such splendid singing as only these trained voices of
colored students can give. It was no easy matter to speak so as to be
heard by such a crowd in the open air, but every girl as well as boy
succeeded admirably, and all showed most careful training and drill. The
themes chosen were very practical and fitted to the occasion.

Tobacco got rough and fearless handling, and liquor-drinking was rebuked
in almost every conceivable way and rubbed in repeatedly. The old and
the modern ways of teaching were compared and illustrated; indeed, every
recitation was evidently selected with reference to its moral effect.

Certainly these huge commencement gatherings are themselves educators
for the fathers and mothers and kinsfolk of these young people, whom
they are proud to see doing so well. The words of all the songs were
thoroughly learned, so they will do service in many another gathering
wherever these students may be. It was the writer's privilege to give
the commencement address on "Making the best use of life as God's plan
for our highest good."

Thursday night we held a parting communion service with the
Congregational Church, which is mainly composed of students. The maps
shown me and many of their examination papers were exceptionally good.
Last winter mumps and measles successively swept through the school, and
at one time made the home almost a hospital, but the brave teachers went
through all, kept up recitations with the well ones, and nursed the sick
and brought them all safely through without the expense of a doctor. Now
all were well and evidently thriving on good food, though it is marvel
to me how good board can be afforded with tuition, and all expenses
covered for $4.50 per month, and yet work be furnished to most of them
for one-third of that, bringing the cash outlay to _ten cents a day!_
but they do it, and a happier household I have never seen than those who
gather at Lincoln Academy.

A white man with whom I was talking at the station said, "Those lady
teachers are doing a great work for this whole region."

So the leaven works.

* * * * *

ALLEN NORMAL SCHOOL, THOMASVILLE, GA.

By Miss Amelia Merriam.

The fact that with the graduation of the class of '96 our school would
complete its first decade, added interest to the occasion.

One member of the class has been in the school from its organization. In
the class history she gave quite a vivid description of t