Now that the session for 1873-'74 has closed, I take pains to give you an account of my school work for the session above mentioned. By reason of strong opposition to the Parish school on the part of the colored Baptists, the beginning I made last October with forty-four (44) 0006 6scholars was small. However, by proper management the school grew rapidly in favor, and increased steadily to one hundred and thirty (130) scholars actually in school daily. The number enrolled 170. The school continued in this prosperous condition until the breaking out of a religious excitement near the end of the session, when it was reduced to the closing number ninety (90) present at the final exercises. When I took charge of the Parish school last October the prospect was indeed gloomy, for there were many influences at work to break it up, the by the blessing of God I tided safely over all the obstacles. The school was divided into three departments—Parish or Primary, Intermediate, and High or Normal. I found that my predecessor had established a very good rule in the Parish school regarding the attendance of the pupils—viz: that all pupils of the Parish school enjoying free tuition should attend the Sunday-school. This rule I faithfully carried out during the whole session, and the consequence was, that at first, I lost a large number of scholars; one Monday morning for instance, I dismissed twenty-six of the Parish scholars because they defiantly broke the rule. Notwithstanding heavy losses on account of strictly enforcing this rule, the fact that the Normal scholars had to pay for tuition, and the religious frenzy breaking out about the end of the session, the three regular teachers, the music teacher and myself, were kept constantly and diligently employed. The Normal room was in charge of Miss Mary Weddell, and the Intermediate was in charge of Mrs. Cook. The Primary department for several months was in charge of Miss Emma Morgan, colored, assisted by Mrs. Caroline Bragg, colored. On the first of last January, Mr. G.C. Sutton, who is a postulant for holy orders and acting as my assistant, tool charge of the Parish school. Miss Weddell was sick for a time and her place was filled by one of the best educators in our city, Mr. John D, Keiley. The music teacher was Mrs. Win. Simpson and then her daughter, miss Mary Simpson.

The final examinations, occupying the last week of the session, were conducted by the several teachers, assisted by myself; the results of said examinations were gratifying as to the steady and continuous progress of the scholars. One of the graduates, named John Pollard, will take position next fall as teacher, under the direction of Bishop Payne, as he proposes to prepare himself for the sacred Ministry. It will be remembered that my Normal School, organized in 1871, was incorporated last fall with St. Stephen's Parish school, therefore it would not be out of place to state what has been done by both. From the Normal school there have been sent out from time to time, four teachers, who have satisfactorily filled positions in the Public Schools of the State. From both schools, there have been added to St. Stephen's Church, by confirmation, eight of the best scholars. Two of the Normal scholars have been acting as organists of the Church for some time past. From the Parish 0007 7school also, has the Sunday-school, under the superintendence of Mr. Sutton, been furnished with with most of its scholars. How so much patronage has been secured, and how the school has been kept prosperous, is simply wonderful when we reflect that most of our colored population are under the leadership of so-called spiritual pastors, who instead of preaching the blessed Gospel of love and peace, substitute therefor, in a great measure, the teaching of enmity and strife between the races. These spiritual guides so called, are even more responsible than designing politicians for the present ill-feeling existing. And they not only stir up strife between the races, but they also plainly teach their congregations that there is no religion in the Episcopal Church. They carry their opposition to our Church so far that they threaten to turn away any member of their Churches for permitting their children to attend our Sunday-school. I really think that these colored preachers have done more to our colored population than all the politicians combined who have afflicted us since the war. To prove this I have only to call your attention to the kind of religion propagated by them.

