The American Missionary — Volume 41, No. 03, March, 1887 — John Shaqi
The American Missionary — Volume 41, No. 03, March, 1887Various
Religion
The American Missionary — Volume 41, No. 03, March, 1887
Various
Congregational churches -- Missions -- Periodicals; Home missions -- Periodicals
What have you done? This is a fair question for friends of this
mission, North, West and East, to ask. I propose briefly to
answer it. I left my pastorate in the “Pine Tree” State, and,
with my wife and daughter, entered upon the work here October
1st, 1884. To leave a New England home for these mountain wilds
is much like entering a new world. But, coming not to _play_, but
_work_, duty said: “Look about you--East, West, North and South.”
It was done, and the outlook showed a large amount of illiteracy
in every neighborhood, many living so far away from school as to
be totally beyond their reach, and many young people growing up
with no knowledge of books.
What could be done? More impressively the answer came than I can
tell it: Build a house for school and worship which may bless
present and future generations. But, from a human standpoint, to
erect such a building as was needed seemed extremely difficult,
if not impossible, with limited means on every side, no market,
no railroad, and 2,000 feet above the sea level. But, being used
to hard work from early life, and not easily _scared_, I grappled
with the idea of building a house for the double purpose named.
I laid the matter before the A. M. A., and was by them requested
to undertake the building of such a house as, in my judgment, was
needed.
I began the work March 1st, 1885. A good lady donated five acres
of land (a lovely spot) for church and school purposes, and
deeded the lot to the A. M. A., and also contributed $50 to the
building. I then headed a subscription paper with $50, and the
people here added enough by timber and labor to make in all $300.
I then employed a man to put in a good foundation of split stone,
laid in masonry and elevated twenty inches above the ground, the
size of the building to be 50×47 feet, including tower.
What next? It was to hew a white oak frame in the forest and haul
it to the building spot, then have it framed. At length I invited
men to raise it, and women to bring a dinner.
When gathered we sought, with uncovered heads under the blue sky,
the blessings of heaven on the future of the house and freedom
from accident during its erection.
At 11 A. M. the school, marshalled by its worthy teacher, Mrs.
Lord, came and marched around the walls and waiting timber with
songs of greeting, and when the song ended, the men responded
with three lusty cheers for the school. At sunset the frame stood
on its solid base.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account