American Missionary Association.

DEDICATION OF CHURCH AT WILMINGTON, N.C.

The new meeting-house for the First Congregational Church of Wilmington, in connection with the work of the A. M. A., was dedicated on the evening of March 12th. (See picture on opposite page.) The history of the house and the services of dedication are of sufficient interest to warrant a notice in these pages.

Something like a year ago, a gentleman who signed himself “Howard,” and whose real name was only known at the Boston office, gave $3,000 to build the house. Rev. D. D. Dodge, our Superintendent at Wilmington, was charged with the duty of securing a site, of procuring plans and estimates, and of building the house within the sum appropriated. This work Mr. Dodge duly undertook, intending to build of wood, but, after the foundations were laid and the frame was up, “Howard” signified his wish to have the frame “jacketed” with brick, and for that purpose added $600 more to his donation, thus making the entire coat $3,600.

The house will seat 450 people, is 72 feet in length by 36 in width, and measures 22 feet in the clear. It has a corner tower rising 100 feet from the street below, and is the highest object in the city, and the first seen on approaching the city from the Sound.

The brick is of a deep red, and, though not pressed, looks as if it were. The proportions of the building could not well be more perfect or more pleasing to the eye. Both the local press and the people speak of it as an ornament to the city, and express surprise that it could have been built for a sum less than eight or ten thousand dollars. It should be said, however, that all the parties on the ground of whom the material was bought, sold at the lowest rates; those furnishing the lumber, sashes, doors and iron, throwing off the entire local profit; and Mr. Barstow, of Providence, R.I., 65 per cent. from the two furnaces to heat the house. Mr. Dodge, also, gave his time to the work; and Mr. Weston, of Nashua, N.H., who laid the brick, a part of his. This will account in part for so fine a building at so moderate an outlay of money. A large, dry and light cellar extends under the whole building, which will furnish needed room for storing coal, wood, &c., for the mission.

The services of dedication occurred in the following order: 1. Anthem, by the Choir. 2. Prayer, by Rev. Mr. Dodge. 3. Reading of the Scriptures, by Rev. Dr. Taylor, of the First Baptist (white) Church of the city. 4. Singing. 5. Sermon, by Rev. C. L. Woodworth, from Luke xiv. 23. 6. Dedicatory Prayer, by Rev. Dr. Wilson, of the First Presbyterian Church (white).

After the dedication proper, “Howard”—who turns out to be the Hon. James J. H. Gregory, of Marblehead, Mass.—was introduced as the giver of the house. In an address full of feeling and of good sense he offered the salutations and the fellowship of the Northern Congregational Churches. Drs. Wilson and Taylor followed with words of kindly greeting, and assurances of sympathy and co-operation from their respective churches: the former slyly saying that the only thing he wished different was that the church was Presbyterian, and the latter responding that the thing he wished different was that the church was Baptist. Two others, laymen, spoke from the floor in a similar strain. The addresses were, in every sense, genial and hearty.

The house was entirely filled, and among the audience were forty or fifty of the best white citizens of the city, all of whom showed interest and some of whom expressed warm sympathy.

Thus ended a scene in which Christian feeling and fellowship seemed to have conquered prejudices and differences on all sides, and the workers from the North and from the South clasped hands in fraternal regard, and pledged each other hearty good will.

As growing out of this, and, perhaps, a happy finale, it may be of interest to say that Dr. Taylor very cordially invited Mr. Woodworth to preach in his pulpit the next Sabbath morning. The offer was accepted, and the occasion proved one of great pleasure to the speaker, and, if judged by the greetings at the close, not less so to the large audience which listened.

At the proper time we shall take occasion to state the further good which Mr. Gregory intends for the “Christ Church Mission” at Wilmington.

On the 27th ult., Secretary Strieby presented the cause of this Association in Dr. R. S. Storrs’ church, Brooklyn, N.Y., and after a full and earnest endorsement by the pastor, a collection was taken, amounting to $3,200, one gentleman giving $2,500 of the amount. On the same Sabbath, Dr. Wm. M. Taylor, of the Broadway Tabernacle, New York, presented our cause with his usual marked ability, and his appeal was followed by a contribution of $1,500, an increase of about fifty per cent, over last year’s donations to the same object. In connection with the many good words that have been recently uttered in behalf of Christian education at the South, it is exceedingly cheering to record such reports of increased interest and liberality. Shall we not have many more to follow?

