under cultivation, called the Winsted Farm. This is being rapidly
reclaimed from the waste of former mismanagement. The difference
between Northern and Southern agriculturists is, that the land is
improved under the former management, and wasted under the latter.
In New England it is a sure sign of shiftless husbandry when the
land runs out year by year. In the South there are but few farms
or plantations that are not becoming poorer every year. The effort
is begun on this farm to restore fertility, and in a few years
we may expect to see a fine specimen of Northern enterprise in
the products of its hitherto barren acres. The students work the
farm in part payment for their education. How far this industrial
department is going to succeed financially is a question that must
wait for an answer. It is easy to theorize about the advantages
of such a measure, but the surest proof that the pudding is good
is found in the eating of it. One thing is certain: four or five
hours a day of work in the hot sun does not fit a young man to bone
down to real hard study. It takes a good deal of the remainder of
the day to get rested and ready for work. It sounds pretty to talk
about a man’s catching up his book between works, and so using up
the odds and ends of time, _a la_ Elihu Burritt; but unfortunately
there are not a great many Elihu Burritts left, and I am afraid
they are not indigenous to this climate, nor found among boys and
girls in these schools. It is a question whether we can afford to
run a farm and school together. The drain on both the treasury of
the college and the physical powers of the student must be taken
into our calculations.
The collegiate exercises of the school were creditable to the
students and their instructors. The examination exhibited the usual
enthusiasm of these students in their studies. The day is past when
we need to parade proofs that the negro has a brain capable of
improvement. We can now quietly assume that the color of a man’s
skin does not necessarily affect his mental calibre, and there
we may leave it. I must say, however, that I have not attended a
closer and more satisfactory theological examination in many a day
than that of the nine theological students who will graduate from
Talladega next year. I have attended examinations in seminaries
and associations and councils, and been through several such
trials myself, but I never was present at one that gave me better
satisfaction than this. If all our theological teachers will pass
over to us men as thoroughly posted in the fundamental doctrines
of the Bible as these young men appeared to be, we will gladly put
them into the ministry. Prof. Andrews has solved the question of
the practicability of a theological department in this school. We
have henceforth no excuse for putting men into the ministry who
cannot answer the questions usually propounded to candidates for
the sacred office.
The public appointments of this week embraced literary exercises
by the Soronian Society on Monday evening, public exercises of
the Model School on Tuesday afternoon, and College Address in
the evening: Wednesday, graduating exercises of the theological
department at 2.30 P.M., and at 8 o’clock, prize declamations
and essays, closing with a spelling match: on Thursday, 10 A.M.,
the graduating exercises of the higher Normal department; at 2 P.M.,
an exhibition of the agricultural department; and at 8 P.M.
a concert by the Musical Union closed the week. I was not able to
remain through all the exercises of Thursday. Those that I attended
were of a high order, and compared favorably with similar exercises
of the same grade in other schools.
The attendance of the citizens from the town through all the
public exercises was a very pleasant feature. Talladega has made a
deep and lasting impression on the white people. They acknowledge
the good work that it has done and is doing, and believe in the
possibilities that are before it.
Last fall, arrangements were made for an Industrial Fair, which
called together some of the best specimens of work done by colored
men and women in this State and a part of Georgia. This, probably,
gave more impetus to the industrial enterprise of the people than
anything that has been done since freedom. May the good work go on.
That is just what we want to see--the people waking up to do their
level best.
* * * * *
BEREA COLLEGE.
A Commencement Crowd--A Mixed School--Free Speech--Self-Support.
PRESIDENT E. H. FAIRCHILD, BEREA, KY.
Wednesday, June 25th, was a beautiful day. The dust had been laid
by a grand shower the evening before, and the whole day was cool
and bright.
At half-past seven in the morning the neighboring people began to
enter the college campus, a beautiful grove of forty-five acres. At
half-past nine, when the exercises commenced, they were bringing
extra seats into the tabernacle, a rough but very substantial and
commodious building, which accommodates two thousand people.
At half-past ten there were thought to be three thousand in and
about the tabernacle, and nearly a thousand horses on the ground.
As Berea embraces but eight hundred inhabitants, including students
and infants, it appears that more than two thousand came from
abroad.
But what came they out for to see? An exhibition of an impartial
school in the centre of Kentucky. Sixteen students--twelve young
men and four young ladies--delivered orations and essays. Only
three of these were colored. This disproportion is accounted for
partly by the fact that the great demand for colored teachers calls
colored students away before they reach the higher classes. But it
was partly accidental. It has never occurred before, and probably
never will again. The colored students outnumber the white.
There were ten graduates--six from the classical department, three
from the scientific, and one from the normal.
