Within ten days from Commencement, as many as three-fourths of our students will be scattered all over the State, and in many places in neighboring States, metamorphosed into dignified and wise pedagogues. May they all meet with great success in their day-school, Sunday-school and temperance work, and in their efforts to stimulate the people to acquire property and make for themselves pleasant and pure homes.
We were glad to have with us Prest. De Forest and Prof. Ellis, of Talladega College, the former of whom preached the baccalaureate sermon, that abounded in gems of deep and practical thought, incased in clear and transparent language.
At the meeting of the Board of Trustees, Sec’y Strieby was re-elected, and one of Atlanta’s most prominent men in business, social and religious circles, who had recently declined the office of Mayor, consented to become a member of the Board. Resolutions were passed, thanking Messrs. King, Cassedy and Sessions, and the representatives of the late Hon. W. E. Dodge, for gifts to the school.
Crowded halls, continued success in old lines of work, and encouragement in new, added buildings, generous gifts, growing favor among the people, good reports from graduates and the constant presence of the Divine Spirit lead us to thank God and take courage, believing that the school is accomplishing its mission in the main, and that the financial clouds that lower will be dispelled in due time, as others have been in the history of the institution.
LEWIS HIGH SCHOOL, MACON, GA.
A missionary villa, picturesque and interesting, is comprised of the Lewis High School, Church, Library Building and Teachers’ Home, occupying the summit of a beautiful street in Upper-Central Macon. The Anniversary exercises were inaugurated on Sunday evening, May 27, with a lecture by Hon. Walter B. Hill, a lawyer of Macon, who, in urgent language worthy of his profession, argued that ignorance is the cause of the faults of those partially educated. His subject, therefore, named the remedy, Christian education. In closing, the speaker said he had searched for and chosen the best poem for the conclusion of his address, the author of which was the worthy pastor of the church, Rev. Stanley E. Lathrop—“The Rain-Drop’s Lesson”—ending with the lines:
“Never tempted
Work to stop
Though my cup hold
But a drop.
Rising Heavenward,
Pure to grow,
Coming earthward,
Joy to sow!”
Rev. J. W. Burke, a prominent Southern Methodist clergyman, of Macon, in earnest and well-chosen words, corroborated Mr. Hill’s arguments.
The examinations began on Tuesday, culminating in an exhibition on Thursday. Prof. W. A. Hodge, principal, examined the classes, with four lady helpers, who would take high stand in our best Northern schools, in their several departments. There have been 298 pupils enrolled, an increase of fifty per cent. As we listened to the highly creditable results we learned better how to teach, and were filled with equal regard for the field which is “white already,” and for those laborers whom the Lord of the vineyard, through the A. M. A., has sent forth into His harvest.
The work of adding to knowledge, understanding, requires patient toil here, yet we learned from the assistant principal, Miss Lindsley, who has taught in four States, that she has never before accorded the highest mark (100) to two scholars, in any one school, for deportment and scholarship. Miss Sprague, teacher of the Intermediate Department, has shown good results in the common English branches and declamation, and has a bright, stimulating way of interesting her pupils. Miss Pingree has won in a few months the love of the primary class so heartily, that two of them meeting a visitor, a stranger in this city, anxiously inquired, “Do you think Miss Pingree will come back?” Her success as a missionary has led her to feel called to that work; and could such a need here be filled, the A. M. A. have one who is already beloved among this people in such capacity whose labors have been voluntarily given outside of school hours. All the teachers seek to know their pupils in their homes, taking long walks “without the camp.” We wish that a missionary horse and carriage could be an auxiliary! Miss Woodworth has developed the music to an astonishing degree. They have performed a cantata, sing accurately in difficult parts, and the primary class reminded us of a full band of music! These teachers are much beloved, and the young women of the school gave them a surprise party at the Home, furnishing ice cream and cake. This was a voluntary certificate of esteem.