Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1868-10-09
American Missionary Association
IT'S WORK ANp WANTS. 1900
REQUIRED

bENNlkEb
The freedmen are not yet through the
wilderness. They arc free oHt freedom
lone gives neither lands, homes, nor capr
tai; and the South is so poor, and the
whites are 80 enbitiered against teaching
the blacks, that common-schools Will not be
started speedily or generally. They arc
voters; bat they are jus, passing through
terrible struggle at the risk OF their daily
bread. or their lives. agains, the fiaiie'y
and violence OF their old masters. for the (
free use OF the vote. In THIS conflict they 1
need Intelligence and virtue TO resist seduc- 4
tons. and fortiiude and patience TO endure
suffering. Teachers and missionaries are
their best leaders, and schools aud pure
gospel their ''sinews OF war"
The association is their helper, no, 10
pauperise, but to educate them to sell help.
1t has employed an average OF FIVE bund-
red missionaries and teachers for them each
OF the last two years, and, seeing the abso-
lutte necessity OF preparing them rapidly ,
to be their own teachers, it has at a large /
cost, opened fifteen normal and high schools, |
occupying central locations, in good build
ings, on lands owned by the association.
1t has preached the gospel and planted
churches among them. on the basis of a
pure faith and an upright life. More OF
this work is needed Schools may be like
the wheels" in the prophetic vision, but
the gospel must be the moving spirit"
in the wheels.
The increased expense of tie ordinary
schools. the heavy cost Of establishing the
normal schools, the inability Of the Bureau
to furnish return transportation for the
teachers. and the falling of in the receipts
for the last four months, have created a
debt which. unless removed, must cripple
the operations OF the coming year, just At
time when to withdraw the helping hand
will be most discourasing and most danger
Gus. Must ;he freedmen. VITO aided us &C
nobly in our great struggle. and on whose
elevation rests nc, only The hopes of the
LOYAL whites, but OF the whole country for
the South, be made TO feel that they are al
once beset by their foes. and deserted by
their new friends Shall cause so sacred,
so intertwincd with every interest Of the
freedmen, the 10y al whites, and the country
be imperiled Tor lack OF an Offering mce,
for the cxigency? Our only hope against
the danger IS that the wisdom and bencVo-
lence Of our friends will avert It VIVA, !,
an offering of even 500 GOO for oausc lake
this? One breath OF the spirit tha, CAV,
millions to the Christian and Sanitary Com
missions would secure 1t.
We appeal to our friends with confidence
They are not poorer. but richer, for thehe lp
they have given in times OF need TO US and
TO other mission boards They have
enlisted for the war" and will not deseri
the freedmen until he and the country are
safe. We therefore earnestly urge upor
ministers. churches, Sabbath schools. and
individuals to consider their i,rirRsge aRc
duty in the case. and to act promptly. Fifty
thousand dollars in September. which close.
our fiscal year. will DC absolutely requires
TO meet our present emergency.
Ladies' committees, treasuTers OF loca
societies churches, executors OF WILLS
and all persons holding funds Tor the as
ISOLATION, or having the responsibility @
making or transmitting collections. ar,
requested TO forward them 10 our treasury
before the close Of September.
Ia behalf OF the Executive Committee.
GEoRGE WnIPrLE.
NJ l.. SrmEBY,
+ II SHEPHERD C,rr-t,rirs
53 John street. Ne,c York. dug. p. 1868
Donations may be semitic w T. Whuini
Asst. Treasurer or t. Rev. l.. Woodwork
Sec. for n. England. IS Corhbi.l, Boston