PROF. A. W. FARNHAM, CHARLESTON, S. C.
Avery Normal Institute was organized in Charleston, S. C., October, 1865. The first formal graduation occurred in June, 1872, at which time eleven young people received diplomas from the Institute. A class has been graduated each succeeding year, numbering as follows: In 1873, fourteen; 1874, six; 1875, fifteen; 1876, nineteen (including one post-graduate); 1877, twenty-two—giving a total of eighty-six. Of this number, death has taken five.
Our school aims to fit its graduates to be competent teachers. Forty-six have been engaged in the public schools of the State—schools first in rank, in scholarship, and discipline. Forty-one of the forty-six are teaching to-day; seventeen hold State certificates.
One young man of the class of 1872 is an ordained minister. He was also graduated at South Carolina University in 1877. Another from that class, and one from the succeeding class, are studying with the ministry in view—one at Madison University, New York, the other at Atlanta University, Georgia. Three others from later classes are in higher institutions, preparing themselves to preach the Gospel.
Our graduates bid fair to represent all the professions. One is in Howard University, studying medicine, and one in the leading Normal school of our county, preparing for teaching. The total number in higher institutions is seven, while four more have already received the degree of A. B. Five others were in South Carolina University when it closed its doors. These young men were ready to enter the Junior year of the College course when their studies were so abruptly ended. With one exception, they are teaching.
Thirty-eight of our graduates are members of Evangelical churches; twenty at present are engaged in Sunday-school work.
“By their fruits ye shall know them.” But is this all that Avery has done? No! Her influence has pervaded the homes of hundreds, and the lives of thousands. Her light has shone in every quarter of the State; and other lands are destined to share in her gifts, for the good ship Azor is carrying three of her pupils to “Africa’s sunny fountains.”
The questions are often asked: “What per cent. of your school is brown?” “Don’t the browns receive instruction more readily than the blacks?” The query, in the minds of so many, has led to an actual count of the graduates with regard to color, which gives: Black, 19; brown, 55; fair, 12. But, “the Lord is the maker of them all;” nor is He “a respecter of persons.” We sow “beside all waters.” “What shall the harvest be?”