The American Missionary. Volume 50, No. 09, September, 1896

The literary and musical exercises of the commencement were very generously patronized by the white citizens. It is to be regretted that the college chapel is not sufficiently large to accommodate the audiences, and that scores were unable to get a sitting at the concert of Monday night. There is a hope that a more commodious chapel will soon be built.

There were present two distinguished gentlemen from abroad—members of the college trustee board, Dr. Beard, of New York, and Dr. Cooper, of Connecticut. The former spoke most felicitously on several occasions, and the latter delivered a very able baccalaureate sermon and the literary address. Rev. J. R. McLean, of Macon, Ga., preached Sunday night.

The graduates and the subjects of their themes were as follows:

NORMAL DEPARTMENT

THEOLOGICAL DEPARTMENT

Dr. Andrews presided at the exercises and delivered the diplomas.

Two representatives of the alumni also presented original exercises:

The Alumni dinner and business meeting followed, and the address on "Manhood," by Dr. Cooper, at night, closed the series.

SNAP SHOTS AT SOME TALLADEGA STUDENTS

BY PROF. E. C. SILSBY

One day last year there came unannounced a boy who had walked fifty miles to get here. He was an orphan, had been working until he had secured a good outfit of clothing, and, having been told of this school by one of our pupil-teachers laboring in his neighborhood, concluded to come, "work his way," and get an education. There seemed to be nothing to do but to reward his faith by receiving him into boarding-hall and school-room. He was an apt scholar, worked diligently, and is still doing well.

Not long ago a young man, twenty years old, appeared with a diminutive satchel and applied to enter school. Upon inquiry a college official discovered that he lived some thirty miles distant, that he had only $3.50, no expectation of getting any more money, and that his scholarship was very poor. He stated that he had been converted about four years before and sometime afterward had a "call to preach." Later, he explained the nature of this "call" thus: "One morning just before day, as I lay in my bed, I heard a voice. It said, 'Does you remember what the Lord Jesus Christ said to his disciples just before He descended into heaven? Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.' I studied about this, and finally asked the Lord did He mean for me to preach. He gave me a feeling that He did. I tried to get the idea out of my mind, but it kept coming back, and here I am." He was advised to stay out until he could earn money enough with which to make a beginning. But he wanted to enter school even if he could stay in but two weeks. He was therefore examined, placed in the second reader room, given a book and a Testament, and the promise of work to pay his tuition. He found a boarding place, and for a brief period of time enjoyed the privileges of the school room according to his request.

A young woman, daughter of an early friend of the College, is here. Her father (now in heaven) had experienced the conditions both of slavery and of freedom, and his children have inherited that father's interest in education to a large degree. This, his youngest daughter, is cared for by her brothers, and the solicitude they exhibit in her welfare is very touching. May she finish her course with honor, and perform a noble work "for Christ and humanity."

A few years ago a man and his wife left the service of their employer in a neighboring city, rented a little cottage in Talladega, and entered the same class in one of our lower grades. By prudence and economy they had saved some money and were able to live comfortably while prosecuting their studies. They have passed regularly up the grades and are happy in the progress they are making. During the long summer vacation they find employment, and are on hand promptly at the fall opening of the school. They are both active church members, and the man expects to study for the ministry after sufficient preparatory training.

Here is a case several times repeated. It is that of a girl who is making her way unaided by parental effort. She spends the long summer vacation teaching a country school. The pay is small, board must be paid out of her wages, and her scanty wardrobe must be replenished. She has made a deposit with the treasurer, and has arranged for work at the boarding hall to help out in the matter of college bills. She has no time for play, no money for luxuries, but she is plucky and is bound to have an education, and it looks as if she would succeed.

A young man is here. He came with plain clothes, although they were clean and new. Out of wages—less than ten dollars a month and board—he had saved an amount which, with work out of study hours would insure him a year in school. Once he came without money, but we could not receive him. He therefore determined to come next time with money, and his success we note above. Promotion for good scholarship came soon. Religious influences were strong, and he became a Christian. He is now among the most trusted and valued pupils.

ALBANY NORMAL SCHOOL, ALBANY, GA

BY MRS. ALICE L. DAVIS

One finds that every year the enrollment grows larger. The people are increasingly appreciating the work done by the school. Every one who can afford it usually sends his children to our school, but there are others who are extremely poor but who are equally anxious to send their children also, and in order to do this they make great sacrifices. Many mothers work at the washtub from Monday morning till Saturday night, and do all kinds of manual labor, to obtain the money with which to keep their children in school. Some of our neediest pupils prove to be the best in their classes. One boy, whose widowed mother is unable to keep him in school, may be seen every day before and after school going in search of odd jobs to obtain money with which to pay his tuition.

