Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1883-09-14
MISSIONARY MEETING.
On Behalf of the American Missionary
Association.


The meeting of the Winooski Avenue
Congregational church, last evening, in the
interest of the American Missionary associa
ton was very largely attended by our people.
and was of much interest to all interested in
missionary work. The meeting was opened
by Rev. ii. B. Putnam, who read selection
from Scripture and offered prayer Rev.
DIR. Brastow then introduced in general terms
the speakers present and called first upon the
Rev. Mr.. Grout. Rev. Mr.. Grout spoke of the
cause of missions as Gods whole cause in
the world. 1t is, he said. our cause also
our interests are involved. All mankind are
in one ship, to sail or sink together. The
speaker then gave brief history of the
work of the American Missionary Society IN
the South, abiding to its small beginnings
and Its present encouragin. prospects. We
have now he said, eight chartered colleges,
ten or twelve graded schools, eighty-lhree
churches, 5000 teachers and 10000 pupils.
And yet with all our advance we have not
kept pace with the increase of the colored
population in the South. These facts show
the importance of the work and its claims
upon us.
Rev. Mr.. Grout then introduced Professor
Chase of the Atlanta University, which is
one OF the principal educational institutions
for the colored people in the South. Pro-
fessor Chase spoke of the character and
methods of the university which he repre-
sented. And it is, he said, the type of
large number of schools of the same charac.
ter IN the South. 1t has full four years
course of college studies, but its chief work
is The training up of teachers for the public
schools Of the South. 1t has a successful nor
NAL department, and has sent out large!
numbers OF graduates. In addition three
fouths of its $50 pupils are scattered about
organizing Sunday-schools and engaged in
temperance work. Every pupil is required
to sign the pledge. The institution also has
fam of sixty-ive acres. where the pupils
are taught agriculture. and housekeeping
cottage where the lady students are taught
housekeeping. All Ike teachers are Chris
tians and actively engaged in missionary
work Professor Chase said that the OBJ
Jet of the Institution in providing such
advanced educational privileges to the color
ed race was To raise upa class of educated
clergy for work among the colored people
OF the South. He said that the colored stu
dents are very earnest in their work and do
all for themselves that could reasonably be
expected, and more. They are capable OF
which require the exercise Of the reasoning
power. The morality Of the race
is all that could be expected, and
tends TO improve with education. OF
all the graduates If the university, he said
that he could remember but one who had
gone astray, and she was led on by white
wretch. In conclusion Professor Glare said:
''We are your soldiers IN the frontier viii
| you not sustain us and Send us reinforce
mcnts ?"
One of the colorcd students of the Univer.
sity, Philip Ha,sht, was then introduced
and ia broken English he told the audience
Of his youth In Africa his coming to this
country with sea captain; his being sent
to Atlanta University by missionary of the
American association; his conversion to
Christianity, aud his determination TO return
to Africa when mis- education was complete,
and preach the Gospel to his people.
Rev. Joseph +. Smith, a cClored graduate
Of the University at Atlanta and now pastor
of thriving church In the South, was next
introduced. Mr.. Smith sang very feelingly
the song, STEAL Away to Jesus" and the n
spoke of his experience as slave, his es-
cape, and entrance upon school lite
in Atlanta, and his final entrance
into Atlanta University. lie spoke of
| the great need of his people for
education and help from Northern people.
He spoke of their poverty, and attributed
much of their degradation 10 The Ignorance
IN which they necessarily live. Rev. Mr..
smith closed by singing verse OF u negro
song called the "AuctiCn Block" lie Is a
fine speaker, and good example Of the
work done by the Southern schools and col
lcges In elevating and ennobling the colored
people.
Rev. DR.. Wooiworth of Boston,
secretary OF the association, was then
introduced aud made some interesting re-
Al