Liberty County, Ga., is the county south of Savannah, on the sea. Visitors from the North en route to Florida pass directly through it after leaving Savannah. Our American Missionary Association school at McIntosh is in this county, and there are several Congregational churches also under the auspices of the American Missionary Association. Among these is one at Hagan, presided over by the Rev. J. B. Fletcher.
The religious condition of the colored people in this county of Liberty may be better understood in the light of the following incident. On Saturday morning, August 6th, Rev. J. B. Fletcher, accompanied by his wife, left Hagan for a place called Smiley, by urgent invitation, to organize a Congregational church. The work of organization was duly perfected on Sunday morning, the 7th, after which the officers and members persuaded him to stop over that evening and preach, which he readily consented to do. While in the pulpit a gun was discharged through a window of the church, the contents entering into the right side of Rev. Mr. Fletcher and wounding five others. As medical treatment could not be obtained there, he was hastily carried twenty miles to his home, where a physician was immediately summoned. His wounds proved to be very severe, but were not such as to prevent his recovery. The thigh was literally riddled with buckshot, one hundred and thirteen having already been extracted from his body. He writes us, "I am glad to have your sympathy and prayers; they are of great strength to me. It will be quite a while before I can walk as before, if ever. I feel happy to know that I am counted worthy to suffer thus for Christ's sake. I am not discouraged, and will be on the field again as soon as I can hobble around on crutches."
A letter from a neighboring pastor adds, "The detective will have all of the intended assassins arrested by the middle of the week. It is found that they are all colored people, and officers of a so-called Methodist Church, who as members of the Church Militant, took this means to prevent the introduction of a Congregational church in that vicinity."
A church whose officers propagate their faith with shotguns assuredly has no right to the Methodist name, which it dishonors, nor to any name, but it remains a significant illustration of sectarian ignorance and superstition which we often find bitterly opposing the introduction of a pure Christianity among the heathen of our own country. Heathenism, not far away from one of the most beautiful cities of the South—a city of beautiful churches and in a county which rejoices in the name of Liberty—has furnished within the past ten years many examples of such conditions and conduct as could not be found in many places in Africa. It is not time yet for those who love Christ and their country to be weary in well doing in this home land.
The long experience of colored people in the South, in the work of cultivating cotton has led to many enterprises looking to manufacturing the raw article into goods. Several movements have made good headway for a time, but most of them have failed to score a permanent success. The last enterprise of this character is located at Concord, N. C. It appears to have a substantial foundation and its success seems almost assured. Speaking of the enterprise and its supporters the "Baltimore Ledger" says:—"The Coleman Cotton Mill, at Concord, will soon be ready for operation. It is a worthy enterprise and should be substantially supported by the race in North Carolina especially; and those outside of the state should feel much interested as it is a purely negro enterprise. The white people of the state feel much interested in the factory and many of them are giving substantial aid. This is in evidence of the fact that many white people throughout the entire South are willing to extend a helping hand to the race, and thus help us rise to a higher plain of Christian manhood, if we will but help ourselves. Self-help is one of the most essential qualities in racial development. Without it no race can ever hope to achieve any great victories or become strong or powerful. Let us then help ourselves first, and before we seek outside help from our white friends."
From a former Principal of Ballard Normal School, Macon, Ga.:
"For a long time I have been wishing to hear from the American Missionary Association both as to its work and its prosperity. For that reason please find herewith an order for $40. I would like to have the magazine sent to me here....
"The work here in Asia among the poor and ignorant is much the same that it is elsewhere, except that the habits and superstitions of centuries seem more unyielding than I ever saw them before. The opportunities for Christian work yielding immediate results seem to be tenfold greater at home than here. The need both here and there is unlimited. Our hearts have anxiously turned towards our country in this time of war."
Once more the American Missionary Association is called to mourn the loss of one of its most useful and highly esteemed officers. Mr. S. S. Marples, who died at his home in Brooklyn, June 23, 1898, in the sixty-fourth year of his age, was a most judicious business man, a devoted Christian, and useful in many walks in life. He was one of the most prominent members of the Produce Exchange, New York City; at various times a member of the Board of Managers, and holding important positions on its Committees.
