AMONG THE FREEDMEN by Mrs. H. M. Van Slyke

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Feb 22, 1877

AMONG THE FREEDMEN.

By Mrs. H. M. Van Slyke

As the way has opened with many tokens of the Lord’s approval, I am engaged in teaching a colored school in Ray Co., Mo. My pupils, ranging in age from six to twenty-four years, are very anxious to learn, and are apt to remember what is taught, all oral instruction in particular. They are more obedient than the white pupils of the surrounding schools. The majority of them are orphans; so I am often reminded of the cruel effects of slavery. Being freed by authority which their masters despised, they were turned loose upon the world without crust or crumb. A few could borrow corn for bread until such time as they might get work, and pay for it; but everywhere there was pinching want.

Though the old severities are somewhat mitigated, there is still so much prejudice against their education that but few are willing to assist. This makes room for earnest, consecrated men and women to take up the work if they will. Those who look to fashionable society for sympathy and fellowship, would meet the cold shoulder, and become disheartened. I am satisfied that there are good, honest Christian men and women of color, who long for the pure gospel, but cannot read it. I should be glad if I had cards with the law of God printed on them for presents. They would be read in every family until all would know them by heart. All such things are carefully preserved. It is easy to teach in school the work of creation and the rest; as, How many days make a week? What are their names? what their order? What was created on the first day? second day? etc. Thus the teacher can make a point that will be very much in his favor when it becomes known that he regards the Sabbath of the fourth commandment.

Ten colored persons now read the Bible with so much readiness that we are able to finish a chapter at our morning exercises, and all usually engage in singing. The stories in the Bible are quite a wonder. They have their songs of the ancient worthies, but their history from the Scriptures is little known; so they are much delighted with, “The deliverance from Egypt,” “Daniel in the lions den,” &c. They seem to have a particular delight in the study of Geography; and plain charts, or maps, which cannot be got here are much needed. Remember us in your prayers, “For the poor always ye have with you.”

Mrs. H. M. Van Slyke.