pupils are making solid
advancement. The upward grading process will prevent the graduation of
any pupils from the normal department this year, but that is of slight
moment compared with the substantial gain of more thorough scholarship.

The industrial work of the school has this year been more thoroughly
systematized and made more efficient than before. There has been special
improvement in the girls' industrial work. Even the younger pupils enter
into the sewing and cooking classes with zest. The boys' industries
include blacksmithing, carpentry, tinning, wagon making, painting, steam
sawing, turning, scroll sawing, and farm-work in its various branches,
the care of stock, etc. It would be difficult to estimate the value that
this combined school and industrial work is destined to have on the
Negroes of this State of Mississippi. Not in legislative enactments, but
in the gradual process of education along this line, will the main
problems connected with the Negro race be solved.

The Biblical department of the school, recently established, designed to
train preachers, has as yet but one class, of three members. These are
making good progress, and they take turns in preaching at Clinton, at
the Mt. Hermon School, fourteen miles away. The training in this
department under the President, is especially directed towards knowledge
of the Bible and of human nature, earnest and practical preaching, and
the development in the preacher of sterling character. If preachers can
be sent forth who are well grounded in these things, much may be
expected of them. Says Dr. Haygood, "The hope of the black race lies
mainly in the pulpit."

The most interesting feature of the work of this year has been the very
deep religious interest which began soon after the Week of Prayer and
which has not passed away. Special services were conducted for several
weeks by President Woodworth, and the feeling was strong and earnest. It
has been a quiet work, but it is believed that it is deep. Between fifty
and sixty expressed a determination to live the Christian life. One of
the most helpful features in the Christian work of the school is the
Covenant for Christian Service, a pledge somewhat similar to the
Christian Endeavor pledge, though there is no organization. Over one
hundred have signed this covenant within the past year. The school is
growing rapidly; its outlook is most hopeful. It is already cramped for
room. Every recitation room has bee