About a month before the close of the session, a fearful excitememt—something like an epidemic—broke out amongst them. It seemed to be universal in its effects and attacked the young as well as the old. The cause of this remarkable outbreak has never been accurately ascertained, but has vaguely been ascribed to the burning internally of Bald Mountain, in North Carolina. The rumor is that the colored people of Danville and that region nearer the mountain, were first impressed with the idea that the world had commenced to burn up, and that the last days had come. This foolish notion is said to have spread like wildfire from Danville to Farmville and thence to Petersburg, before crossing over to Richmond. During the visitation of your Honorary Commissioner, the Rev. James Saul, D.D., to our Mission in the month of April, when the religious frenzy was prevailing, we noticed a crowd of the deluded creatures, on the sidewalk in front of a factory, and stopped to observe them. They had the appearance and their actions indicated that they were possessed with something like an evil or mad spirit. Much of their superstitious jargons was too blasphemous to be reproduced here. Scenes of this kind were common even on the principal streets of the city both day and night. For weeks was this heathenish manifestation of wild religions feeling kept up. And by visiting their churches, where it was far worse, nay, even beyond description, any sane person would have concluded that, in a religious point of view, these people living in the midst of Christian enlightenment are not much better off than the heathen in the wilds of Africa.

This statement is not made to ridicule the colored people (for 'tis through ignorance that most of them do these things) but to call the attention of Christians to the woeful spiritual condition of our colored 0008 8population. And what more can we expect when it is a known fact that they are taught to scout at the idea of professing any religion—save what they term a heart religion—saying that they want no Bible religion—no religion that comes out of a book? A prominent colored member of the most respectable colored Baptist Church in this city, told me that on one occasion he rose at a Church meeting and proposed that all members of the Church, and especially the old should learn to read the Bible themselves, or have it read to them. The storm of indignation that followed his proposition he said could never be described.

To all this there might not be so much objection if they were improved by it. But I have been assured by those who have ample opportunity of judging aright, that the reverse is the case, and that the majority of them become worthless: for they believed that after they are thus converted and are immersed the great work is done, and no matter what they do thereafter, they will be saved.

I close my Report with the solemn appeal to the brethren of our Church throughout our country to come to my help, in laboring for these unfortunate people (for whom CHRIST died), with their prayers and their offerings, that the Everlasting Gospel may be preached to them, and that thereby they may be saved in the great day.

The labors of another twelvemonth are over. There has been but little perceptible change, though a steady, gradual advancement in our work. This improvement is distinctly marked in the very few scholars whom I have retained for some three years. I really do not think white children would have improved more in the same length of time, and when I consider their home associations—the utter absence of any thing like help there—I am convinced there is indeed reason to be satisfied with their progress. Our morning Services are interesting to all who may at any time be present. The Creed and prayers are accurately repeated, and the Psalter is read with attention and propriety. This is a good work, though unpretending in its aspect, and attended by no eclat to render it attractive to persons at a distance. Why is it so feebly sustained by the Church?

Our roll for this session numbers one hundred and seventy-four (174), a slight diminution from that of last year, yet the average attendance has been comparatively higher—there has been less irregularity, and the scholars have given more satisfaction in their studies. Year after year goes by and my spirits often flag, still my faith in the great utility of our work never wavers. But we work here without much aid or sympathy 0009 9save the diluted sympathy from abroad. Amid all this I often wonder at the persistent efforts of the Rev. Mr. Forbes—our Rector—in this cause. He has ever a cheering word for the far future. he knows full well that the present workers will never see full results; he feels in common with the rest of us, that all we have to do is to labor on unflinchingly—the blessing will follow in GOD's good time.

You thus see I have no glowing account to give.

When St. Peter and the rest of the Apostles received their diving Commission to “go disciple all nations,” they were to teach them the “one faith' once delivered. Thus this great plan of salvation, so universal in its heavenly design, was to be transmitted and intrusted to faithful men, who were to carry the glad tidings to all nations, even unto the end of the world, yea, till He who first gave the life-saving word shall come again to receive the fruits of his precious seed, and to call the sowers to a strict account of their faithfulness. Hence we perceive there is one accomplished plan of salvation to be taught to every separate soul of all those nations through whose body the life-blood courses.

The world is one vast Missionary field parcelled out among the few laborers who have obeyed the heavenly call and entered the field already white for the harvest.

