Various

“ It is especially worthy of consideration that among the Negroes of the South to-day are some men of power and of education who are leaders; but whose leadership, unfortunately, is in the wrong direction. This renders it all the more urgent that the Mission Society and kindred organizations should seek to supply them with a class of leaders who, by reason of their godly character, their knowledge, their training, their consecration, will be able to counteract the evil influences now at work, and to lead their people into paths of righteousness. ”

“ A different style of men is needed as leaders of the colored people to-day from that of those who aspired to leadership twenty-five years ago; the race has made great progress; there are multitudes now of Negro men and women who have had the advantages of the common schools, many who have a college education, and some who have university culture; to wisely influence them in their thought and action is more difficult than to control the masses of the illiterate and untrained. ”

“ What is to prevent these people who have been enfranchised from becoming the prey of demagogues and designing men who wish to use them for unchristian purposes and in unchristian ways, unless they have large minded, thoroughly educated leaders with knowledge of history and of life who can lead their own people in the ways of righteousness? ”

“ If you would have a view of humanity in its simplicity, visit one of these mountain homes. You will find everything of the most primitive kind. The hum of the spinning-wheel and the heavy thud of the loom will greet your ears. ”

“ We planned to have an exhibition of school and industrial work during the forenoon, and parade of cadets in the afternoon. And, in order to give the pupils a little uplift of enthusiasm in a good cause, we arranged to have a Christian Endeavor rally of societies from five neighboring towns, and also to invite the members of two Sunday-schools that are bravely "lifting the gospel banner," each in a scattered community near by, where there is no church. ”

“ This trying year—trying to so many, therefore trying to us—brings a jubilee thanksgiving to us, in that we are not sinking deeper into the horrible pit and miry clay of debt, but are little by little being pulled out of the slough. ”

“ We can gladly say that we have too much recognition and appreciation of our work among good people of the South to be otherwise than thankful for it, and for the fact that these good people are increasing every year in numbers and in readiness to encourage us. ”

“ Alas for the people that do not feel at home save in a one-roomed cabin, and do not feel the necessity of work unless they are hungry. I long so, sometimes, for something that will make this people hungry and thirsty for better things, that will make them dissatisfied with the things that content them now. ”

“ The young men went through a series of feats which showed both agility and strength. If they fail in the work of life, it will not be for lack of hard, well-trained muscles. This department has been under the direction of a student for the past two years. ”

“ From the time of emancipation, the colored people have had no disposition to force a social alliance with the whites. The colored citizens have all their civil and political rights, and these rights they demand. ”

“ There are those who object to the constitutional rights of the Negro, and some who object to his Christian privileges, lest his recognition as a man shall lead to "social equality," whatever this may mean. The following from a leading Negro paper, i.e., edited by a Negro for a Negro constituency, is a testimony as to what is and what is not the Negro's idea of "recognition":
"That the Negroes in recognizing constitutional rights are at the same time seeking an arbitrary social equality with any other race is erroneous. ”

“ Among these mountaineers are young men and women eager in their desire for knowledge, and anxious for an opportunity to learn of a better way of life. We believe that to the question, "What of the night?" the answer can be given, "The morning cometh."
COMMENCEMENT AT FISK UNIVERSITY. By Miss Alice M. Garsden.
I cannot promise you a sketch of our commencement abounding in local color, for, if one were afflicted with color-blindness, he would probably be unable to discover many points of difference between commencement at Fisk and the same exercises at an Eastern college of about the same size. ”

“ The country around Deer Lodge is sparsely settled. One can travel miles without meeting any one. The people are somewhere—where, we are unable to tell; yet when they have an opportunity to hear preaching you will always find many people gathered in the schoolhouse where the "meeting" is to be held. In traveling through the surrounding country you will see many rough log houses, with only one room and often without windows, two doors opposite each other, one door always kept open winter and summer. ”

“ What America's greatest woman did towards making freedom possible, our devoted and consecrated women teachers have been carrying out these thirty years to the full Christian conclusion. Those who read the records of the closing days of our schools in this present August number of THE MISSIONARY will be reminded how these faithful teachers are still engaged completing the unfinished work of their greater sister. ”

“ Public examinations were held for three days, beginning Friday the 22d, when a good number of friends visited the different rooms, noted the work of the pupils, and shared with the teachers the quizzing of the pupils, who seemed to enjoy their part. Not the least interesting because thoroughly practical was the display of garments, stitching and mending in the sewing-room; and, in the blacksmith and the carpenter shops, articles manufactured by the boys. The school ground gives evidence of workmen—attending to fences, repairs on buildings, a shop, and two pump-shelters erected. ”

“ We listened to his "graduating address" at the close of his college years at Fisk, whence he went to Philadelphia to take charge of a branch of the Y.M.C.A. While attending to the laborious duties of this position he has, during four years of earnest, patient, and thorough study, earned his degree of Ph.D. in Greek and Latin and Ethics, in one of the severest graduate schools in the country. Dr. Moore is one of "our boys"; and there are many of them who are preparing themselves, by their vision of a larger life and their attainment of larger possessions, to be wise leaders among their people. ”

