REV. JOS. E. ROY, D. D.,
Field Superintendent, Atlanta, Ga.
The Negro and the Indian——Co-Education of the Races——Addresses
by the Rev. Dr. Hoge, of Richmond, and Secretary Carl Schurz, of
Washington.
By the Editor.
More than the ordinary interest attaches this year to the
anniversary exercises of the Hampton Normal and Agricultural
School, just held. The experiment of negro education has been tried
for the last 16 years, until it is no longer an unsolved problem,
but one of which the once unknown quantities have come to have
an ascertained value. But the question of the educability of the
red man has been one not so conspicuously settled. What has been
accomplished in that direction has been done so far away as not to
have made much impression on the American people. This year, the
institution which has done so much to prove the responsiveness of
the negro to educational training has been engaged in its first
experiment with the Indian. Of its success thus far there can be
no shadow of a doubt. The Indian boys are contented and making
progress, and coming steadily up to a plane on which they can
pursue the regular courses of study. It was said by many at the
outset that the negro and Indian races would not associate with
each other, but the case is as contrary to this as can be. The
Indian boys at first seemed to be somewhat discontented, and Gen.
Armstrong found that they wanted most of all to learn English. “Too
much Indian talk,” they said. He asked them in class one day how
many of them would like to room with the negro boys; every hand
went up. He then went to his senior class and asked them how many
of them would be willing to take in an Indian as a roommate, to
help and teach him. A larger number than was needed of his very
best young men expressed their willingness, and so, instead of
standing aloof, the two races are completely mixed in their rooms
and at table, to their mutual satisfaction. This is a notable
element in the experiment. Some 12 of the Indian boys have joined
the church connected with the Institute.
Is it needful to say a word about the Hampton Institute itself?
Beautiful for situation it certainly is, with its front on the
creek, and only a narrow point of land separating it from the
famed Hampton Roads. Its buildings are simple but effective in
their outline and grouping. Virginia and Academic Halls, and the
new wigwam——the quarters prepared for the 70 Indian students; the
cottages in which the boys live, in families of 30 or more, largely
self-governed; the residences of the Principal and his assistants;
and not least, the great barn, sheltering a fine collection of
blooded stock——and all this on a farm of some 200 acres. It is but
a few years since there were only small and temporary barracks
to accommodate the applicants for admission; now about 200 negro
and 70 Indian students are well provided with dormitories,
recitation-rooms and workshops.
A creditable brass band, composed of students, greeted the visitors
with their cheering strains, well rendered, considering the short
time since practice was begun. Capt. Romeyne keeps the boys, both
black and red, in good military drill, and under firm, though kind,
government, and in their gray uniforms, cheap but comely, they
presented no mean appearance. Work and study are the order of every
day. The brightest and most inspiring teaching the writer ever saw
wakens the intellect to an eager activity; and work on farm and in
shop for the boys, in kitchen and laundry and with the knitting
machine for the girls, both teaches them how to labor, and enables
them to pay a considerable part of the expenses of their living.
The examinations, except of the graduating class, were not written,
but were oral, and on the plan of the daily recitations. The
Indians attracted perhaps the greatest attention from the many
visitors, in the conversation classes, which were conducted with
rare tact and skill. On a table was placed a mass of common plants
and flowers. One of the band of Indians brought only a few months
ago by Capt. Pratt was called up and asked to pick out some grass;
its uses brought out the words eat and horse, and sentences were
formed of these words. Beet, onion, potato and clover were selected
in turn, and their uses brought out by skillful questioning. Then,
in another lesson, working and earning money and spending it were
illustrated, and the language taught necessary to express these
ideas. At the other end of the gradation of studies were the very
creditable recitations of the graduating class of colored students
in algebra, history, physiology and other higher branches; nor
would it do to omit the class in teaching, where the seniors showed
their skill in interesting and instructing the little children of
the Butler Normal School.
In the afternoon the public exercises were held in Virginia Hall,
which was crowded to overflowing. The addresses were manly and
earnest; some of them quite forcible and free in thought and
expression, and dealing with questions affecting their race. It was
quite touching to see a black boy pleading for the extension of the
privileges of education to the Indian, and one of the features of
interest was a simple story of his home life in Indian Territory
by an Indian youth. Music by the band, by a select few, and by the
whole school, relieved the speaking.
