[Pg ii]

American Missionary Association.

COMMUNICATIONS

Relating to the work of the Association may be addressed to the Corresponding Secretaries; letters for "The American Missionary," to the Editor, at the New York Office; letters relating to the finances, to the Treasurer; letters relating to woman's work, to the Secretary of the Woman's Bureau.

DONATIONS AND SUBSCRIPTIONS

In drafts, checks, registered letters, or post-office orders, may be sent to H. W. Hubbard, Treasurer, Bible House, New York; or, when more convenient, to either of the Branch Offices, 21 Congregational House, Boston, Mass., or 153 La Salle Street, Chicago, Ill. A payment of thirty dollars constitutes a Life Member.

Notice to Subscribers.—The date on the "address label" indicates the time to which the subscription is paid. Changes are made in date on label to the 10th of each month. If payment of subscription be made afterward the change on the label will appear a month later. Please send early notice of change in post-office address, giving the former address and the new address, in order that our periodicals and occasional papers may be correctly mailed.

FORM OF A BEQUEST.

"I give and bequeath the sum of —— dollars to the 'American Missionary Association,' incorporated by act of the Legislature of the State of New York." The will should be attested by three witnesses.

[Pg 81]

THE
American Missionary

WHAT NOW?

One-third of the fiscal year passed on Feb. 1st without any special campaign of appeals in behalf of the debt and the suffering work of the American Missionary Association. We have constantly reported to its supporting churches and friends the exact financial condition of the Association. We have reiterated the call voted at our Annual Meeting for such enlargement of support as will bring the receipts of this semi-centennial year up to $500,000. We have emphasized the urgency of the present and prospective needs of the work.

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. Their contributions to the Association in these past four months stand at about the disastrous figure of the corresponding period last year. The other eight months of that year suffered from a disheartening reduction which raised the total debt to nearly a hundred thousand dollars. If the coming eight months are to bring the same proportionate reduction which the corresponding eight months of last year suffered, we frankly say now and here that a new debt will be incurred in addition to the old one. We cannot avoid it and we cannot remain silent about it.

What now? 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. 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? 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?

The American Missionary Association has been providentially called to minister to the down-trodden, the submerged millions of our common country. Their distressful needs are in danger of being left aside in the pressure of other worthy appeals for aid. Will not the thoughtful, the large-minded and large-hearted, who lead in every benevolent service of the churches, come to the rescue of this imperiled Christian service? Will they not make this fiftieth year of the American Missionary Association a year of jubilee by bringing an advance of at least a hundred thousand dollars before the assembling of our great Boston Convention in October?

Bishop Haygood.—The recent death of Atticus G. Haygood of the Methodist Episcopal Church South has removed a very useful man from among those who are conscientiously engaged in the uplifting of the colored people and in promoting harmony between the two races in the South. In the writing of his books and his numerous articles for the press, in his conscientious administration of the Slater Fund and in his work as Bishop, he has rendered a permanent benefit to his church and the country.

PAMPHLETS AND ADDRESSES.

Since the publication, in a recent number of The Missionary, of the list of the documents ready for distribution on application of our friends, we add the following:

Annual Report of the Association.

Sermon by Rev. Wm. Hayes Ward, D.D., "Instead of thy Fathers shall be thy Children."

Citizenship and Christianity, by Rev. Sherrod Soule.

The Debt of Our Country to the American Highlanders During the War, by Secretary C. J. Ryder. (Reprint, illustrated.)

"Great Truths Simply Told" is the title of a most excellent little book compiled by Prof. George L. Wood, of Philadelphia. A special fund has been contributed by a friend interested in the circulation of this useful little volume, which makes it possible for us to offer to our[Pg 83] missionaries a limited number, if they will write asking for the same. We are very glad to be able in this way to give a wider circulation to this valuable book, which will prove useful in teaching Christian truth.

Increased Gifts.—We are glad to learn that the Prospect Hill Church, Somerville, Mass., of which Rev. E. S. Tead is pastor, have just added 65 per cent. to their gifts of last year to our work. The Grace Church of South Framingham, of which Rev. F. E. Emrich is pastor, have also increased their gifts by about $200 over last year.

"HOSANNA"—"CRUCIFY."

On an ever-memorable day, the Son of Man rode into Jerusalem. A vast multitude of people thronged the streets and cast their garments and palm branches before Him, and with unbounded enthusiasm cried "Hosanna in the highest!" But only a few days later that same multitude, as cruel as they were fickle, followed the Son of Man with the fiendish cry "Crucify him! crucify him!" ceasing not until he hung on the cross, and then they taunted him with sneers and mockings.

The followers of the Son of Man are sometimes called in their measure to pass through almost similar circumstances changing from the highest praise to the bitterest denunciation. Dr. Theodore L. Cuyler, that grand old man, who surpasses all others of this generation in his knowledge of the great men of his times and in his accurate and vivid descriptions of them, has given, in a recent article in The Evangelist, a striking sketch of some of the prominent clergymen and laymen of this city two generations past:

"The death of that noble Christian philanthropist, William A. Booth, removes from us about the last survivor of a remarkable group of men who for three-quarters of a century impressed themselves most deeply on the religious life of New York and the whole country. Among the earlier members of this group were the brothers, Arthur and Lewis Tappan, Harlan Page, Anson G. Phelps, Moses Allen, R. T. Haines, W. W. Chester, and Joshua Leavitt, who was one of the earliest editors of The Evangelist. Later on we come upon the names of William E. Dodge, Christopher R. Robert, William A. Booth, Apollos Wetmore, R. M. Hartley, Robert Carter, James Brown, and Jesse W. Benedict. Other names might be added to this roll of honor, but these were representative and conspicuous.

