The American Missionary. Volume 44, No. 03, March, 1890. Various
are coming more than ever to realize this. The processes of thought through which they have passed already, and the facts they have settled in their own minds, indicate a very hopeful condition of things. In the first place, they are sure that this is not a local or sectional question. It is a National question, and will involve the whole country in anarchy and misrule, unless the anarchy and misrule of the Southern whites are stopped. New England's voice will be heard in solemn and earnest protest, unless there is a radical change in the conduct of the dominant race of the South very soon. Such outrages as those at Barnwell, S.C., and Jackson, Miss., which are only types of many such, must be stopped.
Another fact that has been settled in the minds of the people here, is that the education and moral elevation of the Negroes is a matter of painful exigency; that the forces employed by the American Missionary Association in that field must be largely multiplied. The President of the Old Colony Club summed up the discussion of the evening by saying most earnestly that all this meant that the contributions to the American Missionary Association must be largely increased among the churches represented in that Club, if we would solve this terrible Southern problem, and save our country from this threatened danger.
In this connection I was interested the other day in making an investigation as to the per cent. of church membership in the South and North. I discovered the following rather surprising comparison. The per cent. of church membership in some of the New England States as compared with that in the Southern States is as follows, not including the Roman Catholics: Massachusetts, 13 per cent.; Connecticut, 20 per cent.; New Hampshire, 19 per cent.; South Carolina, 32 per cent.; Georgia, 28 per cent.; Florida, 25 per cent.
It is evident from the comparisons that a larger percentage of the population in these Southern States are members of Protestant churches than in the Northern States. Notwithstanding this, this horrible system of persecution goes on. There are noble and true men who protest against it, but if the churches united in condemning it, we all know it would be stopped. What they need is not more churches, but better churches, those who emphasize the brotherhood of man as well as the fatherhood of God in this Southern portion of the land.
The stereopticon lectures which are being delivered by Rev. S.E. Lathrop, are attracting much attention and receiving general commendation. Last Sunday, at Peabody, the people were so enthusiastic that they took a special collection of nearly one hundred dollars. Many churches in New England have enjoyed this treat, and receive the inspiration which the facts of the American Missionary Association must always give when really known and understood. Brother Lathrop is on his way into New Hampshire and Maine, where arrangements have been made in many churches.
Some benevolent New England friends who have been in Florida, and have seen the destitution of the colored people there, have put into our hands five thousand dollars for the establishment of anew school in one of the destitute regions of that State. The good friends who are interested so largely in this move desired that the Secretary should go from New England with Secretary Beard, to determine just where this school should be located.
The South
Revivals
A gracious revival in Straight University, New Orleans, brings us glad tidings of the hopeful conversion of about fifty students.
Interesting reports from Talladega College give us information of a revival of religious interest in the school and church there. The college is looking forward to an enlargement of its theological study and Faculty.
Rev. Sterling N. Brown writes from Washington, D.C.: "We are in the midst of a most precious awakening. Forty-six souls have accepted the Saviour. Our meetings have been quiet, orderly and heart-searching. The Master is leading us."
Professor Payson E. Little, of McIntosh, Ga., reports an interesting work of grace in connection with the church and school at McIntosh. This is the place where the pretended Christ last summer appealed to the superstitions of the Negroes advanced in age and ignorant. It is pleasant to know that nearly all of those who were brought under the influence of this crazy fanatic, have now returned to their churches thoroughly ashamed of their experience.
A Watch-Night Meeting
The very interesting sketch given below shows that the "old-time religion" in the South has not passed away, for this scene took place in one of the large cities and where schools have been sustained for years. The picture of the honored and worthy old preacher stands out conspicuously in the midst of this confused worship.
After the New Year's entertainment in our own church, we thought it would be interesting to some of the new teachers on our force to attend a watch-meeting at one of the churches near, so we started for a large barn-like structure bearing the imposing name of –. We found the building filled to its utmost, and instead of slipping into some seats in the rear unnoticed, as we had hoped, we found ourselves forced to the front bench where the stewards held posts of honor, which were immediately vacated for the "teachers." Many of these men then went behind the railing and stood in solemn state around the pastor as he exhorted the people in most earnest words to get their records clean before the opening of the new year.
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