We are hard at work in our high-school enterprise. We have Prof. and
Mrs. W. and Miss G., all from the North, with us. We hope to get a
school, the good influence of which will never die out of these
mountains.

These are peculiar people. What I have said of them has reference to
the _general_ class of society. But there are some who seem of better
stock, who are shrewd, keen, far-sighted people. You cannot find
their superiors in _native_ ability in any country. Though often
lacking in culture and morality, they still hold a wide influence
over the rest, so that something besides goodness is required in
those who wish to come among them as helpers. There must be ability
to adapt oneself to these widely diverse conditions. One needs wisdom
and tact to get along with the shrewdest, and such a love for souls
that he can come with a helping hand to the most degraded, nor be
discouraged if, with a heart brimful of sympathy, he reaches the hand
a long time only to see it rejected by those most in need.

The work is a work of time. The majority of the people are unstable,
thriftless improvident and ignorant. Slavery left its blight of
impotency and profligacy upon them. They come and go as did their
fathers a hundred years ago. Their tools and utensils are the same
their great-grandparents used, and they are content with them. We
never worked harder and saw less result in the conversion of sinners
than while in Kentucky, and yet never felt more satisfied that we
were where God wants us, and doing an important work. Unless these
people have help they will prove a fretting leprosy in our nation.

* * * * *

WORK AMONG THE COLORED PEOPLE OF THE SOUTH.

BY MISS IDA M. BEACH.

No small part of the work undertaken by the A. M. A. is that among
the colored people of the South. Perhaps we may judge something of
how vast this work is in itself, and how far-reaching in its results,
if we consider for a few moments the numbers and condition of the
colored people. Twenty years ago about 4,000,000 people were
liberated from bondage, with all the evils resulting from the system
of slavery resting upon them. There was great rejoicing among lovers
of freedom when the Proclamation of Emancipation was issued. The
slaves themselves, wild with joy, shouted, "We're free! We're free!
The year of jubilee has come!" Free! yes, free! but with the burdens
of manhood and womanhood suddenly thrust upon them. Freed