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, 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."

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.

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."

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.