Read Ebook: The American Missionary — Volume 43 No. 08 August 1889 by Various

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WHAT I FOUND IN THE CUMBERLAND MOUNTAINS.

First. There are living in this mountain country two millions of white people, until recently isolated from, and untouched by, the civilization of which we are so proud. No centennial anniversary commemorates their growth in wealth and intellect. As their fathers lived, so until recently, have they. One hundred years have witnessed but little progress, almost no change, in their condition. The open fire-place, the spinning-wheel and the home-spun jeans are familiar sights. Forgotten by the rest of the world, they, in turn, forget that beyond these mountain peaks, marking the limit of view and generally the limit of interest, a nation has pressed forward to take its place among the foremost of the earth. And yet no color line has excluded, no reservation boundary separated, this people from their fellow countrymen. Their lack of energy and the stagnation of their minds, is the explanation of this condition of things.

Secondly. I found this mountain people naturally American; in deepest sympathy with our free government; loyal to the old flag in the hour of its greatest danger; fighting, suffering, dying, that the Union might be preserved. To one who has spent any length of time on our western prairies settled so largely with an emigrant people, the great difference between the American born and educated people of the mountains, and the naturalized American of the prairie, constantly emphasizes itself. Here no new language has to be acquired, no new form of government understood. A common interest, a common sympathy, a mother country, binds one at once to this people as it never can to the American importation which is found at the West.

Thirdly. I found homes and a home life, or rather the want of it, which one would hardly believe possible among a white population in this country.

Educationally, I found this people far below the emigrant on the prairie. Seventy per cent. of the whole two millions cannot read or write. The schools are the poorest. The school houses are built of logs; a hole is cut for the window; the ground serves for a floor, slabs for seats, and the teacher is strictly in keeping with all. Bare-footed, hair unkempt, snuff stick in her mouth, scarcely able to read herself, she is the example--the ideal toward which her pupils are to strive.

Religiously, I found that these people, almost without exception, were "professors," and "had jined" not a Christian church, but some one of these native mountain pastors. The accompanying illustration gives a good idea of the mountain church; it is built of logs, and is without windows; the pulpit is an unpainted board; the seats slabs from the nearest saw mill, turned flat side up, with pegs driven in for legs. The ministry is in strict keeping with the church, and intellectually little in advance of the people. They take pride in the fact that "These yer home-spun jeans have never brushed no dust from off no college walls," and exultantly declare that "The Lord taught me how to preach: and when the Lord teaches a man how to preach, you may just reckon he don't make no mistakes."

On every hand, I found indications that the day of isolation for this people is rapidly passing away. Yankee inquisitiveness has discovered that these mountains are full of the best coal and iron--Northern capital has already begun to strip them of their rich forests of black walnut, oak and pine. The rivers are carrying these logs by the thousands to the immense mills, which in turn are making the large towns, toward which already the railroad is hastening.

Engineering skill is bridging streams, crossing valleys, climbing mountains or piercing them through. On every hand we see the change. From their long sleep of a century, these valleys, these homes, this whole people are awakening. A new life is beginning, a new future, opening.

And as a result of all this, I found a field of missionary work, which for opportunity and need has perhaps no equal in our country. Amidst all this change, a people, startled from their long separation, find themselves suddenly called to face, to compete with, to become a part of, our life, our intellectual advancement; to move with our energy, and work with our skill. Realizing their weakness, suddenly roused by their necessity, they are sending across their valleys and over their mountains the Macedonian cry, "Come over and help us!" Our duty to this people, whether we look at it from the standpoint of the Christian or the citizen, is beyond the measure of words.

Here, as everywhere in the South, I found that the American Missionary Association, as representative of our Northern Christian sympathy, was at work. Its normal schools, fitting teachers to go out and displace the bare-footed, ignorant, snuff-stick-chewing school mistresses; its churches, fitting mothers and fathers to enter upon their duties conscious of their responsibility; and its missionaries, bringing in an intelligent Christian life, and driving the curse of the country--intemperance--out of the home, community and the county, are thus meeting the need, and answering the cry, and fulfilling the obligations. Below is a cut of one of the buildings of the Academy at Williamsburg, Ky., recently erected among these people.

I found one worker where the field called for a dozen; one school where we should have twenty; one church where we should have a hundred; one scholar received into an over-crowded school house, when its doors should open to scores. I found one missionary with nine organized churches on his hands, and he the only pastor; the extremes of his parish being seventy-five miles apart.

And lastly, on returning to New York, I found an empty, a worse than empty, a debt-burdened treasury, forbidding all advancement in this field.

FISK UNIVERSITY, NASHVILLE, TENN.

BY DISTRICT SECRETARY C.J. RYDER.

Fisk University fills a large place in the educational institutions of the South, and commencement week occupies an important place in the college year at Fisk.

