The class in church history showed satisfactory knowledge of what God has been doing in His church in this country since its history began. The class in prophecy has been studying Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel and the minor prophets. This study has interested the class exceedingly and made them work hard. It has removed many doubts from the most intelligent minds and made clear the wonderful plans of God.
In the college and normal departments, good work has also been done. Classes were examined in Greek, Latin, general history and various branches of science and mathematics. Some pupils in geometry showed a clear comprehension and ability to carry on a train of reasoning creditable to any student, but especially so to those who have received their early training in country schools where incompetent teachers preside three months in the year. One of these students says that for years he worked on alone, puzzling over books by himself, occasionally trying to find some one who could help him, only to be thrown back on his own resources. A peculiarity of his is, that he will not profess to understand what he does not see clearly. This trait, in connection with his practical, unselfish plans for the benefit of his people, seems likely to make this unassuming young man of use in the world.
The examination in general history did not manifest a perfect knowledge of all past events. Indeed, one student tried to find Spain somewhere in the Congo region, when attempting to illustrate the voyages of Columbus. Still it was apparent that these young men and women had some historical facts fixed beyond the possibility of forgetting, and that they had acquired the habit of thinking about them and drawing their own conclusions which were often very practical.
The classes in physical sciences, some of them instead of answering questions, explained and exhibited the contents of the Museum. All showed the excellent results of out-door and laboratory work. They have learned to see. The visitors in the grammar room noted with especial pleasure a masterly explanation of cube root by means of blocks and figures that was positively fascinating.
But time would fail to tell of all the varied work, from the tiny tots with their kindergarten plays to the sturdy farmers and engineers. Let others decide whether it is better for the young ladies to do neat and tasteful needle work or play a selection from Chopin. They can do both.
All the exercises of Commencement were well carried out except the Concert. The loss of an unusually fine musical treat was one of the deprivations caused by the war, the singers of the Soldiers' Chorus having become soldiers in earnest. It seemed a pity that every one of the contestants for the prizes could not receive a prize, so original and thoughtful were the orations and essays, and so good the recitations. One of the best orations stated, that the way to elevate the Southern farmer is not by means of teachers and preachers alone but by the unselfish lives of scientifically trained farmers and their wives who should be willing to live among the people and teach them by example.
After the pleasant graduating exercises which sent out five more young people, one of whom sent his oration from camp to be read, the Alumni held a very delightful reunion. Many letters were read from graduates. One wrote—"Every year, since I left Talladega, I have been more and more convinced that many of the most prominent leaders of our people lay too great stress on the possibilities of wealth and trades and too little emphasis on the absolute and greater necessity of firm Christian character. Neither wealth nor trades assure to us the favor of God." Another writes from Texas of the work his wife is doing by establishing a Woman's Rescue Society. From indifference, the women in the town passed to curiosity then to sincerity, and nearly all soon became actively engaged in the work which is accomplishing much good.
One of the college graduates, J. R. Savage, writes a letter of which only the following extract can be given:
"It is hoped that the promising young manhood of the race will not be satisfied with anything lower than the highest and best that the schools have to offer. The first ten or twelve years of one's school life are of necessity so largely mechanical that very little of what is really education enters into them. Education is rather ability to produce something and to think consecutively and coherently, than capacity to receive something. Though a cultured mind may not create anything, it is distinguished by its ability to combine two or more elements in such a way as to form a new substance—to add something to the world. Man sits at the feet of nature, learns her laws, and then breathes into them his own soul, and nature becomes the living thing we call Art. In addition to developing power of original and independent thought, a liberal education prepares a man to enter into and appropriate all the wealth of the ages. Those who are really living in this grand and awful time, in this 'age on ages telling,' are persons who have, in a sense, lived through all time."
Larger means would enable Talladega to give still more industrial training than she does. But her chief mission will perhaps always be to train leaders, to stand for higher education and to uphold the supremacy of the ideal and spiritual over that which is merely utilitarian and material.