Читать книгу The American Missionary. Volume 52, No. 02, June, 1898 - Various - Страница 4

BY PRESIDENT FRANK G. WOODWORTH, D.D

The commencement exercises on May 19th closed one of the most memorable years in the history of the institution. Quarantine delayed the opening of the year until November 23d, and on the next night the girls' dormitory was destroyed by fire. These two things greatly reduced the attendance, and of course the fire entailed a great many inconveniences. The school has gone bravely on, however, and the year is now looked back upon as one of the most satisfactory in work and general results that has been seen. Students and teachers have labored with unusual diligence, crowding nearly the full work of the usual school year into six months.

The year has been signalized by having a Freshman class, the first to enter on college work. Four students have successfully completed the year, and another class of the same size or larger is expected for next year.

The president preached the Baccalaureate sermon from Gen. 5:24. All the graduates are Christians; all but two of the Academy, and three-fourths of the grammar pupils of the year have been Christians.

The annual concert always attracts much attention, and it has been a problem what to do with the large crowds who attend. This year a complimentary rehearsal was given on Monday evening to which friends from Jackson were invited, a special train coming out on their behalf. On Wednesday evening was the regular concert, and the room was again crowded. A general program of fine selections was rendered, followed by Rheinberger's "Clarice of Eberstein." Tougaloo's musical work is of the highest order. At the graduating exercises on Thursday, nine young people received diplomas of graduation from the Academy courses, five of them young women. Four of the class expect to return for college work, one to go on to college elsewhere, one to study medicine, one is taking nurse training in a Chicago hospital, and the others expect to teach. The spirit in which they go out is exemplified in the answer made by one of them to the question, "What will you do if you fail to get a school to teach this summer?" "Do what I can find. Dig, if need be." A very similar answer was given by one of the most advanced young women, except she said "Hoe corn or cotton" instead of "dig." The higher education will hurt none who have that spirit.

The annual address was delivered by President Barrett of the Jackson College, and was a most helpful and stimulating utterance on the "Value of Purpose." Brief addresses were made by prominent visitors, among them several pastors of the white churches in Jackson, the principal of the city schools, and Col. Charles E. Hooker, for many years congressman from this district. His address was specially interesting in the strong feeling of sympathy which it exhibited for the work of Tougaloo and similar schools, coming as it did from a public man of such prominence, of a slave-holding family and himself a former slave owner.

The industrial exhibit in one of the school rooms attracted very large attention. It covered needle work, cookery, nurse-training, wood and iron work, agriculture, and there was also a fine botanical exhibit. While the manual training work has always made a fine appearance, it was felt that this exhibit surpassed all that had preceded it. The steel tools, made and tempered by students, were specially admired.

It was matter of special gratulation that the work of excavation for the foundation of the new dormitory, delayed because the Association builder was elsewhere occupied, was well advanced. It is hoped that the building will be nearing completion when the term begins on September 28th next.

It is sometimes said that colored students show little gratitude for what aid is given to them. Many instances to the contrary are continually occurring. One of the graduates of this year, a young woman, left a note for the president to be read by him after she had gone, which shows so much in several ways that a portion of it may well be quoted here. "Since I have been coming to Tougaloo, I have had quite a little help. Although it was a blessing from God, you are the agent through whom it came. These few lines are to let you know that I appreciate and thank you for your kindness. I haven't gained as much as I would like to have done, yet I have this consolation, and it may be encouraging to you, that I got as much as I could mentally, physically and spiritually. Since my connection with this school, my knowledge has been increased, false ideas have been corrected, truths have been established, life broadened, desires multiplied, faith in Christ increased, and I have been enabled to advance a few steps toward my ideal. My greatest desire is to do as much for Christ as I may among my fellow men." Who could show better results of education? Does not aiding such a student pay?