As the school stood in this grouped position, they sang beautifully the song “Our Motto,” in which the chorus of each verse was “Be faithful, firm and true.” Then repeating together the Twenty-third Psalm, and chanting the Lord’s Prayer, they took their seats in the body of the church, and the literary programme went on. The reading of selections and compositions, the declamations and music, were all well rendered. The singing was especially deserving of notice, as, on account of the severe illness of Miss Raynor, the music teacher, the scholars were deprived of their accustomed organ accompaniment and musical leadership. But they had been well trained, and acquitted themselves with much credit to their teacher and themselves. A song entitled “The Farmer’s Boy,” with a whistling chorus, was especially well sung and whistled. The senior class sang a parting song, and the benediction by Rev. J. W. Burke at 6 P. M. closed the arduous and successful year’s work of the school.
During the year there have been 162 pupils enrolled. Miss C. H. Gilbert, who has been principal for the past three years, is a very successful and experienced instructor, and deserves great credit for the thoroughness and progress of the school. The assistants, Misses J. A. Raynor and C. M. Park, have also done faithful and valuable work. The school has almost outgrown its present quarters, and much needs increased accommodations. The daily Macon Telegraph and Messenger published full and eulogistic reports of the closing exercises.
Mrs. Elizabeth Lathrop, wife of the Macon missionary, has been doing an important work in the industrial line among the girls during the year. Laboring simply as minister’s wife, she has accomplished a good deal of missionary work, not the least important of which has been the sewing school. Beginning last December with twelve pupils, the number increased to 133 on the roll, with an average weekly attendance of 55. Northern friends have contributed thread, needles and other material, and during the seven months the class have made, under the instruction of Mrs. Lathrop, three hundred and six garments (aprons, dresses, handkerchiefs and under clothing), besides twenty-six patch-work quilts, all but three of these completely finished. On June 4th there was an exhibition of these articles at the Lewis High School, an astonishment to all who beheld. The mothers sat there with glad, grateful tears rolling down their cheeks, at the thought of the benefits received in this manner. Speeches of eulogistic gratitude were made by the colored Methodist preachers, and the day closed with the distribution of the garments to the girls who had made them. Much good has been accomplished in this way, and this industrial training is receiving, as it should, more attention than formerly in different places.
THE CHINESE.
“CALIFORNIA CHINESE MISSION.”
Auxiliary to the American Missionary Association.
President: Rev. J. K. McLean, D.D. Vice-presidents: Rev. A. L. Stone, D.D., Robert B. Forman, Rev. T. K. Noble, Hon. F. F. Low, Rev. I. E. Dwinell, D.D., Hon. Samuel Cross, Rev. S. H. Willey, D.D., Jacob S. Taber.
Directors: Rev. George Mooar, D.D., Hon. E. D. Sawyer, Rev. E. P. Baker, James M. Haven, Esq., Rev. Joseph Rowell, Rev. John Kimball, A. L. Van Blarcon, Esq., George Harris, Esq., and the Secretary ex officio.