The bulletin of Atlanta University, 1909 no. 189

              Number 189                                      Atlanta, Georgia                                       March, 1909 The Lincoln Anniversary in the South In the South there was widespread and enthusiastic participation in the celebration of the hundredth anniversary of the birthday of Lincoln. Public men and press vied with each other in expressions of appreciation for the life and work of the Martyr-President. In one of the largest churches in Atlanta a mass meeting was held under the joint auspices of the Grand Army of the Republic and the Confederate Veterans. Every seat was occupied and many stood to hear the eulogy delivered by Rev. James W. Lee, D. D., a man of Southern birth and training. It is a good and hopeful sign when all men of this nation are united in the praise of such a man as Lincoln. May we not look upon it as prophetic of a time when all will unite in heart and hand to complete the great work which Lincoln so nobly inaugurated when he issued the Emancipation Proclamation. Every honest and worthy effort for the education of the Negro and for his encouragement in the development of manhood is but carrying on the work of emancipation. For more than forty years he has been free from the shackles of slavery. That was Lincoln's work. He has yet to be freed from the hindrances of prejudice, the limitations of ignorance, and the degradations of unwholesome and evil environment. That is our work. The Lincoln Anniversary at Atlanta University At Atlanta University the Friday night rhetorical exercises, Feb. 12, were arranged with special view to the anniversary. The essays and speeches of the pupils each dealt with some phase of Lincoln's life and work. The music was patriotic. Through the kindness of friends we had been able to take advantage of the generous offer of the New York Lincoln Educational League and purchase a bronze tablet containing the Gettysburg address. This memorable address was recited by one of the pupils and the beautiful tablet unveiled as a part of the evening's exercises. Edwin D. Mead in Atlanta Saturday, Feb. 13, we had the great pleasure of a visit from Mr. Edwin D. Mead of Boston. He gave a nota,ble address in our chapel, speaking first of Lincoln and then of "The Warfare against War." He showed how wonderfully the years since Lincoln's death have justified the esteem in which the great president was held by men of insight and inspiration who were his contemporaries. Our interest in the great cause of universal peace has been quickened by this visit from Mr. Mead who is so great a champion of this cause. The Week of Prayer The Week beginning Sunday, February 14, was observed at Atlanta University as a week of prayer. Rev. Wat-son Woodruff, of New Britain, Conn., preached the Sunday morning sermon, and during the week spoke at morning chapel exercises and every evening at the special meetings. The services were all well attended and the students were deeply moved. Friday afternoon the usual school curriculum gave place to special exercises. Many of the students remained for an after-meeting to express their determination to lead more consistent Christian lives. That evening a simple communion service was held in which all who desired to number themselves among the followers of Jesus Christ were invited to join. Thus simply and appropriately, the season of special prayer was brought to a close. We do not know how sufficiently to express our thanks to Mr. Woodruff for the earnestness and devotion with which he ministered to us during this week. We are grateful to the South Congregational Church in New Britain which spared him to us for this purpose. We shall always remember with gratitude the visit of Rev. Watson Woodruff to Atlanta University. Rev. Ozora Davis, D. D., the vice-president of the Board of Trustees of Atlanta University, has accepted a call to the presidency of the Chicago Theological Seminary. We heartily congratulate the Chicago Seminary and the people of that city. Dr. Davis has always been a most loyal and enthusiastic supporter of our work for the Negroes. May we not hope that his acceptance of the work in Chicago may win for us friends in that city? Atlanta University at the Tuskegee Conference Two graduates of Atlanta University, R. L. Smith ('80) of Paris, Texas, and Dr. S.P.Lloyd ('89) of Savannah, had conspicuous parts at the Tuskegee Negro Conference, Feb. 17 and 18. Mr. Smith was the chairman of the committee on resolutions at the session of the farmers' conference, the first day. Dr. Lloyd was the leading speaker at the session of the workers' conference, presenting many useful facts concerning health conditions, the death rate, etc., among the Negroes. Rev. J. W. Whittaker ('84) led the devotional service preceding the workers' conference. Mr. Whittaker is the chaplain of Tuskegee Institute. Prof. Myron W. Adams was the Atlanta University representative at the conference. The Fifth Free Kindergarten The Gate City Free Kindergarten Association has recently opened the fifth free kindergarten in Atlanta for Negro children. Miss Amy Chadwick, of the Leonard Street Orphans' Home, kindly provides room and equipment and the association pays the small salary of an Atlanta University graduate to teach the children. The room is crowded and the children are delighted. Thus this beautiful work maintained by the colored women in Atlanta for the little children of their own race grows in magnitude and influence. The Extension Movement Atlanta University has undertaken this year to bring to people of the city who cannot attend school some of the practical advantages of education. A series of lectures has been arranged in the colored Y. M. C. A. treating such subjects as Household Economics, Good Reading, Trade Unions, etc. By this means, and by means of traveling libraries we hope to reach each year an increasing number.