American Missionary | Page 8

he congratulated the American Missionary Association upon the grand
work being done, he especially congratulated the citizens of Macon, all
of whom are reaping the benefits of this work.
Dr. Greene's message was one of counsel and instruction for his own
people. He dwelt upon the generosity of the donor of this beautiful
building with its furnishings, the improved facilities afforded for
teaching, and the great need of a higher appreciation of the benefits
thus brought within the reach of a larger number than ever before. He
deprecated the common attempt to solve the Negro problem by stirring
up discontent among the people, and making them dissatisfied with
present conditions, unless a remedy is recommended and placed within
their reach. He looked upon every Christian school in the South, every
man or woman who walks uprightly and deals honestly, as helping to
the only true solution of the Negro problem. He rejoiced in the raising
of the standard of fitness to teach, on the part of the County
Superintendent. His words had the ring of successful, manly effort in
them, and commanded the respectful attention of all his hearers.
After returning thanks to Mr. Ballard for his noble gift, which brought

the assembly together, to Messrs. Pettit and DeHaven for the fidelity
with which they have wrought, to Prof. Zettler for his counsel, and to
the Christian friends who have helped and encouraged the work by
their sympathy, Dr. Beard gave an address full of information,
concerning the work of the American Missionary Association, its aims,
encouragements, and results. He emphasized the importance of making
a right use of blessings, and spoke of the danger that attends all effort
to help others, that it may become a hindrance instead of a help,
according to the way in which it is received. He left a well-defined
impression that it is the aim of the organization which he represents so
to supplement the efforts of those who are trying to help themselves,
that true independent manhood and womanhood shall be developed. He
then introduced the subject of a change of name for Lewis Normal
Institute. He stated that it was with the hearty concurrence of Gen.
Lewis that he now announced that this school should be henceforth
known as BALLARD NORMAL SCHOOL.
When Dr. Beard closed, Mr. Furcron, President of the Macon Sunday
School Union, (Colored,) rose and made a motion in behalf of the
colored people of Macon, that a rising vote of thanks be tendered to Mr.
Ballard for this beautiful building and its convenient and tasteful
furnishings. Dr. Warren made a special request that the franchise be
extended so as to include the white friends present, that all might vote.
It was responded to by the whole assembly's rising. After the
benediction, the various rooms were visited and admired. The beauty
and convenience of the rooms, the fine pictures on the walls, the
beautiful desks and chairs for the teachers, the elegant Steinway piano,
the bell, and the handsome stoves, were all noted and heartily
commended.
The day passed off pleasantly with but one regret, viz; that Mr. Ballard
was not with us to share in our joy and to let us all see his happiness in
doing good to others.
* * * * *
TEN YEARS AT THE FRONT.

BY REV. STANLEY B. LATHROP.
The month of November, 1888, completed the cycle of ten years of my
active service in the work of the American Missionary Association.
They have been years of intense interest and great enjoyment. Ten
years of study, four in the army, and eight years of pastoral labor in
Wisconsin preceded; but of all these marked periods, none have been
more truly enjoyable and fruitful than these last ten years of preaching
the gospel to the poor. It has been my good fortune to visit at various
times most of the prominent points in the work of the Association in
the South, both in the colored and in the mountain white departments.
And so, from this decennial standpoint of experience and observation, I
want to put on record a few thoughts which have been simmering in my
mind.
1.--The vast importance and far-reaching influence of the work that has
been done. From all these schools and churches, scattered through this
Southland, there have come forth, year by year, hundreds of young
colored men and women, whose minds have been disciplined and
characters deeply impressed for a good life. Thousands have gone out
to teach and labor among their own people, with hearts aflame with true
missionary zeal. They have labored among innumerable trials and
discouragements, in leaky, rickety log-cabins, without desks, without
blackboards, maps, charts, or other educational necessities. They have
been eager and zealous workers for Sunday-schools, for temperance
and righteous living, even when oftentimes