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1889.]

Contract Schools.

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If the use of these funds to support Indian children at the so-called contract schools will yield the Indians a better educational result than can be otherwise obtained, the government is false to its duties as trustee if it fails to take that course. No political considerations, independent of the best good of the Indians themselves, can properly be allowed to enter into the treatment of the subject. No matter what objections might exist to the support of sectarian schools by funds derived from taxation, these cannot apply to the present

case.

Even were the funds applied to the education of Indians obtained wholly by taxation, I should not be disposed to think that the objections which exist to the use of public moneys for the support of sectarian schools, in communities like ours, held here.

best of those who apply. When we remember that the salaries of these missionary teachers are put at the lowest possible figure upon which they can live and do their work, it will be understood that it is not worldly gain they seek. In many instances they have given up honorable and lucrative places to take a mere pittance and go among surroundings that would appall any but a genuine missionary. If we will contrast this work with that of the government, whose aim is first to give them literary and industrial education and to make American citizens of them, and secondly and incidentally to give them moral instruction; then if we carry the contrast on as to the employes and teachers; we find these are usually appointed by the government upon the endorsement and request and influence of the members of Congress or other political friends. Many of them go, not from choice or because of desire to elevate these people, but from circumstances of necessity, which compel them to do something for a living no matter how much they may dislike the work or the Indians. In the very nature of the work and workers, we repeat, the religious schools must be the best. We class Carlisle and Hampton, though government schools, as religious because of the men who superin-object in doing so is the good of the Indians

tend them and whose positive Christian character makes these schools what they are.

There are also objections made to the contract school system on the ground that being denominational and religious, the government has no right to give nor the churches to receive such aid for sectarian purposes.

On this subject, General Walker, a former Commissioner of Indian Affairs, speaks as follows:

It seems clear to me that, so far as the funds applied to the education of Indians under the care of the government are to be considered as trust funds held by the government for their benefit, or as moneys due the Indians in consideration of lands ceded or rights relinquished, the government is bound, as a trustee, to use these funds to the very best advantage for the objects stipulated, without any ulterior purposes and without reference to any other considerations whatsoever.

The test I should apply would be this: Does the government send Indian children to be educated at these schools for the benefit of the denominations maintaining them, or for the good of the Indian children?

To appropriate public moneys for establishing and maintaining sectarian schools, for the sake of having sectarian schools, would, according to my way of thinking, be altogether wrong.

To make use of good schools already existing, and partly maintained by private contributions, even under sectarian control, involves no departure from sound principles if the sole

themselves.

We wish just here to affirm that contract schools are not sectarian, but are religious, that in them the Bible and all moral truths are taught, and that the particular tenets or doctrines of the different denominations are not emphasized.

Another serious objection to contract schools is the undue influence of the Roman Catholic Church at Washington and their success in securing such large grants of money from the government, while Protestants have frequently been refused. According to the official statement made by the department last year there were paid to contract schools $476,190, of which amount $347,672 went to the Roman Catholics. Nevertheless we would rather have the Roman Catholic schools than none at all. Only a little light is better than heathen darkness.

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Notwithstanding the great and united ef forts of all classes, only about 12,000 of the 50,000 Indian children of school age are in any way receiving instruction. It would seem to be folly to withhold necessary aid or to discourage any kind of effort to elevate them, until all or nearly all are cared for. No one will question that ultimately, when the appliances and resources of the government are sufficient to meet all educational wants of the Indians, it will be better for the government to prosecute and sustain its own school work.

In accomplishing this end, which will require many years, the best and only true idea in Indian education must be missionary in order to prepare the way for a separate and purely educational work. In the contract schools religious, literary and mechanical education go hand in hand, in the hope that by the use of all these means the Indians may feel the need of something better than they now have, and from this beginning go forward until Christian civilization is accomplished.

To educate the Indian without religion. would only lift him up into enlightened heathenism, and his last state would be worse than the first. He would be able to accomplish more evil with his learning than would have been possible without it. An educated bad man, whether white or Indian, is worse than an ignorant one.

