Page 9

9

Philena Heald, at Falls Church, Va., states— | :

“The anxiety to gain knowledge, manifested by many of the
pupils, is a constant incentive to renewed effort and increased
earnestness on my part. My interest has been especially
awakened in a young woman who has commenced coming to
school lately. She has no mother, keeps house for her father and
brothers, but comes to school whenever she can possibly leave.
She did not know her alphabet, but in less than a week she has
‘ learned to read in four letters, and is trying hard to learn how
to write and cypher. She is a fine, noble girl, and is very grate-
ful for the privilege of schools, never before having had an oppor-
tunity to attend. My heart goes out to her in tender sympa-
thy. Joseph Hornor and Charles Kirk have visited us most
acceptably since last I wrote to you. The former is visiting the
. colored people in a religious capacity, and his concern extends in
a special manner to South Carolina and Georgia. They had a
meeting in my school-room, and the advice given was truly ex-
cellent and very practical. I am sure the people must have been
benefitted thereby. To me this visit was a most welcome one, and
it seemed very homelike to have those with me who used the plain
language. ‘Their presence did me good, and the precious season
of silence, ere the words of encouragement were uttered, was to
me rich in blessings.” — |

Letters accompanying the school report for Twelfth month,,
show the progress of the pupils. They also contain acknowledg-
ments for the tokens of remembrance which have been sent by
benevolent individuals.

Mary A. Taylor, Mt. Pleasant, S. C., writes—

“The tax money for this month was paid promptly and willing-
ly,—only two little girls failing; and I have the promise of get-
ting it as soon as their father is paid for his cotton. Number of
pupils in this school 45, with an average attendance of 42.”

Cornelia Hancock, at the same place, says— ee

‘‘This is the season when the moving is done, and if we lose a
few scholars, it will be owing to this fact. Number of pupils in
this school 32, with an average attendance of 81.” |

_Tsabel Lenatr, also at Mt. Pleasant, is still satisfactorily filling

the place of Esther Hawks. Her school shows an astonishing
progress. It now numbers 72 pupils, with an average attend-
ance of 70! Last month she had 70 pupils, with twenty-seven
in the alphabet ; this month she has only 13 in this rudimentary
branch. |