Part 3

On Monday the examinations began. This Institution is fortunate in having an excellent primary school in the building. It is a constant object lesson to the little army of teachers who go out every summer to teach just such children, and also dignifies primary work, which, in spite of Frœbel, Pestalozzi and the truly wise and good everywhere, is too often considered of minor importance. The principal of the intermediate department has remarkable ability in bringing her pupils up to her high standard of excellence. In the rear of her school-room is a power for good which is inestimable. It consists in a long, low table with seats. On it are fastened, by a very simple contrivance, interesting and instructive illustrated papers and magazines, which the children are allowed to read after lessons are prepared. In an age when the best literature floods our land in such cheap forms that the humblest need never thirst, what nobler philanthropy than to allure these often worse than homeless children on to an early taste for good reading?

The normal work and classes in natural science are in charge of a graduate lately from Beloit College and Whitewater Normal School. The classical department is in charge of an Olivet graduate, whose three years here have proved him invaluable. A most interesting acquisition to the corps of teachers is a scientific farmer, a graduate of Massachusetts Agricultural College. To enjoy the delicious vegetables from his garden is enough to convert a sceptic in scientific agriculture. It really looks as though, under his skill, these unsightly acres of red clay were, in time, to blossom as the rose. The joy and pride of this Institution, however, is its theological department, and well it may be. Its class of eleven were examined two hours of one of their hot days, and nobody seemed weary. The clear, simple topics, recited in such an interesting, lucid style, tolerated no hovering fog, that I had supposed always, more or less, mystified a recitation in systematic theology. The accuracy of their knowledge in Bible history, too, was wonderful. None but a born teacher could have secured such results from a class of that grade of scholarship. Classes in geometry and rhetoric told unmistakably of thorough work.

We were entertained, Monday evening, by prize speaking and essay reading; Tuesday evening, by an interesting account of Mr. Ladd’s African experience, in place of the expected address by Dr. Willcox; Wednesday evening, by the ordination of two candidates; Thursday evening, by a musical concert. There are a few rare voices here that vocal training would develop into marvellous sweetness.

Thursday was graduating day, and as the class was much smaller than usual, five young men from the preparatory department gave orations. They were all excellent in matter and delivery. Their effect would have been more pleasing, however, had there been a greater variety of subjects or of treatment. Doubtless, in the depths of these students’ hearts, no subjects are so momentous as “The curse of Canaan;” “Cannot we, too, become great men?” “The ballot,” etc. But what has pleased me here more than anything else, however, is the excellent spirit manifested by the students in the family. There is, especially among the young men, an earnestness of purpose shown that is simply grand. Possibly it is, in part, owing to the fact that so many are from the country, schooled by hard work, away from the follies of city life. There is here no airing of exquisite broadcloth nor swinging of fancy canes. All are respectful, unassuming, and possessed of a modesty that seems to reach beneath their delightful demeanor and give them a true estimate of their abilities. At family devotions, the last morning before the school separated, one of the graduates led us in prayer. I cannot think that the thought and tones of that prayer will ever leave me. The ear of the Omnipotent must have heard those pathetic pleadings that his fellow-students might be sustained by the Everlasting Arms as they took up their heavy burdens, often in the midst of terrible temptations. We who send out these large numbers of young men and women to reach the masses, feel the need of your prayers and sympathies; but how much more do these young and inexperienced ones, as they go out to battle with ignorance, envy, intemperance and every form of vice! We never realize how great our hopes are for them till we occasionally get a great shock by the death of one, or the overcoming and fall of another. We reach but a few. Surely our work and the entire Southern work of the American Missionary Association centres in those who go out to reach the millions. If they fail, we have failed. How important that we hold up such a high standard of character, that they shall be beacon lights instead of tapers that shall soon go out in the darkness.

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TILLOTSON INSTITUTE, AUSTIN, TEXAS.

(From the Daily Statesman)

Tillotson Institute is presided over by the Rev. W. E. Brooks, a gentleman of evident Christian piety, an accomplished scholar, and a man thoroughly impressed with the dignity and importance of his trust. Professor Brooks is ably assisted in the educational part of his work by Miss Hunt, an experienced and successful teacher of the young, as her class examinations, conducted at the Institute on the 9th inst., fully demonstrated; the boys and girls, in the careful and prolonged examinations to which they were subjected by their teachers and the visitors present, displaying an accuracy of information and a fullness of understanding highly commendable to themselves, and a just source of pride to their faithful and efficient teachers. The examination in English grammar, including analysis and parsing, was excellent, as was that also in geography. The result of the examination in arithmetic, algebra and Latin showed an uncommon proficiency on the part of the students, considering the fact that they have been at this school and under this training scarcely more than six months.

