For a series of weeks in the past, particularly during the last volume, and so far on the present, an increasing accumulation of important matter, has pressed upon the Editor, and the Trustees of the S. D. A. Publishing Association, the question of enlarging the Review.
Our paper, so far as relates to the size and number of its pages, is small; and although from the small-sized type we use, we present nearly as much reading matter as the largest Advent papers, yet for want of space, the testimony of the Review is crippled, much important matter is necessarily postponed from week to week, some departments which ought to be opened in the paper, have to be omitted entirely, and thus its usefulness is greatly restrained.
1. We are satisfied that there should be a News Department, in which should be given from week to week, a judicious summary of the news of the day. The lack of this department operates against us in various ways. 1st. It obliges many of our people to take two papers for the sake of getting the current news, which they feel that they cannot do without; and 2nd. It operates against the increase of our circulation; for when solicited to take the paper, the first inquiry with many, before they become interested enough to take it for the truth's sake, is, Does it give the news? When informed that it does not, they turn away, under the plea that they cannot take two papers. Our location is no objection to a news department; for in these days of railroads, telegraphs, and daily papers, we are as well prepared here in Michigan to give the news up to the date of each week's publication, as we should be if located in Boston or New York. We are persuaded that this department would tend as much as anything to give us a wider circulation, which we all desire. But to do it, we must have more space.
2. The columns of the Review might be enriched from week to week from the writings of others besides our own people, who have given to the world valuable thoughts on many practical and theoretical subjects, which would tend both to arouse and instruct us. And no one would even suggest that we publish less original matter than we now do, in order to give place to these testimonies. The correspondents of the Review are doing well, and are deserving of all praise; but none of its readers would consent to their doing less; and there are many others from whom we ought oftener to hear words of exhortation, comfort, and good cheer. So that more space is imperatively called for in this direction.
3. There should be in each number, or at least, much oftener than at present, a sermon from some one of our preachers, on some of the many thrilling themes connected with the present truth. There has no feature been proposed hitherto, which has met so earnest a response on the part of many brethren as this; one brother even going so far as to pledge $5 a year for his paper, if we could have the sermon. We should, ourselves, have urged it more strongly, had space been more plenty.
4. A certain amount of space, each week, could be devoted very profitably to an explanation or exposition of some of the more obscure, or interesting, texts of scripture; and everything which would tend to increase a love for the Bible, or excite an interest in its study, we should, by all means, as far as possible secure.
5. We believe that an enlarged paper would have an encouraging influence upon the cause; that it would stimulate all who are capable of writing for its columns, to greater exertions; and that the paper would come forth greatly improved, filled with matter no less choice than at present; and that its circulation and consequent sphere of usefulness would be greatly increased.
But if the paper is to be enlarged, the question comes up, In what shall this enlargement consist? Shall it be an enlarged page, or a greater number of pages? On this point we suggest, first, that the size of the page is sufficiently large. It is neat in appearance, convenient to handle while reading, and especially advantageous in reference to binding, and should not therefore, we think, be increased in size; but second, we would propose to add four pages of the same size, giving a paper one-half larger, or having twelve pages instead of eight. In this case the paper would be stitched which would of itself be an immense advantage, as it would not come apart when the leaves were cut open, and would thus cause a great many to be preserved which are now torn up and destroyed.
But there is another question to be met here, and that is a financial one. How shall the increased expense be met? If the Review, at its present size, can be afforded at $2.00 per year, it could be published one-half larger for $3.00 per year. But the cost will not increase in an equal ratio with the increased size of the paper; as the extra cost would only be on type-work, paper, press-work, and folding; the wrapping, mailing, editor's and business departments costing no more. A goodly number of our subscribers already generously pay $3.00 per year for the paper at its present size. We will therefore say that the paper can be published one-half larger, if the number who now pay $3.00 a year can be doubled, and if the rest of our paying subscribers will come up to $2.50 each. And when our subscription list reaches 6000 paying subscribers, the regular price can be reduced to $2.00 per year as at present.
On these terms we expect the enlargement will be called for. For 1st, we think that all the friends of the truth will be favorable to the idea of having a larger paper. 2nd. We think that all who now pay $3.00 a year will be willing to pay the same for a larger and better paper. 3rd. We think that many others will be willing to come up and pay voluntarily $3.00 per year. 4th. We think that no one will object to $2.50; and 5th. We think that under this arrangement our list can be immediately increased to a considerable extent, and very soon be brought up to the figures named.
