It is an institution of the American Missionary Association (Congregational), and is equal to many of our lesser colleges. Mathematics is carried through trigonometry and surveying. Latin and music are taught, also, as well as the ordinary studies of the common and high schools. Above one hundred and fifty pupils, from a dozen different States, were on the roll of the past term. The teachers are of the highest order and their efficiency was emphatically demonstrated by the splendid work of last night's exercises.
While there was, of course, a marked difference in the oratorical powers of the young speakers, yet the uniformly high moral and intellectual tone of the admirably composed essays was a feature gratifying indeed to the numerous fathers and mothers present. There were present men of learning, teachers and preachers from surrounding cities, whose words of frank encomium upon the exercises emphasized their excellence. The visitors crowded the spacious hall to its utmost capacity and a large "overflow meeting" looked in through the windows.
Church Work.
THE EVANGELIST AT WORK.
MR. JAMES WHARTON.
It has again been my privilege to spend the winter in the South in the interests of the colored population under the auspices of the American Missionary Association, and in each section of the country visited I am glad to record a marked change for the better both morally and spiritually in advance of twenty years ago, and this I consider is due in a great measure to the influence and instrumentality of the Congregational churches and schools in connection with them.
The untold good that is being done by the various institutions under the American Missionary Association will never be known this side of eternity, and wherever I have gone I have found the people speaking in the highest terms of praise of the efforts which are being put forth to help raise the standard already attained.
During the last winter I have visited and held revival services at Dudley and Raleigh, N. C.; Hampton, Va.; Howard University, Washington, D. C.; Oaks and Hillsboro, N. C.; Athens and Thomasville, Ga.; High Point, N. C.; and at each place the ministers and teachers of the schools have worked admirably, with the result that the churches have been quickened and scores of the most promising young people of both sexes from different parts of the States have been led to trust in Jesus as their Saviour and to commence a new life for Him. It has been a great joy to me on returning to places formerly visited to find after years of absence the converts going on still in the "good way," witnessing for Christ and working for the welfare of others, and, in many cases, settled for life in comfortable frame-built houses where once it was the one-roomed log cabin with its evil influences. In spite of the distress so keenly felt by everyone, the past year has been one of unusual interest and revival. The old idea, of visions, dreams and voices being necessary to a person's assurance of his acceptance of God, seems to be yielding to a more perfect and Scriptural way: "Thus saith the Lord."