New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1873-11-13

El,s,. erRs Var Natioaaf Fla and c,,isen:
Nearly two months ago though, Of writ
ing YOU letter from Memphis for the pur
nose Of informing YOU to some extent Of wha,
wa. transporting among our people. in.
tended TO write you concerning the school
question which was asitated to n considera.
Vie extent during the month OF August. |
attended also to write in regard to our new
ssbool.housc which has been built for the
c,lorcd children in south Memphis, at cost
os,wentv thousand dollars. This of itself,
think should be considered rs a matter OF
Great Importance to us as people, when we
remember that in Memphis little over ten
years ago they were burning school-houses
where cologcd children were taught, and dry-
ing aHay their teachers. Verify, the world
moves, and the people Of the South are be-
csnns to move with il.
While was preparing to write you such a
letter, the yellow-fcver broke out in Mem
ph.s and caused me to forget for a time every
thing except the suffering of the sick and the
dying.
Since the 18th of September Memphis has
lost over fifteen hundred of her inhabitants
by yelow-fevcr.
The mortality among our people has not
been very large. Not more than one to ten
ci the whites. Yet its effect upon the black
and white, rich and poor, is nearly the same /;
ior We all feel that we have loved and lost
ones in that city Of the dead.'
The scenes of suffering, despair and DESC
aton, through which Memphis has passed
during the past two months are beyond de-
scrpiion. No pen can describe, no tongue
can picture the full extent of suffering. Bus
mess has been paralyzed, and grief and des-
olaiinn has been sent to thousands Of house
holds throughout the country. The past
two months has been long and weary night
of illimitable trouble and underlined misery to
the people Of Memphis.
1t matters not how carefully those at a
distance may have read the newspapers,
they Will never be able to realize tho extent
of the horrors through which Memphis has
passed. Their eyes were spared the sights
which appalled, the stoutest hearts.
They did not inhale the noxious vapors
which bred the disease nor did they enter
the chambers of the sick, the dying, and the
dead. Their eyes did not see nor their ears
did not hear the hearses that for weeks have
hurriedly, passed andrepasscd on
every street, freighted with dead bodies,
even al the dead hour of night
Ii is said tina, "God works in mysterious
Memphis has been scourged SO terribly, yet
| think it will result in good. The lesson
which the pcstilence has taught will prove
highly beneficial.
Memphis has sinned fearfully against the
laws of health, rs well the laws of Heaven.
Sanitary measures in Memphis have been
greatly neglected. Now, the people and the
press will not be satisfied with other than
a radical change in the management of the
hygiene and policing of the city. Already
the city authorities are talking of organizing
a system of sewerage after the most APPROX
ed, modern and scientific experience. If
this system of sewerage is carried out, it will
make Memphis as healthy as any city in the
Union.
think the pestilence which has so recent
ly visited Memphis has been the means of
bringing about better state Of feeling be-
tween the North and South. Already the
press is speaking in tones Of highest praise
Of the north, for the generosity and kindness
which she has shown in this her great hour
Of need. Papers which only a few months
ago were saying very bitter things against
Grant because they could see no good in the
man, are now eulogizing him for sending
thousands OF rations to the suffering poor of
Memphis.
In accordance with proclamation which
was issued by the Mayor of Memphis, the
18th day Of September, was observed as a
day of fasting and prayer. As there were
no services held in any of the colored
churches on that day, Elder Reid and myself
concluded to visit the Central Baptist
Church, of which DR.. s. Landrum is pastor.
We thought We might venture to force the
Civil Rights Bill that far in Memphis upon
such an occasion. Accordingly, when the
hour arrived, we repaired to the above named
church. On entering we did not take seats
back by the door but walked nearly to the
center Of the church before we sat down.
Previous to his discourse DR.. Landrum read
the scripture from Jonah, Joel, and Ezra APP
rropriatc to the occasion. After this he
offered up a very impressive prayer.
The choir then sang hymn commencing
80, righteous God, thou Judge Supreme,
We tremble at thy dread name
And all our crying guilt We own,
In dust and tears before thy throne"
His text was taken from Ezra Sth chapter
and 2Ist, 22nd, and 23rd verses. The sub
iect considered the clements Of an accepta
be fast, and the minister amplitied and sc
forth these in an eloquent and heartfelt
manner. He first considered as an elemen
the sense of peril and danger, and passed t
a deep conviction of our dependence upor
God, and His manifold blessings. He thcr
urged upon the congrc CATION the necessity o
hearty repentance for sin. Time and spac,
will not permit me to dwell longer upon thi.
subject. On the whole, his sermon wa
very practical and appropriate. As we aros
and mingled our voices with the concrepo
ton in singing the long meter hymn begin