1895

TILLOTSON INSTITUTE, AUSTIN, TEXAS.
BY PRESIDENT W. S. GOSS.

The exercises of Tillotson's fifteenth commencement began with oral and written examinations on Thursday and Friday, May 30 and 31. On Friday an informal social, reception and picnic, at home in the afternoon, was thoroughly enjoyed by a fairly large company.

Sunday was the great day of the feast. The superintendent gave a short, general exercise on the Sunday-school lesson, and Rev. Alexander C. Garner, pastor of the Congregational church a- Paris, Tex., preached the baccalaureate sermon. It was a powerful presentation of truth from the words "Christ, in you the hope of glory." A joint Christian Endeavor meeting of the two societies was held at 4 o'clock in the afternoon, led by a student recently converted.

Words fail to portray the scenes that occurred before the close. As students and friends shook hands with each other, the thought of immediate separation seemed ;o open the way for the Holy Spirit, and it came down mightily upon all in the room. Mr. Garner invited those who wished to meet him in a small room for further prayer and conversation. Nearly everyone responded, and for another hour Christian students and teachers prayed and labored with the unconverted, and six gave themselves to Christ.

The closing service of the day was to be a farewell Consecration meeting, and Mr. Garner was prevailed upon to lead. The work again began where it was left and was somewhat farther carried on.

One incident is worthy of recital. At the afternoon meeting a young lady gave herself to Christ, while her brother stood out on the steps to laugh and make fun of those within. On the way to supper the president agreed with her to pray and work for her brother to win him before he went home. A few moments later he was told about the agreement and urged to prepare to surrender. When the invitation was given in the evening this young man was one of the first to come forward and give his hand in token of surrender. He then sat down and wept like a child, but afterward went through the audience to shake hands with everybody. When he came to his sister she clasped him in her arms, kissed him and clung to his neck, while both gave vent to their joy. The scene brought tears to most of the few eyes dry until then.

At the close another adjourned meeting was held. Four young men held out in spite of prayers and exhortations until nearly ten o'clock, but they all yielded. One of them was so nearly overcome that he needed support from a mate, who had yielded but an hour or two before. They had been close friends and far from the kingdom, but after the first had fully settled his own case he came and knelt by his comrade and did much to induce him to submit. At the close of this meeting it was found that but one student remained in the boarding department ivho had not prof essed Christ.

Such a time has never before occurred at Tillotson within the memory of "the oldest inhabitant." It was a new thing to have twelve souls make a spiritual commencement on the closing Sunday of the year. Two more had declared their intention a few days before; these made the whole number of conversions for the year seventeen.

On Monday night a last or "dress rehearsal" for the Cantata was given, and the students were all invited free. On Tuesday night was the annual concert. This year "The Cantata of Esther, the Beautiful Queen," was given. About fifty students took part, all wearing appropriate costumes of the Jewish and Persian style. Standing room in the chapel was at a premium, and people even stood out in the hall and on the stairs. A small admission fee was charged. It was pronounced a great success.

The commencement exercises on Wednesday morning were much after the conventional order, excepting that after prayer by W. J. Bassett, presiding elder of the M. E. Church, and the excellent productions of the two graduates, a series of ten-minute speeches was made upon topics selected by the president, and assigned two weeks in advance. They were as follows: "The Problem of the Idle Young Man," by Rev. Andrew Foster; "Should We Encourage Our Educated Young Men to Enter Politics," by Rev. H. L. Trapp, who was strongly opposed to having the State or National capital placed before young men as a goal—they should rather be stimulated to become first-class tradesmen and mechanics, and strive for excellence in the useful professions.

"The Influence of the Opera, Theaters and Sunday Excursions," by Rev. A. C. Garner, who declared these three things potent evils because they so often successfully tempt the church member and make him a stumbling stone to the unconverted.

"The Study of the English Bible Necessary to a Rounded Education," by Rev. Edward B. Wright, pastor of the-North Presbyterian Chnrch, Austin, who showed the necessity of such study by a scholarly array of cogent reasons.

