Chapter 2

The Ballard Normal School, located at Macon, Ga., has closed with flattering success in all departments. The work in all the grades reflects much credit on the teachers, but no work is more marked than that of the industrial department. The display was much more imposing than was thought possible, the work having been delayed until late in the year; it seemed at first unwise to try to make any display at all, but all felt paid for the attempt. In the girls' department we found work of all grades of sewing, dresses, waists, aprons and other articles of wearing apparel, also darning, matching, buttonholes, quilting, etc. Each article was marked with the name of the girl and grade, and many were the exclamations of commendation from those who visited the rooms where the display was made. Works deserving special mention are buttonholes made by Martha Howard of the seventh grade; patching by Lulu Gaston, and darning by Gertrude Williams. The cooking-school, for lack of money, was discontinued after three months, but during that time substantial progress was made, and there can be no question about the advisability of pushing the industrial work as far as possible the coming year. In the boys' department, too, all were surprised to see the articles in display. There were joints of every shape, all of them showing skill of high order; there were many useful articles displayed, such as pen-racks, pen-trays, towel-rolls, hat-racks, puzzles, etc. Many of the articles were given away by the boys to the friends, and some of the articles will be exhibited in the North to show the class of work done in our schools. As it seems to me, no branch of work is more important than the industrial, and great interest is taken in it by the boys. The lack of money has made it necessary to curtail this very important part of our educational work.

The work done in the last year leads me to believe that there should be no cutting down in any part of the work of Ballard school, which I regard as one of the most promising of the many American Missionary Association schools, and especially should there be no cutting in either of the industrial departments. More than any one thing, these people need to be taught the use of time and the saving of money; this, with the intellectual and moral training in our schools, will make full grown men and women. The work-begun is one that should be pursued with no let up.

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BEACH INSTITUTE, SAVANNAH, GA.

MISS JULIA B. FORD.

The closing week began with the class reunion, Friday evening, May 18th, when, notwithstanding a wild wind and rain storm, a blithe company assembled in the cosy rooms at the Teachers' Home.

Sunday afternoon, May 20th, an able baccalaureate address was preached by the Rev. Alexander Ellis, of Savannah. The large audience, which filled our flower-decked chapel, were said, by a resident, to be "the best colored people of Savannah." Certainly the sight of this large company of refined and intelligent persons of the Negro race might have served as an inspiration to a worker for that race.

On Tuesday morning, after the usual opening exercises, the Rev. Mr. Upshaw gave an instructive and stirring talk on the evils of the use of narcotics. A good letter from the Junior Christian Endeavor band of Ionia, Iowa, was read to the students, who returned a hearty vote of thanks for the draft for five dollars therein contained for a clock for our chapel, also for the promise of a scholarship for a student next year. Then the long line of students repaired to their respective class-rooms, followed by the friends who came to listen to their oral examinations. The latter were in all grades, from the seniors who replied to questions in Latin, mathematics, etc., to the tiny tots in room No. 1.

INDUSTRIAL WORK.

A conspicuous feature in the day's programme was the exhibition of articles made in the _sewing department_. Hundreds of specimens were effectively displayed against the walls of the large office. There were nicely made garments, bright patchwork quilts, dressed dolls illustrating hygienic styles of dress, buttonhole work and neat patches. Much of the work done won warm commendation from the visitors present, and that by the boys of the third grade received a full share of praise. In many cases it was difficult to believe that the specimens of work done in May were wrought by the same pairs of hands as the great, uncouth stitches made on the companion pieces furnished in January. Yet each pupil has had but two hours' instruction a week. We hope during the coming year to enlarge and improve the department. Extending our sincere thanks to the kind friends who have sent us supplies for the sewing, we would, by the way, very modestly suggest that a good sewing machine is needed here, and if one should be forthcoming from the beneficent ones who have an especial interest in this most important branch of education, we should indeed hail its advent with fervent gratitude.

Tuesday noon found us with our friends again gathered in the chapel, where prizes were awarded to those who had made the most improvement in sewing. One little girl had said to her sewing teacher: "Oh, if I can only get a prize for sewing, just a card, or anything, to show my mother that I am improving, and that she is getting something in return for the dollar she pays for my tuition!" From the nice books, etc., sent us in boxes by Northern friends, we distributed our prizes. To this little girl we were glad to give something, which rejoiced her heart, and the gleaming eyes of several other pupils--notably those of the boys of the third grade--as they came forward for the coveted honor, was a pleasant sight. Before dismissal, the Rev. L. B. Maxwell gave us a bright and helpful little talk. Tuesday night, in the freshly decorated and densely crowded chapel, was given an exhibition by members of all grades of the school. The songs, recitations, readings, gymnastics and tableaux elicited much delighted applause.