The Lake Mohonk Conference adopted the following resolution on this subject:

We, the members of the Lake Mohonk Conference, in this our seventh annual meeting,

[December,

reiterate the principles laid down in our former platforms concerning justice, equal rights and education, both by government and by religious societies, for the Indian races on this continent. We maintain that the nation ought to treat the Indian as a man, amenable to all the obligations and entitled to all the rights of manhood under a free republican government. We congratulate the country on the progress made in the opening of reservations to colonization, the allotment of land in severalty and on the assent of Indians in increasing numbers freely given to this policy. We emphasize the importance of the Christian and missionary work of the churches as fundamental to the education and civilization of the Indians, and the necessity for the vigorous and unimpaired prosecution of such work. We welcome heartily the presence of the Commissioner of Indian Affairs at this session, and indorse heartily the general principles embodied in the paper presented by him, outlining a proposed policy for the organization of a comprehensive system of Indian education by the federal government. We urge upon the administration the organization of such a plan, and upon Congress the necessary appropriations for its execution; and the chairman of this Conference is hereby authorized and instructed to appoint a committee of seven, of whom he shall be one, to render to the Commissioner of Indian Affairs such co-operation as he may desire in preparing such a system as shall best promote the universal and compulsory education of all Indian children in harmony with the principles of our government and with the concurrent work of the churches, missionary boards and societies and philanthropic organizations, and to urge upon Congress such increased appropriations as may be necessary to carry this into effect.

O. E. BOYD.

REV. CORNELIUS DEHEER, OF WEST AFRICA.

Our Gaboon and Corisco mission has sustained a severe loss in the death of Rev. Cornelius De Heer, who fell asleep in Jesus on Sabbath, October 20, at Clifton Springs, N. Y. Mr. DeHeer left Africa in September of last year with health seriously impaired, and spent the winter in Switzerland, where at one time he lay almost at the point of death. By the blessing of God, however, on the bracing climate and skillful medi

cal treatment he rallied sufficiently to undertake the voyage to the United States, where he arrived in July last. After spending a few weeks with friends without improvement, he resolved to try Clifton Springs in the hope that he might still be sufficiently restored to return to his beloved Africa. But God had ordered otherwise. The admirable facilities of that celebrated sanitarium, including the unremitting ef

1889.]

Rev. Cornelius De Heer.

forts of a skillful physician, failed to arrest the disease, although the religious atmosphere of the institution was to him a comfort and a joy.

Mr. De Heer was born in Rotterdam, Holland, February 13, 1827. Coming in his youth or early manhood to the United States, he followed the occupation of a market gardener in or near Cleveland, O., where he acquired a small property. But the Spirit of God, who had early revealed Jesus to him as his Saviour, led him gradually to a higher service. Burdened with love for souls, and especially for the souls of his countrymen, he entered upon mission work in Cleveland, where the Lord crowned his efforts with marked success. But even that work did not fill his ambition as a winner of souls. For years his heart had been set on Africa, and he never rested in his prayers and efforts until the Lord opened the way for the realization of his desire. He was commissioned by the Board of Foreign Missions to the Corisco mission, and sailed for the island of Corisco, with his wife and little daughter, October 4, 1855. His entire missionary life, except the last eight years, was spent on that island, where his memory is still fragrant. In addition to the stated preaching of the gospel, he was accustomed to gather the boys from all the tribes along the coast for the purpose of teaching them the way of life, and of sending them back to their homes to disseminate the truth. Causes which finally led to the abandoning of Corisco as the main station of our mission operated to make the work less productive of results there than in other parts of the field.

