the enlarging necessities of the work met, has been partly answered
by the generous offers to the University of $60,000 and $20,000,
which have made this year memorable. It is safe to say that no
visit has ever been made to our school that left in the hearts of
teachers and students more hope and encouragement and thankfulness
than that of the gentlemen who, after inspecting the work of the
school for a few days in the Spring, gave, at the close of their
visit, the intimation of the former gift.
The year has had a religious history peculiar to itself. Without
any thing that could be called revival interest, there has been a
constant turning of the unconverted, and a quiet earnestness on the
part of Christians, that leave us with the feeling that the Spirit
of God has indeed been with us. Beginning with January, there have
been several additions to the college church at every communion
season, and fully as many have connected themselves with other
churches.
As the closing exercises of a school must partake of the general
character of the year, our commencement week was one of much
interest. Our delightful Tennessee climate scarcely affords a more
beautiful week than that in which the commencement occurred.
Beginning with Sunday, five days are occupied with the different
exercises. Examinations continue through Monday, Tuesday and
Wednesday. Monday evening is given to the exhibition of the class
finishing the common school normal course; Tuesday evening is
devoted to the Union Literary Society; and on Wednesday evening
the class finishing the preparatory course deliver their orations
and are admitted to college. Thus there is a growing interest
and importance through the entire week, ending with the college
commencement on Thursday.
Dr. Roy reached us on Saturday, and stayed during the closing
week, delivering, on Sunday evening, an excellent address before
the Missionary Society. The baccalaureate sermon was for the first
time preached by President Cravath, who for several years has been
necessarily absent at the close of school. The shadow of death came
once more into our household. One who five years ago came to the
University to take the place of matron, but who for the past year
has been suffering the weariness and pain of a long illness, was,
on the morning of Commencement Sunday, called away from earth.
The simple funeral services mingled strangely with the closing
exercises, but the effect seemed to be only to give a deeper shade
of earnestness to all our work, as one who had loved the work to
the last passed from its labor into rest.
Among the visitors who attended the examinations were the
superintendent and teachers of the white schools in the neighboring
city of Edgefield, who expressed great pleasure at what they heard.
The evening exhibitions are always largely attended, the audience
frequently changing every evening. Quite a large number of white
people can be seen at almost any of our public exercises. The
students of Vanderbilt University take a friendly interest,
or perhaps curiosity, in hearing their darker brothers. The
exercises of the Union Literary Society on Tuesday evening
especially attracted their attention. Five of the students received
certificates, and two of those admitted to college were absent
teaching in Mississippi. The class entering college, ten in number,
is the largest ever admitted to our college course, and we hope
President Cravath’s admonition to have their number complete when
they are ready for their degrees will be carried out.
Of Commencement day the following extracts from the Nashville
_American_, of May 23d, will give the best account:
“The chapel of Jubilee Hall was beautifully decorated. Around
the six iron pillars were twined ropes of cedar, while over the
shield, upon which are the memorable words of Albert Miller, now
a missionary in Africa, ‘Her sons and her daughters are ever on
the altar,’ hung festoons of cedar. Draped along the entire length
of the stage, and hanging in graceful folds, were the Dutch and
American flags, while the British Union Jack stretched along the
side of the room. Above the platform, in the centre, hung the
beautiful portrait of Dr. David Livingstone. On either side were
the portraits of the Earl of Shaftesbury and William Wilberforce.
Between the portraits, in large letters of cedar, were the words,
‘Class of ’79.’ An hour before the time the highways were filled
with the friends of the Institution on their way to Jubilee
Hall.” After giving the opening programme, the account continues:
“Preston R. Burrus, of Nashville, spoke of ‘The Power of Wealth’
with earnestness and good gesticulation, but a little too fast for
the best expression. He was greeted with deserved applause as he
closed. Miss J. H. K. Hobbs, of Nashville, read a well prepared
essay on ‘What shall we Read?’ She read in a loud, clear voice. The
excellence of the matter and the manner of reading enlisted the
close attention of the audience. Austin R. Merry, of Nashville,
spoke of ‘Ideals and their Influence.’ Mr. Merry’s production was
an elegant presentation of the difficult subject he had taken,
and evinced the possession of a pen of no ordinary ability. The
delivery was as vigorous and graceful as the production was well
written.
“Miss Lulu F. Parker, of Memphis, presented an essay on ‘Genius and
Labor,’ but owing to sickness was unable to read it. It was read by
Miss Laura S. Cary, one of the graduates of the Institution, and at
present assistant teacher of Greek.
“The commencement address was delivered by Rev. J. E. Roy, D.