But we must not forget to give the prominence due them to the
visitors of the day. Most conspicuous among them was the delegation
of Indians, in blankets and feathers, from Washington. Little
Chief and six warriors with him of the Northern Chippewas were
persuaded to come down to see what was being done for the boys
of their own race. Just how they were impressed by it all, it is
impossible to say, as their faces were covered with their blankets
most of the time, and they acted like a group of shy old women.
Probably they were a good deal bored, though they gave signs of
occasional amusement. But there were other visitors of note. Chief
among these were Secretaries Schurz and McCrary, of the President’s
Cabinet; Senator Saunders and Representative Pound, of Wisconsin;
ex-President Mark Hopkins, of Williams College; the Rev. Dr.
Plumer, of Charleston, S. C., and the Rev. Dr. Hoge, of Richmond;
the Rev. Dr. Armstrong of Norfolk, Va., and Judge Lafayette S.
Foster, of Connecticut. After the diplomas had been presented
to the graduating class by the Rev. Dr. Strieby, of this city,
President of the Board of Trustees, Dr. Hoge was called upon to
address the graduating class, and among other things said:
“It has been my lot to attend a good many college commencements,
but I never attended one in all my life where so much honor and
encouragement were given to those connected with an institution
as to-day. Two members of the Cabinet of the United States, the
President of the youngest university of the United States, and
which bids fair to be one of the grandest (President Gilman, of
the Johns Hopkins University), judges of our courts, eminent
professional men, and two of the most venerable gentlemen on this
continent, Dr. Plumer and Dr. Hopkins——Massachusetts and South
Carolina uniting to-day to give encouragement to this institution
and to the labors of those who are so nobly carrying out its
objects.
“I cannot stand here to-day in this historic latitude without
some profound emotions. I should not be a Virginian if I did. I
cannot stand in sight of Fortress Monroe without remembering our
fallen fortunes. The last two summers I have been abroad, and I
have come back believing that there is no land which God has so
smiled upon as this country. We have no need so great as of a
stable government. I do not mean of force. No government can be
stronger than the love of the people for it. You may put great
iron bands upon it, but there will be a centrifugal power which
will burst them. There must be centripetal force powerful enough
to attract the people together in it. If our Government is to be
like that, may the Lord smile upon it and perpetuate it to the
last syllable of time.
“All my life long I have been a friend to one of the classes
represented here, and now I am grateful that this institution has
extended its protecting wing over another. I have been something
of a student of races. I could occupy the remainder of the day in
telling you of the good qualities of the African race; and there
has always been a great deal that has touched my heart in the
character of the Indian people——their love for their ancestral
lands, their reverence for the bones of their forefathers, that
decorous reserve which gives such dignity to their bearing. One
thing which I have always admired in them is this, that when a
war is over, they never talk about the war that is fought. It
is not considered magnanimous in an Indian to taunt a fallen
foe. It seems to me that in our popular assemblies and in other
assemblies it might be well to imitate the Indian, and not talk
too much about the war.
“The Indian who told us the story of his life at home said
something that went straight to my heart. He didn’t say it very
forcibly, but the force was in the thing he said. Time was, he
told us, when he did not know anything about his soul or his
salvation. One end of this institution is to make the poor Indian
acquainted with the things which shall help him see God, not in
the clouds, but in the face of Jesus Christ; and to hear him,
not in the winds, but in the still small voice of the Spirit,
speaking peace to his soul.”
The Doctor closed with calling attention to goodness as the
greatest element of success; that no man can afford to succeed by
sacrificing it; illustrating it by reference to a humble girl who
came during the yellow fever scourge to nurse the sick, and who
died a victim to its poisons, and by the life of a colored Baptist
minister who recently died in Richmond.
The Hon. Carl Schurz, Secretary of the Interior, was called upon to
follow. He began thus:
“I respond to this call not to prolong the exercises of the day,
nor for purposes of debate. I do not intend to discuss the war. I
am glad it is over. I only desire to bear testimony that of all
the speakers of the day, not one has alluded to the war save in
a most innocent way, and they were the Indian and the reverend
gentleman who is, I am sure, a most peaceable member of the
church militant. As to the manner in which civil wars should be
treated, he and I do not disagree.
