separate
building, entirely apart from the Santee School. This instruction
in the vernacular must be conducted entirely separate from the
English course, and must not interfere with English studies or be
considered part of the ordinary course for any other pupils of the
school than the limited number agreed upon, not to exceed thirty,
and all instruction in the vernacular must be conducted at no
expense to the Government."

Since writing the above, we have received from Commissioner Atkins a
copy of rules designed to explain the orders quoted above. We are
constrained to say that these explanations will probably not remove the
objections that have been widely entertained against the rulings of the
Department. It must be admitted, however, that there are difficulties in
the way of formulating regulations that in their details shall meet the
views of all parties concerned. On the one hand, there is the aim of
Commissioner Atkins, in which we all coincide, to introduce the English
language among the Indians as speedily as possible. On the other hand,
there is the aim of the churches, in which we are glad to believe the
Commissioner coincides, to spread the gospel as rapidly as possible
among the Indians. The churches feel that it is a duty they owe to God
and to those Indians who cannot understand English to teach them in
the language in which they were born, and they believe, too, as the
result of long experience, that Christian schools in the vernacular are
among the most important means to that end, especially as pioneer
movements. American Christians believe, too, that they have the
right as American citizens to use their own methods--tested by
experience--without the interference of the Government; and we believe
they will feel constrained to protest in every legitimate and honorable
way against such interference. We hope that the Department of the
Interior will yet make the needful concessions.

* * * * *

THE SOUTH.

Rev. Dr. A.G. Haygood, the author of _Our Brother in Black_, and the
general administrator of the John F. Slater fund, was in Macon a few days
ago, visiting officially Lewis Normal Institute, which he pronounced an
admirable school. The doctor made a thorough inspection of the school,
and expressed himself as greatly pleased with its present management
under Mrs. L.A. Shaw. He remarked that the improvement within the
last two years