The American Missionary — Vol. 33, No. 3, March, 1879 — John Shaqi
The American Missionary — Vol. 33, No. 3, March, 1879Various
Religion
The American Missionary — Vol. 33, No. 3, March, 1879
Various
Congregational churches -- Missions -- Periodicals; Home missions -- Periodicals
=Woman’s Work—Relief Fund—Health Matters—Cottage Meetings—Northern
Helpers.=
MISS HATTIE A. MILTON, MEMPHIS.
The outlook seems much more encouraging this year than last, for
several reasons, one of the most important of which is, that the
relief fund gives us access to many more families. Last Sabbath five
new scholars came to Sunday-school, all from families which had been
benefited by the relief. One of the boys, eleven years old, who belongs
to a very poor family, but who is quite a hero among his neighbors,
because of his honesty and industry, I often met last year with others
on the commons, but he could not come to Sunday-school because he was
so ragged. As he was very anxious to attend, a suit of clothes was
given him last week, and Sabbath morning he came to the church before
his teacher was dressed for breakfast, and waited patiently during the
three hours until the exercises began, enjoying his improved appearance.
The past few weeks have been very cold for this climate, and many a
widow with her little children has been made to rejoice as she gathered
her family around the bright fire and partook of the wholesome food
provided by the A. M. A. relief. The yellow fever made terrible havoc
in many families—indeed in some none are left to tell the tale of woe!
For a few days, now, the weather has been very warm and there is much
sickness, and the death rate is very high among the colored people—in
many cases, no doubt, resulting from want of proper attention. A few
days since I visited a man suffering with indigestion and cold; he had
called a doctor, but was not relieved; his wife was anxious to help
him, but knew not what to do; so she was told to let the light in from
behind, instead of in front of the patient, as it was very painful to
his eyes, then to apply cloths wet in hot water to the aching head and
chest, and hot bricks, steaming with vinegar, to his feet. In half an
hour he was relieved and the next day was almost well, only needing
directions about food and ventilation. This is but an instance among
many of those who suffer for the want of such simple remedies, of the
use of which they have no knowledge. As the demand for nurses has been
very great during the past year, we propose giving some attention to
this branch in our school, which has filled up since Christmas and is
doing well.
The industrial department is getting in good working order. I have
about forty women and girls under my general supervision, the more
experienced assisting me in teaching the others to cut and make
garments. They seem much interested in the work. This department is
looked upon with approval by most of the people, as but few mothers are
capable of teaching their daughters these accomplishments, though they
are very anxious that they should learn them.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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