St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1878-03-08
Letter from Tennessee.
TO the Editor of the CaledOnian

Letter from Tennessee.
To the Editor of the Caledonian
NASHVILLE, Feb. 10, 1873.
Dear Friend 1t has been my inten-
ton ever since my return to Nashville,
to write letter for the CaledOnian, but
owing to poor health and the great press
of school duties, | have neglected to do
so. During the last week events have
taken place, in our Institution, which
constrain me to write the long-delayed
letter, Notwithstanding the little time
and strength have to do it.
Two weeks ago last Friday, Prof.
Spence read at our evening devotions,
letter from the Secretary of the Amer
lean Missionary Association, saying that
two cOlored missionaries were wanted
fol the Mendi Mission in West Africa,
and that it would be necessary for them
to go Immediately in order to reach
Africa before the rainy season set in.
And in case any should decide to go
from our University he wished the
Professor to telegraph him Monday
morning.
with very few comments from any one
and the matter left for them to decide
who should hear and heed the call,
without any urging frem the teachers.
Monday morning two of our best stu
dents, Albert Miller and Andrew Jack
son, reported themselves as ready to 60
to Africa. MI. Miller has been student
in this University eight years, and
would have graduated from the college
course i'll May. Mr.. jackson has been
connected with the school seven years.
and would have graduated in May 1879.
1t so happened that both of the young
men were engaged to young ladies, who
have been in school several years, and
were preparing themselves for teachers.
They would have graduated from the
Higher Normal course next year, soon
after which they expected to he mar
ried.
Before the young men fully decided
to go to Africa they talked the matter
over with the young ladies, and they
both expressed willingness to go with
them. So Prof. Spence was instructed
to telegraph to New York that -four
missionaries would be ready to sail, fol-
the Mendi Mission, at the appointed
time. In two weeks from that day they
must be ready to leave Nashville, and
| can assure you that the time which
intervened was fully occupied in pre-
paratiOns for the departure of the mis-
sionaries. Several of the white people
took quite deep interest in the mat
ter, and we received good deal OF
help from them in various ways.
The following very pleasant notice
appeared in the Daily american of Sun
day morning, over the signature of Rev
DR.. Kelly, pastor of one of the largest
white churches in the city:
"I read with deep interest the notice
published in your issue of last week, OF
the four young missionaries going out
from Fisk University to Africa. Will
you allow me to ask for these young
American Christians the aid of all our
Christian people. They are poor.
ClOthing-domestics and calico-foT use
in warm climate, as well as pecuniary
aid will greatly benefit them. They
have been carefully taught by Christian
men and women. If Old and New Eng
land have furnished money to equip a
school, and white men aud women OF
culture to teach them, we of Nashville
ought, surely, to do them kind SER
vice as they bid adieu to their native
land in Christ's cause. At one P. NJ
tomorrow, / will have a conveyance al
McKendree church to send them any
contributions that may be made, as
they leave that night"
In the same paper under the head OF
Religious Intelligence, we were also
quite delighted to read the following
notice:
"The announcement that four young
missionaries had volunteered to go tC
Africa from Fisk University, has
aroused the deepest interest among boil
white and colOred citizens. During the
past week, Fisk University has been in
a whirl of enthusiasm on the subject
The friends, teachers and students OF
the University have We'd with eacI
other in making the necessary prepara-
tions for their departure. The entire
outfit of the young women has been
made ready within the past week, sew
eral seamstresses contributing their en-
tire time to the work. The young men
have spent portion of their time ir
calling upon those whom they thought
would be interested in their mission
and have received many contributions
of books. The ministers of the city
churches have taken a great interest in
the movement and have promised theil
cooperation. Last night council was
held, and the young men were examin.
ed as to their Christian character, the
extent of their education and fitness tt
teach. The examination was thorough
and was highly interesting. The cOun,
Gil unanimously voted to proceed will
the ordination services. These will take
place at two o'clock to-day in tn.
chapel of Jubilee Hail."
Long before two O'Clock Onr chane