Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1867-08-21

viii the pastors and people of Vermont and
New Hampshire suffer word in behalf of the
American Missionary Association in its work
among the FrcedmenP
During the year now drawing to a close have
had about five hundred teachers aud missionaries
in our employ at the South, and might have doub-
led that number, at any time, had our funds al
lowed 50 numerous have been the offers of earn
est, able Christian men and women TO engage in
this work, Our schools have been of every grade,
according 10 the capacities and requirements of
the people Our pupils have numbered hardly
less than 100000, OF whom about half have learned
to read within the last two wears. Some of them
are advancing to the rank of teachers some are
hoping to become ministers aud missionaries. In
deed, the American Board is already beginning TO
look TO them for the men they shall need for
Africa
We commenced the year with the purpose of
raising not less than Si00, 900 for the work. but
soon found ourselves obliged to proceed a more
moderate basis. And now with all our economy
and retrenchment the fiscal year draws to
close, find ourselves some $4,000 in debt.
Shall we make up our annual account and 20 be-
fore the world with this balance against US
Ought we 70 have distrusted the patriotism, phil
anthropy and Christian liberality OF our charches
ami others at the North aud held back these
eighty-iye teachers whose mission has cost US this
$4,000? Rather will not the churches and all
the people say we did right, aud show by their yet
/
neither misplaced nor extrayagantP
This is no time 10 be illiberal slack ia
contributions and labor for the Freedmen. No
people were ever found more eager for knowledge,
none ever found making better use of all possible
for getting 1T, none ever more in need OF IT,
They have before them ordeal of no ordinary
severity 1t remains TO be seen how they will
stand the alliances aud appliances OF mischieyous
aud crafty men, the zeal of the Komanist and the
arts OF designing demagogues. AZ the late Plena-
ry Council oil the Catholics in Baltimore, resolve
was made to have this people educated IN the faith
and forms of that churchi and the Rope has sent
5000 900 in gold and sixty Catholic priests, aud
how many more no man knows, to back and push
that purpose. Sisters Of Charity are everywhere
aiding the Pope and hts cmissaries in this work.
Shall thcy succeed? One thing is certain, they
will not be easily turned aside or thwared IN their
purposes. On one point we need have no more
dcubt-the Freedmen are to be educated IN s0Dit-
thiag. But in what? and for whatY In the
rors of Inidelty, or Ia the truth OF the Gospel9
Ia the principles and doctrines of free govern-
ment aud Protestant faith, or in the forms, dog
mas and snpersttions Of Romanisml Moreover,
they are 10 have voice in our national affairs,
/ hut for whom and Tor what shall they speak Z
They are to be AN element Of power, aud OF
power in more places than one--in the South,
Throughout tins nation, and IN the land oi
/ their fathers beyo the But how shall that
power be welded Y-lor good, or for eyilp Shall
/ they have the training they now ask, and 80 much
need TO make them a blessing to ttemselys and
the world-ntelligent, useful citizens, bulwarks OF
a free republic, pillars in this Church OF Christ
messengers OF good TO kith and kin in their father
land-and training, too, which shall al the
same time lift them up into knowledge of that
higher life which takes hold OF blissiul imnor-
tally; or have a training which shall make them
tit tools for the Pope the demagogue, and the des-
pot aud leave them to become the victims OF err
ior, vice, aud endless ruinY These are some of
the grave questions that now confront us, stand
quverng IN the balance, and await our answer.
Nor will they wait long,
Who then, can be content to sit still, look on