New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-08-09
THE BAHAMAN NEGRO.
TRATED IN THE MISSION SCHOOLS
OF THE ISLANDS

For happy careless endearing and complete
ignorance the West Indian negro probably has no
equal on the face of the earth He doesn't know
anything he doesn't want to know anything nine
times out Of ten. Divine discomfort is far from his
soul and the problem of how inspire In his dusky
breast desire for something besides sunshine.
hominy and fish is perplexng TO those OF his white
neighbors who ever give him serious thought.
There is thing about this interesting Individual
that can always be relied on He likes to go to
Sunday-schoo This is strange but true. as can
be demonstrated by the history of the mission
schools in the Bahamas.
When the British Government abolished slavery
there throughout the Out-isands. as all the
islands save the capital are called, many large
plantations that were worked entirely by slave
labor These estates fell into RUM but the descend
of the old slaves live by the graves Of their
fathers quite away from white men. with their
own extremely lax code of morals and in an ignor-
ance almost too utter to be credited. The Episco-
pal, Baptist and Methodist churches have stretched
out helping hands to the negro. and have estab-
shed mission schools throughout the islands.
while the Presbyterian Church supports on New
Providence the seat of government large mis-
sion scientific, up-to-date, American princi-
pies. The work of these schools Is chiefly religious
although they give some attention TO worthy mat
tiers also II is, above everything, religion that
appeals to the negro mind. and his educational
pills must be given, speak, in little spiritual
jelly.
One mission, now become very important, grew
from extremely humble beginnings 1t may be
taken or less characteristic OF mission work
throughout the group OF Islands. A district was
chosen that was facetiously called Egypt because
It's moral darkness supposed fully to equal
the literal condition OF the land of Pharaoh when
he so strenuously entreated the Israeltes to tarry
longer with him. house or shanty, a few cour-
ageous teachers plentiful supply of bright music,
and the mission open. Scholars? Oh. they
when the first strains of Moody and Sankey
noated through the windows. A negro must be
incarcerated in a dungeon cell to be kept away
from Hold the Fort" They came in all degrees
Of rags and tatters: in fact, he who had even rags
In sufficient quantities to cover his back was
deemed an aristocrat. They came with every con-
ceivable extraordinary idea on the subject OF re-
ligion. They all had lively impression that they
were probably going to bun up frever-an ever,
but this consciousness did not act as the faintest
damper upon their animal spirts-they had lived
in the tropics too long They came. and with them
they brought sticks pins needles. bricks. stones
and other implements Of warfire by way OF pass
ing the time between hymns. One anxious teacher
collected from her large and varied assortment or
boys all the weapons of torture that they had
brought in, and sat complacently In the thought
of having secured order But alas for her self-sais
faction. Hearing mysterious noises, mufiied
laughter and less muffied groans she proceeded to
investigate the cause Of the disturbance. One of
chine needle through the hardened skin of his
bare foot and quietly kicking his neighbors.
There is, as rule, no lack OF Intelligence among
the negroes there is at least as much as among
whites who have had far greater advantages But
there not infrequently appears shining exception
that proves the rule. well-behaved but unutter-
ably stupid class once greeted and enthusiasts
tic teacher. She found that they did not under
stand alluson to the Passover, so she made
haste tell the exciting story OF the flight from
Egypt When she had finished what she fondly
imagined she had made thrilling tale, she said.
Now girls, you know all about the Passover,
don't your"
oh yes. ma am" came chorus of voices.
"Euterpe suppose you tell it to me-" suggested
the teacher Euterpe's face assumed a blank and
hopeless expression fnay afier severe men MAJ
gloomy disappointment on the teachers face eX-
cited du IN s shd sad eheeT mo-
weddin'; It a resurrection me enthusiastic i.;1dr
one difficulty in starting school anywhere near
is somewhat unique and exceedingly hard
to cope with. The missions low buildings Ike
all such structures in the West Indies, and are full
funerals is something that the white man can hard
~ conceive especially great Is his love of a military
to the ears that have been growing somewhat , IN
nanc e1sues As we'll try 70 stem the flood Of
raging torrent as attempt to hold those children
pour choosing the windows first. as more enter
tanning to themselves and more exciting for the
teachers. until a mere handful remains OF the
crowd that was being edited so short time be
fore
Not only are children brought into the schools.
but their mothers and even their fathers are also
enticed. These negroes live in one or two room
shanties where the conditions far from favofa-
BILE for health o. morality The influence Of the
mission schools spreads 10 the home and raises
the inmates scale In the ladder OF civiza ton
Schools that open with band of unruly scholars,
always fighting, always shouting with laughter at
critical points In the service, transform their rest
less charges into Wcll-behaved. II always exceed
ngly natural young people II Is not always an
easy task but the devotion OF the missionaries and
the volunteer teachers Is too complete not TO meet
with reward.
Bahaman negroes have for Americans fondness
amounting to a passion. Personally, they are loyal
in extreme to the Queen and the British flag, but
their one idea OF the outer world is gained from the
winter visitor, whose spare change ~ 80 ready In
his pockets. American visitors have been generous
in their support of the mission schools. one poor
little fellow, whose life. with an imbecile mother
and a crazy aunt had been one long struggle for
existence was passionatey devoted to certain
New-York woman who had bofrended him. If he
saw the picture of beautiful face. he would say.
Look like my mssis''; If he were told a story OF
like my 'Merican lady" These American visitors
do more good than they know Of when they take
a kindly Interest in the mission schools. Contact
with them inspires the teachers, brightens the
scholars For due appreciation Of American.
go TO the Bahaman mission schools.