Various

“ It is true that some measure of refinement and fine morals is peculiarly necessary to the Indians just now, but these are not any necessary part of civilization. They are, however, inseparable to Christianity, and by this token the red man needs Christianity for his everyday life even more than the white man, who is surrounded by a Christian atmosphere. If we would have the newly-liberated Indians a valuable and reliable part of the community in this world they must be Christianized. ”

“ The test of the reality of our zeal is before us here and now. We may measure the value of our professions for ourselves.
At this present time the need of the Indians for missionaries is greater than ever before. They have reached not only a new crisis, but a crisis of a new kind. Practically speaking the Government has done what it can for them, or very nearly all. The Indian has law, land, education, he is fast becoming absorbed in the surrounding people, but never was he in worse need. ”

“ Is it necessary? Must the life-blood of these missions to the poorest, the most needy of all the peoples in America be shed? Does not the condition of these lowly and helpless millions cry out to God against it? ”

“ It is not further efforts by the churches for the education of the Indian that are needed. There are many schools, good, bad, and indifferent, but still schools, and it is certain that the Government will [Pg 87] attend to the education difficulty. But it is missionaries that the Indian needs; missionaries to convert heathen. This is an inglorious service and one of plenteous hardship, but beyond measure it is a patriotic service, beyond measure it is the work of Him whose "all the world" began "at Jerusalem," who taught us to find Himself wherever the least of His children were in sore need. ”

“ THE PRESENT NEED OF THE INDIANS. BY MISS ANNA L. DAWES.
It would appear that there was a certain definite loss to the cause of Christianity among the Indians when that work ceased to be called Foreign Missions, and became Home Missions. In the face of much opposition and many sneers since the day it first discovered its "marching orders," the Church has never ceased to believe it to be its duty to go out into all the world and preach the gospel, and persecution, neglect, or starvation have only served to intensify its zeal. It must preach the gospel to the heathen. ”

“ He needs a friend beside him at every step. Thrust out into an alien and hostile community, he is in some sense in a worse case than when he dwelt alone in undisturbed barbarism.
And again, civilization is not Christianity. This truth, so obvious everywhere else, seems to be lost sight of when the Indians are considered. We discover that, although educated, they will not stay refined, that they are civilized, but will not remain moral. ”

“ Although Tougaloo University is not a State institution, I desire, in its behalf, to convey to you in this parting message a word of warm and sincere commendation. No school in the South is conducted upon higher principles, and its good effects are felt throughout the State. By way of recognition of its great merit, and for the high esteem in which its principal is held in the community, the Board of Visitors has been continued from term to term, and I recommend that a Board be appointed by the Governor for the next biennial year. ”

“ The gift seemed trivial, but it meant something to this little girl. Hundreds there are in this very city who are in no school—who can't attend for want of money. Oh that God's treasures could be used to save his own dear children! ”

“ Prayer with a Backbone.—The pastor of one of our smaller churches in the South, describing the concert of prayer held in behalf of the Association, tells this brief but pithy story about it: "The objects and purposes and work of the American Missionary Association were briefly reviewed at the prayer-meeting, and the prayers in its behalf were fervent and earnest. But we shall not cease, but continue to pray for your success. Inclosed please find one dollar as a sort of backbone to our prayers." ”

“ Every hub must have spokes—as here. If you rim the whole with some of your silver or gold, and bolt it on with prayer the whole work will roll on.
Di tapi'o? Indians, and whites too, some gladly others uneasily, are finding out who we are—you dear friends of the churches and we here together—a power for righteousness from and by the King. ”

“ Just why goes back a long way; but a fact it is, that whatever may be true of Chinese or Poles or Bohemians, if the Indian is to have any staying power, if he is to be anything but a despair to his friends and a curse to all around him, he must be converted as well as civilized. ”

“ Must our debt grow? We cannot reduce our working forces on the instant. We cannot at once call off our missionaries whom we have engaged for the current year and to whom we have pledged their support. ”

“ The varying pressure of circumstances combined with the differing methods of education furnished the children, has brought the race to a time and place when it needs many, many helpers, who, living with them as Thomas Riggs has lived with them, will find their reward in their growth and development. ”

“ Christmas in Gregory Normal Institute does not mean simply receiving, but we have what has proved to us, after a trial of two years, a much better plan—that of giving. It is truly surprising how much can be given, even by those who it would seem are too poor to give anything. On Thursday, December 19, it was announced by the principal in all the rooms that all who could bring a Christmas offering might do so on Friday, the last day of the term before the holidays. ”

“ We are sensible of the pressure made upon the churches to increase their benefactions along the different lines of the Congregational mission service. We rejoice over their increased offerings in this critical period, although the support of their work through the American Missionary Association has not been increased. ”

“ The leader of the first faction fired and shot the leader of the second faction in his own house, and another of the first faction fired at the leader of the second faction till he fell with two balls through his left arm, one ball broke his right leg, and two balls went into his back. The leader of the second faction shot the leader of the first faction in the right leg and he fell ”

“ They have both the moral and the legal right to their support for the time stipulated. This is a necessity in the administration of the missionary societies which are called to employ large numbers of missionaries. They must keep faith with their workers.
What now? Reduction? Within the last three years we have reduced our work by $124,000. But our receipts were reduced in [Pg 82] increasing measure each year by a total of $224,000. Further reduction? Yes, as soon as possible, under present engagements, if it must be so. Is this the decision of the Christian people in the churches? Is it wise? ”

“ He was exceedingly fond of children and entered heartily into their pastimes. He died at Lake Grove at the age of nearly ninety-one, and was an active pastor at the age of eighty-four. He died honored of his ministerial brethren, whom he ardently loved, and was mourned by a large number whom he had benefited during his ministry. Such a life of labor and love should make its appeal to a selfish and skeptical world."
In Memoriam. REV. HENRY SWIFT DE FOREST, D.D.
The death of this honored servant of God, January 27, at his house in Talladega, Ala., was sudden and unexpected. ”

“ As far back as 1825 Arthur Tappan might have been called the most prominent Christian layman in New York. His moral courage and philanthropic zeal made him on a humbler scale what Lord Shaftesbury became on a larger scale in London. Those were days of [Pg 84] foundation-laying of great religious enterprises. The Home Missionary Society, the American Temperance Society, the American Sunday-school Union, and the Seamen's Friend Society were born about that time. In February, 1825, Arthur Tappan sent on to Boston for the Rev. ”

“ Flour, meat, rice, grits, cracked peas, beans, potatoes, apples, turnips, cabbages, greens, onions, sugar, tea, coffee, eggs, bacon, wood, kindling, matches, soap, pictures, thread, needles, pins, and in fact almost every article that can be eaten or worn or made use of in any way. ”

“ If so, our Treasurer, H. W. Hubbard, will forward the coins upon application from those who would like to purchase one or more of them. A Christian lady in Detroit, who abounds in good works, has generously sent us $25 for one of the coins:
"Prague, Bohemia, Sept. 14, 1895.
"Enclosed find seven Austrian crowns, the gift of a little orphan girl, Marie Kuchera. She wanted to do something for the colored people, and this is her offering. Her pastor wished me to send the original crowns that she gave. ”