We have alluded repeatedly to the unanimity now prevalent as to the remedy for the radical troubles in the South—the education of the Freedmen. President Garfield’s message sets it forth again in forcible terms. But ever since Gen. Grant’s military policy became intolerable to the South and a weariness to the North, and was abandoned by President Hayes, the conviction that moral and not military forces are needed has deepened, and has found distinct utterance by representative men in all sections of the country. President Hayes, in his address to his comrades in arms at Canton, O., and Senator Brown of Georgia, in his speech in the Senate, may stand as the exponents of the two sections of the country and the two political parties on that subject, while Dr. Ruffner, Superintendent of Public Instruction of Virginia and Rev. Dr. Haygood of the M. E. Church South, may represent two influential States in the South, and two great religious denominations. The popularity of Judge Tourgee’s book at the North, in which the same thought is fully and eloquently set forth, may be taken as another evidence of the views held here.

The thing that remains, as Paul says, is to “perform the doing of it.” President Garfield refers not only to the duty of the national and State governments, but also to “volunteer forces” in the great work. To these with churches in the South must be committed the essential Christian efforts—which neither the general nor State authorities can do.

It is all-important that the nation should not content itself with the simple utterances of these noble declarations. Good people, patriotic people should act, and act promptly and liberally. We exhort our patrons earnestly to step forth, not spasmodically, but to inaugurate regular and enlarged measures of assistance. To this end we venture to suggest regular and steadily increasing collections in the churches with favorable seasons in the year for taking them, and that individuals feel more their personal responsibility in the case and that by liberal gifts in life, and by remembering the cause in their wills they provide for the pressing work of the age, and for its progress after they have passed away.

We are indebted to Dr. L. T. Chamberlain, of Norwich, Conn., for a copy of a valuable missionary concert exercise prepared for the use of his church and Sabbath-schools. The exercise is separated into three divisions, each of which forms a series of responsive readings. 1. Responsive Scripture readings. 2. Statements of the object of the concert—missions and the world’s conversion. 3. Missionary agencies. Under this latter division is outlined a series of questions and answers showing the work carried on by the American Home Missionary Society, the American Missionary Association and the American Board. We commend this missionary concert exercise as suitable for general use, and eminently fitted to bring the Sabbath-schools especially into more intimate relations with the work of our great missionary societies.

The New York, Madeira and West Coast of Africa Steamship Company, which has been recently projected, is likely to be of much service, both to commerce and to Christian missions. The names of the incorporators include those of Wm. E. Dodge, John D. Fish, Joseph W. Yates, Robert Porterfield, and other well-known capitalists. These gentlemen have both the means and the experience requisite, and we have a right to conclude that the company will have its ships ready for service at an early day. The capital stock is $100,000, with a proviso allowing an increase of capital to $4,000,000, and the company is to continue for twenty years. The President, Mr. James W. Yates, of the firm of Yates & Porterfield, has been for years engaged in the West African Trade, and the missionaries of this Association have frequently passed on their way to and from our Mendi Mission in his vessels.

The recent impulse that has been given to commerce by the activity in promoting internal improvements, such as telegraph and railway systems, from the mouth of the Gambia to the Niger, together with the rapid development of industries, especially those pertaining to gold mining, the production of palm oil, and the culture of coffee, give promise of large trade between New York and this portion of Africa. The number of missionaries, as well as the number of colonists for Liberia and elsewhere, will be sure to multiply with the increase of wealth among the colored people of America, and the improved facilities for reaching the land of their fathers.

We regard this enterprise as auspicious, and one of the many providential events looking toward the early evangelization of the vast tribes of people in Central Africa. May God speed this new steamship company in His own good way!