So we submit the question to one and all. Shall we have an enlarged paper, commencing with the next volume, which we shall reach in thirteen weeks from this date? Especially would we like a response to this question from our ministers, all of whom will be more or less prepared to judge of the feelings and wants of the brethren in this direction. And if any one has any suggestions to make pro or con, we hope they will be sent in at once.
The paper was enlarged to its present size in August, 1851. It was first issued weekly in September, 1853. From that time we have continued, with only some minor changes and improvements, to the present, the Review ever bearing a straightforward and unflinching testimony to the truth in all its departments. The prospering hand of the Lord has been with us, and we are now upon an excellent financial basis. We have full confidence in the onward progress and triumph of this work; but we cannot suppose that a paper of eight pages, of the size we now publish, will be sufficient to meet the requirements of the great work before us. And is it not time for us now to come up and manifest our faith, by taking an advance step in this direction, and issuing a paper more adapted to our own wants as a people, and to the wants of those whom we would enlighten in reference to the life-giving truths committed to our charge.
VERSE 1. “He who dasheth in pieces is come up before thy face; keep the fortress, watch the way, make thy loins strong, fortify thy power mightily.
“2. For Jehovah hath turned away the excellency of Jacob, like the excellency of Israel; for the emptiers have emptied them out, and destroyed their vine-branches.
“3. The buckler of his mighty men is made red, the valiant men are in scarlet; the chariots shall be with flashing irons in the day of his preparation, and the lances shall quiver.
“4. The chariots shall rage in the streets, they shall run to and fro in the broad ways; they shall seem like torches, they shall run like lightnings.
“5. He shall recount his chiefs; they shall stumble in their walk; they shall make haste to the wall thereof, and the assault-covering shall be prepared.—Revision of the common version by “several Biblical scholars,” known as “Bernard’s Translation.”
The title of the book of Nahum is, “The burden of Nineveh.” “The book of the vision of Nahum the Elcoshite.” From its being the “burden of Nineveh,” it would seem that it was either a prophecy of the overthrow of ancient Nineveh, or, that “Nineveh of old” (chap. ii, 8) is taken as an example of the final dashing in pieces of the nations in the great day of the Lord, which is yet future. (Psa. ii, 9; Dan. ii, 35, 44; viii, 25. See the first verse of our text.) We think the latter is the truth. One principal reason for not believing it to be a prophecy of the destruction of ancient Nineveh is the fact that it was written more than a hundred years after the destruction of that city and the end of that kingdom. The date of this prophecy, as given in our Bibles, is B. C. 713; and in a Chronology published by John Bioren, in 1808, I find: “Nineveh taken by Arbaces and Belesis, which finishes that kingdom, B. C. 820.” The intelligent Bible student will see evidence in chap. i, 5-9 to satisfy him that it is a prophecy of the great day of the Lord, of which the lightning chariots are a sign, existing in “the day of his preparation.” This interpretation of the chariots is favored no less by this version than by the common. There can be no reasonable doubt that those chariots are the rail-road cars of the present day. Consequently it is now the day of preparation for the great battle in the day of the Lord.
But there is such a thing as pressing in testimony in support of the truth; and its tendency is only to weaken the argument. The only grammatical antecedent to the pronouns his and he in the expressions, “his mighty men,” “his preparation,” and “he shall recount his worthies,” or “gallants,” or “chiefs,” is Jehovah or the Lord, of verse 2, or, he that dasheth in pieces of verse 1. At least I can find no other. Hence it is the Lord’s mighty men, the Lord’s preparation, and the Lord’s chiefs or worthies; and it is the Lord that recounts these chiefs, which are the mighty men of war which are waked up in the day of his preparation, Joel iii, 9, and “stumble in their walk,” and fall and are broken, snared and taken, in the great day when all of “far countries” shall gird themselves and be “broken in pieces.” Isa. viii, 9, 15.
The Lord of hosts mustereth the host of the battle. He awakens the mighty men and recounts his chiefs. It seems puerile to apply this to a rail-road conductor, recounting the men, women, and children of all grades, that take passage in rail-road cars.
