Various

“ Chase was a ready and able writer, and frequently contributed articles to the American Missionary magazine. Her heart was quick in its sympathies for those who were depressed and needy, and the heroic courage of her ancestors ran in her veins. She was always ready to defend the weak. She loved the work, and sought earnestly the interests of the people to whom she gave the larger service of her life. Her loss will be sorely felt in the ranks of faithful Christian workers, of whom she was one. ”

“ To this people the American Missionary Association, through the Avery Institute and its consecrated workers, has brought the light of knowledge and a pure gospel, and awakened [Pg 64] aspiration and hope of a better life. The beneficial effects of this work upon such a people, and indirectly upon the city and state, are incalculable. Intelligent Christianity and Christian education has ever been the motto of Avery, and faithfully has it been realized in the lives of its graduates, and exemplified by them in all the relations that affect good citizenship and true manhood. ”

“ On the contrary, the graduates of this and other schools under the auspices of the Association are conspicuous for worthy and upright character, for thrift, for industry and good citizenship.
And this is true not only of those who complete our course and receive their diplomas, but of hundreds of others who do not go beyond the grammar grades. Such invariably make better citizens. It is a rare thing to learn that one of the students from any class of our school has become a criminal. The criminal classes are not recruited from the pupils in missionary schools. ”

“ But in keeping with the tendencies of the times and of the newer education, and with the traditions and practice of the American Missionary Association, an industrial department has been added to Avery, and it has aroused no little enthusiasm among students and patrons. Needlework for the girls has been introduced, and under an accomplished and efficient instructor it has been from the first a great success. The girls from the lower grades as well as from the normal classes are being systematically trained to do their own sewing, and will in time be taught to make their own garments. ”

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

“ Standing, as she does, for thoroughgoing, non-sectarian, Christian education, for true manhood and womanhood, with mutual co-operation and helpfulness, with so many from all parts of this great State of Texas looking to her for light and leadership, her opportunities for usefulness are out of all proportion to her means. ”

“ For over thirty years about four hundred colored students have annually gathered here for the training which was to fit them for life's work. For many years all grades, from the primary to the high school and normal course, were maintained, but in later years the primary and intermediate pupils have been excluded, their instruction being amply provided for in the public and numerous private schools of the city, thus leaving the Institute free to devote itself to higher grades and normal work, in which Avery has been from the first conspicuous and eminently successful. ”

“ But in spite of this monthly charge and the sacrifices made to meet it and keep their children in school, these people, out of their meagre earnings, which in so many cases make accumulations impossible, have kept their children in school, and to the end of a twelve years' course, in numbers that would shame many a more prosperous community in more favored sections of our land, where schools and books are entirely free. ”

“ A small blacksmith shop on the place was a gift of the business men of Austin. The colored patrons of the school, in all sections of the state, have always been most cordial and enthusiastic in their commendation and confidence. It is little wonder that, with the passing of the years, the school has grown steadily in the estimation and affection of all classes. In the early days, the hall at commencement was occupied largely by white people. In these later years the audiences are composed largely of intelligent and appreciative colored people. ”

“ The meetings are held every Sunday afternoon, led by one of the members. We use the 'Junior Endeavor Songs,' and the Juniors' voices are tuned to sing praise to Him who took little children in His arms and blessed them. It is an inspiration to attend the meetings, to hear the recital of the Pledge, the reading of the Scripture verses and the precious season of prayer, when, with bowed head, sentence prayers are offered, often two and three at a time. During the past year the growth of the society has been marked, in the Juniors learning to pray—God seems so near. ”

“ Boarding School has demonstrated in their midst what faithful teachers can do for the children, the whole community are ready to show their appreciation, from good old Chief Grindstone to the wee little folk who carry flowers to their white friends in the school ”

“ The standard of scholarship has always been high and is steadily advancing. Many who have never graduated have done excellent work as teachers in the public schools of the state. "Tillotson" students are in demand and are known and respected for their honesty and reliability. Of the graduates, some are in responsible positions in this state, while others are pursuing courses of study in higher institutions at the North, or have already entered upon professional work. The great work of such a school is in its "leveling up." ”

“ Teachers and students together strive to make Tillotson a place of [Pg 57] refined and Christian culture. The chapel bell calls all to morning prayers, on school days, and to Sunday-school, church services and Christian Endeavor, on Sundays. Each evening the family gathers about the Word at its altar in the dining-room. Bible-study is a part of the regular course through all the grades. ”

“ But it is clear that the schools are sending the light into the dark places, and that everything that shuts off or reduces the brilliancy of the light is inimical not only to the negro, but to the whites themselves, to the South, and to the whole country. ”

“ When one considers the scanty equipment of the school he can but be surprised that it has accomplished so much.
CLASS GROUP, TILLOTSON COLLEGE.
Endowment, aside from land and buildings, it has none. For income it has always depended upon grants by the American Missionary Association from its own funds and the Daniel Hand estate, the direct contributions of individuals, and payments by the students for board and tuition. The intention is to make the expenses for students as light as possible. ”

