TILLOTSON INSTITUTE, AUSTIN, TEX.

  BY REV. W. M. BROWN.

Whether the memory of past anniversaries becomes dull, or the interest in present affairs is more absorbing, or there is an actual improvement, certain it is that the Commencement Exercises seem to grow better each year. From Saturday, May z7th, to the moment the benediction was pronounced, Wednesday afternoon, May 31, all the exercises were, to all appearances, thoroughly enjoyed.

" Tillotson Day " is one of the important occasions of Commencement week, and this year it certainly proved very enjoyable to all present. The exercises began in the chapel at 11:30 A. M. A very attentive and expectant audience was present and none could have gone away disappointed. The music had been carefully prepared and was appreciated. No more appropriate or inspiring address could have been wished for than that delivered by Rev. E. B. Wright, D.D. His personal acquaintance with Mr. Tillotson, and his sincere interest in the work being done by the school, added to his happy method of address, rich in illustration and clear in statement. gained for him the closest attention. His earnest, hearty words made a deep impression that we are sure will tell for the good of the school.

Following Dr. Wright there were short talks from several of the graduates. The burden of their remarks, as may be conjectured, was what they owe to Tillotson. One rather commendable fact was incidentally brought out in these speeches, that speaks very well for the individuals, and also for the school where they were trained. Tillotson graduates who become teachers (and nearly all of them do), have no difficulty in obtaining good schools, and they remain in them, doing such good work that the trustees are unwilling to make any changes. Three graduates who spoke have each had but one position, and it lies wholly with themselves whether they will retain them or not. Others of the alumni who were not present, are able to give the same testimony. It is a recommendation to be a graduate of Tillotson. The school has given certificates or diplomas to twenty-eight young men and women. All are living and doing well—a most emphatic refutation of what so many superficial observers seem to consider the proper thing to say and write, viz., that the Negro cannot be educated beyond a certain point, and that the education he does get does not fit him for anything useful. These are the arguments which are conveniently overlooked. They are the facts which are quietly and effectually solving the problem which is bothering so many persons, who sit in their studies and think that unless they find some sudden and startling method of answering the big interrogation point they set up before themselves, everything will be lost. Such persons will do their best at the solution if they will put bills of larger denomination into the plate when the collection for the American Missionary Association is being taken. All the worry and anxiety they are undergoing may be put off on to the shoulders which have truly been ordained to bear them, if they will only see to it that there are more five and six-figured legacies in their wills destined to be handled by the treasurer of the American Missionary Association.

To come back now from this excursus, to a description of what took place after the loving and grateful testimony was borne by the graduates to the usefulness of their alma mater.

A number of letters were read, written by those unable to be present, showing still further that throughout all this great State the work of the Association is producing fruit a hundredfold.

From the chapel, students and guests went down to the dining-hall and enjoyed the substantial hospitality of Mrs. Greene and Miss Bushroe. The teachers' table was loaded with good things that came from the hands of Mrs. Greene's cooking-class. These viands had been temptingly displayed in a safe on the platform during the literary part of the programme.

After dinner an Alumni Association was formed. This, without doubt, will be an effective means of furthering the interests of the school.

Sunday at n A. M. the baccalaureate sermon was preached by the president. The subject of the sermon was found in the words : " Keep thy heart with all diligence, for out of it are the issues of life."—Prov. iv :

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Monday and Tuesday forenoons were devoted to public examinations. All the grades were brought on and nearly every branch of study pursued in the school was exemplified.

The entertainment Tuesday evening was given to a crowded house. It began with the Demorest Gold'Medal contest, in which Mr. \V. M. C. Dickson, of Udston, was victorious. He won but by a slight margin, as there were no poor ones among the eight speakers. After the oratorical contest a parlor operetta, " The Musical Enthusiast," was very cleverly rendered. It was quite universally acknowledged that no prettier musical programme has been presented at Tillotson for a long time, and that is saying a good deal.

As a finale, Miss Sperry's thoroughly drilled class gave a perfect exhibition of the anvil chorus and silent movement dumb-bell exercise. Nothing could have been more exact. Precise in motion and time, it scarcely seemed that sixteen individuals could become so completely one.