Thursday morning the school assembled to listen to the reading of promotions. One of the pleasantest memories of Beach Institute which the workers there carried away to their vacation was that of the sight of the eager yet self-controlled company of students, which, holding its breath to listen, yet, when it heard, spent no breath in murmurs of delight or of disappointment. Only the graver, self-reproachful expression or radiant smile betrayed the feelings of the listener.

ANNIVERSARY EXERCISES.

Thursday evening the Anniversary exercises took place. Palmettoes, roses, etc., made our chapel a place of beauty. Over the platform in artistic design, the class motto, "_Row, not Drift_," hung above a great boat decorated with the blossoms of the cape jasmine, suspended over its crossed oars, tastefully tied with the class colors--nile green and cream white. All showed effectively against a soft background of white overlaid with festoonings of the long gray moss. Our eight graduates, seven girls and one stalwart youth, "a rugged young oak in the midst of roses," rendered their parts in spicy essays, humorous reading, graceful and spirited recitations and earnest oration in a manner which won due signals of appreciation. The choruses, etc., were sung in good style, the diplomas were given, the successful contestant for the scholarship from the new tenth grade was announced, the class song was sung, and then Richard R. Wright, who in his boyhood sent to Northern friends the message, "_Tell them we are rising_," and who is now President of the Georgia State Agricultural College for Colored Youth, followed with an address replete with that which might instruct and enthuse this class of 1894, which was about to embark in boats in which they were to "_Row, not Drift_."

As one listened to this address, again what an inspiring scene met the eye--the gifted, cultured speaker, his very life an inspiration, the semicircle of earnest, hopeful young graduates, the chapel and adjoining rooms crowded with an audience whose appearance betokened education and refinement, among whom were doctors of divinity, editors and other professional men. One could but only exclaim, "Within these thirty years, verily, '_What hath God wrought!_'"

Oh, that American Christians could be brought to such a sense of the tremendous needs of this Negro race at the South, that through myriad channels the needed supplies would flow, to continue and enlarge this, the Master's own blessed work.

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ALLEN NORMAL SCHOOL, THOMASVILLE, GA.

MISS K. B. DOWD.

For this event we had made great preparations. For weeks practicing had been going on vigorously, despite regular lessons and extreme warm weather. The class to graduate consisted of four members, and we felt anxious that as residents of Thomasville they should do themselves credit, and grandly did they rise to meet our expectations.

Commencement exercises began Sunday evening with the baccalaureate sermon preached by our pastor, Rev. C. F. Sargent. It was listened to by a full house, composed of the best people among the colored race of the city. Tuesday at 8 P.M. the school marched to the school-building to find it already crowded to its utmost capacity, there being not standing room then. Half an hour later tiers of eager faces were peering through the open windows. Hack-loads came from the town and adjoining towns, only to find entrance impossible. Some half a dozen of the white citizens stood upon boards at the rear of the building through the two hours' programme, and declared they "enjoyed it very much." The concert lasted an hour and was followed by gymnastic drills given by the boarding pupils. Their wielding of the heavy dumbbells elicited hearty applause. With no breaks they went through with marching, stepping movements, wand-drills and the anvil chorus, the exercises closing with a full chorus, "The Song of the Sea," by Veazie. Our only regret was that so many must be turned away. Between the concert and the gymnastic drills, Miss Dickerman's tiny ones entertained the company with motion songs, recitations and solos, showing the careful drill and thorough work of the year.

Wednesday was a busy day indeed, for the church had to be trimmed for the great event, namely, the graduating exercises. Long folds of blue and yellow, the class colors, hung from the highest point in the ceiling over the pulpit to the windows on either side. Directly in the center, in large gold letters, was the class motto "Forward." Huge bouquets of the most exquisite roses, sent in by friends and pupils, were everywhere. A bank of ferns in front of the platform completed the decorations. Just before the time to go to the church a heavy thunder shower came up and the prospect for the evening was dubious indeed, but by eight there was nothing more than clouds and mud to trouble us. Upon reaching the church we found it full, despite the rain, and among the audience were the editor of the city paper and one of the leading physicians.

Prayer was offered by one of the colored ministers of the city, followed by the "Te Deum Laudamus," by the school. The essays "Joan of Arc," "Evangeline," "England's Growth in Free Government," and "H. H.," were well read and well received. Comment was made by the doctor upon the correct pronunciation of the class, a remark being made to the effect that it was superior to the work done in their own schools. There were no class honors, for _all_ had worked faithfully and well. The speaker of the evening was T. S. Inborden, of the Albany high school, a graduate of Fisk University. His address was an earnest appeal for "growth."