All mankind therefore if they would be saved, must receive this word, the “rich” and the poor and the despised alike. Very arduous are the labors of the Missionary of the Cross, and when a cry comes up from them for help, to the great body of Churchmen, it comes with an earnestness which ought to be heeded, for he is in the fore-front of the battle, who often stands almost alone, armed with the word of truth which he must wield with the skill and courage of a true soldier against ignorance, superstition, prejudice, idolatry, Fetichism. Especially is this the condition of that portion of the Christ-redeemed termed “Freedmen.” These poor but precious souls must be directed to Him, “Who hath the words of eternal life.” This Missionary work among the Freedmen is one of reality and must be carried on with vigor if we would save these people from superstition, and this great effort must stand (although begun in weakness) until the souls, in whose interest it is carried on shall gathered into the one fold, under the one Shepherd. It would appear ungrateful in me were I not to acknowledge that much has been done even in the limited space of my ministry in the city and suburbs of Wilmington, N.C. During the five years it has been my privilege to minister to the parish of St. Mark's, I have received in money and 0010 10Material, principally from the North, the sum of #3,532 25 Of a Bell costing 210 00 Estimate of labor and money raised by the congregation of St. Mark's.650 00 Collected from the good citizens of Wilmington for an organ 200 00 Also at Wilmington, N.C., toward the erection of a bell tower 160 00 In all $4,752 25 The lot on which the church was built was purchased by the congregation at a cost of 900 00 Making a total value of church property of about $5,652 25

A goodly sum of the above, about six hundred dollars, was collected from citizens of Wilmington. Thus you will see that by our efforts during the last five years, we have accumulated church property amounting to the above sum—the main building so far advanced towards completion that a small sum of about four hundred dollars would enable us to have the church consecrated.

Thus the good work moves, though slowly, and I trust the work done, though small, will not be least among the reckonings of the days of small things.

During the last year there have been added to the Church twenty by Confirmation, about forty adults and infants, by Baptism.

The Church school has been under the superintendence of Miss Hicks, assisted by Mrs. Hall and Miss Brady (the latter furnished the music for week-day and Sunday-school services); it averaged about seventy pupils; the Sunday-school was attended by about an average of one hundred children each Sunday. So much has been done and gone up before the great Head of the Church, I trust to be accepted by Him.

Much more remains to be done, the duties of the parish becoming more arduous as it extends, and as we look around on either side of the great harvest field, we are led go quote the words of the great Shepherd and Bishop of souls, “The harvest truly is plenteous, but the laborers are few.”

The Rt. Rev. Bishop of north Carolina, with the Assistant Bishop, including the whole staff of Clergy, give their hearty co-operation and cheerfully render assistance to the furtherance of this good and great work, and some earnest laymen give much time to instructing in the Sunday-schools. You will readily perceive that with a larger amount of means at the disposal of your Commission, much more real Church work could be accomplished and many more souls directed to Him, “Who hath the words of eternal life.”

The work of teaching has gone on steadily in St. Barnabas' school for the past nine months, commencing the 13th of October, 1873, and closing the 29th of June, 1874. At the commencement, our attendance 0011 11was somewhat affected by the panic. Yet under these difficulties our numbers compare favorably with those of this period last year. The whole number in attendance during the scholastic year, one hundred and fifty-eight (158), ninety-eight (98) girls and sixty (60) boys.

My motto with these children has always been “thoroughness,” short lessons and perfect ones; it was carried out effectually; the improvement was good.

Forty of these children were Church children, and were among the number of those who were very regular in their attendance, and well advanced in their studies. I here say, that it would be difficult to find children who were more familiar with the Prayer Book, catechism, creed and ten commandments, etc., than were these. Three of them were confirmed by the Bishop last May, and, I trust, will be faithful soldiers of the cross, and fight manfully under the banner which they have chosen.

We feel assured that our Mission is doing much good to the colored race, and that GOD will raise up in these schools many who will become helpers as teachers and ministers. The thought should stimulate us to build up the Church with Parochial schools. The field is large, but alas! how few and weak are the laborers. how sad it is that the Church has not faith according to her means; if she had, money and teachers would be raised and sent forth to meet every call.