“My heart is elated with this spectacle to-day. Reference has
been made to the fact that two Cabinet officers are present. I
assure you that we did not come here for purposes of amusement,
but to witness elements in the solution of one of the most
difficult and dangerous problems of our day——the problem of
blending two races, one of which has been in subjection and the
other in hostility. We are all filled with feelings of admiration
and gratitude to Gen. Armstrong and his co-workers here; to
the State of Virginia, which, by its generous aid, renders a
service to itself not only and to the colored people, but to this
whole country; and to the benevolent people North and South, in
Massachusetts and in South Carolina. In this I see the real end
of the war and the inauguration of true peace. If I look back
with satisfaction on anything in my official career, it is that I
have been instrumental in aiding such a work. I am happy to know
that the experiment is a success; and I assure you that so far as
the means and power of my department go, nothing shall be left
undone to strengthen and enlarge the experiment. The time has
gone when the Indian can live on buffalo meat and give himself to
the chase. The time has come when every man must work. All the
information which comes to us tends to show that not only these
but other tribes desire education, and that the attempt to give
it to them is successful.
“The question is often asked, Will they not relapse into
barbarism on returning among their own tribes? I am inclined to
think that this danger is real, unless the education be extended
to a much larger number of Indians——enough to support each other,
and so resist the pressure. This is the object to be held in
view, and which I hope, in part, may be accomplished before my
term of office expires.
“I commend this institution. I do not know of one educational
institution in the country which is more important in its
tendencies, as well as in its promised results, than this. I hope
that Virginia will continue to extend her helping hand, that its
patrons North and South will not withdraw their support, and that
continued success may attend the labors of the General and those
who are associated with him in this work. I will only add that
these sentiments of appreciation of this work, and the desire for
its enlargement and extension, are most heartily concurred in by
the President of the United States.”
With a benediction from the venerable Dr. Plumer, the assembly
broke up. The visitors turned toward their homes, and the school
resumed its work, which will continue for three weeks, to the end
of its academic year. I need not say to the friends of the Indian
and the negro, perhaps scarcely to those who care for the welfare
of our own Caucasian race in these United States, don’t forget
Hampton and the institutions of which it is a shining example.
MISS ANNA M. CAHILL, NASHVILLE.
Looking back over the past nine months, it seems a long time
since the dark days of last September, when the school opened
under the shadow of the pestilence, and we saw one of our own
students, just returned from his summer work, stricken down by
the fever. The firmness with which the few students then in the
school stood bravely by their work gave some of us a confidence in
their fortitude and faithfulness which, perhaps, we could not have
gained without some such time of trial to develop it. As the autumn
advanced the school began to fill up, though some who came to us
after Christmas from the lower part of Mississippi assured us they
came “as soon as it was safe.” Naturally the decrease in attendance
resulting from the epidemic, was mostly seen in the number of new
students. Those who have fairly started in the work of getting an
education cannot be detained except by absolute necessity; others,
who were thinking for the first time of going away to school, were
easily led to wait another year.
Notwithstanding the delay in getting the school started, one of
the features of the year has been the steadiness in attendance,
especially in the advanced classes. As the result of this
regularity in attendance, the school work has gone on with rather
unusual satisfaction. There has been little to interrupt the
quiet spirit of study that has so much to do with the amount
accomplished; a friendly spirit of rivalry between different
classes and among members of the same class makes it from year to
year more of a disgrace to fall below the standard of scholarship.
The school has been growing in favor with the Southern people. The
presence of a large part of the State Legislature at our public
rhetorical exercise, in March, and the evident pleasure with which
they listened to the young people, indicated an increasing interest
in our success. We find that the aims of the University commend
themselves to the best men of the State.
The anxious question as to how these aims can be carried out, and
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.”
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.
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.
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.
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.
One of these buildings was purchased by a wealthy citizen, and
by him given to the School Board for a colored school, with the
expressed stipulation that no religious exercises of any character
should be permitted, not even the singing of “gospel hymns.” It
is reported that the same gentleman contemplates the purchase
of the other building, which is rented by the city now, and the
presentation of the same to the city, and, we may reasonably
conclude, with the same restrictions. These stipulations are
displeasing to many of the colored people. Ignorant as some are,
they feel the need of Christian training for their children. We do
not doubt that this restraint is equally unwelcome to many of the
School Board and citizens of the city, but as a corporation they
are involved, and perhaps they are doing the best they can under
the circumstances.