"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. Wm. A. Hallock, who before sunrise on a winter morning presented himself at Mr. Tappan's door. They called together a few warm-hearted Christians—among whom were Messrs. Allen, Haines, and Chester—and the American Tract Society was organized, and its new building was erected. It was while in the employ of the Tract Society that Harlan Page did his wonderful work as a consecrated laborer for the conversion of souls."

It was not Dr. Cuyler's purpose to follow these men in their later experiences. But we take the liberty of doing so in respect to one of the persons named, Arthur Tappan, of whom Dr. Cuyler says that as far back as 1825 he might have been called "the most prominent Christian layman in New York." If we step down nine years to 1834, we shall find that same Arthur Tappan ostracized by his former associates, ridiculed and denounced by the press, a reward of $50,000 offered for his head, and his store assailed by an infuriated mob, and defended inside by Mr. Tappan and his little band of clerks, of whom the editor and proprietor of The Independent was then one. It is not too much to say that in 1834 Arthur Tappan was the best-abused man in New York.

It may be asked with surprise, What had made this great change? The answer is simple: He had become an abolitionist. The same zeal in the Master's cause which led him to do so much in founding and sustaining the great missionary and benevolent enterprises, induced him to assist the anti-slavery cause, which had then come forward. He felt a profound sympathy for the oppressed slave, and rejoiced to do what he could to secure his emancipation.

It should be remarked that Mr. Tappan did not agree with those abolitionists who denounced the Constitution and the Church. On the contrary, he took a leading part in the formation of a new anti-slavery society that was established in opposition to those extremists. He was the president of that new society for many years. Mr. Tappan used the same quiet and unassuming methods in giving his time, influence, and money to the anti-slavery cause as he did to the other benevolent and missionary enterprises.

Now we think that the Son of Man, assailed by the mob in the Garden and crucified on Calvary that He might save the world, was more exalted, and revealed His divine character more distinctly, than when He was surrounded by the hosannas of the thoughtless and fickle mob. So, in like manner and at a humble distance, Arthur Tappan reached his highest point of honor as a patriotic Christian man when, for the sake[Pg 85] of the poor and downtrodden slaves, he was willing to bear reproach and jeopardize his life in their behalf.

Mr. Tappan and his associates, fifty years ago, founded the American Missionary Association amid the obloquy and danger that surrounded anti-slavery people in that day; and now, as the Association is rejoicing in its successful and honored work in this its Jubilee year, we take pleasure in its behalf in testifying to the courage and self-sacrificing labors of its founders.

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. But in regard to Home Missions the Church has felt that it may preach the gospel to neighbors, not that it must—that it is a good and desirable thing to do, but by no means an inexorable duty. If the Indians had remained foreign heathen, we might hope for a Students' Volunteer movement, for an Inland Mission, for a zeal beyond wisdom which even sets forth to preach the gospel in the midst of war. The Indians are as pagan as the Japanese or the Hindus, for instance: their redemption is as great a necessity as the redemption of the Chinese. Their chiefs plead for help and teachers in no less touching fashion than do South African kings. But those fill us with missionary zeal. We cry unto heaven for money and opportunity to go over seas to convert those; but these, the heathen in our very midst, most of us neither see nor hear. Can it be because there is neither romance nor mystery about these others? 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. All these great fundamental principles of social life have been thrust upon him, oft against his will and largely unprepared; certainly with very little comprehension of[Pg 86] their resulting privileges or duties. 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. Behold, says the caviller, there is no good Indian until he dies, and even his friends complain that the young men will "go back" to gambling games and horse races. 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. 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. The use of his land, the best system of law, an absolute restriction upon liquor, all together, will do no more for him in the Northwest than it has done for Cherokee or Choctaw. It is the building up of the individual that is needed to-day quite as much as any legislation which shall improve the community.

Not only has the Indian come to a time of special need, not only does he need Christianity to make his land and his education of any value, not only is his law unsupported by his own character of little worth, but he needs Christian missionaries more and more, because he has ceased to be the Indian and become Indians. It is peculiarly true that every tribe, every group, every family almost, has reached a different state of need. 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. Wherever the Riggs family live, there the Indian problem is solved. Where Bishop Hare and Mary Collins work the answer is already plain. Let the Omahas without any missionary testify also to the darker side of the question.

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.

A LITTLE BOHEMIAN GIRL'S GIFT.

The following letter from Rev. J. S. Porter, Missionary of the American Board, will explain itself. Will there not be among those who shall read it some one who would like to purchase the remaining coins given by the poor little orphan girl in Bohemia for the colored people? 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:

ACTIVITY, ECONOMY, BENEVOLENCE.

