One of the most picturesque institutions in America, being located in
a magnificent grove. It was founded by the American Missionary
Association in 1869. There are thirty-one teachers and five hundred
students. The property is valued at $150,000.
]
Though the colored membership of the Congregational Church is almost
negligible as compared with that of the Baptist and Methodist Churches,
the American Missionary Association was probably the first to undertake
educational work in behalf of the Negroes. In 1861 Rev. L. I. Lockwood,
commissioned by the Association, wrote from Fortress Monroe:
“I ask especial interest in your prayers that I may be endowed with
wisdom for these peculiar and momentous responsibilities. Parents and
children are delighted with the idea of learning to read.”
The history of the American Missionary Association is a story of the
patient and persevering efforts of hundreds of faithful men and women
who have given themselves and their means for a people struggling upward
from slavery.
The administration of the affairs of the association has always been in
the care of strong men of broad education. Some of them were statesmen
in power and vision. Dr. Beard, the honorary secretary, and secretaries
Ryder and Douglass, are worthy successors of these able men.
The most far reaching work of the association was, perhaps, the founding
of Fisk University, Atlanta University and Talladega College. The names
of these institutions are inseparably connected with the higher
education of the Negro. Fisk and Atlanta are now independent
institutions; but the spirit of their founders still lives in them and
the policies of the American Missionary Association are still
maintained.
The names of the American Missionary Association schools and the States
in which they are located are given below:
Alabama: Burrel Normal School; Cotton Valley School; Emerson Institute;
Lincoln Normal School; Talladega College; Trinity College.
Florida: Fessenden Academy.
Georgia: Albany Normal School; Allen Normal School; Ballard Normal
School; Beach Institute; Dorchester Academy; Knox Institute.
Kentucky: Chandler Normal School.
Louisiana: Straight University.
Mississippi: Girls’ Industrial School of Mississippi; Mount Bayou
Institute; Mount Hermon Seminary; Tougaloo University.
North Carolina: Gregory Normal School; J. K. Brick Agricultural,
Industrial and Normal School; Lincoln Academy; Peabody Academy; Washburn
Academy.
South Carolina: Avery Institute; Brewer Normal Institute.
Tennessee: Le Moyne Institute.
Texas: Tillotson College.
Virginia: Gloucester High and Industrial School.
_Friends Educational Boards._—The various societies of Friends maintain
six schools rated as “larger and more important” and two smaller
schools. All of these schools are owned and managed by independent
boards composed largely of Friends. The names and locations of the six
more important schools are as follows: Schofield Normal and Industrial
School and Laing School, in South Carolina; Cheyney Institute, in
Pennsylvania; Christiansburg Industrial Institute, in Virginia; High
Point Normal School, in North Carolina; and Southland College, in
Arkansas. The educational work and administrative management of these
institutions compare favorably with those of other church schools. In
proportion to their numbers no religious group has surpassed the Friends
either in financial contributions or personal endeavor for the education
of the Negroes. While none of these schools are of college grade, all of
them are doing excellent work. Cheyney Institute, Christiansburg
Institute and High Point Normal are presided over by colored men who
rank high in educational circles.
A summary of the schools maintained by Friends is given herewith: