terest. A talented lawyer from New York State came here after the war and commenced practice. Gradually he fell in with the ways of the people and formed the drinking habit. This strengthened year by year, his practice slipped away, his savings were squandered, and he was a wreck. The writer had frequent interviews with him, reformation was promised, and as often proved a failure. At last he determined to go away and see if with new surroundings he could not commence anew and regain standing and respect. But in leaving Ogden he did not leave his degrading habit. It followed him to Washington Territory and dragged him down to depths he had never known in Utah. He returned to Ogden, and with his wife, who was a member of our church, began to attend meeting. There the Holy Spirit showed him his weakness, and how useless were resolves formed in his own strength. He sought an interview with his pastor, and was exhorted to cast himself upon Christ and seek help from Him. "I have no strength of my own," was his reply, “and if some one don't help me I'm lost." Then came the answer, "Thy sins are forgiven thee," and the new life was begun. And now he is active in church and temperance work. A HAPPY MAN of Miss Oberg, a missionary of the Chicago Woman's Society. Rather, there are three schools numbering one hundred and twenty girls and twenty boys, of whom fully one-half are Mormons. Each school meets twice a week. The sessions are opened with prayer and a Bible reading; then the children are taught plain and fancy sewing, the whole being interspersed with religious instruction and conversation. The church was completely filled in the evening, and the exercises showed careful training on the part of the teacher and good natural ability on the part of the scholars. FINALLY. When I We are making headway in Utah. look back to our feeble beginning seven years ago, and then look at our churches and missions to-day, I cannot help exclaiming, "What hath God wrought?" But how much remains to be done! While a grand work has been done in a few of the larger towns, the great mass of the people are as ignorant and dark as ever. Twenty-five thousand girls, many of them richly gifted by nature, are being taught that salvation can only be secured through polygamous marriages! I How strange that the sisterhood of our churches allows this state of things to exist! think of the extravagance seen in many churches, of unemployed talent in others, and ask: Has "the spirit of Christ" left us? All around me are destitute fields, and the laborers so few! Oh, for the spirit of sacrifice and toil that char is Brother H. A. Lindlay. Eight years ago he wrote to the Home Mission Rooms and begged that a missionary might be sent to Ogden. In answer to that appeal the writer was sent forth. The church and Sunday school were organized, and then came the "tug of war." The Mor-acterized some of the earlier workers in the church! EDUCATIONAL DEPARTMENT. mons looked upon the few Baptists meeting in a "hired house," and sneeringly inquired, "What will they do?" They with their congregations numbering thousands, and we with. ours numbering from four to forty; and so it went on for the first year. But Brother Lindlay never faltered, and when the Sunday school would dwindle to the minimum, his faith would "Since I wrote you last we have had a gloririse to the maximum. Then with smiling counous time. Twenty-six of our students professed tenance and cheerful tones he would say, "Now a hope in Christ. Every one of the young men children, let us take hold and work for a hun-boarding in the institution who was without dred. And success came at last. And it always comes to those who believe and work. A stormy day, and one hundred and twenty-five present! The school numbers over two hundred and fifty. And now Brother Lindlay wants three hundred. Some men are never satisfied. SUNDAY EVENING. An interesting exercise by the children of the industrial school. This is under the supervision SELMA UNIVERSITY.-Rev. Charles L. Purce writes: Christ now rejoices in Him as their Saviour. Of all the girls boarding here, only two are left unconverted. Our school, indeed, may be called a Christian institution. I baptized seventeen. "We are hard pressed for both room and teachers; students are continually coming in. We have enrolled three hundred and seventytwo students already; we hope to enroll four hundred by Commencement." TULLEHASSEE SCHOOL.-Miss F. A. Bonham It was truly a praise service; for, from hearts writes, May 3d: full of gratitude, arose prayers of thanksgiving and songs of praise. "With the usual report of work performed during the past month we can send the glad tidings of souls redeemed. For some time we have felt that a quiet work of grace was going on in our midst, and last week nine of our pupils decided for Christ. As we witnessed the baptism of these on the Sabbath our hearts overflowed with gratitude to God. Three of those converted have been resisting the Spirit so long. "At the little church in our neighborhood the custom is for the members to form themselves in a company and march down to the water's edge, singing hymns. The pastor, deacons and candidates walk at the head, and 'the outstanding army' follow after the members. Slowly they move along, and when the stream is reached fervent prayer is offered, while all God's people kneel. The ordinance of baptism is then administered, the members and friends joining in song as each convert comes up from the watery grave, and when all have received the rite another prayer follows. While waiting for those baptized to get ready to march back to the church-house' all unite in singing. Soon the company of happy believers move again and we pass back to the church, where a short sermon or 'charge' to the candidates is preached. There the hand of fellowship' is administered, every