President Brooks has the real welfare of his pupils at heart, and is educating them in a practical as well as theoretical way. He is teaching them how to become useful and honorable men and women, and his labors have the cordial approval of all our best citizens. President Brooks is so much gratified with his success thus far that he visits the North shortly, hoping to get further aid in establishing this school, and proposes, if his expectations are realized, to add a mechanical and agricultural department to his present course of instruction. The school closed with an attendance of one hundred and seven pupils. This under-taking is a very praiseworthy one, and will, we doubt not, meet with the encouragement it most certainly deserves. In Virginia, Tennessee and Louisiana these schools for the colored youth are attracting the attention and securing the liberal approval of the legislatures and public men of those states, and so it will be here.

We noticed among the many visitors present at the examination, Gov. Pease, Rev. Mr. Wright, Judge Fulmore, Mr. A. P. Wooldridge, Profs. Winn and Johnson, all of whom expressed themselves highly gratified with the success of the school.

We recommend to our people who take an interest in education to visit this Institution. They can be assured of a polite and hospitable welcome, and most of them will be surprised and pleased to see what a superior school and school building we have in our midst.

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AVERY INSTITUTE, CHARLESTON.

The school year at Avery Institute closed Thursday, June 30, the last three days being given to public exercises. Tuesday was “examination day.” I wish you all could see the school as it looked that morning from the rostrum. The bright eager eyes, the earnest faces, the neat appropriate style of dress, and the respectful scholar-like behavior of the students, even the tiniest ones, are a strong contrast to the appearance of the street children. You suppose our scholars belong to a better class than the street children? To be sure they do; but these same lower classes may become respectable, and have much more to encourage them to rise, than those had who have already struggled up. The visitors were, of course, friends of the school and of the scholars, and they said many kind and appreciative things about the school and the recitations they heard. We tried to make the examinations strictly honest. Every scholar was given a chance, as far as possible, to show what he had done in every study he had pursued; and to take the words of those who visited the different classes, the result was satisfactory.

Wednesday was “children’s day,” when the little ones in the lower rooms gave the entertainment, and the older scholars attended as guests, with other friends of the small entertainers. The affair was very child-like and pretty. The recitations and dialogues were such as the children could appreciate; the songs bright, airy little things; and the singing a half-shy dainty rippling of very sweet music. Through all there was no appearance of the “Now-all-are-looking-at-me” feeling that sometimes makes children’s exhibitions such pitiful things.

On Thursday was the Anniversary. The course of study having been extended one year, there was no graduating class. The exercises consisted of essays by members of the upper classes, the recitation of a few poems, one or two dialogues, and music. The music was very good, the dialogues natural, the recitations well chosen and well spoken, that entitled “Mona’s Water” being very strongly rendered; but the most interesting part of this entertainment was the essays. Three prizes had been offered, and three gentlemen of the city acted as judges, to decide on the merits of the different essays. All were called good, and with reason. Those of the youngest class in essay writing were delightfully child-like, natural and original. That on “Intemperance,” to which the prize was awarded, had besides a strong-hearted earnestness and depth of thought that were surprising. The essays of the middle class showed more mature thought, or, perhaps, a reaching out towards mature thought—a calm looking forward and trying to prepare for earnest living. The prize in this class came to the essay entitled, “We Learn not for School, but for Life.” The essays of the upper class seemed to have for a key-note a sentiment we always find among the best of our people here, when we get at their hearts and hopes and aspirations—the elevation of their race. Do not think there was any sameness in these essays. Each reached this thought in a different way. It gleamed out in “Everything was Made to be Happy;” it made itself felt as one of the foundations of “Progress;” and it formed the crown of the prize essay, “Nothing Great is Lightly Won,” when, after brave words calling to action, it closed with the quotation from Longfellow’s “Psalm of Life:”

“Lives of great men all remind us, We may make our lives sublime,” etc.,

leaving one with the thought that helping others is the best and greatest work here, and that our lives must be right towards God if we would really help.

In the evening of this same day the Normal exhibition was held. Every part of the programme was well executed.

C.

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LEWIS HIGH SCHOOL.

REV. S. E. LATHROP, MACON, GA.

The closing examinations occupied nearly two days, May 31st and June 1st. The attendance of parents and other visitors was larger than at any previous occasion for some years past, showing perhaps an increasing interest in educational matters. Most of the older scholars (about fifteen of them) had left previously to teach country schools; but the classes which were examined acquitted themselves remarkably well. The questioning by the teachers threw them upon their own resources, and proved the excellent instruction they have had. The noticeable quickness and readiness of answer, and the mastery of each branch of study, showed that they have been trained to think for themselves, and not merely to learn by rote. In reading, geography, history, grammar, composition, arithmetic, algebra, natural philosophy, and other branches, the scholars showed very commendable proficiency, and again answered the often-answered question, “Can the negro learn?”