R. F. COTTRELL.
Report from Iowa.
By Albert C. Bourdeau; Daniel T. Bourdeau
BRO. WHITE: From Fairfield, on Monday July 23, we went to Vernon, and held three evening meetings with the church in that place. While we were there we suffered great inconvenience on account of excessive heat; yet we hope that our labors among them were not in vain. The church in Vernon is small, and composed mostly of sisters. May they keep pace with the message in its onward course, that others in seeing their consistency, and godly life, may be led to unite with them to walk in the way of holiness.
July 26 and 27, we traveled from Vernon to Sandyville, a distance of one hundred and twenty-five miles.101
We remained at Sandyville ten days, and held twelve meetings. These meetings commenced and progressed with increasing interest to the close, and resulted in much good to the church. Several of the trials and difficulties which existed among the brethren, and which had a tendency to discourage them, were settled in a satisfactory manner to the parties interested; and as we tried to advocate the principles of unity and love, and to show the relations that brethren and sisters sustain to each other as members of the body of Christ, our hearts were made glad in seeing the church coming up on these points, and manifesting an ardent desire to draw near to God and each other. Four united with the church, and Elder R. W. Reed’s daughter, a young lady, spoke in our meetings for the first time. On first-day, August 5, a funeral discourse was given on the death of Sr. Hodges, who died July 17; and a good impression was left on the church, and on the unbelievers who were present.
While at Sandyville we were deeply impressed with the importance of the following points:
1. In our intercourse with each other as members of the church, we should be tender-hearted, and kind, and respect each other’s feelings; and be imbued with that spirit of love, and satisfaction that led the Saviour to lay down his life for us.
2. If we possess these characteristics, we shall be very careful, and not rash, in laboring with an erring brother or sister. Says Paul, “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.” Gal. vi, 1. It requires spirituality, meekness and wisdom to labor for the erring; and it frequently happens that those who lack these graces feel competent to restore the erring; but they are likely to be distant, rash and unyielding, and often do more harm than good. Let your souls be so filled with pity and the love of God, that you can lay down your lives for the brethren; then approach them carefully, realizing your own weakness, and dependence on the mercy and grace of God, and that it is a nice thing to take the mote out of a brother’s eye. Don’t dab your finger in the eye, lest you put out this tender and delicate organ. But get the heart tender, and the mote will fall of itself in tears of humble gratitude.
3. But while it is our duty to care for, watch over, and labor with, our brethren for their good, we should not be always searching to find out their faults, and take up a labor with them on slight or seeming deviations from right. Wait till the evil is sufficiently developed that the erring and the church can see it, as well as yourself. Do not probe to the quick till you know that there is a sore. Then if you take up a labor, the church will understand the case, and will be united in their labors of love.
4. When a trial comes up in a church the cooler you keep and the choicer you are of your words the better it will be for you, for those in trial, and for the church. All are not competent to decide with regard to intricate matters involving right and wrong; and even those who are prepared to do this, should have their words few and well chosen. They should think much and speak sparingly. It often happens that when all speak freely, and hastily pass judgment when a trial comes up in a church, ten difficulties are manufactured which are worse than the original one.
5. It does not help those who err to hear that their brethren speak about them in a way to unnecessarily lessen the confidence of the church in them. Such a course is productive of many and great evils, and cannot help those who pursue it. Better pity those who have been overcome, and if you are called upon to speak of their faults, do it with a view to help them.
6. It is unwise for any who are especially connected with a trial, to leave the church to which they belong and settle elsewhere to escape the trial. It is through trials that we are to be purified, and you can find no place in this earth where you can escape trials if you are a child of God. And if you run away from one trial before you have learned the lesson you should derive from it, you will have to pass through another trial to learn it. So you gain nothing in fleeing from trials. On the contrary you may lose much, and, perhaps, manufacture trials for others where you go.
7. When a trial is settled, wisdom requires that it be dropped forever. It should not be dug up again lest the same scene be acted over. And remember that a wound that is just healed over is easily aggravated and can be made worse than ever before, without a great effort to probe into it.
