8

work with earnest hearts. for the elevation of these our brothers and
sisters, when we find that even the surface waters are disturbed; for so
long were all the channels of heart, and soul, and mind left dormant, that
one might only be surprised that life was not extinct; but, on the con-
trary, God hath kept alive and vigorous the fountains there; there is an
innate love of right in their hearts that shows itself in various directions.
I am often surprised that, these, who have had nothing to elevate, but all -
to deteriorate and degrade, should have remaining so much real good-
ness of heart, so much sense of justice, so much honesty.

Many of our pupils work diligently at their crops before they come to
school, and walk a long distance; yet, for the most part, they overcome
the weariness, that is the nal result, and enter on the duties of the
evening with earnestness and perseverance. ©

A number who did not know their figures are now ciphering quite
readily, and others, who had not mastered the alphabet, can now read and
write.

The people are succeeding nicely with their crops—tteir aie are
thriving; the seeds you. sent are now represented by a luxuriant growth
of vegetables, much to the satisfaction of those who planted them.
They. are so proud of their success in labor, and in living independently.

The church attended by the people is about five miles from this place.
It is situated in the midst of a grove of magnificent live oaks, some of
whose larger branches are equal in size to an ordinary tree, and, covered
with gray moss hanging in rich festoons from every bough, are an impos-
ing sight. The minister is good and earnest, and reaches the hearts of
his people with his simple eloquence far better than many a fashionable
audience is reached by the learned and popular clergyman. One senti-
ment particularly impressed me: “Do the ’filictions, the troubles, the
griefs we have, hurt us? No. They make us grow; they be the means
that God send to we to make we good; they be our growth.”—<t.
Helena, Fourth Month 17th, 1866.

About the middle of First month, Cornelia Hancock, an
applicant for position of teacher under the auspices of this
Association, went to Charleston to examine into the wants of
the freedmen, and to open a school, if a suitable situation could
be found.

The accounts received from her decided us to re-open a school,
formerly taught at Mt. Pleasant, a healthy location in Charles-
ton harbor, about three miles from the city. The plantations
in the vicinity are mostly occupied mie Northern men anxious to
benefit the colored race.

The school was opened i in an old contibis (occupied during the