Obituary
HON. SEYMOUR STRAIGHT
In the death of Mr. Straight the American Missionary Association and the colored people of the South lose a firm and helpful friend. Mr. Straight passed away on February 21, 1896, in the 81st year of his age. When the Association in 1869 planted a school for the higher education of the Negroes in New Orleans, La., it found there a few persons of Northern birth, but who had long resided in that city, and were men of established character and of large influence, who took interest in the proposed institution and gave it their encouragement and support. Among these persons the Hon. Seymour Straight was most conspicuous for his deep interest in the project, for his useful service on the Board of Trustees and for his large gift at the outset–in view of all which the institution took his name.
Under Gen. Sheridan's laudable desire for good government in the[pg 132] city of New Orleans, Mr. Straight was made a member of the City Council. In 1868 he was appointed by the Chamber of Commerce as a member of a committee in regard to improvements in the cities of the State. In 1872 he was appointed a member of the International Penitentiary Congress, to assemble in London, Eng., which appointment, however, he was unable to accept. He received other marks of the esteem in which he was held by his fellow-citizens. In 1869, at the incorporation of the Straight University, he was appointed President of its Board of Trustees, which position he held till the time of his death. A good man has gone and his works do follow him.
MISS EVELYN E. STARR
Our school at Greenwood, S. C., mourns the loss of one of its teachers, who, though she had been but a few months in connection with the school, had endeared herself to both teachers and pupils. Miss Evelyn E. Starr departed this life February 6, 1896. The principal of the school writes: "She came to the work with a sincere love for it, was intensely in earnest, and devoutly Christian."
Bureau of Woman's Work
Miss D. E. Emerson, Secretary.
COLORED WOMEN'S WORK
We often speak of the influence of the schools and churches of the American Missionary Association, but perhaps it is not realized how marked this is in the growth of a missionary spirit among the people. To illustrate this we call attention to reports of a few of the Women's Missionary Societies among the colored people.
The Woman's Union of Alabama reports as having raised by its auxiliaries $259.41, and the spirit of the auxiliaries is manifested in the following items:
Anniston.–A society of girls of the church, ranging in age from five to fifteen years. The object is to increase an interest in mission work. The monthly fee is one cent. We hope to be able to do much more this year than we did last.
Jenifer.–The chief object with the Jenifer Union is Africa. The meetings are held twice each month. Mothers' meetings are held every Friday, where fervent prayers are offered for all missionaries. Then a few minutes we spend in special prayer for Misses Fearing and Thomas, and Mr. and Mrs. Sheppard, colored missionaries in Africa.[pg 133]
Montgomery.–Our Union meets every Monday. We make articles for sale. The money obtained in this way is used in helping any good cause. We have sent five dollars to the American Missionary Association for work among the Indians.
Talladega.–We study the various mission fields, home and foreign. We have a Dorcas meeting when we make and repair articles of clothing. The third meeting of the month is the Mothers' meeting, where prayers are offered for many households. We have expended during the year $13.60 for work at home, $32.44 for American Missionary Association Indian work, $40.50 for foreign missions.
The auxiliaries of Union of the Tennessee Association report as follows:
Chattanooga.–The visiting and prayer-meeting committee have been unusually active. All classes of the sick and needy have been visited and comforted, and consolation and financial aid carried to many homes. Amount raised for the year, $67.24.
Memphis.–Our Union meets monthly, and usually discusses two or three subjects on mission work. Our missionary cow is well, and its owner, Sister Rachel, furnishes good milk and butter to the sick free of charge, and will walk two miles to sell five cents' worth for the benefit of the Union. Amount raised during the year, $63.11.
Nashville, Howard Church.–Our women are united in all lines of church, mission and industrial work. We are gradually growing in membership and enthusiasm. Our small contributions are no indication of the interest and labor shown. Amount raised for the year, $37.10.
Nashville, Jackson Street Church.–Our Union numbers about twenty members. We have been blessed during the hard times in our effort to do church and mission work. Receipts for the year, $50.10.
Louisville, Ky.–The outlook is bright for a steady progress in the uplifting of humanity. Amount raised for the year, $21.
Little Rock, Ark.–Our Society has been acting in the double capacity of church aid and missionary society. We have recently organized a Church Aid Society in order that we may give the attention of our Union to mission work proper at home and abroad.
North Carolina.–The President reports a most cheering advance in interest and contributions, $223 having been raised by the women of the Union during the year. This was done by very poor and hard working women. While most of the money was spent for aid in their churches and to the sick and needy about them, some of it was sent to the treasury of the Missionary Board.
A few words from Mrs. Ella Sheppard Moore, president of the Tennessee Association, tell the whole story. These once unhappy and[pg 134] largely idle women in practical Christian effort are now employed in Christ's name, intelligently, radiant in the joy of His salvation.
WORK AT McLEANSVILLE, N. C
MRS. S. S. SEVIER.
McLeansville is not a great city like New York or Chicago, where everything seems to be in a rush, and everybody is wrapt up in business; neither is it a great railroad center; but merely a "little flag-station." The majority of the people here, both white and colored, earn their living chiefly by farming.
Even though McLeansville is a humble little place, we have a very pleasant work here, sustained mainly by the American Missionary Association. At the close of the year 1894 our church building was very small, indeed; could not hold more than sixty or seventy persons. A "Woman's Missionary Union" was organized last August. The first work this Union wished to do was to take steps toward enlarging our church. We accordingly planned to hold a fair to raise money for this purpose. The fair consisted mainly of clothing and fancy articles made by members of the Union. Some cloth was contributed for this purpose by Northern friends. The Union felt much encouraged over the result, which was $50. This amount, with an especial tax upon the members of the church, has enabled us to make a very great improvement upon our church. It is now almost twice as large as it was at the end of last year.
We feel that our year's labor thus far has been greatly blessed. We also feel that our little mission is a worthy work. The people seem to fully appreciate church and educational privileges.