Part 21
_Congregational Board._—No church denomination has made a greater contribution of the Negro than the Congregational church through the American Missionary Association.
The American Missionary Association owns and supervises 29 schools for Negroes in the Southern States. The Association also owns property in other schools and makes contributions to their work. As the management of these affiliated institutions has been transferred to independent boards of trustees, they are classified under other groups. Credit must here be given to this association, however, not only for such splendid affiliated institutions as Fisk University and Atlanta University; but also for a number of others now maintained independently.
No denominational schools surpass those of this group in educational standards or administrative efficiency. It is probable that no church board has equaled this association in the thoroughness of its self-examination. The following quotation from the 1914 report outlines several policies to which every church board should give serious consideration:
In the realm of educational policy we record a most important change of tendency, which it is better to state positively, as _a movement toward concentration in order to greater efficiency_. This has involved the discontinuance or radical limitation of five of our smaller schools, including some of long history and rich service. * * * The time had come when the socialized Christian conscience demanded such improved methods in missionary service as it requires—often by law—of educators, landlords, employers of labor and congregations of men anywhere. It has cost $1,000 for instance, literally to stop rat holes in mission buildings, and thus to save New Orleans and Porto Rico from danger from bubonic plague. We had to do better what we did at all, and our resources were insufficient. We simply had to close institutions. * * *
While these peremptory conditions have closed some of the schools nearest to the masses of the people, we are glad to record as the chief technical gain of the year, that the colleges have been made more available and useful to the masses. Their curricula have been broadened, and the conditions of entrance made more democratic and in harmony with those of the great middle western State universities. This is immediately manifest in the increased number of high-school pupils, and will affect the colleges tomorrow.
As to educational plant, last year’s survey touched upon the demand of the socialized conscience for better housing conditions in missionary institutions. Our response is in the fact that no year has ever spent so much for sanitation, that more fire escapes have been erected, and more bathtubs installed than any previous year. * * * As a class, they are more nearly fire-proof, they have more steel in their structure, more scientifically determined allowance of light and air, and more beauty than any previous group. * * * If the Lord’s work is attempted at all it shall be done under somewhat decent conditions. Nor do we feel that it is a substitution of the physical for the spiritual. To live up to plumbing is itself a training of character, health is a prerequisite of thought, and beauty an inalienable right of the spirit.
A summary of the schools is given below:
AMERICAN MISSIONARY ASSOCIATION.
───────────┬───────┬──────────┬─────────────────┬──────────┬─────────── │Number │ │ │Income for│ │ of │ Counted │ │ Current │ Value of States │Schools│Attendance│ Teachers │ Expenses │ Property ───────────┼───────┼──────────┼─────┬─────┬─────┼──────────┼─────────── │ │ │Total│White│Negr.│ │ ───────────┼───────┼──────────┼─────┼─────┼─────┼──────────┼─────────── Total │ 29│ 6,992│ 383│ 212│ 171│ $235,764│ $1,733,589 ═══════════╪═══════╪══════════╪═════╪═════╪═════╪══════════╪═══════════ Alabama │ 6│ 1,714│ 89│ 57│ 32│ 63,553│ 546,769 Florida │ 1│ 225│ 12│ │ 12│ 3,343│ 49,300 Georgia │ 6│ 1,459│ 68│ 32│ 36│ 33,583│ 133,900 Kentucky │ 1│ 170│ 10│ 7│ 3│ 5,559│ 39,000 Louisiana │ 1│ 578│ 30│ 17│ 13│ 20,885│ 150,000 Mississippi│ 4│ 843│ 47│ 38│ 9│ 32,489│ 172,400 North │ │ │ │ │ │ │ Carolina │ 5│ 826│ 52│ 16│ 36│ 30,000│ 394,920 South │ │ │ │ │ │ │ Carolina │ 2│ 484│ 21│ 17│ 4│ 13,626│ 53,900 Tennessee │ 1│ 285│ 21│ 14│ 7│ 12,537│ 54,000 Texas │ 1│ 223│ 20│ 14│ 6│ 12,792│ 103,500 Virginia │ 1│ 115│ 13│ │ 13│ 788│ 35,900 ───────────┴───────┴──────────┴─────┴─────┴─────┴──────────┴───────────
The total income for the current expenses of these institutions is $235,461, of which $129,429 is from the association. This includes the income from the Daniel Hand Fund, which is administered by the association. On the basis of income 5 of the schools are under $2,500, 7 have incomes between $2,500 and $5,000, 13 between $5,000 and $15,000, 3 between $15,000 and $30,000, and one has an income of over $30,000. The total property is valued at $1,733,589, of which about one and a third million is in plant and a third of a million in endowment. With the Daniel Hand Fund of almost two million dollars, the property of the American Missionary Association for work among Negroes aggregates over three and a half millions. According to property, four schools have a valuation under $10,000, ten schools have valuations between $10,000 and $25,000, nine schools between $25,000 and $50,000, five schools between $50,000 and $250,000, and two have a valuation over $250,000.
