THE FREEDMEN.

REV. JOSEPH E. ROY, D.D., Field Superintendent, Atlanta, Ga.

AFTER THE SOWING, THE REAPING.

BY SUPERINTENDENT ROY.

It was at Athens, Ga., a city whose classical name has had associated with it the University of the State. Sixty-five years ago, my father’s pastor at Basking Ridge, N.J., Dr. Robert Finley, left there a church of 600 members and an academy in which he had trained Theodore Frelinghuysen, Senator Dayton and other such men, to come and serve a church of only a score of members, and the University as its President. I look up here his sepulchre and learn of the savor of his godly influence.

In 1867 the Knox Institute is built, a large two-story frame structure, with four school-rooms in it. For four years this is occupied by our Northern teachers. Meantime students are going forward from the “Knox” to Atlanta University; and then some of the advanced students of the latter institution are sent one by one, to serve as principals with colored assistants. In this way came S. B. Morse, John McIntosh and J. G. Hutchins. The last-named receives an appointment to a clerkship in Washington, and a recent graduate of the University, Paul E. Spratlin, is appointed as Principal with three lady assistants. Morse has now a position in the Custom-House at Savannah, and McIntosh is a representative of Liberty County in the legislature.

The Superintendent finds that the time has come to start a church. The building is repaired and one of its rooms fixed up for a chapel. Mr. George V. Clark, a student of the “Atlanta” and a graduate of the Theological Department of the Howard University, is secured. He, with his yoke-fellow Spratlin, starts a Sunday-school, a prayer meeting and preaching services. Affinity draws to them friends who are longing for something more quiet, orderly and intelligent in church life. Then a revival this spring adds eight disciples to the nine who are ready to come into a new church by letter. And so a Council meets here on the 14th of April to recognize the church and ordain the pastor. They find everything in an orderly condition. There are present from Atlanta Prof. C. W. Francis, Pastor Evarts Kent and his delegate, Deacon A. J. Delbridge and Superintendent Roy; from Marietta, Pastor E. J. Penney; from Macon, Pastor S. E. Lathrop; from Orangebury, S.C., a delegate; also Rev. Dr. C. W. Lane, Pastor of the Presbyterian Church in this city. Professor Francis is made moderator and Rev. E. J. Penney, scribe. The church process and the examination of the candidate are heartily approved.

By the courteous invitation of the African M. E. Church, the public services are held at night in their house of worship, which is packed with an assembly of 500 people. The sermon is an eloquent portrayal of the Apostle Paul’s desire and prayer to God for Israel that they might be saved. The moderator propounds the Confession and Covenant and gives to the new church the right hand of fellowship. Mr. Lathrop then presents a royal octavo Bible printed in Boston in 1822 and bearing in gilt letters on the front cover the inscription “Mary Walker, 1828,” who has herself now reached the age of four-score and five. The book seems to be good for another fifty-four years of service. Mr. Lathrop also presents from the Congregational Church at Chagrin Falls, Ohio, a communion set in good condition, although it has been used by that body of believers for forty years. Deacon Delbridge makes the best suggestion, namely, that as they are now enjoying the fruit of the prayers and labors of the abolitionists, of whom at the time they had known nothing, so now the new church is to enjoy this hallowed service for the Lord’s table which has come to them from Christian friends whom they had never known. Professor Francis states that Rev. Mr. Walker, who at the University had taught some of these same members, had come from that church in Chagrin Falls, and so had doubtless used these same communion vessels before them. The crowning gift of the occasion is that of Mr. S. D. Smith, of Boston, of one of his American organs, which is used for the first time on this occasion. It would do him good if sometime he could catch the voice of these lowly poor as they bless God for his thoughtful and abounding beneficience in this line. The prayer of ordination as offered by Rev. Evarts Kent is apposite and touching. The charge is delivered by Prof. Francis, who, alluding to his having led this man to school, to Christ and along the paths of learning, says that it is no new thing for him to be charging this candidate, but as this is about his last chance he must improve it well. The right hand is given by Mr. Penney, a cousin and schoolmate of the new pastor. The address to the church is delivered by Dr. Lane. His venerable appearance, his cordial manner and his gracious words are a benediction to the occasion. Dr. Lane having been baptized by Dr. Edward Payson, was thirteen years of age when he was removed with his father’s family from Portland, Me., to Georgia. When I first came to look up this matter, I went to him for advice and found him ready with sympathy and co-operation. When Mr. Clark came the Doctor offered him the use of his library, gave him judicious counsel, and, by a writing, turned over to him a monthly appointment three miles out, in a house which his church had built as a union place of worship for the colored people.

On the Lord’s day, the eight who come by profession receive baptism at the hand of the pastor by immersion in the Oconee, which flows by the city. At night I have the privilege of participating with the church at their first communion season, when the ancient vessels of the Lord’s house, new to this band of disciples, enter upon their new round of service.