Two-thirds of the audience were white. A large portion of them were
mountain people, but many were from the blue-grass region. The
colored people generally gravitated to one side of the building,
thus keeping up their country customs and gaining the approbation
of their white neighbors. This is one of the relics of slavery.
Generations must die before either white or colored people will
feel like treating each other as equals. As master and slave they
made no objection to the closest contiguity; as equals they cannot
eat in the same dining-hall, though forty feet apart. This feeling
has nearly passed away in Berea, as was perfectly manifest in a
social farewell gathering of about three hundred of both races at
the ladies’ hall in the evening. Equal rights, to the full extent,
will never be enjoyed till this feeling is extinguished.
“Democracy Restored” was the subject of one oration, delivered by
the only democrat in the institution. It was cheered by ex-rebels,
and the college gained popularity among them for its liberality.
Some of them thought the Faculty must have hired him to deliver
his harangue to make a show of toleration. One young son of the
democracy decided to attend the school. It will be a good place
for him. The author of the oration has two years yet to study, and
trying years they will be for him. His party had better get his
faith insured.
The graduates are all professing Christians, though one has had his
faith somewhat shaken, as was shown by his oration. He would be
glad to study theology at an orthodox seminary. He is a son of the
mountains, and an honest, earnest thinker, and a superior scholar.
The effort of the college to get on alone, without aid from the
American Missionary Association, taxes all its energy and faith;
but, thanks to God and its faithful friends, the past year it
has not been left to suffer. The erection of the new chapel will
commence immediately, though the necessary means are not all
secured.
Berea College is a miracle of God’s grace and power. No other being
could have established such a school, in such a community, with
such instrumentalities, and made it such a power.
In this voting precinct of five hundred voters, where whiskey
has reigned for many years, three-fourths of all the inhabitants
have signed the Murphy pledge. Arrangements are made for a grand
temperance rally on Friday, the 4th, which, it is confidently
believed, will fill the tabernacle to its utmost capacity. Berea,
a beautiful spot by nature, is growing more and more beautiful
every year. It is a charming place for a college, and nothing but
poverty prevents a thousand youth from flocking here for education.
Expenses are very low: Tuition, $9 a year; board, $1.50 a week;
free tuition for ninety pupils; yet many students must leave,
unless they can contrive a cheaper way to live, and find work to
meet their small expenses.
* * * * *
SOUTH CAROLINA.
School Closing--Religious Life.
REV. W. L. JOHNSON, ORANGEBURG.
Our scholastic year closed on the 5th inst. Appropriate exercises
were held at the “Independent Hall.” There was a very large and
respectable audience of the children’s parents and white citizens
who felt interested in our work. The exercises began about 8
o’clock, consisting of declamations, orations and music. After the
exhibition, Rev. Professor Larrence, of Claflin University, by
an eloquent address, in which he paid a splendid tribute to the
value of learning and the excellence of the A. M. A. schools, its
Principal and teachers proceeded to make the presentation of six
silver-plated vases and beautifully ornamented butter-dishes to
as many pupils. Those gifts were awarded by the Superintendent.
Five were given for sustaining perfect examinations, and one for
excellence in delivering a declamation. The whole affair was closed
by a bountiful collation for the children and friends of the school.
During the term we have maintained religious meetings among the
children, several of our scholars taking part by offering prayer.
It has been a pleasure to see others mourning to know Christ as
their Saviour. The neighboring ministers have, in general, been
present, and expressed deep interest in our undertaking, besides
impressing valuable lessons and pious sentiments upon the minds of
the children.
Six pupils taught this year, in the free schools of Orangeburg
County, an aggregate of 575 children, and were very acceptable
to trustees and patrons of the schools. The whole number of days
taught by them is about 375.
* * * * *
GEORGIA.
A Revival--Call for a Lady Missionary.
REV. FLOYD SNELSON, M’INTOSH, LIBERTY CO.
We have had, and are still having, a precious work of grace. On
Sunday, the 25th, our communion season, nearly a thousand people
were present. The weather was very delightful, and everything else
connected with the occasion. Sixteen persons, hopefully converted,
united with the church. The church is much encouraged, and its
future looks very hopeful. I am almost broken down in this long
and hard pull, still I believe that with this interest around me I
could go on five months longer.
In summing up the converts during this campaign we find twenty at
Cypress Slash, 14 miles above in our new field, and thirty-five
here, making fifty-five in all. Most of these are not only young in
grace but young in years, being from eleven to twenty. Therefore,
in order to make them successful and useful Christians, I deem it
very necessary to give them uncommon care. A special meeting of a
social and religious nature is held Friday evening of each week in
my house for them, and each one is required to take a part and is
made to feel at home.
