in the legislature.

The Superintendent finds that the time has come to start a church. The building is repaired and one of its rooms fixed up for a chapel. Mr. George V. Clark, a student of the “Atlanta” and a graduate of the Theological Department of the Howard University, is secured. He, with his yoke-fellow Spratlin, starts a Sunday-school, a prayer meeting and preaching services. Affinity draws to them friends who are longing for something more quiet, orderly and intelligent in church life. Then a revival this spring adds eight disciples to the nine who are ready to come into a new church by letter. And so a Council meets here on the 14th of April to recognize the church and ordain the pastor. They find everything in an orderly condition. There are present from Atlanta Prof. C. W. Francis, Pastor Evarts Kent and his delegate, Deacon A. J. Delbridge and Superintendent Roy; from Marietta, Pastor E. J. Penney; from Macon, Pastor S. E. Lathrop; from Orangebury, S.C., a delegate; also Rev. Dr. C. W. Lane, Pastor of the Presbyterian Church in this city. Professor Francis is made moderator and Rev. E. J. Penney, scribe. The church process and the examination of the candidate are heartily approved.

By the courteous invitation of the African M. E. Church, the public services are held at night in their house of worship, which is packed with an assembly of 500 people. The sermon is an eloquent portrayal of the Apostle Paul’s desire and prayer to God for Israel that they might be saved. The moderator propounds the Confession and Covenant and gives to the new church the right hand of fellowship. Mr. Lathrop then presents a royal octavo Bible printed in Boston in 1822 and bearing in gilt letters on the front cover the inscription “Mary Walker, 1828,” who has herself now reached the age of four-score and five. The book seems to be good for another fifty-four years of service. Mr. Lathrop also presents from the Congregational Church at Chagrin Falls, Ohio, a communion set in good condition, although it has been used by that body of believers for forty years. Deacon Delbridge makes the best suggestion, namely, that as they are now enjoying the fruit of the prayers and labors of the abolitionists, of whom at the time they had known nothing, so now the new church is to enjoy this hallowed service for the Lord’s table which has come to them from Christian friends whom they had never known. Professor Francis states that Rev. Mr. Walker, who at the University had taught some of these same members, had come from that church in Chagrin Falls, and so had doubtless used these same communion vessels before them. The crowning gift of the occasion is that of Mr. S. D. Smith, of Boston, of one of his American organs, which is used for the first time on this occasion. It would do him good if sometime he could catch the voice of these lowly poor as they bless God for his thoughtful and abounding beneficience in this line. The prayer of ordination as offered by Rev. Evarts Kent is apposite and touching. The charge is delivered by Prof. Francis, who, alluding to his having led this man to school, to Christ and along the paths of learning, says that it is no new thing for him to be charging this candidate, but as this is about his last chance he must improve it well. The right hand is given by Mr. Penney, a cousin and schoolmate of the new pastor. The address to the church is delivered by Dr. Lane. His venerable appearance, his cordial manner and his gracious words are a benediction to the occasion. Dr. Lane having been baptized by Dr. Edward Payson, was thirteen years of age when he was removed with his father’s family from Portland, Me., to Georgia. When I first came to look up this matter, I went to him for advice and found him ready with sympathy and co-operation. When Mr. Clark came the Doctor offered him the use of his library, gave him judicious counsel, and, by a writing, turned over to him a monthly appointment three miles out, in a house which his church had built as a union place of worship for the colored people.

On the Lord’s day, the eight who come by profession receive baptism at the hand of the pastor by immersion in the Oconee, which flows by the city. At night I have the privilege of participating with the church at their first communion season, when the ancient vessels of the Lord’s house, new to this band of disciples, enter upon their new round of service.

After the sowing, the reaping. The Knox School and the Atlanta University have been growing the timber for this house of the Lord. Several of the members have had that training and the teachers were thus prepared. It takes time to raise up a native ministry. A few years ago a boy who was a porter in an Atlanta hotel was started on his way to school, and now the same comes along the Christian pastor, ripened under the sun of our Southern institutions, an able minister of the Word. Much of our fruitage has been gathered into other churches. Now we garner up something of our own harvest.

THE ALABAMA CONFERENCE.

BY MRS. H. W. ANDREWS.

The day came at last for our annual pilgrimage to the Mecca of Congregationalism in Alabama—our Congregational Conference. It was perfect, as Southern spring-days are apt to be—woods and fields bright with flowers and merry with bird songs. The pastors and delegates, filing from many directions, met at depots, their very greetings the happy premonitions of a good time. Selma seemed to be the place of rendezvous, and the cars from thence to Marion were quite well filled, as in the latter place the conference was to convene.