Wednesday morning saw the platform most tastefully decorated with potted plants, bunches of roses and bouquets of wild flowers. The regular programme for Commencement Day consisted of ten original essays and orations, interspersed with vocal and instrumental music. The themes chosen were such timely events as the annexation of Hawaii, discussed pro and con, the story of the Panama canal and scandal, inventions of modern times and their influence, astronomy, music and others more or less closely related with the thought and study of the year.

Certificates were given to three students and a diploma to one. All four of the graduates were young men One has attended the school regularly for six years—and the force of the word regularly will be better appreciated when it is known that in the six years he has been absent one half day and been tardy just once. And yet we are told that the Negro cannot be educated because he has no persistence.

Addresses were made by several visitors present; among them Prof. Abner, President of Guadalupe College, at Seguin, Texas, and Dr. J. F. McKinley, of Austin, who has not missed a Commencement since he came to Austin eleven years ago.

All during Commencement great interest was taken by the many visitors in the products of the industrial departments. Mention has been made of the results of a lesson in cooking by Mrs. Greene, results which required and received immediate attention. The displays made in the carpentry shop and sewing room were very fine, eliciting many remarks of surprise and commendation. 'Mr. Bingham's policy with the boys has been to have them work at something practical, which at the same time would bring into play a knowledge of the use of the various bench tools, and make plain the principles of carpentry and cabinet work. The progress made by some has been quite remarkable, and a greater amount of interest awakened than when they were kept at practice work.

 

TILLOTSON INSTITUTE, AUSTIN, TEXAS.

All through the summer, and especially in the early fall, I am the recipient of letters of which the following may be taken as a fair sample : "Mr. Wm. M. Brown,

" Feeling somewhat Interested in your school this morning took it for granite that I would write, hearing a great deel talk of your school Tharefourth I wish to be graduated in the Tillotson institute. Now hopeing and wishing That you would aid and assist me in your school, as my father was not able to educate me, and now he is dead and now it is my desire to educate my self in your school, and I can work part of my way out if you will give me any work there to do—Please send me word what you will charge me for the next term. I would be glad to receive the aid from you,

Yours Respt. "

Though the most favorable terms possible were offered to the writer of the above he has not appeared to begin the process of graduating from " the Tillotson institute.'' But from all parts of this huge state they do come, a majority of them asking for work to pay half of  their "fare," and all proclaiming, as does one young man in a letter lying before me, that they are "welen to do eny thing in reguards of carrying me threw school." The " times are hard " in Texas now. The one great dependence of the people is cotton. The crop last year was enormous, it is more so this year and this works both a permanent and a temporary detriment to the school. The price of the staple is low, ruinously low for the small fanners. Children must stay out of school till the market is better. It grows worse and the children write these appeals to be allowed a scholarship or to come for half "fare." But the too abundant crop must be picked and there are no better pickers in the "patch " than these boys and girls of the right age and advancement to enter the school. Consequently when an old student writes r "I will try to be back by the first of November," we know that he, or she, is in the cotton patch ; and when the school opens and there are many rows of empty benches we do not have to be told that it is cotton that is keeping our "Pilgrims to Parnassus" from pursuing their journey. The school began Thursday, September 29, and the first day thirty-seven were enrolled. The namber has been increased this week to fifty-eight. The supervisor of the colored public schools in the city told me yesterday that the schools began three weeks ago and the attendance was small. But by Christmas there will not be room for all who want to attend. The students who are on hand at the opening of the school are for the most part those who have formed a purpose to get an education and make their plans accordingly. They do not wait for the cotton to be ripe in the fall but secure employment for the summer before they leave school in the spring. And while they are in the school they are the ones to learn the most because they are on hand and are eager for the work.

One boy returned this year, and, promptly upon his arrival, deposited with the treasurer $120.00. He rather apologized for the small sum, saying that he had taken care of his mother a good deal this summer, 'and had paid her doctor's bill of $75.00. The full rate for board and tuition is $96 oo, and I have no doubt that the treasurer will be owing this boy $75.00 at the end of the year, because he is always to be found when there is work to be done. On the other hand, we are burdened with some most wonderful in promise but very faint in fulfillment.