This boy is one of the brightest pupils we have. There are others who are equally anxious to obtain an education. Many will walk distances ranging from three to seven miles to school every morning. The interest in the school increases yearly to such an extent that the building, which at first was thought to be large enough to accommodate all who would come, is now entirely too small to accommodate the pupils that we have. It will be almost impossible to get along next year without more room. We are greatly in need of a chapel where we can hold our devotions and have our public exercises. Without more room the work will be greatly hampered.

The third anniversary of our school was held last week. These exercises are always looked forward to with the greatest interest and pleasure by both parents and pupils. On June 4 was our exhibition of the primary and intermediate grades. The audience was made up of the fathers, mothers, and friends of the students. They seemed anxious to have each pupil acquit himself well, and the pupils seemed equally as eager to do their best to please the audience. The programme, which was well rendered, was made up of essays, declamations, solos, duets, and choruses. "Bernardo del Carpio" and the quarrel between Brutus and Cassius were rendered in a manner worthy of more experienced pupils.

On June 5 were the exercises of the grammar grades. The programme was made up of essays by two young ladies, who had completed the grammar grades; instrumental solos by the music-pupils, trios, and choruses; also an address by Rev. Mr. Sims, of Thomasville, Ga., who spoke on the subject "Wanted." He pointed out the need of education, of religion, of wealth, and especially of sterling morality in character. This address was highly appreciated by the large and enthusiastic audience.

Could my reader have been present he would have realized that the people are hungering and thirsting after knowledge, and are beginning to regard our school as a well-spring to supply them.

CHANDLER NORMAL SCHOOL, LEXINGTON, KY

MISS F. J. WEBSTER, PRINCIPAL

In reviewing the history of Chandler Normal School for the past year, we find more reasons than usual for courage and gratitude. In all departments of our work we see evidences of the mental and moral advancement of our pupils. The year has been one of progress and prosperity. Nothing has occurred to hinder the work. The conscientious performance of duty has been the rule of the school, and the students who entered with any other purpose in view soon discovered their mistake and saw that they did not have the approval of their companions.

The forerunner of the closing exercises was the presentation of the cantata "Little Red Riding-hood," by the pupils of the intermediate grades. This entertainment drew as large an audience as the chapel, a room that has a seating capacity of 600, could accommodate. The music, both vocal and instrumental, was excellent, and illustrated most fully the remarkable progress that has been made in this department within the past three years.

Two days were devoted to the annual written examinations, momentous occasions, that were crowned with success so far as the majority of the pupils were concerned. The ordeal of examinations closed with the public oral ones on Friday morning. On the afternoon of the same day occurred the exhibition of the eighth grade, the class finishing the grammar course. The essays presented on this occasion were all upon subjects suggested by the pupils' study of United States history.

The exercises of Monday morning were wholly musical. The first part of the programme consisted of the cantata "The Musical Enthusiast," and the second part of a piano recital. All the music presented was of a high order, most of it being classical.

On Tuesday a declamatory contest was given by the young women of the normal department. The prize offered by a friend of one of the teachers was a year's tuition in Chandler School. The selections were from standard authors, and were chosen with the purpose of testing to the utmost the ability of the young contestants. During the past year much interest has been manifested by the pupils in work of this sort, and most noticeable progress has been made by many of them.

At the close of the contest a very interesting and eloquent address on the subject of temperance was given by Rev. J. S. Jackson, pastor of the Congregational Church in Lexington. The thoughts presented were full of inspiration for all who heard them.

On Wednesday morning an intelligent and appreciative audience assembled in the chapel to listen to the commencement exercises. Three young men presented orations, and three young women essays, on this occasion. There was but one graduate from the higher normal course. An oration on the subject "Frederick Douglass," presented by a young man who had completed the tenth grade, was considered an unusually creditable student production and elicited much applause.

The commencement address was given by the Rev. W. T. Bolling, D.D., pastor of the Southern Methodist Church of Lexington. The speaker prefaced his remarks by saying that much surprise had been expressed by many of his friends that he, a former slaveholder and an ex-Confederate soldier, would consent to deliver the commencement address for a school devoted to such a purpose as was Chandler. He assured these individuals that our school had no warmer friend than he, nor one more in sympathy with its work. No address could have been more helpful and stimulating than was his. All who had the privilege of listening to it were cheered and edified.

At the close of each day's literary exercises the majority of the audience accepted the invitation to examine the work of the sewing-classes on exhibition in one of the recitation-rooms. A large number of articles, all carefully made by hand, gave abundant evidence of the industry and skill of the girls of both schools.