On Wednesday, Aug. 8, we came to Knoxville, and in the course of six days we held eight meetings. At first some of the brethren and sisters appeared to be at a distance from us and from each other in their feelings; but as the truth was presented they became interested, and drew near to us and to each other. Especially was our business meeting in this place interesting and profitable to the church. Measures were taken on several points of duty connected with their prosperity, and we left them greatly encouraged to renew their zeal and diligence in the service of God.
At the close of our meetings at Knoxville, we received the sad intelligence of the sudden death of our only sister, who had been endeared to us, not only by the ties of nature, but also by our sweet and uninterrupted religious experience together in the service of the Lord from our childhood days till the time of her death. She had been in the message for ten years, and had not flinched amid the trials that had assailed her. She left a dear companion, and four children to mourn her loss. May God sustain and console them in their bereavement. It would have been consoling to us and our companions, as well as to our aged parents, and other relatives, if we could have been with them at the funeral, at least. But we would not murmur. May God comfort our dear companions, parents, and friends in their affliction. And may we meet our dear sister when the Life-giver shall come.
A. C. & D. T. BOURDEAU.
Fairfield, Iowa, Aug. 17, 1866.
Personal Work
PERSONAL WORK.— If the privates of an army left the battle to be fought by the officers, they would imitate the example of those church-members who leave the work of the gospel to ministers. Every Christian is a “royal priest,” and to the whole body of Christians was it said, “Go ye,” “preach the gospel.” As the flag-ship of Nelson was bearing down on the enemy at Trafalgar, the signal was, “England expects every man this day, to do his duty.” So Christ expects each member of his church to do his duty.
Report from Bro. Hutchins.
By A. S. HUTCHINS
BRO. WHITE: July 12, I preached at Bro. Currier’s in Sutton, C. E. Sabbath 14th at North Troy, Vt. A goodly number of brethren from different towns came, and we had, we think, a profitable season. It was the first preaching in this part of the town for some years. Some formerly professed the truth here, but they proved a reproach to the cause, rather than an honor. We most earnestly hope those living here now will show forth the excellent fruits of a life wholly consecrated to God. Quarterly Meetings are established here for the benefit of this part of the State. Systematic Benevolence was renewed.
Since that time, I have spent two Sabbaths at Wolcott, one at Stowe, and one at West Enosburgh. The heart’s desire and prayer to God, of his people, seems generally to be,
“Nearer my God to thee.”
The Quarterly meeting at West Enosburgh on the 4th and 5th inst. was a good one. In consequence of the death and burial of Sr. C. S. Saxby in their midst but a few days before, it seemed on the Sabbath like being in the house of death.
We had great freedom in speaking from the words, “And there shall be no more death.” After which, some thirty or forty sweet, heavenly, testimonies were borne. This was a season long to be remembered.
On first-day, after the public meeting, the brethren came together to renew their S. B. pledges for 1866. Yesterday this church talked their faith; to-day, they acted it out. They seemed to remember that the apostle speaks of giving “as God hath prospered,” not as they feared he might not prosper them within the year.
The elder of this church is striving to fill well his responsible calling. He does not drive the church into duty, but leads out, and says, “Come brethren and sisters.” Oh that all leaders could say, Come. The church in this place do not forget to pray earnestly and much for their absent and beloved preachers, far away from their homes in the battle-field of truth.
We felt somewhat encouraged in our Quarterly Meeting here last Sabbath and first-day; but this might, and ought to have been a better meeting. We wish all our brethren and sisters who attend such meetings, would come prepared to work for the Lord. If so, we might all be strengthened and encouraged together, and a wholesome impression be carried out in every direction, and the same influence remain behind also.
For one, I am trying to heed the counsel of the faithful Witness. I hope my efforts may not be a failure. I can do but little, and I would be where I can do that little well.
In hope of life.A. S. HUTCHINS.
Wolcott, Aug. 16, 1866.
Meetings in Wisconsin.
By Isaac Sanborn
BRO. WHITE: Bro. Matteson and myself have given twenty-six lectures in Whitewater, Wis. Our congregations have been small, on account of prejudice, which seemed to be impregnable until we commenced upon the nature of man. Then the Methodist minister gave notice that he would speak upon that subject. We all went to hear him. After he had dismissed his meeting, I gave notice that we would review him at the hall the next evening. He told the people that we were sold out and could not get a congregation. He then said he would preach on the same subject the102next Sunday evening. We went to hear him again, and after he dismissed his congregation I gave notice that I would review him the next evening at the hall; whereupon he broke out in a perfect rage, and wanted to know what business I had there, and why I came there to disturb their cause. He then told the sexton he ought to put me out of the house; and said he hoped the authorities would take care of me. One of his members standing near, said if I spoke another word he would jerk me. They fairly trembled with rage. Some of the members of his church said they would not hear him again. Others said they were ashamed of him.