The last eight years of Mr. De Heer's life in Africa were in a larger sense years of reaping. In 1880 he was transferred to the northern part of the field, with Benita as his home and centre of operations, where much faithful sowing had been done by missionaries who preceded him. In reviewing that period of his history just before withdrawing from the field, he wrote: "During the past eight years it has been my privilege to admit to the sealing ordinances about three hundred adults, who united

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with the different churches within our

bounds. A marked feature of these years of labor has been the ingathering of souls, not only into the Church militant, but also into the assembly and church of the first born' on high. Many a Christian death have we witnessed of those whom we had the joy of leading out of the darkness of nature into the light of life, whose career was traced until they passed beyond our sight into that light which no man can approach unto. Scores of pupils have passed through our schools, both boys and girls. About one fifth of the number became hopefully converted before they left us, and some who were with us in earlier years have now become heads of Christian families. During these six years six volumes have been translated and carried through the press, which are now in circulation among the people. Among them are Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress and Dr. Alexander's Bible Truth, besides a number of tracts and hymns-leaves scattered for the healing of the nations' which cannot fail of a blessing." In making this record Mr. DeHeer paid a just and noble tribute to the efficiency and fidelity of his fellow-laborers.

The farewell meeting at Benita is said by an eye-witness to have been deeply impressive. It was a communion season. In great bodily weakness Mr. De Heer had sat with the session for several successive days examining candidates for admission to the sealing ordinances of the Church. Thirtytwo adults were baptized and welcomed to the Lord's table-as it turned out by a singular coincidence, one for each year of Mr. De Heer's connection with the African mission. It was a season of mourning as well as of joy. Many said with tears in their eyes, Certainly you are free from our blood, as you have spoken faithfully to all within reach about the salvation of their souls."

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Verily, he was a chosen vessel to bear Christ's name to the tribes on the west coast of Africa. Although lacking in the usual college and seminary training, his superior natural gifts, coupled with indefatigable industry, patient perseverance, remarkable

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Official Correspondence-Southern California.

common sense, and above all fervent piety and love for souls, made him a workman needing not to be ashamed, and entitle him to be regarded as one of the most successful missionaries of the cross to the Dark Conti

nent.

Mr. De Heer was twice married. The wife of his youth fell a prey to the African climate within less than two years of her landing in Corisco, leaving two daughters who still survive. The present Mrs. DeHeer was married in 1864, and immediately accompanied her husband to his field of labor, where for almost a quarter of a century she has rendered most efficient service. She is affectionately commended to the sympathy

[December,

and prayers of God's people in her great bereavement, as is also Mrs. Louise Reutlinger, a beloved companion in labor, who for almost twenty years was a member of the family in Africa, and is now a companion in sorrow.

The body of Mr. De Heer was brought to New York city, and while it lay awaiting burial, an appropriate service was held in Lenox Hall in the presence of the family, the officers and members of the Board and a number of sympathizing friends. Immediately after the body was taken to Nyack, N. Y., for interment, where it rests till the morning of the resurrection.

JOHN GILLESPIE.

OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE.

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA.

F. D. SEWARD, SYNODICAL MISSIONARY. I. The year just closing has been one of very serious financial depression all over southern California. More than two years ago there were signs that the boom was past its height. The down grade was rapid-and all the more so because of plans, engagements, contracts made before the reaction was foreseen and which could not at once be changed. The churches necessarily suffered, and somewhat seriously. Houses of worship had been commenced or built in prosperous days, and on the scale of prosperous times, and had to be completed and paid for in very different times. A few are thus left in very serious embarrassment; but in most instances, by heroic and united effort, the people could and did rise to the emergency and finish and pay for their beautiful sanctuaries; and to-day, in the matter of church buildings, we are infinitely ahead of anything that could have been anticipated in ordinary times. Because of changes in business and remunerative employment, many of our members have changed their places of residence and their local church relations; and while this has