The attendance on these schools was 6,922, of whom 5,448 were elementary, 1,380 secondary, and 94 collegiate. All the schools have elementary classes, all but three have secondary, and four offer instruction in college subjects. The number of teachers is 383, of whom 212 are white and 171, or 45 per cent. colored; 92 are men and 291, or 76 per cent. are women; and 270, or 70 per cent., are academic teachers.
Though the colored membership of the Congregational Church is almost negligible as compared with that of the Baptist and Methodist Churches, the American Missionary Association was probably the first to undertake educational work in behalf of the Negroes. In 1861 Rev. L. I. Lockwood, commissioned by the Association, wrote from Fortress Monroe:
“I ask especial interest in your prayers that I may be endowed with wisdom for these peculiar and momentous responsibilities. Parents and children are delighted with the idea of learning to read.”
The history of the American Missionary Association is a story of the patient and persevering efforts of hundreds of faithful men and women who have given themselves and their means for a people struggling upward from slavery.
The administration of the affairs of the association has always been in the care of strong men of broad education. Some of them were statesmen in power and vision. Dr. Beard, the honorary secretary, and secretaries Ryder and Douglass, are worthy successors of these able men.
The most far reaching work of the association was, perhaps, the founding of Fisk University, Atlanta University and Talladega College. The names of these institutions are inseparably connected with the higher education of the Negro. Fisk and Atlanta are now independent institutions; but the spirit of their founders still lives in them and the policies of the American Missionary Association are still maintained.
The names of the American Missionary Association schools and the States in which they are located are given below:
Alabama: Burrel Normal School; Cotton Valley School; Emerson Institute; Lincoln Normal School; Talladega College; Trinity College.
Florida: Fessenden Academy.
Georgia: Albany Normal School; Allen Normal School; Ballard Normal School; Beach Institute; Dorchester Academy; Knox Institute.
Kentucky: Chandler Normal School.
Louisiana: Straight University.
Mississippi: Girls’ Industrial School of Mississippi; Mount Bayou Institute; Mount Hermon Seminary; Tougaloo University.
North Carolina: Gregory Normal School; J. K. Brick Agricultural, Industrial and Normal School; Lincoln Academy; Peabody Academy; Washburn Academy.
South Carolina: Avery Institute; Brewer Normal Institute.
Tennessee: Le Moyne Institute.
Texas: Tillotson College.
Virginia: Gloucester High and Industrial School.
_Friends Educational Boards._—The various societies of Friends maintain six schools rated as “larger and more important” and two smaller schools. All of these schools are owned and managed by independent boards composed largely of Friends. The names and locations of the six more important schools are as follows: Schofield Normal and Industrial School and Laing School, in South Carolina; Cheyney Institute, in Pennsylvania; Christiansburg Industrial Institute, in Virginia; High Point Normal School, in North Carolina; and Southland College, in Arkansas. The educational work and administrative management of these institutions compare favorably with those of other church schools. In proportion to their numbers no religious group has surpassed the Friends either in financial contributions or personal endeavor for the education of the Negroes. While none of these schools are of college grade, all of them are doing excellent work. Cheyney Institute, Christiansburg Institute and High Point Normal are presided over by colored men who rank high in educational circles.
A summary of the schools maintained by Friends is given herewith:
FRIENDS SOCIETIES AND OTHER FRIENDS’ AGENCIES.