"The Duty of the Colored Teacher to His Race," by Prof. Blackshire, principal of the Austin Colored Schools. He showed that while the duty of all teachers is in general the same, it is especially necessary for the true colored teacher to be a pattern of morality, uprightness and integrity, as the number of leaders for the race that would stand the test on these lines are too few.

Rev. Wm. B. Rankin, superintendent of the Austin branch of the American Bible Society, was present and gave some interesting reminiscences of Tillotson, the most interesting of which was that when the school was opened, and for awhile afterward, all such speeches as were delivered on this occasion were by white men, because there were so very few colored men at that time able to do it. He noted these able discussions by colored men as a mark of real progress.

A most excellent essay on "Nurse Training" and nursing as a profession was read by a pupil in that department, Miss N. E. Butler.

" Industrial Training as a Factor in Education" was discussed byMr. M. J. Taylor, one of the older boys and a good workman. The prize for the best oration or essay, sustained by Mr. J. S. Bingham, was divided, as the judges could not agree upon one to the exclusion of the others.

After these exercises all were invited to inspect the industrial departments. In the sewing room the specimens offered a good variety, including patching, darning, crocheting and other stitches ornamental and useful. More than thirty dresses have been made besides other things for immediate use by the students, who furnished their own material and were taught how to make it up. It was probably the best exhibit ever made in this line at Tillotson.

The exhibit of carpentry and cabinet work comprised one large sideboard, worth $35, two hall settles, one secretary with eight drawers and two cupboards, one revolving bookcase (sold), one bookcase for curtain in front with carved cornices, one medicine case (sold), two bureaus, ten tables for students' rooms, two library tables, five ornamental parlor cabinets, fourteen towel racks, five neat toilet cupboards with shelves, fifteen hanging shelves (two sold), one corner cupboard (sold), two shelves for bric-a-brac, forty-four window screens, one shaving case, two parlor screens, eight screen doors, two bandage winders for nursing department, two protractors for geometry class, one tight box for packing music. The use of a vacant store on a principal business street in Austin has been donated by Lewis Hancock, where we shall place much of this work on exhibition to the public and for sale.

Tillotson College. One of these higher institutions of learning is Tillotson College, located in Austin, Texas. Under the name of Tillotson Institute this school has furnished students from all parts of this immense State, with its half million of colored people, and from remote Mexico, not only an opportunity to acquire a thorough practical school education, but also a more extended course for such as could find a way, or make one to procure it. The last year at Tillotson was one of prosperity. At the close of the year but one student remained in the boarding department who had not professed Christ. There are few places in the empire of Texas where this institution has not become known through its pupils, or through teachers who have received education within its walls. Tillotson is far away from its Northern friends, but we hope it is not beyond the reach of many Christian prayers and much Christian sympathy.

In the year 1875 the Rev. George J. Tillotson, of Connecticut, visited various points of the South with a view to the establishment of a school. He was accompanied by a secretary of the Association. After a careful survey they selected Austin, Texas, as the most promising point. About twenty-five acres of partially wooded land just beyond the eastern boundary of the city of Austin were purchased for $5,000, the gift of Mr. Tillotson. In the following year a charter was obtained and the work of raising money for the building was entered upon. The funds were finally secured, and in 1879 the foundations were laid, and the building, 104 feet in length and 42 in depth, constructed of white pressed brick with dress stone trimmings, rose to its five stories in height. On the 17th of January, 1881, the school opened. Two of the five floors were then open spaces. Eleven pupils only were enrolled at the beginning, but the term closed in June with 107. During this year the building was completed and named "Allen Hall," in honor of one of the largest givers. At the opening of the fall term the beginning of the next year, the accommodations were taxed to the utmost. In August, 1882, the report reads, "Allen Hall is full to repletion, 100 in the boarding department. Work cannot unfold for need of more room. Young men and young women in the same building make an urgent appeal for a new building."

At no time since the beginning of the second year have there been adequate accommodations for all desiring to attend.

For ten years the institution under the name of "Tillotson Collegiate and Normal Institute" has furnished to students from all parts of the great State of Texas with its half million of colored people, and from other States, and from Mexico, not only an opportunity to acquire a thoroughly practical common-school education, but also a more extended course to prepare students for entrance to the highest educational institutions in the land; and a normal training course for teachers for all positions in the public schools. Within this period of time a church has been formed for the students of the institution and others, which has been regularly ministered to by the president of the institution.

