THE FREEDMEN.

REV. JOS. E. ROY, D. D.,

Field Superintendent, Atlanta, Ga.

THE HAMPTON ANNIVERSARY.

The Negro and the Indian——Co-Education of the Races——Addresses by the Rev. Dr. Hoge, of Richmond, and Secretary Carl Schurz, of Washington.

By the Editor.

More than the ordinary interest attaches this year to the anniversary exercises of the Hampton Normal and Agricultural School, just held. The experiment of negro education has been tried for the last 16 years, until it is no longer an unsolved problem, but one of which the once unknown quantities have come to have an ascertained value. But the question of the educability of the red man has been one not so conspicuously settled. What has been accomplished in that direction has been done so far away as not to have made much impression on the American people. This year, the institution which has done so much to prove the responsiveness of the negro to educational training has been engaged in its first experiment with the Indian. Of its success thus far there can be no shadow of a doubt. The Indian boys are contented and making progress, and coming steadily up to a plane on which they can pursue the regular courses of study. It was said by many at the outset that the negro and Indian races would not associate with each other, but the case is as contrary to this as can be. The Indian boys at first seemed to be somewhat discontented, and Gen. Armstrong found that they wanted most of all to learn English. “Too much Indian talk,” they said. He asked them in class one day how many of them would like to room with the negro boys; every hand went up. He then went to his senior class and asked them how many of them would be willing to take in an Indian as a roommate, to help and teach him. A larger number than was needed of his very best young men expressed their willingness, and so, instead of standing aloof, the two races are completely mixed in their rooms and at table, to their mutual satisfaction. This is a notable element in the experiment. Some 12 of the Indian boys have joined the church connected with the Institute.

Is it needful to say a word about the Hampton Institute itself? Beautiful for situation it certainly is, with its front on the creek, and only a narrow point of land separating it from the famed Hampton Roads. Its buildings are simple but effective in their outline and grouping. Virginia and Academic Halls, and the new wigwam——the quarters prepared for the 70 Indian students; the cottages in which the boys live, in families of 30 or more, largely self-governed; the residences of the Principal and his assistants; and not least, the great barn, sheltering a fine collection of blooded stock——and all this on a farm of some 200 acres. It is but a few years since there were only small and temporary barracks to accommodate the applicants for admission; now about 200 negro and 70 Indian students are well provided with dormitories, recitation-rooms and workshops.

A creditable brass band, composed of students, greeted the visitors with their cheering strains, well rendered, considering the short time since practice was begun. Capt. Romeyne keeps the boys, both black and red, in good military drill, and under firm, though kind, government, and in their gray uniforms, cheap but comely, they presented no mean appearance. Work and study are the order of every day. The brightest and most inspiring teaching the writer ever saw wakens the intellect to an eager activity; and work on farm and in shop for the boys, in kitchen and laundry and with the knitting machine for the girls, both teaches them how to labor, and enables them to pay a considerable part of the expenses of their living.

The examinations, except of the graduating class, were not written, but were oral, and on the plan of the daily recitations. The Indians attracted perhaps the greatest attention from the many visitors, in the conversation classes, which were conducted with rare tact and skill. On a table was placed a mass of common plants and flowers. One of the band of Indians brought only a few months ago by Capt. Pratt was called up and asked to pick out some grass; its uses brought out the words eat and horse, and sentences were formed of these words. Beet, onion, potato and clover were selected in turn, and their uses brought out by skillful questioning. Then, in another lesson, working and earning money and spending it were illustrated, and the language taught necessary to express these ideas. At the other end of the gradation of studies were the very creditable recitations of the graduating class of colored students in algebra, history, physiology and other higher branches; nor would it do to omit the class in teaching, where the seniors showed their skill in interesting and instructing the little children of the Butler Normal School.

In the afternoon the public exercises were held in Virginia Hall, which was crowded to overflowing. The addresses were manly and earnest; some of them quite forcible and free in thought and expression, and dealing with questions affecting their race. It was quite touching to see a black boy pleading for the extension of the privileges of education to the Indian, and one of the features of interest was a simple story of his home life in Indian Territory by an Indian youth. Music by the band, by a select few, and by the whole school, relieved the speaking.