“ The education of the negro is not a question of sectional or local importance alone. It is fundamental to the safety and development of our country. There are in the Southern public schools 27,445 teachers employed in teaching negroes. Twenty-six per cent. of the average attendance of school children in the Southern States, including the District of Columbia, are negroes. The total enrollment of the blacks constitute, however, only 52 per cent. ”

“ We would again remind the pastors, Sunday-school superintendents, officers of Endeavor Societies and Woman's Missionary Circles of the great and pressing need upon the Association, both in old and new fields, among the many millions for whom our faithful missionaries labor. Porto Rico demands increased gifts. The field is opening with great hopefulness both in educational and evangelistic lines. ”

“ In the early years there were a few students, mostly children of teachers, in college courses, and a still smaller number in theology. The aim from the first has been to give instruction in the elements of a good common school education, and to provide advanced work for such as could complete a high school course, or were preparing to teach, or to continue their studies in higher professional schools elsewhere. The list of graduates is still a short one. ”

“ There has been for the last ten years a steady and growing demand for colored teachers of ability and with special training for their work; and there is not a county in the state to which our graduates do not go as teachers, and in the lower counties and along this malarial coast nearly all the schools for colored children are taught by Avery graduates. In many places conditions are such that no one can undertake this work without jeopardizing health or risking life itself. But there are not wanting those whom zeal and devotion lead into these dangerous fields. ”

“ Such times of drawing near to God, in the homes of sick or sorrowing ones, mean quite as much of added strength and cheer to the white visitor as to those who are visited, and we always come away feeling so glad that we went. ”

“ A monthly tuition fee has always been required and collected from all in attendance, except in special cases, in which its collection would impose great hardship or compel the withdrawal of worthy pupils from the school. ”

“ Tillotson's own purse. His efforts in soliciting funds were largely instrumental in securing the means for erecting and furnishing the building. The list of contributors to this part of the undertaking included the names of men well known for their literary works, philanthropy, patriotism and fidelity to the Saviour of Men. Most of those early donors have passed from earth, but they are still an inspiration to all [Pg 54] engaged in the work, and we of this generation can clasp hands with them in the purpose and effort to make real their intentions. Though dead "their works do follow them." ”

“ Its graduates now number nearly four hundred and are found in almost every department of human activity. Some are distinguished in professional life, others in trade, or in business. Among them are doctors, skilled and eminent in their chosen fields of labor, clergymen of acknowledged ability, and teachers of long and successful experience. About two-thirds of all its graduates choose teaching as their special vocation; and nearly all prove their skill and ability in the schoolroom, and have reflected great credit on their alma mater and have been a blessing to their race. ”

“ She still hoped to be strong again, however, and looked forward to future service among the people whom she so sincerely loved. Her work has been always distinguished by ability and great personal sacrifice, and almost an abandon of devotion to those to whom she ministered. ”

“ To meet the necessities of the case we are forced to allow our students to work out at least half of these very moderate charges. Nearly all the manual labor about the institution is done by students. Thus, in a very practical way, they help themselves pecuniarily and acquire knowledge of housekeeping in its manifold lines.
To train the hand as well as the head the boys receive instruction [Pg 59] in carpentry and industrial draughting, and the girls have regular lessons in needlework, dress-making and kindred subjects.
GIRLS' HALL, TILLOTSON COLLEGE.
Tillotson has always done good work. ”

“ Many of the students organize C. E. societies in their home towns and in the places where they teach. The Tri-State Union was organized in 1893. The organization was made for the purpose of promoting the C. E. work in the adjacent counties of Kentucky, Virginia and Tennessee. By bringing together the members of the societies in this section, much has been accomplished in the way of strengthening the weak societies and in the way of organizing and sustaining societies in places where none existed. All societies in the Union have been stimulated by its annual conventions. ”

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

“ All are active members in senior societies. The trial department is under the direction of the assistants, who are graduates. The society is most promising. The Juniors are preparing not only to take places in the senior society, but in the church and as citizens. ”

“ It gives promise of growth and fruitful service. Rev. S. J. Wood, a graduate of Straight University, is pastor. The people bought a lot, and the Church-Building Society aided them in buying a meeting-house which has been removed to their lot.
Three miles from Fort Davis Station, on the Georgia and Alabama Railroad, and forty miles from Montgomery, is our Cotton Valley School, which is located in the heart of the Black Belt of Alabama. This country school is the one bright spot in the lives of the large [Pg 69] population of poor black people of Cotton Valley. ”

“ In 1888 the carpenters' shop was built and industrial training was introduced. An appropriation of $900 from the Slater Fund aided in meeting the additional expense. A marked evidence of the appreciation of this advance is shown in the record of attendance, which increased nearly eighty per cent., and reached the highest figures it has ever done under a charge for tuition.
A material enlargement to the accommodations for teachers and students came in 1894, in the new Girls' Hall, that was occupied for the first time in the autumn of that year. ”