BY MR. J. R. S. HALLOWAY.
School closed here on the 31st of May with an examination and exhibition. The house was packed to its utmost. Prominent white people of Goliad were in attendance, and returned home surprised and astonished, exclaiming “We saw more than we came to see. We had no idea that the Congregational school could come up to this. That anthem ‘Strike the Cymbals’ sung by the teacher and school was splendid. We would advise all those who are sending their children to this school to continue.” Goliad is acknowledged to be the greatest educational centre in western Texas. The prospect of building up a good school here is seventy-five per cent better than it was a month ago. There is an educational society instituted about a year ago which is doing all in its power for the advancement of the school, and we look forward to the day when the much needed school building will be provided. We are about to organize a Band of Hope.
HENDERSON SCHOOL, FAYETTEVILLE, ARK.
BY MRS. H. D. FOSTER.
The Henderson School closed its first year of nine months with examinations Thursday, May 24th. A large number of interested parents and friends came in to inquire and see for themselves what their children had been doing for the year. After listening to various recitations and exercises, they expressed themselves highly pleased.
Thursday evening the annual exhibition came off, and about 400 were present. At half past eight o’clock, the pupils marched into the primary room. They made a grand appearance, being neatly and some of them very prettily dressed. The programme consisted of nineteen parts, interspersed with good music. Some of the pieces given were very pleasing. The calisthenic exercises and the selections were all well rendered and won many complimentary remarks, not only from colored people, but also from prominent white families of the city. It is something unusual to see the ladies of the latter class out.
Those who had seen the scholars at the beginning and at the end of the session noticed a striking improvement in their personal appearance. The intellectual, moral and spiritual culture had left its stamp upon their countenances, and it was exhibited in their deportment.
Throughout the year special attention has been given to our Mission Sunday school, out of which has grown a little church. During the precious revival of January, some of our pupils gave their hearts to Christ. In all our successes and discouragements the Heavenly Father has been very near us. Hon. J. H. Van Hoose, a correspondent of the Arkansas Democrat, the leading journal of the State, which is published at the Capital, a citizen of high standing in the State for forty years, and thirty years in this place, asked to give an impromptu speech, in which he expressed his surprise at the progress made. The following, clipped from the above-named journal, written by this gentleman, will explain the sentiments of the citizens here toward our work:
A COTTON PLANTATION.