But we must not forget to give the prominence due them to the visitors of the day. Most conspicuous among them was the delegation of Indians, in blankets and feathers, from Washington. Little Chief and six warriors with him of the Northern Chippewas were persuaded to come down to see what was being done for the boys of their own race. Just how they were impressed by it all, it is impossible to say, as their faces were covered with their blankets most of the time, and they acted like a group of shy old women. Probably they were a good deal bored, though they gave signs of occasional amusement. But there were other visitors of note. Chief among these were Secretaries Schurz and McCrary, of the President’s Cabinet; Senator Saunders and Representative Pound, of Wisconsin; ex-President Mark Hopkins, of Williams College; the Rev. Dr. Plumer, of Charleston, S. C., and the Rev. Dr. Hoge, of Richmond; the Rev. Dr. Armstrong of Norfolk, Va., and Judge Lafayette S. Foster, of Connecticut. After the diplomas had been presented to the graduating class by the Rev. Dr. Strieby, of this city, President of the Board of Trustees, Dr. Hoge was called upon to address the graduating class, and among other things said:

“It has been my lot to attend a good many college commencements, but I never attended one in all my life where so much honor and encouragement were given to those connected with an institution as to-day. Two members of the Cabinet of the United States, the President of the youngest university of the United States, and which bids fair to be one of the grandest (President Gilman, of the Johns Hopkins University), judges of our courts, eminent professional men, and two of the most venerable gentlemen on this continent, Dr. Plumer and Dr. Hopkins——Massachusetts and South Carolina uniting to-day to give encouragement to this institution and to the labors of those who are so nobly carrying out its objects.

“I cannot stand here to-day in this historic latitude without some profound emotions. I should not be a Virginian if I did. I cannot stand in sight of Fortress Monroe without remembering our fallen fortunes. The last two summers I have been abroad, and I have come back believing that there is no land which God has so smiled upon as this country. We have no need so great as of a stable government. I do not mean of force. No government can be stronger than the love of the people for it. You may put great iron bands upon it, but there will be a centrifugal power which will burst them. There must be centripetal force powerful enough to attract the people together in it. If our Government is to be like that, may the Lord smile upon it and perpetuate it to the last syllable of time.

“All my life long I have been a friend to one of the classes represented here, and now I am grateful that this institution has extended its protecting wing over another. I have been something of a student of races. I could occupy the remainder of the day in telling you of the good qualities of the African race; and there has always been a great deal that has touched my heart in the character of the Indian people——their love for their ancestral lands, their reverence for the bones of their forefathers, that decorous reserve which gives such dignity to their bearing. One thing which I have always admired in them is this, that when a war is over, they never talk about the war that is fought. It is not considered magnanimous in an Indian to taunt a fallen foe. It seems to me that in our popular assemblies and in other assemblies it might be well to imitate the Indian, and not talk too much about the war.

“The Indian who told us the story of his life at home said something that went straight to my heart. He didn’t say it very forcibly, but the force was in the thing he said. Time was, he told us, when he did not know anything about his soul or his salvation. One end of this institution is to make the poor Indian acquainted with the things which shall help him see God, not in the clouds, but in the face of Jesus Christ; and to hear him, not in the winds, but in the still small voice of the Spirit, speaking peace to his soul.”

The Doctor closed with calling attention to goodness as the greatest element of success; that no man can afford to succeed by sacrificing it; illustrating it by reference to a humble girl who came during the yellow fever scourge to nurse the sick, and who died a victim to its poisons, and by the life of a colored Baptist minister who recently died in Richmond.

The Hon. Carl Schurz, Secretary of the Interior, was called upon to follow. He began thus:

“I respond to this call not to prolong the exercises of the day, nor for purposes of debate. I do not intend to discuss the war. I am glad it is over. I only desire to bear testimony that of all the speakers of the day, not one has alluded to the war save in a most innocent way, and they were the Indian and the reverend gentleman who is, I am sure, a most peaceable member of the church militant. As to the manner in which civil wars should be treated, he and I do not disagree.

“My heart is elated with this spectacle to-day. Reference has been made to the fact that two Cabinet officers are present. I assure you that we did not come here for purposes of amusement, but to witness elements in the solution of one of the most difficult and dangerous problems of our day——the problem of blending two races, one of which has been in subjection and the other in hostility. We are all filled with feelings of admiration and gratitude to Gen. Armstrong and his co-workers here; to the State of Virginia, which, by its generous aid, renders a service to itself not only and to the colored people, but to this whole country; and to the benevolent people North and South, in Massachusetts and in South Carolina. In this I see the real end of the war and the inauguration of true peace. If I look back with satisfaction on anything in my official career, it is that I have been instrumental in aiding such a work. I am happy to know that the experiment is a success; and I assure you that so far as the means and power of my department go, nothing shall be left undone to strengthen and enlarge the experiment. The time has gone when the Indian can live on buffalo meat and give himself to the chase. The time has come when every man must work. All the information which comes to us tends to show that not only these but other tribes desire education, and that the attempt to give it to them is successful.

“The question is often asked, Will they not relapse into barbarism on returning among their own tribes? I am inclined to think that this danger is real, unless the education be extended to a much larger number of Indians——enough to support each other, and so resist the pressure. This is the object to be held in view, and which I hope, in part, may be accomplished before my term of office expires.

