It was a visit to churches, a handshake with pastors and deacons, a gathering of congregations to "make their wants and wishes known" to "the Association." One soon learns that the correct use of the definite article to designate the A.M.A. is not confined to those who have studied grammar. There is only one Association for these people. They never call it "American" nor even "Missionary." "The" is all sufficient, and it does one good to hear his society thus alphabetically abbreviated, as it does to meet these warm-hearted brethren of the colored churches which have been nourished with life by "The" Association. If anyone is suffering from iciness in the cardiac region, there is no better place for him to get the cockles of his heart well warmed up than in some of the colored congregations' churches which I visited. I said some. Alas! there is a difference in churches--in the South.
I find the schools full of interest, and that in the higher institutions the girls and young women are side by side in nearly equal numbers with lads and young men in climbing up the steep hills of education. It is, indeed, climbing. It takes more time, more patience and more resolution than most white students with happier conditions can realize.
The characteristics of the student are changing somewhat from the former days. Pupils are pushing into the more advanced grades earlier in years. They have not the memories of slavery as had the generations before them--only the traditions of it, and certain of its influences--for influences do not die when institutions pass away. There is not, for example, much old-fashioned Puritanism stalking about in New York in these days, but considerable of Puritan influence is alive and is just now contributing to the hopefulness of the times and the interests of municipal reform and even of the State government. Influences continue, and it will take time for those of slavery or the effect on both races to pass away.
One may not particularize among so many schools and churches as were in the path of my visitation, and one must generalize if he will keep within limits. For ten years now it has been my privilege to study the South as a personal observer, not only in schools and churches and not only on the regular routes of travel, but in the bypaths of rural life and in talks with all classes and conditions of men of every shade of color. I may, therefore, be permitted to generalize.