We have seen the report of the Fourteenth Street Presbyterian Sabbath-school of this city, which is at once suggestive and most encouraging as to what may be done in the way of systematic giving. The Creed of the school, if heartily accepted, would secure such results in all our Sabbath-schools and churches. This Creed contains the following articles:

We believe, I. That every one should help others to the Gospel.

II. That every one should help as much as he can.

III. That every one should find this work for others blessed and helpful to himself.

Three rules are drawn from this Creed:

{ I. Regularly each Lord’s day.

We will give:{ II. Consecutively, according to our ability.

{III. Joyfully, because a privilege and blessing to ourselves.

The result has been that in the intermediate and senior departments, 31 classes made 8,037 out of a possible 8,070 offerings; that is, there were only 33 failures to keep the whole number of promises made for the year, though because of vacation, sickness, etc., there were 2,004 absences from school.

In the infant department, 11 classes brought 3,355 out of 3,403 offerings promised for the year; that is, there were only 48 failures.

The average attendance in the main room was 201–3/4, of whom 200-37/40 brought their offerings.

The average in the infant department was 85–3/40 of whom 83–7/8 brought their offerings.

If this same conscientious regularity could be secured in all our churches and Sabbath-schools, the work of the A. M. A. would never suffer for want of funds. What has been done, can be done.

PROF. BLAIKIE’S LIFE OF LIVINGSTONE.

This volume, published by Harper Bros., is a book of extraordinary interest. In it two great and good minds meet and yield practical thought and valuable instruction. They also give us a rare combination of wise and spiritual truths, calculated to fill the soul of the reader with great aspirations for a richer experience in things that pertain to Christ’s kingdom. If the book were read by Christians everywhere the effect could scarcely be less than a reformation. It is what is needed, under God, to counteract the flood of secular things that evermore threaten to quench the missionary spirit in the hearts of believers. The consecration, perseverance, enterprise, skill, heroism, fidelity and charity of Livingstone’s life are dwelt upon by Dr. Blaikie with such grateful emotions as prompt him to say—“The author could wish for no higher honor than to have his name associated with that of Livingstone, and can desire no greater pleasure than that of conveying to other minds the impressions that have been left on his own.”

Among the many favorable impressions made by this book are those that relate to Livingstone’s superb faith. This was quite discoverable in his early life. Talking with his father—“They agreed that the time would come when rich men and great men would think it an honor to support whole stations of missionaries instead of spending their money on hounds and horses.” When he became great and moderately rich, he illustrated his own faith by his gifts for missions, and his devotion to the success of the laborers who went forth at his instance. All this flowed naturally from his life-long purpose. “I will place no value on anything I have or may possess, except in relation to the kingdom of Christ.”

Upon this followed his exquisite trust for Divine protection. “If God has accepted my service, then my life is charmed till my work is done.” But his faith and works were rounded out by all that was needful to make them complete. “It was in front and not in the rear that he expected to find the pillar of cloud and the pillar of fire,” and it was unto the Lord of Hosts he looked for victory, and unto Him his prayer ascended unceasingly: “O, Almighty God, help and leave not this wicked people to the slave-dealer and Satan!”

He not only kept at work answering his own prayer, but was given to see, as he thought, how all things were working together for the wished-for consummation. “Viewed in relation to my calling,” he says, “the end of the geographical feat is only the beginning of the enterprise. We are all engaged in very much the same cause—geographers, astronomers and mechanicians laboring to make men better acquainted with each other—promoters of Niger expeditions, soldiers fighting for right against oppression, and sailors rescuing captives in deadly climes, as well as missionaries, are all aiding in hastening on a glorious consummation to all God’s dealings with our race. In the hope that I may yet be honored to do some good to this poor long down-trodden Africa, the gentlemen over whom you have the honor to preside, will, I believe, cordially join.”

That the millions who are interested in the negro race may “cordially join” in the endeavors promoted by this man for “poor down-trodden Africa,” is our most earnest wish, and, with this in view, we heartily welcome and commend Dr. Blaikie’s book.

WHAT THE SOUTHERNERS ARE BEGINNING TO THINK.