On Monday evening, quite a large congregation were present to hear the Elder’s sermon reviewed. Monday morning, at 9 A. M., about two hundred people assembled at the water side and witnessed the baptism of five persons as they followed their Lord in this solemn ordinance. Three of them had decided to keep all God’s commandments since we commenced our meetings here. Others are deciding. We pray the Lord to help them to decide to follow the light of truth, as it shines upon their minds, that they may not be condemned in the day of the Lord, but may hear the welcome, “Thou good and faithful servant, enter thou into the joys of thy Lord.”
ISAAC SANBORN.
Johnstown Center, Wis.
Report from Bro. Andrews.
By R. F. Andrews
BRO. WHITE: When I reported last, I was about to leave Mackford, Wis., for Fish Lake. I arrived there July 25, and found the brethren glad to see me, and engaged in the work. They had their Sabbath meeting appointed out of their neighborhood, where they thought there was a prospect of doing some good. We continued the meetings over Sunday, and till the Thursday evening following. There was quite an interest to hear. At the close of the last meeting, we took an expression, to see how many believed that all the commandments of God were binding, and ought to be kept (the Sabbath not excepted). The entire congregation voted in the affirmative. Some have already decided to obey God, and we trust that others will soon. God grant that it may be so. The brethren here desire the cause to prosper, and are trying to live so that it may.
Friday, Aug. 3, Bro. Dennis took his team and kindly carried me across to Dell Prairie, a distance of forty miles. There are only a few Sabbath-keepers here, and they meet with bitter opposition. We tried to get the Baptist Church (the only one in the place) to hold meetings in, but were refused, notwithstanding a short time before, they opened it to hold an Irish law-suit in.
They despise the law of God, and the doctrine of the Lord’s coming. Their own words are, “I hate the second Advent doctrine,” and “if you keep the law, you are sure of hell.” According to this view, Solomon and the apostles, Paul and John, were in the wrong, and, corrected, would teach as follows:
He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be very acceptable.Prov. xxviii, 9. There is a crown laid up for all them that hate his appearing.2 Tim. iv, 8. Sin is the keeping of the law. 1 John iii, 4. This is the love of God, that ye transgress his commandments.1 John v, 3.
If this is not putting “darkness for light,” and calling “evil good,” what would it be to do it? Oh how God’s servants need to heed the instructions of the apostle Paul, 2 Tim. ii, 24-26. (Please read.)
We tarried with the brethren till Monday; the 13th inst., preaching and laboring from house to house. Four have taken a decided stand to keep all the commandments of God. Their testimonies are, “We were compelled to believe. The evidence is so conclusive, we cannot get around it.”
My heart says, Praise the Lord for his truth. It is clear, powerful, and convincing. We left this place strong in the faith that the Lord will search out his jewels, by the power of his precious truth. Oh, for more zeal and earnestness in the cause of God.
Left by stage for Darlington, Monday evening, 13th inst., at 8 o’clock. Traveled by stage seventy-eight miles, and by railroad twenty-two miles, and arrived Wednesday, P. M., at three o’clock. We intend to stay over Sabbath and first-day, and then leave for home, so to attend the Quarterly Meeting at Clyde, Aug. 25 and 26. R. F. ANDREWS.
Darlington, Wis., Aug., 1866.
Patience.
By H. F. Phelps
The meaning of this word is, “suffering without discontent.” Patient—“Enduring without murmuring.” The sin of impatience seems to have been looked upon by the apostles as a besetting sin; for we find them exhorting their brethren in strong language against it.
Paul says that if, by patient continuance in well doing, we seek for glory, honor, and immortality, we shall have eternal life. “Rejoicing in hope; patient in (enduring without murmuring) tribulation.” “Now I exhort you brethren, warn them that are unruly; comfort the feeble minded; support the weak; be patient toward all men.” He further says, “The servant of the Lord must not strive, but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient.”
