The American Missionary Volume 50, No. 4, April 1896
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Various >> The American Missionary Volume 50, No. 4, April 1896
Now, a great awakening is beginning among these dark masses of people. Dr.
Curry has well said: "Freedom itself is educatory. The energy of
representative institutions is a valuable school-master. To control one's
labor, to enjoy the earnings of it, to make contracts freely, to have the
right of locomotion, and change of residence and business, have a helpful
influence on mankind." Many of these people are calling for better
preachers; preachers who are earnest and virtuous men and know their
Bibles. "We used to listen," said a negro man at a recent meeting, "to
these whooping and hollering preachers who snort so you could hear them
over three hundred yards, and we would come home and say, 'That's the
greatest sermon I ever heard.' But now we want men who can teach us
something." "Our preachers are not what they ought to be," said one woman.
"We have got too many gripsack preachers--men who go around from church to
church with a gripsack, not full of sermons, but of bottles of whisky,
which they sell to the members of their congregation." Great masses of
negro people are beginning to feel that what they have called religion is
not really religion at all.
It must be remembered that every man or woman of these millions who has
reached middle life was born a slave. The great bulk of the population
have been brought up practically in the environment of a servile life.
While there was much that was tender and pathetic and strong in the mute
faith with which thousands of them lived through the dark trials of
slavery, looking unto Christ as their deliverer, still the superstitions
and degradations of slavery, its breaking of all home ties and life, could
but infect the current religion of the black people. At its best, in
multitudes of cases, it is but a form of physical and sensational
excitement. The deep work of regenerating the soul and the life, which is
the vital need of these people, is not done; it is not even attempted in
the vast majority of the negro churches of the Black Belt. "The problem of
the Kanaka in my native Hawaiian Islands," General Armstrong once said to
me, "is one with that of the Southern negro. The Sandwich Islander,
converted, was not yet rebuilt in the forces of his manhood." On the side
of his moral nature, where he is weakest, the black man of the South has
still to be girded and energized. In him are still the tendencies of his
hereditary paganism, the vices of his slavehood. These will sink him
unless his whole nature is regenerated by the ministration of a pure and
vital Christianity.
The black man needs what every human being needs, help from above. It is
futile to say, he is free, let him alone. Mere freedom never yet saved a
human soul. The gospel of Christ is not a mere declaration of freedom; it
is regeneration and help from above. The more deeply a race is sinking in
degradation and sin, the more imperative is its call for saving power from
on high.
From what element of our population is this cry of distress and need more
agonizing than from the poor black man of the South? He is sinking in a
quicksand of ignorance, poverty, and vice. There is nothing beneath to
support his feet. He must go down unless he can get help from above. Those
who are nearest to him, and can see and feel most deeply his desperate
condition, plead most strongly in his behalf. "The definition is very
clear, sharp, and simple," says an honored white minister of the South,
"that the negroes are making a tremendous struggle to get an education and
be religious; but despite this struggle, the bottom strata of the race are
being sucked into crime and ruin with unprecedented and increasing
rapidity. But, wherever the efforts of white Christians to aid them are
regular, steady, and strong, this destruction and debasement are stayed to
a marvelous degree. Here, then, are conditions that seem to leave no room
for either neglect or delay, so far as we are concerned. Delay is sin to
us, and death to them."
Another minister of the South, whose services for the black man as well as
the white man, have been those of a philanthropist, has said, "In our
extremity we look to wise and just people in the Northern states to help
us, to help both races; without Northern cooeperation things will go from
bad to worse." Yet the old hard word is still uttered by many and thought
by many more, "The negro is free, leave him to himself. We have done
enough for him in taking off his slave chains." Are we then to expect from
him more than we do from the white element of our American populations,
native or foreign? Do we refuse them the gospel of home missions, and
demand from them self-extrication from sin and its degradations?
