We are sometimes asked how this work of education, which Mrs. Stowe did more than any other person to inaugurate, is regarded by the intelligent white people of the South. We can gladly say that we have too much recognition and appreciation of our work among good people of the South to be otherwise than thankful for it, and for the fact that these good people are increasing every year in numbers and in readiness to encourage us. We have never united in more earnest prayers for our work, and for those who carry it on, even in our annual meetings than in our worship in the South with many Southern pastors, and nowhere have we heard more appreciative words respecting our work than from good people of the South who have acquainted themselves with what we are doing and how we are doing it. That multitudes are still unable to see and unready to prophesy does not count. The day of appreciative recognition has not fully come, but it has dawned, and will come by and by.
THE HISTORIES OF OUR CHURCHES
We have asked the pastors of some of our churches to give to us sketches of the histories of those churchestheir location, pastors and membership, the condition of their members financially and otherwise, how many have homes of their own, and what are their employments. The details are truthful and are of value as showing the people in their church, home, and business life.
DEER LODGE, TENN
By Mrs. Ella Gill SedgwickDeer Lodge, on the Cumberland Plateau in east Tennessee, is delightfully located. The adjacent country is highly picturesquerocky cliffs, deep ravines, winding wooded streams, giving beauty to the landscape. To the eastward, stretching far in undulating lines, are the mountains, seen through a purple mist of great beauty. We often repeat the words, "As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so the Lord is round about his people." We are nearly 2,000 feet above the level of the sea, so the air is pure and healthful. A spicy fragrance fills the air, blown down from the pines that crown the hills.
Deer Lodge has been settled mostly by Northern people. In a religious point of view we are divided into Congregationalists, Methodists, and Baptists, with a few Episcopalians. There is only one church building, however, the Congregationalists'. This is a beautiful little edifice worthy of the growing importance of this interesting field on the Cumberland Plateau. The church has a choice location on Ross Avenue.
On April 13, 1889, the corner-stone was laid, and on August 4 of the same year the church was dedicated. The church has good officers and earnest working members. The present membership is forty-one. No hostility is shown toward our church by the members of other churches, but all are united and recognize in every one who loves the Master a fellow-worker in the vineyard of Christ.
The present pastor, Rev. G. Lusty, during his residence among us has endeared himself to all. A promising work is being done in the Sabbath-school, and we believe that from it constantly go forth many little rills of influence that are entering the homes and bringing the people a higher and purer life. The Christian Endeavor society is doing a good work among the young people. The prayer-meetings held on Thursday evenings are well attended. The growth of the church has not been rapid, but is steady, and during its history has enjoyed some revivals of religion.
Under the direction of the pastor's loyal wife the young people have been gathered into a sewing-school at her home every Saturday afternoon, and everything is done to encourage the little fingers in their attempts to guide the needle; and we feel that here, too, is a work being done that will bring forth fruit in the homes.
The barrels of supplies, sent to us by friends in other States, have enabled us to assist many needy ones. While packing these missionary boxes, if you could only see "the other end of the line" you would feel rewarded for your gifts. The kindness done for Christ's sake will not be forgotten.
The country around Deer Lodge is sparsely settled. One can travel miles without meeting any one. The people are somewherewhere, we are unable to tell; yet when they have an opportunity to hear preaching you will always find many people gathered in the schoolhouse where the "meeting" is to be held. In traveling through the surrounding country you will see many rough log houses, with only one room and often without windows, two doors opposite each other, one door always kept open winter and summer. A huge fire-place is in one end of the room. If you would have a view of humanity in its simplicity, visit one of these mountain homes. You will find everything of the most primitive kind. The hum of the spinning-wheel and the heavy thud of the loom will greet your ears. In one room you will very often see several beds, while the rest of the furniture will consist of a few wooden chairs, a table and perhaps a cupboard, and into this one room will be gathered the whole family, the women with old shawls over their heads, sitting by the fire chewing tobacco, or with the invariable snuff-stick in their mouth. But everywhere you will be treated with kindness and invariable civility. "Come and see us," they say; "we are mighty poor folks, but we will do the best we can." These mountaineers take life in a slow and easy way; you cannot make them "step to Yankee time."
Last Sabbath we attended one of the afternoon services. Our road passed for several miles through a lovely forest, with its soft shadows and calm repose. The only sound to break the stillness was the song of the birds. After a while we heard ringing out through the pine woods the echo of gospel hymns. Following the sound, and wending our way a little farther through the woods, in a quiet glen we came to the school house where the services were to be held. Here we found an earnest, attentive audience. In one place an outdoor meeting was held. It was a rare, perfect day. The people came in twos and threes, finding places wherever they could. One could almost fancy that other scene of centuries ago, beneath the blue skies of Palestine, where, when the multitude were gathered upon the mountain, the Master "opened His mouth and taught them."