The American Missionary — Volume 36, No. 5, May, 1882Various
Religion
The American Missionary — Volume 36, No. 5, May, 1882
Various
Congregational churches -- Missions -- Periodicals; Home missions -- Periodicals
Mr. Dodge said he remembered well the first time he addressed the
students. He wondered how many had a purpose to go out and gather
forty and fifty about them to do for those in the dark places what
had been done for them by their teachers on this hill. He begged
them to remember that unless they sought first the kingdom of
Heaven and its righteousness all other knowledge would be vain. He
said he must add a word about temperance, in which he knew they
were so much interested. He could not believe any before him would
ever reel through the streets a staggering drunkard, but their only
safety lay in total abstinence.
His words were so instructive and his benign face so inspiring
that the very instant he took his seat the entire school burst
spontaneously into the plantation melody:
“Do you think I’ll make a soldier?”
I might as easily describe an exquisite fragrance as these choruses
of young voices from our 250 students, especially when singing this
“spiritual,” whose words so touchingly portray the mingled hopes
and fears of those deep, emotional natures. But, when in verses
second and third they triumphantly sing:
“We are climbing Jacob’s ladder,
Every round goes higher, higher,”
our hopes with theirs conquer our fears, and we sympathize with
Mrs. Colquitt when she remarks: “I feel like making a speech to the
school myself.”
* * * * *
ATLANTA TEACHER AT MACON.
_Miss Julia A. Goodwin._
Everything here is new to us, and we enjoy the country-like city
in its irregularity, broad streets, steep ascents and descents,
its profusion of flowers, especially its roses. Then it is a real
pleasure to compare the workings of the school and church with our
own. We think we could not accomplish what these teachers do who
are obliged to teach some of the time——two of them in one room,
each conducting a recitation at one and the same time; but they
work admirably together, without a particle of friction, and are
a very happy family. Mrs. Lathrop’s sewing-school is also very
interesting. As we walked into the room last Saturday morning,
two old ladies, who were sewing just as busily as the children,
arose from their seats and came across the room to greet us. One
of them, whose sprightly manner and unwrinkled face would never
have betokened her great age, said to us: “I am ninety-two years
old if I live till Monday. I can’t do much, my hands are so stiff;
but I thank the Lord that I can come here and sew a little;” and
she showed us her patch-work squares with as evident satisfaction
as any of the younger pupils. Ninety-two years old and learning to
sew! Ah, thought I, most old ladies are through with their needle
at that age. These sewing-schools must bring some comfort into many
homes.
* * * * *
AFRICA.
* * * * *
MR. LADD’S JOURNAL.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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