The closing entertainment of commencement week took place in the chapel on Wednesday at 8 P.M. The programme for that occasion consisted of a cantata entitled "The Cadets' Picnic," presented by the little pupils of the Hand School. The night was stormy, but for all that the large chapel of Chandler School was comfortably full. Fifty small children, carefully trained and displaying perfect self-possession, took part in this entertainment. The teachers of the Hand School had every reason to feel gratified with the results of their work.

The teachers of both the Chandler and Hand schools have labored diligently for the moral and spiritual upbuilding of their pupils during the past year. The meetings of the Christian Endeavor Society, held each Friday morning at 9, have been productive of the best results.

The Sunday-school work has been very encouraging. Chandler and Hand Mission Sabbath-schools together numbered more than two hundred pupils at the close of the year. Nearly all of these children were from communities destitute of every other Christian influence.

EXTRACTS FROM A LETTER OF A SOUTHERN PASTOR

I desire to explain to you some features of what I conceive to be the most interesting scheme I have witnessed in the South for a long time. You have, I suppose, received one or two copies of our little paper. Let me give you a bit of history concerning it.

It was a short while after the "local option" election, in which the friends and advocates of temperance and good government went down in inglorious defeat before the red-faced saloon-keepers and other votaries of vice, when the executive committee of the "Prohibs" saddled the cause of defeat on the Negroes' shoulders. The cause of defeat agreed upon, a few generous-hearted men thought it would be much better to make some kind of effort to elevate the Negro than to grieve about what was already done. So the idea of a manual training-school was advanced by two gentlemen, one of whom is a stanch Southerner, who for a long time had the unenviable reputation of believing and openly advocating the strange and illogical theory that the Negro has no soul; the other is a minister of Southern birth, but of Northern education. Infatuated with the prospects of ultimate success, and having, it seems providentially, come upon a man who was a printer and owned an outfit, they talked with him, and he, needing work, was evidently smitten with the idea. Thoroughly understanding themselves, they sought a conference with a few representative colored men. I was among the first to be interviewed. The minister put the matter before me, and I saw nothing unworthy in it, and it drew out my sympathy immediately. After talking the whole matter over we agreed to call a meeting. The meeting was called in the well-furnished office of a colored man. There were six present—three white men and three colored men. We talked over the matter again, each one stating his limitations in the affair. I asked the white gentlemen present if they thought they could stand the sentiment that would doubtless be brought to bear upon them. They said, "While we anticipate opposition, we are sure we can withstand all assaults." "Then," said I, "we have nothing to lose." The whites were to have a part of the paper and the colored a part—a quarter or a half, as they might desire. I was asked to take charge of the colored department, and with reluctance I agreed. The paper went through eight issues. The whites interested in it found the pressure too great for them, and the owner of the outfit found the support entirely too meager. The white editor while in attendance at a church convention was in some cases refused the courtesy of a Christian introduction. One young woman who was a friend of the editor refused to introduce him to her friend because he was in the newspaper business with a "nigger." A banker was asked to subscribe, but refused, saying there was too much – "nigger" about that paper for him. The merchants generally refused to advertise in it. After an existence of about eight weeks the paper ceased temporarily or permanently, I know not whether the former or the latter. When I talked with the originator of the idea he candidly confessed: "I was born in the South, held slaves in the South, have lived in the South all my life, but the prejudice among the white people against the Negroes is greater than I thought. While I am entirely independent of public opinion, the reflection on my friends Mr. – and Dr. – has been very great."

LETTER FROM A FORMER STUDENT AT MOBILE

Dear Friend: I entered Emerson Institute the first Monday in October of 1892, but long before that time I had contemplated going there to school, though not having any immediate support I could not attend until the above-named time. Just two days before I entered the school I had accepted a position as clerk, but seeing the great need of an education I quit immediately and entered school. When I entered Emerson I had not been in school for about seven years, but had to some extent been engaged in study. I had no sure means of support, but was determined to educate myself.

Our principal, seeing my earnestness, gave me the privilege of living at the "Home," which enabled me to work out my board and tuition. I gladly accepted. And it is here the lasting influence began its effect upon me. Indeed, I cannot state the first impression made, but I do know the best; that is, it was here I became a Christian and was made to accept Christ as my Saviour. I think I professed religion in March of 1893, during Mr. Moore's work there. From this step I began to build a principle that would be able to stand the many temptations that would come upon me. The next best thing, it was here (at Emerson) I was made to realize the evil effect of alcoholic liquors, and when, as before that time, I had some toleration for wine, etc., I pledged myself against it and became a strong defender of "Prohibition." I was fortunate in being awarded a prize for the best-made speech on Prohibition in a contest given by Emerson Institute on May 22, 1894; and I almost decided to become a temperance lecturer.