been a source of gain to many churches, it has been a greater loss to others. And yet, notwithstanding all the depression, the churches have not only held their own, but have even moved grandly forward. The depression was fully on us in the spring of 1888; yet in the Presbytery of Los Angeles, where the reaction was felt the most, the Minutes of 1889, in comparison with those of 1888, show a net gain of 888 in membership and 1326 in Sabbath-school scholars; 281 more were added by examination, in 1889, than in 1888; and even by certificate the additions were 82 more than the previous year. The same Minutes show for Los Angeles Presbytery a gain of 12 ministers, 13 churches, 25 elders and 25 deacons; and though the contributions to the boards have fallen off, there has been more than a corresponding gain in the contributions to congregational expenses, and the total of all contributions reported in 1889-the first full year of the depression-is not 4 per cent. less than that of 1888. Compare this with the showing of any secular business; and remember that the additions by examination are the most precious fact shown in all the Minutes. And

1889.]

Churches Organized-Buildings Erected.

as we wonder at what God has done for us and by us, let us thank him and take courage.

II. The number of

CHURCHES ORGANIZED

is small. The work has been chiefly that of strengthening those we have. Still, the following have been enrolled during the year:

PRESBYTERY OF STOCKTON.-1. The Traver church was organized by Rev. A. J. Compton, August 18, 1889, with 21 members, 3 by examination; 2 elders, 2 deacons.

SAN JOSE PRESBYTERY.-2. The church of Highland was organized by Rev. R. S. Symington, December 2, 1888, with 22 members, 12 by examination; 2 elders. 3. The Santa Cruz church was organized June 30, 1889, with 30 members, 3 by examination, 2 being baptized and 1 infant; 3 elders, 2 deacons. This work occupied six consecutive weeks, and was the most important work committed to me during my entire labors as synodical missionary. The church became self-supporting from the first, and has called and expects to secure as pastor Rev. Samuel A. Cornelius.

LOS ANGELES PRESBYTERY.-4. Pleasant Valley church was organized November 11, 1888, with 6 members, 2 by examination; 1 elder. This was a preaching station of Rev. David Landis, in charge of our church at Hueneme; and by organizing we secured permanence and a centre for growth, with no additional expense. 5. The Antelope Valley church was organized May 12, 1889, with 22 members, 3 by examination, 1 being baptized; 3 elders, 2 deacons. Of the 22 members 12 were men and 6 were young men. Elder H. C. McBurney as Sabbath-school missionary, with his very efficient and estimable wife did very much of the abundant preparatory work for the organization of the church, which has three Presbyterian Sabbath-schools under its care, the fruits of Mr. and Mrs. McBurney's labors. I most heartily commend Mr. McBurney's method of staying by his work until it becomes permanent, and not organizing Sabbath-schools chiefly to be counted, and then rushing off to organize others to be counted and let the first and most of them die. He has also done excellent pioneer work in the Tehachapi mountains, in Stockton Presbytery. 6. The church

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of San Fernando was organized August 11, 1889, with 14 members, 5 by examination, 1 being baptized; 3 elders, 1 deacon and 14 baptized children of the church. It is proposed to group this church with that of Fillmore, and the minister will have Newhall, Pico, Oil Wells and Paconna as preaching stations. 7. Under the leadership of Rev. A. M. Merwin, the Spanish Presbyterian church of Azusa was organized July, 1889, with 20 members, all by certificate; 1 elder. 8. The Curamonga Presbyterian church was organized September 29, 1889, with 15 members, all by certificate; 2 elders, 1 deacon. Rev. J. J. Marks, D.D., more than eighty years old, has lived and preached a year and more in this community, and was unanimously and most heartily chosen their minister. 9. The Welsh Presbyterian Church of Los Angeles was organized November, 1888, with 37 members, 4 by examination; 2 elders, 2 deacons. Rev. David Hughes is the pastor of this church, and has also started and maintains an English Sabbath-school and evening preaching station on Central Avenue, which is very promising and which will demand a church organization and building soon. 10. The Roseville (Point Loma) Presbyterian church was organized by Rev. Dr. Noble, with 9 members, 7 by examination; 1 elder.

Thus we have organized ten churches during the year, with 196 members, 39 received by examination; 20 elders, 10 deacons. III. The following churches have

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