Various

“ Pupils are pushing into the more advanced grades earlier in years. They have not the memories of slavery as had the generations before them—only the traditions of it, and certain of its influences—for influences do not die when institutions pass away. There is not, for example, much old-fashioned Puritanism stalking about in New York in these days, but considerable of Puritan influence is alive and is just now contributing to the hopefulness of the times and the interests of municipal reform and even of the State government. ”

“ The schools under the direction and superintendence of colored teachers are gaining in standing and worthiness.
Thirdly, the white South is gaining. Not very rapidly, but gaining. The lawless part of the South—and there is a lawless part—is as lawless as ever. The lower and more violent elements, however, are but a small part of the Southern people. Still they know that the general public opinion is not positive enough to condemn them in any question between the negroes and the whites; hence they are not afraid to do what they will with the negro. ”

“ An imperfect and incorrect report of an interview, which lived just long enough to be printed, has been lately passionately confuted in certain Southern newspapers with a profusion of epithets which were out of all proportion to the harmless nonsense committed to the press by an untrained reporter—a new illustration of the extreme sensitiveness of the South to Northern opinion. Northern sentiment is often ridiculed, and frequently sends not a few Southern newspapers into spasms, but it is heeded. ”

“ They are busy in the ordinary duties of life, but the lawless know that these good people will never disturb them in their injustices to the negro. Then, there is a relatively small element of the people who are prophets of a better day. They themselves often feel the slavery of a public opinion which puts odium upon them when they are too friendly in behalf of the oppressed colored man. They cannot oppose many things which they feel to be wrong without losing their influence. ”

“ Very often we are asked if the people among whom we labor are grateful for the work that is done for and among them—whether there is self-denial on their part in helping themselves in church and school work. ”

“ There is no window, no chimney, only a hole in the side of the house, opening into a sort of pen of rocks, in which the fire is built; an admirable arrangement to send all the heat out of doors, and the smoke into the house. ”

“ Such are likely to speak with more confidence than knowledge, but, on the other hand, one who confines himself to a single locality in the South and to the local facts is more likely to have his views lean to inclination than to truth. One's opinion ought to be estimated by his information. I have known an otherwise intelligent citizen of New Orleans to be ignorant of the existence of Straight University with its 500 students and its noble accomplishment. ”

“ One soon learns that the correct use of the definite article to designate the A.M.A. is not confined to those who have studied grammar. There is only one Association for these people. They never call it "American" nor even "Missionary." "The" is all sufficient, and it does one good to hear his society thus alphabetically abbreviated, as it does to meet these warm-hearted brethren of the colored churches which have been nourished with life by "The" Association. ”

“ The need of the continuance of the work was never greater and the results of the service of our workers were never better. To retrench further at this time would not only cripple the work among the needy peoples of our field, but shut the door of opportunity in many places, and injure the people in their efforts to rise, and discourage our self-sacrificing missionaries. The people are grateful for these schools and churches and need more of them. We appeal to our Northern friends to come to the rescue of the American Missionary Association at this time. ”

“ There are people in the United States, also, who could give some good points to the new Emperor of Russia, and if he would take them and use them it would be for the advantage of that country. It is true that impressions are not facts, and one cannot run over a fashionable route of travel holding converse with some hospitable Southern host and return with much more than impressions. ”

“ Encompassed by oak trees large enough for shade and shelter, but not over-towering the prospect, free from the distracting noises and dust of the streets, and yet possessing all the advantages of a thrifty and beautiful city, the student at Tillotson will have at least one period in life that may not be commiserated. ”

“ For ten years the institution under the name of "Tillotson Collegiate and Normal Institute" has furnished to students from all parts of the great State of Texas with its half million of colored people, and from other States, and from Mexico, not only an opportunity to acquire a thoroughly practical common-school education, but also a more extended course to prepare students for entrance to the highest educational institutions in the land; and a normal training course for teachers for all positions in the public schools. ”