The following extracts taken from an editorial which appeared in the Memphis Daily Appeal, March 18th, contain so much true appreciation of what ought to be done for the Negro under the circumstances, that we are glad to give them a place in our columns. We believe they indicate that the South is on the eve of a great revolution of sentiment respecting the importance of popular education, and that if the friends of the A. M. A. will assist us in pushing forward with our present and proposed work, the time will come speedily when the recognition of the vital importance of our principles and institutions will be well nigh universal.

After commenting upon an article which appeared in the North American Review from the pen of Chief Justice Chalmers, quoting from him the assertion that the negroes’ “right to vote as a race is as fixed and irreversible as their freedom,” and that “the ballot box must speak the unbiased verdict of all lawful electors,” the editor says: “No sane man doubts it; there is but one thing left for the people of the South to do, and that is to throw themselves into the work of educating the negro, of lifting him out of the deplorable condition of brutality which slavery left him in, and elevating him to a plane where he can not only stand alone and see for himself, but where he can not be reached by the arts of demagogues, of which, unfortunately for the country, there are too many in all parties. In this work, a man of culture, like Judge Chalmers, can do a great deal. He can by personal example induce the leading men of his State to come to the front as eager defenders of a thorough system of public education. They have, as most of those of the other Southern States have done, too long stood aloof and allowed the stranger to do for the negro what they should have done themselves as willing workers, instead of making mouths at a fate which after fifteen years of effort they find is superior to anything they can put forward against it.

“Thirteen years ago the Jackson Clarion warned the people of Mississippi, as the leading papers of the South everywhere did, that ‘there was but one way out of the wilderness, and that was as plain as the road to market. It was to recognize the rights the Federal Government had bestowed upon the negro; to treat him kindly, and to point him the way he should go.’ This plan was not generally pursued. But it is never too late to mend. We can begin now the work that should have been done in 1867. We can rescue the negro from the ignorance that threatens him and us by establishing good public schools—not grudgingly, as if we were conferring an unwilling charity—but in a broad, cheerful, earnest and good neighborly spirit, as if we were performing a duty—a paramount and most important duty. Under God this is the only remedy for negro suffrage. It is a waste of time to talk of abridging it. Revolutions never go backward. The best answer to that sort of talk is that the United States never were so strong or so prosperous as they are at this moment, when public sentiment is in all the States demanding the most absolute assertion of democratic life and living. Instead of looking back, we must look forward; nay, we must go forward, and we must take the negro by the hand and make him feel that he is a part of the great column of the people; that his destiny is interlaced with ours; that we must not stand apart, isolated and at enmity, but go forward, each doing what he can to strengthen the community at all points, moral and physical, to uphold and defend our democratic form of government and perpetuate unsullied the liberties which have survived the chaos of civil war and reconstruction.”

We are glad to add to the other testimonials from able and intelligent Southerners, a few words from the remarkable Thanksgiving Sermon of Rev. Atticus G. Haygood, D.D., President of Emery College, Oxford, Ga.:

“There is a vast mass of illiteracy among us. There is white as well as black illiteracy. There are multiplied thousands who can neither read nor write. They must be taught.

“Let us wake up to our want of educational facilities. Our public-school system is painfully inadequate. Our colleges and universities are unendowed, and they struggle against fearful odds in their efforts to do their work. We are one hundred years behind the Eastern and Middle States. We are also behind many of the new States of the West.

“For the negroes themselves. * * * * Much depends on those who, under God, set them free. By every token this whole nation should undertake the problem of their education. That problem will have to be worked out on the basis of co-operation; that is, they must be helped to help themselves. To make their education an absolute gratuity will perpetuate many of the misconceptions and weaknesses of character which now embarrass and hinder their progress. Much also depends upon the Southern white people, their sympathy, their justice, their wise and helpful co-operation. This we should give them, not reluctantly, but gladly, for their good and for the safety of all, for their elevation and for the glory of God.”

BENEFACTIONS.

Three Israelites in Germany devoted 1,400,000 marks to charitable purposes without distinction of faith.

Mr. J. H. Wade of Cleveland, O., has given $92,000 to the City Orphan Asylum, $12,000 of which is to be applied for a school-house.

