1889

TILLOTSON INSTITUTE, AUSTIN, TEXAS.

Wednesday, June 5, witnessed the close of the eighth year in the history of Tillotson Institute. The closing exercises began on Thursday, May 30, with the annual written examinations which, on account of the very large attendance of this year—greater than ever before—meant more work than usual for the teachers. These examinations cover the work of the entire year, and are looked forward to with much apprehension by the students.

For the past three years, the last Saturday afternoon before commencement has been set apart as " Tillotson Day," and devoted to exercises appropriate to such an occasion. This year, Rev. W. H. Shaw, pastor of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in this city, addressed the students in the chapel. This was followed by a pic-nic on the school grounds.

The last Sunday in the school is rather a sad day to most of the teachers. There are many interests in these Sunday-schools which one cannot bear the thought of leaving for four long months. We can only hope that the good seed sown during the year has not fallen on stony ground or by the wayside, and that it will survive the heat of the summer.

Monday and Tuesday were devoted to oral examinations. These were held in the chapel and were attended by an unusually large number of the parents and friends of the students from the city and elsewhere. The classes acquitted themselves very creditably ; especially good, however, were the examinations of the seventh grade in geometry and the fourth grade in geography.

More attention has been given this year to industrial training than ever before. In the recitation rooms, were specimens of the handiwork of the students in the various industrial departments. A class of little girls told of the various forms of needlework, which was something more than theory with them, as their samples of work on exhibition testified. There was not a useless article in the entire collection ; they have been taught how to make serviceable garments. Very neat specimens of darning and mending were displayed, also.

The cooking classes exhibited samples of their skill. The disappearance of all the handiwork of this class in the course of inspection witnessed to its success. The classes in carpentry displayed specimens of their skill. This is the first year that this industry has been taught here.

On Tuesday evening, occurred the annual musical and rhetorical entertainment. A large audience is always expected on this occasion, but this year it was larger than ever. Before eight o'clock, the chapel with the adjoining halls and recitation rooms were filled, and notwithstanding the efforts of the ushers to find room for every one, about half the number were obliged to go away. One little boy who came especially to see the dumbbell drill was found under the front steps, after the close of the entertainment, fast asleep. He had taken refuge there to await a chance to get a seat in the chapel later in the evening.

On Wednesday morning, an audience of much more manageable magnitude than that of the previous evening assembled at 10 o'clock, to listen to the regular commencement exercises. These consisted of essays, orations, recitations and declamations. Two young men, one of whom was graduated last year from the elementary normal course, were graduated from the higher normal course. The original productions presented this year were said to have been unusually good. A visitor, in an address made after the presentation of the diplomas, in speaking of the excellence of the orations said of one of them, '' It would be creditable on the platform of any school in the United States."

The year just ended has been one of hard work and great prosperity. The attendance has been not only larger than ever before, but constant, and the result of such steady and persistent work is, as might be expected, gratifying progress in all departments.

For the past three years, the last Saturday afternoon before commencement has been set apart as "Tillotson Day," and devoted to exercises appropriate to such an occasion. This year, Rev. W.H. Shaw, pastor of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in this city, addressed the students in the chapel. This was followed by a pic-nic on the school grounds.

Monday and Tuesday were devoted to oral examinations. These were held in the chapel and were attended by an unusually large number of the parents and friends of the students from the city and elsewhere. The classes acquitted themselves very creditably; especially good, however, were the examinations of the seventh grade in geometry and the fourth grade in geography.

More attention has been given this year to industrial training than ever before. In the recitation rooms, were specimens of the handiwork of the students in the various industrial departments. A class of little girls told of the various forms of needlework, which was something more than theory with them, as their samples of work on exhibition testified. There was not a useless article in the entire collection; they have been taught how to make serviceable garments. Very neat specimens of darning and mending were displayed, also.

On Wednesday morning, an audience of much more manageable magnitude than that of the previous evening assembled at 10 o'clock, to listen to the regular commencement exercises. These consisted of essays, orations, recitations and declamations. Two young men, one of whom was graduated last year from the elementary normal course, were graduated from the higher normal course. The original productions presented this year were said to have been unusually good. A visitor, in an address made after the presentation of the diplomas, in speaking of the excellence of the orations said of one of them, "It would be creditable on the platform of any school in the United States."

by American Missionary Association, Congregational Home Missionary Society - 1889