A Literary Society is also held at the church on the second and
fourth Wednesday evenings of each month. In the former meeting much
is sometimes said to correct the errors of home life. The necessity
of this arises from the secluded situation of their parents and
themselves from the white people. They were not at all situated
like those in the upper part of the State among the whites, whose
ways they generally imitate, but were left to themselves, with no
training except such as was given by overseers and drivers.
This important work is, therefore, left still undone. My wife did
what she could in this line before we left for Africa, but since
our return her health has been such that she has not been able to
do anything. This work is of so much importance, and in such a
promising field, that I now _earnestly_ ask, Will not some one of
our churches or Sunday-schools send us a lady missionary who can do
it?
* * * * *
Actions and Reactions--Temperance and Religion.
WM. F. JACKSON, FORSYTHE.
Our school year closed May 30th, with encouraging results.
This was the first year of real systematic work in the Academy, the
building having been finished too late to open at the beginning of
last school year.
There is a growing interest in the work. Upon the close of the war,
the schools established by the American Missionary Association were
everywhere crowded with our people thirsting for knowledge: in the
whole South the feeling for education ran high, so that the zeal of
the Freedman for education became proverbial. But this proved to be
not so much zeal as blind impulse. It is not so now. By a bitter
experience, our people have been brought to see the errors of the
past. Their present ideas respecting education plainly show this
discovery. The people of our community feel that they and their
children need it to make them useful. In our school were three
women and two men of advanced age, who were diligent in studying,
and compared favorably with younger pupils in their advancement,
and who are now exerting their influence to bring in others, that a
permanent class of aged persons may be formed. Again, many parents
have sent children to school to me, evidently for no other purpose
than to have them cared for; but now, some of these same parents
express a different purpose, viz., to have them prepared for the
duties of life. Then, too, there is a public spirit in favor of a
better and higher education, manifested in the efforts now being
made to establish here an African Methodist Episcopal College and a
Methodist Episcopal High School.
Our pupils have been very regular in attendance compared with past
years. There have been 113 students in school during the year, many
of whom came from the adjoining counties, and will go out to take
schools for the summer. There has been much earnest study done by
these pupils, who seem determined to surmount the difficulties
which present themselves. They have been encouraged to organize a
Temperance society, which they manage themselves with credit. This
organization is doing much in the school and community to encourage
those who are striving to be temperate.
Amid all the flattering results of the year not much could be
considered gained were it not for the great revival of religion
among the pupils of our school. In April, very many became serious
about their souls. They made earnest inquiries after the way of
life. The Lord poured out his spirit in copious showers upon these
precious souls, and nine were happily converted and added to the
church. Thus we feel that God has richly blessed our labors, and
that His approving smile rests upon us.
* * * * *
ALABAMA.
Corner-Stone of a Church Laid--The School Work.
REV. WM. H. ASH, FLORENCE.
This week has been a blessed one for us. On Saturday last the
corner-stone of the new chapel was laid, and on Sunday appropriate
services were held. It was an occasion long to be remembered.
On the walls, at the front of the building, was erected a temporary
platform, and on it a table. In the centre of it was a Bible and a
large vase of beautiful flowers; back of this were seats for the
speakers, and at the right was seated the choir.
The Rev. M. L. Frierson, of the Presbyterian Church, opened the
services by reading the second chapter of Nehemiah, and led in
prayer. The Choir then sung “What shall the harvest be?” The clerk
of the church read the list of articles which were to be placed in
the box prepared for the corner-stone, which has this inscription:
“First Congregational Church, A.D. 1879. A.M.A.”
Next in order was an address by Hon. W. B. Wood, who said that he
was a Methodist and a sectarian, too, but he loved _all_ who loved
the Lord Jesus Christ. We are not of the same denomination, but
Paul said, Be ye brethren. He said that the times were better,
that some old fogies would have us believe that we are not as
progressive as they were 40 or 50 years ago, but his experience
was, that we are moving onward, for he, as a judge, did not have as
many cases to decide as he had five or six years ago. Not that the
people were afraid of the punishment of the law, but controlled by
the power of the Gospel and its morality.
He said that he took pleasure in aiding to build churches, that
he had an interest in every church of Florence, and that if a
subscription book should be carried around and his house passed he
would feel slighted; and he advised all present to aid in behalf of
the church.
He said that he believed he could speak for the entire white
population, that they, in sympathy, would encourage every good work.
Rev. Mr. Frierson also spoke. After a collection was taken, “Ye
Christian heralds, go proclaim salvation in Immanuel’s name,” was
sung by the choir, and the benediction pronounced.
On Tuesday the examination of the school took place, and on
Wednesday night the exhibition occurred. We had many visitors
during the examination, and on the night of the exhibition our
building, used for church and school, was filled to overflowing;
all around the building, at the windows and doors, there were many
who were eager to see and hear the exercises.
It is the first year of school work in connection with the church.
