Chapter 2

The closing examinations of this first year were attended by a large audience of both white and colored. There were present ladies and gentlemen, missionaries and teachers, civil and military dignitaries, and the leading representatives of both races. It was a novel and moving sight, one that the wildest imagination could not have foreseen or deemed possible five years before.

In its second year the school, then known as the Saxton School, held its sessions in the Military Hall on Wentworth Street, where with a slightly reduced enrollment, it remained until removed to its present quarters, May 1, 1865. The large and handsome building which it now occupies was erected by the American Missionary Association through the Freedmen's Bureau. Rev. Charles Avery, of Pittsburg, Pa., had given a large sum for the education of the colored people, and ten thousand dollars of his bequest were appropriated to the institution, and in honor of this noble philanthropist the name was changed to Avery Normal Institute. Here the enrollment was necessarily reduced and the normal character of its work made more prominent, a feature that had been contemplated from the beginning.

In any survey of the work of Avery, three principals should receive special recognition for their thorough, enduring and Christian labor in this needy field. They are the Rev. F. S. Cardozo, by whom the school was first organized in the Memminger building, Prof. M. A. Warren, who succeeded him and graduated the first class in 1872, and Prof. Amos W. Farnham, now of the Oswego Normal School. Each of these men was distinguished for unusual teaching skill, for great administrative ability, and for complete consecration to the work to which he was specially called. These worthy educators are still remembered here with affection and gratitude, but the full fruition of their labors will be known only in the great day when the books shall be opened.

For over thirty years about four hundred colored students have annually gathered here for the training which was to fit them for life's work. For many years all grades, from the primary to the high school and normal course, were maintained, but in later years the primary and intermediate pupils have been excluded, their instruction being amply provided for in the public and numerous private schools of the city, thus leaving the Institute free to devote itself to higher grades and normal work, in which Avery has been from the first conspicuous and eminently successful. Its graduates now number nearly four hundred and are found in almost every department of human activity. Some are distinguished in professional life, others in trade, or in business. Among them are doctors, skilled and eminent in their chosen fields of labor, clergymen of acknowledged ability, and teachers of long and successful experience. About two-thirds of all its graduates choose teaching as their special vocation; and nearly all prove their skill and ability in the schoolroom, and have reflected great credit on their alma mater and have been a blessing to their race. There has been for the last ten years a steady and growing demand for colored teachers of ability and with special training for their work; and there is not a county in the state to which our graduates do not go as teachers, and in the lower counties and along this malarial coast nearly all the schools for colored children are taught by Avery graduates. In many places conditions are such that no one can undertake this work without jeopardizing health or risking life itself. But there are not wanting those whom zeal and devotion lead into these dangerous fields. Names might be given of those who have even given up life itself at work in these malarial districts, proving their zeal and the missionary spirit which actuated them.

Avery has cost large sums of money; to maintain such an institution by charity through a third of a century is no small undertaking, requiring faith and consecration. But it has repaid more than a hundred-fold all that has ever been expended. Here in this historic city, surrounded by lowlands of rice and cotton, the negro was found in overwhelming numbers, and after emancipation, in utter ignorance of book lore or a pure gospel. To this people the American Missionary Association, through the Avery Institute and its consecrated workers, has brought the light of knowledge and a pure gospel, and awakened aspiration and hope of a better life. The beneficial effects of this work upon such a people, and indirectly upon the city and state, are incalculable. Intelligent Christianity and Christian education has ever been the motto of Avery, and faithfully has it been realized in the lives of its graduates, and exemplified by them in all the relations that affect good citizenship and true manhood. Race conflicts in this city have been unknown since the days of reconstruction, and it is not too much to claim that this better condition of things here is largely due to the influence exerted by Avery.

Although it is in the strictest sense a school, in which all studies in every department are prosecuted under a high pressure, which knows no relaxation, yet religious teaching has ever been a prominent feature, and the Bible is considered the best text book in the school. It has never been sectarian, but always Christian in its teaching and influence. No year passes without numerous conversions among its pupils, and every church in the city has been blessed in some measure by accessions to its membership from the students of Avery.