member, from pastor to youngest Christian present, giving a hearty shake of the hand in welcome to the new members. This service over, the regular afternoon sermon is preached. "As we live several miles from the church and have our evening meetings to attend to, we do not usually remain to the late service. "Many of the neighbors come in to our regular meetings, and we think some have received benefit in this way. Mrs. Parr and Miss Baker are helping in Sabbath schools in the vicinity of the Mission, while Professor Rishel and myself attend to the students in a meeting Our Mission Band and C. E. Society' is doing a good work." here. Several were present who were members of the school at its opening, and among them four of our noble girls who are to leave us this year. Their expressions of what the school had done for them and the reconsecration of themselves to the service of Christ would have comforted the hearts of those who have sacrificed for this school, as well as our own. One of the married women said, “This is a jubilee morning." She was praising God in song before breakfast, and when her husband urged her to eat, she replied, "If I don't sing, even the rocks will cry out." We all feel that it is indeed a jubilee year, as we look upon the beautiful location and buildings God has given us and realize whence this school started. The very trees dressed in their fresh green robes seem to praise God with us. Over 3500 pupils, in the aggregate, have been connected with this school, and there have been between 400 and 500 conversions during the seven years. To God belongs all the glory! In presenting our seventh annual report, it is impossible to give a full statement of work done. One must be on the field and see the different departments of the Seminary in all their bearings, in order to fully comprehend the length and breadth of this field of labor. The year has been one of perplexity and of rejoicing, of adversity and of prosperity. Of adversity in that, just when we were well equipped for work in the boarding department and Model School, the building was consumed in a few short hours. The restful vacation which we had anticipated, for the first time since the opening of the school, was cut short by the telegraphic message, June 24, Union Hall burned to ashes, nothing saved." If it must go, a better time and way could not have been chosen. God can sweeten whatever he does for us. Though perplexed, we were not in despair. The assurance that we have ever had, that this school is one of God's own planning, led us to believe that He would not forsake it in its hour of greatest need, and that out of the ashes of Union Hall would arise a better and more permanent SPELMAN SEMINARY, ATLANTA, GA. building. Appeals were sent out for money, it EXTRACTS FROM THE ANNUAL REPORT THE MISSES PACKARD AND GILES. OF To-day April 11th, we, have celebrated the seventh anniversary of Spelman Seminary, by a praise meeting at the morning devotion hour. came in slowly but from many unexpected sources and mostly in small sums. As sufficient means could not be raised and the building completed before the opening of school in October, the question of temporary accomodations became a serious one. After much anxious thought, it was deemed best to erect for the time being a structure of rough boards between two buildings for dining hall, and utilize a small building of two rooms for kitchen. The seating capacity of the dining room proved too small, and tables were set in the halls of two dormitory buildings. In these close and inconvenient quarters, the domestic work has been carried on during the year, severely taxing the strength and patience of our efficient matrons. One wing and the centre of the new building is in process of erection but with no prospect of completion in season to occupy it this term. Our dormitories have been so crowded that it required constant watchfulness and use of all possible sanitary measures to preserve health. There have been enrolled during the year thus far 607 pupils, 275 of whom are boarders. There have been twenty-seven teachers connected with the school in all departments, eleven being supported by the Women's American Baptist Home Mission Society; three have given their entire services, and two in part. Those in the industrial department are paid from the Slater Fund. The benefit the Slater Fund has been to this school can never be estimated. Without such help, so important to these girls, home life could not be introduced nor home industries taught. The old adage, "A little learning is a dangerous thing," is true, applied to a race just emerging from ignorance and degradation. The danger can be averted by teaching them that manual labor is honorable, designed by our Father to promote our happiness and success in life, and that education is defective which neglects the physical nature. The domestic arts are still taught successfully though amid many difficulties. In the two small rooms which serve as kitchen a barrel of flour is daily manufactured into loaves, making an array that an average baker's shop might envy, while in addition to this, seventy-five or one hundred pounds of meat, three bushels of potatoes, and other things in proportion are prepared for the table. Pupils are very anxious to enter the cooking classes and excel in them. The accomplishment of making "light bread" is one eagerly sought. In the sewing department, the course of instruction is very thorough and systematic, under a first class dressmaker. A visit to the room in the forenoon would give you an opportunity of seeing the dress cutting and making. Some are busily engaged studying the intricasies of the chart, others are adjusting the drapery of skirts, while in one corner is a class struggling to conquer the difficult task of button hole making. In the afternoon a large section