When the inhuman caste prejudice passes away, the Congregationalists of the North will discover the encouraging fact that the American Missionary Association has planted Congregationalism in the South to stay. Fisk University and other such institutions, filled as they will be by young men of every class and color, will be strongholds of our New Testament faith and polity. Such a Commencement as was observed at Fisk this year does much to bring about that blessed day. This Commencement week, beginning Thursday, June sixth, and closing the evening of June twelfth, was crowded with literary and musical exercises of high order. President E.M. Cravath, D.D., delivered the baccalaureate sermon, taking for his subject, "Building on the Rock." It was a sermon of great power. Rev. Dr. Gray, a Southern Episcopal clergyman, preached the missionary sermon. On Thursday evening, came "The Senior Preparatory Exhibition." On June seventh, tenth and eleventh, the various class examinations were held, and in the evening of Friday the seventh, the anniversary exercises of the Literary Societies were given. There are three healthy and vigorous societies at Fisk, and it was difficult to tell which of the three gave the best evidence of the superior quality of its drill, in the exercises presented.

The Normal Department graduated a class of four, each presenting an essay. Rev. C.W. Hiatt, of Cleveland, Ohio, delivered the address at the close of the exercises of the normal department, taking for his subject "Earnest Living," and the address was spoken of with high appreciation by those who heard it.

The graduating exercises of the Collegiate Department were of unusual interest. There was not a poor oration or essay presented. The breadth of training given to the students at Fisk was especially noticeable in the wide range of subjects selected.

The anniversary of the Alumni Association gave evidence that the graduates of Fisk are true to the instruction of that institution, when they take up their work in the world. Sixty-seven have graduated from this institution; forty-two are teachers; eight, ministers; three, doctors; two, editors; two, foreign missionaries; eight, lawyers; one is a student; and one a real estate agent. Pretty good showing for Fisk!

The annual oration was delivered by the writer, subject, "The Student's Workshop, Tools and Work."

The rendering of the Hallelujah Chorus by the full choir of trained singers was especially fine, and reflected great credit upon the director.

TALLADEGA COLLEGE, TALLADEGA, ALA.

BY MRS. H.S. DEFOREST.

Talladega College observed its nineteenth anniversary June 9th to 13th. The large gathering of students, alumni and friends, the enthusiasm and interest manifested, and the report of what has been accomplished during the past decade, showed the hold it has obtained on the hearts of the people.

The exhibitions of Cassady School, which is the feeder for the higher grades, were held the week previous. Large and delighted audiences listened to the creditable performances of the young people, who showed in their parts the faithful work of teachers.

At 4 P.M. the Sabbath-school prayer meeting gathered together students and teachers in a tender farewell, and at night the missionary sermon was preached by Rev. E.J. Penney, of Selma.

The examinations of Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday gave evidence of thorough work and of painstaking study.

On Wednesday night, four young men, graduates of the Theological Department, were ordained. The sermon was preached by Rev. A.F. Beard, D.D., the ordaining prayer offered by the President, a most appropriate charge given by Pastor Snell of Birmingham, and the right hand by the Moderator, Rev. J.R. Sims, of Shelby Iron Works.

The graduating exercises were held on Thursday morning. Six students received diplomas from the Normal Course, and five were graduated from the Theological Department. Essays and orations showed thought and originality, and were well delivered. If all the noble sentiments expressed are carried out in the lives of the speakers, a class has gone out from our walls who will make a stand for truth and righteousness, manly men and faithful womanly women.

The alumni dinner was partaken of with relish by graduates and invited guests, and after the physical man had been refreshed an intellectual feast was spread. Older graduates testified to their indebtedness to the College which by one, quoting the words of another, was said to be "de main spring ob de fly wheel ob de whole conjunction." Visiting friends spoke of their interest and satisfaction in the work of the school, and Drs. Beard and Haygood, with appreciative and hopeful words, fittingly closed the festivities.

On Thursday night, Dr. A.G. Haygood, Secretary of the Slater Fund, the steadfast friend of the black man, gave an address. His eloquence, wit and earnestness held a large audience in close attention for more than an hour, and he left with them much matter for thought.

Teachers and pupils have now said good-bye and college halls are vacant, but the work of the year will bear fruit as scores of students go out to the labors of vacation in the dark and needy districts of the South.

STRAIGHT UNIVERSITY, NEW ORLEANS, LA.

BY PRESIDENT R.C. HITCHCOCK.

The interest shown by the public in the annual exercises of this school increases each year, and for those of more general nature it is quite impossible to obtain a room large enough to accommodate the audience that assembles.

The baccalaureate sermon was preached on Sunday night by President Hitchcock at Central Church. On Monday night, the Sumner and Philomathean Literary Societies and the Band of Mercy held their anniversary meeting, and listened to a very interesting lecture on "Life at a German University," by Rev. G.W. Henderson. Wednesday night, came the annual concert and exhibition. This has for two or three years gradually taken more and more the character of an exhibit of the gymnastic exercises, singing, etc., from each grade, and with so large a school, gives a long programme; but since people here have learned that at Straight University, when the appointed time comes the exercises begin, every spot where a chair could be put in an aisle, or a foot stand, besides all the pews both below and in the spacious galleries of Central, one of the largest churches in the city, was occupied at the moment assigned for opening, and the attention was grand until the very last.

