‘9

ing their children in the village, that they may avail themselves
of our school. It is certainly very important these should re-
ceive good attention. One man came to make application for
the admission of four, saying Ais ‘eyes was dun shut up, and
his children’s eyes was dun shut up, but he wanted his children’s
eyes opened.’ I must say I never had children’s eyes ‘ opened’
sooner than theirs. They did not know the letter A when they
commenced, and in two weeks time they were spelling out of
book, and reading in the Primer! It does my heart good to
see them in such earnest, and appreciating what is being done
for them. In reference to our Christmas festival, if the good
people Worth knew how many hearts were made light by their
beautiful and useful presents, they would feel amply repaid.”

Isadore Brinkerhoff, at Herndon Station, Va., writes:

**T feel an increasing interest in the school, and every day I
ean see the rapid progress of the scholars in all their studies, and
this rapidity is wonderful. When I commenced teaching they
would not ask me any questions ; but now, when I am reading or
talking, if they do not understand all I read or say, they will
not let me proceed until I satisfy them with explanations. I
have encouraged them in this, and many of the questions which
they ask almost puzzle me.

From B. F. Grant, (col’d), Centreville, Va., Dec. 8, 1868.

“T acknowledge with gratitude the great assistance that we
receive of you, hoping that the God of heaven and earth may
bless the work that is committed to your charge. Will try and
inform you of the progress of my school from the 17th of Feb-
ruary, 1868, to the present time. I commenced school on that
day with 12 pupils, and but two children that were able to read,
and to-day, from 25 pupils there are some 20 of them able to
read some. I have one boy in school who when I commenced
school did not know his alphabet, and to-day he is reading in
the National Second Reader.

{ have one girl who when I commenced school last year
was spelling in Comly’s spelling book, and to dayshe is reading
in Willson’s Third Reader. All that we want is books of the
right kind. The colored people own the school house. We re-
ceived $150 from the Freedman’s Bureau to help build the school
house. |

From Jennie Speer, Manassas, Va., 12th mo. 10th, 1868:

‘Yours of the 5th duly received, and barrel accompanying it.
I wish I could express my gratitude and thanks, and that of the
children, but words seem insufficient ; it will indeed give us a
merry Christmas; there is an abundance for all, and I anticipate |