Mr. Marples' sympathies and interests were wide and useful in benevolent and church work. For many years he was a member of the South Congregational Church, Brooklyn, and was Superintendent of the Sunday-school for several terms. He was closely identified with the Manhattan Brooklyn conference of churches. He was prominently connected with the New York Congregational Club and was its President for several successive years.
Mr. Marples became identified with the American Missionary Association by his election, in 1880, as a member of the Executive Committee. For sixteen years he has served on its Finance Committee; for many years as its Secretary and for the last part of the period as its Chairman. The value of these services was constantly recognized by his associates on the committee and will be appreciated more fully as the years go by. For the year past Mr. Marples' health was very frail; only for a part of the time was he able to attend to his business, but never, as we are assured, did he lose his lively interest in the affairs of the American Missionary Association, to which his attention had been given so constantly and faithfully throughout the past eighteen years.
Miss Hume, who was from 1893 to 1896 connected with our mission work in New Orleans, died early in June. This devoted missionary was the daughter of missionaries in India, and was born in that country. Receiving her education in America her life was devoted to mission and Christian work here. Previous to her connection with our work in Louisiana, Miss Hume was laboring in the mountain regions of Vermont, and the last work of her life was as pastor of the Congregational Church in Gill, Mass. Relinquishing that on account of impaired health, the last few months before her death were spent in severe suffering. Greatly honored and esteemed in all her work, the intelligence of her death brought a sense of loss and feeling of sadness to the many whom she had labored to help to save. A singularly faithful worker and devoted servant of Christ, surely she will have many stars in her crown.
Never can the teachers and students of Talladega College forget the Commencement of 1898, when so many brave young men left their cherished plans to engage in the war with Spain. Those laughter-loving boys, earnest in study, but full of fun, and careless sometimes, as boys will be—one hardly knew them when the war spirit rose and they stood in line with that new, steady light of resolution shining in their dark eyes. In 1860, young men of Anglo-Saxon blood left that same building to fight against the Union. One of those young men, now governor of the state, thirty-eight years later, telegraphs to the same school asking Negroes to defend that same Government, and they cheerfully respond. Is not this a revolution of the wheel of time?
The governor's telegram came Wednesday, almost two weeks before Commencement. All the volunteers were promoted, having completed satisfactorily the work of the year with the exception of the closing exercises. Thirty in all volunteered, three or four of whom were not students, but a third of this number were unable to pass the severe physical test. A farewell meeting was held in the chapel, and the young soldiers told in stirring words the motives that led them to offer their lives to their country; their resolve to fight for the freedom of bleeding Cuba, their love of the Stars and Stripes, in spite of the wrongs they themselves had suffered, their strong desire to show that Negroes could not only live and work, but die, like men. Many earnest appeals were made for prayers, that they might never turn their backs to their enemies, nor yield to the temptations of camp life. At last, a quiet little woman with an earnest face arose and told in trembling tones her determination to go as a nurse if she could find any opportunity. She was called to the platform and it was beautiful to see the reverence with which the tall, young fellows gathered about her.
Talladega College had reason to be proud of her sons as they marched to the station with a flag and a band and went off with a ringing cheer. Nor were her daughters wanting; their hearts were aching, but their faces dressed in smiles as they sent their brothers away as patriotically as those of fairer hue.
The Talladega students have not been permitted to meet any Spaniards in battle, but their record in camp at Mobile has been true to their promises. They have shown to everyone the advantage of education. Their officers prize them highly, and the rough, ignorant men who are their comrades, have felt their influence, so that the governor has publicly commended their behavior.
After losing so many of the best students, it seemed hard to go on in the ordinary routine of the school, but those who were left did their best to fill two places at once, and the exercises were quite up to the average in excellence. The written examinations were successfully passed by large classes. The public examinations, as usual, attracted much attention. A minister who attended Dr. Andrews' examination in Homiletics, says: "Thorough instruction had led the students to such a grasp of the subject as to make them independent thinkers. If these young ministers will use the knowledge they have acquired by this study, their sermons will be well prepared, well delivered, and they will be faithful pastors as well as good preachers."
