Two members of the class which was graduated, had, during the year, been called away from earth, as well as five from other classes, being an unusual number of deaths in one year. A precious work of grace was enjoyed during the year, and more than thirty professed conversion, of whom fifteen united with the school church. All the members of the graduating class were professing Christians, which may also be said of nearly every class which has been graduated hitherto.
As an evidence of the increasing favor with which this school and its work is regarded in the community, there may be appropriately quoted some of the remarks of Rev. C. A. Evans, of the M. E. Church South, pastor of a large church in the city, formerly General in the Southern army, who spoke at the close of the class examinations: “I did not expect to say a word, but I comply with an American habit of making a speech whenever called upon. I am a Georgia man, and my children are all Georgia born, and I wish them all to stay here. It is a kindred wish that every one of you may remain a citizen of Georgia. I also wish that the friends who have come from afar to be your instructors shall not take to themselves wings and fly away, but shall settle in this grand old State, and their children after them. There is no enmity between the white and colored people in this State. There is a growing desire of the white people, as you will find, for your welfare. They are anxious that you should have the best in social life, the best in intellectual life, and in moral life, to which you can attain. The State is benefited by good citizens, and God is glorified by true manhood. I have looked upon these exercises with great interest as a fellow citizen, expecting to live with you and to come into contact with you in a thousand ways. I am glad for all I see and know.”
Remarks in a similar strain were made by several other prominent gentlemen in attendance.
Extracts From Report of the State Board of Examiners.
We do not believe that we have ever seen better teaching than we find done at the Atlanta University. Evidences of the same thoroughness appeared in all grades of the grammar school and throughout all the classes of the higher departments.
We were particularly struck with one feature in the method of instruction adopted in this institution, and that was the accuracy of the language in which every question was required to be answered. The answer is not only to be given correctly as to substance, but it must be expressed in words both grammatical and appropriate; if not, the pupil reciting is asked to correct it, and if unable to do so, it is passed to others of the class.
Your committee noticed another feature in the management of the university to which they desire to call your attention as worthy of high commendation, and that is the manual labor training that is here afforded in connection with the literary course. Every student, male and female, is required to work an hour each day at some useful labor, either on the farm connected with the institution, or in the household and kitchen department. The tendency of this regulation is not only to greatly reduce the expenses of board, etc., but to induce habits of industry, and impart valuable practical information for everyday use in after life. The farm, including the beautiful grounds immediately surrounding the college buildings, contains about sixty acres, and is under the direction of a thoroughly practical and energetic gentleman who keeps everything in admirable order and brings out the best possible results. Specimens of field and garden crops, embracing a great variety of grasses and forage plants, cereals and vegetables, were exhibited to your committee, evincing great efficiency in this department. Samples of the culinary art were also shown us, and if our eyes and our palates did not deceive us, they reflected great credit on those who prepared them for our inspection and entertainment.
Special contributions have been obtained for the establishment of an industrial department for instruction in the more useful trades.
“Stone Hall,” the gift of Mrs. Valeria G. Stone, of Malden, Mass., is in process of erection. Other new buildings are projected for the coming year.
At a recent meeting of the trustees of the university, a resolution was passed to institute forthwith a post-graduate course of two years for graduates of the normal department. Its privileges are to be open to those who have maintained a high standard in the regular course, and who give promise of efficiency in work for which this special training is designed to fit them, and the preference is to be given to graduates of one or more years standing. This course, while not neglecting intellectual culture, by providing for courses of reading and for attendance upon recitations and lectures, and for practice in teaching, is to provide special training in nursing the sick, sewing, cutting and making of garments, care of household affairs, the inauguration and management of mission work, and in general whatever training seems likely to prepare young women of culture for the responsible duties of actual life. At the same meeting the trustees directed the executive committee to select as soon as practicable a suitable person as principal of this course of study, who shall also be matron of the family of young women who may be gathered for this purpose; and they are further directed to prepare plans for the suitable accommodation of such a family.