The following letter tells the story of the remarkable career of a Christian minister, whose activity was maintained through a long life, and whose self-denial enabled him to accumulate handsome sums of money to be bestowed on worthy objects of benevolence. His sympathies were not narrow, but widespread, and his genial love of children continued to his latest days:

"My father, Rev. Otis Holmes, of Lake Grove, L. I., was an enthusiast in missions, and never let the time of the missionary concerts go by without attendance. His salary was never above $800 per year—latterly only $400—and during his last years, to save the Home[Pg 88] Missionary Society, he gave his services. By rigid economy and incessant toil, with no vacation during fifty years, he laid aside $1,500 for missions, $500 to the American Board, $500 to the American Missionary Association, $500 to the Home Missionary Society. He gave, too, a parsonage lot, and contributed largely to two parsonages.

"In his earlier ministry he came in contact with pro-slavery parishioners, and ever and always stood up for the slave, and at no little sacrifice. And so upon the temperance question, at the age of eighty and upwards he would arouse most intense enthusiasm in meeting. None were heard oftener or more gladly. He had great strength and vigor and rarely ever missed an appointment. No weather detained him. He won many souls to Christ, and was quite often called away to revival work. 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. Although he has suffered for several years past under impaired health, yet on the day preceding the accident he appeared unusually well. He had performed his usual college duties, attended and spoken at the memorial services for Dr. Cutler on the afternoon of Friday, and was present at the college social on Friday night. The accident occurred on Saturday. He arose early in the morning, as was his custom, and made preparations for his usual bath. On crossing the hall at the head of the stairway he fell down the entire flight and was found stretched out, face downward, on the lower floor. The family came speedily to his relief. Help was summoned from the neighborhood and medical attendance secured. It was the doctor's opinion that the fall was due to an apopleptic stroke, which seized him while in the upper hall and rendered him powerless to either prevent the fall or hinder its continued progress. Funeral services were held on Tuesday forenoon, which were attended by many of the best citizens of Talladega, two of the pastors of the Talladega churches speaking warmly and sympathetically of Dr. De Forest and of the institution over which he had presided. Mrs. De Forest and her daughter, accompanied by one of the professors of the institution, attended the remains to their last resting place in Sherburne, N. Y.

[Pg 89]

Dr. De Forest was of Huguenot descent; was born in So. Edmeston, N. Y., March 17, 1833, was graduated from Yale College in 1857, and obtained his theological education at Yale and Union theological seminaries. He was ordained in New Haven, August 2, 1863, and served as chaplain in the Eleventh Connecticut Volunteers during the civil war. He was called to the pastorate of Plymouth Congregational Church, Des Moines, Iowa., October 17, 1866, where he remained until October, 1879, when he accepted the call to the Presidency of Talladega College, Talladega, Ala., a position he has filled with great acceptance to the day of his death. He was married August 25th, 1869, to Miss Anna M. Robbins, daughter of Rev. Alden B. Robbins, D.D., of Muscatine, Iowa.

Dr. De Forest was a man of fine personal presence, affable in manner, gifted as a speaker, a scholar, and a man of practical affairs. His life has been varied, but in whatever position he has been employed he has soon won the confidence and esteem of those with whom he has been associated.

MISS LUCELIA E. WILLIAMS.

This estimable lady, after four years of severe but patient suffering from neuralgia, passed away Sunday afternoon, December 22, at her home in Deerfield, Mass. Miss Williams was a native of Deerfield, an old historic town in the Connecticut Valley, and a descendant of Rev. T. Williams, who was taken captive by the Indians. During the war of the Rebellion Miss Williams was sent by the National Freedman's Aid Society to labor among the Freedmen of Port Royal Island, S. C. With a commission and a Government permit alone she found her mission field. The following year was spent at Richmond, Va., teaching among the refugees who had come into the city at the close of the war. The next year she taught a large school in Washington, D. C., at Kendall Green, and in the autumn of 1867, accompanied by her sister, Miss P. A. Williams, she began her work at Hampton, Va., teaching in the Butler and Lincoln schools. After the new building was completed, the sisters were transferred to the Normal school, which they organized, and the success of which was largely due to their indefatigable labors. Miss Williams was connected with the institution two years when she was appointed by the American Missionary Association as Principal of the Stanton Normal Institute, Jacksonville, Fla., where she remained seven years.

Miss Williams always secured the confidence and esteem of those with and for whom she labored, and was considered one of the most efficient teachers in the employ of the Association.

[Pg 90]

The South.

THANKS, GOVERNOR STONE.

The popular Governor of Mississippi, Hon. J. M. Stone, who has filled the responsible position of chief executive for a greater length of time than any other person since the formation of the State government, in his last message to the Senate and House of Representatives called especial attention to Tougaloo University, as follows:

"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."

As Governor Stone has repeatedly visited Tougaloo, he speaks with personal knowledge of our great work in the "Black Belt." In agricultural and industrial work Tougaloo is not excelled in the South, while the standard of scholarship is greatly superior to that of industrial schools which seek only elementary attainment.

GREGORY INSTITUTE, WILMINGTON, N. C.

BY PROF. F. T. WATERS.

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. Before eight a.m. Friday the articles began to come in, and the variety would discount any country grocery store, I am sure. 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. Quite a good deal of money was contributed, and that was used for buying articles for needy persons.

