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Page 11
Most of the people own their homes, which are poorly constructed of
pine poles with clapboards to cover the cracks, through which the
dampness and cold winds make it uncomfortable for the occupants, who
are seated before a clay chimney and a great lightwood fire. Very few
of the houses have any windows. A lightwood torch furnishes the light
by day and by night. Some of them are improving each year, but the most
of them are satisfied with a roof, and a few acres under cultivation.
The country people seem to be naturally religious, as they are all
church members, are so from childhood, and are great believers in the
"sperit," which must be the evil one. They are not denominational in
the sense in which enlightened people are. The church which allows the
greatest number of privileges, and the minister who will just be
preacher and make the most noise and have the greatest number of "big
meetings," are the most popular. They have a burial service, and
several months or a year after, they have a funeral service, which is
always a big time.
C�sar is considered the best preacher that has ever been in ----. He
comes once a month, and cannot read a chapter; "nor need you expect me
to get the one-thousandth part of the ingrejience out of this text," is
his introduction to every sermon, but he can get up steam enough to be
heard half a mile. One of the preachers wanting to be known as a
licentiate, said in meeting: "I want you to know that I am a licentious
preacher,"--which is the truth.
Our work has done an amount of good, even among those outside, and our
schools and the two churches have done more good in the country than
all other work combined. The recent fanaticism in the county did not
get one believer from our church.
* * * * *
REPORT FROM MOUNTAIN SCHOOLS.
Our year's work is rapidly drawing to an end. The older scholars are
doing well and are remaining with us through the year. They certainly
are gaining in this direction. They become very restless as soon as it
is "put in crap time." They sigh for the fields and "shovel plow," and
often look from the school-room windows with a longing for the log
cabin and the ground surrounding it. In many cases we have to be
_very_ persuasive to have them remain, yet they seem thankful for
the advice and remain. The older scholars seem to manifest an earnest
ambition to obtain situations through the summer, so that they may
procure clothing and help pay their tuition. We try as far as possible
to obtain situations for our girls. The better class of the people will
come to us for help, feeling that our girls have been educated in the
home and kitchen.
In our temperance meeting last Friday, I asked the question, "What
would you do if you were forced to take whiskey?" A little girl rose
and said, "My father asked me to take some and said 'you must.' I said,
'I can't. God would not be pleased.' He said, 'Well, I 'lows how you're
'bout right." What a happy girl she was. She knows if she will keep on
refusing, he will give up strong drink. Our greatest hope is in the
children.
A poor woman had some articles of clothing to take home with her. I
offered to wrap her parcel in newspaper. She said, "If you don't care,
I would like to have that ar paper." She never has a piece except what
is given her by some kind person. She utterly refused to have the
parcel wrapped. The people use the papers to keep the cold out. I have
seen pieces of paper four inches square and parts of letters pasted on
the boards. We save all the papers we receive, and have assisted in
making many poor homes comfortable.
There is a good Sunday-school in a neighboring town. The people listen
very attentively, and seem to be thankful for the Sunday-school and
church services. The average attendance for the last five Sundays has
been forty-two. The thought of leaving this school during the summer is
a _cross_. There are fathers and mothers who are present every
Sabbath. The children show the need of a good school.
* * * * *
FROM MISS M.A. BYE.
Our Christian Endeavor Society interests me very much, as I have given
more time and thought to that than to anything else outside of school
work. It has increased in numbers, and the members have for the most
part gained a great deal in interest and courage, and this term quite
a number of associate members have become Christians. We are working
now to send a delegate to the St. Louis Convention, and I anticipate
great pleasure in watching the effect upon our delegate of the
enthusiasm of the Convention and the sight of the city, and think it
will be worth the year's work to be with him, for we hope to send one
of the boarding boys.
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