Read Ebook: The American Missionary — Volume 48 No. 07 July 1894 by Various

Font size: 10 px 15 px 20 px 25 px 30 px 35 px

Background color: BlackWhiteGrayLight GrayDark GrayDim Gray

Text color: BlackWhiteGrayLight GrayDark GrayDim Gray

Apply/Save settings

Ebook has 239 lines and 48082 words, and 5 pages

y years he has been thus engaged, residing at his home in the summer but busy in gospel work, and in the winters traveling to distant places. His labors have been in England, Ireland, Scotland, the Shetland Islands, Wales, Canada, Spain and America. During these ministrations he has traveled 88,000 miles, and has made eleven trips to America.

In 1876, he learned of the condition of the emancipated slaves of this country, and entered into correspondence with this Association with reference to work here. He has spent eleven years here, and has evinced great wisdom, good judgment and, as will be seen by the report of his work this past year, has had great success. He was the first man to attempt an open-air service in New Orleans after the war. He stood on a cotton bale at the foot of Canal St., and continued the service for several weeks, although the white people threatened to shoot him. In his labors among the blacks of the South, he strikes the happy medium between undue excitement and cold formalism. As he returns from year to year, he rejoices to find the converts of earlier years holding on their way with faith and a stable Christian life. Our readers will be interested to read the sketch which Mr. Wharton gives of his labors.

OLD SPANISH DOLLARS.

A friend sends, with the following brief note, two Spanish dollars of ancient date. We hope that some lovers of ancient coin will be able to make a good offer for them:

"I send you by express two old Spanish silver dollars of date 1786 and 1800, for the work of the American Missionary Association. They belong to my wife, who has had them a long time and now thinks they had better be sent out to help in the Lord's work through the American Missionary Association. Our hope is, that some lover of the great and good cause, who has also a fancy for old and rare coins, may appear, who would pay a liberal premium for them. If such should be the case, we would be much gratified to be informed as to how much they bring to the work."

THE SOUTH.

TOUGALOO UNIVERSITY, TOUGALOO, MISS.

BY PRES. FRANK G. WOODWORTH, D.D.

While, owing to hard times, the enrollment at Tougaloo this year, 362, was less than that of the two previous years, the average attendance has been better than before, larger numbers having continued until the close. The year has been marked by specialty good work on the students' part, only one having failed of promotion. It has been a notable year also in the religious development of many. One only of the Normal Department is not now a professing Christian, and at the farewell prayer-meeting he expressed the earnest desire soon to become one. In the new Theological Department nine have been enrolled. The prospect for next year is that this feature of the work will be largely developed. The new College Preparatory Department has made a most successful beginning, seven having been enrolled and having done good work. The past year has also been notable in the industrial departments. Great attention has always been given to these, though in the girls' industries, especially, the facilities have been exceedingly inadequate. During the year, Berkshire Cottage, the girls' industrial building, has been completed, and in it are pleasant accommodations for the needlework and cooking classes. Seventy girls have had class instruction throughout the year in these branches. In Berkshire Cottage is also carried on the work for which the building was specially designed--the model housekeeping. When the rooms are all furnished eight girls at a time, in two sets of four, will keep house for two months at a time, gaining a practical knowledge of household economies. This year sixteen girls have had this most important training, the last four in the new cottage. Of this four, three were in the graduating Normal class. The exhibits of the cooking and sewing classes at Commencement, consisting of cakes, biscuits, confectionery, etc., and a great variety of well made and useful garments, were highly praised, and a large number sold to visitors. Few schools have better facilities for the practical and most important work of developing homemakers than has Tougaloo. Upon the trained young women who can make good homes depends very largely the future of the Negro race.

AGRICULTURE.

From the earliest history of the school there has been attention paid to agriculture, and each year sees development in the acreage under cultivation and the quantity of produce raised. This year nearly all the fresh meat and the milk, sweet potatoes, molasses, vegetables, etc., needed by the large boarding department, have been raised on the farm, and some things have been marketed, besides the large amount of corn and hay needed upon so large a plantation. The need of a special agricultural building, to cost about ,000, in which those students who work upon the farm can live, and where they may have special class instruction, is greatly needed.

MANUAL TRAINING.

The Manual Training Department has also this year received new impetus. It includes work in wood and iron, and industrial drawing. The methods are those of the most modern and most approved schools for manual training. Sixty boys have had the woodworking, and twenty the forging. Industrial drawing has been the new feature of the year. There are twenty new and complete sets of drawing tools. For the lower grades there is elementary or "one view drawing," and in the normal grades both boys and girls have advanced work that includes the fundamentals of machine and architectural drawing. Orthographic and isometric projection are taught. The exhibit of this drawing work was remarkably fine, and elicited hearty commendation. Its utility was clearly recognized when on the walls were seen drawings of house framings, house plans, architectural and building details, etc. It should be said that the work along industrial lines is neither optional nor elective, but that it is a part of the regular class-work of the school as much as grammar or arithmetic.

Another feature has been the opening up of the "Tougaloo University Addition to Tougaloo." About one hundred and twenty acres of university land have been surveyed and plotted off into home lots of about five acres each, to be sold to former students of the school and to others who desire to educate their children at Tougaloo. Already several lots have been taken and homes built, and in a few years there will be quite a little educational community.

COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES.

The Commencement exercises, May 20th-23d, passed off pleasantly. On Sunday, President Woodworth's baccalaureate was from the text, "He endured as seeing him who is invisible." The farewell prayer-meeting in the evening, conducted by Miss Page, valedictorian of the graduating class, was peculiarly rich and helpful in its reminiscences, forecastings and inspirations. All the graduates go out as earnest Christians. The boys' gymnastic exhibition on Monday evening drew a very interested audience, and the eighth grade exercises on Tuesday morning were admirable. The alumni meeting was the largest that has ever been held, one-third of the alumni having been in attendance. Two notable papers were read, one by Miss Jessie Rhone, of '84, on, "It is better beyond," and one by Mr. W. H. Lanier, '81, on, "The conduct to be pursued by the educated colored young people in gaining success." Both were hopeful and helpful.

Mr. Lanier's relation of his experience as teacher in one of the most difficult towns of the State, where former teachers had been run off and the school closed by the whites, and of the way in which he had so conducted himself that men whose only greeting at first was, "Howdy, boy," now recognize him cordially with, "How do you do, professor," was a most admirable illustration of how tact and good sense will help to break down barriers. The Commencement concert on Tuesday evening drew a very large crowd. Every seat was occupied and all standing room, and it was clearly shown that the chapel at Tougaloo is all too small. Over one hundred and fifty of the audience of about six hundred were white. Better chorus work is not often heard. Tougaloo is fortunate not only in having had competent music teachers, but in having in Prof. Hill, Dean of the Normal Department, a most capable musician.

BALLARD NORMAL SCHOOL, MACON, GA.

PROF. F. T. WATERS.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

BURRELL SCHOOL, SELMA, ALA.

PROF. A. T. BURNELL.

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 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.

NORMAL SCHOOL, ORANGE PARK, FLA.

Share on: WhatsApp @Hash Facebook Tweet