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, KING'S MOUNTAIN, N. C.
BY MISS L. S. CATHCART.
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.
* * * * *
BY REV. O. FADUMA.
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.
* * * * *
ENFIELD SCHOOL.
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.
* * * * *
SKYLAND INSTITUTE (MOUNTAIN WHITE), BLOWING ROCK, N. C.
BY MRS. ELLEN R. DORSETT, PRINCIPAL.
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."
* * * * *
ALLEN NORMAL INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL, THOMASVILLE, GA.--LAST DAYS OF THE
SCHOOL YEAR.
BY MISS A. MERRIAM, PRINCIPAL.
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."
* * * * *
BALLARD NORMAL SCHOOL, MACON, GA.
BY PROF. GEO. C. BURRAGE.
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.
* * * * *
CLOSING EXERCISES OF KNOX INSTITUTE, ATHENS, GA.
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.
* * * * *
LE MOYNE INSTITUTE, MEMPHIS, TENN.
BY PROF. A. J. STEELE, A.M., PRINCIPAL.
A graduating class of thirteen, averaging over twenty years of age,
recording an average attendance at Le Moyne Institute of six and a
half years per member, before an audience of three thousand people on
the evening of June 2d, attested the interest felt in the school and
the work it has done in West Tennessee.
A varied program of essays, orations, recitations and personations,
with musical selections of choruses from composers of high rank, all
occupying fully two and a half solid hours--these made the crowning
event of the twenty-seven years' work of Le Moyne Normal Institute.
The proud and eager interest of the masses of the colored people in
those of their young men and women who persevere in the face of great
difficulties and many discouragements to complete a course of study,
presents a very attractive and hopeful indication to a student of the
rising race.