At the beginning of the year we had three scholars; at the end we
closed with thirty-five.
* * * * *
TENNESSEE.
Teachers’ Institute--Practical Education.
The Shelby County Teachers’ Institute or Convention was held in
June. In regard to it the editor of the Memphis _Appeal_ writes:
The teachers of the colored schools of the city and county deserve
especial commendation for the interest they take in the leading
educational questions of the day, and for the efforts they are
making to reach wise and correct conclusions, and if we may judge
of the nature of their entire proceedings and discussions from
the paper on practical education presented before the Institute
yesterday, and printed in another column of this morning’s
_Appeal_, the Institute has certainly been a success in point
of ability. It is not often that teachers take the initiative
in educational reforms, but we are glad to notice here that a
company of teachers speak boldly and plainly in favor of a more
practical course of study for the preparatory and common schools
of the country. We would call the attention of educators and
school boards to this paper, and urge that some system be devised
for our schools, whereby the simpler of these plans, at least,
be at once carried into effect with the opening of the schools
in October. The actions and words of this Institute have an
especial significance, coming as they do from the teachers of our
colored schools, themselves belonging, with few exceptions, to the
colored race. They certainly indicate a commendable earnestness in
matters pertaining to the educational interests of the country and
community, and they richly merit the encouragement and co-operation
of all good citizens.”
The paper referred to was by Miss Laura A. Parmelee, of the Le
Moyne School, and, after a historical sketch of much value, ended
with the following recommendations:
After careful inquiry into the various methods adopted
by different schools, your committee feels justified in
recommending: That in every school-house a room be furnished
with mechanical appliances, where, for an hour each day, the
boys and young men may receive lessons in the art of handling
tools and methods of work, under the direction of a practical
workman; that all girls spend three-quarters of an hour daily
in learning to do plain sewing, to cut garments neatly and
economically, and to judge of the value and appropriate use of
fabrics commonly made into clothing; that the first lessons in
free-hand drawing be given to every student, and classes for
further instruction organized for those who display special
aptness for the work. One competent teacher could attend to
this branch in all the schools, and still have time to assist
in private schools, if desired. A plan of co-operation in
these extra branches would greatly lighten the expense, while
stimulating healthy competition to excel on the part of pupils;
that the older girls study the science of nursing from a regular
text-book, reporting to the teacher for criticism and advice
their own experiences in neighborly watchings with the sick. Your
committee note, with pleasure, an awakening interest in this
subject, and would endorse the “Hand-Book of Nursing,” arranged
and prepared by the New Haven training school for nurses, as a
suitable work to be introduced for this purpose. In connection
with the usual study of physiology, there should be discussions
as to proper foods and best methods of their preparation. That
in city and country schools, young children be encouraged to
observe the habits of animals and plants; that no school-house be
considered complete without a small microscope, and at some time
in the course of study, the usual reading books be laid aside
for a series of child’s books of nature, treating of the first
principles of botany, philosophy and zoology; that all methods
of teaching bend toward educating the senses to observe quickly
and accurately, the mind to think independently, and the hands to
work dexterously.
A cordial letter from the Hon. W. H. Fonte, Superintendent of
Schools, closed with the following words:
Especially, I may add, do I desire to encourage and forward
in every way, every plan or purpose which has for its object
the elevation and progress of the colored race, believing with
Frederick Douglass, that “without intelligence there is no
independence, without independence no leisure, without leisure no
progress.”
* * * * *
THE BY-WAYS OF TENNESSEE.
In February, 1878, we printed a letter from our Bro. Cutler, in
which he spoke of a young girl who wanted to get an education, but
who was entirely without means. He procured for her half enough
to keep her at study for a year, started her on her course, and
pronounced her “the happiest girl in the land.” The following
description of her first field and work as a teacher will certainly
interest those who aided Tennie Morford, and, we think, many
others.--EDS.:
There is situated in the eastern part of Tennessee a beautiful,
lonely, little valley, called the Sequatchie Valley. It is sixty
miles long and five miles wide, containing about four hundred
inhabitants. This is one of the by-ways of Tennessee, or, as it
seems to be, from the condition of the people, Africa at home. It
is hedged about with mountains, and its inhabitants scarcely hear
of any other place than their own valley. They are very ignorant,
and their chief occupation is farming.
I spent my last vacation among them, and tried to teach and show
them the need of an education. There were persons who were forty
and sixty years old who could not count a hundred. Scarcely any of
them had seen a steam-boat or car. They know only of the wilds of
Sequatchie, where they have spent their lives. Near the head of the
valley was my place of work, principally inhabited by drunkards of
both colors, who spent their Sabbaths in intoxication and in the
use of profanity. Their places of enjoyment were three still-houses
about half a mile apart, where the price of their labor was given
in liquor.