What struck me most forcibly was the willing and cheerful giving. Some things came from homes where there was scarcely to be found as much more of the same thing as was brought. I must mention an instance of real sacrifice, though the things brought will seem, [Pg 91]without doubt, to those who read this article, as of but little worth. One little girl we had picked out of the most wretched hovel only a few weeks before, so ragged that except for pity you would wish her out of sight; and when I saw her coming in with her gift I thought, "What can she bring?" Well, she brought all she had to bring—literally her whole wealth—a few dirty little picture cards which some one had given to her and which she had treasured "lo, these many years," judging from the dirt accumulated on them. 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!

Thank God there are many who hold a little of God's gold who have laid it on the altar for His use! I wish some of the consecrated gifts I have received and used for two poor children, with the accompanying letters, were not so sacred; I should feel like mentioning some—where a poor factory girl sent one dollar, with a "God bless you!" and where a good mother in Israel sent fifty cents in stamps, saying, "This is my consecration money of three months." So poor was she that the accumulation was by a penny now and then. Many larger amounts I have received, but all with the same cheerful "God bless you!" that so cheers the heart of the missionary far from home and loved ones.

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."

FUNNY ANSWERS.

A teacher in the mountain field gives in a recent letter some of the answers that came in from the pupils in their examination papers. Some of them are amusing.

"Climate is the combined space of heat and moisture."

"The solar system is situated in that part of the heavens called the Milky Way."

"The polar circle is parallel, running slanting round the earth."

"It is the wind's duty to refresh and cherish the earth."

"A volcano is the safety-valve of an earthquake."

Digestive organs are termed "dijective organs," and the different races of men were given as "Indians, Negroes, Whites, and French."

[Pg 92]

FAMILY FEUD IN THE MOUNTAINS.

BY A MISSIONARY.

I have recently witnessed the result of a Kentucky riot, the first since I came here. Two desperate factions met on the night of the 25th, at eleven o'clock. Four men and a woman were engaged in it. 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; both men lying within a few feet of each other. The wife of the leader of the second faction took one of his pistols and started to kill the first leader, but one of his men stepped up with two revolvers and told her not to fire, that he would kill her if she did. This ended the shooting. The first faction helped to carry the leader of the second faction in the house and then took the first leader away. They used 32 and 44 calibers.

The first leader lives four miles from my house. When they told him he could not live he asked them to send for me. I went and helped dress his wounds and sung and prayed with him. He said he had been a bad man, and asked me to pray for him. I heard to-day that some of his friends wanted him to send for some other minister, but he said no, he wanted no one but myself; and I expect to go and see him to-morrow if he is still living. I believe in the near future we will have a good hold in eastern Kentucky, if the American Missionary Association is successful in getting the right ministers. The minister's wife has a great deal to do with his success in this work.

AN INCIDENT OF MOUNTAIN WORK.

BY A MISSIONARY.

At noon, the 16th, I reached Rev. Mr. ——'s home, and after dinner he hitched up his horse, and we set out for ——, some twelve miles away, reaching there at dark. 'Twas here I heard the wonderful story of ——'s rescue and salvation through Bro. ——, one of Rev. Mr. ——'s converts. Next morning I met the Sunday-school and addressed it. Then came the after-service, and it was a pleasure to look into those faces and preach the gospel message, which was so earnestly and anxiously received, and to think that only six months before a preacher could not come into this valley to preach and be safe. Some were shot, others thrashed, and because of the low element located there the place was given up as hopeless.

[Pg 93]

Our Bro. ——, in his quiet way, went into the homes and gained them by personal contact, and for six months held meetings, during which they were constrained to surrender to Christ. I had the pleasure of hearing some thirty tell the story of how our A. M. A. preacher won them. It was a marvelous work, and the good part is the activity that characterizes each member. Of the sixty members belonging to Rev. Mr. ——'s churches fifty-seven are praying members, and all sixty take active part in testimony. A most cordial relation exists between pastor and people. We held an afternoon service at another one of Rev. Mr. ——'s churches, where I had the privilege of talking and meeting the friends.

A Mother Teaching Revenge.—"We know the mother in the home of the mountaineer is a strong influence. How important that she be trained to occupy this position! I have sat at the fireside and heard the mother relate the story of a murder and turn to her eldest boy and say, 'Mind ye, if ever ye meet up with him, you'll not forget to do what ye'er mammy learned ye to do.' And that boy will not forget unless the grace of God keep him."

An Interesting Conversion.—The month has been a most blessed one to us at Deer Lodge. The meetings were not large in numbers, but they were rich in power and full of spiritual blessings. The report that ---- was converted spread quickly, and a large number came last night to see and hear him. He had been a wicked man for many years, and now his change is marked, and he proposes to live as near the Christian life as possible. He commenced to read the Bible, and reads a chapter both morning and evening. He told me last night, "I cannot read much, but my wife can help me, and so together we shall help each other." Oh, how much joy it would give us if the Holy Spirit would sweep into his kingdom a number of other precious souls at this place. We shall pray and work for this end. The young ladies who accepted Christ now take part in our meetings, and it is no small pleasure to hear them testify for Christ.

A Communion Service.—"We had a pleasant communion service last Sunday. Six young people joined in regular Congregational form after careful examination. We had previously elected a new member, who was a pupil in the school last year, to be deacon immediately upon his joining the church. One of those who joined the church made an attempt on my life last year. Though he is nearly as old as I he is now a docile pupil in the fourth-reader grade."

