The bulletin of Atlanta University, 1906 no. 160

              For statement of the work of Atlanta University see last page. Dedication at Chattanooga, Tenn, The American Missionary for January gives an account of this, with cut of the church and also of the pastor, Rev. J. E. Smith ('76). We give entire what is said concerning the dedication: It pleases us to call, attention to the formal dedication of the new First Congregational Church in Chattanooga, of which Rev. Joseph B. Smith is pastor. In a former magazine it was mentioned that Pastor Smith was born a slave, and that he had the novel experience of having been sold on the auction-block three times in one day, bringing an advance each time upon the previous price. This was prophetic of future advances. A graduate of Atlanta University, Mr. Smith has as a pastor made an excellent record in Chattanooga. When he took charge of his church in 1879 he found less than a score of members. The Year Book now gives 218. The tasteful church, the picture of which we give, was built mostly by Negro mechanics and laborers, and is all paid for. Organized by the American Missionary Association with fourteen members, it has been self-supporting about fourteen years. At the dedication no color lines were observed and white and black participated in the dedication exercises. The Chattanooga Times, in a comment, says that Pastor Smith "occupies to a high degree the confidence and esteem of both rates, his influence has been salutary and his congregation numbers on its rolls many of the most prosperous, conservative and educated Negroes of the city, and that he and his people should receive the cordial and approving commendation of all their fellow-citizens, White and black, for the good deeds they have done in the community." A large number of requests have come to our office within two or three weeks, asking us to recommend good teachers. In some instances we have been able to assist by suggesting candidates, but in most cases we have had to answer that we did not know of any suitable teacher who was not already at work. This certainly is evidence that we need the higher institutions for the training of teachers. And while the pecuniary reward of their services is not as large as might be wished, there is at least enough work for many more than those who now graduate at good institutions. The higher schools of learning are not doing too much ; rather their work is inadequate to meet the real needs of the people to whom they minister. Week of Prayer Beginning Tuesday, January second, a series of five evening meetings was held with a view to strengthening the spiritual life of the school. The following subjects were considered: The Inward Witness of the Spirit—Job 32:8. The Witness of the Word made Flesh— Jno. 1:14, "By their Fruits shall ye know them"— Matt, 7:20, Obstacles to Faith—Matt. 19:16-23. The More Excellent Way-l Cor. 13, The topic cards contained also these statements of determination, as good to begin the New Year on : I will be earnest. I will be sincere. I will be loyal to the truth. I will do the right as God gives me to see the right. Mr. Ware presided and the meetings were well attended by pupils and teachers. It seems likely that at the next communion there will be several to unite with the church of Christ in Atlanta University. The Richmond Conference of A. and M. Colleges and Other Institutions This association of agricultural and mechanical colleges and other institutions was founded by President R. R. Wright of the State College for Negro youth in Georgia, and of the class of '76 from Atlanta University. It has just completed the third year of its existence and has held meetings annually in Baltimore, Memphis, and Richmond, to which delegates have come from almost every one of the southern states, and also from Pennsylvania, Ohio, Missouri and Kansas. The last meeting, which had more delegates, and from more widely separated points, than the meeting of one year ago, and which attracted new members also, seemed to indicate that interest in the organization and in the Work it has undertaken is by no means waning. While I do not think it would be right for me to say that the association stands for one or more specific things which it hopes to accomplish, I feel perfectly safe in saying that its general aim is to promote educational interests in all parts of the country and to increase the effectiveness of all educational institutions doing work for the Negro race. What the purpose of the organization is, can best be judged by the discussions at the last meeting, at which the conference engaged itself with the consideration of courses of study, the most effective way of teaching agriculture and other sciences, the mission of various educational institutions and the special relations that such institutions should have with the community. The meetings after the opening session, which was held at Virginia Union University, were all held in the halls of the spacious building owned by the True Reformers—one of the oldest and richest Negro societies in the United States. There was nothing wanting in the hospitality of the Richmond people, but it was a source of regret to most of the delegates that ex-Senator Blair, who came from Washington to address the educators, should not have had a larger audience on that very stormy evening, particularly when the attendance at the social gathering in the next block was so large, the hall being filled with an audience of elegantly dressed men and women upon whom the Senator had the pleasure of looking. The crowd at the banquet and the small number at the address seemed to show that emphasis was put on the wrong place. The most pleasing impressions that I bring away from the conference are, first, of the earnestness of the delegates and, second, of the absence of hangers-on, the men who are always about looking for something for themselves. It was strictly a gathering of educators. President Wright, who has put a great deal of his own time and money into the effort, is to be congratulated upon bringing together so large a company of sympathetic workers who are too much in earnest to worry about rules of order while they consider ways of improving their work. G A. Towns. NUMBER  160                                     ATLANTA, GEORGIA                                 JANUARY, 1906