After the sowing, the reaping. The Knox School and the Atlanta University have been growing the timber for this house of the Lord. Several of the members have had that training and the teachers were thus prepared. It takes time to raise up a native ministry. A few years ago a boy who was a porter in an Atlanta hotel was started on his way to school, and now the same comes along the Christian pastor, ripened under the sun of our Southern institutions, an able minister of the Word. Much of our fruitage has been gathered into other churches. Now we garner up something of our own harvest.

THE ALABAMA CONFERENCE.

BY MRS. H. W. ANDREWS.

The day came at last for our annual pilgrimage to the Mecca of Congregationalism in Alabama—our Congregational Conference. It was perfect, as Southern spring-days are apt to be—woods and fields bright with flowers and merry with bird songs. The pastors and delegates, filing from many directions, met at depots, their very greetings the happy premonitions of a good time. Selma seemed to be the place of rendezvous, and the cars from thence to Marion were quite well filled, as in the latter place the conference was to convene.

I regret to mar my recital here by that which alone I take no pleasure in writing. Some otherwise excellent railroad officials thought we were anxious to ride in the same car with our pupils, teachers, and church members, because they were black, while really the young people were only asking for what their first-class tickets called for. I would like to raise a question here. What can be done about these first-class tickets sold to colored people, compelled to take passage on them in second-class cars? We missionaries are most heartily in favor of a peaceable solution of this question. A quarrel takes time and nerve, and hinders Christian development and progress; yet some apt person has said, “If you have got to have one, there is nothing like it.” I hope that we shall be wise enough not to have one.

Once at Marion, how cordial and hearty the greetings! We forgot our tribulations by the way in the warm hearts and friendly tones of co-laborers. The houses of some of our Southern friends were open to us for entertainment, and we very much enjoyed their sincere and graceful hospitality.

The Sunday-school Convention, held previous to the Conference, but in connection with it, was opened by a sermon from Rev. G. W. Andrews; text, “The word of the Lord is tried.”

To do justice to the interest of the Convention on Saturday would require all of the space allotted me. Sunday-school reports given by delegates from the various schools were never more interesting. The work of temperance in all the schools was a chief feature. One colored brother expressed it pithily, if not grammatically, when he said, “Dere seems to be a skim ober de eyes of mos’ of my brederen on dis gret subjec.” In the temperance work among the children, to save them we must keep this “skim” from forming.

In the afternoon an interesting map-lesson, “The Journeys of our Saviour through the Holy Land,” was given by a colored brother, though of the Anglo-Saxon race. If a query arises in the minds of my readers, it may help to make it clear when I say that though black he is white.

The Conference opened Saturday night with a glowing and effective sermon by our Field Superintendent, Dr. Roy. How easy it seemed, while listening to him, to make sacrifices for the dear name that every Christian loves.

In the much regretted absence of President DeForest, of Talladega College, Rev. G. W. Andrews filled his place, and as it was communion Sabbath, spoke from the words, “I am the bread of life.” That it satisfied the hunger of many new disciples was evidenced before us by the nineteen who were taken into the church that morning and partook for the first time of this emblem of the life-giving power of our Saviour. The beating rain without only made the comfort, security and sweet peace within the more precious. As we looked into one and another of the formerly hard faces of these new travelers in the narrow way we felt how great the reward of the faithful laborers who have been instrumental in putting the new song into their mouths. It added to our personal interest in them that the pastor and wife had told us of the especial efforts on the behalf of each one.

Sabbath afternoon was given to the children, but the rain kept them at home and also hindered the night service. Rains in Alabama are surely as emphatic as Miss E. B. Emery with her impressive pen, claims they are in Boston, and this season the disposition of each rain is to develop a flood.

On Monday, after the very spiritual devotional exercises which preceded the beginning of each morning session, the business of organization was attended to, followed by reports from the churches. I have wondered why it is that these reports so often considered “dry” in the North, should in this Southern work always be so full of interest. Is it that the Spirit here is “poured out like water”?

An interesting paper upon “What caused the intellectual darkness of our ancestors and how shall we avoid a like repetition?” by Mr. Y. B. Sims, was well spoken of by all as thoughtful, earnest and suggestive.

Next there came a masterful paper by Rev. O. W. Fay, of Montgomery, on the “New Revision, its excellencies and defects.” Some of us had listened to Dr. Schaff on this subject of the revision last summer at Chautauqua, and we felt that the Dr. Schaffs were multiplying. The remainder of the afternoon was spent in examining three candidates from the Theological Department of Talladega College for licensure. As it was not my privilege to hear the examination, I noted the words of a very competent judge who said that their careful and correct answers showed the thoroughness of their theological training. The harvest is plenteous and the laborers are multiplying.