The blessings which this school has brought to this people, and indirectly to a far wider constituency, are not wholly a free gift to them. A monthly tuition fee has always been required and collected from all in attendance, except in special cases, in which its collection would impose great hardship or compel the withdrawal of worthy pupils from the school. But in spite of this monthly charge and the sacrifices made to meet it and keep their children in school, these people, out of their meagre earnings, which in so many cases make accumulations impossible, have kept their children in school, and to the end of a twelve years' course, in numbers that would shame many a more prosperous community in more favored sections of our land, where schools and books are entirely free. In 1895 twenty-four successfully completed its course and graduated with honor; in 1896 twenty were added to the alumni roll; in 1897 twenty-eight; in 1898 thirty-one; in 1899 twenty-four; and at this writing twenty-four are taking final examinations for graduation in June. And from these large classes there is not one that is not an honor to the community, scarcely one that has not found a position as a teacher or in some useful calling or industry, while a few are taking higher courses in other institutions. Are not these facts sufficient answer to the charge so often made, that the colored people are losing their interest in education, or that higher education does not benefit them?

Our work has been mainly academic; that is the purpose for which Avery was called into existence, to educate and train colored teachers, and to fit them for honorable positions in trade or business.

The dignity of labor has always been faithfully inculcated, and opportunities for it have not been wanting. Nearly all the normal students and many in the lower classes go from school to some useful occupation, learning trades, or engaging in other remunerative employment. Large numbers not only maintain themselves but are necessary helpers to the bread-winners of their respective families.

But in keeping with the tendencies of the times and of the newer education, and with the traditions and practice of the American Missionary Association, an industrial department has been added to Avery, and it has aroused no little enthusiasm among students and patrons. Needlework for the girls has been introduced, and under an accomplished and efficient instructor it has been from the first a great success. The girls from the lower grades as well as from the normal classes are being systematically trained to do their own sewing, and will in time be taught to make their own garments. Our purpose is to add to this, cooking and other departments of domestic science, as the resources of the Association will permit. Steps have been taken to establish a printing department.

In 1892 Avery Normal Institute was incorporated under the laws of the state, though the control of the school has been kept in the same hands as before, a majority of the trustees being in the executive committee or the administrative force of the American Missionary Association. The purpose of the incorporation was to secure for its graduates the advantages which the laws of the state confer upon graduates of all incorporated institutions.

An article of this nature would be incomplete without some reference to charges so frequently made, and in high places too, that education, and especially the higher education, does the negro more harm than good, and that the educated classes furnish the larger part of the criminals. That there are educated criminals is not doubted, but they are not confined to one race, nor do they come from the students of the American Missionary Association schools. Of the nearly four hundred living graduates of Avery, not one is a criminal nor has one ever been accused of crime, and the writer has yet to learn of more than two who have proved unworthy of the training they have received, or dishonored their alma mater by immoral lives. These fell under a stress of circumstances that would have ruined almost any young person. On the contrary, the graduates of this and other schools under the auspices of the Association are conspicuous for worthy and upright character, for thrift, for industry and good citizenship.

And this is true not only of those who complete our course and receive their diplomas, but of hundreds of others who do not go beyond the grammar grades. Such invariably make better citizens. It is a rare thing to learn that one of the students from any class of our school has become a criminal. The criminal classes are not recruited from the pupils in missionary schools.

OUR NEEDS.

We need large contributions of money or materials that will enable us to enlarge and develop our industrial department. A promising beginning has been made, but it is only a beginning, and we desire to extend it in many lines, giving the widest possible scope to individual talent or proclivities, without lowering in any degree the present standard of scholastic attainment.

We need contributions of money and books to enlarge our library and give to our students advantages which they cannot now find in the city. A good library is absolutely indispensable in all educational work. We have a few hundred well worn volumes, the merest apology for a library, but it is the only one in the city to which colored people have access.

We appeal to individuals, to Sunday-schools, to Christian Endeavor societies and to churches for the establishment of scholarships for worthy and capable pupils. We have many such, on whom the burdens press so heavily that continuance in school to the end of the course is an impossibility. We wish to help such after they have reached the normal department. A small sum expended in keeping these worthy students in the school may bring rich rewards when the harvests of life are all finally gathered.

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SOUTHERN FIELD NOTES.

GEORGE W. MOORE, FIELD MISSIONARY.

Early in the school year the teachers of Trinity School, Athens, Alabama, made their annual visitation to the country people. They carried with them the good cheer of the holiday season in the distribution of odds and ends from barrels from Northern friends. Gifts were distributed to a hundred persons, old and young. One old lady, fearing that she had been overlooked, exclaimed: "Wat you gwine to gib me?" and she was made happy by the gift of a bandanna handkerchief. Trinity School fills a large place in that community, as it is the only school for colored pupils in a radius of several miles of Athens.

