MR. E. C. SILSBY, SELMA, ALA.
We had feared that the effect of a prolonged season of drought, occasioning small crops and high prices, would be to lessen the attendance considerably. In this, however, an agreeable disappointment was in store, as the number present upon the opening day was four larger than the preceding year, and nearly twice that for 1879. We opened with an attendance of 153, 19 of which number are members of the advanced grammar and high school departments. A number of last year’s advanced pupils have indicated their intention to re-enter shortly. As yet, last year’s scholars who have been employed in teaching have not returned. From a number of these we have received word with reference to their work, and learned of their expectations to be with us again.
One young man wrote of establishing a temperance society, and laboring in a revival in the local church. He had a good Sunday-school which he had supplied with “Quarterlies” containing notes on the lessons, and he seemed to be accomplishing much good. His location is one where for many years he has taught school. He writes that he expects to return to Burrell.
Another young man, who says that he will re-enter, was last year in school here for the first time, and was brought through the agency of the former. He has written intelligently of his Sunday-school, and has also sent on funds to me to be expended in papers.
Twin brothers from a town in an adjoining county, and last year’s pupils, were converted at a special revival season in the Congregational church here during the winter. To one of the teachers, one brother wrote that he was “doing the best he could teaching in the Sunday-school.” The other said that “the people out there did not know much about managing a Sunday-school properly, but he was working in it, and lent his “Quarterly” around among others, showing them how to study their lessons from it.” These brothers are about 15 years old.
We learn of the expected return of a pupil of ’79 who has been laboring very acceptably for some time in Louisiana in Sunday-school, church and temperance work. He brings a recruit for Burrell also. Another last year’s pupil of ours, from the High school grade, leaves the scholar’s seat to occupy a position behind the teacher’s desk, in the building where for years she has been a studious learner. She is a teacher in the A. M. E. Sunday-school of this place, and a member of the choir. Two other young ladies, former classmates of hers in Burrell, are, for the second year, teaching with us also.
The nature of our school being, as it is, a city school, we have not tried to crowd our work upon the attention of non-residents. We have had, however, pupils from the country and adjoining counties, every year for some time, with rare exceptions. New pupils from elsewhere, brought through the agency of others, have been referred to above. A very promising young man entered this year from a county adjoining this one on the east, who had heard of the school from former pupils. Three persons from a northern county are, I am informed, to come in company with a last year’s pupil. The condition of the cotton crop is such, that some are probably remaining away to assist in gathering and storing the same. This is often the case with country scholars.
The second day of the present session, one came to us as a pupil who has sat in the legislative hall of this State as one of our county’s representatives. He has been a teacher since then, and realizing his deficiency, comes to learn along with children. We think he shows a commendable spirit, and judging from his persistency, predict his success.