“ In one room you will very often see several beds, while the rest of the furniture will consist of a few wooden chairs, a table and perhaps a cupboard, and into this one room will be gathered the whole family, the {247} women with old shawls over their heads, sitting by the fire chewing tobacco, or with the invariable snuff-stick in their mouth. But everywhere you will be treated with kindness and invariable civility. "Come and see us," they say; "we are mighty poor folks, but we will do the best we can." ”

“ It is from country places like these that we wish to bring scholars into the school. The truth is that the young people in these communities are too ignorant to have any desire for anything different from what they now have. Here is an almost limitless home missionary field, to be worked by the graduates of our schools. ”

“ Some of our young people are teaching, and others are at other work. There are very few summer schools here now, and those opened are only for primary grades.
{256} The Lincoln school is reaping honors at Tougaloo University. Two scholarships this year were won by two of our ex-graduates, and this gives Lincoln the honor of five such prizes won in that institution.
We shall greatly rejoice when the pulpits and places of great responsibility are filled with intelligent leaders. We cannot but feel amused, yet distressed, at the mis-read Scriptures. ”

“ We know not how long the pull may be, but if those who love the Lord Jesus Christ will pull all together we shall not fail, and we need not be discouraged. Our feet will get upon a rock and our goings be established ”

“ He presented in a very vivid manner the blessings to be won by those who conquer the hindrances of life. He showed how the law of struggle is the law of strength and of possession. The duty and necessity of overcoming evil, as well as the rewards, were illustrated and urged. ”

“ The year has been one of good things. Our pupils have been of a better class than in previous years, and better adapted to go out and teach. Our attendance has been more regular, our tuition has been paid as a rule, and, although epidemics have prevailed all about us, we have lived under the banner of the ninety-first Psalm and "no evil has befallen us."
Our closing exercises consisted of reports from our different organizations by a representative from each ”

“ AMONG THE INDIANS. CLOSING EXERCISES AT SANTEE NORMAL SCHOOL. By Miss Edith Leonard.
The last busy days of the school year are over. We have gathered the first fruits of our work; we hope there will be a greater harvest in years to come.
At the communion service, on June 7, three of our pupils were received into the church. The next Thursday came the evening of declamations, recitations, and music, for which the pupils had been preparing. ”

“ When honored colored men or women enter a first-class {244} hotel or restaurant, or seek a decent stateroom on a steamer, they do not enter these places because they are seeking social contact with the whites, but because they demand their just privileges for their personal protection and comfort. ”

“ Certainly these huge commencement gatherings are themselves educators for the fathers and mothers and kinsfolk of these young people, whom they are proud to see doing so well. The words of all the songs were thoroughly learned, so they will do service in many another gathering wherever these students may be. It was the writer's privilege to give the commencement address on "Making the best use of life as God's plan for our highest good." ”

“ The various alumni associations are now endeavoring to raise a fund of one thousand dollars for the university. They are faithful to their alma mater.
The graduating exercises of the Normal Department were largely attended, and the thirteen young women of the class would have been listened to on any Northern commencement platform with earnest and thoughtful attention. President Cravath's address to them was on "The New Woman." "The educated young colored woman of to-day," he said, "is, in a peculiar sense, the new woman of her race." ”

“ Our Anniversary Exercises received the heartiest commendation. The class numbered eight more than four years previously. We are greatly encouraged by the good work that our graduates are doing. May the Lord reward all of our beloved supporters! We always pray for them and for the Association, and for all our varied workers under its auspices, and we ask especially that all who are interested in our work will pray for us that Charles Wesley's petition may be fulfilled in us ”

“ Almost the only household appliances are two ovens, as they are called—two flat-bottomed, shallow iron kettles, with iron covers, and legs a few inches long. Under these kettles, out of doors, the fire is made, and coals put upon the flat covers. ”

“ Lincoln Academy is beautiful for situation, in the midst of groves of young pine, on a considerable plateau sloping southward, overlooking {250} the valley of a little creek with the grand old mountain towering above them on the farther side. ”

“ The closing exercises at Saluda Seminary took place on Friday evening, May 1. Visitors overflowed the schoolrooms before the appointed hour. After the introductory march had been rendered by one of the music pupils on the beautiful Estey piano which adorned the platform, there was not a standing place left for seeing nor hearing. The young people kept everybody interested and pleased for three hours, by readings, recitations, instrumental music, and songs. ”

“ As a mere reprint of the programs of the various anniversary exercises, which continued for three or four days, would occupy more space than is allowed for this article, it is evident that many things of interest must be crowded out.
The Department of Music gave a characteristic performance. Every selection on the program was well rendered. No music but the best is ever studied at Fisk, and the productions of the great composers are not only well played, but also well appreciated by our students. ”

“ Certainly there has been progress toward a just appreciation of the work of the American Missionary Association in the communities where its work has been done, as seen in the kindly feeling toward the school manifested in various ways by the people of Thomasville.
Of the six graduates, five are young women ”

“ At the place, which is the best in the neighborhood, where she was to board—if the word may be used in connection with such a state of things—she writes that there is almost nothing in the way of necessities for decent living. There is not a lamp in the house ”