HOURS AT HOME. TAKE THE BEST FAMILY MAGAZINE. THE MAY NUMBER BEGINS THE THIRD year of this highly popular Monthly. What the aim of its conductors was in the beginning, it is still-to furnish a Monthly for the Family unrivaled in excellence, one that shall instruct, elevate, and educate the social, moral, and religious nature of man, while at the same time it shall interest and entertain— a Monthly of the highest literary ability and attraction, while yet excluding every thing frivolous, characterized by a high moral tone, and infused with the vital spirit of Christianity. Every day is the conviction confirmed which led to the establishment of HOURS AT HOME, that such a Monthly is greatly needed, and that in proportion as we make it what such a Monthly should be, it will command a decided and large success. It already numbers among its contributors some two hundred and fifty writers, many of them among the most distinguished in American literature, and every month we are enlisting new ones. WHAT IS SAID OF “HOURS AT HOME." The Magazine takes high rank for variety, interest, literary merit, and evangelical tone-Springfield Republican. A Magazine which meets a real want of the community, and one which we can commend for its literary excellence and moral tone to every household in the land-New York Evangelist. Fully on a level with its more elderly compeers.--New York Times. As a Family Magazine it has no rival.-Christian Intelliengcer. As a Magazine for the family or fireside, it meets a widely-extended want, and can scarcely subject its readers to the possibility of a disappointment in its perusal.-New York Tribune. HOURS AT HOME continues to maintain its speedily acquired, but high and well de served reputation.--Boston Courier. The plan of this Magazine gives it a somewhat peculiar place among the popular periodicals of the day. It is intended to bear a distinctively religious character, containing articles suitable for reading at the fireside of Christian families, and breathing the spirit of evangelical piety, without being made the vehicle for direct theological discussion, or the organ of sectarian controversy. Like the religion of which it is a exponent, it aims to promote a pure and healthy tone in the common relations of life, to afford the means of innocent and cheerful recreation in the domestic circle, and to provide a pleasant occupation for the leisure hours of the young. The list of contributors, which would do honor to any periodical of this country, includes the names of Dr. Bushnell, Donald G. Mitchell, Prof. W. S. Tyler, Prof. E. P. Evans, John D. Sherwood, and other eminent writer.-Independent, (N. Y.) April, 1867. TERMS-THREE DOLLARS A YEAR; Six copies for $15. CARPENTER'S LINCOLN.--By special and exclusive arrangement with the publisher, we are able to offer CARPENTER's steel engraving of Mr. Lincoln for two new subscriptions, ($6) or for one new subscription for two years, ($6,) to HOURS AT HOME. This national and historical engraving is the only authentic likeness of Mr. Lincoln, and, apart from this offer, can be procured only of agents, who sell it for $4,75. Since this offer is limited as to time, those desiring to procure this standard likeness must forward their subscriptions at once. The picture will be' sent at our expense. SEWING MACHINES.--For twenty subscribers, one of Wheeler & Wilson's best $55 Machines, or a higher priced one by paying the difference. We have furnished a large number of these, and we know they give perfect satisfaction. Ministers' families, poor widows, and girls dependent on the needle, have, in many instances, been thus provided with this help. Send on the names as fast asobtained, and the machine will be promptly forwarded as soon as the requisite number, with the money, is received. The subscribers sent may belong to different places. FOUR BOUND VOLUMES :--The two years, elegantly bound in four volumes, will be sent, post-paid, for $9. Single volumes, $2,50. For $10, the four volumes and a year's subscription, if the volumes are obtained without expense to us. For $5, either volume post-paid, and a year's subscription. CBARLES SCRIBNER & CO., 654 Broadway, N. Y. THE AMERICAN FRIEND. VOL. I. SIXTH MONTH, 1867. FREEDMEN'S RECORD. INDIANA YEARLY MEETING. A SUPPLEMENT to our last number was issued stating that the Executive Committee, after careful consideration, had concluded to direct the Business Committee to endeavor to find homes for the children in the North. Several of the orphans had been taken out of the Asylum and put out to homes in the South, where, in some instances, they are in no better condition than slavery, and the amount of means in the hands of the Committee would not warrant them in keeping the children in the Asylum and training them for teachers. The Committee still feel the great importance of training children at the Asylums, and expect that some will be kept there to help to take care of the little ones. A letter has been received from a friend enquiring "whether those who took children would have to pay transportation, how long they would have to be kept, and what is meant by binding-out." The Committee hope to have transportation from the Government, and those who take the children will be expected to take care of them till they are of age, and give them reasonable schooling. There are now in the Asylum at Helena 86 children; and at Lauderdale 59; of these 17 are under 4 years of age. They have a good care-taker, one who loves them. She says, "all I wants is to take good keer of the babies here, and den get to Heben when I die." At Lauderdale food is distributed by the Bureau to both whites and blacks at the Asylum. R. T. Reed stated that he had no idea of so much destitution. All that the Bureau attempts is to relieve actual suffering. The Sabbath Schools at Helena, No. 6. Little Rock and Lauderdale are flourishing. From Little Rock. E. M. Butler writes: "Our school (of 240 enrolled,) is increasing in interest since we have brought in a goodly number ot adults, most of whom are unable to read." At Lauderdale a large meeting is now held at the Asylum; about 300 colored people have been in attendance, and R. T. Reed writes that the meetings are very interesting occasions. Reports have been received from 8 schools, viz: 3 at Little Rock; 3 at Helena, and 2 at Lauderdale, under the care of 12 teachers. Whole number enrolled, 252 males, 349 females; total 601; average attendance, 407; tuition collected, $82 35. The following is the Treasurer's account of receipts for 4th and 5th months: WESTERN. hundred in attendance; the average being about two hundred. A Temperance Society had been instituted among the freedmen, which was thought conducive of much good; it numbered about ninety members. 