D. Dr. Roy announced as his subject, ‘The Incompleteness of
Individual Talent.’ While there is adjustment of the powers of
the mind——intellect, sensibility and will——these are not always
equally developed. Unity in variety is the law of Nature. As no two
faces are alike, so no two minds are alike. One mind supplements
another; one man fails where another succeeds; the first man
succeeds in some other calling. A Western farmer failed as a farmer
and storekeeper, but became the greatest captain of his age. All
gifts are not combined in one man. Great inventions are the growth
of years and the contributions of many minds. Theology is a growth
developed through the centuries and by many intellects. It is
still open to improvement. This diversity of talent provides for
a division of labor. All occupations are mutually helpful, each
being dependent on the other. Men and women have each their sphere,
or rather hemisphere; the family is the unit of society. The mail
goes to the polls and deposits ‘their’ votes——the votes of the
family. Each man has his own talent. This he should cultivate. ‘Act
well your part, there all the honor lies.’ The address abounded in
striking passages and terse statements.”
“President Cravath then, in behalf of the Trustees of the
University, addressed the graduating class in fitly chosen words,
and gave them their diplomas.
“At two o’clock the alumni dinner, one of the institutions of
Commencement week, came off. About sixty guests, including former
graduates, members of the college classes, and various ministers
of city churches, sat down with students and teachers to an ample
collation. After dinner an hour was occupied in listening to
speeches, which abounded in wit, humor and pathos.
“Thus closed a series of exercises which are regarded by all those
who witnessed them as unusually interesting and successful.”
* * * * *
STRAIGHT UNIVERSITY.
Commencement——A Local Notice——A Short Year——Needs and Hopes.
PROF. J. K. COLE, NEW ORLEANS.
A class of eight has just been graduated from the classical
department of this University——the largest class yet sent out——of
which seven were young men. Six members of the class pursued the
entire course here; the other two had taken the greater part
of their course at another school, and came here the last year
to graduate. The size of the class and the corresponding large
circle of personal friends excited more than usual interest in the
commencement exercises, which were held Wednesday evening, June
4th, at Central Church. The body of the church was crowded to its
utmost capacity, and many were forced to find seats in the gallery.
It is something entirely new that our school should be noticed in
the local papers, and I shall be pardoned for taking the following
from the New Orleans _Times_ of the 5th inst. After giving the
order of exercises, it says:
“The orations were of high order, and reflected great credit upon
the young men. They all gave evidence of the thoroughness of
training they had received in the University. They certainly gave
promise of honorable success in the life-work to which they had
devoted themselves. The essay and valedictory of Miss Flemming
deserves especial mention. It was well written and gracefully
rendered.”
The singing, says the _Times_, “was exceptionally fine. Professor
McPherron deserves great credit for the patient and thorough
instruction which was manifest in the superior rendering of the
anthems and glees.”
President Alexander conferred the diplomas in a brief address of
commendation, encouragement and advice.
The school year has been too short to accomplish all that was
desirable. Eight months, our usual time, seems a short school
year, but to reduce this one-quarter is almost a disaster; and
furnishing school-rooms and supplying furnaces, out-buildings,
cisterns and much needed plank-walks after school opened, was for
a time a great hindrance. But the end of the year shows, in many
respects, favorable results, and leaves more hopeful impressions
and anticipations for the future.
The need of buildings for a boarding department is as urgent as
ever, but this need we hope may be met by the donation from the
Stone estate. These accommodations will bring in a large addition
from the country of just such material as we desire——young men and
women from the better families who are unwilling to come to the
city and board away from the influences of the teachers.
The unsettled condition of the public schools, too, is likely to
add largely to the number of students here next year.
We can only hope that our good friends at the North will see, as we
in the field see, the importance of not only keeping up our present
work, but of extending it and making it better each succeeding year.
New buildings will certainly bring many new pupils. More pupils
will require more teachers, and more teachers will increase the
expenses of the A. M. A. But _now is the time to do good among this
people_, and we trust the churches who sustain this work will not
be weary in well-doing, but will furnish all the means that are
needed to extend this work wisely.
* * * * *
TOUGALOO UNIVERSITY.
Sunday-School Convention——Farm and Normal Work——Compliments.
MISS ORRA A. ANGELL, TOUGALOO.
During my three years’ stay in Tougaloo, there have been many
changes that deserve to be more widely known. One that is fresh
in mind is our Sunday-school convention, held on June 1st. It
was first assembled by our principal, one year ago, at that time
an entirely new and unheard-of affair among our pupils. What a
change was wrought in their estimate of Sunday-school work by
last year’s teachings and convention. The heavy rains of Saturday
last compelled our use of the chapel instead of the grove, and
reduced the number in attendance, yet one of our students made a
journey of fifty miles to be present, and we received word from
others through the county who desired to come. A Sunday-school
Union of our young men having been formed this term, its president
opened the convention, and our principal was appointed chairman of
the session. The forenoon was given to remarks and a temperance
concert by our Sabbath-school. One fruit of the concert ripened
immediately. One of the recitations was an extract from Colfax,
upon the death following drunkenness, and the young man who gave it
came to the office _next morning_ to sign the pledge. Being asked
if it had not been his business to sell liquor, he answered, “Yes,
but I shall bust it up! I felt as if _I_ was bound for death.”