A revival followed the week of prayer service at Talladega College. The school is full, and all are happy in the work.

Secretary Beard's trip through the Southern field was a delight to the workers and students. His sermons and addresses and wise counsel were helpful to all. Porto Rico was made very real by his graphic descriptions of the country and people.

Our church at Shelby Iron Works, Ala., is flourishing under the labors of Rev. E. E. Scott. Mr. Scott, with his rich tenor voice, leads the people in the singing of the old spirituals, and the choir in anthems and song.

Rev. T. J. Bell and his people are doing good service at Selma.

Miss M. L. Phillips and her associates are happy in their work at Marion, Ala. A deep religious interest was awakened both at Marion, Ala., and at our Lincoln School at Meridian, Miss. Rev. M. Jones, a graduate of Tougaloo University, is pastor at Meridian, and Rev. C. L. Harris, the former minister, is now at Mobile.

The Emerson Institute at Mobile is doing excellent work, under the direction of Dr. Burnell and his teachers.

The meeting of the Louisiana Association was held with the Central Church, New Orleans. The attendance was good, and the reports of the churches, addresses and papers were full of interest.

The Woman's Missionary Union, Christian Endeavor and Sunday-school Association also held interesting meetings.

The Straight University has a large attendance; the school is making good progress in its various departments of literary and industrial work.

After the meeting of the Louisiana Association, I visited the work at Thibodeaux, Schriever, Chacahoula, Abbeville, Lake Charles and New Iberia. At several places a deep religious interest was awakened, and a large number avowed their faith in the Saviour.

A new church has been organized at Lake Charles, La., with thirty members. It gives promise of growth and fruitful service. Rev. S. J. Wood, a graduate of Straight University, is pastor. The people bought a lot, and the Church-Building Society aided them in buying a meeting-house which has been removed to their lot.

Three miles from Fort Davis Station, on the Georgia and Alabama Railroad, and forty miles from Montgomery, is our Cotton Valley School, which is located in the heart of the Black Belt of Alabama. This country school is the one bright spot in the lives of the large population of poor black people of Cotton Valley. It is in charge of four young women, graduates of Fisk University--Miss Carrie Alexander, Principal, and Misses Pearl Binford, Lelia Haynie and Lizzie B. Moore. Besides the school work, the teachers visit the people in their cabin homes, hold mothers' meetings, Sunday-school, Christian Endeavor and Junior Endeavor meetings, sewing classes, a literary society and singing-school. It is a veritable social settlement. The people look to these young women for advice, medicine and help in all kinds of ways. They have won the love and confidence of the people, and gladly help them in all ways. The school is under the management of the American Missionary Association, and is supported by the Woman's Missionary Union of Massachusetts. The school is located in a most needy field for mission work. A teachers' home is greatly needed. The teachers occupy the log cabin home built by the first missionary teacher, Mrs. Lillian V. Courtney, _nee_ Davis. This cabin home has done good service; but a larger home is needed for the teachers, with facilities for industrial training for girls.

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BITS OF EXPERIENCE IN THE INDIAN COUNTRY.

MISS M. P. LORD.

Little-Dog was very sick, they said. We thought of the beautiful two-year-old boy whom he had loved with all a father's tenderness, and of the day when he had come and told us of the child's death; and how his eyes were still inflamed with weeping; and how grateful he was for the little food, and for the words of comfort we had tried to give him.

His home was ten or fifteen miles up the winding river, with two fording-places between. We found at the first a broad, swift stream, swollen by a recent rain. We were glad we had made preparations before starting in, for the water flowed six inches deep over the buggy floor. At the village beyond, Cross-Bear advised us to return by another road, as the river was still rising. Long-Feather, with whose family we also stopped to shake hands, gave the same advice, saying that he would see us safely over the next crossing, but that he was just starting on a long drive in the opposite direction. Good-Boy, who lived near the fording-place, would help, he said. So, following directions, Good-Boy was found. His pony was quickly saddled, and galloping on ahead he piloted us not only to the river-crossing, but all the way to Little Dog's, some miles beyond.