The diplomas were presented by Rev. C. F. Sargent. His words to each member of the class were most appropriate and heartfelt. The "Good-night" song was followed by the benediction and that by the hearty congratulations and good wishes of the friends of the school, leaving in our hearts happiness and content that the hard work of the year is appreciated and our school both blessing and blessed.

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McINTOSH, GA.

PROF. FRED. W. FOSTER.

Wednesday morning, May 16th, marked the beginning of the end of our year's work. After our usual devotional exercises we commenced the public examination of our school in all the various classes. It was an exhaustive review of as much of the work of the year as could be covered in the given time. All passed off to the satisfaction of the teachers and the great delight of a good number of visiting patrons and friends. It was a thorough test, and was well met by the various classes from primary to normal, and gave evidence of earnest work and real advancement.

Although Wednesday's examination was the test of actual work, Thursday was the day which marked the high-water point in the matter of general interest, being the occasion of our regular anniversary. The exercises consisted of declamations by a number of young men, and recitations by young women, interspersed with music by a choir selected from the school. Although my boys and girls wear dark skins and come from the rice field and turpentine swamp, and their native speech is sometimes little better than a jargon, still I would not have hesitated to put them beside boys and girls coming from much more favorable surroundings. Our music, too, rendered by young people whose previous practice, for the most part, extended no farther than Gospel hymns or plantation melodies, could not have failed to convince one of careful drill and earnest effort, and was a very pleasurable part of the day's programme.

The County Superintendent of schools was with us through the whole of Thursday, and expressed his keen appreciation of the work done. While these two days gave evidence of solid work accomplished, it is only by daily contact during the entire year that one can realize the gain in scholarship, methods of work, ability to think and express thought, and the growth in morals and Christian character that has been made.

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BURRELL SCHOOL, SELMA, ALA.

PROF. A. T. BURNELL.

Burrell School has just closed a very pleasant and successful year, having, despite the hard times, a larger enrollment than any of the three years preceding; the attendance being also slightly better at the very last. Selma is an educational center, and, for the colored people, has five institutions receiving generous patronage--the A. M. E. ("Payne") Institute, the Reformed Presbyterian ("Knox") Academy, the Baptist University, Burrell School, and the public school supported by the city, the latter just taking possession of a commodious brick building; so we may truly say that the youth of the despised race now have an upward look. And yet _not one-half_ of the colored children of Selma are even enrolled, much less regular attendants at school.

These people are fond of public exercises, and give large audiences and interested attention that seem to know no diminution, even when some twenty closing exercises of the different grades occur, as within the past ten days. Burrell came in for her share, beginning with the annual sermon by the principal on the 20th of May, and offering two evening programmes on the 24th and 25th in the Congregational Church, each well patronized, the last named securing an especially full house. "Maud Muller" and the "Songs of Seven" were given with tableaux, while Carleton's "First Settler's Story" and the "Tramp Story" showed that careful training had been given in elocutionary lines. The primary and intermediate grades presented the customary variation of recitations, dialogues and songs. One and all did well; the church was tastefully decorated, our twenty-eight foot flag having a prominent place; the patrons and friends of Burrell were loud in her praise, and the teachers on the evening of their departure were given a banquet by a surprise party at the "Home."

INDUSTRIES.

One feature of the programmes at the church, calling attention to some work of Burrell not done at these other schools, illustrating shop, sewing and drawing, were interesting for their own sake; first a presentation of models executed at our shop, then a tableau of the boys having on their aprons and caps and tools in hand; then the girls of the fourth and fifth grades grouped with different articles of sewing about the sewing teacher, who stood directing one of the number at work upon the new sewing-machine. The drawings exhibited were two large, finely executed crayons that won the admiration of all. These industries, for which over $50 had been solicited the past year, were fully shown at Burrell School building during the week on public days when some fifty patrons favored us with their presence and praise, former pupils lamenting the lack of these features during their school days.

BIBLE STUDY.

Better than all special attractions, than the general interest in texts and teachers, has been the marked interest in Bible study and evident conversion of a number of our pupils whose lives show a changed purpose. The Endeavor Society has had a part in this, and each of the last meetings seemed to be better than the others, so that it is hoped that the organization may be maintained through the summer. It was the prayer of a "father in Israel" here, "Turn loose thy Spirit upon us, for sinners are running wild to hell; uphold our heads above the swelling tides of sin in which others are floundering; and, after the confusion of this life is wound up, permit us to march around thy throne above, eternally."

