Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1863-09-29
From the Contraband Mission
Tyler HOUSE,, Sept. 224, 1863.

TYLER llOUhLi oeP'' --'i iV'V'
DEAR FREEMAN Our Contmband Mission
vet lives aud prospers, though not all Is beng
accomplished among the people of color that their
friends could wish. The cause of general ednca-
ton is advancing. The schools at the Tyler House
and NeUtown, and the two schools in Hampton,
are doing well. We lack not so much for scho-
ars as for rooms in which to hold schools for
them. Many more could be gathered in il the
places in " hich our schools are held were not
already quite too full. We have at Hampton,
and at the Tyler House, Evening schools for the
accommodation Of those who cannot attend IN the
DAYTIME. In all these schools there must be some
500 or GOO, old and young most Of whom are adj
yancng as rapidly, and some Of them more rapid
y, than do the majority Of persons OF the same
ages in our schools at the North. If nothing I'M
foreseen occurs to interrupt but few years will
have elapsed before a very large proportion OF the
ex slaves Of Southeastern Virginia will be able to
read, write and transact business, with as much
ease and facility as The majority Of the good peo-
pie of New Eng land. some Of them, 1t Is true
are dull, some are lazy, but many are fright,
quick to apprehend, acquire easily, and are Of the
same time full Of ambition, energy and enterprise.
Should the war continue many years,some Of them
may be Brigadier, if not Major-GenefaIs And
woe to the rebels when colored Generals head
colored divisions, brigades and regiments against
them Who knows but God means to protmct
this war till armies Of ex.slayes shall themselves
inact summary punishment upon the hosts Of
their oppressorsP
Our religious Institutions are not without their
uses here. Upon the regular Sabbath service
mutItudes attend, and in the exercises many seem
deeply interested. Dor prayer meetings arc filed
to overlooking. And such prayer meetings. They
are prayer meetings indeed The eAhormtions Of
the colcred brethren, though made up Of broken
aud almost murdered English, are nevertheless
often interesting, affecting and instructive, And
their prayers are for the most par simple ieryeut
and earnest, more Ike what prayers should be
than those 100 often uttered BY the more learned
and highly favored Christians Of the NoHh.-Ouy
Sabbath Schools are not like those in Vermont,
where every body can read, Of course, but they are
Ut least interesting and profitable. Oar greatest
lack is for teachers. We have 70 use for teaeb-
ers what we can get. llwoud amuse Vermont.
er to look 10 and see what some Of our Sabbath
School teachers are. Here, perhaps, Is young
coored miss, dozen years Of are at the head o
a class Of eight OF ten somewhat younger thar
herself Next is little curly headed boy, hardly
three and half feet high facing a class Of eigb
or ten all older and larger than him.elf-lsten
ing while be puts forth bis best efforts to hell
them out with meaning Of three oTlour verse;
Of scripture, previously assigned by the Superiu
tendent as The lesson Of the day On the whole
our people are improyingj and many, those whc
have had an opportunity, are getting the start o.
the world and are in way to live and thrive
But many very many are poor, msemby poor
and must remain so for the present They dc
need and must have help. They viii suffer great
y, and some Of them will die, unless aided by the
people OF the North. VIII they not send US
forthwith, clothing and bedding ia great qlant
ties for these poor people
Yours, J. ?. STONE.