Mrs. Little-Dog and ten-year-old Martin greeted us at the door, and inside the house we were cordially welcomed by the blind and almost helpless sufferer. The wife said, "I wanted to go and get medicine for him, but there was no one to take care of him while I was gone." They were miles from the nearest neighbor. And the sick man added, "I didn't like to have our little boy go so far alone." When the physical pain and needs were relieved so far as possible, I asked if there was a Bible. In answer the sick man turned and reached under the pillow at the farther corner of the bed, from which he drew out a little bag, and from that he carefully--almost tenderly, it seemed--took his Dakota Bible and handed me. Such times of drawing near to God, in the homes of sick or sorrowing ones, mean quite as much of added strength and cheer to the white visitor as to those who are visited, and we always come away feeling so glad that we went. Tears were in the woman's eyes as the good-byes were said; and the little boy, with his pony saddled, watched us out of sight, to be sure that we were started on the right road home, as we had been directed.

On another day we heard that our good old friend Afraid-of-the-Clouds had been thrown from his wagon and badly hurt. We found the tall figure, which we had always been accustomed to see so erect and soldierly in bearing, stretched on the ground in his tent, silent and motionless. With evident pain and effort the dear old man tried to explain how it happened. He did not complain and spoke very gently, but the expression of suffering on the wrinkled face made me fear he would never get up again, and my own sorrow at the thought was hard to conceal. He was only (?) an "old Indian," one of those "old Indians" who are often so lightly spoken of as of no account; but whose dignity and strength of character, and gentle, gracious courtesy, command the respect of those who really know them. And he had been a loyal friend and faithful helper in the years that we had been neighbors. And though he still clung to his old faith, he seemed as grateful for the reading of God's Word and prayer as for the material help we tried to give.

Time passed, and by-and-by he was up and about again, and wanted to be given some work to do. One day he came into the house and seated himself in the deliberate way which told that he had something on his mind, which would demand my undivided attention, and said: "You are a white woman. I am a Dakota. But when I was sick your heart was sad. I hold it in my heart." That was all; that and the silent hand-grasp as he went out. But somehow I felt as if what the old man felt in his heart was very secure there.

One bright Sabbath morning, with our deacon, One-Thunder, we visited a neighboring church eight or ten miles up the river. The regular native teacher was away, attending the great annual mission meeting; but two other young men had been appointed to take charge of the service together--Anselm Kill-the-Crow and Clinton High-Horse. The latter took for his text, "Ye are the salt of the earth." Retaining the figurative form of the verse, the young preacher made clear its spiritual teaching, and by his direct and forceful application revealed the thoughtfulness and earnestness of his own heart. The remarks of the other alluded to the name chosen for the little church. "The Church of the Messiah;" and he urged upon those present that it be not in name only, but in deed and in truth, _His_ church. The after-service greetings to the visitors were cordial, as usual--even the babies being encouraged to hold out tiny brown hands, with their mothers' injunctions to "nape yuza" (shake hands).

Hole-in-his-Tooth, who is always eager to take orders during the plum season, consented to postpone business transactions until the next day. The Woman's Missionary Society had five dollars to hand over, to be forwarded to the "Wotanin Waste;" that is, far missionary work. Everybody seemed wide awake and happy; and as we drove away, the Y. M. C. A. were about to hold their services.

Next to their interest in church affairs, is that in the school; for since the Grand River (Government) Boarding School has demonstrated in their midst what faithful teachers can do for the children, the whole community are ready to show their appreciation, from good old Chief Grindstone to the wee little folk who carry flowers to their white friends in the school; and every little circle of influence widens.

The blizzard was fiercely raging outside, lashing the little house in its fury. I had given up trying to warm more than one room, and that was darkened by the snow piled against the windows, and the panes above were so thick with frost that nothing could be seen.

The storm was so severe--so bitterly cold, with blinding snow and wind--that I thought no one could possibly get out with safety to come that day; when, to my surprise, there was a knock at the door, and there was Maza--faithful Maza--smiling as usual, through the frost and snow.

Glad, as well as surprised, I was to see him. "They told me not to come," he said. "They said I would get lost or freeze to death; but," he added, "I told them I was coming." So the big drift was tunneled to the stable door, horses fed and watered, and all needed help given.

By these little homely incidents I have only tried to introduce a few of the many friends on the Reservation, of whom it is sometimes asked, "Can Indians ever be really civilized?" "Do you see any real results?" "Do you find them very treacherous?"

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Department of Christian Endeavor.

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CHRISTIAN ENDEAVORERS OF A HIGHLAND SCHOOL AND VILLAGE.

Miss Ella M. Andrews, one of the teachers at Williamsburg Academy, which is one of the interesting schools among our American Highlanders, has been an efficient leader in the Christian Endeavor movement in that school and village. She writes under recent date of the Senior Endeavor Society, as follows: