Part 2

Mr. Dale was graduated from the Theological Department of Talladega College, June, 1886, and at Christmas was ordained at Florence, the sermon being preached by Prof. G. W. Andrews, who also conducted the funeral services at Talladega. Some seventeen years before, Mr. Dale, then a little boy, was converted in a revival of very remarkable reach and power, at Marion, under the pastorate of Mr. Andrews, who was then beginning his many years of service in Alabama. After some time at the Lincoln Normal Institute, in Marion, he came to Talladega, where, in addition to normal and college preparatory studies, he pursued theology under the same friend who had led him to Christ. He was diligent, growingly diligent; in his studies strong, active and persevering. He had a voice of remarkable compass and power, and he composed both the words and music of the Class Song sung at his graduation. He was devoted to the ministry, for which he had made years of laborious preparation, and which he had begun with large promise of usefulness. His illness continued but a few days, and death was not expected till the end had almost come. But his faith was strong. With exultant prayer and triumph he crossed the stream into the better land. But it seems as if the fields this side, so large and needy, could ill spare such a young and vigorous reaper; and a heavy sorrow falls upon the young wife and mother who mourns an unmeasured loss, yet not without the hope and comfort which God alone can give.

D.

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THE SOUTH.

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NOTES IN THE SADDLE.

BY FIELD-SUPERINTENDENT C. J. RYDER.

“Men are four: He who knows not and knows not he knows not, he is a fool; shun him. He who knows not and knows he knows not, he is simple; teach him. He who knows and knows not he knows, he is asleep; wake him. He who knows and knows he knows, he is wise; follow him.” So runs an old Arabic proverb. A sermon delivered by one of our A. M. A. pastors, before a class just graduating from one of our Southern institutions, proves that in educational matters this pastor was of the fourth class according to the Arabic classification. The text of the sermon was Philippians iii, 13-14, and the preacher spoke as follows, according to report in one of the local papers:

“There are important lessons in these words of the Apostle Paul for you. In finishing the course here you have only made a beginning. The real work and the prize are ahead. A foundation has been laid on which you must build, patiently, carefully, wisely. Healthy spiritual and intellectual life are characterized by progress. This is the touchstone, like a shining light, shining more and more unto the perfect day. Education is the full development of the man, and we know that development is a gradual, almost imperceptible process. It is the leading out of the powers and capabilities which he may possess. You do not educate a man when you simply tell him what he did not know, but you do educate him when you make this knowledge imparted a part of himself, thus causing him to feel what he ought to feel—conscious power and manhood. Education which does not make a man more manly and independent, is a decided failure. It means growth. It is a man’s duty to grow. Remember, then, that you have not apprehended—for what you must apprehend or lay hold on, is Christian character and manhood in its highest sense.”

Such manly and discriminating counsel coming from a graduate to other graduates of his own race, proves that it is safe to appeal to the results in proof of the value of higher education among the colored people of the South.

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Most refreshing news comes to us from a far-off church in Texas. “Last Sabbath,” writes the faithful pastor, “was a high day for the church here. Thirteen united with us, and many others were greatly revived. Meetings of intense interest are still being held, and many are coming forward for prayers and consecrating themselves to the Lord.” A revival in midsummer! What a surprising phenomenon in religious work at the North, but not so surprising for the South, for there most earnest Christian work is often done during the heated days of summer. The pastor who reports this encouraging work has charge of three churches, and travels every week some fifty miles by wagon in order to fill his appointments. He regrets his inability to visit all the stations in his field regularly at present, on account of the great interest at this one point and the imperative demands there are upon him for special services here. He begs the prayers of his brethren to whom he writes, and may I not ask, through these Notes, for the prayers of a much larger circle than those reached by his letter?

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These Notes seem to be a scrap-bag, or a sort of patch-work quilt, made up of bits gathered from different letters. Let me add one more as illustrating two things: first, the extreme self-denial of many who are contributing to the work of the A. M. A., and also as illustrating the high appreciation of this self-sacrifice on the part of those who are doing the work in the field. A teacher whose economy in traveling expenses had been so marked as to call for commendation, writes: “It seems to me that we are in honor bound to be more prudent in the use of A. M. A. money than in the use of our own. Some of the money given for the work in the South comes from very humble people. I have heard of a poor woman in ——, who earned her living by washing and scrubbing, yet saved out of her scanty earnings a half cent a day for the A. M. A. It would be a shame to any one to spend such money carelessly.” There are noble heroism and self-denial on both sides of the line which divides the two classes of those engaged in the work of the A. M. A. When the new Acts of the Apostles is written, it will include in its records not only the Pauls and Peters who have gone out into this great Southern field, but also the Tabithas “who are full of good works and alms-deeds which they do” in their own homes.