The increased facilities furnished by the public schools will tend to diminish our numbers unless we compete with them. Our teachers should understand their work well, be good disciplinarians, and willing to work in and out of season, in order to be successful—there must be no falling back on laurels previously earned, but always an earnest solicitude exhibited to make the last school the best.

We have a good school building in Wilmington. The past year I repaired the house and fence to the amount of sixteen dollars ($16.00). Twenty dollars and seventy cents ($20.70) were expanded for fuel, two dollars and twenty-five cents ($2.25) for transfer of goods sent to the school, and thirty dollars ($30.00) insurance on the building. I am pleased to be able to say that these bills were paid without any assistance from the Commission.

I distributed about one hundred and fifty dollars (150.00) worth of clothing to the needs of the school and others, as I found them. For assistance in my labor of love I am greatly indebted to kind friends in Boston, North Andover, Holmesburg, and Westport. Two ladies—one in Boston, the other in Holmesburg—are deserving of more than a passing notice. One for her timely aid and assiduous zeal in our cause, the other for so kindly furnishing our school room with several beautiful mottoes, and supplying us bountifully with school books, slates, writing material, etc. May GOD reward them a hundred fold for all they did for us, and may they at the last great day receive the plaudit “Well done good and faithful servants.”

Our school closed with an exhibition consisting of declamations, dialogues and singing by the children. They did exceedingly well, considering it was the first one ever gotten up in the school. Many of the parents of the children were present, and seemed well pleased with the exercise.

Our schools are blessings to these destitute children. May the favored people of the North multiply such blessings a thousand fold.

Another year has rolled by, making the seventh that our school has been in operation, and although there is considerable sameness and monotony in our occupation-so that the recital of one year might almost tell the story of the whole seven-yet it is important enough to bear repetition. Therefore I will give an outline of our work for the past nine months-which though they have brought some trials and anxieties, have also been fraught with prosperity and many blessings.

The whole number of pupils registered this year is one hundred and eighty-two (182). Twelve having withdrawn to go to work, we closed with one hundred and seventy (170): boys 81 girls 89. The majority of whom have been sufficiently studious to make fair progress in their studies. Indeed all in the primary department stood the test of their examination far better than I expected. Many of the larger pupils also acquitted themselves with credit; hence the principal felt it incumbent upon her to give each child in the school some “token” of approbation this year.

All of the teachers have conscientiously and faithfully discharged their various duties too. Rev. J.V. Welch has continued to give religious instruction in the school, on Fridays throughout this session.

Many of the pupils who could afford it, have paid a trifling tuition each month, from which source the receipts this year have amounted to $158.96.

I have been in charge of this parish a year and four months. The condition of affairs at the time my rectorate commenced, made it apparent that the parish had passed through a severe ordeal.

But gradually a change for the better was effected, and confidence being gained, the scattered members began to return and new ones were added.

The statistics for the brief period of my ministry are as follows:

Baptisms 44, confirmations 18, communicants added 20, marriages 4, funerals 16, present number of communicants 188, Sunday-school teachers 12, Sunday-school pupils 89, Bible class (adults) 20.

A cabinet organ, one of Hamlin's improved, has been purchased for the Sunday-school. The roof of the church edifice has been repaired and painted; the outer walls rough-casted, and a neat picket fence erected around the church lot, and has also been painted. The members have just placed a marble tablet in the church, in memory of their late revered and lamented Rector Rev. James Stoney. The design is good and the inscription well executed.

Contributions have been made to objects out of the parish, as follows: To the late suffers at Shreveport $14 50 To the Bible Society 5 00 “ “ St. Mark's Church, Wilmington, N. C 10 00 “ “ Proposed Memorial Church in Africa 10 00 “ a former Rector, in indigent circumstances 10 00

These foot up more than $600, which have been raised within the parish, and expended for improvements and charitable objects, not including Rector's salary, benevolent objects within the parish and current expenses.

When it is considered that no member of the parish is in independent circumstances, and that the past year has been very favorable, in a pecuniary point of view, it must be admitted that the members of this congregation are not altogether wanting in good works and labors of love.