“I commend this institution. I do not know of one educational institution in the country which is more important in its tendencies, as well as in its promised results, than this. I hope that Virginia will continue to extend her helping hand, that its patrons North and South will not withdraw their support, and that continued success may attend the labors of the General and those who are associated with him in this work. I will only add that these sentiments of appreciation of this work, and the desire for its enlargement and extension, are most heartily concurred in by the President of the United States.”

With a benediction from the venerable Dr. Plumer, the assembly broke up. The visitors turned toward their homes, and the school resumed its work, which will continue for three weeks, to the end of its academic year. I need not say to the friends of the Indian and the negro, perhaps scarcely to those who care for the welfare of our own Caucasian race in these United States, don’t forget Hampton and the institutions of which it is a shining example.

FISK UNIVERSITY.

Early delays——Increasing favor——The five closing days.

MISS ANNA M. CAHILL, NASHVILLE.

Looking back over the past nine months, it seems a long time since the dark days of last September, when the school opened under the shadow of the pestilence, and we saw one of our own students, just returned from his summer work, stricken down by the fever. The firmness with which the few students then in the school stood bravely by their work gave some of us a confidence in their fortitude and faithfulness which, perhaps, we could not have gained without some such time of trial to develop it. As the autumn advanced the school began to fill up, though some who came to us after Christmas from the lower part of Mississippi assured us they came “as soon as it was safe.” Naturally the decrease in attendance resulting from the epidemic, was mostly seen in the number of new students. Those who have fairly started in the work of getting an education cannot be detained except by absolute necessity; others, who were thinking for the first time of going away to school, were easily led to wait another year.

Notwithstanding the delay in getting the school started, one of the features of the year has been the steadiness in attendance, especially in the advanced classes. As the result of this regularity in attendance, the school work has gone on with rather unusual satisfaction. There has been little to interrupt the quiet spirit of study that has so much to do with the amount accomplished; a friendly spirit of rivalry between different classes and among members of the same class makes it from year to year more of a disgrace to fall below the standard of scholarship.

The school has been growing in favor with the Southern people. The presence of a large part of the State Legislature at our public rhetorical exercise, in March, and the evident pleasure with which they listened to the young people, indicated an increasing interest in our success. We find that the aims of the University commend themselves to the best men of the State.

The anxious question as to how these aims can be carried out, and the enlarging necessities of the work met, has been partly answered by the generous offers to the University of $60,000 and $20,000, which have made this year memorable. It is safe to say that no visit has ever been made to our school that left in the hearts of teachers and students more hope and encouragement and thankfulness than that of the gentlemen who, after inspecting the work of the school for a few days in the Spring, gave, at the close of their visit, the intimation of the former gift.

The year has had a religious history peculiar to itself. Without any thing that could be called revival interest, there has been a constant turning of the unconverted, and a quiet earnestness on the part of Christians, that leave us with the feeling that the Spirit of God has indeed been with us. Beginning with January, there have been several additions to the college church at every communion season, and fully as many have connected themselves with other churches.

As the closing exercises of a school must partake of the general character of the year, our commencement week was one of much interest. Our delightful Tennessee climate scarcely affords a more beautiful week than that in which the commencement occurred.

Beginning with Sunday, five days are occupied with the different exercises. Examinations continue through Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Monday evening is given to the exhibition of the class finishing the common school normal course; Tuesday evening is devoted to the Union Literary Society; and on Wednesday evening the class finishing the preparatory course deliver their orations and are admitted to college. Thus there is a growing interest and importance through the entire week, ending with the college commencement on Thursday.

Dr. Roy reached us on Saturday, and stayed during the closing week, delivering, on Sunday evening, an excellent address before the Missionary Society. The baccalaureate sermon was for the first time preached by President Cravath, who for several years has been necessarily absent at the close of school. The shadow of death came once more into our household. One who five years ago came to the University to take the place of matron, but who for the past year has been suffering the weariness and pain of a long illness, was, on the morning of Commencement Sunday, called away from earth. The simple funeral services mingled strangely with the closing exercises, but the effect seemed to be only to give a deeper shade of earnestness to all our work, as one who had loved the work to the last passed from its labor into rest.

Among the visitors who attended the examinations were the superintendent and teachers of the white schools in the neighboring city of Edgefield, who expressed great pleasure at what they heard.

The evening exhibitions are always largely attended, the audience frequently changing every evening. Quite a large number of white people can be seen at almost any of our public exercises. The students of Vanderbilt University take a friendly interest, or perhaps curiosity, in hearing their darker brothers. The exercises of the Union Literary Society on Tuesday evening especially attracted their attention. Five of the students received certificates, and two of those admitted to college were absent teaching in Mississippi. The class entering college, ten in number, is the largest ever admitted to our college course, and we hope President Cravath’s admonition to have their number complete when they are ready for their degrees will be carried out.