“ For ten years now it has been my privilege to study the South as a personal observer, not only in schools and churches and not only on the regular routes of travel, but in the bypaths of rural life and in talks with all classes and conditions of men of every shade of color. I may, therefore, be permitted to generalize.
First, it is often said that those who live among evils best understand them and know how to meet them. This is a fallacy. The missionaries in China knew better what was for the good of China than did the Emperor himself. ”

“ The teacher is one of the advanced pupils of our academy—a bright young man, who will attend our school when his is completed. We ask where the rest of the scholars are.
"Pulling fodder or stripping cane," is the reply. And the children have to work so much in the fields that they seldom have the chance of attending school. Out of fifty or sixty scholars only a very few ever attend these public schools. ”

“ We find the same sad state of affairs; fever-worn men and women, wasted children, and starvation and want staring them in the face. But we find also the same great change. God's Spirit has been working among them, and hearts are softened and lives changed by His power. ”

“ Straight University is crowded with an earnest class of students.
This school is doing a great work for the people of Louisiana and surrounding States. In spite of the hard times, which are very severe in the South (laborers in Louisiana and some other States receive only fifty cents a day and board themselves) , the people are making great [pg 107] sacrifices for the education of their children, and our pastors and teachers are making heroic struggles that the work in school and church may go forward. ”

“ There is a great gain, also, in Southern public opinion as to the capacity of the colored man and his possible future. This gain is seen in the better provisions for the colored public schools, in towns and cities. The schools of the A.M.A. are both object lessons and incentives for the education of the white as well as the colored in the public schools. The South is exceedingly sensitive as to the opinion of the North. ”

“ The great body of the Southern people are law-abiding, with the single exception that they do not propose to respect the Fifteenth Amendment. They are committed against this. They deprecate lawlessness. ”

“ We must visit homes where vice reigns supreme; where women are lost to shame, and glory in their sin; where even the children have the "trail of the serpent" upon their young faces; where the men are brutal and beastly, and even sickness does not touch them. ”

“ We are entirely compassed about with mountains; on every side they lift their grand heads in everlasting testimony of the wonderful handiwork of the Almighty. But we have little time to gaze upon their beauty, for more precious creations of the same great Hand are needing our attention. ”

“ A citizen of New York in this case could give the citizen of New Orleans some information about the South.
Secondly, the negroes are gaining. Never were the schools better in their entire range in different States, the studies more exacting, the purpose on the part of students for mastery in their work more resolute. Never was there manifested a more self-reliant spirit. The people are having a hard time just now; many are poorer than ever before, but the negroes are gaining, inch by inch. ”

“ Common English, Normal, College Preparatory, College, Vocal and Instrumental Music, and Industrial, and a department for trained nurses. The faculty of the institution has consisted of the president, the normal principal, the industrial teacher, and ten other teachers. The boarding department is conducted upon the model of a Christian household. The intention is by no means simply to furnish rooms and meals for those who are in attendance, but also to inculcate ideas of right living and thinking, which are indispensable to true manhood and womanhood. ”

“ Its Sunday School, its Christian Endeavor Societies, its social worship, its church service, its mission work, all intensify the religious influence and religious life.
Tillotson is far away and needs friends who will give it help. It needs scholarships and professorships. It needs a library, chemical and philosophical apparatus, and a printing press. It needs gifts of bedding, tableware for the halls, and clothing for needy students. Friends, it needs your Christian sympathy and Christian prayers, that the great and blessed Teacher may dwell within its walls and in the hearts of the inmates. ”

“ The Normal department adds the study of subjects and methods, for those who are preparing to become teachers among their own people.
The Industrial includes not only manual instruction, but carpentry, blacksmithing and mechanical drawing for boys and young men, and also sewing and dressmaking for girls and young women.
MANUAL INSTRUCTION SHOP.
For a young institution the record of Tillotson is excellent. There are few places in the great empire of Texas where it has not already become known through its pupils, or through teachers who have received their education within its walls. ”

