Financial—School Anniversaries249
Vacation251
Mr. Wharton The Evangelist—Old Silver Dollars252
Anniversary Exercises:
Tougaloo University, Tougaloo, Miss.253
Ballard Normal School, Macon, Ga.255
Beach Institute, Savannah, Ga.256
Allen Normal School, Thomasville, Ga.258
McIntosh, Ga.—Burrell School, Selma, Ala.260
Normal School, Orange Park, Fla.262
Meridian, Miss.263
Grand View, Tenn.264
Church Work:—
The Evangelist at Work265
Letter from Rev. W. C. Pond, D.D.268
"What Progress Do You Make?"269
WOMAN'S STATE ORGANIZATIONS270
RECEIPTS272
PUBLISHED BY THE AMERICAN MISSIONARY ASSOCIATION.
Bible House, Ninth St. and Fourth Ave., New York.
Entered at the Post Office at New York, N. Y., as second-class matter.
American Missionary Association.
Rev. F. A. Noble, D.D., Ill. Rev. Alex. McKenzie, D.D., Mass.
Rev. A. J. F. Behrends, D.D., N. Y. Rev. Henry Hopkins, D.D., Mo.
Rev. M. E. Strieby, D.D., Bible House, N. Y.
Rev. A. F. Beard, D.D., Bible House, N. Y.
Rev. F. P. Woodbury, D.D., Bible House, N. Y.
Rev. M. E. Strieby, D.D., Bible House, N. Y.
Treasurer.
H. W. Hubbard, Esq., Bible House, N. Y.
Auditors.
Peter McCartee. Richard S. Barnes.
Charles L. Mead, Chairman. Charles A. Hull, Secretary.
For Three Years. For Two Years. For One Year.
Charles A. Hull, Samuel Holmes, William Hayes Ward,
Addison P. Foster, Samuel S. Marples, James W. Cooper,
Albert J. Lyman, Charles L. Mead, Lucien C. Warner,
Nehemiah Boynton, William H. Strong, Joseph H. Twichell,
A. J. F. Behrends, Elijah Horr, Charles P. Peirce.
Rev. Geo. H. Gutterson, 21 Cong'l House, Boston, Mass.
Rev. Jos. E. Roy, D.D., 151 Washington Street, Chicago, Ill.
Rev.
Miss D. E. Emerson, Bible House, N. Y.
COMMUNICATIONS
Relating to the work of the Association may be addressed to the Corresponding Secretaries; letters for "The American Missionary," to the Editor, at the New York Office; letters relating to the finances, to the Treasurer; letters relating to woman's work, to the Secretary of the Woman's Bureau.
DONATIONS AND SUBSCRIPTIONS
In drafts, checks, registered letters, or post office orders, may be sent to H. W. Hubbard, Treasurer, Bible House, New York, or, when more convenient, to either of the Branch Offices, 21 Congregational House, Boston, Mass., 151 Washington Street. Chicago, Ill., or Congregational Rooms, Y. M. C. A. Building, Cleveland, Ohio. A payment of thirty dollars constitutes a Life Member.
Notice To Subscribers.—The date on the "address label," indicates the time to which the subscription is paid. Changes are made in date on label to the 10th of each month. If payment of subscription be made afterward, the change on the label will appear a month later. Please send early notice of change in post-office address, giving the former address and the new address, in order that our periodicals and occasional papers may be correctly mailed.
FORM OF A BEQUEST.
"I give and bequeath the sum of —— dollars, to the 'American Missionary Association,' incorporated by act of the Legislature of the State of New York." The Will should be attested by three witnesses.
THE
American Missionary
American Missionary Association.
FINANCIAL.
