The American Missionary. Volume 50, No. 09, September, 1896

The question may be asked, What is the American Missionary Association doing along these lines of self-help and independence? Much has been done, and is being done. The Association has not said much, but it is doing much. This is better than saying much and doing little. At the present time, when much is said about the industrial development of the South, there is danger of following the crowd whose ideals are not the highest. The popular cry is for a rejuvenated South, a South with prosperous mills and factories, and the Negro with it. The Association has wisely kept out of this, and yet has done more than any other organization toward the industrial independence of the people. It was the first to start industrial schools for the Negroes. Its first industrial school was founded at Talladega, Ala., in 1867, where it now works about 300 acres of land. Modern farming in its most important branches is taught here. In connection with the school are popular lectures, which are listened to, and scattered by the students throughout the country. White and black farmers are being improved by them. The instructor in farming, a graduate of the Amherst Agricultural College, is both scientific and practical. In the same school, at Talladega, young men and women are taught various other branches of industry.

Tougaloo Institution, in Mississippi, has a farm of 500 acres, which supplies cities in the Northwest with her produce. There are no less than fifty industrial schools under the American Missionary Association, not to mention independent schools, which are largely fostered by Congregational influence. The reflex influence of these industrial schools upon the whites is marvelous.

While we labor to plant seeds of true manhood in the hearts of the people, we recognize the fact that there must be a going-out and a taking-in. The involution of the race must precede its evolution. It therefore requires time to see fruits. Time will tell; it is already telling. With boards devising, and schools, churches, and pastors formulating, methods to bring about the solution of the problem, we shall reap an abundant harvest. When it is known that the larger portion of the colored race in the South is still living on the plantations, practically untouched by the Christian influences of this century, living without God and not touched by our mission work, it accentuates the imperative duty of the churches and pastors of churches to hasten the work of self-support. In concluding, I emphasize the following points:

1. That the work of educating a race to manly independence requires time as well as energy.

2. That it behooves all teachers of the race to do their utmost to rid the minds of the people of those ideas of slavery which strike a blow at their independence.

3. That the position taken by the American Missionary Association is the true one in preparing the people for self-support, and thus toward the self-support of our churches.

4. That while recognizing the difficulties in the way of self-help and self-support, many, if not all, can be removed if all the churches put their shoulders to the wheel, and both teach and practice this, and do all they can for their own support, rather than seek to have everything done for them.

BEACH INSTITUTE, SAVANNAH, GA

MISS JULIA B. FORD

After another all too swiftly fleeting school year, the commencement season is ushered in by the very able baccalaureate sermon delivered to a large and appreciative audience by the Rev. J. J. Durham, one of the colored pastors of Savannah.

On Tuesday there are oral examinations in the classrooms. On Wednesday, palms, magnolias, cape jasmine, and wild bamboo-vine have lent their charm to render the chapel a fragrant abode of beauty. "Old Glory" hangs here and there upon its walls. The large flag which each morning through the year has received, after the singing of a patriotic song, the salutations of the assembled students, has given place for this occasion to the inspiring words of the Latin motto, "Ad astra per aspera," which in bold relief gleam out from a star-bespangled field of blue above the platform.

Through the dense crowd which overflows the chapel and throngs the adjoining rooms, to the notes of a march on the piano, the Ninth Grade enters and stands to receive the graduating class, who file to their places on the platform. With what swelling of heart are they silently greeted, and how dear and noble a band do they seem to fond, self-sacrificing parents, and to the teachers who have labored to bring them to this the proudest day of their young lives. The class is one of the largest which the Beach has ever graduated—four youths and thirteen girls. The salutatory and essay, "What Can a Woman Do?" earnest, suggestive, and pleasingly delivered, was followed in due order by recitations, all rendered with spirit and grace, and winning enthusiastic applause. The declamation by one youth, of President Lincoln's address at Gettysburg, and the orations, by two others, on race questions, receive due meed of appreciation.

In the cantata, "The Ivy Queen," all the girl graduates take part, and the ivy crown is placed on the brow of the valedictorian, who is a keen-minded young girl of the pure Negro type. Her essay and valedictory, "Character-building," is a worthy production. It was an inspiring thing to look into the dark but perfectly radiant faces of her father and mother, when, after the exercises, they came, all too full for verbal expression, to grasp the hands of teachers.

After the class song is sung, diplomas bestowed, the in-coming senior class welcomed, and the announcement made as to the one whose rank in her studies entitles her to a free scholarship for the ensuing year, a brief but most excellent address is given by a young colored physician of Savannah, whose ability, culture, high moral worth, and nobly unselfish ambitions fit him to stand as a model to our students. The newly made alumni meet teachers and friends in the Teachers' Home for refreshments and a good, happy time generally; and in the midst of it all one of the workers of Beach is surprised by a token of appreciation in the form of a beautiful gift from the graduating class. Our orator of the day, after some consultation, proposes to the class of '96 the forming of an alumni association at the opening of the next year, and then soon all disperse and a successful school year is reckoned with the past.

BALLARD NORMAL SCHOOL, MACON, GA

BY MISS LINCOLNIA C. HAYNES

The Commencement Exercises of Ballard Normal School began with the Junior Exhibition. At the time appointed every seat was taken and there was scarcely standing room. The greatest interest was manifested by all present, and at the close of the evening, when anxious parents and interested friends crowded around with beaming faces to express their satisfaction and appreciation, each teacher felt amply rewarded for the arduous labor and effort put forth.

The "Jubilee Songs," and especially the "Jubilee Medley," attracted great attention. To hear "Steal Away," "Get on Board," "Swing Low," and all the other old-time songs, wound into one, and yet fitting into each other so perfectly and harmoniously, seemed almost a wonder.

The annual sermon was preached the following Sunday by Rev. J. R. McLean, pastor of the Congregational Church. In addressing the graduates he urged a practical use of the knowledge gained; he emphasized the fact that philanthropy is giving one's self, and he impressed upon them the necessity of co-operating with Christ in all things if success is desired in anything.

Wednesday was Visitors' Day at the school, and a larger number was out this year to witness the examinations and inspect work than for several previous years. Wednesday night the alumni held their regular meeting in the chapel.

Thursday, Commencement Day, dawned gloriously, and long before the time for the exercises to begin, people were wending their way toward the building in order to obtain a comfortable seat. There were three graduates, all girls, and they made a pretty sight as they marched slowly up the aisle and took their places upon the platform.

The Annual Address was delivered by Rev. S. A. Peeler, of the M. E. Church. He did not go back thirty years and tell the condition of the Negro at that time, and extol him for the rapid stride he has made, etc. He did not enumerate the things the Negro can do, but he simply and plainly stated, so that all who heard might clearly understand him, what the Negro, and every one else who desires success, must do.