“ Among the new enterprises reported at the meeting of the Georgia Association at Thomasville, Ga., were two churches and several missions from the vicinity of Columbia, S.C.
I spent Thanksgiving Day at Lowell, N.C. Our mission at this point is the only church in that vicinity. It was the first Thanksgiving service they had ever enjoyed or even heard of. It was held in a log cabin.
Lowell is the center of a large negro settlement; the people have had a hard lot, and but little opportunity to improve their condition. They are very grateful to hear the Gospel. ”

“ In the Common English department the purpose is to prepare the pupils thoroughly for the practical duties of life.
The College Preparatory gives a careful preparation in the way of language studies which will fit them to enter into the more generous course of study in which they may be fitted to be intelligent preachers and leaders of their race. The demand for college-educated men among the negroes is an intelligent one. This race cannot be elevated unless there can be raised a sufficient number of strong, earnest men, thoroughly trained intellectually, as well as morally ”

“ The thin faces light up at sight of us, and a cordial welcome is extended. The only whole chair is brought forward for our use. You might expect a torrent of complaints from these poor creatures. But no, instead come words of praise to God that He had spared so many of their lives, that He had been with them in their sufferings. ”

“ After our household tasks are over, and we have gained new power from our daily devotions, we start out on our work. Over one hundred boys and girls give us bright greetings as we ride past. We must go on horseback, as there are no good roads in our vicinity. ”

“ From a pastor of one of these churches among our American Highlanders we have received the following: "I have held meetings a couple of weeks, first at the church, and then at the academy. A large number have been reached. The open meetings disclosed the new life to all. We held daily meetings of prayer in the evening, and a large percentage of the students attended. All took part. The Y.P.S.C.E. has increased fourfold, and all the time is occupied in their meetings, and often two or three arise to speak at once. ”

“ In a few years these Indians raised their own supplies of corn and potatoes, with some to sell to procure other necessaries; they began to build houses for themselves; had the benefit of a saw mill and a grist mill, with the blessings of a church and boarding school.
The Association withdrew from the mission in 1859, but Mr. Wright returned under other auspices, and spent several years in effective and useful work. He still lives and is active in Christian labors as a member of the church in Oberlin. ”

“ On a rude filthy bed lies the wasted frame of a once stalwart man. He is as feeble as the infant; a wan child is sitting near by. The mother, in tattered garments, totters about her work, so enfeebled by the disease that her strength is inadequate for her tasks. ”

“ She depended on the kindness of a neighbor to gather sticks for her and draw water. At times there was only enough fire in the fire-place to give a faint glimmer, not enough to make the room cheerful. ”

“ If anyone is suffering from iciness in the cardiac region, there is no better place for him to get the cockles of his heart well warmed up than in some of the colored congregations' churches which I visited. ”

“ America is a most important country. And many a people like to go there. And it has many wild birds—mocking birds, nightingale, raccoon, and also the opossum and lion, tiger, elephant, and the rhinoceros. ”

“ On great occasions, at college anniversaries and at missionary and ecclesiastical gatherings, Dr. Taylor was one of the most acceptable and efficient speakers. One marked characteristic of Dr. Taylor came from his great heart, and mellowed and sweetened all his other powers. He has finished a glorious course, and has gone to his reward.
[pg 103]
REV. CHAS. C. PAINTER.
The recent death of Prof. Painter has removed a most useful and efficient worker in behalf of the Indians. He died at his home in Washington, of heart disease, after an illness of only twelve hours. ”

“ In 1861 he removed with his family to northwestern Michigan, where he labored as a home missionary for eighteen years, being the pastor for fifteen years of a church which he established. He then returned to Oberlin, where he remained until his death in 1893. In all these years Mr. Thompson was a laborious and useful man, actively engaged in awakening the [pg 93] churches to an interest in Africa, in writing his books and educating his children. In his later years, while living in Oberlin, he was abundant in labors in connection with Sunday-schools and feeble churches in Ohio and other States. ”