In some respects our report is favorable. Our receipts for the eight months ending May 31st are $18,487.18 more than for the same period last year. If the Association had received funds from the Government this year for the eight months, $10,127.95, the receipts would have been 28,615.13 more than last year. The payments for the eight months have been $11,315.16 less than last year. With this showing the debt of the current year to May 31st is $19,419.98 as over against $49,222.32 to May 31st of last year, but as this debt of the current year is to be added to the $45,028.11 due at the close of the year September 30th, 1893, it makes the total debt May 31, $64,448.09. Those who have read the statements made in the Missionarywill recall that in the month of March our debt was reduced $10,718.47, and in April $4,847.40, but the fear was then expressed, which has since been realized, that these reductions might not continue. The month of May shows an increase of the debt, bringing it now to $64,448.09. We appeal most earnestly to the friends of the Association to stay the progress of this debt.
SCHOOL ANNIVERSARIES.
We begin in this issue of the Missionary to print the reports of the anniversary exercises of our schools. They will occupy largely this number and the next, and will appear somewhat in the order of time in which the schools closed. When the whole are published, they will make an impression of the vastness, variety and usefulness of the work. It will show institutions of higher grade in nearly all the States of the South, normal and graded schools in nearly all the large cities, and parochial schools connected with many of the churches. The industrial feature of these schools will appear most conspicuously in the details given.
In the account of the larger schools, Fisk University, Talladega College, Tougaloo University, Straight University and Tillotson Institute, Austin, Texas, we give but in part the full extent of the plan originally laid down by the Association, for it does not include Hampton Institute, Atlanta University and Berea College, children of the Association which have set up and are conducting housekeeping on their own account.
The origin of Hampton Institute was in that first freedmen's school at Fortress Monroe, enlarged year by year, and at length falling under the sagacious eye of Gen. Armstrong, it opened to him in almost prophetic vision what his great genius and untiring industry brought to full consummation. Nor did the American Missionary Association send this child forth empty-handed. It turned over to its use the one hundred and twenty-five acres of beautiful land, with its buildings, permanent and transient, on which the wonderful plant is now established.
Atlanta University was founded by the Association, and under the wise leadership of President Ware, and the steady support of the Association for many years, it at length reached a condition of independence and self-support.
Berea College, founded by the intrepid John G. Fee, a missionary of the American Missionary Association, owned by its own Board of Trustees from the first, was for many years assisted by the generous contributions of the Association.
These three institutions, though independent of the Association and not under its care or support, if added to the list already given of our higher schools, will show a line of educational lighthouses stretching from the Atlantic to the Gulf and thence into the heart of Texas. Such was the original plan of the Association, and such has been the remarkably successful result.
But the work of the Association is not confined to the Negro race. In the mountains of the South it touches with the wand of Christian education the noble Highlanders of America with their proud achievements and yet with their long-neglected education, needing the inspiring uplift of the school and cultured church. To these influences they yield a most hearty response, and no brighter reports will be found than from these mountain regions.
The Indians have from the outset been the subjects of our watchful care, and with some variation in their activity, the services among them have brought forth some of the brightest results. Revivals during the past year of greater power than any reported from any other part of the field were experienced in these Indian churches.
The Chinese work on the Pacific Coast, under the admirable leadership of Dr. Pond, has made steady progress in the conversion of souls here and in carrying the gospel to China.
The mission in Alaska, brought to so sudden and terrible a close by the murder of Mr. Thornton, is expected to be opened again this summer by the return of Mr. and Mrs. Lopp to Cape Prince of Wales. With their knowledge of the language and of the people, and with the advantages of their past experience, we hope the mission will enter upon a new and much more successful life than heretofore.
We invite the friends of the Association to study this work in its variety and extent. We make no comparisons, but surely this work touches the sympathies of the patriot and the Christian, and calls for a steady and abundant support.
VACATION.
We congratulate our teachers who are now returning from the South on the vacation that awaits them in the hills and on the
We need not ask their friends at the North to welcome these returned workers with that kindness that is restful, but we do ask that the facts they reveal in regard to the South may be heard and heeded. There is no set of witnesses more competent to tell of the actual situation at the South, its home life, its industries, its struggle with difficulties, than these same teachers. Sometimes the teachers have been there but a short time and their labors may have been confined to one locality, but in that narrow range their observations among the colored people have been most minute. They have watched the operations of the pupils closely from day to day, and have been brought constantly in contact with the people in their cabins, in their work, and in their trials.
