Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1870-12-22
LETTER FROM VIRGINIA.
Lincoln Church, Charles City Co.,
Uo 10Th Mo 18th 1870

| Va, 18th Mo. 18th 1870.
| DEAR FRIENDS A pleasant ride yesterday
brought me to this place where school was
| ,pened tour months ago by our Association
Esith Reuben Berkeley as teacher. He wa
me of the pupils in our Normal school ii
| richmond and began to get his education H.
SOS under the instruction of Caro- NJ. Youn.
f China, Maine. BY close application b.
as become quite competent for one of tn
country schools here. / find he has SOM
iery g.,od readers, with some in geograph,
md arithmetic, and many who have learne'
70 write quite well, and all were abecedarial
when the school opened. Before me arr
,eated forty-five of these happy child; en-, re
joicing in the enjoyment of the privilege o.
soing TO school. The room is so still that not
/ lisp or anything is heard except the recita
ions in their regular order. The teacher j.
copying the ex client order and discipline
he schools which he has attended, and al
old that many of the white people of tli
,lace have visited the school and all speak il
Ugh praise of the rapid Improvement and per
fcCl UTuSI VI lIt sSuuoi. As uSh"i NatS pup
IRE motley company, many almost white
living unmistakable evidence of the wicked
ness of the white men of this land who must
surely have had black hearts and also bav.
been in favor of social equality. l cannon
speak in too high praise of these schools, for
they are doing such noble work for these
needy children; and they are SO eager to b'
in school promptly in the morning and alse
every day and many of them have three and
four miles to walk. The parents met last
night and were instructed relative to Their
duties in connection with the school, also in
regard to providing the comforts of life fol
themselves and families.
They we're admonished to stop drinking
whiskey whchis prevailing evil among them
The retail trade in this article amounted to
ten thousand dollars last year in this county;
enough to purchase many homes and put
many schools in operation, but instead of this
it does give the poor victims ofthis vice much
suffering and poverty. They are open to hear
the truth told them and many do take heed to
it and are improving their condition. Unjust
take time for the good seed sown to grow and
bear fruit and feel sure it will abundantly in
this State. The weather to-day is lovely;
warm as need be. 1t makes me shiver to
think of your snow banks and cold winds, but
still do not forget the pleasant associations
of my own native State while l confess ad-
mire this climate. just asked a little boy
his name, he said "Robert Quickly" What
is your fathers name? He very promptly re-
piled, "Mo,her says Capt. Vance is my father,
but Dea. Osgood is Susan's father" Susan
was his sister and find as already knew
that it is not safe to ask such questions as
these little folks sciH tell the truth. l now
start Tor Elan, distant l2 miles, where APP
pointment is made for me to meet the people
and give them ideas upon the necessity of
mental culture and the system of "Public
Free School Instruction" and the white peo-
pie are invited to attend.
As ever your friend,
SAMUEL JONES.