───────────┬───────┬──────────┬─────────────────┬──────────┬─────────── │Number │ │ │Income for│ │ of │ Counted │ │ Current │ Value of States │Schools│Attendance│ Teachers │ Expenses │ Property ───────────┼───────┼──────────┼─────┬─────┬─────┼──────────┼─────────── │ │ │Total│White│Negr.│ │ ───────────┼───────┼──────────┼─────┼─────┼─────┼──────────┼─────────── Total │ 8│ 1,642│ 96│ 12│ 84│ $63,868│ $915,900 ═══════════╪═══════╪══════════╪═════╪═════╪═════╪══════════╪═══════════ Arkansas │ 1│ 352│ 16│ 6│ 10│ 4,115│ 79,400 North │ │ │ │ │ │ │ Carolina │ 1│ 408│ 14│ │ 14│ 12,366│ 39,000 South │ │ │ │ │ │ │ Carolina │ 2│ 408│ 31│ 4│ 27│ 8,551│ 180,000 Virginia │ 1│ 225│ 13│ │ 13│ 8,798│ 157,500 Northern │ │ │ │ │ │ │ States │ 3│ 249│ 22│ 2│ 20│ 30,038│ 460,000 ───────────┴───────┴──────────┴─────┴─────┴─────┴──────────┴───────────
The total income for current expenses is $63,868, and the value of property is $915,000, of which $378,900 is in plants and $537,000 in endowment. The attendance is 1,642, of whom 1,444 are elementary and 198 secondary. The teachers are 96 in number; 9 are white and 84 are colored; 19 are men and 67 women; and 57 are academic teachers. Only two of the schools are managed by white officers. The proportion of industrial teachers is fairly adequate. Instruction in gardening and agriculture is, however, not sufficiently emphasized to meet the needs of a rural people.
_Lutheran Board of Education._—The Lutheran Board of Colored Missions owns and maintains two large schools and seven smaller schools. Luther College is located at Greensboro, N. C. While the name would indicate college grade, full college courses have not yet been provided. Luther College at New Orleans is also to be developed as a training school for colored leaders of the Lutheran faith. All of the smaller schools are located in Louisiana.
The total income for current expenses of these schools is $72,000. The attendance is 1,147, practically all of elementary grade. The total number of teachers is 26, of whom 13 are white and 13 colored; 21 are men and 5 are women. Some effort is made to teach secondary and theological subjects at the Greensboro school. The teachers devote practically all their time to academic instruction. There seems to be little effort to give instruction in gardening or simple industry.
The Lutheran work for Negroes was begun as early as 1879, and the board has expended considerable money and effort in the development of the schools.
_Methodist Episcopal Church._—The Freedmen’s Aid Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church owns and supervises 18 educational institutions for Negroes in the United States. All of these schools are rendering valuable educational service to their communities and all deserve the support and interest of the church. In addition to these institutions, credit must be given to this society for the organization of Meharry Medical College, now managed by an independent board of trustees and classified with that group.
A tabular view of the work of the Freedmen’s Aid Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church is given herewith:
FREEDMEN’S AID SOCIETY OF THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
───────────┬───────┬──────────┬─────────────────┬──────────┬─────────── │Number │ │ │Income for│ │ of │ Counted │ │ Current │ Value of States │Schools│Attendance│ Teachers │ Expenses │ Property ───────────┼───────┼──────────┼─────┬─────┬─────┼──────────┼─────────── │ │ │Total│White│Negr.│ │ ───────────┼───────┼──────────┼─────┼─────┼─────┼──────────┼─────────── Total │ 18│ 5,059│ 266│ 65│ 201│ $230,160│ $2,605,687 ═══════════╪═══════╪══════════╪═════╪═════╪═════╪══════════╪═══════════ Alabama │ 1│ 190│ 11│ │ 11│ 5,657│ 42,500 Arkansas │ 1│ 439│ 15│ │ 15│ 9,226│ 72,300 Florida │ 1│ 408│ 14│ 3│ 11│ 9,387│ 101,578 Georgia │ 2│ 382│ 23│ 9│ 14│ 43,714│ 859,200 Louisiana │ 2│ 645│ 28│ 9│ 19│ 16,133│ 219,000 Maryland │ 1│ 81│ 11│ 7│ 4│ 16,419│ 96,874 Mississippi│ 2│ 504│ 23│ 5│ 18│ 21,850│ 146,200 Missouri │ 1│ 73│ 12│ 2│ 10│ 8,520│ 59,000 North │ │ │ │ │ │ │ Carolina │ 1│ 312│ 12│ │ 12│ 6,000│ 49,000 South │ │ │ │ │ │ │ Carolina │ 1│ 814│ 27│ 6│ 21│ 39,547│ 362,035 Tennessee │ 2│ 365│ 42│ 24│ 18│ 25,084│ 274,000 Texas │ 2│ 761│ 43│ │ 43│ 25,223│ 293,000 Virginia │ 1│ 85│ 5│ │ 5│ 3,400│ 35,500 ───────────┴───────┴──────────┴─────┴─────┴─────┴──────────┴───────────
The annual income for current expenses of the 18 schools is $230,160, of which $105,835 is from the society. All of the schools have an annual income of $2,500 or over; two have incomes between $2,500 and $5,000; 12 between $5,000 and $15,000; three between $15,000 and $30,000; and one has an income of over $30,000. The total property valuation is $2,605,687, of which $1,824,778 is in the school plant and $742,874 in endowment. All of the schools have a property valuation in excess of $25,000, four have valuations between $25,000 and $50,000; five between $50,000 and $100,000; three between $100,000 and $150,000; three between $150,000 and $250,000; and three have valuations over $250,000.