But many of the teachers have been there for years and in different locations, and their representation of the state of affairs is as reliable as any that can be found from any source whatever. If the observations and experiences of this corps of teachers could be set forth, they would furnish, with all its lights and shades, the most accurate picture that could be presented of the state of affairs in the South. Pastors and churches would do well to give these returned teachers an opportunity to present in the prayer-meeting and elsewhere the exact facts as they have found them in the South.
MR. WHARTON, THE EVANGELIST.
Under the head of "Church Work" will be found in these pages a sketch of the work of an evangelist in our churches during the past year, written by himself. That evangelist is so unselfish and consecrated to his work, and has been so long and so successfully employed in it that we are sure our readers will be glad to have some account of the man himself.
Mr. James Wharton is an Englishman, resident at Barrow-in-Furness, near to Furness Abbey and the English lakes. He is not an ordained minister, but a lay preacher, as Mr. Moody is. He accepts no salary for his services, and consents to receive only the amount of his traveling expenses. For over twenty years he has been thus engaged, residing at his home in the summer but busy in gospel work, and in the winters traveling to distant places. His labors have been in England, Ireland, Scotland, the Shetland Islands, Wales, Canada, Spain and America. During these ministrations he has traveled 88,000 miles, and has made eleven trips to America.
In 1876, he learned of the condition of the emancipated slaves of this country, and entered into correspondence with this Association with reference to work here. He has spent eleven years here, and has evinced great wisdom, good judgment and, as will be seen by the report of his work this past year, has had great success. He was the first man to attempt an open-air service in New Orleans after the war. He stood on a cotton bale at the foot of Canal St., and continued the service for several weeks, although the white people threatened to shoot him. In his labors among the blacks of the South, he strikes the happy medium between undue excitement and cold formalism. As he returns from year to year, he rejoices to find the converts of earlier years holding on their way with faith and a stable Christian life. Our readers will be interested to read the sketch which Mr. Wharton gives of his labors.
OLD SPANISH DOLLARS.
A friend sends, with the following brief note, two Spanish dollars of ancient date. We hope that some lovers of ancient coin will be able to make a good offer for them:
"I send you by express two old Spanish silver dollars of date 1786 and 1800, for the work of the American Missionary Association. They belong to my wife, who has had them a long time and now thinks they had better be sent out to help in the Lord's work through the American Missionary Association. Our hope is, that some lover of the great and good cause, who has also a fancy for old and rare coins, may appear, who would pay a liberal premium for them. If such should be the case, we would be much gratified to be informed as to how much they bring to the work."
THE SOUTH.
Anniversary Exercises.
TOUGALOO UNIVERSITY, TOUGALOO, MISS.
While, owing to hard times, the enrollment at Tougaloo this year, 362, was less than that of the two previous years, the average attendance has been better than before, larger numbers having continued until the close. The year has been marked by specialty good work on the students' part, only one having failed of promotion. It has been a notable year also in the religious development of many. One only of the Normal Department is not now a professing Christian, and at the farewell prayer-meeting he expressed the earnest desire soon to become one. In the new Theological Department nine have been enrolled. The prospect for next year is that this feature of the work will be largely developed. The new College Preparatory Department has made a most successful beginning, seven having been enrolled and having done good work. The past year has also been notable in the industrial departments. Great attention has always been given to these, though in the girls' industries, especially, the facilities have been exceedingly inadequate. During the year, Berkshire Cottage, the girls' industrial building, has been completed, and in it are pleasant accommodations for the needlework and cooking classes. Seventy girls have had class instruction throughout the year in these branches. In Berkshire Cottage is also carried on the work for which the building was specially designed—the model housekeeping. When the rooms are all furnished eight girls at a time, in two sets of four, will keep house for two months at a time, gaining a practical knowledge of household economies. This year sixteen girls have had this most important training, the last four in the new cottage. Of this four, three were in the graduating Normal class. The exhibits of the cooking and sewing classes at Commencement, consisting of cakes, biscuits, confectionery, etc., and a great variety of well made and useful garments, were highly praised, and a large number sold to visitors. Few schools have better facilities for the practical and most important work of developing homemakers than has Tougaloo. Upon the trained young women who can make good homes depends very largely the future of the Negro race.
