unbroken, the same for the
coming year.

At the close of the term, the promotions were made in all grades by the
principal, and the pupils given the "forms" they are to occupy the
coming year. In truth, the formal "Commencement" for the year was made
at the close of this session. Every pupil knows exactly his grade and
place, and few will be absent at the opening, October first.

* * * * *

AVERY INSTITUTE, CHARLESTON, S.C.

Anniversary week of this Institute is always an occasion of the deepest
interest to the colored people of Charleston and vicinity; and those who
succeed in obtaining tickets of admission to Avery Hall consider
themselves most fortunate. This year proved no exception, and the demand
for tickets, and the enthusiasm of those in attendance, have never been
surpassed in the history of the school.

The exercises throughout the week were of a high order. The Sub-Normal
Exhibition and the Prize-Speaking Contest by the normal classes were
unanimously declared to be the best ever given in Avery. At the
commencement on Wednesday, every foot of space within sight or hearing
of the platform was filled by intelligent and appreciative listeners.
Eleven graduates--ten ladies and one gentleman--received the diploma of
the Institute and joined the hundreds who have preceded them in the
grand work of elevating their race.

* * * * *

THE NEW CHURCH AND SCHOOL AT ALCO, ALA.

BY REV. R.C. BEDFORD.

Brewton is the county seat of Escambia County, Alabama. It is on the
Louisville & Nashville Railroad, one hundred and six miles north of
Montgomery, and seventy-four north of Mobile. It has a population of
about two thousand five hundred, and is quite thrifty. Alco is a mile
and a half further south, on the same road, and is a nice little village
of five or six hundred people, that has grown up within the last three
years, and almost wholly out of the Peters Lumber Company. The property
of the Company consists of one of the largest and finest mills in the
South, with nearly 200,000 acres of yellow pine surrounding it. Some
three hundred colored men, most of them with families, are employed in
the various operations of the mills. Mr. Peters is engaged most of the
time in his large lumber and salt interests at Manistee, Mich., but
comes South two or three times a year to look after the business at
Alco. From the first, it was the purpose of the Company