These words of the inspired apostle seem to have reference to all Christians, in all times, and in all places; but we find a few words occasionally, which seem to have a direct reference to the people of God in these last days: “And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ” (margin, Patience of Christ). And James says, “Be patient, therefore, brethren unto the coming of the Lord.” “Be ye also patient, stablish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.”
It would seem from these words that there was danger in the days when the Lord was drawing nigh, that some who should run well for a season might become impatient of his seeming delay, therefore Paul says, “Ye have need of patience, that after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.” “Let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus.” “Let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.”
Peter, in naming over the graces that should adorn the Christian character, did not forget that important one—patience: “Add to temperance, patience.” The angel to John says, “Here is the patience of the saints.” We might extend this list; but this will suffice. We see then that there is great importance attached to this one point. It becomes us to be on our watch. Do we feel like becoming fretful about our work? Then look at the word at the head of this article. Do we ever feel to complain of the weather, that it is too cold or too warm, too much rain or not enough? Then let us have “patience.” God sends it all. Do any of us begin to feel that the way is too rough and long? Then be patient; the journey is short. The race is almost run. What though we may have been looking for the Lord these five, ten, or even twenty-five years? Shall our faith begin to grow weak? Shall we begin to say, I must make more provision for this life? Do we feel discouraged? Let us lift up our heads; for redemption is nearer than when we believed. Hear the exhortation of Paul: “Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward, ‘for yet a little while and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.’”
He has promised, and that promise is sure, that “unto those that look for him, he will appear without sin unto salvation.” But we shall have to look but a little longer. Jesus’ work as a great high priest, is almost accomplished. Our cases must soon be decided. Prophecy is nearly all fulfilled; and what remains is fast fulfilling. Jesus, the Lamb of God, who taketh away the sin of the world, who came to redeem us from the curse, who once said, “I go to prepare a place for you,” will soon come again, that where he is we may be also. Blessed prospect. “Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither hath it entered into the heart of man, to conceive the things that God hath prepared for those that love him.” Let us take courage, and lift up our heads. We are able to go up and possess that goodly land.
“Though trials may await you,
The crown before you lies,
Take courage, brother pilgrim,
And soon you’ll win the prize.”
H. F. PHELPS.
Pine Island, Minn.
Links in the Chain of Violence—the Maltreatment of Women, and the Murder of Whites and Blacks.
By W. B. STICKNEY
To the Editor of The N. Y. Tribune.
SIR: As the late indiscriminate murder of Union men in New Orleans has convinced the Northern public that a malignant spirit still exists in “Rebellion,” and demonstrated that the brutal outrages occasionally reported as having been committed at different points in the South, have not been exaggerated cases of Rebel atrocity and barbarity, the following hitherto unpublished and unnoticed accounts of acts of violence coming within the notice of the writer, while on duty as an officer in the Freedmen’s Bureau in Louisiana, will serve as another link in the chain of evidence, proving that the spirit of Rebellion still prevails, and that the policy of President Johnson, in pardoning the leading Rebels and restoring them to office, has only made them more violent in their dealings with Union men, and rendered the lives of the freedmen still more insecure.
Emile Bertrand, a teacher employed by the Freedmen’s Bureau, was taken by the chivalry in the parish of Point Coupee, where he was teaching, and severely cowhided and his life threatened if he continued to teach a nigger school. This occurred in January last. Lieut. P. F. Burnham, formerly of the 8th Vermont Volunteers, having been mustered out of service, proceeded to Monroe, La., in February last, for the purpose of opening a school. He called a meeting of the colored population. This was set upon by ruffians armed with pistols and knives, and several of the negroes were murdered, and the Lieutenant barely escaped with his life, having received a cut with a knife, five inches in length, across the small of his back.
In August, 1865, Corp. J. M. Wallace, of the 47th Ind. Vet. Vols., while on duty with the Freedmen’s Bureau at Shreveport, La., was kidnapped and brutally murdered, and in the same parish, during the same month, the Provost Marshal of Freedmen reported “that five freedmen had been killed, and that there were sixty well authenticated cases of assault upon the persons of the freedmen—that bodies of the freedmen were found hanging upon the trees, and floating in Red river.”