I regret to mar my recital here by that which alone I take no pleasure in writing. Some otherwise excellent railroad officials thought we were anxious to ride in the same car with our pupils, teachers, and church members, because they were black, while really the young people were only asking for what their first-class tickets called for. I would like to raise a question here. What can be done about these first-class tickets sold to colored people, compelled to take passage on them in second-class cars? We missionaries are most heartily in favor of a peaceable solution of this question. A quarrel takes time and nerve, and hinders Christian development and progress; yet some apt person has said, “If you have got to have one, there is nothing like it.” I hope that we shall be wise enough not to have one.

Once at Marion, how cordial and hearty the greetings! We forgot our tribulations by the way in the warm hearts and friendly tones of co-laborers. The houses of some of our Southern friends were open to us for entertainment, and we very much enjoyed their sincere and graceful hospitality.

The Sunday-school Convention, held previous to the Conference, but in connection with it, was opened by a sermon from Rev. G. W. Andrews; text, “The word of the Lord is tried.”

To do justice to the interest of the Convention on Saturday would require all of the space allotted me. Sunday-school reports given by delegates from the various schools were never more interesting. The work of temperance in all the schools was a chief feature. One colored brother expressed it pithily, if not grammatically, when he said, “Dere seems to be a skim ober de eyes of mos’ of my brederen on dis gret subjec.” In the temperance work among the children, to save them we must keep this “skim” from forming.

In the afternoon an interesting map-lesson, “The Journeys of our Saviour through the Holy Land,” was given by a colored brother, though of the Anglo-Saxon race. If a query arises in the minds of my readers, it may help to make it clear when I say that though black he is white.

The Conference opened Saturday night with a glowing and effective sermon by our Field Superintendent, Dr. Roy. How easy it seemed, while listening to him, to make sacrifices for the dear name that every Christian loves.

In the much regretted absence of President DeForest, of Talladega College, Rev. G. W. Andrews filled his place, and as it was communion Sabbath, spoke from the words, “I am the bread of life.” That it satisfied the hunger of many new disciples was evidenced before us by the nineteen who were taken into the church that morning and partook for the first time of this emblem of the life-giving power of our Saviour. The beating rain without only made the comfort, security and sweet peace within the more precious. As we looked into one and another of the formerly hard faces of these new travelers in the narrow way we felt how great the reward of the faithful laborers who have been instrumental in putting the new song into their mouths. It added to our personal interest in them that the pastor and wife had told us of the especial efforts on the behalf of each one.

Sabbath afternoon was given to the children, but the rain kept them at home and also hindered the night service. Rains in Alabama are surely as emphatic as Miss E. B. Emery with her impressive pen, claims they are in Boston, and this season the disposition of each rain is to develop a flood.

On Monday, after the very spiritual devotional exercises which preceded the beginning of each morning session, the business of organization was attended to, followed by reports from the churches. I have wondered why it is that these reports so often considered “dry” in the North, should in this Southern work always be so full of interest. Is it that the Spirit here is “poured out like water”?

An interesting paper upon “What caused the intellectual darkness of our ancestors and how shall we avoid a like repetition?” by Mr. Y. B. Sims, was well spoken of by all as thoughtful, earnest and suggestive.

Next there came a masterful paper by Rev. O. W. Fay, of Montgomery, on the “New Revision, its excellencies and defects.” Some of us had listened to Dr. Schaff on this subject of the revision last summer at Chautauqua, and we felt that the Dr. Schaffs were multiplying. The remainder of the afternoon was spent in examining three candidates from the Theological Department of Talladega College for licensure. As it was not my privilege to hear the examination, I noted the words of a very competent judge who said that their careful and correct answers showed the thoroughness of their theological training. The harvest is plenteous and the laborers are multiplying.

Another feast of the meeting was enjoyed at night in the address of our Field Superintendent, Dr. Roy, upon the “Geography of missionary work in the United States, more particularly in the Southern field.” Capt. C. W. Lovelace, of Marion, a warm friend of the work, requested a repetition of a portion of it on the following night and brought with him several of his white friends to hear it. They expressed satisfaction and profit at so much information. Some hearts among our Southern friends are evidently taking hold of the work with us; now what should hinder their hands?

Tuesday morning was given to pastoral work and ministerial culture, and the question how to promote revivals was participated in by all the brethren, who were limited to ten minutes in their speeches. Some thought this the richest morsel of the feast.

Rev. O. D. Crawford, of Mobile, gave a paper in the afternoon, subject, “Obedience to the law, evidence of saving faith,” which on account of absence I regret not being able to report.