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“Where is the New South?” I repeat the question asked by the editor of this magazine last month. Report just reaches us that Rev. W. A. Sinclair, while traveling with his bride, has been violently and brutally put out of a first-class railway coach and forced into a “smoker,” although he held a first-class ticket which he bought of the regularly appointed agent of the road. I do not know the circumstances connected with this new outrage, but I _do_ know Rev. Mr. Sinclair, and know him to be a quiet, unostentatious, unobtrusive Christian gentleman. There could have been no excuse for this outrage. The “New South,” evidently, is not on the railway trains in Georgia.

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HOWARD UNIVERSITY THEOLOGICAL DEPARTMENT.

The Theological Department of Howard University, Washington, D.C., held its anniversary exercises on May 27th in the First Congregational Church, in which was assembled a large audience of colored and white people. Ten young men were graduated, four of whom made interesting addresses. One of these was a Bulgarian, who has also taken the medical course in the University, and will return to his country as a missionary. Each graduate received a Bible and a copy of Finney’s Autobiography. There were thirty-eight theological students this year, and these included yet another Bulgarian, who was converted under the missionaries of the American Board, and was driven from his country by persecution, but who hopes eventually to return thither.

Most encouraging reports were received during the year from former graduates, who are hard at work in their respective fields, and who to preaching add Sunday-school instruction, teaching in day schools, temperance lecturing, and often housebuilding. No department of our University yields richer fruit than does this.

WM. W. PATTON.

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COMMENCEMENT AT FISK UNIVERSITY.

BY REV. A. P. MILLER, AN ALUMNUS.

Being absent on Thursday and Friday, I did not take in the exercises of the Senior Preparatory Class and the literary societies of the University, but learned that the young men and women did themselves and their Alma Mater much credit in their addresses and essays.

The missionary sermon was preached on Sunday morning by Rev. David M. Harris, D.D., editor of a Presbyterian organ in Nashville. Dr. Harris, who is a Southern gentleman, with much feeling referred to the wrongs endured by the colored people in this country, saying that he was heartily ashamed of their treatment in the past, but that he had rather be the wronged than the perpetrators of the wrong. The Doctor was much pleased with what had been accomplished by Fisk University during the trying years of her eventful history for the elevation of the African race in this country, and, through them, on the African continent.

The baccalaureate sermon in the afternoon, by Pres. E. M. Cravath, D.D., commanded the closest attention; and at the close, the President’s very feeling address to the graduates, four young men and two young women, was very impressive. The music provided for the services during the day by Prof. Spence and the Mozart Society was of the highest order.

The Rev. Dr. F. A. Noble, of Chicago, arrived on Saturday, and seemed to have taken in all round about him during his stay, visiting classes in all departments under examination. The exercises of the Normal Department of the University were richly enjoyed, degrees being conferred on six young men and two young women. The addresses and essays were thoughtfully conceived, timely, and well delivered; and to one who, nine years ago, was graduated from the University, showed marked evidence of advance. While one member was delivering his address, his fellow-townsmen were electing him to a position in their school on a salary of $75 per month.

On Tuesday the Alumni associations of the University held their anniversaries, addresses being delivered by Mrs. Ava Brown Dismukes, class of ’77, Normal, and the Rev. Albert P. Miller, of New Haven, Conn., class of 78, College. Mrs. Dismukes’ subject was “Local Missions.” She vigorously enforced the duty of graduates, wherever they may be, to make of themselves missionaries for the upbuilding of the race. The Rev. A. P. Miller spoke on “The duty of the hour,” and his address was listened to attentively throughout. Dr. Noble emphasized Mr. Miller’s remarks as to the Negro’s lack of sufficient moral courage to know and assert his rights. At the close of the Alumni meetings, Gen. Clinton B. Fisk and wife put in their appearance and were heartily applauded, and of course a speech was called for and received with wonted enthusiasm.

Wednesday, beautiful and clear, came, bringing Commencement Day. Teachers, students, friends and old graduates marched in procession from Jubilee to Livingstone Hall. The exercises began at 10 A. M. Music was grand. Addresses and essays gave evidence of deep thought and careful preparation. Dr. Noble, in his afternoon speech, said he never heard them excelled in any college, not even in dear old Yale. Six received the degree of B.A.; some of them having been in the institution fifteen years, and among those who had been longest connected with the University was Miss Mary E. Spence, only daughter of Prof. A. K. Spence, whom I found at Fisk on entering, seventeen years ago.

Dr. Noble’s address, “Christian Socialism,” was timely, and had a ring in it that thrilled the hearts of all who heard it. We who were privileged to meet and hear this noble man and minister of Christ cannot and will not soon forget him and his visit to Fisk.