Of Commencement day the following extracts from the Nashville American, of May 23d, will give the best account:

“The chapel of Jubilee Hall was beautifully decorated. Around the six iron pillars were twined ropes of cedar, while over the shield, upon which are the memorable words of Albert Miller, now a missionary in Africa, ‘Her sons and her daughters are ever on the altar,’ hung festoons of cedar. Draped along the entire length of the stage, and hanging in graceful folds, were the Dutch and American flags, while the British Union Jack stretched along the side of the room. Above the platform, in the centre, hung the beautiful portrait of Dr. David Livingstone. On either side were the portraits of the Earl of Shaftesbury and William Wilberforce. Between the portraits, in large letters of cedar, were the words, ‘Class of ’79.’ An hour before the time the highways were filled with the friends of the Institution on their way to Jubilee Hall.” After giving the opening programme, the account continues: “Preston R. Burrus, of Nashville, spoke of ‘The Power of Wealth’ with earnestness and good gesticulation, but a little too fast for the best expression. He was greeted with deserved applause as he closed. Miss J. H. K. Hobbs, of Nashville, read a well prepared essay on ‘What shall we Read?’ She read in a loud, clear voice. The excellence of the matter and the manner of reading enlisted the close attention of the audience. Austin R. Merry, of Nashville, spoke of ‘Ideals and their Influence.’ Mr. Merry’s production was an elegant presentation of the difficult subject he had taken, and evinced the possession of a pen of no ordinary ability. The delivery was as vigorous and graceful as the production was well written.

“Miss Lulu F. Parker, of Memphis, presented an essay on ‘Genius and Labor,’ but owing to sickness was unable to read it. It was read by Miss Laura S. Cary, one of the graduates of the Institution, and at present assistant teacher of Greek.

“The commencement address was delivered by Rev. J. E. Roy, D. D. Dr. Roy announced as his subject, ‘The Incompleteness of Individual Talent.’ While there is adjustment of the powers of the mind——intellect, sensibility and will——these are not always equally developed. Unity in variety is the law of Nature. As no two faces are alike, so no two minds are alike. One mind supplements another; one man fails where another succeeds; the first man succeeds in some other calling. A Western farmer failed as a farmer and storekeeper, but became the greatest captain of his age. All gifts are not combined in one man. Great inventions are the growth of years and the contributions of many minds. Theology is a growth developed through the centuries and by many intellects. It is still open to improvement. This diversity of talent provides for a division of labor. All occupations are mutually helpful, each being dependent on the other. Men and women have each their sphere, or rather hemisphere; the family is the unit of society. The mail goes to the polls and deposits ‘their’ votes——the votes of the family. Each man has his own talent. This he should cultivate. ‘Act well your part, there all the honor lies.’ The address abounded in striking passages and terse statements.”

“President Cravath then, in behalf of the Trustees of the University, addressed the graduating class in fitly chosen words, and gave them their diplomas.

“At two o’clock the alumni dinner, one of the institutions of Commencement week, came off. About sixty guests, including former graduates, members of the college classes, and various ministers of city churches, sat down with students and teachers to an ample collation. After dinner an hour was occupied in listening to speeches, which abounded in wit, humor and pathos.

“Thus closed a series of exercises which are regarded by all those who witnessed them as unusually interesting and successful.”

STRAIGHT UNIVERSITY.

Commencement——A Local Notice——A Short Year——Needs and Hopes.

PROF. J. K. COLE, NEW ORLEANS.

A class of eight has just been graduated from the classical department of this University——the largest class yet sent out——of which seven were young men. Six members of the class pursued the entire course here; the other two had taken the greater part of their course at another school, and came here the last year to graduate. The size of the class and the corresponding large circle of personal friends excited more than usual interest in the commencement exercises, which were held Wednesday evening, June 4th, at Central Church. The body of the church was crowded to its utmost capacity, and many were forced to find seats in the gallery.

It is something entirely new that our school should be noticed in the local papers, and I shall be pardoned for taking the following from the New Orleans Times of the 5th inst. After giving the order of exercises, it says:

“The orations were of high order, and reflected great credit upon the young men. They all gave evidence of the thoroughness of training they had received in the University. They certainly gave promise of honorable success in the life-work to which they had devoted themselves. The essay and valedictory of Miss Flemming deserves especial mention. It was well written and gracefully rendered.”

The singing, says the Times, “was exceptionally fine. Professor McPherron deserves great credit for the patient and thorough instruction which was manifest in the superior rendering of the anthems and glees.”

President Alexander conferred the diplomas in a brief address of commendation, encouragement and advice.

The school year has been too short to accomplish all that was desirable. Eight months, our usual time, seems a short school year, but to reduce this one-quarter is almost a disaster; and furnishing school-rooms and supplying furnaces, out-buildings, cisterns and much needed plank-walks after school opened, was for a time a great hindrance. But the end of the year shows, in many respects, favorable results, and leaves more hopeful impressions and anticipations for the future.