[Pg 94]

Heatherly Chapel.—The new church in the mountain field, in Tennessee was organized in November, and is called Heatherly Chapel. It is enjoying a very interesting revival season. About fifty have been hopefully converted, twenty-two having joined the new church. This new church is an important addition to the work which the American Missionary Association is accomplishing in the mountain field.

A Useful Church.—From Corbin comes the message of deep spiritual interest and large usefulness in the church. At the last communion five were added and the work still goes on very encouragingly. A Sunday-school is carried on by the Christian Endeavorers of the Corbin church in a community near by.

Christian Endeavor Society.—A Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor was organized at La Follette, Tenn., early in December. Thirteen members united with this society and much enthusiasm was manifested.

The Indians.

DI TAPI'O?

BY REV. C. L. HALL.

We reached the Missouri at dark. A heavy gale tossed the water and whirled the sand. Can any one hear across the water, or are we to spend the October night in the timber? The Lord had provided for His work. A dark figure appeared on the bluff against the fading light. "Di tapi'o?" is the call across (Who are you?). "Ho-washte" (I am Good Voice) is the reply. The figure, like the man of Macedonia; the reply, "a voice crying in the wilderness." The man was Good Bird. He had come out, expecting his wife, and found us.

The wind had sunk the flat-boat, and our horse had to wait in the brush till morning. I cared for him, while the carpenter and Good Bird crossed. Two other Indians came for me. The wind lulled and the dark flood flowed silently. Their leaky skiff was plugged with mud. One rowed, the other watched in the shadows for the landing. I bailed with a tin can. The current swung us in, and we lugged our tools and provisions and bedding up a sand slide, and slept in the "Independence Station" log house.

We had made several visits during the summer. Once the whole family stayed a week. We won the affections of Mrs. Pedi'tska-Kadi'shta (Little Crow), so that she paddled Mrs. Hall over in her hide "bull-boat," on our return, for twenty-five cents.

Then our trained nurse left her hospital room and visiting work at[Pg 95] Fort Berthold and kept up the routine, and also treated about twenty patients among these Mandans.

This time we had come to finish the house for winter, before the lady missionary's return from her vacation. Four women plastered outside with a mixture of mud and dry grass. This is woman's part of house-building here, I was laborer and cook and preacher for three days, and then left the carpenter plastering inside.

The Mandans are friendly, but much behind our Rees at Fort Berthold. Dead bodies in rough boxes lie on the ground on a knoll not far from our house, and near by is an old-style earth lodge.

At Christmas we had more than 125 people out. A cedar tree hung full of presents. All had a good meal, except plates, which some were not very familiar with. A crowd of big men reached out eagerly for the luxury of red apples.

MEETING HOUSE. DWELLING.
MOODY STATION, NO. 1 (INDEPENDENCE).

This station is named for Mr. Moody, who gave money to start it. The place is a hill in the midst of a valley independent of the bluffs on either side and so Awatahesh—Independence.

Mr. A. P. Nichols, of Haverhill, Mass., kindly offered $200 if we would reopen the station. We have done so, trusting to our friends for $300 more for the year. The work is yet in the dough, but the yeast is in and it is rising.

Our Elbowoods station began far out in the wilderness in a log house like the Independence meeting-house. The Government, after several years, planted its central agency by our station and so brought many under our influence. Now we have a new dwelling, with a chapel attached, and the congregation have raised $130 toward the expense.

DWELLING. CHAPEL.
MOODY STATION, NO. 2 (ELBOWOODS).

[Pg 96]

These stations are the spokes of which the Fort Berthold boarding-school and hospital and church work are the hub. 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.

Thanksgiving Day.—Rev. C. L. Hall gives us the following interesting glimpse of Thanksgiving in a prairie mission school:

"We are to have a church dinner on Thanksgiving (Shak-s-shte-hun), for which the church have collected produce and money, so that there will be a large thank offering to the Lord, all paid up, not subscribed. Mrs. Black Rabbit and Mrs. Crow and Mrs. Two Bears and Cedar Woman are on the committee to help cook and prepare dinner. There are rabbits and geese and beef to cook, which is cooked and which cook you can decide.

Clear moonlight on the snow, mild but no thaw, fine sledding. It was a good night to come home from prayer meeting at Deacon Many-bears."

Busy Day of an Indian Missionary.—Rev. Myron Eells, our missionary at S'kokomish, Washington, writes:

"Last Sabbath my work was as follows, though it was a little extra: Superintended the Sunday-school at the Agency at 9:30; 57 present. Taught a Sunday-school class. Preached at the same place at 11, then was on my horse in a few minutes, and at 12:05 was a mile distant and preached to the Indians. Then rode four miles to John's Creek and preached to a small congregation of whites in English at 3:00 p.m., eating my lunch as I rode along. Came home by six o'clock, and at seven o'clock went in for half an hour to the Christian Endeavor meeting."

A Thank Offering.—Miss Collins, of Fort Yates, N. D., in writing of the Indian work at her mission, says:

"Last night there was a New Year's meeting, and they took up a 'Thank Offering' because God had been so good the past year, and they handed me ten dollars this morning for the native missionary society, and they pledged ten more. Pretty substantial way to show gratitude to God! Oh if our churches would come to the help of our American Missionary Association in so liberal a way, what might we not do for Christ this year!"