One thing highly commended by all the visitors, and an important feature of the instruction, was the constant use of writing. The scholars spell out their lessons by writing on slate or black-board. They frequently prepare written compositions or reviews of lessons in grammar and geography, and in many ways are taught to express in written characters the thoughts drawn from their studies. Thus the facts are firmly fixed in mind, and they learn also by the same process to write, spell, capitalize, punctuate and compose. Some of the exercises written as ordinary lessons displayed handsome penmanship.

Several leading white citizens attended the exercises, and expressed themselves as being much pleased. Among them were Professor Williams, principal of the State Asylum for the Blind, located here, a firm friend of negro education; and Professor Link, a professional teacher of many years’ experience, who said, significantly, in private: “I attend all the white schools, and I don’t see any difference”—which is quite an admission for a native Southerner. There was also Rev. J. W. Burke, a leading Methodist Episcopal clergyman, publisher and assistant editor of the _Wesleyan Christian Advocate_, well known as an excellent Christian man and a true friend of the negro. All the visitors showed decided interest and pleasure. A violent rain-storm arising in the afternoon doubtless kept away many who would have attended.

The literary exercises were held in the church at 4 p. m., June 1st, in the presence of a large and attentive audience. The school, marching in to organ music, were massed together upon the pulpit platform, one tier above another, making a very striking and memorable group. As I looked into the bright eyes and smiling faces of all shades of color, from jet black to almost pure white, and noted the neat, tasty dress, and the beaming of intelligence from the animated features, and remembered the thoroughness of the examination they had passed, I looked back to another scene, sixteen years ago, when, as a soldier in General Wilson’s cavalry, we took possession of this city, and heard the rumors of peace confirmed, just at the end of the long and bloody war. That was my first sight of the negroes of Macon. Then they were uncouth, ragged, ignorant and untrained; but now what a change! I thanked God and took courage.

As the school stood in this grouped position, they sang beautifully the song “Our Motto,” in which the chorus of each verse was “Be faithful, firm and true.” Then repeating together the Twenty-third Psalm, and chanting the Lord’s Prayer, they took their seats in the body of the church, and the literary programme went on. The reading of selections and compositions, the declamations and music, were all well rendered. The singing was especially deserving of notice, as, on account of the severe illness of Miss Raynor, the music teacher, the scholars were deprived of their accustomed organ accompaniment and musical leadership. But they had been well trained, and acquitted themselves with much credit to their teacher and themselves. A song entitled “The Farmer’s Boy,” with a whistling chorus, was especially well sung and whistled. The senior class sang a parting song, and the benediction by Rev. J. W. Burke at 6 P. M. closed the arduous and successful year’s work of the school.

During the year there have been 162 pupils enrolled. Miss C. H. Gilbert, who has been principal for the past three years, is a very successful and experienced instructor, and deserves great credit for the thoroughness and progress of the school. The assistants, Misses J. A. Raynor and C. M. Park, have also done faithful and valuable work. The school has almost outgrown its present quarters, and much needs increased accommodations. The daily Macon _Telegraph and Messenger_ published full and eulogistic reports of the closing exercises.

Mrs. Elizabeth Lathrop, wife of the Macon missionary, has been doing an important work in the industrial line among the girls during the year. Laboring simply as minister’s wife, she has accomplished a good deal of missionary work, not the least important of which has been the sewing school. Beginning last December with twelve pupils, the number increased to 133 on the roll, with an average weekly attendance of 55. Northern friends have contributed thread, needles and other material, and during the seven months the class have made, under the instruction of Mrs. Lathrop, three hundred and six garments (aprons, dresses, handkerchiefs and under clothing), besides twenty-six patch-work quilts, all but three of these completely finished. On June 4th there was an exhibition of these articles at the Lewis High School, an astonishment to all who beheld. The mothers sat there with glad, grateful tears rolling down their cheeks, at the thought of the benefits received in this manner. Speeches of eulogistic gratitude were made by the colored Methodist preachers, and the day closed with the distribution of the garments to the girls who had made them. Much good has been accomplished in this way, and this industrial training is receiving, as it should, more attention than formerly in different places.

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THE CHINESE.

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“CALIFORNIA CHINESE MISSION.”

_Auxiliary to the American Missionary Association._

PRESIDENT: Rev. J. K. McLean, D.D. VICE-PRESIDENTS: Rev. A. L. Stone, D.D., Robert B. Forman, Rev. T. K. Noble, Hon. F. F. Low, Rev. I. E. Dwinell, D.D., Hon. Samuel Cross, Rev. S. H. Willey, D.D., Jacob S. Taber.