After degrees had been conferred, Gen. Fisk delivered one of his characteristic speeches, thanking and blessing God for Fisk University, with whose life he had been associated for more than twenty years. He was proud of its history and of the work done by its band of noble men and women and students, and urged graduates to be something. Master’s degrees were conferred on W. R. Morris, now teacher in Fisk; G. K. McIlvaine, of St. Louis, Mo., and Dr. A. A. Wesley, recently graduated from medical school at Chicago.

What impressed me most was the desire expressed by the alumni of Fisk to see their Alma Mater permanently endowed, and an intention to work in the future among themselves and former students to this end. The alumni have already pledged one per cent. of their annual income toward an endowment fund, and as a result several hundred dollars have been realized, and are now invested in a Nashville bank. The ball was again started a-rolling at Commencement dinner, Dr. Noble leading off, followed by Prof. Spence, with $10 each for the class of ’87, and the amount ran up, swollen by contributions of students, to about $150, and Gen. Fisk said he knew a gentleman in New York who would double the sum subscribed on that occasion. [This gentleman is doubtless Gen. F.] Rev. A. P. Miller was appointed by the college alumni as corresponding secretary to work up the endowment fund among the alumni and former students, and it is to be hoped that friends of Negro education whom God has blessed with means will turn their attention toward this University, whose teachers and students have done so much for the mental and moral regeneration of the South and the Negro race.

Fisk University must be endowed, and we her sons and daughters, who intend doing what we can in this direction, most sincerely trust that friends of years gone by will not forget, in the distribution of what God hath given them, this institution, which has all these years depended solely on God and a charitable public for its existence and a continuance of its blessed work. May the richest blessings of heaven come down on every one, whatever his or her creed, white or black, who will help to permanently endow Fisk University.

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COMMENCEMENT AT TALLADEGA COLLEGE.

BY PRESIDENT H. S. DE FOREST, D.D.

Talladega’s seventeenth Commencement began Friday, June 10th, with exercises of the lower grades from the Cassedy school, and ended with the oration, essay, and a wedding at the Alumni meeting the Thursday evening following. Between these dates were the sermon before the graduates; a missionary sermon by Secretary Powell, of New York; public examination of students in all grades, from secondary studies up to theology, including classes taught in Practice School by Normal Students; exercises of the three literary societies; an address by Dr. Powell on “Over the sea”; one by Dr. W. H. Ward on “The testimony of ancient monuments to God’s Word”; exhibition of industrial work, with orations and essays by graduates from the Normal and Theological departments. It was a large bill of fare, we thought well served, and many were at the table. The attendance all through was excellent, the house being usually crowded, and often the overflow was very great. The different examinations, it was conceded by all, gave evidence of thorough study and solid attainments. Certainly thoroughness is constantly sought, and those who visit the college bear witness to good success in securing it. Two, new this year, graduated from the Theological and thirteen from the Normal department. All are professed Christians, are exemplary in life, and go to their work with excellent preparation.

Tuesday afternoon was given to inspection of the industrial training. A display was made of the girls’ work in cutting, sewing and repairing; of what the young men had done in blacksmithing, carpentry and cabinet-making; while samples of cobbling were walking all around. Students were seen painting, wood-working, draughting; some were type-setting, form-making, and at press-work. The garden, farm, wood-saw and feed-mill, stock and barns were examined. All our visitors are impressed with the results already secured in industrial training, and some are relieved who feared that the brain, if it gets much of a start, will paralyze the hand, forgetting that the hand must be inapt till there is a trained head to give it cunning.

The mid-winter series of meetings, both at the college and the two mission chapels, were blessed to several conversions. Young people have been schooled in a vigorous Society of Christian Endeavor. Mission Sunday-schools and neighborhood prayer-meetings have been carried on with growing interest. The different benevolent societies have had their claims presented in turn; something has been given to all; and if the offerings have been small, they have, it is believed, been weighted with prayer.

Important repairs, so far as means are afforded, are to be made by industrial students. Board is now to be made cheaper, and, with, no less attention to fundamental branches, more is to be done in developing college studies; and theological training, a strong point from the beginning, is still to be kept in the foreground. At the close of another good year, the college looks hopefully towards the future.

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COMMENCEMENT AT TOUGALOO UNIVERSITY.

Whatever else we may have or fail to have at our annual Commencement time, we always _expect_ rain, and we are rarely disappointed in this particular. This year rain was so greatly needed, and had been so long devoutly wished for, that it was one of our causes of rejoicing. However, the showery character of the weather prevented our having the usual full attendance on Commencement Sabbath; but by Commencement day we had many visitors from a distance, who, with our school family and people from our own vicinity, filled all the space of our new chapel—not quite so closely as it might have been packed, but comfortably full; the largest attendance being had at the concert, Wednesday evening, June 1. These concerts grow in excellence and in favor from year to year, and our choir has, besides, won some modest laurels, singing outside the University, which it has worn as modestly.