The two months he has spent here have prepared him to make this
decision. The afternoon session from two to five consisted of
addresses by the Faculty and students, followed each by discussion.
The good of the convention was not merely in the considerable
number present giving the people of this county the benefits of one
day’s contact with a modern Sunday-school; but the efforts of our
students will be far more intelligently directed as they disperse
through this State to their summer teaching. Their desire to push
forward their mission work will only be _increased_ by the rude log
churches, benches that tip uneasily, shuttered holes in the walls,
and dearth of Sunday-school papers, books and Bibles. The needs
of their people are becoming more and more plain to them as they
observe the methods and efforts used for themselves at this school,
and the example set causes them to use some efforts for the benefit
of others. They draw their pupils with them on their return here.
The pestilence of last summer kept from us an overflow of students
whom our next term will see filling our rooms. Perhaps the cracked
and leaning walls of our buildings will be severely tried, but all
who wish to study will be welcomed with confidence on our part,
that all needs will in time be met with a supply.
The young people enter on a busy life here, in many respects new
to most of them. Their own hands do most of the farm and in-door
work. We have a field of one hundred acres planted in corn; next on
one side is the sweet potato patch of ten acres; and on a southeast
slope were set strawberry plants last year, that will another
season furnish a supply for some northern market. This spring ten
acres were sown with grass, ten with clover that now feels revived
by the recent rains. The new wire fence is already showing its
merits by keeping in our own stock and shutting out others that
have heretofore grazed in our grove and fields. Our stock is now
of the best breeds, and instead of buying we shall be able to
supply meats for our tables, that already have a variety of early
vegetables from the garden. Ornamental trees have been set out upon
the grounds, and the whole plantation has been brought to better
use and improved appearance.
Less frequent change of teachers, a more regular attendance of
students, and their promotion according to merit, have advanced the
scholarship in this institution. Last summer for the first time
it graduated a class. The present year opened two months later
than usual, and the senior class will study another year before
graduating.
Normal methods have been used this year in the seminary department,
and proved a success, giving promise of better material for
promotion to the preparatory department. The senior class in the
normal department have had one lesson a week in the primary room;
and in addition to this preparation for their work as teachers, all
in the normal department have been formed into a practice class in
grammar, each in turn being teacher of the rest. The examinations
of this week in these and other classes have given pleasing
evidences of the work accomplished.
After the examination closed on Thursday, students in the normal
department have literary exercises, interspersed with music, before
an audience numbering many of the parents and former students, some
of the trustees and other friends of the institution.
At 3 P. M. the President of the Board of Trustees of the State
Normal School and others gave congratulations and sound advice to
attentive and appreciative listeners. The President of the Board
referred to the fact that the State had made no appropriation for
the school for the present year and last, saying it was not from
any lack of interest in the work done here, but simply because
the Board of Trustees found it impossible to perform the duties
imposed by the State, while the school itself was under the control
of another Board of Trustees or Society, and therefore had made
no recommendations to the Legislature. He said, as evidence of
their appreciation of our work, that he would refer to what one
of the members of the Board, who is also county superintendent of
an adjoining county, said at the last meeting of the Board. He
said that the moral influence of the teachers in his county who
are students at Tougaloo is quite different from those coming from
other schools; that almost invariably they start Sunday-schools
as soon as they open their day-schools. He assured the teachers
and pupils and friends present, that they might expect with much
confidence an appropriation to the institution of a few thousand
dollars from the next Legislature, with a visiting committee to see
if it is well expended, and make report directly to the Legislature.
Rev. J. E. Roy, D.D., our Field Superintendent, in his address upon
“Our Country,” gave an immense amount of practical information
in regard to its history, vast area and resources, its wonderful
development during the past century, its present condition and
future possibilities. This address, as also his missionary
address the night before, could not fail to inspire all with true
_patriotism_, and the real gospel spirit.
Thursday evening an exhibition by the preparatory and primary
departments closed the exercises of the week, and the delighted
friends parted, feeling a greater interest than ever in their
institution.
We feel grateful for the general good health and harmony of feeling
during the past year, and we look forward with courage to the
coming year.
* * * * *
HOWARD UNIVERSITY.
Commencement Exercises——Theological Department.