It is impossible for me to enumerate the myriad of good influences that have surrounded me by being a student in Mobile. But permit me to say that if there is any one thing in earth that I owe for my stableness in that which is right, it is my having been immediately under the good influences of Emerson Institute and its earnest teachers. I have been made to see the power of a good education. My mind, heart, and soul have been broadened; and now I am able to look upon humanity from a broader point of view. It has certainly given me a more congenial spirit, and wherein I may have been conceited, I am not now. One very important influence is that I have decided to never stop short of the very best possible education. I have been made to believe that morality is the only standard for ideal Christianity.

A few words of what I am doing and shall do. I shall soon be teaching my motto, "A high moral standard," pure and upright, to benefit the largest possible number in shortest possible time. I shall endeavor by God's assistance to instill in my pupils these true principles of right doing and the possibilities brought through education. And as I have been influenced by Emerson Institute and its teachers, I shall try and do likewise to those whom I shall assume authority over.

I think that you will be able to get an idea of how I have been influenced by Emerson Institute by the narrative which I have given, although scattering.

I trust that you will pray for my success, and that I may be able to stand the test. I have endeavored to give veracity in this matter, with no exaggeration. Neither have I spoken in hyperbolical terms, to make the wrong impression. Trusting that this is the question that you asked me, properly answered, I am hopeful that your stay with us this year has been crowned with success, and that you may return next year with even greater determination, and that the results may be a hundred-fold. Kind wishes to all the teachers. I am,

Yours sincerely,W. L. Jones.

GRAND VIEW CHURCH

REV. W. W. DORNAN

The Grand View Congregational Church is situated on Waldon's Ridge, overlooking the pleasant valley of Tennessee. The outlook on the southern side reaches to the Unaka chain of mountains in North Carolina, a distance of about seventy miles. Westward and northward rise in the background of the forest the mountains of the Cumberland plateau. On the east, the trees shut out everything but the sky.

We are about 800 feet above the sea-level, giving a most delightful and salubrious atmosphere. The moral atmosphere is equally good. The nearest place for liquors and their accompanying vices is in the valley beneath.

The Congregational Church was organized at this place on October 15, 1885, under the superintendency of the American Missionary Association. The congregation was composed wholly of people from the Northern States, who had come to the mountains seeking health. These, to the number of about twenty-five families, form the neighborhood of Grand View. Outside of this place are to be found the people of the mountains, scattered across the mountain-top, in a little clearing here and another there. In the midst of the woods, during the summer, it is a "discovery" to find the log house, the home of the mountaineer. The occupation of all is farming. There is no other means for a livelihood.

Many of the church members own their own homes; usually two-story frame buildings.

During the present pastorate twenty-one have united with the church; fourteen by letter, seven by confession. Out of this number we have nine who are mountaineers, the first acquisition of the native element to the church. We have a small but neat building, seating 150, in which services are held every Sunday morning and evening. A Christian Endeavor Society embraces a large number of the young people for whom we labor.

This church is in connection with a large and flourishing school. The students come to us from three States, and thus the influence of the American Missionary Association is scattered far and wide. We are the center of a large but poor class of people who have no means to help themselves. If they are ever to help themselves, they must receive a start from outside. When they do get a chance they usually go ahead.

We have among our students many teachers of the public schools lifting the tone of the whole mountain. Last year about sixteen of the students taught school during the vacation, covering a territory from Red Belt, Georgia, to Cumberland Plateau, Tennessee. Several lawyers, former students, are now practicing at the bar in Tennessee and other States. To our honor one of our graduates is a missionary in China; many have gone forth to usefulness. Many, if not all, of these would have been unable to do anything for themselves but for the benevolence of the churches and the planting of the school and church in this place. The ideas with which the Association set out to work are no longer theories, but established facts.

The success of the Association, I believe, lies, next to God's blessing, in the fact that they realized that not only the school is needed to make better men and women, but also the church to fit these men and women for the struggles of life. Both together are needed to do the work.

In this place, where "the work which this society is doing touches every fiber of our national life," that which produced the sterling manhood of New England in the past days, and made our national life a possibility and then a fact, can, in a like manner in the future, produce such men and women on the mountains and in the valleys of the South.

Such a work should give hope and courage to every friend of this Association, and I believe that in the last day it will be a great surprise to many to know how many homes they have helped to brighten, and how many lives they have helped to bless, and how many souls they have helped to save.

The Chinese

VISITS TO THREE MISSIONS

BY REV. JEE GAM

The missions visited were those at Marysville, Oroville, and Watsonville. At each place an anniversary was held, at which Dr. Pond wished me to make an address. But I felt that I had other duties to do besides this: