Читать книгу: «The American Missionary. Volume 50, No. 09, September, 1896», страница 3

BREWER NORMAL SCHOOL, GREENWOOD, S. C

BY PRINCIPAL J. M. ROBINSON

On the afternoon which witnessed the closing exercises of the Brewer Normal School, notwithstanding a promised storm, the chapel was well filled. The platform was tastefully decorated with flowers, ferns, and the national colors. We feel keenly the need of a large flag, and should some friend who sees this be moved to donate us one it would be very gratefully received.

The class of '96, composed of two young ladies and two young men, acquitted themselves well. The essay, "We Girls," by Miss Annie Laurie Fuller, was full of good thoughts, and pointed out very forcibly to the girls of the colored race their present advantages, and what as a result their responsibilities are.

Rev. H. H. Proctor, pastor of the First Congregational Church, of Atlanta, Ga., gave an able address on "Racial Contributions to American Civilization," which, while stating plain truths very plainly, gave no offense to the white friends present. For the first time in our knowledge of the school there were a number of white ladies in the audience, which we felt was quite a point gained. All expressed themselves as very much pleased with the address, the parts of the graduates, the music, and in fact with all the exercises.

Mr. Proctor's presence with us was an inspiration to all, both teachers and pupils. On the whole, the year was closed with hopefulness for the future and a greater desire to do work that should tell for the uplifting of the needy people with whom we are associated.

TALLADEGA COLLEGE COMMENCEMENT

Talladega College, Ala., observed its twenty-ninth anniversary at the usual time.

The first public exercise was by the preparatory students who had completed the course which entitled them to enter upon the collegiate studies in the fall. Four young men received diplomas at this exhibition.

The display by the industrial departments was unusually interesting. The sewing-room had on hand plain and fancy needle-work, finished garments for both sexes, among which were children's clothes made over from those previously worn by adults. This latter feature will commend itself to many homes where the custom of "making over" old clothes is one of the necessities. Girls taught in the sewing-room are able to make a livelihood by taking orders for work in this line. There is also a nurse-training department which is not only patronized by pupils in the required course, but volunteer classes have been formed consisting of the older male students and of mothers living near the college. A hospital bed was exhibited, and also the various sorts of bandages required in special cases. The boys' mechanical department furnished a large display in carpentry—mostly of a technical character. Then there were geometric and scale drawing, building plans of a varied character, and other work. The farm was represented in an appropriate way. Convenient appliances for care of stock, for housing farm products, etc., were shown, and live stock of various sorts was there—some varieties of which are giving to the college a wide notoriety for their excellence.

Public examinations were held in studies of grammar and advanced grades. The class in trigonometry gave evidence of the practical character of its labors by exhibiting a plat of the college property—some 270 acres in all—drawn to a scale and neatly lettered.

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.