From the earliest history of the school there has been attention paid to agriculture, and each year sees development in the acreage under cultivation and the quantity of produce raised. This year nearly all the fresh meat and the milk, sweet potatoes, molasses, vegetables, etc., needed by the large boarding department, have been raised on the farm, and some things have been marketed, besides the large amount of corn and hay needed upon so large a plantation. The need of a special agricultural building, to cost about $2,000, in which those students who work upon the farm can live, and where they may have special class instruction, is greatly needed.
The Manual Training Department has also this year received new impetus.
Another feature has been the opening up of the "Tougaloo University Addition to Tougaloo." About one hundred and twenty acres of university land have been surveyed and plotted off into home lots of about five acres each, to be sold to former students of the school and to others who desire to educate their children at Tougaloo. Already several lots have been taken and homes built, and in a few years there will be quite a little educational community.
The Commencement exercises, May 20th-23d, passed off pleasantly. On Sunday, President Woodworth's baccalaureate was from the text, "He endured as seeing him who is invisible." The farewell prayer-meeting in the evening, conducted by Miss Page, valedictorian of the graduating class, was peculiarly rich and helpful in its reminiscences, forecastings and inspirations. All the graduates go out as earnest Christians. The boys' gymnastic exhibition on Monday evening drew a very interested audience, and the eighth grade exercises on Tuesday morning were admirable. The alumni meeting was the largest that has ever been held, one-third of the alumni having been in attendance. Two notable papers were read, one by Miss Jessie Rhone, of '84, on, "It is better beyond," and one by Mr. W. H. Lanier, '81, on, "The conduct to be pursued by the educated colored young people in gaining success." Both were hopeful and helpful.
Mr. Lanier's relation of his experience as teacher in one of the most difficult towns of the State, where former teachers had been run off and the school closed by the whites, and of the way in which he had so conducted himself that men whose only greeting at first was, "Howdy, boy," now recognize him cordially with, "How do you do, professor," was a most admirable illustration of how tact and good sense will help to break down barriers. The Commencement concert on Tuesday evening drew a very large crowd. Every seat was occupied and all standing room, and it was clearly shown that the chapel at Tougaloo is all too small. Over one hundred and fifty of the audience of about six hundred were white. Better chorus work is not often heard. Tougaloo is fortunate not only in having had competent music teachers, but in having in Prof. Hill, Dean of the Normal Department, a most capable musician.
For the first time in years Commencement day was showery, but a large audience assembled to see the normal graduation. Seven graduated, and their orations and essays were highly creditable. The annual address was given by Rev. B. F. Ousley, now professor in the Alcorn Agricultural and Mechanical College at Rodney, Miss., the State institution for colored young men, and formerly a missionary of the American Board in South Africa. It was a clear, thoughtful, and in every way admirable presentation of the qualifications of "The Man for the Age." Brief impromptu addresses were made by Rev. S. P. Smith, American Missionary Association pastor in Jackson, Mr. W. H. Lanier, of '81, Major Millsaps, one of the leading bankers of the State, Rev. S. C. Mounger, presiding elder of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, residing at Jackson, and Col. J. L. Power, of the Jackson Clarion Ledger. The last three gentlemen emphasized again and again the fact that the best white sentiment of the State is heartily in favor of such work as is done at Tougaloo, and in full sympathy with it.