Our Sunday-school is always delightful, and nothing else is ever permitted to take its place. At the close of this year we had the pleasure of disposing of seventy dollars of Sunday-school money. Forty dollars were voted to missionary work in Africa, twenty-five to library books, and five to the State temperance lecturer of Mississippi. A larger average attendance than ever before was reported.

On Sunday afternoon a Home Mission Institute was held. A list of topics was presented two weeks beforehand, but no set speeches or prepared papers were given. The young people, led by President Pope, did nearly all the talking, and it was good to hear the earnest and practical way in which they discussed such topics as these:

“What can we do—

“To secure the better observance of the Sabbath?”

“To introduce good reading matter into the homes of the people?”

“To make our industrial training do home missionary work?”

“By what means can we best promote the interest of the people in schools, Sunday-schools, missions, temperance, personal and social purity?”

“What societies shall we seek to organize, or shall we combine all these aims in Societies of Christian Endeavor?”

In the evening President Pope delivered the sermon to the graduates, speaking with even more than his wonted force and fervor in view of his farewell to this field and the transfer of his labor to the mountain work in Tennessee.

Besides the oral examinations of Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, there were black-board drawings and displays of written work in each room, so that those who passed through might see something of the work of each grade. There were also industrial exhibits of the young ladies’ work, and work from the shops. Col. Power, of the State Board of Visitors, spoke of our new school-house and shops themselves as being a most gratifying industrial exhibit, having been so largely the work of our apprentices.

On Wednesday afternoon the black-boards in one of the large school-rooms were seen to bear these scrolls, in dashing capitals: “Welcome, Alumni!” and “There’s no place like Home.” And presently about a score of Tougaloo graduates, with teachers and friends, were gathered to listen to an address by Mr. J. N. Granberry, one of the very first class graduated here. He said, in beginning, that he had decided to take for his theme “That which most men try to shirk, namely: ‘Duty.’” He then spoke of the duty of the sons and daughters of this institution to themselves, to their school, to their people, to their country, to the world at large, basing all upon the thought of duty to God.

At a business meeting, next morning, of the Society of the Alumni, President Pope pledged funds with which to erect, within two years, an Industrial Cottage for Girls, and the Alumni pledged funds for the furnishing. This is with a view to placing our girls’ industries more nearly on an equal footing with those for young men. In the meantime our good friend, Mr. Ballard, of New York, has again come to our rescue and made it possible to set the enterprise of girls’ housekeeping on foot at once—that is, next year—in a small way, as we can with our present accommodations.

An unusual number of graduates were present at Commencement, and enjoyed their own separate dinner and “the olive branches” about the table. There were never so many babies at Tougaloo before, and a well-behaved and promising little company we thought them, upon the whole. May God bless the little ones and make them every one burning and shining lights in His kingdom! Our graduating class was small this year—two young ladies from the Elementary, and a young man from the Higher Normal. The exercises were good.

We have always listened with pleasure and profit, each recurring year, to our annual address, by whomsoever delivered, and faithful and eminent men have thus favored us; but never have we experienced greater delight in this part of our service than this year while being addressed by that grand, large-hearted, eloquent divine and stanch friend of the colored people from _ante-bellum_ days, the Rev. Dr. C. K. Marshall, of Vicksburg. He seemed not at all to address himself to colored people as such, but from a glowing heart to pour forth universal truth for universal humanity, in the most genial spirit, counseling our young people as young people anywhere might rejoice to be counseled on the threshold of active life.

After so prolonged a “feast of reason,” the mortal bodies demanded refreshment, and the afternoon was far spent when all had been served. Then good-byes were spoken, students and visitors departed, and a sort of lonesome quiet settled over Tougaloo; but the chosen motto of our graduating class looks down in letters of unfading green from over the rostrum, “Life is earnest,” and carries our prayerful thoughts out to the army of young workers who, in their several homes, schools and places of labor, we trust are earnestly endeavoring to walk in the footsteps of our blessed Master and “overcome evil with good.”

J. K.

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GREGORY INSTITUTE, WILMINGTON, N.C.

Our closing exercises this year partook more of the nature of a Commencement than heretofore. This is the second year only that our school has turned out graduates from any of the higher courses. From the class of ten comprising the elementary normal class, seven—five young men and two young women—were graduated. One other young man, who failed to pass on account of being absent teaching during a part of the year, and who is working hard, determined to make up the lost studies before leaving the city, will probably succeed and be granted his certificate during the summer.