Our churches have not yet awakened to the vastness and promise of the home
mission fields which they have put in charge of the American Missionary
Association. They have not yet recognized the peculiar fitness of our
free-church system for the people who have so lately come into personal
freedom that the very word is indescribably precious to them. This
Association ought now to have not only the means for a more ample support
of its educational service, but also for the broadening of its distinctive
church missions. The day has come for the planting of free Congregational
churches among the shadowed millions of the South.
In the upbuilding of their minds and hearts, our fundamental work of
Christian education has been developed into remarkable fruitage, and is
steadily doing this imperative and successful service. This education has
been broad enough to make intellectual and moral leaders. It has not been
confined to those who can become only manual laborers. With prominent
emphasis upon industrial training, as is evinced by the farms and gardens
and workshops of our institutions all through the South, we have not shut
the door against the higher training.
The Association has never given in to what may be termed the Southern
theory of negro education, its confinement to the manual handicrafts, and
the rudiments of primary school instruction. Nothing is more popular in
the South than the practical limitation of educational opportunities for
the negro people to the lines of manual training and the reserve of all
the possibilities of a higher education to the white, dominant race. A
prominent Southern journalist has expressed this view in the following
terms: "A little education is all the negro needs. Let him learn the
rudiments--to read, and to write, and to cipher, and be made to mix that
knowledge with some useful labor. His only resource is manual labor." But
one of the foremost colored men in the South has well said: "There is no
defence or security for any, except in the highest intelligence and
development of all. If anywhere there are efforts tending to curtail the
fullest growth of the negro, let these efforts be turned into stimulating,
encouraging, and making him the most useful and intelligent citizen."
The American Missionary Association, in addition to its general and
industrial school training, has opened the doors of a higher education to
all who seek to enter in. The fruition of this opportunity now appears at
the very juncture when a call is coming from among the millions of the
back country for free churches, pure churches, churches which emphasize
virtue and intelligence. Our great schools are bringing to us young men
and young women thoroughly fitted to go preaching and teaching among these
millions. But how shall they go, except they be sent?
Talladega College, Ala.
THE INDUSTRIAL DEPARTMENT.
AGRICULTURE.
Edgar A Bishop, B.S., Superintendent.
The work in the Agricultural Department the past year has been the most
satisfactory of any in its history. The young men of the Junior
Preparatory and Normal classes with several special students have taken
the classroom work, using Gulley's "First Lessons in Agriculture" as a
textbook. Among the topics considered are the following:
Origin, formation, and composition of soil. Composition of the plant. How
plants feed and grow. Fertilization of the seed, and improvement of
variety. Plant food in the soil and how developed. Preparing land for the
crop. Cultivation of crop. Principles of drainage and irrigation. Manures
and commercial fertilizers. Rotation of crops. Special diversified
farming. Farm economy. Food and manure value of crops. How to propagate
plants--pruning, grafting, budding, etc. Stock breeding: feeding and care;
how to select for special purposes, detect unsoundness, determine age,
etc.
The classroom work has been reenforced by practical talks and
illustrations at the barns and in the field.
Thirty-five boys have had employment in the department this year. Six of
these have worked by the month to accumulate a credit with which to enter
the day school next year, meanwhile attending our night school. The others
work after school hours and on Saturdays, and are paid by the hour at
varying rates.
The work on the farm has been largely the production of those crops needed
for consumption in the institution, the support of animals for work, beef,
milk, pork, etc.
The general improvement of the land and the increase in the value of the
property have been kept constantly in view. Our fields are becoming more
fertile, and better crops are being raised every year.
An orchard of several hundred trees, consisting of pears, plums, peaches,
and cherries, has been set out. Other varieties have been added, also
quinces, mulberries, figs, and grapes. This year one each of the Japanese
walnut, giant chestnut, and paper shell pecan are being started; also half
a dozen varieties of the raspberry, some currants, rhubarb and garden
plants, with a view to propagate those that prove valuable. Twenty of the
standard varieties of strawberries have been grown. Grasses and forage
plants have also received their share of attention. One-half acre is being
devoted to a trial of three Japanese millets in comparison with our German
or golden millet. Several varieties of corn and sorghum have been grown
and their characteristics carefully noted.