In the year 1888 a building for carpentry and manual instruction was erected and a teacher was appointed for industrial training.

The picture following is that of Allen Hall as it looks down upon the valley of the river Colorado. In every direction the views are of great extent, and include many picturesque scenes. The State capitol—a mile distant—and the various public buildings of Austin, are before the eye. Since electricity has been introduced, Austin by night presents a brilliant outlook from the grounds of the institution, but the light which shines from these buildings on the hill sends its beams farther than those of the electric plant, and pierces a denser darkness than that of night.

The industrial buildings—viz., the shop for carpentry, another for blacksmithing, for repairing of vehicles, and for painting—are at a suitable distance in the rear on the "boys' side" of the grounds. Below them are located the barn, wagon house, hennery, etc.

On the crest of a second eminence, several hundred feet from "Allen Hall," is the attractive new building used as a dormitory for teachers and young women pupils. In this building are the culinary department also, and the dining room for each hall. There are forty dormitory rooms in this hall which will accommodate sixty pupils and their teachers. In addition to its dining-hall for all the pupils within the institution there are reading and sewing rooms, etc., which add to its completeness. There are not many school buildings anywhere with more diversified landscape and beautiful natural surroundings than those of Tillotson. Encompassed by oak trees large enough for shade and shelter, but not over-towering the prospect, free from the distracting noises and dust of the streets, and yet possessing all the advantages of a thrifty and beautiful city, the student at Tillotson will have at least one period in life that may not be commiserated

This new building has not yet been duly named, and if anyone of those who may read this sketch will give $1,000 to be used as an endowment fund, the interest to be applied year by year as long as the school stands, we shall be glad to name this new hall after the giver, unless the name should happen to be too un-euphonious. Would not this beautiful hall be a fine monument to bear the name of some considerate and generous giver?

Tillotson was chartered under the corporate name of "Institute." This charter has now expired, and since the institution has blossomed out with the possibilities of a college it is hoped that under the new charter it may bear the name of "College."

It has the following departments: Common English, Normal, College Preparatory, College, Vocal and Instrumental Music, and Industrial, and a department for trained nurses. The faculty of the institution has consisted of the president, the normal principal, the industrial teacher, and ten other teachers. The boarding department is conducted upon the model of a Christian household. The intention is by no means simply to furnish rooms and meals for those who are in attendance, but also to inculcate ideas of right living and thinking, which are indispensable to true manhood and womanhood

In the Common English department the purpose is to prepare the pupils thoroughly for the practical duties of life.

The College Preparatory gives a careful preparation in the way of language studies which will fit them to enter into the more generous course of study in which they may be fitted to be intelligent preachers and leaders of their race. The demand for college-educated men among the negroes is an intelligent one. This race cannot be elevated unless there can be raised a sufficient number of strong, earnest men, thoroughly trained intellectually, as well as morally; men who shall have a larger than a local vision, and who shall stand forth as representative leaders and teachers of those less fortunate than themselves.

The Normal department adds the study of subjects and methods, for those who are preparing to become teachers among their own people.

The Industrial includes not only manual instruction, but carpentry, blacksmithing and mechanical drawing for boys and young men, and also sewing and dressmaking for girls and young women.

For a young institution the record of Tillotson is excellent. There are few places in the great empire of Texas where it has not already become known through its pupils, or through teachers who have received their education within its walls.

Being under the care of a distinctively Christian organization it carries out the intention of its founders in providing religious instruction for all who attend. Its Sunday School, its Christian Endeavor Societies, its social worship, its church service, its mission work, all intensify the religious influence and religious life.

Tillotson is far away and needs friends who will give it help. It needs scholarships and professorships. It needs a library, chemical and philosophical apparatus, and a printing press. It needs gifts of bedding, tableware for the halls, and clothing for needy students. Friends, it needs your Christian sympathy and Christian prayers, that the great and blessed Teacher may dwell within its walls and in the hearts of the inmates.

by American Missionary Association, Congregational Home Missionary Society - 1895