There is in the above the true idea, however strangely it is phrased; but the words of our pupils sometimes need translating, and they continually interest even a teacher of long-standing among them. Only recently the writer has come upon these expressions: "He called me out of my name," meaning that the objector had been called "a fool," perhaps; and "I've done spoiled it out," the excuse of one who had erased his examples before the teacher could correct the same.

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NORMAL SCHOOL, ORANGE PARK, FLA.

BY REV. T. S. PERRY.

At Orange Park Normal School the year just closed has been a prosperous one. Owing to straitened means and hard times, the enrollment has been a little less than last year; but in the grade of scholarship there has been a distinct advance.

Many pleasant incidents have occurred, notably the Christmas festival. A United States flag, nine feet by fifteen, presented to the school at Christmas, was hoisted over the building February 22d, with great enthusiasm. Appropriate exercises, including such patriotic songs as "The Star Spangled Banner," "The Red, White and Blue," "The Battle Hymn of the Republic," gave added spirit to the occasion.

Of a hundred pupils not one has died or been seriously sick during the year--a fact that speaks much for the sanitary condition of the school.

The concluding exercises, beginning with our annual picnic, May 19th, have all been interesting. The literary societies have done themselves much credit. The closing day, May 30th, brought together from near and far an assembly of all sorts and conditions, of every hue from fairest blonde to ebony, which completely filled the spacious chapel. The oral reviews or examinations, the music, both vocal and instrumental, were highly appreciated; while the calisthenics showed admirable drill. In the evening came more music, essays, recitations and the like, to the great enjoyment of a crowded audience.

The exhibit made by the industrial department was extremely gratifying. Many specimens of plain sewing, neatly and strongly done, showed that the girls have been making progress in the practical arts of the house-keeper and home-maker; while abundant samples of fancy needlework displayed not only rare deftness of hand, but an artistic taste as well. Pretty quilts, elegant bed-spreads, handkerchiefs of drawn work, tasty tray-cloths, embroidered table-covers, doilies, aprons, neckties, etc., were displayed in profusion.

The boys' exhibit of wood-work was no less gratifying. Their numerous picture-frames and book-shelves, of tasteful designs and handsome workmanship, would in many cases have done no discredit to expert craftsmen; while many articles by the smaller boys gave proof that hand, eye and judgment were being trained in an admirable way. The workshop is also an excellent school of applied arithmetic, as well as of practical handicraft. Free-hand, and some surprisingly good mechanical drawings were exhibited; also plain, colored and relief maps, illustrating the geography of our own and other lands.

The botanical work exhibited was worthy of all praise. Fifty varieties of flowers, comprising nearly all the most important orders, have been examined and classified, and half as many handsomely mounted.

This young school is doing a work of inestimable value. On the very spot, where less than a generation ago gangs of slaves toiled under the overseer's lash, and within rifle-shot of the plantation whipping-post, their children are now developing into worthy citizenship; and youth, both white and colored, are growing up into enlightened Christian manhood and womanhood.

Many of our students are poor--very poor--and are working out their salvation by efforts none the less pathetic because so bravely and cheerfully made. The truest heroism is unconscious. Touching stories could be easily told. Those who struggle so courageously and perseveringly for an education do not need to be pitied, but they need to be aided and encouraged. May the Lord inspire those who can to hold out a helping hand and so fulfill their own prayer, "Thy Kingdom come."

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MERIDIAN, MISS.

MRS. H. I. MILLER.

Our school closed on the 29th of May, and it has been a full one despite the trials we have had because of hard times. On the 27th, our pastor, Rev. C. L. Harris, preached his annual sermon to the school. The church was crowded as never before, not even at its dedication. The topic, "The satisfied soul," was handled with marked ability, and the audience was deeply moved. On Monday our school-rooms were visited by many friends, and our ex-graduates from Tougaloo were welcomed home. The "students'" sociable at night was a pleasant affair, and gave us a chance to plan with our scholars about their work this summer. All are eager for work that they may enter school in the fall; all seem ready to do whatever they can find to do.

The most spiritual feature of our closing exercises was on Tuesday morning, when at the opening hour the house was filled with friends to unite in a "Congregational love-feast," as they called it. We had several clergymen and teachers, and one lawyer and a host of friends to cheer us with their words, or to aid us in our service of song and prayer. One friend told of a wealthy colored man who had pledged to give three thousand dollars to the American Missionary Association to carry on these Christian schools, although he himself is not a Christian. May his example incite others to come to our help.