The need of buildings for a boarding department is as urgent as ever, but this need we hope may be met by the donation from the Stone estate. These accommodations will bring in a large addition from the country of just such material as we desire——young men and women from the better families who are unwilling to come to the city and board away from the influences of the teachers.

The unsettled condition of the public schools, too, is likely to add largely to the number of students here next year.

We can only hope that our good friends at the North will see, as we in the field see, the importance of not only keeping up our present work, but of extending it and making it better each succeeding year.

New buildings will certainly bring many new pupils. More pupils will require more teachers, and more teachers will increase the expenses of the A. M. A. But now is the time to do good among this people, and we trust the churches who sustain this work will not be weary in well-doing, but will furnish all the means that are needed to extend this work wisely.

TOUGALOO UNIVERSITY.

Sunday-School Convention——Farm and Normal Work——Compliments.

MISS ORRA A. ANGELL, TOUGALOO.

During my three years’ stay in Tougaloo, there have been many changes that deserve to be more widely known. One that is fresh in mind is our Sunday-school convention, held on June 1st. It was first assembled by our principal, one year ago, at that time an entirely new and unheard-of affair among our pupils. What a change was wrought in their estimate of Sunday-school work by last year’s teachings and convention. The heavy rains of Saturday last compelled our use of the chapel instead of the grove, and reduced the number in attendance, yet one of our students made a journey of fifty miles to be present, and we received word from others through the county who desired to come. A Sunday-school Union of our young men having been formed this term, its president opened the convention, and our principal was appointed chairman of the session. The forenoon was given to remarks and a temperance concert by our Sabbath-school. One fruit of the concert ripened immediately. One of the recitations was an extract from Colfax, upon the death following drunkenness, and the young man who gave it came to the office next morning to sign the pledge. Being asked if it had not been his business to sell liquor, he answered, “Yes, but I shall bust it up! I felt as if I was bound for death.” The two months he has spent here have prepared him to make this decision. The afternoon session from two to five consisted of addresses by the Faculty and students, followed each by discussion.

The good of the convention was not merely in the considerable number present giving the people of this county the benefits of one day’s contact with a modern Sunday-school; but the efforts of our students will be far more intelligently directed as they disperse through this State to their summer teaching. Their desire to push forward their mission work will only be increased by the rude log churches, benches that tip uneasily, shuttered holes in the walls, and dearth of Sunday-school papers, books and Bibles. The needs of their people are becoming more and more plain to them as they observe the methods and efforts used for themselves at this school, and the example set causes them to use some efforts for the benefit of others. They draw their pupils with them on their return here. The pestilence of last summer kept from us an overflow of students whom our next term will see filling our rooms. Perhaps the cracked and leaning walls of our buildings will be severely tried, but all who wish to study will be welcomed with confidence on our part, that all needs will in time be met with a supply.

The young people enter on a busy life here, in many respects new to most of them. Their own hands do most of the farm and in-door work. We have a field of one hundred acres planted in corn; next on one side is the sweet potato patch of ten acres; and on a southeast slope were set strawberry plants last year, that will another season furnish a supply for some northern market. This spring ten acres were sown with grass, ten with clover that now feels revived by the recent rains. The new wire fence is already showing its merits by keeping in our own stock and shutting out others that have heretofore grazed in our grove and fields. Our stock is now of the best breeds, and instead of buying we shall be able to supply meats for our tables, that already have a variety of early vegetables from the garden. Ornamental trees have been set out upon the grounds, and the whole plantation has been brought to better use and improved appearance.

Less frequent change of teachers, a more regular attendance of students, and their promotion according to merit, have advanced the scholarship in this institution. Last summer for the first time it graduated a class. The present year opened two months later than usual, and the senior class will study another year before graduating.

Normal methods have been used this year in the seminary department, and proved a success, giving promise of better material for promotion to the preparatory department. The senior class in the normal department have had one lesson a week in the primary room; and in addition to this preparation for their work as teachers, all in the normal department have been formed into a practice class in grammar, each in turn being teacher of the rest. The examinations of this week in these and other classes have given pleasing evidences of the work accomplished.

After the examination closed on Thursday, students in the normal department have literary exercises, interspersed with music, before an audience numbering many of the parents and former students, some of the trustees and other friends of the institution.