[Pg 97]

The Chinese.

THE WATSONVILLE MISSION.

BY REV. W. C. POND, D.D.

This work was begun about two years ago as an experiment, the teacher, Mrs. Martha Ellis, giving her services without expense to us for several months, till it became apparent that the field was one we ought to occupy. She is an earnest Christian and is putting her very life-blood into this service for Christ and the souls he died to save. With her has been associated from the first Mr. Joe Dun, a most faithful and efficient helper. He was converted in our Marysville Mission, and has been a steadfast Christian for many years. He accepts less than half pay in these times of straitness, and tries to eke out a support for himself and those dependent upon him by attention to business in a small and, I fear, far from lucrative way, but gives his heart to mission work. I feel guilty every time I make a remittance to Watsonville because the pittance we allow him is so small as compared with the work he does. But he and the zealous teacher have other rewards far richer than coin.

I reached the Mission House at about 2:30 p.m. Mrs. Ellis's afternoon class of children was just being dismissed. But it seems they had heard about me, and were glad to come to order again, and get acquainted with me and let me hear them sing. It was a sight I never looked upon before, and did not expect to see in California till we had come much nearer the millennium than I dare think we now are. Nine children stood in line before me—three of them Americans, three Chinese, and three Spanish or Mexican. The whole class numbers sixteen, the absent ones being five Spanish children and two Jewish ones. They sang for me, with great vigor and quite good harmony, "Jesus Loves Me," "Precious Jewels," and "At the Cross." Books were not needed. The words were packed away in their memory, where they will remain to bless—as we hope and pray—their whole lives.

After the children had gone, eleven Chinese brethren gathered about the table to study with me the Confession of Faith and Covenant of Bethany Church, San Francisco, with reference to being organized into the Bethany Church of Watsonville. About three hours I spent with them holding them to close study of that which they would profess and promise if they were united in Church relationship. They were of various ages and various grades of intelligence, but I felt that Christ had refused none of them, and I must not do so. Hum Quong was converted in Marysville five years before, but had not till now had opportunity—since he was sufficiently confirmed in his discipleship to do so—to offer himself for baptism. He had become well versed in [Pg 98]Christian truth, and was able to interpret for me, and to assist his brethren, almost as well as Joe Dun himself. The others were, all of them, the fruit of our Watsonville work. One had been in California 25 years, but had attended mission-school nowhere except in Watsonville. He was a substantial looking man, a good miniature of a New England deacon of the old school but for his complexion and attire. I was rather pleased—having made such reflections silently—to hear him nominated by several voices and to see him unanimously elected their only deacon. His name is Ng Kite.

It was a scene that interested the angels, I am sure, when in our rude little mission-house, in the presence of a goodly company both of Chinese and Americans, those twelve disciples stood together, hand in hand, and accepted their confession and covenant. Eleven were Chinese; one, their teacher, was an American. Ten were baptized—the largest number of Chinese that I have ever baptized at one time.

Some, at least, of the village pastors, and a large company of other Christians—too large for our limited space—would have been with us but for the fact that Union Evangelistic services were in progress and they felt it necessary to attend and take part in them.

Is it not worth while to maintain in vigor a work like this?

SANTA CRUZ MISSION.

Of this mission Dr. Pond writes: I give you an opportunity to share my joy by inclosing the letter from Mrs. Hall, our teacher at Santa Cruz. She has been for three months teaching a class of Japanese after her teaching in the Chinese school is ended; that is after nine o'clock in the evening—often not beginning till nearly ten. The two schools are now happily united at our Chinese Mission House:

[Pg 99]

