stood up for us, we will not
despair.

Our Christian friends at the North have given us liberty and
citizenship. Noble Lincoln and brave Grant were to us almost what
Moses and Aaron were to the Israelites. These same people are
mastering another great problem. As soon as hostilities ceased they
placed institutions of learning within our reach. Under the A. M. A.
and other associations, schools and colleges are erected in the South
for our advancement and training. Here is Straight University,
founded at the very centre of bitterness. From the regions round
about she gathers young men and woman, teaches them the truths of
Christianity, educates them, and then sends them abroad to fill the
pulpits, to gather in the lost ones. Trained by those who have had
the best education the North could give them, they go out to teach
the children, who, but for them, could have no good teaching. The
missionary cause carries light to the homes that are in darkness.

It is a great encouragement, not only to us but to our parents also,
to know that we are acquiring an education from the hands of these
Christian helpers, so that we can become useful in the world, good
citizens, skilled in art and science, and in all branches of
knowledge; to become recognized in the best society, and to secure
comfortable homes for ourselves; to know that we are taught true
principles of Christianity, so that we can use our learning aright,
build up God's kingdom, promote peace and happiness upon earth, and
by and by, when that Eye which looked down from heaven and saw the
shackles of slavery struck from our hands and souls, sees fit, we
shall be the instruments in carrying the gospel of Christ across the
sea to our fellow-men who inhabit the dark continent. Difficulties
there are, many and great; but nothing is too difficult for the
Almighty, and He is our helper and always will help if we ask Him.

The chance to get a good training is in the reach of nearly every
one, if he will only try. We are grateful to our benefactors and to
God for these blessings. May His name be praised and may He reward
his servants in the end!

C. W. JOHNSON.

* * * * *

THE INDIANS.

* * * * *

THE APACHE RAID.

BY GEN. C. H. HOWARD.

A private letter before me from a ranchman says: "Great excitement
prevails all over this part of Arizona from the breaking out of the
Chiricahua Apaches. We expecte