After following with tender anxiety so many classes through their graduating exercises at Atlanta, it has been very pleasant for me, this year, to witness the closing exercises of two similar Institutions. This one at Talladega I have been urged to report for the Missionary.
The sermon before the graduating class was preached by Pres. H. S. De Forest upon the worth of the soul. His eloquent review of the grand geologic ages told of the greater grandeur of Him for whom they were prepared. His allusions to the soul’s capacity to think, feel and choose, to its immortality and cost of redemption, must have brought to the class an overwhelming sense of their responsibility. In closing, they were asked to remember that what a man may be is infinitely more than what he can sell himself to get.
The Missionary Society had the promise of an address on Sunday evening by Dr. G. B. Willcox, of Chicago Theological Seminary. A telegram announcing his sickness was throwing its shadow over us, when, as unexpectedly, Rev. H. M. Ladd dropped in upon us, only a few days home from Africa. He hastened South to catch the last days of Talladega and Atlanta sessions, hoping to find recruits for African missions.
On Monday the examinations began. This Institution is fortunate in having an excellent primary school in the building. It is a constant object lesson to the little army of teachers who go out every summer to teach just such children, and also dignifies primary work, which, in spite of Frœbel, Pestalozzi and the truly wise and good everywhere, is too often considered of minor importance. The principal of the intermediate department has remarkable ability in bringing her pupils up to her high standard of excellence. In the rear of her school-room is a power for good which is inestimable. It consists in a long, low table with seats. On it are fastened, by a very simple contrivance, interesting and instructive illustrated papers and magazines, which the children are allowed to read after lessons are prepared. In an age when the best literature floods our land in such cheap forms that the humblest need never thirst, what nobler philanthropy than to allure these often worse than homeless children on to an early taste for good reading?
The normal work and classes in natural science are in charge of a graduate lately from Beloit College and Whitewater Normal School. The classical department is in charge of an Olivet graduate, whose three years here have proved him invaluable. A most interesting acquisition to the corps of teachers is a scientific farmer, a graduate of Massachusetts Agricultural College. To enjoy the delicious vegetables from his garden is enough to convert a sceptic in scientific agriculture. It really looks as though, under his skill, these unsightly acres of red clay were, in time, to blossom as the rose. The joy and pride of this Institution, however, is its theological department, and well it may be. Its class of eleven were examined two hours of one of their hot days, and nobody seemed weary. The clear, simple topics, recited in such an interesting, lucid style, tolerated no hovering fog, that I had supposed always, more or less, mystified a recitation in systematic theology. The accuracy of their knowledge in Bible history, too, was wonderful. None but a born teacher could have secured such results from a class of that grade of scholarship. Classes in geometry and rhetoric told unmistakably of thorough work.
We were entertained, Monday evening, by prize speaking and essay reading; Tuesday evening, by an interesting account of Mr. Ladd’s African experience, in place of the expected address by Dr. Willcox; Wednesday evening, by the ordination of two candidates; Thursday evening, by a musical concert. There are a few rare voices here that vocal training would develop into marvellous sweetness.
Thursday was graduating day, and as the class was much smaller than usual, five young men from the preparatory department gave orations. They were all excellent in matter and delivery. Their effect would have been more pleasing, however, had there been a greater variety of subjects or of treatment. Doubtless, in the depths of these students’ hearts, no subjects are so momentous as “The curse of Canaan;” “Cannot we, too, become great men?” “The ballot,” etc. But what has pleased me here more than anything else, however, is the excellent spirit manifested by the students in the family. There is, especially among the young men, an earnestness of purpose shown that is simply grand. Possibly it is, in part, owing to the fact that so many are from the country, schooled by hard work, away from the follies of city life. There is here no airing of exquisite broadcloth nor swinging of fancy canes. All are respectful, unassuming, and possessed of a modesty that seems to reach beneath their delightful demeanor and give them a true estimate of their abilities. At family devotions, the last morning before the school separated, one of the graduates led us in prayer. I cannot think that the thought and tones of that prayer will ever leave me. The ear of the Omnipotent must have heard those pathetic pleadings that his fellow-students might be sustained by the Everlasting Arms as they took up their heavy burdens, often in the midst of terrible temptations. We who send out these large numbers of young men and women to reach the masses, feel the need of your prayers and sympathies; but how much more do these young and inexperienced ones, as they go out to battle with ignorance, envy, intemperance and every form of vice! We never realize how great our hopes are for them till we occasionally get a great shock by the death of one, or the overcoming and fall of another. We reach but a few. Surely our work and the entire Southern work of the American Missionary Association centres in those who go out to reach the millions. If they fail, we have failed. How important that we hold up such a high standard of character, that they shall be beacon lights instead of tapers that shall soon go out in the darkness.
TILLOTSON INSTITUTE, AUSTIN, TEXAS.
(From the Daily Statesman)