Inquiries are often received from persons in this and other States
regarding certain crops and methods of stock feeding. A creditable
beginning has been made in rearing live stock, and it is our purpose to
extend this branch of the work. To introduce some of the improved breeds
best adapted to this section early occupied our attention, and we have met
with encouragement beyond our expectation. Hundreds of pigs of good
breeding have been sold all through the State to form the nucleus of
better herds. Our herd of cattle is headed by a thoroughbred Jersey and
contains several registered and many high-grade animals. It is increasing
in quality and value each year.
Besides the work already mentioned, an annual farmers' convention is held
at the college, while meetings in some of the beats of the county have
been held during the year. Much enthusiasm has been raised, and a
determination evinced by many for better homes, better schools, stock,
crops, etc. Widespread and systematic work along this line is planned for
the ensuing year. In this way not only is the Agricultural Department
striving to be a help to the people by practicing and advocating better
methods of farming and living, but the College is becoming more widely and
favorably known among all classes of people.
Cooking.
Miss Ruth K. Kingsley, Teacher.
One of the most important arts, though often neglected, is that of
cookery. The kitchen is so necessary a part of the boarding school and of
the home that its equipment and regulations should be such as to make the
work therein both easy and successful.
Through the kindness of friends we have been able to purchase an excellent
range and many of the improved cooking utensils now in use. Our girls
enjoy working with these modern appliances, and they are taught the
necessity of having appropriate places for them in the drawers and
cupboards with which the room is supplied. One of the first requirements
is--a tidy kitchen.
We have given attention to the preparation of the dishes found on the bill
of fare of the average family, and have made much of healthful and proper
methods of cooking. We do not propose to make professional cooks, but we
hope that our girls will acquire skill sufficient to do all that is
necessary in plain and wholesome family living. The class has been
stimulated in its endeavor by the fact that the product of their daily
work has found its way to the dining-tables of the boarding hall.
The Laundry.
The building in which the laundry work is done was erected by
student-labor under the supervision of the Mechanical Superintendent. The
washing and ironing are performed in the main by our night-school girls,
who are looking forward to attendance upon the day school from current
earnings. Here also the day-school occupants of the girls' dormitory do
their own laundering, or assist after their daily recitations in the
general work of the college.
Nursing.
Miss A.B. Chalfant, Teacher.
The course of instruction is designed to extend through two years, the
first being devoted to the sick room--care of the bed; moving and bathing
the patient; different kinds of food for the invalid, with its
preparation; making and application of poultices; rubbing, and the
administration of simple remedies.
In the second year more attention is given to the symptoms and the
diagnosis of disease, with something of its treatment; and the proper
course in emergencies, as in cases of burns, wounds, loss of blood,
sun-strokes, drowning, and poisoning.
The pupils have been chiefly from the Normal grade, though some who are
outside of the college family have been glad to avail themselves of the
opportunity to enter the class, and they have proved apt and faithful
students. Early in the beginning of this school year the instructor
offered to organize a class among the young men, and to meet them at an
hour not to conflict with other studies. Six persons responded and a high
degree of interest has been manifested.
The value of this department is increasingly manifest, not only in the
varied service rendered by the nurse teacher, but in the assistance given
by pupils of both dormitories at the bedside of the sick, by mothers in
the neighborhood who have been in the classes, and by the prophecy of
better things for many homes where the influence of this work is felt.
Printing.
The college has maintained a printing office with but few interruptions
since 1877.
A number of the young men were put through a course of training by one of
the officers of the institution, and for some time the printing has been
in the hands of those thus instructed, and with but little supervision.
The department has done a large share of our job work, and during the
school year has issued a monthly paper called the _Talladega College
Record_.
Sewing.
Miss A.B. Chalfant, Teacher.
While it is believed that all industrial training develops both mind and
body, yet special attention is given to the work among the girls, that it
shall be in the line of improving their future homes. With this object in
view, sewing is by no means an unimportant factor. It holds an important
place in the curriculum of this school. Beginning in the third grade it
extends through the seventh. Over two hundred pupils have received
instruction this year.