The class in church history showed satisfactory knowledge of what God has been doing in His church in this country since its history began. The class in prophecy has been studying Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel and the minor prophets. This study has interested the class exceedingly and made them work hard. It has removed many doubts from the most intelligent minds and made clear the wonderful plans of God.
In the college and normal departments, good work has also been done. Classes were examined in Greek, Latin, general history and various branches of science and mathematics. Some pupils in geometry showed a clear comprehension and ability to carry on a train of reasoning creditable to any student, but especially so to those who have received their early training in country schools where incompetent teachers preside three months in the year. One of these students says that for years he worked on alone, puzzling over books by himself, occasionally trying to find some one who could help him, only to be thrown back on his own resources. A peculiarity of his is, that he will not profess to understand what he does not see clearly. This trait, in connection with his practical, unselfish plans for the benefit of his people, seems likely to make this unassuming young man of use in the world.
The examination in general history did not manifest a perfect knowledge of all past events. Indeed, one student tried to find Spain somewhere in the Congo region, when attempting to illustrate the voyages of Columbus. Still it was apparent that these young men and women had some historical facts fixed beyond the possibility of forgetting, and that they had acquired the habit of thinking about them and drawing their own conclusions which were often very practical.
The classes in physical sciences, some of them instead of answering questions, explained and exhibited the contents of the Museum. All showed the excellent results of out-door and laboratory work. They have learned to see. The visitors in the grammar room noted with especial pleasure a masterly explanation of cube root by means of blocks and figures that was positively fascinating.
But time would fail to tell of all the varied work, from the tiny tots with their kindergarten plays to the sturdy farmers and engineers. Let others decide whether it is better for the young ladies to do neat and tasteful needle work or play a selection from Chopin. They can do both.
All the exercises of Commencement were well carried out except the Concert. The loss of an unusually fine musical treat was one of the deprivations caused by the war, the singers of the Soldiers' Chorus having become soldiers in earnest. It seemed a pity that every one of the contestants for the prizes could not receive a prize, so original and thoughtful were the orations and essays, and so good the recitations. One of the best orations stated, that the way to elevate the Southern farmer is not by means of teachers and preachers alone but by the unselfish lives of scientifically trained farmers and their wives who should be willing to live among the people and teach them by example.
After the pleasant graduating exercises which sent out five more young people, one of whom sent his oration from camp to be read, the Alumni held a very delightful reunion. Many letters were read from graduates. One wrote—"Every year, since I left Talladega, I have been more and more convinced that many of the most prominent leaders of our people lay too great stress on the possibilities of wealth and trades and too little emphasis on the absolute and greater necessity of firm Christian character. Neither wealth nor trades assure to us the favor of God." Another writes from Texas of the work his wife is doing by establishing a Woman's Rescue Society. From indifference, the women in the town passed to curiosity then to sincerity, and nearly all soon became actively engaged in the work which is accomplishing much good.
One of the college graduates, J. R. Savage, writes a letter of which only the following extract can be given:
"It is hoped that the promising young manhood of the race will not be satisfied with anything lower than the highest and best that the schools have to offer. The first ten or twelve years of one's school life are of necessity so largely mechanical that very little of what is really education enters into them. Education is rather ability to produce something and to think consecutively and coherently, than capacity to receive something. Though a cultured mind may not create anything, it is distinguished by its ability to combine two or more elements in such a way as to form a new substance—to add something to the world. Man sits at the feet of nature, learns her laws, and then breathes into them his own soul, and nature becomes the living thing we call Art. In addition to developing power of original and independent thought, a liberal education prepares a man to enter into and appropriate all the wealth of the ages. Those who are really living in this grand and awful time, in this 'age on ages telling,' are persons who have, in a sense, lived through all time."