At 3 P. M. the President of the Board of Trustees of the State Normal School and others gave congratulations and sound advice to attentive and appreciative listeners. The President of the Board referred to the fact that the State had made no appropriation for the school for the present year and last, saying it was not from any lack of interest in the work done here, but simply because the Board of Trustees found it impossible to perform the duties imposed by the State, while the school itself was under the control of another Board of Trustees or Society, and therefore had made no recommendations to the Legislature. He said, as evidence of their appreciation of our work, that he would refer to what one of the members of the Board, who is also county superintendent of an adjoining county, said at the last meeting of the Board. He said that the moral influence of the teachers in his county who are students at Tougaloo is quite different from those coming from other schools; that almost invariably they start Sunday-schools as soon as they open their day-schools. He assured the teachers and pupils and friends present, that they might expect with much confidence an appropriation to the institution of a few thousand dollars from the next Legislature, with a visiting committee to see if it is well expended, and make report directly to the Legislature.

Rev. J. E. Roy, D.D., our Field Superintendent, in his address upon “Our Country,” gave an immense amount of practical information in regard to its history, vast area and resources, its wonderful development during the past century, its present condition and future possibilities. This address, as also his missionary address the night before, could not fail to inspire all with true patriotism, and the real gospel spirit.

Thursday evening an exhibition by the preparatory and primary departments closed the exercises of the week, and the delighted friends parted, feeling a greater interest than ever in their institution.

We feel grateful for the general good health and harmony of feeling during the past year, and we look forward with courage to the coming year.

HOWARD UNIVERSITY.

Commencement Exercises——Theological Department.

REV. W. W. PATTON, D.D., WASHINGTON.

The educational year at Howard University, Washington, D. C., closed with the last week in May. It has been one of success in all respects. The students instructed in the various departments were 236. The concluding exercises were largely attended and of great interest. At the college commencement the audience overflowed all accommodations, large numbers being compelled to stand, and various members of Congress who attended went away expressing the highest gratification at all that they saw and heard. The recent appropriation by Congress of $10,000 towards the maintenance of the University in the academic departments, is a great relief and encouragement, it having received the support largely of both political parties. The thoughtful Democrats are becoming convinced that the University is well managed, and is doing a good work, which could easily be quadrupled with suitable aid. At the recent annual meeting of the trustees, Hon. Thomas J. Kirkpatrick, of Lynchburg, Va., appeared for the first time, and at the close made very impressive remarks as a representative of the old slave-holders. He was an officer in the Confederate army, and is an elder in the Southern Presbyterian church. He pledged a hearty co-operation in our work, and declared the negro race to be a noble race and deserving of all that could be done for it. This brought to his feet another trustee, Frederick Douglass, the famous colored orator, now marshal of the district, who responded with great eloquence and pathos, and as an ex-slave cordially welcomed the ex-slave-holder to the common work of sustaining Howard University as a grand instrumentality for elevating the oppressed negro race. The scene was touching in the extreme, and ended with a prayer of thanksgiving by Bishop Brown, of the African Methodist Episcopal Church.

The Theological Department, which has been for the last two years largely supported by the Am. Miss’y Association, closed its educational year on the 30th ult. The theological students have numbered forty-two, being eleven more than the previous year. Their number would have been still further increased could we have aided sufficiently all who were desirous of coming. Endowed and annual scholarships are a sore need of this as of kindred institutions. The young men have come from seven denominations of Christians, into each of which the leaven of intelligence and purity is thus being introduced. They have applied themselves well, and show commendable improvement. The most of them, not having enjoyed a training in Greek and Latin, are fitted for usefulness among the Freedmen by a prolonged English course of study; others take the full course pursued in any theological seminary. This year a class of seven studied Hebrew, and acquitted themselves most creditably. The anniversary exercises were held in the Fifteenth Street Presbyterian church (colored), a new and tasteful edifice, which was filled with an interested audience of both races, including several clergymen and Judge Strong of the Supreme Court of the United States. Four young men who had completed their course of study delivered orations. A Bible was presented to each by the President of the District Bible Society, and an admirable closing address was made to the students by Rev. Mr. Dinwiddie, of Alexandria, Va. Three of the young men go immediately to the care of churches which await them.

The indications are of a still fuller theological class next fall, the term beginning September 10th.

BEACH INSTITUTE.

Its History——Its Importance——Its Year’s Work.

MR. B. F. KOONS, SAVANNAH, GA.

Soon after the war, schools for the Freedmen were opened at Savannah in army barracks. In due time a suitable building was erected, and the school continued under the auspices of the A. M. A. until 1874, when the city rented the building and assumed the responsibility of the school. This arrangement continued until February, 1878, when the building was surrendered and the city school removed. The day after it was thus left, a stable standing near took fire, and the flames soon reached the building and destroyed the upper part of it. It was at once determined to rebuild and resume the work, strictly under the Association. During the summer, Pastor Markham remained and superintended the construction of the new building. When we landed here late last September, it was approaching completion, and on the last day of the same month a new corps of teachers began the work of the year. On the first day over 60 applied for admission, and the number has gradually increased to 338, in all grades from the Normal down.