Another feast of the meeting was enjoyed at night in the address of our Field Superintendent, Dr. Roy, upon the “Geography of missionary work in the United States, more particularly in the Southern field.” Capt. C. W. Lovelace, of Marion, a warm friend of the work, requested a repetition of a portion of it on the following night and brought with him several of his white friends to hear it. They expressed satisfaction and profit at so much information. Some hearts among our Southern friends are evidently taking hold of the work with us; now what should hinder their hands?

Tuesday morning was given to pastoral work and ministerial culture, and the question how to promote revivals was participated in by all the brethren, who were limited to ten minutes in their speeches. Some thought this the richest morsel of the feast.

Rev. O. D. Crawford, of Mobile, gave a paper in the afternoon, subject, “Obedience to the law, evidence of saving faith,” which on account of absence I regret not being able to report.

The “Praise Meeting” at night, the last of the four days’ session, was indeed such in spirit and in fact. I was never in a meeting that seemed so to flow with Divine love as did this one. The spirit of God seemed to envelope us like a great mantle, and out from its rich folds were felt the praises to His all-glorious name.

The warmth of our reception, the care and attention bestowed upon our comfort during our stay, made us regret, on departing, that our good-bye must be said for five years.

BITS OF FUN AND FACT.

MISS L. A. PARMELEE, MEMPHIS, TENN.

After reading the grave columns of the last Missionary I am tempted to offer it a few bits of sense and nonsense out of my notebook of current events at Le Moyne.

From one day’s spelling papers I cull these specimens: “Destroy; to make away with. She destroys biscuits.” “Deviate; to wander. I deviate along the Mississippi.” “Deliver; to set at liberty. He will deliver a sermon.” “Detention; the act of detaining. The man was a detention man.”

A youth fresh from the wilds of Arkansas defines squall as “an Indian woman,” and is puzzled to understand why the class laugh at his words. He is a good Bible student and laughs in turn when he hears a debater at Literary Society clinch his argument in these words: “When Adam was turned out of the garden of Eden wasn’t he told to earn his bread by the sweat of his eyebrows?” A visitor in my Bible class recently objected to our Lord’s answer to the Sadducee’s question of whose wife shall she be. “Christ ought not to have answered as he did. He ought to have said she shall belong to the first man or the last man. His answer has caused a great deal of confusion in men’s minds.” It is a pity the objector cannot join the theological class.

A regular member of my class lately asked me to find the verse in the Bible where it said that “A man is more dear to God than a woman is.” I had never heard of such a passage of Scripture, but it seems that people in this country often have. The question reminded me of a remark made in Literary Society: “This school ought to draw in bad characters and trust in God to straighten them.” We trust some are being straightened. The first of the year came Miss Anna Gordon with a charming temperance talk and object lesson of burning alcohol. Her remarks made a decided impression. Several young people at once abandoned the use of toddy, egg-nog and similar drinks. The temperance text-book and temperance charts have deepened the convictions and the gracious wave of religious interest carried some wayward hearts up to the Rock that is higher than we.

One of our last year’s graduates has charge of a school in Fort Smith. We have just heard that a revival in her school numbers thirty converts. When she first went there in July she induced a band of young people to visit the jail and read and sing to the prisoners. Five men under sentence of death wrote a note of thanks for the kindness shown them. The letter is so remarkable for its neatness and beauty of penmanship, as well as for its pathos, that I copy it verbatim:

U.S. Jail, }

Fort Smith, Ark., Sept. 2, 1881. }

To Miss Willie Phillips and Miss Emma Walker, Committee Young Ladies’ Bazar:

Ladies: Allow us to thank you for your kindness, and to assure you that our hearts appreciate your sympathy, as hearts bowed down with a weight of woe only can.

It shows us that the world to which we are about to bid a long and last farewell is not all evil, that amid the Sahara of careless thought there bloom some oases of kindness for fallen, erring man, some flowers of sympathy to perfume the pathway to the grave.

Accept then a tribute of respect wafted back to you from the portals of the grave.

[Five signatures appended.]

MISSION WORK AT WILMINGTON, N.C.

MRS. A. E. FARRINGTON.

During this month I have held my weekly meeting with the women, taught my Sunday-school class, sometimes numbering fifty, all under ten years of age, held sewing schools for a part of our school-girls, made twenty-five calls and arranged a library of nearly three hundred books, which have been sent to me from various places at the North. These are none of them new books, but are such as I think will interest and instruct the children and young people. Tuesday evenings I open my mission room for a reading room, having papers and books for them to read while there and take to their homes. By the kindness of friends at home last summer I obtained the “Library of Universal Knowledge,” which the older scholars use and appreciate highly; and those outside the school are learning to consult it also as they come in Tuesday evenings.

We are rejoiced by the conversion of two young men of much promise, one of whom will unite with our church next Sabbath. The other is sick now and has been for weeks. We hope he may be spared to do good among his people, but fear he may not. Both have been in our Sunday-school for years. The work here seems to us to go on very slowly, but I feel that the truth is taking deep root in many hearts, and the fruits will yet be seen in upright Christian lives.