The attendance on these schools is 5,059, of whom 3,263 are elementary, 1,600 secondary, and 196 collegiate. All but 2 of the schools have elementary pupils, all are maintaining secondary classes, and 8 are offering instruction in college subjects. The number of teachers is 266, of whom 65 are white and 201, or 75 per cent. are colored; 109 are men and 157, or 59 per cent., are women; and 191, or 72 per cent., are academic teachers.
The schools of the Freedmen’s Aid Society rank high in educational efficiency. Some of them are well known colleges for colored people. Claflin University, Orangeburg, South Carolina; Wiley University, Marshall, Texas; Rust College, Holly Springs, Mississippi; Walden University, Nashville, Tennessee; Morgan College, Baltimore, Maryland; Morristown Normal and Industrial College, Morristown, Tennessee; Philander Smith College, Little Rock, Arkansas; Bennett College, Greensboro, North Carolina; Samuel Houston College, Austin, Texas, and New Orleans University, New Orleans, Louisiana. Of these Wiley University, Walden University, Philander Smith College, Samuel Houston College and Bennett College are ably managed by colored presidents. Other institutions under this board are: Central Alabama Institute, Mason City, Alabama; Cookman Institute, Jacksonville, Florida; Gilbert Industrial Institute, Baldwin, Louisiana; Haven Institute, Meridian, Mississippi; George R. Smith College, Sedalia, Missouri, and Virginia Collegiate and Industrial Institute, Lynchburg, Virginia. In addition to these credit must be given to this society for the organization of Meharry Medical College, now managed by an independent board of trustees; for the maintenance and support of Gammon Theological Seminary, the best training school for colored ministers, and of the Sarah Goodridge Nurse Training School and Hospital at New Orleans, Louisiana. Princess Anne Academy which receives a portion of land-grant funds through the Federal Government is also supervised by the society.
The proportion of academic teachers is about the same as that in most of the denominational schools. The emphasis on the literary courses is marked. It is evidently unfortunate that this large denomination with 18 educational institutions should provide only three gardening teachers for the education of a people so largely rural. The percentage of men in the teaching force is above the average of church schools. This is probably explained by the fact that the proportion of colored teachers in these institutions is also above the average. The substitution of colored for white teachers in these institutions in the Freedmen’s Aid schools has evidently proceeded with considerable rapidity. The indications are that the change has been too rapid for the good of the schools. While democracy in education requires the recognition of the colored teachers, it is equally true that these schools need not only the financial aid of white people; but also their personal influence.
The Freedmen’s Aid Society was organized in 1866 “for the purpose of aiding the recently emancipated slaves and their children in securing the benefits of a good common school education, and such other educational preparation as was necessary to provide Christian ministers, physicians, school teachers, and industrial leaders for the race.” The colored members of the various branches of Methodism are next to the colored Baptists in number. The number of colored members in the Northern Methodist Church represented by the Freedmen’s Aid Society and the Woman’s Missionary Society is about 350,000. These members contribute about a fourth of the total sums collected by the Freedmen’s Aid Society for the education of colored people.
Of the many notable persons who have rendered valuable service to this society, only two or three of those who are now in the service can be mentioned here. Reference is made in the school sketches to the long years given by the presidents of Meharry Medical College, Claflin University, and Morristown Normal and Industrial College. To these should be added the name of Bishop W. P. Thirkield, whose wisdom and energy in the various important positions entrusted to him have contributed greatly not only to the work of this society, but also to the general welfare of the colored people.
The executive officers of the society at present, are two corresponding secretaries and a school inspector. These three officers supervise the schools and appeal to the white and colored churches for funds to support the institutions.
The purpose of the Freedmen’s Aid Society to continue its splendid work of education is revealed in the report of the commission recently appointed by the Society to study the schools, which among other things, said:
“We are persuaded that in spite of the better rural schools now being provided for the Negroes, in spite of some growth in normal school and high school accommodations, the work of the Freedmen’s Aid Society is still an urgent need of the South. So far from sounding any retreat, we of the church should make a great advance, provide a large endowment, give more adequate facilities, pay better salaries, and, in general, strengthen the institutions we have established. They are needed to train a Christian leadership for the colored race, and while they can touch but a few out of the negro millions, they can do, as they have already done, great things through these selected leaders.”