steadily advancing. Many who
have never graduated have done excellent work as teachers in the
public schools of the state. "Tillotson" students are in demand and
are known and respected for their honesty and reliability. Of the
graduates, some are in responsible positions in this state, while
others are pursuing courses of study in higher institutions at the
North, or have already entered upon professional work. The great
work of such a school is in its "leveling up." Who shall measure
this? When a boy on retiring at night folds and carefully lays away
the sheets and pillow slips from his bed, to "keep them clean," or
when he thinks, on entering the dining-room, that he has "reached
heaven," evidently there is room for such work.

Teachers and students together strive to make Tillotson a place of
refined and Christian culture. The chapel bell calls all to morning
prayers, on school days, and to Sunday-school, church services and
Christian Endeavor, on Sundays. Each evening the family gathers
about the Word at its altar in the dining-room. Bible-study is a
part of the regular course through all the grades.

[Illustration: SEWING CLASS, TILLOTSON COLLEGE.]

Twenty years is a short time for estimating the harvest from such
sowing as this. The beginning was small. The annals are meagre. Here
have labored earnest and consecrated men and women from the best
institutions of the North. The citizens of Austin have always been
sympathetic and helpful. Several of the most prominent of them have
served on the board of trustees. Many of them have contributed
towards the equipment of the industrial departments of the school.

A small blacksmith shop on the place was a gift of the business men
of Austin. The colored patrons of the school, in all sections of the
state, have always been most cordial and enthusiastic in their
commendation and confidence. It is little wonder that, with the
passing of the years, the school has grown steadily in the
estimation and affection of all classes. In the early days, the hall
at commencement was occupied largely by white people. In these later
years the audiences are composed largely of intelligent and
appreciative colored people.

When one considers the scanty equipment of the school he can but be
surprised that it has accomplished so much.

[Illustration: CLASS GROUP, TILLOTSON COLLEGE.]

Endowment, aside from land and buildings, it has none. For income it
has always depended upon grants