BALLARD NORMAL SCHOOL, MACON, GA.
The Ballard Normal School, located at Macon, Ga., has closed with flattering success in all departments. The work in all the grades reflects much credit on the teachers, but no work is more marked than that of the industrial department. The display was much more imposing than was thought possible, the work having been delayed until late in the year; it seemed at first unwise to try to make any display at all, but all felt paid for the attempt. In the girls' department we found work of all grades of sewing, dresses, waists, aprons and other articles of wearing apparel, also darning, matching, buttonholes, quilting, etc. Each article was marked with the name of the girl and grade, and many were the exclamations of commendation from those who visited the rooms where the display was made. Works deserving special mention are buttonholes made by Martha Howard of the seventh grade; patching by Lulu Gaston, and darning by Gertrude Williams. The cooking-school, for lack of money, was discontinued after three months, but during that time substantial progress was made, and there can be no question about the advisability of pushing the industrial work as far as possible the coming year. In the boys' department, too, all were surprised to see the articles in display. There were joints of every shape, all of them showing skill of high order; there were many useful articles displayed, such as pen-racks, pen-trays, towel-rolls, hat-racks, puzzles, etc. Many of the articles were given away by the boys to the friends, and some of the articles will be exhibited in the North to show the class of work done in our schools. As it seems to me, no branch of work is more important than the industrial, and great interest is taken in it by the boys. The lack of money has made it necessary to curtail this very important part of our educational work.
The work done in the last year leads me to believe that there should be no cutting down in any part of the work of Ballard school, which I regard as one of the most promising of the many American Missionary Association schools, and especially should there be no cutting in either of the industrial departments. More than any one thing, these people need to be taught the use of time and the saving of money; this, with the intellectual and moral training in our schools, will make full grown men and women. The work-begun is one that should be pursued with no let up.
BEACH INSTITUTE, SAVANNAH, GA.
The closing week began with the class reunion, Friday evening, May 18th, when, notwithstanding a wild wind and rain storm, a blithe company assembled in the cosy rooms at the Teachers' Home.
Sunday afternoon, May 20th, an able baccalaureate address was preached by the Rev. Alexander Ellis, of Savannah. The large audience, which filled our flower-decked chapel, were said, by a resident, to be "the best colored people of Savannah." Certainly the sight of this large company of refined and intelligent persons of the Negro race might have served as an inspiration to a worker for that race.
On Tuesday morning, after the usual opening exercises, the Rev. Mr. Upshaw gave an instructive and stirring talk on the evils of the use of narcotics. A good letter from the Junior Christian Endeavor band of Ionia, Iowa, was read to the students, who returned a hearty vote of thanks for the draft for five dollars therein contained
A conspicuous feature in the day's programme was the exhibition of articles made in the sewing department. Hundreds of specimens were effectively displayed against the walls of the large office. There were nicely made garments, bright patchwork quilts, dressed dolls illustrating hygienic styles of dress, buttonhole work and neat patches. Much of the work done won warm commendation from the visitors present, and that by the boys of the third grade received a full share of praise. In many cases it was difficult to believe that the specimens of work done in May were wrought by the same pairs of hands as the great, uncouth stitches made on the companion pieces furnished in January. Yet each pupil has had but two hours' instruction a week. We hope during the coming year to enlarge and improve the department. Extending our sincere thanks to the kind friends who have sent us supplies for the sewing, we would, by the way, very modestly suggest that a good sewing machine is needed here, and if one should be forthcoming from the beneficent ones who have an especial interest in this most important branch of education, we should indeed hail its advent with fervent gratitude.
