Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1868-03-18
Missionary Work among the Freed
men,

We are kindly permitted to copy the fol-
lowing simple, yet graphic, story of the work
Of one Of the many noble, self-denying wom
en- of this generation who are working for
the temporal and spiritual salvation of the
race lust released from the house of bondage
IN the southern states The letter tells its
own story
1t was written to Dr. Macombcr of Essex,
this State, and, through the courtesy of a
friend who justly thinks it worthy of general
perusal, has been handed us for publication
Macon, Ga, Feb. 6, 1868.
Dear Sir Allow me, through you, to
thank the Iadie. of Essex Junction and the
Sabbath School for the barrel of clothing
forwarded by yourself. Could you have heard
nv exclamations of delight when informed
that some more barrels of clothing had come,
you would understand at once that it was
very acceptable Indeed, it was just intime
for there is great suffering and destitution
here this winter. and had been feeling very
sad that | must turn SO many shivering
AWAY. because all had been given out days
before. Macon is city Of about eleven
thousand inhabitants, over six thousand of
whom are colored. Many Of these doing
well, buying little lots and building their
cottage homes, and proving themselves already
men and women worthy of respect, and who
would be respected in any community not
under the ban Of = color = prejudice. Yet
among six thousand freedmen crushed and
oppressed in every possible way they still
are. having never had a chance to get fair
sarilv be a large proportion who are still
very poor.
1t is now over two years since the Amer-
can Missionary Association opened their
schools here. The work has been very sue
cessful from the first, and although looked
upon with the utmost contempt and distrust
by these naughty Southrons, yet it has gone
quietly forward until it is beginning to COM
mand their respect, however much they may
fear its influence and its results They in
tcnsely dislike the :. Yankee teachers but
we are never really insulted.
We have now five schools, and over eight
hundred scholars, besides a large night school
Thus far these schools have been taught in the
colored church, except one \ large school
building is now being erected with funds ap-
propriated by the Freedmens Bureau, and
We hope soon to have all the schools under
the same roof. These schools already
graded classified and taught after the most
approved modern methods, from the best
text books, and by experienced teachers who
equal those in any similar schools North
earnest workers, with hearts fully in sympa-
thy with their work. Their pupils are max
ing commendable progress, and the people
generally are growing more self-reliant and
enlightened.
There are also five Sunday Schools, one
connected with each of the four colored
churches here and a Mission Sunday School
which | opened about two months since.
One OF more of our teachers are engaged in
each Of these schools, aiding and assisting
the colored superintendent and teachers in
their work The Mission School, now num-
bering over one hundred, is composed mostly
of children from families too poor TO clothe
them decently.
NV duties a. = missionary - here are en-
tirely among the people, instead Of the school
room. ! visit them in their homes, read to
them from the Bible and other instructive
ties and home relations, look up the sick and
suffering and minister to their wants best
| can with our limi ted means, distribute the
clothing that is sent to those most needing it
and feed the starving, If hare any means Il
doH have prayer meeting for the womer
and girls every Friday afternoon, which meet
ings are very interesting, and | trust profta
ble to them.
Going among them thus, | have founC
many destitute children and, thanks to tn,
benevolent friends of the North, yourselves
included, who have sent us clothing, have
been enabled to supply their wants and gotter
them into our schools and gathered them in
70 Mission Sunday School. Thus man,
have been brought under our influence wh'
otherwise might never have been reached
And, too, many hungry woman and chile
are at least 'earm, through the kindness o
their Northern friends
Rations not issued this winter, ant
there Is consequently much suffering amon
the poor; Tor the past season has been a.
unusually sickly one, and many who other
wise would have struggled along somewa
without assistance, found themselves, whe
winter cime, with feeble health, rents behind
thInly clad and poorly fed. Rents enor
nous From four to ten dollars per nnnM
the price of single room not over iftee
feet square, singly boarded, sides and floor
no glass windows in many of them, nothin
but board shutters excluding cold and Hqi
together There is no alternative The
must have shelter. and cannot get it les:
With such rent and the high prices for ever
thing else, how can they more than lire whe
well? When sickness comes, do you wondC
1t brings suffering and want? OF course
must take all that come of these poor mOthc
can earn to keep roof over their little one
- IIoecake,' and occasionally some swe
potatoes, is all many of them pretend TO ha'
for food, thankful, indeed, if they g
enough of this.
Business is very dull Many are out
employ, some of them turned off for votin
the Radical ticket. When they do get ell
ployment the white people often will not pa
them with any promptness, telling them tn;
the hard times are all owing to the Radical
and If they will vote they must suffer, an
they VIII 8 pay when they please" 1t
considered inpudence in a freedman to insi
upon being paid.