I believe to be one of the smartest women in America.  With the help of her children—­the father spends all he gets for whiskey—­she has built her house, supports her family, makes her own furniture, spins and weaves cloth from cotton she has raised, and has engaged this white lady to educate her and her children, she herself leading the class.  The children are all very quick to learn.  The home was tidy and well-kept.  The children were clean and neat.  I shall look to see something grand come from that family.”

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LETTER FROM A SCHOOL GIRL TO HER PASTOR IN ONE OF OUR INSTITUTIONS.

“I am a Christian and I think I enjoy it better than being a sinner, and always doing something on earth to please myself and not trying to please my Saviour who died for me, that through him I might be saved.  I am enjoying this week of prayer, and it seems to me we would have better Christians if we had more prayer.  I feel as if I need your prayers both night and morning.  It does seem so hard for me to overcome my trials and temptations which come to me so very often.  I hope you will join in earnest prayers to help me overcome my temptations.”

* * * * *

The Negro, having all this promise and potency in him, is to be our neighbor in these coming years.  Whether we like it or not, he is to be our fellow citizen, sharing with us the responsibilities and the blessings of the republic.  Before he was ripe for it he had the power of a sovereign thrust upon him, and no man but by crime can take from him the right and duty of joint rulership with us.  It must be admitted that, in the present condition of the average Southern Negro, he is not a satisfactory neighbor nor a safe ruler.  But that is not his fault; it is his misfortune.  His illiteracy is a National peril; his moral weakness is a danger to himself and to the society in which he lives.  But these are the results of the cruel and corrupting system in which we held him fast; the disabilities we have imposed upon him.  And they suggest to us certain helpful duties we owe to him; certain helpful ministries we are under obligation to render him in order to enable him to attain that large and splendid future toward which Providence seems to be pointing.

* * * * *

THE SOUTH.

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DEDICATION OF CHANDLER NORMAL INSTITUTE.

BY DISTRICT SECRETARY C.W.  HIATT.

The tenth of February was a great day in Lexington, Kentucky.  It marked two special events, the dedication of Chandler Normal Institute, and the opening of a great “Hoss sale.”  Anybody who knows the “Blue-grass region” will understand what the latter means.  The world flocks to Lexington on such occasions in quest of thoroughbreds, and the country rids itself in consequence, at fabulous prices,