Two of the graduates were from Mexico, one from Mississippi, one from Plaquemines Parish, one from Baton Rouge and five from this city, the proportion from the city being larger than usual.

Members of the Trustee Board and others who have heard these exercises for many years, without hesitation pronounce them as a whole far better than those of any previous year. It is certain that each year there is shown a marked advancement in general intelligence and culture, and in the depth and arrangement of thought. The venerable Judge Whittaker, who seldom leaves his home at night, was on the platform, and at the close of the valedictory, which was given by Leonidas Burbridge, of Greenville, Miss., he jumped from his chair, seized the young man by the hand and expressed his wonder and gratification at all he had heard and seen, saying that in all his fifty years of life in New Orleans he had seen nothing that so filled his heart with emotions of astonishment and joy.

I neglected to speak of the meeting on Sunday morning, May 26th, of the College Y.M.C.A., which has had a very prosperous year. The Association was addressed by Mr. Fred S. Hitchcock on Y.M.C.A. work in the great cities, and by Mr. Perry on College Y.M.C.A. work. The year has been a good one, notwithstanding many adverse circumstances. The establishment of a regular graded course of study, from the lowest primary grades to the college, and close adherence to such course are being felt more and more each year. More than half the graduates of this year began their education in the school, and all interested are proud of them. There is all along a marked difference between those who have come through our own primary schools and others equally capable who have had no systematic early training. For the first time since the course of study was adopted, every class this year has thoroughly completed the work assigned, and in most cases reviewed it.

The State has been in a condition of great excitement during most of the year, nearly one-half the parishes being under a complete reign of terror, and it has been a frequent thing to see one of our students from the country, especially from the southern parishes, in tears in consequence of the intelligence of some friend, father or brother perhaps, having been the victim of some dastardly outrage from the "regulators." Tales of sorrow and suffering could easily be gathered to fill volumes. Iberia, Terrebonne and Lafayette parishes have been especially noted as under this reign of terror, and from these we have many pupils. Three sisters of Sammy Wakefield, who was shot at New Iberia, are in our school, and many others closely connected with suffering families. It has been very difficult for the colored people to get a living, and the sacrifices they make to keep the children in school are wonderful.

LE MOYNE NORMAL INSTITUTE, MEMPHIS, TENN.

BY PROF. A.J. STEELE.

Another year has passed in the history of our work at Le Moyne Institute, and its eighteenth anniversary has been celebrated with the graduation of a class of eleven, and the tenth reunion of an alumni association numbering some seventy five members. Recalling sixteen years of experience in connection with this work, I can fix upon scarcely a single event or circumstance that has not been made to conduce to the advancement of our work and influence in the community, and looking over results in all directions, they have surpassed the dreams and expectations of the most hopeful.

The year past has been a remarkable one in our history. Our attendance has varied little from four hundred pupils in all grades of the twelve years' course, while our enrollment for the year has reached five hundred and twenty different pupils.

Every interest of the school has been prospered and greatly blessed and strengthened. The utmost harmony and earnestness has marked the work of the year, both among teachers and pupils. During the past session, as many as sixty of our pupils have started out in the Christian life, giving evidence of change of heart and an earnest purpose to live for Christ and His work in the world. We rejoice over this more than over all other results of our year's work.

The whole spirit and tone of our work has been such that even our trials and losses, from fire and from breaks in our working force, have seemed to be turned to means of blessing and sources of strength. Our trials and difficulties have been to us opportunities. We look forward hopefully to the future, as we look thankfully back to the past.

Our partially destroyed building, from the fire of March 3d, is rebuilt and greatly improved. We hope our corps of instructors, so uniformly faithful in the discharge of duty, may remain unbroken, the same for the coming year.

At the close of the term, the promotions were made in all grades by the principal, and the pupils given the "forms" they are to occupy the coming year. In truth, the formal "Commencement" for the year was made at the close of this session. Every pupil knows exactly his grade and place, and few will be absent at the opening, October first.

AVERY INSTITUTE, CHARLESTON, S.C.

Anniversary week of this Institute is always an occasion of the deepest interest to the colored people of Charleston and vicinity; and those who succeed in obtaining tickets of admission to Avery Hall consider themselves most fortunate. This year proved no exception, and the demand for tickets, and the enthusiasm of those in attendance, have never been surpassed in the history of the school.

The exercises throughout the week were of a high order. The Sub-Normal Exhibition and the Prize-Speaking Contest by the normal classes were unanimously declared to be the best ever given in Avery. At the commencement on Wednesday, every foot of space within sight or hearing of the platform was filled by intelligent and appreciative listeners. Eleven graduates--ten ladies and one gentleman--received the diploma of the Institute and joined the hundreds who have preceded them in the grand work of elevating their race.

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