The Catholics have a small school for the colored people, but some
of the parents (good Catholics) have applied for admission for
their children to our school, saying, “I have concluded that the
teaching of the Catechism and but little else is not an education
for my child; I want something better.” It seems that the hold they
are getting upon the colored people of Savannah is rather feeble.
That the position was well taken in re-establishing the Beach,
there can be no doubt, for it was needed as a connecting link
between the city schools and the University at Atlanta, as well as
for the Christian training which it will be able to give to a large
class of the youth of the city.
This week has been devoted to examinations and the closing work of
the year. The greater part of the previous days were devoted to
written work; but it had been announced that in the morning hours
of to-day public oral examinations would be held. At an early hour
a good number of parents and friends showed the interest they have
in their children and the school by coming in to witness the day’s
work. The morning was spent in the various rooms, many of the old
people as well as the children showing a lively interest in the
examinations. At twelve o’clock our commodious chapel was well
filled by an attentive and appreciative audience, to witness the
closing exercises of the school, which consisted of essays from the
fine members of the normal class and recitations and music from the
other departments. After a very enjoyable hour and a half in the
chapel, the various grades passed to their rooms, the promotions
were read, the school dismissed, the good-byes said, the doors
closed; and thus, with its cares and its perplexities, its joys and
its sorrows, its successes and its failures, endeth another chapter
of the great volume of life.
REV. J. R. M’LEAN, NO. 1 MILLER’S STATION.
Miss Douglass’ coming here has been a blessing to us all, and a
great help to the work. Through her we have been able, as we hope,
to get money enough to finish our church inside. Our congregation
has not been so large as we think it ought to have been, and yet
our work is felt by all the other churches. The Sabbath-school has
been larger this year than at any time before since I have been
here, and we have seen indications of the good it is doing. God’s
word will accomplish that which He pleases.
The day school has been good all the time. We have on the list
about 55; it numbered a month ago 41 daily. Some of the larger
ones have gone out of school to work on the farm. We have had a
strong religious spirit in the school all the year. Some twenty or
more have, as we hope, been converted; five of that number have
been received into this church.
Five of the members of our church, who spent at least a dollar and
a half a week for strong drink when I first came here, have left
it off altogether and say they do not want to smell it now. One of
them yesterday, at our communion, would not partake with us. When
asked why, he said: “I wanted to take it the worst kind, but I was
afraid it would make me want to go to drinking again,” and tears
ran down his face as he spoke these words to Miss Douglass. You can
see from this that some of the people are trying to leave off the
habits of slavery, but it is done with no little effort, for the
habits seem to have become a second nature.
A man who is a Jew, and cares nothing about religion, said to me,
the other day, that he had been here thirteen years, and had never
seen such a change as recently among the people. I am not able to
say what has caused it. I feel sure that much of it has come from
the labor of Miss D.; she has gone to see them in their homes and
read the word to them, and prayed with them, and given them good
tracts to read, and the blessing of God has been with her in the
work.
But there is a dark side to my picture. We have so many Atheists
here that it is very hard to do anything. The man who denies God’s
word is just as much of an Atheist as the one who says there is
no God. We find only a few who believe God’s word. They say
the Bible does not teach us the way to come to Christ, but that
He brings us to Himself through a dream interpreted by some old
ignorant godfather or godmother. These foolish ideas have led many
of the hopefully converted ones to doubt and caused many of them
to go in darkness for weeks, and some of them do not see the light
yet. Some of those who gave their hearts to the Saviour in our
meetings, (and such changes were seen in their actions, that no one
could doubt their being Christians,) before they could join the old
churches must go off and dream, and hear the little voice say, “Oh,
my little one, go in peace, and sin no more.”
I find many of those who have joined this church much worse than
they were before they thought of becoming Christians. The cause
lies in the fact that they have been led to trust in forms and not
to trust Jesus. A knowledge of the Bible is the only thing that
is to save the thousands of my people. Their ministers teach the
same foolish ways of which I have spoken. Nothing but the grace of
Almighty God can lead this people in the way everlasting.
MISS LAURA A. PARMELEE, MEMPHIS.