There has been nothing specially marked in the year’s work. It has been one of very quiet, faithful, persistent labor on the part of both teachers and pupils, and a reasonable degree of success has attended their efforts.

The following facts may throw light upon the need of such an institution in this city.

The facilities afforded by the city were not sufficient to fit the persevering pupils to become teachers and leaders among their people, hence the need of Beach Institute. The good accomplished by this school is of a double nature, for the re-opening of it has led the city, for the present, to add one year more to its course of study, and to the enterprising it is an avenue to higher schools and wider culture, and so to greater usefulness.

There are some very efficient teachers in the public schools, but their hands are tied, first by the limited course of study, and then by unusual restrictions on their religious influence. There are two schools for the colored people of the city. In former years the children have been turned away from these by the score for want of room, and even during the present year they have been refused admission in great numbers. We, too, have had all we could accommodate, and even more than we could do justice to with the present corps of five teachers.

One of these buildings was purchased by a wealthy citizen, and by him given to the School Board for a colored school, with the expressed stipulation that no religious exercises of any character should be permitted, not even the singing of “gospel hymns.” It is reported that the same gentleman contemplates the purchase of the other building, which is rented by the city now, and the presentation of the same to the city, and, we may reasonably conclude, with the same restrictions. These stipulations are displeasing to many of the colored people. Ignorant as some are, they feel the need of Christian training for their children. We do not doubt that this restraint is equally unwelcome to many of the School Board and citizens of the city, but as a corporation they are involved, and perhaps they are doing the best they can under the circumstances.

The Catholics have a small school for the colored people, but some of the parents (good Catholics) have applied for admission for their children to our school, saying, “I have concluded that the teaching of the Catechism and but little else is not an education for my child; I want something better.” It seems that the hold they are getting upon the colored people of Savannah is rather feeble.

That the position was well taken in re-establishing the Beach, there can be no doubt, for it was needed as a connecting link between the city schools and the University at Atlanta, as well as for the Christian training which it will be able to give to a large class of the youth of the city.

This week has been devoted to examinations and the closing work of the year. The greater part of the previous days were devoted to written work; but it had been announced that in the morning hours of to-day public oral examinations would be held. At an early hour a good number of parents and friends showed the interest they have in their children and the school by coming in to witness the day’s work. The morning was spent in the various rooms, many of the old people as well as the children showing a lively interest in the examinations. At twelve o’clock our commodious chapel was well filled by an attentive and appreciative audience, to witness the closing exercises of the school, which consisted of essays from the fine members of the normal class and recitations and music from the other departments. After a very enjoyable hour and a half in the chapel, the various grades passed to their rooms, the promotions were read, the school dismissed, the good-byes said, the doors closed; and thus, with its cares and its perplexities, its joys and its sorrows, its successes and its failures, endeth another chapter of the great volume of life.

GEORGIA.

The Work——Temperance——Superstition.

REV. J. R. M’LEAN, NO. 1 MILLER’S STATION.

Miss Douglass’ coming here has been a blessing to us all, and a great help to the work. Through her we have been able, as we hope, to get money enough to finish our church inside. Our congregation has not been so large as we think it ought to have been, and yet our work is felt by all the other churches. The Sabbath-school has been larger this year than at any time before since I have been here, and we have seen indications of the good it is doing. God’s word will accomplish that which He pleases.

The day school has been good all the time. We have on the list about 55; it numbered a month ago 41 daily. Some of the larger ones have gone out of school to work on the farm. We have had a strong religious spirit in the school all the year. Some twenty or more have, as we hope, been converted; five of that number have been received into this church.

Five of the members of our church, who spent at least a dollar and a half a week for strong drink when I first came here, have left it off altogether and say they do not want to smell it now. One of them yesterday, at our communion, would not partake with us. When asked why, he said: “I wanted to take it the worst kind, but I was afraid it would make me want to go to drinking again,” and tears ran down his face as he spoke these words to Miss Douglass. You can see from this that some of the people are trying to leave off the habits of slavery, but it is done with no little effort, for the habits seem to have become a second nature.

A man who is a Jew, and cares nothing about religion, said to me, the other day, that he had been here thirteen years, and had never seen such a change as recently among the people. I am not able to say what has caused it. I feel sure that much of it has come from the labor of Miss D.; she has gone to see them in their homes and read the word to them, and prayed with them, and given them good tracts to read, and the blessing of God has been with her in the work.

But there is a dark side to my picture. We have so many Atheists here that it is very hard to do anything. The man who denies God’s word is just as much of an Atheist as the one who says there is no God. We find only a few who believe God’s word. They say the Bible does not teach us the way to come to Christ, but that He brings us to Himself through a dream interpreted by some old ignorant godfather or godmother. These foolish ideas have led many of the hopefully converted ones to doubt and caused many of them to go in darkness for weeks, and some of them do not see the light yet. Some of those who gave their hearts to the Saviour in our meetings, (and such changes were seen in their actions, that no one could doubt their being Christians,) before they could join the old churches must go off and dream, and hear the little voice say, “Oh, my little one, go in peace, and sin no more.”