66 At the meeting of Western Executive Committee for colored Freedmen, held Fifth month 3rd, 1867, after hearing the report of the Business Committee, it was decided to defer the reading of the correspondence Drusilla Wilson said, 'She had from our missions, as we had with us endeavored to discharge the duties of the Superintendents and some of the Matron of the schools at Columbus, Teachers, and that we hear from them Miss., to the best of her ability, both an account of their closing labors, &c. in relieving the wants of the aged J. Wilson, in speaking of their and afflicted, and elevating the minds schools at Columbus, said they had of the freed-people. For the poor been well sustained during the past and afflicted, she had cut out, (and month-the average attendance being with the assistance of the colored greater than the month previous women, whom she invited from time that the school at Swaneyantown had to time to her house,) made sixty-five steadily increased, and had done a garments, which she distributed pergood work, with marked improve- sonally to the most needy. One obment in those attending, especially in ject being to teach them kindness to morals. As these people experience the aged and needy, as well as cutting their responsibilities under the new garments and sewing. In order relations freedom has thrown around to instruct the adults and parents in them, they feel their ignorance, and their duties as responsible members manifest a great desire for informa- of society and heads of families, in tion and knowledge, that will fit them domestic economy, &c., she was in for their civil duties. the practice of holding meetings once in two weeks for females only, at which time an essay was read by one of the female teachers, on some suitable and instructive subject. After pursuing this course for some time, she felt it right to invite both sexes, after which these meetings increased in size and interest. She believed they were seasons generally of instruction and were satisfactory. At the close of their school they were invited to hold their examination in the Baptist Meeting House, the lower story belonging to the colored people, and being better suited for that purpose than any room they had. They went with about four hundred scholars; the house was soon crowded, many, both white and black, citizens, not being able to get in. The performances of the scholars were all very creditable. The white visitors remarked that the pieces read and spoken were of a moral and elevating tendency, and seemed well pleased with the school. Several of their scholars were expecting to go to plantations to teach; quite a number were qualified to teach, but felt distrustful of their abilities and a reluctance to undertake schools. One of their scholars had opened a school in the house they left, and another would soon be in operation at Columbus, taught by a colored man. The Scripture School increased in interest as it was continued; at the closing school there were over three "At their last meeting between four and five hundred were in attendance. These meetings were thought to have a very marked influence in increasing their estimate of female character, showing her influence and the place she should occupy in the domestic and social circle, as well as the power she may exert as a public teacher. She informed that their teachers had attended, by invitation, and taken part in the Baptist Firstday school for freedmen, held in the afternoon, their labors were kindly received. The colored people expressed great desire that teachers be again sent and their schools resumed. They raised and paid to J. Wilson $250,00 on their last months schooling, by way of encouraging their return. The Matron reports that books sent them by this Committee and others for distribution among the whites, were loaned and donated, and were received and read with interest and she thought profit. Elihu Hollingsworth reported the close of their schools at Macon as satisfactory, and that they were well sustained up to that time. The colored people of Macon were more ignorant than those at Columbus. Out of 217 enrolled when they went there three-fourths of them did not know their letters, and a very few could read. They made remarkable progress in learning to read, which might partly be accounted for by their exclusive attention to that one branch; a large number of them, when they left, could read readily in the Second Reader, and many had advanced to the Third. A number of the white citizens at tended the close of their school and expressed their satisfaction. The general feeling evinced by them toward the Mission was friendly, especially among the better class. were free, they ought to be educated. Many feel that it is to their own interest to educate them. One of the teachers remarked the labor of the freedmen was needed upon the plantations, that in order to have the benefit of the schools, they come to the cities, and many of them being unable to procure employment, suffer for the necessaries of life. He would feel no hesitation in going as teacher to several