Larger means would enable Talladega to give still more industrial training than she does. But her chief mission will perhaps always be to train leaders, to stand for higher education and to uphold the supremacy of the ideal and spiritual over that which is merely utilitarian and material.
With the air full of vague rumors of yellow fever, and the consequent panic; with the quarantine and general confusion in the running of trains, and the withdrawal of many of them, the outlook last September for the eighteenth year of our school was not the brightest. While it is believed that not a single case of yellow fever occurred in Texas last year, almost everybody was of the opinion that it had broken out in the next town. Rumors were hard to trace and harder to refute. As a result, most felt that it was best to stay at home and await developments.
School opened on time, however, with a somewhat smaller attendance than would have been expected under other conditions. Gradually the panic subsided, quarantine was removed, and our students came in as full numbers as in the preceding year, when the attendance had been unusually large. The number of boarding students diminished considerably, owing to our inability to find food for all who applied, but this falling off was more than made up by day pupils. A little uncertainty in regard to the continuance of the work of the high school for colored students gave us a number of well advanced pupils from that institution.
Good health, with its attendant good cheer, prevailed throughout the year, and the work was earnestly and faithfully done.
A large proportion, probably four-fifths, of our students claim membership in churches at entrance. There is not room for so extensive revivals as visit some schools. The evidences of healthy religious growth were not wanting. About thirteen cases of hopeful conversion are believed to have taken place.
Active efforts in behalf of fellow students were greatly blessed. About seventy-five new names for the pledge against the use of alcoholics and narcotics were obtained. This means much. The use of intoxicating drinks at Christmas festivals is very popular, and many a young man is "the worse for liquor" at the holiday season.
The evidences of increasing interest in the school on the part of the best citizens of Austin were apparent on many occasions.
Friends in the North, old and new, gladdened the hearts of teachers and pupils by contributions in clothing, books and money for the aid of needy students. One, a contribution of books, calls for special mention. It came from Mrs. Isabella Beecher Hooker, of Hartford, Conn., and contained over one hundred volumes of standard works. Among them was a complete set of the books written by her sister, Mrs. Harriet Beecher Stowe. These books are greatly enjoyed by our young people. It is earnestly hoped that other contributions of a similar nature will continue to be made.
The examinations at various times, and especially the closing ones, May twenty-sixth and twenty-seventh, were highly creditable. Only a small number failed of promotion.
The programme for Commencement week was carried out successfully.
It began on Friday evening, May twenty-seventh, with a speaking contest and a prize debate, by the Philomathean Literary Society. The discussion was as to the educative value of the study of the classics compared with that of the sciences. The debate was well conducted, and both sides supported their views with interest and energy. The chairman of the judges was the president of one of the national banks of Austin. The prizes, two sets of valuable books, were awarded to the advocates of the study of the sciences.
Sunday, May twenty-ninth, was marked with interest in many ways. In the morning the baccalaureate sermon, from the text, "For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ," was delivered in the college chapel. The audience was good and appreciative. In the evening came the closing meeting of the Young People's Society. This is always an occasion of interest with us. The circumstances call forth a review of the work of the year, or of the course, with those about to leave, and many are the requests for prayer, in view of the trials to come in the long vacation or the work in broader fields. The tone of earnest desire to be faithful to Christ and to be helpful in work for Him, was very strong.
Monday afternoon brought a small company of ladies and gentlemen from the city, on invitation, to examine the collections of botanical specimens presented by the pupils in that branch, and to select the two most worthy. A number of very creditable collections were offered, the competition was close, and resulted in the giving of three prizes.
Specimens of work in the sewing department and in carpentry were opened to the public for inspection, and called forth deserved commendation. Instruction in both of these departments is greatly needed, and it is gratifying to note the marks of progress in the use of the needle and in the use of carpenters' tools. The drawing by the boys in the shop work was very noticeable.
The Annual Concert is a strong feature at Tillotson. People come from miles around and fill the chapel to overflowing always, on Tuesday evening before commencement. A slight admission fee is charged, to help meet expense for music and incidentals. Early in the year, it was decided to present on this occasion something a little more serious than usual. It was anticipated that this might not be so popular, and that there would be a falling off in receipts from sale of tickets. Still it was felt that we ought to do something towards elevating the standard along these lines.