The late John M. Pinkerton, Esq. left about $300,000 to Pinkerton Academy at Derry, N.H. Mr. Pinkerton was a native of that town, and the Academy was founded by his grandfather.

The late E. R. Harris, of Preston, England, left over £300,000 for the establishment of public institutions for the town, of which £100,000 will be expended for an orphan home, and £50,000 for a science and art school.

The late Hugh Meharry, of Paxton, Ill., left the following bequests: To the Central Tennessee College, $10,000; to the Parent Missionary Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church, $10,000; to the American Bible Society, $10,000.

If the executors of A. T. Stewart carry out the proposed plan of a college for educating 1,500 young men—with an endowment of some three to four million dollars—it will doubtless be the largest donation to education from any one estate.

The late Herr Isador Kraft, of Berlin, a wealthy philanthropist, has left behind him a will which would have rejoiced the soul of Tom Hood. He has ordered that half of his fortune of 1,000,000 marks be expended in the foundation of a fund for the assistance of poor needlewomen, without regard to sect.

Mr. Amasa Stone has given $500,000 for the removal of Western Reserve College to Cleveland, O. The citizens have raised $100,000, with which a site of 40 acres has been purchased on Euclid Avenue, opposite Wade Park. It is proposed to locate the College and the Case School of Applied Science, with its endowment of $1,250,000, on these grounds, and to designate the different schools as Western Reserve University. The combined endowment funds exceed $2,000,000.

GENERAL NOTES.

Africa.

—The Sultan of Zanzibar has put in irons three slave-owners prominent in the late disturbances at Mombasa.

—M. Callisto Legnani has been named as consular agent of the kingdom of Italy, with his residence at Khartoum.

—Mr. Mackay, missionary of the Church Missionary Society at Mteza’s kingdom, has completed his translation of St. Matthew’s Gospel into the language of Uganda.

—Lieutenant Dumbleton and the military physician Browning embarked the last of December at Liverpool to penetrate by the Gambia into the valley of the Niger, and if possible as far as Timbuctoo.

—The journal Nature, of London, announces that M. J. Thomson, the explorer of the region between the Dar-es-Salam, the Nyassa and the Tanganyika, has been called to direct an expedition from Sierra Leone to Timbuctoo.

—Capt. Neves Ferreira, Governor of Benguela, and some officers of the Portuguese army, have offered to the Geographical Society of Lisbon to undertake a scientific exploration across Africa, setting out from the Western side.

—A conference has been held at Madeira by the Church Missionary Society respecting West African missions. Bishop and Arch-deacon Crowther, two native Africans, were invited to be present. A deputation from London had arrived safely at the island some time since, and the report of proceedings will be looked for with interest.

—More than nineteen years since, the daughter of Archbishop Whately established a mission in Cairo which she is said to have supported with her own private means. It includes a large mission school for Copts and Moslems, and is attended daily by more than 500. It has also in connection with it a medical mission, book depot and Bible women.

—Mr. Mackay writes from Kagei, on the southern shore of the Victoria Nyanza, on November 1st, that canoes had arrived from Uganda, and he was about proceeding thither together with a re-inforcement for the Romanist mission. The canoes, however, having been three months coming across the lake, there was no news later than July 29th. Affairs were then no brighter and Mr. Pearson found it difficult to obtain food.

—It is reported that the women at the Livingstonia Mission, Eastern Africa, attend the services respectably clothed, and have learned to make dresses for themselves. The native young men have acquired many industrial arts, and can make furniture, bricks, etc., and even work the engines of the steamer belonging to the mission. Over 100 children are on the school-roll, and their attendance is very regular.

—Mouchot, an ingenious mechanic, has succeeded with an experiment in Algiers which is likely to attract much attention among those interested in the development of the manufacture of industries in Africa. He has contrived an apparatus by which he is able to pump and boil water by solar force. With abundance of force, cotton and working people, the unclad millions of Ethiopia, among whom already cloth is the most valuable currency, may become both respectable and rich.