WOMAN'S STATE ORGANIZATIONS

• MAINE.
• Woman's Aid to A. M. A.
• State Committee—Mrs. Ida Vose Woodbury, Woodfords;
  Mrs. A. T. Burbank, Yarmouth;
  Mrs. Helen Quimby, Bangor.
• NEW HAMPSHIRE.
• Female Cent Institution and Home Miss. Union.
• President—Mrs. Cyrus Sargeant, Plymouth.
• Secretary—Mrs. N. W. Nims, 16 Rumford St., Concord.
• Treasurer—Miss Annie A. McFarland, Concord.
• VERMONT.
• Woman's Home Missionary Union.
• President—Mrs. J. H. Babbitt, W. Brattleboro.
• Secretary—Mrs. M. K. Paine, Windsor.
• Treasurer—Mrs. Wm. P. Fairbanks, St. Johnsbury.
• MASS and R. I.
• [A]Woman's Home Missionary Association.
• President—Mrs. C. L. Goodell, 9 Massachusetts Ave., Boston, Mass.
• Secretary—Mrs. Louise A. Kellogg, 32 Congregational House, Boston.
• Treasurer—Miss Annie C. Bridgman, 32 Congregational House, Boston.
• CONNECTICUT.
• Woman's Home Missionary Union.
• President—Miss Ellen R. Camp, 9 Camp St., New Britain.
• Secretary—Mrs. C. T. Millard, 36 Lewis St., Hartford.
• Treasurer—Mrs. W. W. Jacobs, 19 Spring St., Hartford.
• NEW YORK.
• Woman's Home Missionary Union.
• President—Mrs. Wm. Kincaid, 483 Green Ave., Brooklyn.
• Secretary—Mrs. Wm. Spalding, 511 Orange St., Syracuse.
• Treasurer—Mrs. J. J. Pearsall, 230 Macon St., Brooklyn.
• NEW JERSEY.
• Woman's Home Missionary Union of the N. J. Association.
• President—Mrs. A. H. Bradford, Montclair.
• Secretary—Mrs R. J. Hegeman, 32 Forest Street, Montclair.
• Treasurer—Mrs. J. H. Dennison, 150 Belleville Ave., Newark.
• PENNSYLVANIA.
• Woman's Missionary Union.
• President—Mrs. J. W. Thomas, Lansford.
• Secretary—Mrs. C. F. Yennie, Ridgway.
• Treasurer—Mrs. T. W. Jones, 511 Woodland Terrace, Philadelphia.
• OHIO.
• Woman's Home Missionary Union.
• President—Mrs. Sydney Strong, Lane Seminary Grounds, Cincinnati.
• Secretary—Mrs. J. W. Moore, 836 Hough Ave., Cleveland.
• Treasurer—Mrs. G. B. Brown, 2116 Warren St., Toledo.
• INDIANA.
• Woman's Home Missionary Union.
• President—Mrs. W. A. Bell, 223 Broadway, Indianapolis.
• Treasurer—Mrs. A. H. Ball, Dewhurst.
• ILLINOIS.
• Woman's Home Missionary Union.
• President—Mrs. Isaac Claflin, Lombard.
• Secretary—Mrs. C. H. Taintor, 151 Washington St., Chicago.
• Treasurer—Mrs. L. A. Field, Wilmette.
• MISSOURI.
• Woman's Home Missionary Union.
• President—Mrs. Henry Hopkins, 916 Holmes Street, Kansas City.
• Secretary—Mrs. E. C. Ellis, 2456 Tracy Ave., Kansas City.
• Treasurer—Mrs. K. L. Mills, 1526 Wabash Ave., Kansas City.
• IOWA.
• Woman's Home Missionary Union.
• President—Mrs. T. O. Douglass, Grinnell.
• Secretary—Mrs. H. H. Robbins, Grinnell.
• Treasurer—Miss Belle L. Bentley, 300 Court Ave., Des Moines.
• MICHIGAN.
• Woman's Home Missionary Union.
• President—Mrs. J. M. Powell, 76 Jefferson Ave., Grand Rapids.
• Secretary—Mrs. C. C. Denison, 132 N. College Ave., Grand Rapids.
• Treasurer—Mrs. E. F. Grabill, Greenville.
• WISCONSIN.
• Woman's Home Missionary Union.
• President—Mrs. E. G. Updike, Madison.
• Secretary—Mrs. A. O. Wright, Madison.
• Treasurer—Mrs. C. M. Blackman, Whitewater.
• MINNESOTA.
• Woman's Home Missionary Union.
• President—Miss Katherine W. Nichols, 230 East
• Ninth Street, St. Paul.
• Secretary—Mrs. A. P. Lyon, 17 Florence Court, S. E., Minneapolis.
• Treasurer—Mrs. M. W. Skinner, Northfield.
• NORTH DAKOTA.
• Woman's Home Missionary Union.
• President—Mrs. W. P. Cleveland, Caledonia.
• Secretary—Mrs. Silas Daggett, Harwood.
• Treasurer—Mrs. J. M. Fisher, Fargo.
• SOUTH DAKOTA.
• Woman's Home Missionary Union.
• President—Mrs. A. H. Robbins, Bowdle.
• Secretary—Mrs. W. H. Thrall, Huron.
• Treasurer—Mrs. F. H. Wilcox, Huron.
• BLACK HILLS, SOUTH DAKOTA.
• Woman's Missionary Union.
• President—Mrs. J. B. Gossage, Rapid City.
• Secretary—Mrs H. H. Gilchrist, Hot Springs.
• Treasurer—Miss Grace Lyman, Hot Springs.
• NEBRASKA.
• Woman's Home Missionary Union.
• President—Mrs. D. B. Perry, Crete.
• Secretary—Mrs. H. Bross, 2904 Second Street, Lincoln.
• Treasurer—Mrs. James W. Dawes, Crete.
• [Pg 100]
• KANSAS.
• Woman's Home Missionary Union.
• President—Mrs. F. E. Storrs, Topeka.
• Secretary—Mrs. George L. Epps, Topeka.
• Treasurer—Mrs. E. C. Read, Parsons.
• COLORADO.
• Woman's Home Missionary Union.
