New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1872-04-04
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in soft raiment? We had seen the spiritual
majesty of the church of Christ, asserting
here, in this far region, the doctrine which has
| revolutionized the world. blessed are the
poor in spirit" seemed as good word here
as in plutocratic New York or thrifty Boston.
We wished the little church God-speed, and
so departed.
The Catholic church, which we visited a
little later, is lofty building of no architect
ural pretension, but very roomy and we'll
ventilated. Its windows were adorned with
panes of colored glass, and on its high altar
stood lay figure of life-size, dressed in black
and gilt paper, and decorated with very re-
spectacle white cap. This was, of course,
Maria NISina-tO us, as an object of wor-
ship, protane, however reverend in her true
womanhoOd and motherhood. Yet even this
miserable doll gave us occasion to consider
how much of the power of a church which was
once omnipOtent resides in the supposed per-
sOnality OF a woman.
On Monday, February 18th, up anchor and
away for SANTANA! Several Puerto-Platians
took passage with us for the city of Santo
Domingo, among them a Cuban lady, who tells
us something of the sufierings entailed by the
revolution. The SpaniaNls, she says, have
been very cruel: The women and children of
the revolutionists took refuge upon the plan
tations IN the centre of the Island. Here a
painful epidemic overlook them, an ulcer on
the foot or ANGLE, very distressing and difficult
to heal. She, like many others, had lost all
her possessions, and her husband had depart
ed to seek business in Venezuela.
A quiet night brought us to SANTANA bay, of
whose beauty words are insufficient to speak.
Imagine the boldest outline of mountains,
slOping down to the shore; the most luxuri-
ant growth of trees and vegetation a harbor
measuring nine miles across its entrance, fit
to contain the fleets of all the world. Nestled
near the shore lies the little town, SantO Bar
bara by name, formed of a mixture of ware
houses, wooden dwellings of various sizes,
and huts matched with palm leaves. AT Sa-
mana, as at Puerto-Plata, the arrival of the
"Tybee" was hailed with eager satisfaction.
Her departure from New York having been
unusually delayed, many surmises had sprung
up in the minds of those to whom she is al
most the sole messenger of civilization. Rice
was selling at PuertO-Plata at forty cents per
pound. The price of flour had advanced cor
respOndingly. Many feared that the career
of the "Tybee" had ended in some untoward
way. She had either met with an accident,
or SpOffOrd Brothers had concluded to with
draw her from her welcome service. Very
pleasant it was to see the little steamer so
cordially received.
At SANTANA boat was placed at our dis
posal, by the aid of which we reached the
center of the town with little fatigue. Mrs.
HOom, the wife of Dutch merchant of the
place, received us very Hospitality. Rev.
Jacob James, colored, and Methodist Min
lister, took us to see his little chapel, his
house, and the room in it which he devotes
to his school. Some ninety scholars assem-
BILE here daily, and receive such instructions
as can be afforded. The school apparatus
was touching in its poverty. There was a
tOlerable assortment of benches, a table, and
one or two dilapidated desks. Three or four
small wooden shelves held the whole library
of the worthy pastor and teacher. A single
copy of Emerson's Arithmetic was made to
do duty, two or three books of grammar, and
very little else! Rev. DR.. Norris promised
to send, on his return home, sufficient num-
Der of books for the Sunday school, and we,
oh Club and Journal! promised that you
should gather and send an assortment of the
works made use of in our primary schools.
So pray let the pious work of begging begin
at once. Let one of you invade the precincts
of Lee & Shepard; let another boldly lay
siege to Ide Il button Brewer and Tileston
must not escape. There are ninety souls
asking for food as young birds in the nest open
their callow beaks for the parental morsel
America owes these books to her remote
children, scattered on this distant shore, but
not weaned from their love for her. So, dear
Club and Journal, beg! we beg of you. 1t is
more honorable to beg for others than to
steal for ourself. OF this let us be mindful.
j. w. HI.