Memphis has been very little affected by the emigration movement,
but from students who are teaching in Tennessee, Arkansas and
Mississippi, we hear enough to keep us interested.
From a neighboring village several families moved to Kansas in the
winter. They are pleased with their prospects, and send word for a
certain student to hold himself in readiness to come to them and
teach as soon as they can get ready for school.
The following letter is from a member of last year’s class now
teaching in Leota, Miss.:
“The Kansas fever, as it is called here, has reached our section of
the country, and the people are entirely carried away by it. They
quit their crops and sell their stock for little or nothing to get
money to travel on. Fine milch cows and calves are selling for $10
or $12 at the highest. One man bought 125 chickens for $5.
“Having accomplished this much of their intention, about thirteen
or fourteen hundred moved to town on May 2. In the evening, the
white people became excited over the action of the colored people.
They came to town and held a meeting. Then the colored people
became excited over the action of the whites, and made ready to
protect themselves.
“By night there were 2,000 persons in town, all armed. The sheriff
was dispatched for; he came with many others. The next morning he
went to the camp of the colored people and examined their arms. All
but one submitted to his authority. The man drew his gun and the
sheriff drew his pistol. If either of the two had fired there would
have been trouble all around, but, thank God, there was none. This
man was arrested and sent to jail.
“The town is crowded now and is guarded at night (every night)
by the whites. It seems that they will not allow the boats to
interfere and convey these poor people to St. Louis. They have been
waiting on the bank four days. Yesterday (Sunday) it rained very
hard, and the women with their little ones and household goods were
out in all of the storm. We have had very heavy rains; the thunder
and lightning was as if the world were coming to an end. The people
are exposed to the weather, but determined to go to Kansas.
“The whites are doing all they can to get them back to their homes
to stay this year. They go to the camp, talk and coax, but the
people have not yielded yet, and it is doubtful if they will.
“I cannot relate the whole story; it is very long and sad.”
Another letter just received says the people returned to the farms
for this year. Hunger and the necessities of the case compelled
them to yield. Both the writer of this letter and the young man
called to Kansas, expect to return to Le Moyne next year and
graduate.
We do not graduate a class this summer, but shall give diplomas
to a large and well prepared class next season. If we are denied
the privilege——or deny ourselves——of graduating students, we find
ample compensation in the excellent work and character of our young
people. I wonder if Mr. Steele has told you of our five ministers
scattered around in different classes——two Baptist, two Methodist,
one Christian Adventist. Four of the five are settled over churches
and are of excellent spirit, possessing fair ability.
Yesterday the churches had a grand union picnic. A procession
headed by a band of music marched to Estival Park, which has
opened its gates to colored people within the past fortnight. A
few of our scholars were excused to attend, but all the older
students preferred to continue at work and were entirely unaffected
by the excitement. Three years ago, two days had to be given
to Sunday-school picnics——the Thursdays when the Baptists and
Methodists held anniversaries. We think it quite a triumph to have
reached the point of ignoring such events.
We discuss plans for enlarging our work in the industrial
department, and long for dormitories to accommodate the strangers
that come to us. Miss Milton has charge of the sewing class, and
informs you of its success. Next year we hope to have a text-book
on nursing introduced as a regular study. Lippincott & Co. are
issuing a book that meets our wants. Thursdays, after the regular
lecture to the young ladies, recipes for plain and sick cooking are
distributed. There is a demand for recipes for pies, cakes, etc.,
which has to be gratified once in a while.
We recognize the duty of endowing the colleges at the earliest
possible moment, and rejoice that Fisk, Atlanta, Straight and
Talladega can be established more firmly. We would not take
anything from their strength. Certainly they must be maintained,
and we will help them by sending our students abroad as soon as
possible. The young people who come to us are not able to pay
the twenty-five dollars extra that is needed to carry them to
Nashville. They must come here, or not go to school at all.
They will not go to Nashville until they finish the course at Le
Moyne; and the better training we can give, the more will they be
likely to desire instruction in other branches than are allowed
here.
I will in a short time send you report of our library receipts and
expenditures during the year. We did not think one year ago it
could be possible to be in possession of so large and excellent an
assortment of books as now stands upon our shelves. What more we
can accomplish for it remains to be seen.
Catalogues sent free to parties needing bells.