Selections from the Oratorio of Elijah were chosen for this occasion. At first the older students, upon whose hearty co-operation everything depended, expressed their fears as to the result. But courage and patience won the day with them. As they went forward with preparations enthusiasm took the place of criticism. All fell into line, working cheerfully and faithfully, drilling for the entertainment. Several of the leading musicians of Austin became interested in the work of the students, and attended the concert. They expressed great surprise and pleasure at the success of the singers. This seems a good start in a much needed improvement.
Wednesday, June first, came the graduation exercises.
The flowers of Texas are abundant and lend themselves for adorning public halls with charming effect. For each of the public entertainments of the week the chapel had been given a new array of flowers and green, with variations striking and beautiful. This morning the chapel seemed brighter than ever.
The only graduating address was upon "Literature and Authorship, with the Valedictory." The young speaker, only nineteen, has already made his mark as a writer and speaker of decided merit. A visitor of distinction said, "It would have done credit to our State University."
Everything now points to the coming year as one of prosperity. While it is true that the Sam. Houston College is expected to open in September, and is to be a near neighbor, and while it is certain that the denominational whip will be used to bring into it pupils of its own denomination, it is also true that there is work enough for them and for all, and we wish them God speed in their work. There will not be too much light upon the darkness.
Lincoln Academy closed its year's work on the last day of May. We have no building that will possibly seat over four hundred, with every foot of space occupied, and as we have to plan for a thousand, we take it for granted that the day will be fair, and prepare platform, seats and awnings in the woods. The rain drove us from our work the previous day, but the morning of commencement day was clear, and with the early dawn we were at work, and by eight o'clock the grounds were ready for our friends, who had thus early begun to gather. Within doors the beehive was preparing to swarm, packing trunks, emptying straw ticks, cleaning out rooms. By half-past ten the friends of the school are gathered in great numbers, and our pupils form on the veranda of the Home to march to the grounds and give the song of welcome.
I do not wonder that fathers and mothers look upon the school as it marches to the ground with pride, for in neat, but simple clothing (most of the dresses of the girls having been made in sewing-class), and bearing in manner of walking as well as in every feature the impress of work done during the past months, such a company of young people is an inspiration; and one can but thank God for the planting and fostering of such Christian schools all over our south-land.
Songs, recitations and dialogues are well rendered by the school, filling about three hours—and no one too tired—and a stirring address is given by Rev. O. Faduma, a native of Africa, on "Some things needed for the development of the colored race."
As we look back upon the year of work we feel that we have been abundantly blessed. We enrolled two hundred and nineteen pupils, not more than some previous years—we cannot for want of room; but they came earlier and stayed longer. Almost without exception good work was done by the entire school. About twenty confessed Christ as their Saviour. During the year we had not one case of serious sickness. These are among the great blessings of the year whose work is now closed. I do not think I should say the work is closed. A common expression among farmers here is, "when the crops are laid by," between hoeing and harvesting, while they are growing: That is much the way with our work, it is "laid by" to grow. Our pupils are teaching, working in Sabbath Schools, "speaking for temperance," and proving themselves in other ways. "They are growing," and we rejoice.
It was my privilege the last of May to spend three days at Lincoln Academy. The closing exercises drew together the friends of the students from different parts of the country.
The school grounds had more than a thousand visitors, and as there was no building large enough to seat them, the canopy of heaven afforded ample roof in the groves. The exercises of the day were creditable both to the instructors and pupils. The appearance of the students showed much intelligence and a training of the best kind. The Academy has been much crowded during the year, having had over two hundred scholars.
A boarding-school has always an advantage among our colored people. It moulds the morals of the students, and through them the morals of their homes. There is a more direct influence of the teachers upon the scholars than in the day schools.
That the institution is highly prized, is shown from the fact that during the past years more students than can be accommodated have yearly applied for admission; as fast as they could obtain added room it has been filled.