—A new company of missionaries from Algiers has set out to found between that side and the great lakes a station which will render communication easier with the missions of Uganda and Ouroundi, and from whence they can come to their aid, according to circumstances. The missionaries of Ouroundi will also establish a new station to the west of Tanganyika, so that they may advance towards the Manyema and the Upper Congo by a shorter route than that they have hitherto followed.

The Indians.

—Six new converts were received by the church of Odanah, Chippewa Mission, during the last year.

—Congress has appropriated $165,000 for indemnity to the Ponca Indians, and to secure their lands in severalty on either the old or new reservations, in accordance with their wishes.

—A few hundred of the Iowas and Sacs are still in the north-eastern part of Kansas, and the Rev. S. M. Irwin, one of their early missionaries, has agreed to spend some months in missionary labors for them. This is regarded as somewhat an experiment, but it is hoped that it may result in permanent arrangements for their benefit.

—Rev. G. L. Deffenbaugh writes from Lapwai, Idaho Territory, of the very encouraging progress of the Presbyterian mission at that point. It appears from his statement that thirty-four united with the church there during the past year, and that now they have a total membership of 178. Of these three were licensed to preach, while the ordinance of infant baptism was administered to seven. Good work was also done at Kamiah, where the church numbers 200. Seventeen children were baptized at this place during the year ending Jan. 1st, 1881.

The Chinese.

—A Christian hospital has been erected at Tientsin, with funds provided by the viceroy Li Hung Chang, in connection with the successful treatment of his wife by a female medical missionary.

—The Chinese Methodist Mission in San Francisco reports as good results from their religious endeavors as those attained by like labors among the whites. There are ninety-seven full members and ten on probation.

—The American Baptist Missionary Union, Tremont Temple, Boston, has issued a valuable map of China, including Siam, Burmah and Japan. It is about six feet by five in dimensions, and will be furnished at $1.25 cloth, or 75 cents paper.

—A new Chinese church was dedicated at Honolulu, Jan. 2d. The building, commodious and attractive, cost with the land $10,700, the Chinese contributing $4,470. The King and the Attorney-General were at the dedication. Drs. Damon and Hyde assisted in the exercises, while the principal parts were taken by Chinese, and the benediction was pronounced by a native Hawaiian.

ITEMS FROM THE FIELD.

McLeansville, N.C.—On the 4th of March the school observed the day by giving in the forenoon some account of each of the Presidents. In the afternoon they set out Garfield shade trees. At night there was a prayer-meeting, in which the central thought was—pray for the new President.

Woodville, Ga.—The Pilgrim Church had a very interesting service March 6th. The building was crowded; three persons were admitted to membership; one brother was ordained deacon, after which the Lord’s supper was celebrated. The Sabbath-school is well attended, taking the place of the forenoon sermon. Twichell school is growing, and some of the scholars walk eight miles every day to attend.

Nashville, Tenn.—Pres. Cravath in a recent letter says: “This is a time of special religious interest. Daily prayer-meetings have been held for several weeks, and there have been a few recent conversions. Yesterday Dr. Earle, who has been laboring in the city in connection with the First Baptist Church, came out at eleven and held a meeting with the students. The audience was deeply moved, and a large number rose to express a desire to become Christians. There was deep interest at the night prayer-meeting, and this morning our opening exercises were changed to a prayer-meeting. Prof. Bennett held an inquiry meeting all the forenoon in the parlor. Fourteen think they have found peace, and a large number are anxious and inquiring. We expect to have the inquiry meeting again to-morrow. The interest seems very deep and genuine.”

Chattanooga, Tenn.—On last Sabbath evening the Sunday-school held its quarterly concert, which consisted in reciting the golden texts of the quarter and the lessons of the same, by topics, with a short talk on the great missionary work Christ came into this world to do. Quite a number of people were present and seemed interested in the services. At the close a contribution of $5.64 was taken for the A. M. A.

Paris, Texas.—“Our work is growing. The members are all doing nicely. All our meetings are full of interest. We are holding neighborhood prayer-meetings for those who cannot get to the regular prayer-meeting. One united with us last Sabbath by profession. Sunday-school is full of interest.”