• President—Mrs. E. R. Drake, 2739 Lafayette Street, Denver.
• Secretary—Mrs. Chas. Westley, Box 508, Denver.
• Treasurer—Mrs. B. C. Valantine, Highlands.
• WYOMING.
• Woman's Missionary Union.
• President—Mrs. P. F. Powelson, Cheyenne.
• Secretary—Mrs. J. A. Riner, Cheyenne.
• Treasurer—Mrs. H. N. Smith, Rock Springs.
• MONTANA.
• Woman's Missionary Union.
• President—Mrs. O. C. Clark, Missoula.
• Secretary—Mrs. W. S. Bell, 410 Dearborn Ave., Helena.
• Treasurer—Mrs. Herbert E. Jones, Livingston.
• IDAHO.
• Woman's Missionary Union.
• President—Mrs. R. B. Wright, Boise.
• Secretary—Mrs. E. A. Paddock, Weiser.
• Treasurer—Mrs. D. L. Travis, Pocatello.
• WASHINGTON.
• Woman's Home Missionary Union.
• President—Mrs. A. J. Bailey, 323 Blanchard Street, Seattle.
• Secretary—Mrs. W. C. Wheeler, 424 South K Street, Tacoma.
• Treasurer—Mrs. J. W. George, 620 Fourth Street, Seattle.
• OREGON.
• Woman's Home Missionary Union.
• President—Mrs. F. Eggert, The Hill, Portland.
• Secretary—Mrs. George Brownell, Oregon City.
• Treasurer—Mrs. W. D. Palmer, 546 Third Street, Portland.
• CALIFORNIA.
• Woman's Home Missionary Society.
• President—Mrs. E. S. Williams, 572 12th Street, Oakland.
• Secretary—Mrs. L. M. Howard, 911 Grove Street, Oakland.
• Treasurer—Mrs. J. M. Haven, 1329 Harrison Street, Oakland.
• SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA.
• Woman's Home Missionary Union.
• President—Mrs. Warren F. Day, 253 S. Hope St., Los Angeles.
• Secretary—Mrs. W. J. Washburn, 1900 Pasadena Ave., Los Angeles.
• Treasurer—Mrs. Mary M. Smith, Public Library, Riverside.
• NEVADA.
• Woman's Missionary Union.
• President—Mrs. L. J. Flint, Reno.
• Secretary—Miss Margaret N. Magill, Reno.
• Treasurer—Miss Mary Clow, Reno.
• UTAH (Including Southern Idaho).
• Woman's Missionary Union.
• President—Mrs. Clarence T. Brown, Salt Lake City, Utah.
• Secretary—Mrs W. S. Hawkes, 135 Sixth Street, E., Salt Lake City, Utah.
• Treasurer—Mrs. Dana W. Bartlett, Salt Lake City, Utah.
• Secretary for Idaho—Mrs. Oscar Sonnenkalb, Pocatello, Idaho.
• NEW MEXICO.
• Woman's Missionary Union.
• President—Mrs. C. E. Winslow, Albuquerque.
• Secretary—Mrs. E. W. Lewis, 301 So. Edith Street, Albuquerque.
• Treasurer—Mrs. H. W. Bullock, Albuquerque.
• OKLAHOMA.
• Woman's Missionary Union.
• President—Mrs. J. H. Parker, Kingfisher.
• Secretary—Mrs. L. E. Kimball, Guthrie.
• Treasurer—Mrs. L. S. Childs, Choctaw City.
• INDIAN TERRITORY.
• Woman's Missionary Union.
• President—Mrs. John McCarthy, Vinita.
• Secretary—Mrs. Fayette Hurd, Vinita.
• Treasurer—Mrs. R. M. Swain, Vinita.
• NORTH CAROLINA.
• Woman's Missionary Union.
• President—Mrs. S. S. Sevier, McLeansville.
• Secretary and Treasurer—Miss A. E. Farrington, Oaks.
• GEORGIA.
• Woman's Home Missionary Union.
• President—Mrs. H. B. Wey, 253 Forest Avenue, Atlanta.
• Secretary—Mrs. H. A. Kellam, Atlanta.
• Treasurer—Miss Virginia Holmes, Barnesville.
• FLORIDA.
• Woman's Home Missionary Union.
• President—Mrs. S. F. Gale, Jacksonville.
• Secretary—Mrs. Nathan Barrows, Winter Park.
• Treasurer—Mrs. W. D. Brown, Interlachen.
• ALABAMA.
• Woman's Missionary Union.
• President—Mrs. M. A. Dillard, Selma.
• Secretary—Mrs. J. S. Jackson, Montgomery.
• Treasurer—Mrs. E. C. Silsby, Talladega.
• TENNESSEE, KENTUCKY and ARKANSAS.
• Woman's Missionary Union of the Tennessee Association.
• President—Mrs. G. W. Moore, Box 8, Fisk Univ., Nashville.
• Secretary—Mrs. E. J. Lewis, 15 Echols Street, Memphis.
• Treasurer—Mrs. J. E. Moreland, 216 N. McNairy Street, Nashville.
• MISSISSIPPI.
• Woman's Missionary Union.
• President—Mrs. C. L. Harris, 1421 31st Avenue, Meridian.
• Secretary—Mrs. Edith M. Hall, Tougaloo Univ., Tougaloo.
• Treasurer—Mrs. L. H. Turner, 3012 12th Street, Meridian.
• LOUISIANA.
• Woman's Missionary Union.
• President—Miss Bella W. Hume, corner Gasquet and Liberty Streets, New Orleans.
• Secretary—Mrs. Matilda Cabrère, New Orleans.
• Treasurer—Mrs. C. M. Crawford, Hammond.
• TEXAS.
• Woman's Home Missionary Union.
• President—Mrs. J. M. Wendelkin, Dallas.
• Secretary—Mrs. H. Burt, Lock Box 563, Dallas.
• Treasurer—Mrs. C. I. Scofield, Dallas.

[Pg 101]

RECEIPTS FOR JANUARY, 1986.

CURRENT RECEIPTS.