cher. But not everybody
on this day was discussing "Abdallah" and "Hambletonian." Long before
the appointed hour, a stream of people began moving to a part of the
city where two pikes intersect, the point of attraction being a fine
three-story red brick structure known as the "Chandler Normal
Institute." This building occupies a commanding position on a hill which
overlooks the city. It was erected and furnished by the liberality of
one esteemed lady, Mrs. Phoebe Chandler, of Andover, Massachusetts, at
an outlay of some fifteen thousand dollars, and is given to the cause of
Christian education under the care of the American Missionary
Association. On this particular day, the building was formally
consecrated to its work with appropriate and impressive services. At two
o'clock in the afternoon the spacious chapel was filled to its utmost by
crowds of colored people, some of whom had come for miles in carriages,
to witness the event. The presence also of numerous whites, representing
the foremost professional and social circles of Lexington, was a
significant fact. These friends, by their close attention and frequent
signs of approval, as well as by their own eloquent contributions to the
programme, gave unmistakable evidence of earnest sympathy with the good
cause.

The exercises were opened with prayer and Scriptural reading, after
which the Principal, Mr. Frederick W. Foster, made an address of
welcome, marked for its practical force and fine discretion. The
visiting Secretary then, in an address of half an hour, gave his
understanding of the importance of Christian education as the solution
of National problems, both North and South, closing with a formal
God-speed to this institution as it started forth on its noble career.
To this address, Rev. Mr. Tate, of the African Methodist Episcopal
Church, made a scholarly, eloquent and touching response. He reviewed
the work of the Association for his people, eulogized the friend who had
made this special benefaction, and urged upon his hearers to make the
most, under God, of the high privileges thus brought to them from afar.

Informal addresses from both white and colored visitors followed. The
eloquent periods of Dr. L.P. Todd, dwelling fully upon the brotherhood
of man, the witty and practical remarks of Prof. John Schackleford, of
Kentucky State College, and the wise and cogent exhortations of Rev. W.
S. Fulton, D.D., cannot be reported; suffice it to say, that they ga