Avery has cost large sums of money; to maintain such an institution by charity through a third of a century is no small undertaking, requiring faith and consecration. But it has repaid more than a hundred-fold all that has ever been expended. Here in this historic city, surrounded by lowlands of rice and cotton, the negro was found in overwhelming numbers, and after emancipation, in utter ignorance of book lore or a pure gospel. To this people the American Missionary Association, through the Avery Institute and its consecrated workers, has brought the light of knowledge and a pure gospel, and awakened aspiration and hope of a better life. The beneficial effects of this work upon such a people, and indirectly upon the city and state, are incalculable. Intelligent Christianity and Christian education has ever been the motto of Avery, and faithfully has it been realized in the lives of its graduates, and exemplified by them in all the relations that affect good citizenship and true manhood. Race conflicts in this city have been unknown since the days of reconstruction, and it is not too much to claim that this better condition of things here is largely due to the influence exerted by Avery.
NORMAL CLASS OF 1900, IN CHAPEL.
Although it is in the strictest sense a school, in which all studies in every department are prosecuted under a high pressure, which knows no relaxation, yet religious teaching has ever been a prominent feature, and the Bible is considered the best text book in the school. It has never been sectarian, but always Christian in its teaching and influence. No year passes without numerous conversions among its pupils, and every church in the city has been blessed in some measure by accessions to its membership from the students of Avery.
The blessings which this school has brought to this people, and indirectly to a far wider constituency, are not wholly a free gift to them. A monthly tuition fee has always been required and collected from all in attendance, except in special cases, in which its collection would impose great hardship or compel the withdrawal of worthy pupils from the school. But in spite of this monthly charge and the sacrifices made to meet it and keep their children in school, these people, out of their meagre earnings, which in so many cases make accumulations impossible, have kept their children in school, and to the end of a twelve years' course, in numbers that would shame many a more prosperous community in more favored sections of our land, where schools and books are entirely free. In 1895 twenty-four successfully completed its course and graduated with honor; in 1896 twenty were added to the alumni roll; in 1897 twenty-eight; in 1898 thirty-one; in 1899 twenty-four; and at this writing twenty-four are taking final examinations for graduation in June. And from these large classes there is not one that is not an honor to the community, scarcely one that has not found a position as a teacher or in some useful calling or industry, while a few are taking higher courses in other institutions. Are not these facts sufficient answer to the charge so often made, that the colored people are losing their interest in education, or that higher education does not benefit them?
Our work has been mainly academic; that is the purpose for which Avery was called into existence, to educate and train colored teachers, and to fit them for honorable positions in trade or business.
The dignity of labor has always been faithfully inculcated, and opportunities for it have not been wanting. Nearly all the normal students and many in the lower classes go from school to some useful occupation, learning trades, or engaging in other remunerative employment. Large numbers not only maintain themselves but are necessary helpers to the bread-winners of their respective families.
But in keeping with the tendencies of the times and of the newer education, and with the traditions and practice of the American Missionary Association, an industrial department has been added to Avery, and it has aroused no little enthusiasm among students and patrons. Needlework for the girls has been introduced, and under an accomplished and efficient instructor it has been from the first a great success. The girls from the lower grades as well as from the normal classes are being systematically trained to do their own sewing, and will in time be taught to make their own garments. Our purpose is to add to this, cooking and other departments of domestic science, as the resources of the Association will permit. Steps have been taken to establish a printing department.
In 1892 Avery Normal Institute was incorporated under the laws of the state, though the control of the school has been kept in the same hands as before, a majority of the trustees being in the executive committee or the administrative force of the American Missionary Association. The purpose of the incorporation was to secure for its graduates the advantages which the laws of the state confer upon graduates of all incorporated institutions.