CHAPTER XXXI.
C. M. E. SCHOOLS.
In this chapter I shall give brief mention of the schools managed by the "Colored Methodist Episcopal Church in America." The connection was organized in 1870, and set apart from the M. E. Church South. They have at this time five Bishops, namely: Bishop Isaac Lane, Bishop J. A. Beebe, Bishop L. H. Holsey, D. D., Bishop R. S. Williams, D. D., Bishop Elias Cottrell, D. D. The church has since its organization made very rapid progress, and is along with other religious bodies raising a great deal of money for educational purposes.
LANE COLLEGE.
Lane College is located at Jackson, Tenn. It was founded by the Colored Methodist Episcopal Church in America, and is still under its fostering care. The school takes its name from Bishop Isaac Lane, who has been the leading spirit in establishing the institution. The work done at Lane College will compare favorably with other schools in the South.
The main building was erected at cost of $15,000. It is a fine three-story brick, with stone trimmings, artistically covered with malleable iron, with two beautiful lofty towers.
Lane College, like all institutions, is in need of funds to put the school in excellent condition. Anyone desiring to bless a worthy educational enterprise would find the school in great need of means to better equip it for the training of young men and women to advance Christian civilization. Let your gifts be ever so small, they will be duly credited and rightly applied.
Their wonderful progress thus far is largely attributed to the untiring labors of Bishop Isaac Lane.
In addition to the other branches of studies, and recognizing the fact that the mind is often cultivated at the expense of the body, and that trades are mediums through which young men may obtain occupations, giving them a capital to fall back on should they fail to make practical what they have learned from books, industrial features are added. Girls will be given lessons in needlework, cutting, sewing, and cooking. Young men will be given lessons in elements of gardening and carpentry.
An experienced teacher will have charge of each department.
The president of Lane College is Rev. T. F. Sanders. He is a Southern white man, who has taken up the work in that Christian spirit which means to lift up humanity to a higher intellectual and spiritual condition, regardless of race or color.
Rev. Robert T. Brown, A. M., is teacher of language and mathematics. I regard Prof. Brown as a very able man, and one who desires very much to see his race educated in order that the colored people may take a more active part in the professional and business world.
PAINE INSTITUTE.
Paine Institute is another of the C. M. E. Schools. It is located at Augusta, Ga. The school is doing about the same grade of work as that done at Lane College. They have a beautiful brick structure known as "Haygood Memorial Hall;" it is named in honor of the late Bishop Haygood of the M. E. Church South. He was far in advance of the church in his desire to see the colored people educated. The bishop wrote a most excellent work on the race question, entitled "Our Brother in Black." The book had a large sale both North and South. He, like Booker T. Washington, believed that the masses of colored people should have an industrial education. But he also recognized that those who felt called to teach or preach should have the best education they could secure.
The president of Paine Institute is Rev. G. W. Walker. He is a Southern white man who sees the great work that must be done for the colored people, and is willing to help do it. I am told that he takes an active part in everything that is of interest to the school and scholars, making the students feel that his heart is in the work. His family is also helpful to him in his great effort. I hope it will not be many years until a large number of Southern white people will see the need of just such work as Rev. Walker is doing, and be willing to assist in the labor.
There are a few smaller schools managed by the C. M. E. Church, but for want of space we must omit mention of them, at least until they are more prominent.