The “Praise Meeting” at night, the last of the four days’ session, was indeed such in spirit and in fact. I was never in a meeting that seemed so to flow with Divine love as did this one. The spirit of God seemed to envelope us like a great mantle, and out from its rich folds were felt the praises to His all-glorious name.

The warmth of our reception, the care and attention bestowed upon our comfort during our stay, made us regret, on departing, that our good-bye must be said for five years.

BITS OF FUN AND FACT.

MISS L. A. PARMELEE, MEMPHIS, TENN.

After reading the grave columns of the last Missionary I am tempted to offer it a few bits of sense and nonsense out of my notebook of current events at Le Moyne.

From one day’s spelling papers I cull these specimens: “Destroy; to make away with. She destroys biscuits.” “Deviate; to wander. I deviate along the Mississippi.” “Deliver; to set at liberty. He will deliver a sermon.” “Detention; the act of detaining. The man was a detention man.”

A youth fresh from the wilds of Arkansas defines squall as “an Indian woman,” and is puzzled to understand why the class laugh at his words. He is a good Bible student and laughs in turn when he hears a debater at Literary Society clinch his argument in these words: “When Adam was turned out of the garden of Eden wasn’t he told to earn his bread by the sweat of his eyebrows?” A visitor in my Bible class recently objected to our Lord’s answer to the Sadducee’s question of whose wife shall she be. “Christ ought not to have answered as he did. He ought to have said she shall belong to the first man or the last man. His answer has caused a great deal of confusion in men’s minds.” It is a pity the objector cannot join the theological class.

A regular member of my class lately asked me to find the verse in the Bible where it said that “A man is more dear to God than a woman is.” I had never heard of such a passage of Scripture, but it seems that people in this country often have. The question reminded me of a remark made in Literary Society: “This school ought to draw in bad characters and trust in God to straighten them.” We trust some are being straightened. The first of the year came Miss Anna Gordon with a charming temperance talk and object lesson of burning alcohol. Her remarks made a decided impression. Several young people at once abandoned the use of toddy, egg-nog and similar drinks. The temperance text-book and temperance charts have deepened the convictions and the gracious wave of religious interest carried some wayward hearts up to the Rock that is higher than we.

One of our last year’s graduates has charge of a school in Fort Smith. We have just heard that a revival in her school numbers thirty converts. When she first went there in July she induced a band of young people to visit the jail and read and sing to the prisoners. Five men under sentence of death wrote a note of thanks for the kindness shown them. The letter is so remarkable for its neatness and beauty of penmanship, as well as for its pathos, that I copy it verbatim:

Friday, Dec. 23.—The men insisted that this day must be spent here in rest; that they needed it, and must have it. We said “All right,” and after cleaning up our guns and pistols, we went over to the beautiful island of Mokrat, where we were told that game abounded, to see what we could get for our table. We crossed in a crazy log boat that threatened every moment to go to the bottom. Here, after bagging game enough for a day or two, an accident happened. As I was running through some bushes I suddenly became lame, and thought that a serpent had bitten me; but it afterward proved to be a thorn driven into the ankle clear to the bone. Doctor said it was in the worst possible place, and did not dare to cut for it. But the pain soon became so great that it was unbearable, and the foot could not be touched to the ground. It nauseated me, too, and was altogether proving itself so much more than expected, that he determined to probe for it. Twice he attempted it, working half an hour or so each time and sinking the forceps over half an inch and all he dared, and finally, to ease the pain, he cut the nerve. My chief consolation is that I am not the first man who has had a “thorn in the flesh.”

Saturday, Dec. 24.—We were up early. I was for starting, but the Doctor was afraid of inflammation in my ankle, and all things considered we determined to wait till noon; but the men were drunk, our guide especially, and we were not able to get off till 2 P.M. With a sling I managed my ankle quite comfortably. Soon after leaving Aboo-Hamed we passed a region where the ground was covered with most beautiful stones of many colors, red, green and black. When we had made about 10 or 12 miles we went into camp, as much to let the men get sober as anything. The spot we chose was a lovely one on the bank of the river, sheltered by a grove of palms. Christmas Eve on the Nile! Was there ever a more beautiful one? When the afterglow of a rich sunset had faded from the sky, the moon rose and looked down at us through the palm branches. We had the desert stretching away to the rear, and the winding river with its fringe of palms in front of us. We lay on the floor of our tent thinking of home and telling stories of the happy days of “auld lang syne” till we were warned that it was time to turn in. We are now in the region of crocodiles. We have seen one, and the guide to keep us from the water has told some most fearful stories. He has even tried to make us believe that a crocodile will catch and devour two camels at once. The name of our camping place is Moushra Adehaish.