Tuesday noon found us with our friends again gathered in the chapel, where prizes were awarded to those who had made the most improvement in sewing. One little girl had said to her sewing teacher: "Oh, if I can only get a prize for sewing, just a card, or anything, to show my mother that I am improving, and that she is getting something in return for the dollar she pays for my tuition!" From the nice books, etc., sent us in boxes by Northern friends, we distributed our prizes. To this little girl we were glad to give something, which rejoiced her heart, and the gleaming eyes of several other pupils—notably those of the boys of the third grade—as they came forward for the coveted honor, was a pleasant sight. Before dismissal, the Rev. L. B. Maxwell gave us a bright and helpful little talk. Tuesday night, in the freshly decorated and densely crowded chapel, was given an exhibition by members of all grades of the school. The songs, recitations, readings, gymnastics and tableaux elicited much delighted applause.
Thursday morning the school assembled to listen to the reading of promotions. One of the pleasantest memories of Beach Institute which the workers there carried away to their vacation was that of the sight of the eager yet self-controlled company of students, which, holding its breath to listen, yet, when it heard, spent no breath in murmurs of delight or of disappointment. Only the graver, self-reproachful expression or radiant smile betrayed the feelings of the listener.
Thursday evening the Anniversary exercises took place. Palmettoes, roses, etc., made our chapel a place of beauty. Over the platform in artistic design, the class motto, "Row, not Drift," hung above a great boat decorated with the blossoms of the cape jasmine, suspended over its crossed oars, tastefully tied with the class colors—nile green and cream white. All showed effectively against a soft background of white overlaid with festoonings of the long gray moss. Our eight graduates, seven girls and one stalwart youth, "a rugged young oak in the midst of roses," rendered their parts in spicy essays, humorous reading, graceful and spirited recitations and earnest oration in a manner which won due signals of appreciation. The choruses, etc., were sung in good style, the diplomas were given, the successful contestant for the scholarship from the new tenth grade was announced, the class song was sung, and then Richard R. Wright, who in his boyhood sent to Northern friends the message, "Tell them we are rising," and who is now President of the Georgia State Agricultural College for Colored Youth, followed with an address replete with that which might instruct and enthuse this class of 1894, which was about to embark in boats in which they were to "Row, not Drift."
As one listened to this address, again what an inspiring scene met the eye—the gifted, cultured speaker, his very life an inspiration, the semicircle of earnest, hopeful young graduates, the chapel and adjoining rooms crowded with an audience whose appearance betokened education and refinement, among whom were doctors of divinity, editors and other professional men. One could but only exclaim, "Within these thirty years, verily, 'What hath God wrought!'"
Oh, that American Christians could be brought to such a sense of the tremendous needs of this Negro race at the South, that through myriad channels the needed supplies would flow, to continue and enlarge this, the Master's own blessed work.
ALLEN NORMAL SCHOOL, THOMASVILLE, GA.
For this event we had made great preparations. For weeks practicing had been going on vigorously, despite regular lessons and extreme warm weather. The class to graduate consisted of four members, and we felt anxious that as residents of Thomasville they should do themselves credit, and grandly did they rise to meet our expectations.
Commencement exercises began Sunday evening with the baccalaureate sermon preached by our pastor, Rev. C. F. Sargent. It was listened to by a full house, composed of the best people among the colored race of the city. Tuesday at 8 P.M. the school marched to the school-building to find it already crowded to its utmost capacity, there being not standing room then. Half an hour later tiers of eager faces were peering through the open windows. Hack-loads came from the town and adjoining towns, only to find entrance impossible. Some half a dozen of the white citizens stood upon boards at the rear of the building through the two hours' programme, and declared they "enjoyed it very much." The concert lasted an hour and was followed by gymnastic drills given by the boarding pupils. Their wielding of the heavy dumbbells elicited hearty applause. With no breaks they went through with marching, stepping movements, wand-drills and the anvil chorus, the exercises closing with a full chorus, "The Song of the Sea," by Veazie. Our only regret was that so many must be turned away. Between the concert and the gymnastic drills, Miss Dickerman's tiny ones entertained the company with motion songs, recitations and solos, showing the careful drill and thorough work of the year.