of the boarders are taught plain sewing, darning, etc., from the "over and over" stitch of patchwork to the finer needlework. Over 150 dresses have been made, besides 1,200 or more garments. The improvement has been marked and rapid. There is a growing interest in the Nurse Training Department, organized by Dr. Jones, now our resident physician, two years ago. It has been under the charge this year of Miss L. J. Bothwell, a graduate of the Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston. The pupils have rendered efficient service in case of sickness among the boarders. Among the calls from the city, we yielded to the pleading of one, and the nurse whom we allowed to go acquitted herself to the satisfaction and delight of the patient and her friends. They have also lent valuable aid to the sick among the poor about us, by bandaging sprained limbs, etc. What a blessing these trained nurses will be in their own homes among their own people, to say nothing of those that employ them. A hospital where they can have practical work is their great need. The printing office, although contracted in space on account of the fire, has done more extensive work than ever before. The publication of the Spelman Messenger, a monthly eight page paper, is continued; and, if we may judge from the unanimous verdict of its patrons and friends, is improving in true merit as well as in its personal appearance, the latter being changed for the better by a new heading, the design of the editor-in-chief. The annual catalogue was published last year in our office, and the compositors, of whom there are eighteen, are already at work upon the one for the present year. A great variety of miscellaneous printing has also been done. The Piedmont Exposition honored Spelman Seminary with a Certificate of Award for The laundry is an important department,"highly meritorious exhibit of needlework, and the more than 3,000 articles which pass plain penmanship, and the work of the Trainthrough it every week testify by their appearing School for Nurses, such as bandages, hospiance of the efficient work done there, under the tal appliances, etc." direction of a faithful and competent instructor. The Model School has labored under great disadvantages, on account of the rooms in Union Hall being burned, they were obliged to occupy the basement of Rockefeller Hall. But the improvement in the children has been marked and especially have the efforts to give them instruction in temperance and religion been blessed. They have carried this instruction to their homes, and the influence for good on their parents has been manifest. During the temperance campaign in Atlanta one little girl would plead with her father every night to vote the dry ticket. At last she prevailed upon him to attend a temperance meeting, and the result was he voted for prohibition. A number of these little girls have become Christians and have been baptized. Some of them who have unconverted parents never fail when writing to urge them to become Christians. ple, conversing and reading to them God's word. They often return with hearts full of joy to tell of their success and the blessings they have received. They teach in seven different Sabbath schools in the city, some of them walking long distances every Sabbath, thus giving to others the instruction they themselves receive. Letters received from those that have already left school to teach this year, speak of work for Christ. One writes: "We have one hundred and four pupils on roll and so few are Christians! Do pray that through our influence some may be converted. I am busily engaged in Sabbath school. These people say that I am the first teacher that ever took interest in Sabbath school." We have very little idea of the hardships these girls endure when in the country teaching, no The Normal department is still an important missionary in foreign lands has greater trials. feature. The first class, six in number, was One taught last year in a log house, boards off, graduated last May. Most of these are filling no chimney, pine seats with no backs. The important positions as teachers, two as princi- house leaked so badly that when it rained the pals of schools. One of their number has left children would cry, "May I get out of the the ranks of teachers, and is doing important rain?" and gathering them together she would work as the wife of a pastor of wide influence. put her umbrella over them. When very cold, There are nine in the class of '88. In this and she would take sand and cover a space on the the previous class there are four or five who in-floor, and taking an old tin pan which a kind tend to go to Africa as missionaries. Most of old lady had given her, she would build a fire the class of '88 have been with us six or seven and the smoke would go out of the hole in the years and are all Christians, a class of conse- roof above; and yet her heart rejoiced that she crated workers, ready for the best service. We could be the means of carrying the blessed light shall bid them farewell with sad hearts, and yet of the Gospel to those darkened minds. She rejoicing that Spelman can send out such noble walked five miles every day, because she could Christian women. not find a comfortable place nearer; commenc ing school at eight o'clock in the morning and closing at five in the afternoon. This is only one of the many examples of self-sacrifice we could give you of the labor of our girls in places where is every perplexity, difficulty and embar For many years to come girls will need to be trained religiously and intellectually, that at home, in social life, and in church they may be leaders in morality and religion. The conviction grows stronger year by year that, if the race is to be transformed and brought out of dark-rassment, that missionaries find on foreign shores. ness, these girls