In the lower classes, felling, hemming, and making of button holes are
taught; in the intermediate, cutting and making plain garments; in the
higher grade the girls cut and make dresses. Instruction is given in
making garments from old clothes and also in mending--two important
accomplishments in most homes.
Some of the girls are able during the school year, but especially in
vacation, to earn enough by their sewing to materially aid themselves in
meeting their school expenses. Considerable sewing is done for the
institution, such as making bedding and work aprons, hemming towels and
table linen. Custom work is attempted to some extent also, and by this
means sufficient income has been derived not only to keep the Department
stocked with material, but also to supply it with appropriate furniture
for preserving the work of the pupils and displaying the finished product.
Woodworking and Drafting.
George Williamson, Instructor.
The best method of Industrial Education is to keep the technical idea
preeminently in view, and to teach, first, those principles which will be
of real and practical use in an industrial life or profession. It is
evident that the great mass of the people must be industrial workers in
some form; and to teach them those principles of construction and drawing
which govern all the mechanical trades is to give them preparation for a
useful and successful life.
We want to teach them how to express intelligently by means of drawing
their own ideas or the ideas of others, and then to embody them in
permanent and useful construction; so that at least they may have the
start and impetus toward something better than a life of blind mechanical
drudgery.
The extent to which we can do this is limited by our time and opportunity.
At present our instruction in the Slater shop is confined to woodworking
and mechanical drafting. We have a course of lessons in woodworking for
the boys, of the fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth grades, illustrating
progressively the common principles of construction in wood, and designed
to develop familiarity with and dexterity in the use of tools. In each
lesson the student receives a blue-print to work from; so that he learns
to measure by scale, and interpret a draft. At the same time he is shown a
perfect model to give him an ideal of good workmanship in the finished
product. He is not allowed to use the model as a working copy, because
that would counteract the influence of the drawing. The course is designed
to teach progressively the common principles of good construction, each
principle being repeated in different exercises so as to show its varied
application.
As far as possible we have a fourfold purpose in each exercise, viz.: To
illustrate a principle of construction; to develop a knowledge of tools
and skill in their use; to teach the use of working drawings and scales;
to sustain the interest of the pupil.
Of course there are a number of other indirect results attained at the
same time in the general development of the faculties, and the training in
habits of accuracy, patient perseverance, neatness, and order.
The drawing classes are designed to carry on farther the same idea of the
primary importance of technical knowledge and skill. We have but one year
of compulsory work for the boys of the ninth grade--which provides a
thorough course in plane, geometric scale, and pattern drawing from the
same text-book that is used in the government science and art schools of
Great Britain. Our plan provides another year's work in drawing for the
purpose of teaching the principles and details of building construction,
and the art of drawing plans, elevations, sections, etc. The improvement
of the students in the drawing class is most marked and encouraging, and
their interest well sustained. They are strongly impressed with the
necessity and importance of absolute accuracy and truthfulness in their
work.
The classes in woodworking have about two hours per week--the first year
drawing, five hours per week; the second year two hours per week. We have
but one teacher in woodworking, and our work is limited in extent, but we
are trying to do one thing well and systematically, and the results are
most encouraging.
Revivals.
Lincoln Academy, All Healing, N.C.
By Rev. James Wharton.
I wish to say a word about Lincoln Academy as I found it. For several
weeks they had been expecting me to go and hold evangelistic services for
the students, whom I was glad to meet, and, I may say, a finer and more
promising set of young people I have seldom met during the past twenty
years of my work in the South. They are to be the fathers and mothers of
the next generation, and will be just what we make them. They were all in
good condition and prepared to enter upon the work of the Lord under the
leadership of the principal, Miss Cathcart, and the teachers, who are all
deeply interested in the spiritual welfare of each one under their care,
and time after time one and another were taken to their rooms apart and
pleaded with at the throne of grace, and I need not say that their efforts
were signally blessed of God, for during the past week twenty-eight
students have professed faith in Christ and are now living new lives.