DIRECTORS: Rev. George Mooar, D.D., Hon. E. D. Sawyer, Rev. E. P. Baker, James M. Haven, Esq., Rev. Joseph Rowell, Rev. John Kimball, A. L. Van Blarcon, Esq., George Harris, Esq., and the Secretary ex officio.

SECRETARY: Rev. W. C. Pond. TREASURER: E. Palache, Esq.

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THE ANNIVERSARY AT STOCKTON.

Last month I gave some account of our anniversary at Sacramento, with the address by Lem Chung. Last Sabbath evening, June 19th, we held our anniversary at Stockton. It was an exceedingly interesting and useful service. The church was well filled—better than ever before when I have been there. The report of the secretary, Mr. M. J. Nightingale, and the supplementary one by the teacher, Mrs. M. B. Langdon, showed good work done with glad results. Just 100 Chinese had been enrolled as pupils in the school during the year, though the largest enrolment in any one month was 49. The average attendance on some months rose to 35 or 36, but the average for the year was 25. Two of the pupils have been baptized and received into the Congregational church in Stockton during the year, and others are now ready to be thus received.

The exercises by the pupils were well rendered. The pastor of the church, Rev. John Hooper, made an earnest and effective address, pledging his own sympathy and co-operation in such terms as will be very helpful to us in the year to come. Your superintendent said a few words also; but that which thrilled us most of all was the brief and modest address of our new helper, Lee Pak Yuen, converted in connection with our Oakland Mission, and a member of the First Congregational church in that city. I give it to our readers just as it was uttered.

ADDRESS BY LEE PAK YUEN.

Dear Friends and Teachers: I am very glad to see you all, but I have not much to say to you. I can only tell you how I became a Christian.

For the first three years I was in California I did not like Jesus, and I did scold those Chinese Christians who spoke about him. I only liked to go and gamble, and play cards and drink. So I had no money to live on. I felt very sorry; but afterward I was asked to come to school, and for many months in school I also talked against Jesus; but the teacher did not scold me, but was very kind to me. He taught me, at length, to read this verse in Matt. ix. 13, “For I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” But, at last, the Holy Spirit convinced me to believe in Jesus with all my heart, and now I thank you very much for what you have done for me and for my countrymen. I hope the Lord bless you, and bring many to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ.

I know the Lord is very strong. He helps every one to believe in Him. Without Him we can do nothing. He will watch over us and take care of us. Now I will tell you what I did while I was in China. I left California to go back to China to my father’s house. He called me to worship the gods, but I would not. My father had made all preparations for my worshiping. He took my hand to go out of the door to worship the ancestors, and he wanted me to kneel down and pray to them. Because I would not, he scolded me and called me crazy.

I came out to Hong Kong and stopped there one month. I then went back to my home, and found my father crying, and all very sad. I asked, “What is the matter?” My father answered: “You are no good. You come home and will not worship my gods. The gods will kill your brothers.” I then went to see my brothers, and found one of them very sick indeed. The doctor said he cannot live two days. I almost cried myself. My father then said to me: “If he dies I shall kill you. If I do not kill you, all your other brothers will die.” I then took my father’s hand, and knelt down and asked the Lord Jesus to bless him; but my father scolded me all the time, for he did not believe on the Lord Jesus Christ as our Saviour. He heard my prayer for my brother’s sickness. In twenty days he was all well. All the people of my village called me Christ; but I said, I am not Christ; he is in heaven. The Bible says, “Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name I will do it.”

My dear friends, I hope you will not forget to pray for China, that all may be brought to believe in the true God. Let us remember the promise, “Ask of me, and I will give you the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost part of the earth for thy possession.”

THE MAY REPORTS.

I add the following item, clipped from _The Pacific_ of June 8th:

The monthly reports for May from the various mission schools of the California Chinese mission are very encouraging. The work is larger and, as we gladly believe, _better_ than ever before—more schools, more teachers, more pupils, and, we trust, many souls seeking Christ. The statistics are as follows: Schools, 14; teachers and helpers, 27; pupils enrolled, 566; of whom 190 were received during May, against 68 who left the schools. The aggregate average attendance was 314. Since the beginning of the present fiscal year (Sept. 1, 1880), 1,245 pupils have been enrolled. Of the pupils now in the schools, 136 are reported as giving evidence of conversion.

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WOMAN’S HOME MISSIONARY ASSOCIATION.

Room 20, Congregational House, Beacon St., Boston.

MISS NATHALIE LORD, _Secretary_. MISS ABBY W. PEARSON, _Treasurer_.

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TWENTY MINUTES A-DAY WORKING SOCIETY,

IN CONNECTION WITH THE WOMAN’S HOME MISSIONARY ASSOCIATION.

For the benefit of ladies interested in home missionary work, but prevented from forming or joining auxiliaries, we have this month a new plan to propose, a plan which offers some of the advantages of both individual and co-operative work.