must be kept and trained under religious influences a series of years instead of only one or two. Temperance meetings have been held in school regularly every month. "Bands of Hope" have also been organized in the churches, hoping thereby to so educate the people on the side of temperance that the city may be carried for prohibition at the next election. The society of Social Purity has also been the means of untold good in every department of the school. But we must hasten to express our great gratitude to those who have so generously and nobly come to our relief in this year of adversity. · Many have given mites that have been pounds in God's sight, besides the words of loving sympathy which we shall never forget. To the many, many who have bestowed their gifts of money, clothing, bedding, etc., we extend our most hearty thanks, knowing that they have already received the Father's blessing. We would not forget to mention the gift of money for three acres The interest in the Congo Mission Circle con- of land adjacent to our former property, amounttinues unabated, while following out the teaching to $3,200, every cent of which was given ings of the New Testament, the girls have gone by personal friends, and over $2,000 by friends out two and two, calling at the homes of the peo- outside the Baptist denomination. It was very important that this land be secured as a protection to the Seminary, as parties were negotiating for it upon which to build factories. It is well known that Union Hall was set on fire by a spark from a factory more remote. We count the souls won for Christ as the highest blessing that has come to us. Ninety have expressed their faith in a new life. Every month these tokens of divine favor have been given. Only one out of the two hundred and seventyfive boarding pupils is unsaved, and the day pupils have largely shared in the blessings. While we thank God for what has been accomplished, we look out upon the millions of this race and see the widest, most prolific missionary field open to any Christian people, and believe that greater things must be undertaken before they can ever come up to be a people. The National Bureau of public education reported that the reason 600,000 colored youth are out of school is not because there are not school houses and school teachers. Truly there is much land to be possessed, and truly blessed are those who are privileged to have a hand in gaining the possession. S. B. PACKARD. H. E. GILES. SHAW UNIVERSITY.-The commencement exercises of the Leonard Medical School were held April 15th. Rev. Dr. H. L. Wayland, of Philadelphia, delivered the address to the graduating class. Col. Banes, of Philadelphia, was also present. We have not particulars in time for the present issue, but shall give them in the July number. RICHMOND SCHOOLS.-During the Convention at Richmond, Va., Mr. Samuel Colgate, the President of the Society, Dr. Hiscox, the President of the Board and Dr. Pope, Supt. of Church Edifice Department, visited the Theological Seminary and the Hartshorn Memorial College in Richmond. President Corey is doing a great work for the colored ministers of the South and President Tefft has a fine school for colored girls. The new building, the gift of Deacon Hartshorn, is a beauty in its architecture and admirable in all its appointments. These schools are under the auspices of the Home Mission Society and are lifting to a higher plane both the males and females of the colored race. OUR NEW MINISTER TO LIBERIA. BY REV. H. M. TUPPER, D.D., SHAW UNIVERSITY, RALEIGH, N. C. Ezekiel Ezra Smith was born in slavery in Duplin County, N. C., on the 23d day of May, 1852. He took to books early, and at the age of nine years could read and write. He worked at the cooper's trade in the city of Wilmington, N. C., from the time he was fourteen till he was seventeen years of age. During this time he regularly attended night school, being absent but twice in three years. He was In 1870 he began to teach in the free public schools of the State, and entered Shaw University, at Raleigh, in 1872. He was studious and exemplary, and was a member of the famous Jubilee Singers, a troupe sent by the university through the New England States and Canada during the years of 1873-74 to raise funds for the institution by giving concerts. He graduated with the degree of A. B. in the year 1878. He studied theology, and was licensed as a minister in 1879. The same year he was chosen Principal of the colored Graded School in the city of Goldsboro, N. C., with six assistant teachers and four or five hundred pupils. This position he held till, in 1883, he was elected by the State Board of Education as Principal of the State Normal School at Fayetteville, N. C., which position he now holds. As Principal of this school he has given entire satisfaction to all, and has won considerable celebrity as an efficient instructor and disciplinarian. one of the prime originators, in 1878, of the North Carolina Industrial Association. He established and, from Jan. 1881 to 1883, was editor and proprietor of the Carolina Enterprise, a paper published at Goldsboro, N. C., which reached a circulation of quite three thousand. He was commissioned by Governor Jarvis, in 1880, as Major of the Fourth Battalion, State Guard. The degree of A. M. was conferred on him by Shaw University in 1881. He was secretary of the colored Baptist State Convention of N. C. from 1878 till 1883, and was secretary of the State Sunday School Convention for several years. He has been repeatedly called to the pastorate of churches in different parts of the State. He is a hard student, a close observer, and, withal, possesses tact and energy, and such qualifications as eminently fit him for the position to which he has been recently appointed. The salary is some four or five thousand dollars per annum. |