Wednesday was a busy day indeed, for the church had to be trimmed for the great event, namely, the graduating exercises. Long folds of blue and yellow, the class colors, hung from the highest point in the ceiling over the pulpit to the windows on either side. Directly in the center, in large gold letters, was the class motto "Forward." Huge bouquets of the most exquisite roses, sent in by friends and pupils, were everywhere. A bank of ferns in front of the platform completed the decorations. Just before the time to go to the church a heavy thunder shower came up and the prospect for the evening was dubious indeed, but by eight there was nothing more than clouds and mud to trouble us. Upon reaching the church we found it full, despite the rain, and among the audience were the editor of the city paper and one of the leading physicians.
Prayer was offered by one of the colored ministers of the city, followed by the "Te Deum Laudamus," by the school. The essays "Joan of Arc," "Evangeline," "England's Growth in
The diplomas were presented by Rev. C. F. Sargent. His words to each member of the class were most appropriate and heartfelt. The "Good-night" song was followed by the benediction and that by the hearty congratulations and good wishes of the friends of the school, leaving in our hearts happiness and content that the hard work of the year is appreciated and our school both blessing and blessed.
McINTOSH, GA.
Wednesday morning, May 16th, marked the beginning of the end of our year's work. After our usual devotional exercises we commenced the public examination of our school in all the various classes. It was an exhaustive review of as much of the work of the year as could be covered in the given time. All passed off to the satisfaction of the teachers and the great delight of a good number of visiting patrons and friends. It was a thorough test, and was well met by the various classes from primary to normal, and gave evidence of earnest work and real advancement.
Although Wednesday's examination was the test of actual work, Thursday was the day which marked the high-water point in the matter of general interest, being the occasion of our regular anniversary. The exercises consisted of declamations by a number of young men, and recitations by young women, interspersed with music by a choir selected from the school. Although my boys and girls wear dark skins and come from the rice field and turpentine swamp, and their native speech is sometimes little better than a jargon, still I would not have hesitated to put them beside boys and girls coming from much more favorable surroundings. Our music, too, rendered by young people whose previous practice, for the most part, extended no farther than Gospel hymns or plantation melodies, could not have failed to convince one of careful drill and earnest effort, and was a very pleasurable part of the day's programme.
The County Superintendent of schools was with us through the whole of Thursday, and expressed his keen appreciation of the work done. While these two days gave evidence of solid work accomplished, it is only by daily contact during the entire year that one can realize the gain in scholarship, methods of work, ability to think and express thought, and the growth in morals and Christian character that has been made.
BURRELL SCHOOL, SELMA, ALA.
Burrell School has just closed a very pleasant and successful year, having, despite the hard times, a larger enrollment than any of the three years preceding; the attendance being also slightly better at the very last. Selma is an educational center, and, for the colored people, has five institutions receiving generous patronage—the A. M. E. ("Payne") Institute, the Reformed Presbyterian ("Knox") Academy, the Baptist University, Burrell School, and the public school supported by the city, the latter just taking possession of a commodious brick building; so we may truly say that the youth of the despised race now have an upward look. And yet not one-half of the colored children of Selma are even enrolled, much less regular attendants at school.
These people are fond of public exercises, and give large audiences and interested attention that seem to know no diminution, even when some twenty closing exercises of the different grades occur, as within the past ten days. Burrell came in for her share, beginning with the annual sermon by the principal on the 20th of May, and offering two evening programmes on the 24th and 25th in the Congregational Church, each well patronized, the last named securing an especially full house. "Maud Muller" and the "Songs of Seven" were given with tableaux, while Carleton's "First Settler's Story" and the "Tramp Story" showed that careful training had been given in elocutionary lines. The primary and intermediate grades presented the customary variation of recitations, dialogues and songs. One and all did well; the church was tastefully decorated, our twenty-eight foot flag having a prominent place; the patrons and friends of Burrell were loud in her praise, and the teachers on the evening of their departure were given a banquet by a surprise party at the "Home."