C. M. E. SCHOOLS.
In this chapter I shall give brief mention of the schools managed by
the "Colored Methodist Episcopal Church in America." The connection
was organized in 1870, and set apart from the M. E. Church South. They
have at this time five Bishops, namely: Bishop Isaac Lane, Bishop J.
A. Beebe, Bishop L. H. Holsey, D. D., Bishop R. S. Williams, D. D.,
Bishop Elias Cottrell, D. D. The church has since its organization made
very rapid progress, and is along with other religious bodies raising a
great deal of money for educational purposes.
LANE COLLEGE.
Lane College is located at Jackson, Tenn. It was founded by the Colored
Methodist Episcopal Church in America, and is still under its fostering
care. The school takes its name from Bishop Isaac Lane, who has been
the leading spirit in establishing the institution. The work done at
Lane College will compare favorably with other schools in the South.
The main building was erected at cost of $15,000. It is a fine
three-story brick, with stone trimmings, artistically covered with
malleable iron, with two beautiful lofty towers.
Lane College, like all institutions, is in need of funds to put the
school in excellent condition. Anyone desiring to bless a worthy
educational enterprise would find the school in great need of means
to better equip it for the training of young men and women to advance
Christian civilization. Let your gifts be ever so small, they will be
duly credited and rightly applied.
Their wonderful progress thus far is largely attributed to the untiring
labors of Bishop Isaac Lane.
In addition to the other branches of studies, and recognizing the fact
that the mind is often cultivated at the expense of the body, and that
trades are mediums through which young men may obtain occupations,
giving them a capital to fall back on should they fail to make
practical what they have learned from books, industrial features are
added. Girls will be given lessons in needlework, cutting, sewing, and
cooking. Young men will be given lessons in elements of gardening and
carpentry.
An experienced teacher will have charge of each department.
The president of Lane College is Rev. T. F. Sanders. He is a Southern
white man, who has taken up the work in that Christian spirit which
means to lift up humanity to a higher intellectual and spiritual
condition, regardless of race or color.
Rev. Robert T. Brown, A. M., is teacher of language and mathematics. I
regard Prof. Brown as a very able man, and one who desires very much to
see his race educated in order that the colored people may take a more
active part in the professional and business world.
PAINE INSTITUTE.
Paine Institute is another of the C. M. E. Schools. It is located at
Augusta, Ga. The school is doing about the same grade of work as that
done at Lane College. They have a beautiful brick structure known
as "Haygood Memorial Hall;" it is named in honor of the late Bishop
Haygood of the M. E. Church South. He was far in advance of the church
in his desire to see the colored people educated. The bishop wrote a
most excellent work on the race question, entitled "Our Brother in
Black." The book had a large sale both North and South. He, like Booker
T. Washington, believed that the masses of colored people should have
an industrial education. But he also recognized that those who felt
called to teach or preach should have the best education they could
secure.
The president of Paine Institute is Rev. G. W. Walker. He is a Southern
white man who sees the great work that must be done for the colored
people, and is willing to help do it. I am told that he takes an active
part in everything that is of interest to the school and scholars,
making the students feel that his heart is in the work. His family is
also helpful to him in his great effort. I hope it will not be many
years until a large number of Southern white people will see the need
of just such work as Rev. Walker is doing, and be willing to assist in
the labor.
There are a few smaller schools managed by the C. M. E. Church, but for
want of space we must omit mention of them, at least until they are
more prominent.