I find many of those who have joined this church much worse than they were before they thought of becoming Christians. The cause lies in the fact that they have been led to trust in forms and not to trust Jesus. A knowledge of the Bible is the only thing that is to save the thousands of my people. Their ministers teach the same foolish ways of which I have spoken. Nothing but the grace of Almighty God can lead this people in the way everlasting.

TENNESSEE.

The Kansas Fever——Le Moyne Normal School.

MISS LAURA A. PARMELEE, MEMPHIS.

Memphis has been very little affected by the emigration movement, but from students who are teaching in Tennessee, Arkansas and Mississippi, we hear enough to keep us interested.

From a neighboring village several families moved to Kansas in the winter. They are pleased with their prospects, and send word for a certain student to hold himself in readiness to come to them and teach as soon as they can get ready for school.

The following letter is from a member of last year’s class now teaching in Leota, Miss.:

“The Kansas fever, as it is called here, has reached our section of the country, and the people are entirely carried away by it. They quit their crops and sell their stock for little or nothing to get money to travel on. Fine milch cows and calves are selling for $10 or $12 at the highest. One man bought 125 chickens for $5.

“Having accomplished this much of their intention, about thirteen or fourteen hundred moved to town on May 2. In the evening, the white people became excited over the action of the colored people. They came to town and held a meeting. Then the colored people became excited over the action of the whites, and made ready to protect themselves.

“By night there were 2,000 persons in town, all armed. The sheriff was dispatched for; he came with many others. The next morning he went to the camp of the colored people and examined their arms. All but one submitted to his authority. The man drew his gun and the sheriff drew his pistol. If either of the two had fired there would have been trouble all around, but, thank God, there was none. This man was arrested and sent to jail.

“The town is crowded now and is guarded at night (every night) by the whites. It seems that they will not allow the boats to interfere and convey these poor people to St. Louis. They have been waiting on the bank four days. Yesterday (Sunday) it rained very hard, and the women with their little ones and household goods were out in all of the storm. We have had very heavy rains; the thunder and lightning was as if the world were coming to an end. The people are exposed to the weather, but determined to go to Kansas.

“The whites are doing all they can to get them back to their homes to stay this year. They go to the camp, talk and coax, but the people have not yielded yet, and it is doubtful if they will.

“I cannot relate the whole story; it is very long and sad.”

Another letter just received says the people returned to the farms for this year. Hunger and the necessities of the case compelled them to yield. Both the writer of this letter and the young man called to Kansas, expect to return to Le Moyne next year and graduate.

We do not graduate a class this summer, but shall give diplomas to a large and well prepared class next season. If we are denied the privilege——or deny ourselves——of graduating students, we find ample compensation in the excellent work and character of our young people. I wonder if Mr. Steele has told you of our five ministers scattered around in different classes——two Baptist, two Methodist, one Christian Adventist. Four of the five are settled over churches and are of excellent spirit, possessing fair ability.

Yesterday the churches had a grand union picnic. A procession headed by a band of music marched to Estival Park, which has opened its gates to colored people within the past fortnight. A few of our scholars were excused to attend, but all the older students preferred to continue at work and were entirely unaffected by the excitement. Three years ago, two days had to be given to Sunday-school picnics——the Thursdays when the Baptists and Methodists held anniversaries. We think it quite a triumph to have reached the point of ignoring such events.

We discuss plans for enlarging our work in the industrial department, and long for dormitories to accommodate the strangers that come to us. Miss Milton has charge of the sewing class, and informs you of its success. Next year we hope to have a text-book on nursing introduced as a regular study. Lippincott & Co. are issuing a book that meets our wants. Thursdays, after the regular lecture to the young ladies, recipes for plain and sick cooking are distributed. There is a demand for recipes for pies, cakes, etc., which has to be gratified once in a while.

We recognize the duty of endowing the colleges at the earliest possible moment, and rejoice that Fisk, Atlanta, Straight and Talladega can be established more firmly. We would not take anything from their strength. Certainly they must be maintained, and we will help them by sending our students abroad as soon as possible. The young people who come to us are not able to pay the twenty-five dollars extra that is needed to carry them to Nashville. They must come here, or not go to school at all.

They will not go to Nashville until they finish the course at Le Moyne; and the better training we can give, the more will they be likely to desire instruction in other branches than are allowed here.

I will in a short time send you report of our library receipts and expenditures during the year. We did not think one year ago it could be possible to be in possession of so large and excellent an assortment of books as now stands upon our shelves. What more we can accomplish for it remains to be seen.