Every one around this neighborhood speaks in the highest terms of praise
of the school and the good which is being done. A lady said to me the
other day it was easy to recognize "Lincoln Academy" students for their
good behavior and their manners. What a blessing to have such faithful
helpers to lead them. As a result we need not wonder that parents
sometimes send spoiled and wayward children for training, while others,
knowing of the good influence brought to bear upon the children, deny
themselves in every possible way that they may send their sons and
daughters that they may be fitted for future life in the world which they
have soon to face.
A GRACIOUS REVIVAL.--Rev. Mr. Wharton, writes from Atlanta, Ga.: "The Lord
has graciously blessed His work here, and the Gospel is still the power of
God unto salvation. I have held services at Storrs School, Atlanta
University, and the First Congregational Church, and during the last
twelve days over 200 have been converted. Some of the most prominent
colored citizens of this city and some of the most promising students of
Storrs and also of the University have been reached and have decided for
Christ, the future teachers and fathers and mothers of the next
generation, who will come to the front, maybe, when we are silent in the
grave. The beauty of this work is, it does not stop with the converts, but
dark homes and hearts are going to be reached, superstition is going to
give place to sound doctrine, and the whole country be benefited by such a
revival. Parents are rejoicing on every hand over sons and daughters and
also friends being converted. Truly 'God has done great things for us
whereof we are glad.' I go next to Selma, Ala., for Sunday. I would be
thankful of your prayers for Selma."
GOOD RESULTS OF NOON PRAYER-MEETINGS.--A teacher from Helena, Ark.,
writes: "We suggested to the Christians among our pupils that they meet in
the chapel at noon recess each day for a prayer meeting, in the hope of
bringing the unconverted members of our school to Christ. The suggestion
was carried out by them and the blessing came abundantly. The result of
these meetings has been the conversion of 25 of the 28 of our pupils who
were not Christians. I have learned one lesson, that we must prepare for
the outpouring of the spirit, and then expect great things."
FROM TENNESSEE.--Home again. Shall we all meet again? O, must some parts
of the work be dropped and other parts be crippled by the debt? This will
not be so if all our members are like the little Tallmadge girl. Only five
years old, lame and with suffering nerves she has earned a dollar this
year by washing dishes, and gives it to our school. So a little child may
teach us self-denial and devotion. God speed His work and bless our
efforts.
ATLANTA, GA.--"We send you $1 as an offering of the Junior Society of
Christian Endeavor of Storrs School. It is an offering of love and
gratitude. The Little Sunshine Committee of the society were very active
in gathering this. It is their second missionary effort, their first being
for the Indians at Fort Berthold."
OBITUARY.
HON. SEYMOUR STRAIGHT.
In the death of Mr. Straight the American Missionary Association and the
colored people of the South lose a firm and helpful friend. Mr. Straight
passed away on February 21, 1896, in the 81st year of his age. When the
Association in 1869 planted a school for the higher education of the
Negroes in New Orleans, La., it found there a few persons of Northern
birth, but who had long resided in that city, and were men of established
character and of large influence, who took interest in the proposed
institution and gave it their encouragement and support. Among these
persons the Hon. Seymour Straight was most conspicuous for his deep
interest in the project, for his useful service on the Board of Trustees
and for his large gift at the outset--in view of all which the institution
took his name.
Under Gen. Sheridan's laudable desire for good government in the city of
New Orleans, Mr. Straight was made a member of the City Council. In 1868
he was appointed by the Chamber of Commerce as a member of a committee in
regard to improvements in the cities of the State. In 1872 he was
appointed a member of the International Penitentiary Congress, to assemble
in London, Eng., which appointment, however, he was unable to accept. He
received other marks of the esteem in which he was held by his
fellow-citizens. In 1869, at the incorporation of the Straight University,
he was appointed President of its Board of Trustees, which position he
held till the time of his death. A good man has gone and his works do
follow him.