Under the principalship of Miss Cathcart, whose name is now a household word in North Carolina, and with the assistance of her consecrated staff of teachers, the Academy has taken a prominent part among the best educational institutions of the State. There is now a golden opportunity for the moral, religious and industrial development of the negro through Lincoln Academy.
We copy from a recent number of the Charleston, S. C. Enquirer, edited by Rev. Geo. C. Rowe, a description of the New Agricultural, Industrial and Normal School at Enfield, N. C.:
This school is known as the Joseph K. Brick Agricultural, Industrial and Normal School. It was founded by Mrs. Joseph K. Brick of Brooklyn, N. Y., in memory of her deceased husband, Joseph K. Brick. The lands include 1129 acres, most of which is under cultivation. It was originally an old slave farm. One of the old slaves, a man now about 80, is still living, and we had the pleasure of hearing a speech from him on the occasion of dedicating the boys' dormitory. The beautiful shade trees standing in front of the college building were planted by him before the war.
This school is located in Edgecombe County, N. C., midway between the towns of Enfield and Whitaker, a distance of three miles each way. The Roanoke River, well stocked with fish, bounds it on the north.
The school farm is plentifully supplied with birds, wild ducks, turkeys and deer. While driving over this immense farm on Friday last, two deer jumped up less than 50 yards from us. The land is very productive and the timber is of the best quality. Water is abundant and of the best one can desire; it is obtained at a depth of from 12 to 20 feet. The climate is delightful and healthful. The school farm is amply supplied with a good quality of fruit trees.
The aim is to give due attention to the improvement of the mind, morals and muscles. In order to do this, farming, blacksmithing, carpentry, laundering, sewing, housekeeping and cooking are diligently taught. Great attention is given to the raising of stock, such as horses, mules, cows, hogs and fowl, and to the improving of the breed of these animals. A good curriculum is fully provided in the literary departments. The course runs from the primary up to and including the normal course.
The school just closed the third year. Everywhere, in the buildings, the general bearing of the pupils, the class-room work, all say there is a marvelous advancement shown. Everything here is in its infancy, but from the appearance of things, the stranger would think it had required ten years to do what has been done here in just three years.
The workers to do this work number six teachers. They are cultured, competent, Christian men and women.
Pupils who are anxious to secure an education here, but too poor to pay in cash, have an opportunity to help themselves; such pupils contract to work one year. They are allowed $10.00 per month for such labor; a night school is provided free for them. The money so earned is placed to their credit for the second year; every advantage of the school is opened to them. Many avail themselves of this opportunity.
On the closing day large crowds, colored and white, came from far and near. There were three sessions, morning, afternoon and evening. The morning was given up to the dedicatory services, which consisted of a sermon by Rev. G. V. Clark of Charleston, S. C., with singing and other exercises. The sermon, which was practical and full of food for thought, was enjoyed by an appreciative audience.
The afternoon session was a long one but varied, the three departments being presented in papers by Profs. Martin, Watkins and Mrs. Davis. Volunteer speeches were made by friends and patrons of the school.
At the evening session the over-crowded house listened attentively to excellent recitations, dialogues, and an exercise in calisthenics which was admirably rendered; the singing showed skillful preparation and reflected great credit upon the teachers and pupils.
The closing exercises of Skyland Institute, at Blowing Rock, N. C., have each year to be carefully planned with regard to our small audience room, and so we have not one great day, but three days of interest.
The first of these was Wednesday, May 25th, when public examinations took place. We were gratified to have among our visitors, parents who had never before visited our school, also summer visitors, interested in educational matters, who gave us words of cheer.
The following day our pupils gave an industrial exhibition. This was a new feature in our school history, and it was one difficult to inaugurate among the pupils—but it will not be difficult to continue, because of its success. There were five classes of entries; sewing, bread making, pastry and desserts, laundry work and boys' hand work. There were three premiums in each class, and these were in money given by interested friends. The first premium in each case was seventy-five cents. After the judges had made awards, the dining room doors were thrown open to the public, a surging crowd, and small samples of the cooked food were given.