In January last, Charles Colton, formerly a Lieutenant of the 8th Vermont, reported “that while traveling in Alabama on business, and in citizen’s dress, Dr.—informed him ‘that he had lately rid himself of several of the negroes upon his plantation.’ Said the Doctor, ‘It is an easy matter. They go to the village, but do not return, and nobody knows anything about them; one of my neighbors disposed of four of his in this way.’”
Capt. Marshall Twitchell of Townshend, Vt., who was agent of the Bureau in Claiborne parish, La., reported the maltreatment of two ladies who were sent to his parish to teach, and said “that the parties who had engaged to board them refused, because they had been threatened that if they did so, their house would be burned down, and that it was not safe for him to ride over the whole of his parish, and that he could not protect the teachers.” Lieut. Chas. N. Rockefeller, 48th U. S. C. I., A. A. Q. M., of the Bureau at Shreveport, La., reported “that it became necessary to station a guard at the residence of the teachers to prevent their being brutally treated.” An attempt was made in March last to lynch Gen. Sypher, formerly Colonel of the 20th Rhode Island Heavy Artillery (colored). Having left the service, he, in company with Gen. Fuller, another ex-United States Army officer, leased plantations upon Bayou Boeuf, and Gen. Sypher hired some laborers at Plaquemine, La., and was expected to land several miles below the village from an evening boat, and take the laborers to his plantation. A mob gathered to lynch him upon the landing of the steamer, but as business in New Orleans prevented his arrival, he escaped.
Gen. Sypher informed me that he and Gen. Fuller considered it necessary to arm the hands upon his place for their personal protection. Other Northern men adopt the same rule. Col. Frisbie hired the men of his regiment before the order was issued prohibiting the black soldiers from purchasing their arms from the Government, and as his laborers have the Enfield rifles which they bore in the army, he keeps up a guard upon his plantation, and drills his men regularly. In Louisiana the freedmen are now left entirely to the mercy of their old masters. The Freedmen’s Bureau is powerless.
What can an officer do toward enforcing order in a parish fifty miles long, and from five to twenty wide, without a single soldier to assist him, and with the positive assurance from headquarters that he cannot have any military force? Capt. H. E. Pease, agent at Monroe, La., reported “that a planter told him to go to hell with his orders.” The captain went to New Orleans for a military force, but could not obtain even a corporal’s guard. I repeat, the Freedmen’s Bureau, as at present conducted, is powerless, and the freedmen are defenseless, and Union men at the mercy of traitors. Said the editor of The New Orleans Tribune, the organ of the blacks in Louisiana, himself a colored man, “The Government protects us, and how? President Johnson appoints Provisional Governors, and allows them and their successors to organize a militia in the South. This militia search the dwellings of the black man, and rob him of his arms. The Constitution guarantees to all citizens the right to the use of arms, but the black man cannot exercise this right.”
This is the protection which President Johnson gives us, “such as vultures give to lambs, covering and devouring them.” Again, the white soldier, upon103being mustered out, is allowed to purchase the arms he has borne in the service; but the President issued an order which deprives the black man of this privilege.
Facts like the above have a language which is too plain to be misunderstood. Comment is unnecessary.
W. B. STICKNEY.
Late Lieut. U. S. A., of the Freedmen’s Bureau of La.
Leyden, Mass., Aug. 7, 1866.
Our Heavenly Home.
By M. J. Cottrell
TUNE. “Our Own Dear Home.”
HOME, dear home, where angels dwell,
Where rich heavenly anthems swell,
Oh we long for thy sweet rest,
For we have weary grown by care oppressed.
CHORUS: Jesus Saviour come, take us home,
Here in sorrow’s vale no more to roam,
Earthly beauties fade, ties are riven,
Take us dear Jesus to our home in Heaven.
Wandering here ’mid care and strife,
All our path with danger rife,
Meeting oft the tempter’s snare,
Hear us, O hear us, is our earnest prayer.
CHORUS: Jesus Saviour come, &c.
Here how oft we smile through tears,
Trembling while we hope through fears;
Oft we bow our heads and weep,
Earth has grown dreary for our loved ones sleep.
CHORUS:
Home, dear home, where white robes are,
Where naught will our pleasure mar,
Oh, we soon shall gain thy shore,
And meet there our loved ones to part no more.