REV. W. W. PATTON, D.D., WASHINGTON.
The educational year at Howard University, Washington, D. C.,
closed with the last week in May. It has been one of success in
all respects. The students instructed in the various departments
were 236. The concluding exercises were largely attended and of
great interest. At the college commencement the audience overflowed
all accommodations, large numbers being compelled to stand, and
various members of Congress who attended went away expressing the
highest gratification at all that they saw and heard. The recent
appropriation by Congress of $10,000 towards the maintenance of
the University in the academic departments, is a great relief and
encouragement, it having received the support largely of both
political parties. The thoughtful Democrats are becoming convinced
that the University is well managed, and is doing a good work,
which could easily be quadrupled with suitable aid. At the recent
annual meeting of the trustees, Hon. Thomas J. Kirkpatrick, of
Lynchburg, Va., appeared for the first time, and at the close
made very impressive remarks as a representative of the old
slave-holders. He was an officer in the Confederate army, and is
an elder in the Southern Presbyterian church. He pledged a hearty
co-operation in our work, and declared the negro race to be a noble
race and deserving of all that could be done for it. This brought
to his feet another trustee, Frederick Douglass, the famous colored
orator, now marshal of the district, who responded with great
eloquence and pathos, and as an ex-slave cordially welcomed the
ex-slave-holder to the common work of sustaining Howard University
as a grand instrumentality for elevating the oppressed negro race.
The scene was touching in the extreme, and ended with a prayer of
thanksgiving by Bishop Brown, of the African Methodist Episcopal
Church.
The Theological Department, which has been for the last two years
largely supported by the Am. Miss’y Association, closed its
educational year on the 30th ult. The theological students have
numbered forty-two, being eleven more than the previous year. Their
number would have been still further increased could we have aided
sufficiently all who were desirous of coming. Endowed and annual
scholarships are a sore need of this as of kindred institutions.
The young men have come from seven denominations of Christians,
into each of which the leaven of intelligence and purity is thus
being introduced. They have applied themselves well, and show
commendable improvement. The most of them, not having enjoyed
a training in Greek and Latin, are fitted for usefulness among
the Freedmen by a prolonged English course of study; others take
the full course pursued in any theological seminary. This year
a class of seven studied Hebrew, and acquitted themselves most
creditably. The anniversary exercises were held in the Fifteenth
Street Presbyterian church (colored), a new and tasteful edifice,
which was filled with an interested audience of both races,
including several clergymen and Judge Strong of the Supreme Court
of the United States. Four young men who had completed their
course of study delivered orations. A Bible was presented to each
by the President of the District Bible Society, and an admirable
closing address was made to the students by Rev. Mr. Dinwiddie, of
Alexandria, Va. Three of the young men go immediately to the care
of churches which await them.
The indications are of a still fuller theological class next fall,
the term beginning September 10th.
* * * * *
BEACH INSTITUTE.
Its History——Its Importance——Its Year’s Work.
MR. B. F. KOONS, SAVANNAH, GA.
Soon after the war, schools for the Freedmen were opened at
Savannah in army barracks. In due time a suitable building was
erected, and the school continued under the auspices of the A.
M. A. until 1874, when the city rented the building and assumed
the responsibility of the school. This arrangement continued
until February, 1878, when the building was surrendered and the
city school removed. The day after it was thus left, a stable
standing near took fire, and the flames soon reached the building
and destroyed the upper part of it. It was at once determined
to rebuild and resume the work, strictly under the Association.
During the summer, Pastor Markham remained and superintended the
construction of the new building. When we landed here late last
September, it was approaching completion, and on the last day of
the same month a new corps of teachers began the work of the year.
On the first day over 60 applied for admission, and the number has
gradually increased to 338, in all grades from the Normal down.
There has been nothing specially marked in the year’s work. It has
been one of very quiet, faithful, persistent labor on the part of
both teachers and pupils, and a reasonable degree of success has
attended their efforts.
The following facts may throw light upon the need of such an
institution in this city.
The facilities afforded by the city were not sufficient to fit
the persevering pupils to become teachers and leaders among their
people, hence the need of Beach Institute. The good accomplished
by this school is of a double nature, for the re-opening of it has
led the city, for the present, to add one year more to its course
of study, and to the enterprising it is an avenue to higher schools
and wider culture, and so to greater usefulness.
There are some very efficient teachers in the public schools, but
their hands are tied, first by the limited course of study, and
then by unusual restrictions on their religious influence. There
are two schools for the colored people of the city. In former
years the children have been turned away from these by the score
for want of room, and even during the present year they have been
refused admission in great numbers. We, too, have had all we could
accommodate, and even more than we could do justice to with the
present corps of five teachers.