Kitabı oku: «The American Missionary. Volume 44, No. 04, April, 1890», sayfa 3

The South

Dedication Of Chandler Normal Institute

By District Secretary C.W. Hiatt.

The tenth of February was a great day in Lexington, Kentucky. It marked two special events, the dedication of Chandler Normal Institute, and the opening of a great "Hoss sale." Anybody who knows the "Blue-grass region" will understand what the latter means. The world flocks to Lexington on such occasions in quest of thoroughbreds, and the country rids itself in consequence, at fabulous prices, of droves of genuine Kentucky plugs. Buyers go home wiser, sellers richer. But not everybody on this day was discussing "Abdallah" and "Hambletonian." Long before the appointed hour, a stream of people began moving to a part of the city where two pikes intersect, the point of attraction being a fine three-story red brick structure known as the "Chandler Normal Institute." This building occupies a commanding position on a hill which overlooks the city. It was erected and furnished by the liberality of one esteemed lady, Mrs. Phoebe Chandler, of Andover, Massachusetts, at an outlay of some fifteen thousand dollars, and is given to the cause of Christian education under the care of the American Missionary Association. On this particular day, the building was formally consecrated to its work with appropriate and impressive services. At two o'clock in the afternoon the spacious chapel was filled to its utmost by crowds of colored people, some of whom had come for miles in carriages, to witness the event. The presence also of numerous whites, representing the foremost professional and social circles of Lexington, was a significant fact. These friends, by their close attention and frequent signs of approval, as well as by their own eloquent contributions to the programme, gave unmistakable evidence of earnest sympathy with the good cause.

The exercises were opened with prayer and Scriptural reading, after which the Principal, Mr. Frederick W. Foster, made an address of welcome, marked for its practical force and fine discretion. The visiting Secretary then, in an address of half an hour, gave his understanding of the importance of Christian education as the solution of National problems, both North and South, closing with a formal God-speed to this institution as it started forth on its noble career. To this address, Rev. Mr. Tate, of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, made a scholarly, eloquent and touching response. He reviewed the work of the Association for his people, eulogized the friend who had made this special benefaction, and urged upon his hearers to make the most, under God, of the high privileges thus brought to them from afar.

Informal addresses from both white and colored visitors followed. The eloquent periods of Dr. L.P. Todd, dwelling fully upon the brotherhood of man, the witty and practical remarks of Prof. John Schackleford, of Kentucky State College, and the wise and cogent exhortations of Rev. W. S. Fulton, D.D., cannot be reported; suffice it to say, that they gave a spiritual uplift and fine dignity to the occasion. These noble men are staunch supporters of our work, and freely give to our corps of teachers the benefits of fatherly and fraternal fellowship.

A resolution expressing the gratitude of the colored people for this generous gift was adopted with enthusiasm, and the inspiring exercises came to a close with the praises of God in the well-known words of Bishop Ken:

"Praise God, from whom all blessings flow."

The event marks the beginning of an epoch in our work in this place. One dark brother said: "It is the greatest day for the colored people of Lexington since the emancipation."

Congregationalism Around Paris, Texas

By Rev. J.D. Pettigrew.

It gives me much pleasure to tell you what we are doing for the Master and for Congregationalism in this part of the great field. I came to Paris nearly eleven months ago and assumed the pastorate of the First Congregational Church. I had been here but a short time when I found that there were three other Congregational Churches out in the country near Paris, and that there had once been a Quarterly Conference made up of these four churches; but this Conference had died out ere I came. I thought that such an organization, if revived, would be a great stimulus to the churches, and especially to those out in the country, two of which were, at that time, without pastors. So I sent out cards notifying the brethren that the Conference would convene at a specified day, and urging them to come in full representation.

A few, very few, responded. We organized. After transacting a little business the Conference adjourned to meet at our next regularly appointed time. Before the time for our next meeting we were all made to rejoice by the coming of Rev. M.R. Carlisle, a graduate of both the collegiate and theological courses of Talladega College, from Alabama, to assume the pastoral charge of two of these churches—Dodd City and Bois D'Arc.

He and I drew up a plan to re-organize the old Conference into a more excellent and practical one. We offered our plan at the next meeting of the Conference, and it was cheerfully received. The effect of this plan was to change the name from Conference to Association, and to divide the Association into three distinct departments, each with its own set of officers, as follows: a Sunday-school Department, composed of the different Sunday-schools of the churches; a Missionary Department, composed of the different church missionary societies; and a Church Department, composed of the different churches.

Each department had its own distinct programme and business; but the combined programmes of all made up the "general programme" of the Association. This plan works excellently, and serves as a wonderful stimulus to each of these departments of church work. We have, in our next meeting, to add the department of Christian Endeavor.

Our last session, held with our church in Paris on the 28th of December, 1889, was indeed a grand success. Previous to its meeting, I heard of four other Congregational Churches in the Indian Territory, under the auspices of the American Home Missionary Society. I sent them an invitation to join the Association. These churches promptly sent delegates who connected their churches with the Association.

One brother from the Territory heard of the Association, but was not able to pay his way on the train to Paris. So, as he said to me, "I left my wife and children in the care of God, and I put myself into his hands and came; and I walked every step of the way." This brother walked forty miles to meet the Association, and his fidelity had a great effect upon the whole meeting. We tried to make it pleasant for him, and took up a special collection to send him back home on the train.

Space will not allow me to speak touching the spiritual strength and interest of the meeting. We had many valuable papers read and discussed, and closed our session on the Sabbath with the following programme: "Sabbath morning from 9-11 o'clock, Sabbath-school; 11-12:30, Sermon, 'Congregationalism in the South,' Rev. J.D. Pettigrew; at 3 o'clock P.M. Sermon, by Rev. A. Gross, from the Indian Territory; 7:30 o'clock P.M., Quarterly Sermon, by Rev. M.R. Carlisle, followed by the administration of the Lord's Supper." The brethren left for their fields of labor filled with encouragement and enthusiasm.' Those from the Indian Territory seemed to be especially strengthened.

Our next meeting is to be with the Bois D'Arc church. We have now eight churches and mission stations represented, and it is only a question of time before our Association will be a power for God and Congregationalism in this part of the State. I think we have a bright future before us here.

A Mission Church

Rev. Geo. C. Howe, Charleston, S.c.

The work at Tradd Street Mission in our city is carried on now in just the same way as since its organization. After Sunday-school is over at Plymouth Church, about 11 o'clock, a number of our young people, including the Pastor, Superintendent Herron and Miss Deas, who acts as organist, go immediately to the mission about a mile away, and conduct the Sunday-school there. We have eight classes, with an average attendance of eleven to a class. One class is composed of adults. We finish work there at one o'clock. On Thursday night, I go down and preach, and in case I am unable to go, Deacon Hollens takes the service for me.

Last Thursday night, an Irishman about thirty-five years old came in while we were singing, and when I began to speak on the temptations of Christ, he sat and listened in open-mouthed wonder. Before I finished he arose and came forward, his eyes glistening with tears, and gave me his hand, saying: "I belong to the Catholic Church, but they never told me that truth from the Word, never explained it that way. That is the truth, I know it. I was just going after a drink, but I shall not do it now. I thank you, and hope I have not intruded by coming in." It was quite an incident to see a strong man of an opposite race and creed, in a place where the "Jews desire to have no dealing with the Samaritans," coming up and acknowledging with tears that he had never heard the truth of God's word before.