LEWIS HIGH SCHOOL, MACON, GA.
A missionary villa, picturesque and interesting, is comprised of the Lewis High School, Church, Library Building and Teachers’ Home, occupying the summit of a beautiful street in Upper-Central Macon. The Anniversary exercises were inaugurated on Sunday evening, May 27, with a lecture by Hon. Walter B. Hill, a lawyer of Macon, who, in urgent language worthy of his profession, argued that ignorance is the cause of the faults of those partially educated. His subject, therefore, named the remedy, Christian education. In closing, the speaker said he had searched for and chosen the best poem for the conclusion of his address, the author of which was the worthy pastor of the church, Rev. Stanley E. Lathrop—“The Rain-Drop’s Lesson”—ending with the lines:
“Never tempted
Work to stop
Though my cup hold
But a drop.
Rising Heavenward,
Pure to grow,
Coming earthward,
Joy to sow!”
Rev. J. W. Burke, a prominent Southern Methodist clergyman, of Macon, in earnest and well-chosen words, corroborated Mr. Hill’s arguments.
The examinations began on Tuesday, culminating in an exhibition on Thursday. Prof. W. A. Hodge, principal, examined the classes, with four lady helpers, who would take high stand in our best Northern schools, in their several departments. There have been 298 pupils enrolled, an increase of fifty per cent. As we listened to the highly creditable results we learned better how to teach, and were filled with equal regard for the field which is “white already,” and for those laborers whom the Lord of the vineyard, through the A. M. A., has sent forth into His harvest.
The work of adding to knowledge, understanding, requires patient toil here, yet we learned from the assistant principal, Miss Lindsley, who has taught in four States, that she has never before accorded the highest mark (100) to two scholars, in any one school, for deportment and scholarship. Miss Sprague, teacher of the Intermediate Department, has shown good results in the common English branches and declamation, and has a bright, stimulating way of interesting her pupils. Miss Pingree has won in a few months the love of the primary class so heartily, that two of them meeting a visitor, a stranger in this city, anxiously inquired, “Do you think Miss Pingree will come back?” Her success as a missionary has led her to feel called to that work; and could such a need here be filled, the A. M. A. have one who is already beloved among this people in such capacity whose labors have been voluntarily given outside of school hours. All the teachers seek to know their pupils in their homes, taking long walks “without the camp.” We wish that a missionary horse and carriage could be an auxiliary! Miss Woodworth has developed the music to an astonishing degree. They have performed a cantata, sing accurately in difficult parts, and the primary class reminded us of a full band of music! These teachers are much beloved, and the young women of the school gave them a surprise party at the Home, furnishing ice cream and cake. This was a voluntary certificate of esteem.
The Exhibition Day filled the church with an audience of 400. We noticed in the dialogues an apparent enjoyment, evincing the imitative faculty and love for diversion. In these they seemed to feel at home. The exercises were listened to with unbroken attention throughout. The last feature of the occasion was the presentation of a Wheeler & Wilson sewing machine, costing $65 (through the Macon agent, Judge M. R. Freeman), awarded by the company to the girl who produced the best work; five machines having been furnished during the winter for practice. Mrs. D. W. Job, daughter of the late Rev. Nehemiah Adams, D.D., of Boston, in the name of Mrs. Lathrop and Mrs. Hodge whom she called the “Woman in Proverbs,” and “Dorcas”—told the story of the sewing school and awarded the machine.
For three years Mrs. Lathrop, the worthy “minister’s wife,” has met nearly every week with girls to teach them to sew. They have made about 500 garments, and one of their patch-work quilts has been given to the oldest scholar, aged 93! Ten competed for the prize. Mrs. Prof. Hodge, matron of the Teachers’ Home, has assisted this winter in this benevolent and important work.
Prof. Hodge, with some earnest words of fitting counsel, presented certificates of graduation to the senior class of three boys and four girls.
After a beautiful chorus, all were invited to adjourn to the dedication of a gem of a building, which we will call “The Emerald,” in chaste tints of green and olive, set in the rear of the grounds on the brow of the hill. This might be appropriately termed “The Lathrop Library,” for the pastor in the last two years has collected the books and the money which now constitute a public library for the colored people and their friends.
The building cost $350, and contains about 3,600 volumes, and is furnished with book-cases, chairs, table and a cabinet. What publishers or friends will now supply magazines and papers, imparting religious instruction and profitable information? The lower story, it is hoped, will be converted into a workshop, where trades may be taught. Money will be needed for this.
The evening was devoted to a concert, conducted by Miss Woodworth. We recognized one of the best and most difficult Harvard songs, nor could the Glee Club sing it with better expression.
In social, educational, moral and religious growth, this year’s work of the A. M. A. in Macon cannot be estimated. God bless the North! God bless the South! God bless the colored people of Macon, and cause His face to shine upon them all.
Boston, Mass.
D. W. J.