The Parish was without a Rector for eight months previous to my advent. But with all this the membership has increased, the Services, including the Sacraments, duly observed, and a healthy condition of things apparent.

All that is necessary now to increase the usefulness and growth of the parish, is some help towards starting a parish-school, a library for for Sunday-school, and about $500 toward the completion of our parsonage, which must decay if not completed immediately. The church property is valued at $9,000, but with help from abroad, towards finishing the parsonage and making needed improvements, its value would be considerably enhanced.

It is my earnest prayer that wise counsel may prevail at General Convention for spreading and establishing our beloved Church among my people, in this, and every section of the land.

The results of the past year's labors, both in church and school, are such as to encourage us to undertake the duties and responsibilities of the ensuring year with undiminished confidence in the Master's blessing and assistance. When we view the ground which we occupy to-day marked by evidences of spiritual tillage, e.g., a well-filled Sunday and 0014 14day school, an increasing church membership, regular Services and Communions, a lot of our own and church (though unfinished), all worth about $5,000, and to remember that two years ago this same district was a barren wilderness, so far as the Church is concerned, we feel inspired to cry, “Praise the Lord O my Soul and forget not all his benefits,”

During the school year now past we have had to content with a good many difficulties which circumstances over which we had no direct control had placed in our way, but these very difficulties served but to strengthen and to lead us more trustingly to work on in the fear and faith of God.

The number of our Parish and Sunday-school pupils, which was between 120 and 125 last year, has dwindled down to about 90 during the present year. Two causes mainly contributed to the production of this result. The first is the panic which last summer so seriously distributed the money market. The effects of this trouble are still seen in our city. Many of the members of our Mission are servants, carpenters, bricklayers, etc., depending upon the proceeds of their daily or monthly labor for subsistence. Their children can be kept at school only so long as they have sufficient steady employment to enable them to provide for them. The panic threw some of them out of employment, and in some cases their children have been sent out to service to assist in supporting the family. Another cause is the enlarged accommodations and increased facilities of the city free schools.

Many of the children in our immediate neighborhood have attended these in preference to our own, simply because the furniture and other conveniences of said school are far better than ours. I think that if the members of the Commission or their friends would take advantage of such opportunities as the replacing of old furniture by new in Church schools in New York, Philadelphia, etc., and send down the cast-off furniture to the Parish schools for Freedom, many a convenient necessity would be supplied. I suggest this in all humility.

As an evidence of the strength of our influence I may mention in this connection that we have able to keep up our members and the interest of both parents and pupils, although we have not a single desk in our school. Our poor little children learn to write by kneeling down on the floor and placing the copy book on the bench on which they sit, and in this attitude they cheerfully set themselves to work. It pains me exceedingly to see this, because such associations and influences demoralize rather than ennoble them.

The progress of the school is remarkable. The vigor and energy and tact of my two teachers equal my anticipations. The correctness and distinctness with which the Psalter is read by them (the children) in the Services of the Church, the pride and gladness with which they repeat memoriter the Collected for each Sunday in the year, during Sunday-school 0015 15hours, among many other things, are evidence of this absolute advancement. The number of pupils is fast becoming what it was originally (being now 90), and among these are girls and boys between 11 and 14 years of age.

Our chapel is nearly finished. It is intended to give accommodations to five hundred freedmen and children. Of the children who attend the Parish school the majority are baptized in the Mission and some of them are communicants of the Church. It gives us pleasure to report that the pupils, who for a time, leave our schools are sure to find their way back again and at the baptism of their children, parents are prevailed on to attend.

God grant that the disadvantages under which we now labor may soon be removed so that our plans may be put into operation. “Then will Jacob rejoice and Israel shall be right glad.”

St. Paul's Church at Terry, district from this place about ten miles, is doing a great work, with abundant success. That portion of their labors prosecuted among the colored people, is successful beyond expectation. A few years since, Miss Betty Wharton-formerly of Maryland—organized, on her father's premises, a Sabbath-school for the colored people. Under her management it has been in regular operation, and has steadily increased feature among them is, that they are regular in their attendance at church, and that they evince an intelligent appreciation of the Service. This school is undoubtedly an efficient means of assimilating and educating this people: for those of them who have connected themselves with the Church have been admirably disciplined, while they are recognized as peaceful and respectable Christians.