neighborhoods around Macon. E. H. Hollingsworth spoke of the feelings of weakness and inability in which they went upon this Mission. Yet they could not but acknowledge that they had been greatly strengthened, cared for and sustained in their labors, and the retrospect was cause of humble thankfulness. J. Wilson could endorse these remarks, feeling that the manner in which they had been preserved and the love and unity that had existed among them was cause of gratitude from all concerned. Hannah Hollingsworth reported that their First-day school was well attended, and much interest manifestThe freedmen expressed great desire ed by the freedmen in it. Alluding to that teachers should again be sent, the orderly conduct of their scholars, and spoke as feeling that their care- she said it was a subject of remark, takers were leaving them. They and several of the citizens, who atpresented the superintendents and tended their examination, spoke of it teachers an address expressive of as comparing favorably with that of their feelings towards them, and their the schools for white children that estimate of their labors amongst had just closed. them. The superintendents produced certificates signed by numerous citizens, both of Columbus and Macon, speaking highly of their conduct and labors. The planters of Macon seemed anxious that schools should be openéd on the plantations. There were several places where they would expect teachers next fall. The great difficulty in establishing such schools being want of accomodation for school or teacher. At one point a school-house had been furnished. He thought these schools would be much nearer self-sustaining than those in the cities. The general expression of the whites was that as these people Their night schools were occasions of much interest, being closed by reading a chapter and a devotional pause, which were sometimes seasons of vocal prayer, in which the freedmen often took part. The teachers related many interesting incidents concerning their schools and scholars. B. H. WRIGHT, Secretary, THE letters on the next page are from men who have always shown a deep interest in our work in Arkansas. Major Sweeny has charge of the Freedmen at Helena. CORRESPONDENCE. THE following letter from W. M. Colby was written to explain why more tuition was not collected from the freedmen : BUREAU OF REFUGEES, FREEDMEN AND ABANDONED) permanently, the means of learning how to read God's Holy Word, and to make intelligent, and sensible, and moral men and women. I never yet wrote you as I promised, because I could tell you nothing certain. I worked hard to get a school house or means to build one. We held weekly meetings all through last winter, at LITTLE ROCK, Ark., April 27, 1867. which the glorious cause of education T. HARRISON :-Dear Sir:-Your was nobly and ably advocated. I favors of the 14th and 15th of April persuaded my friends among the received. I regret that our receipts Anglo-Saxons, to visit these meetings are not greater for tuition. The con- with me, and had some of them aid dition of the country, commercially, the good work by their open and effects the finances of the freedmen public counsel and advice. The equally with those of your people, colored people were willing to do all and we have as little control over the in their power-nay, more, they were former as your Committee has over anxious to do what they could tothe latter. Your Committee will bear testimony that I presented forcibly the importance of collecting tuition, and I believe that since that time your teachers here have not been remiss in that matter. I beg you to continue the school work in this State. The darkness here is terrible. The salvation of the entire South, if not of the whole country, hinges, it seems to me, upon this subject of education -secular, moral, and religious. Millions were spent to conquer the South, let thousands be given to elevate and Christianize her people. Yours, truly, THE following letter from Major Sweeny shows what is doing in Ar kansas for the freedmen: wards establishing permanent schools but alas, the crops nearly all failed, and left the laborer in such a situation that serious apprehensions arose as to how he was going to feed himself and family during winter and until the next Spring, in consequence of which no funds could possibly be collected for the purpose of building a school house. I plainly stated the case to Major General Ord, the Asst. Commissioner of the Bureau, in Arkansas, and in the name of the colored people of Helena, begged assistance, and the General nobly responded, the result of which is to-day to be seen, for I know you will rejoice, and all the Friends will rejoice, when I inform you that the ground is broken, the men are at work, and before another months rolls round, Helena, the second city of Arkansas, can boast of having what she never had beforea common school house. I write you because I can send you some good and cheerful news--that the noble cause of education prospers. "It is now nearly one year ago since I saw you in Helena, that I promised to send you some information regarding our Freedmen's schools at this place. If you remember I informed "In addition to the new school you of the many disadvantages under house at Helena, we are to have one which we labored, because of not at Little Rock; one at Pine Bluff; having a permanent school house, one at Fort Smith, and one at Batesand I also informed you that I was ville. I know this will be glad tidexerting every influence, and strain- ings to our Indiana Friends. For ing every nerve, to carry out my ob- two years and a half have I been inject of having at least one good common school for the rising generation of the poor, degraded, down-trodden African. To put within their reach, timately connected in the good work with the representatives of your Society at this place, Calvin and Alida Clark. Nobly and faithfully have |