Upon May 27 our school room was beautified with azalias and ferns, and in the corner stood our piano, which came to us during the year from Connecticut friends, ready to do its part. People came from a distance, and the woods across the street from us made a fine North Carolina picture with the covered wagons, the topped buggies, surreys and saddle horses. The audience without was as great in numbers, as that within. The address was most acceptable. One of the old citizens who waited to grasp the speaker's hand, told him how he wished that he were young again, that he might make his own life successful. "It is not too late now!" were the words of the preacher in reply.
Some tributes came to us in these last days regarding our work. One man with a broken voice, told us that he was a better man because of our Sunday-school and Christian Endeavor Society. He had been a drinking man, but "for fifteen months had not tasted liquor." Parents told us of the feeling of safety they had when they committed their girls to our care, and gave us words of appreciation.
Already the applicants for admission to our boarding department for the coming year far exceed our accommodations, while every Sunday our school house is not large enough to accommodate the people who do come. Many more would come but there is no room.
The spirit and progress of the work far surpass the equipment, and it is with hearts of gratitude that we lift our eyes and behold "what God hath wrought."
Though there may be little to interest the general reader in a "Closing Exercises" account of an American Missionary Association Normal School, these occasions stand for much to both teachers and scholars. To the former they mean satisfaction not unmixed with solicitude as to how the knowledge acquired and the mental strength developed by years of discipline will be used. To the graduate comes the joy of achievement tempered by the recurring question, "What shall I do now?"
There is another class to whom "Commencement" is a great day—the fathers and mothers who have toiled long and hard to keep their children in school. It is a picture one does not soon forget—those dark faces gazing, with the pride and joy that dims the eye and makes the lip quiver, upon their children, standing with the graduates. There, too, is the old grandmother, who nods her turbaned head with unwonted emphasis as she listens to the essay of her grandchild, whose name she cannot read!
Prof. Jas. L. Murray, principal of the Albany Normal School, who delivered the annual address, told his audience, in plain, forceful words, what kind of an education was needed. Rev. T. M. Nixon, pastor of the Congregational Church in Thomasville, gave an excellent sermon on Sunday along a somewhat similar line of thought.
The majority of our graduates answer the question, "What shall I do now?" by securing positions in the "government schools," as those maintained in part, at least, by appropriations from the State are called. It is gratifying to see the steadily growing tendency towards improvement in public school buildings and appliances. One of our graduates, who has taught two years in a poor little building used as a church, has finally succeeded in getting together the lumber for a little school-house, and, by dint of hard labor, has prevailed upon the people of the neighborhood to put up the building. She hopes in the fall to be able to get sash and glass for the four small windows. The blackboards have been furnished by a Northern friend.
"Lighted to light" is the motto of the graduating class.
In order that those who are furnishing the oil for the lamp which has guided so many into the right life may know how their work is regarded by those among whom it is being done, a few sentences are quoted from the leading newspaper of Thomasville, Ga.
"The exercises throughout were most creditable, and demonstrate that the Allen Normal and Industrial School is keeping its place among the foremost institutions of the kind. The course of instruction as carried out by the principal and her efficient corps of teachers is most thorough. Hand and heart are both educated. A pupil leaving this institution with a diploma of this school, has something to be proud of; more, has something—a good education—which cannot be taken away. There is no telling the amount of good these graduates may do if they will practice what they have been taught."
At "Ballard" about a month before the close of school, an evening entertainment for the parents and friends of the pupils is given which is designed to show what the pupils of the school can do in the way of kindergarten exercises, dialogue, recitation and music, both vocal and instrumental. This is called the "Junior Exhibition." The members of the senior class do not take part in these exercises, as their turn comes later.
A week before our graduates go from the school an informal reception to the class and their friends is held in the "Teachers' Home," each member of the class being allowed to bring one friend. In this way new teachers make the acquaintance of those who are about to be graduated and the old teachers have an opportunity to talk over past experiences with their former pupils.