Those far away from the South, and moving in polite society, have, perhaps, but a meagre conception of the difficulties met with by those zealously laboring among the freedmen. Taught, as they were formerly, by their religious, or more properly, irreligious leaders—men of their own race, and of their habits of thinking and modes of living-it is not To be wondered at that the Church was confronted by an order of things apparently unfavorable to much success. There was, with a few exceptions, scarcely any true conception of Christianity. The same is true even now, wherever they are still under the teaching of the class of ministers to whom we have alluded. From such unpromising raw material it were almost unreasonable to anticipate the production of anything consistent or respectable. There is, however, an appreciable contrast of those brought under her influence, for the 0016 16latter have decidedly improved, morally, socially and religiously. As ever, the Good Master has owned His work. By infinite labor and patience, by example, as well as by precept, they have been and are taught what Christian principles, morals and habits are. The result is, we are happy to state—with gratitude to God—good conduct, order, industry, good feeling and propriety. By information gleaned here and there from the more intelligent of them, I learn that they acknowledge at length a very prevalent mistake—centering all hope in political measures and the State Legislature—while they were indifferent to the fact, that by forming virtuous habits and living as good, worthy citizens, they would gain for themselves a more favorable consideration. Nor are they ignorant of the fact that the highest and best society is that which produces the highest and best people; but rather they have learned to know by their own good living, with regard for the good of those around them, they become accessions to the moral good of the community. The work among them is carried forward effectively and successfully. The labors of Miss Wharton are indispensable to the colored people at Terry. As a sympathizing, devoted, self-sacrificing, earnest Christian, she is ever doing and never weary. Repeatedly has she manifested her interest—in the more substantial manner—in the welfare of her school. Will not Churchmen, I respectfully ask, manifest their interest by a few tokens of their regard for it? Heretofore, the school has been highly delighted with a Christmas tree. We would very much like to give them one this year, but since our means are well nigh exhausted, with the hope of a timely response, we appeal to our friends and well-wishers for aid in this direction. Small simple books with illustrations and lively colored covers, bright colored pictures and picture cards, a few yards of calico, muslin, bright colored ribbons and a few toys, would greatly aid us, and would be thankfully received. Anything contributed to this object should be forwarded to the Rev. Mr. Douglas or to Rev. E.K. Forrester, Superintendent St. Paul's Associate Mission, Terry, Miss.

I herewith send you a report of Mrs. Miles' Church school in my parish. The school opened in November last, and the monthly average attendance has been 75. The average in the month of June, when the weather was very warm and our people very busy on their farms, was nevertheless 65. This I believe was a larger average than in any school that I could hear of in the county, for either white or colored children. I mention this to show you that interest in the school continued to the last. Mrs. Miles' influence over her pupils is very good indeed, and their improvement very satisfactory. The Rev. Dr. Dame, superintendent of education in an adjoining county, who is aware of the 0017 17number of Mrs. Miles' pupils and the character of the instruction given (who, as you know, is rector of the Church of the Epiphany in Danville, as also Superintendent of Public Schools in Pittsylvania County: and who knows better what a school ought to be), hopes with me that you will endeavor to induce the Commission to raise Mrs. Miles' salary; and I can urge you the more, because I witness the good she is doing for the Church, and the improvement she is making in the intelligence and the character of the poor colored children. As great as is the value of a good Christian teacher in a civilized and educated community, it is immeasurably greater amid a population such as Mrs. Miles' is instructing. I have been preaching to and instructing colored people, before and since the late war, as you know, for forty years; and I speak advisedly when I tell you there is no agency of any kind, anywhere in the Southern States, which in proportion to its means, is doing a better work for the children of the freedmen than this humble and unknown school kept by Mrs. Miles'. I hope the Commission will take the proper steps to become acquainted with its character, and then give it such support, and place it on such a foundation, as it deserves.