er the graduating exercises, the pupils assemble in
the school rooms in the mornings to hear the "promotion lists" read
and to have seats assigned them in the grades to which they have been
promoted; and the school year is ended, but not ended are the
influences and the prayers that have gone on with the fidelities of
the earnest teachers who day by day have put their lives into this
work.

* * * * *

CLOSING EXERCISES OF KNOX INSTITUTE, ATHENS, GA.

Only a few years ago, the colored people of Athens took very little
interest in the closing work of our schools; but there has been a
great educational awakening among the colored people since, and I
doubt whether in the whole State of Georgia a city can be found in
which the colored people manifest interest in the closing work of our
schools more than they do in Athens.

Commencement week at Knox began with the anniversary sermon, preached
at the Congregational Church, to the students, Sunday morning, May
22d.

Monday and Tuesday following were devoted to examinations, and the
inspection of our industrial exhibit in carpentry and sewing, which
was in many respects the best of this kind ever made by any school in
Athens. We have never had as many visitors at any one time as we have
had since our industrial shop has been opened for work, and while
visitors have manifested an interest in every department of the work,
their greatest interest has been in this department.

Many short addresses were made by our visitors at this time, with
words of cheer and encouragement; but all recognized the fact of _a
needed enlargement_ and _increased facilities_.

One patron, on emerging from the industrial shop, said to me, "The
half that you are doing has not been told."

A lady visitor, who is 81 years old and has 31 grandchildren, and who
made clothes for the soldiers of both the Mexican War and the Civil
War, told us how happy she was to be at Knox Institute that day. Among
other things, she said, "I seen so much cruelty and meanness on these
grounds (meaning the grounds on which the Knox Institute stands) in
dark slavery days, I's come now to see the great good you are doing
here for our children. It fills me with joy to see these young people
risin'." She assured us that she felt "more like shouting than
speaking."

Wednesday night, at the County Court House, our musical and literary
entertainment was held. The high appreciation of Knox In