Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1871-06-15
The Home Missionary 4ssOctd-
fiOH.

luis RSsOclallDn WEI IlDIh IL douD-
le anniversary September Sd, 1871, -
the quarter centennial OF its ex's-
tence and the decennidl CT its work
among the Freedmen.
The origin of the Society was in
1874, when strong effort was made
to unite all Christian Societies il. the
great work of battling against OPP
preston everywhere, resulting in a
merging Of all The Missionary Socie.
ties into the above named Associa-
ton, September Sd, ls46. It's aim
and purpose is TO evangelize, and
TO speed the "good tidings" every
where, and to that end the Society
has had ats Missionaries among the
Freedmen of the South. the Indians
Of the Northwest, the Refugees OF
Canada and the Emancipated Slaves
in the West Indies, in short, TIE As
ISOLATION, since its organization has
done its mission well and faithfully,
never pausing to count dangers or
costs, but ever pressing forward IN
the great and holy work Of giving I'M
to the benightcd, 80 far as lay within
its power, the Gospel Of Christ.
Among the Freedmen, the Associ'
alton has done large work, and all
through the South the glorious effects
Of its work may be seen in The re-
building Of society, and the develop
ing OF intellectual powers among the
chattlcs Of Southern Aristocracy.
We append a portion of the Socie'
TVS circular, which will be read with
interest:
WOrk Among the Freedmen
BEGINNINGS.
Striking coinr;.onces and events
marked its beginning. 1t began al
Fortress Monroe, where the FIRST slave
ship passed into an Amer.'n river and
where the escaping slave first had the
protect ton ofthe national authority, |
The peaceful work began amid the
horrors Of civial war, and the first
missionary to the ex slaves had bis
first meeting with them OF the Assoc.
atoms 18th anniversary
The first interview was n touching
scene. The escaped slaves were po,
tected by the guns of the Fort, bnt
they were in great restitution. The |
missionary reached the spot Sept 3,
1861. As he was standing on the
yernaaah of the hotel after supper,
he heard singing, aad guided by the
sound, he reached = house where he
fouad a company Of the OK slaves hold
ing u meeting, After hearing the
prayers for time, he made known his
mission. His astonished and deligh |
ted hearers welcomed him as the |
messenger of God, in answer to Their
prayers
PHYSICAL SUPPLIES.
The poverty Of the people demand
ed relief Our appeal in their behalf
went up to the North and opened
those treasures of clothing and sup
plies whose distribution has made an
important branch of our work in the
South. Two Orphan ASyitn,s one At
Atlanta, Ga, another at Wilmington,
N. G., are to be claSsed in this depart
ment OF Christian effort.
EDUCATION.
The education of the Freedmen is
deeper and more permanent want
Their craving for koweIedge was like
thai Of the babe tor milk instinct,
i've necessity OF the new life. The
growth of their new life was unparal
lcled-there was no childhood; they
were in rapid succession, slaves, free.
men. voters, officers in state and ma
ton 1t was felt that they must be
educated. The teachers and the tnhds
came TO US, and Christian schools
were planted through the South in
every state, in the principal cities, the
smaller towns and on the plantations
to be onsampleS, guiding and incit
ing to system Of common schools.
We further append the remarks of
the Secretaries, relative to its fnan,
cial condition
NEED OF FUNDS.
The cessation Of the aid given here.
tofore by the Frecdmrn's Bureau
compels the association to curtail its
work. THIS is much to be regretted
The Indifference or hostility Of the
South to Negro schools, the increas.
ing ability of the coord people TO aid
in supporting teachers, and The rapid
advancement Of The pupils call urgently
for en'arsing instead Of diminishing.
w" hope the increased contributions
ofChristians and patriots will enable us
speedily TO resume our tnll operations =,
Ard even press beyond. l. not this our
day t"r praise to God, and of bonntiful
offerings for the great work before us
Gro. EulPrLE. Secretaries
Nj. Z. SrMsBy
We understand THAT the MesSrs.