The American Missionary — Volume 38, No. 01, January, 1884Various
Religion
The American Missionary — Volume 38, No. 01, January, 1884
Various
Congregational churches -- Missions -- Periodicals; Home missions -- Periodicals
One of these same preachers took his children from school because
they were taught the heresy in geography that the world is round.
They do all they can to prejudice the people against our work. They
call our religion railroad religion. They are great barriers in our
way. Still we have been cheered this year to see that their hold on
the young people is loosening, and we are getting their hearts in
spite of the protests of their parents. One of our mission
Sunday-Schools, which has averaged this season one hundred, is
composed almost entirely of young people and children, seldom ever a
parent there.
The Smith American Organ Co. have honored God and themselves, and
will ever be held by some hearts in grateful remembrance by their
gift to that society of a new organ. I have some times thought, as I
have heard the young voices ring out with such enthusiasm, that,
though critics might smile at our endeavor, Heaven would not disdain
our offering of praise. The dingy low walls, the glass-less windows,
the tobacco besmeared floor, become transformed to a holy temple,
where God deigned to make visible His presence, and it has been a
sacred place. Our hope of this people centres largely in the young.
If it were not for them, we could not feel it right to stay among
them.
Another barrier to be overcome is their habits of worship. They have
meetings but once a month during the summer and none at all during
the winter. When they have service it is more for a visit than
worship. Their churches are rough log houses, and so small that the
greater part of the congregation remain out of doors. Four or more
ministers are always in attendance, and all must preach. The
congregation expect a tiresome time, and from the first are restless.
They go out and come in, and they keep a constant march to and from
the water pail, which usually sits on the desk in front of the
speaker. Several grown people at a time will be standing waiting on
each other at the pail. The speaker seems to be used to such things,
and not at all disconcerted. Nearly all their services are funeral
services for those who may have been dead for years. They bury their
dead the same day or the day following death. They have no religious
service, except a prayer at the grave, if there chance to be a
minister present. Generally about a year after death, but often from
five to fifteen years after, they have the funeral sermon preached.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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