On the last Sunday of the school year we have the annual sermon to the graduating class. Invariably the church is crowded. Wednesday of the last week is Visitors' Day, when parents who visit the school at no other time come in large numbers. The work of the industrial departments is on exhibition, and the kindergarten work of the primary department, also the work in drawing and the written exercises in the different subjects taught in the school. An opportunity is afforded also to attend recitations in all the rooms. At noon the class in cooking serves a lunch which demonstrates in a practical manner the proficiency attained in this important branch of domestic education. The different dishes are sold at a nominal price towards defraying the expense of this part of the exhibition. The same evening "The Alumni Association" holds its literary exercises.
The graduating exercises on Thursday afternoon consist of essays and recitations by the members of the class and music by members of the school, followed by an address by as able a speaker as we can secure. This year we had a most suggestive and helpful address from Rev. Dr. Haynes of our American Missionary Association church at Athens, Ga. The graduating class consisted of six young ladies, who in character and scholarship are especially well fitted for teaching, which most of them intend to follow. Our graduates are always in demand as teachers, and the demand is greater than the supply.
The attendance at the graduating exercises has increased each year until it has become too great for the capacity of our church, which is not small. This year many were unable to gain admittance at all.
Immediately after the exercises at the church, a reception is given the alumni of the school, which is a most enjoyable and useful occasion. After an hour has been spent in social intercourse, refreshments are served, when the members representing the different classes are called upon for short addresses. It is most encouraging to hear them testify as to the help and stimulus they have received from the school.
The next day after the graduating exercises, the pupils assemble in the school rooms in the mornings to hear the "promotion lists" read and to have seats assigned them in the grades to which they have been promoted; and the school year is ended, but not ended are the influences and the prayers that have gone on with the fidelities of the earnest teachers who day by day have put their lives into this work.
Only a few years ago, the colored people of Athens took very little interest in the closing work of our schools; but there has been a great educational awakening among the colored people since, and I doubt whether in the whole State of Georgia a city can be found in which the colored people manifest interest in the closing work of our schools more than they do in Athens.
Commencement week at Knox began with the anniversary sermon, preached at the Congregational Church, to the students, Sunday morning, May 22d.
Monday and Tuesday following were devoted to examinations, and the inspection of our industrial exhibit in carpentry and sewing, which was in many respects the best of this kind ever made by any school in Athens. We have never had as many visitors at any one time as we have had since our industrial shop has been opened for work, and while visitors have manifested an interest in every department of the work, their greatest interest has been in this department.
Many short addresses were made by our visitors at this time, with words of cheer and encouragement; but all recognized the fact of a needed enlargement and increased facilities.
One patron, on emerging from the industrial shop, said to me, "The half that you are doing has not been told."
A lady visitor, who is 81 years old and has 31 grandchildren, and who made clothes for the soldiers of both the Mexican War and the Civil War, told us how happy she was to be at Knox Institute that day. Among other things, she said, "I seen so much cruelty and meanness on these grounds (meaning the grounds on which the Knox Institute stands) in dark slavery days, I's come now to see the great good you are doing here for our children. It fills me with joy to see these young people risin'." She assured us that she felt "more like shouting than speaking."
Wednesday night, at the County Court House, our musical and literary entertainment was held. The high appreciation of Knox Institute was shown by the fact that we were greeted by an audience of not less than 900 people, from Athens and the surrounding country. People came from towns 50 or 60 miles away from Athens to witness our exercises. It was estimated that not less than 600 people had gathered about the doors before they were opened.
Thursday night, at the County Court House, were our graduating exercises. Again this spacious house was taxed to its utmost to hold the crowd that had gathered to witness these exercises. Four bright students—three young women and one young man—using as their motto, "Not for self, but for others," were graduated from our College Preparatory Course. The annual address was delivered by Rev. W. D. Johnson, D.D., formerly Secretary of the Educational Work of the A. M. E. Church. Dr. Johnson's address was logical, and full of wholesome advice to those whose courses were just completed. Thus ended another school year.