. ' 'i*ICR;W »; • :'■■! '• •!»•- , ; n S M kftSKEj . (t . #< ?mpxi * « :■ ■ ■■ ■ A Forward Movement ADDRESSES HON. GROVER CLEVELAND, LL.D. Ex. President United St&tes and other Eminent Speakers WITHERSPOON HALL, PHILADELPHIA December II, 1902 : '-!V !>}}«{ i'l-lil THIRD ANNUAL CONFERENCE Berean Manual Training & Industrial School SOUTH COLLEGE AVE. OPP. GIRARD COLLEGE NOTE HIS booklet must be sold for fifty cents in order to cover the actual cost in getting it out. Anything given above fifty cents will go toward the running expense of the school. Should the receiver not care for the booklet please return same to 1926 South College Avenue. Matthew Anderson, Principal Serecm ittannal draining atiir Industrial 0c()oot ®l)£ Stf)irJ» Annual tfotiferente *fe Dcrembcr lltf), 1902 9t lUitljcrspoon §all, |)i)tla5elpl)ia NOTE In sending out this booklet it is with the sincere hope that it will be cheerfully received and read in the homes throughout this city and country, and that greater interest %>ill be awakened in the Berean SManual Training and Industrial School, resulting from being correctly informed concerning the rapidly increasing colored population in the North from the South, the need of manual and industrial training among them, and the character and scope of the 'Berean School, %>hich %>ere clearly and forcefully pre¬ sented by the eminent speakers on the evening of the eleventh of last December, at the third educational conference as published in the booklet. MATTHEW ANDERSON 1926 S. College c4 Jnlmstrial JBcljool Preface by Hon. William N. Ashman, Judge of the Orphans' Court, Philadelphia. The meeting at Witherspoon Hall on the evening Remarkable of December nth, in aid of the Berean Manual Train- meetin2 ing and Industrial School, was one of the most re¬ markable gatherings ever held in Philadelphia. In the audience, which filled the hall to the doors and overflowed into the corridors and even the street, were to be seen members of the learned professions, and representative men and women of wealth and social position, sitting beside members of the colored race. It was apparent that they were drawn thither not merely by the attraction of oratory, great as that was, but by the fact that they were to witness the inaugura- A movement inaugurated tion of a movement which promises the only just to solve the solution of the race problem. To that end all the problem speeches tended. A former President of the United States and a recog- Ex-Presi- nized leader in political councils gave the keynote in fandgave*" a speech of rare and genuine eloquence. His senti- the keynote ments were emphasized by the utterances of a merchant from this city and a merchant from New York, who are known throughout the Union; by the President fSereatt Panual ©raining ani> Snbustrtal School 18 The enter¬ prise no longer an experiment of the school, himself a colored clergyman, and by Booker T. Washington, who gave full play to his wit and pathos. We cannot say, after this demonstration, that the citizens of Philadelphia are indifferent to the crisis which is upon them. The colored man is here in numbers sufficient to found a large city, and he will be our friend and co-worker just as we secure to him the means of advancement in the callings from which he is now practically excluded. He must be trained, just as our sons are educated, and by just the methods which are employed in the Berean School. The enterprise is no longer an experiment, and it is a hopeful sign that the demand for its service has outgrown its capacity. It needs to be placed on a permanent footing, with buildings and appliances which shall fairly compare with public school structures. At almost any cost the institution will be a profitable in¬ vestment for the public; but careful estimates show that the actual sum which it will require will be a light tax upon the liberality of our citizens. 19 hereon planuol ©raining otib $ntiustrtal ^djool Introductory Address by Mr. Isaac H. Clothier, Temporary Chairman. The Berean Manual Training and Industrial School, An auspi¬ cious career m whose interest we are here, would seem to enter for the ,, • , . . Berean this evening upon a new and auspicious career. School This brilliant audience has gathered not alone from mi\ Cleve= interest in the objects of the meeting, or to listen to ,and 8 J generous the eminent speakers announced, but also largely out aid °* the Berean of respect to the distinguished gentleman who has School generously consented to preside, and thus signally aid the struggling school and the beneficent cause of the industrial development of the colored race. I do not venture in this presence to attempt to ^ gracious measure the significance of this gracious recognition of of the the school and the cause it represents. My part and Berean School privilege is to announce, as Chairman of the meeting, the Hon. Grover Cleveland. iPereait Ponual Sratning ottii Jntmstrial Scljool 20 A special privilege America confronted with great problems Success leads to national vanity Address by Hon. Grover Cleveland, LL. D., D. C. L.f Ex-President United States. Ladies and Gentlemen: I deem it a special privilege to participate in these exercises. We are called together in furtherance of purposes which are not only of the utmost beneficence, but which, for every reason, are deserving of serious and prompt consideration. It has occurred to me that ever since we have be¬ come a Nation, the American people have almost con¬ stantly been confronted with large problems, more or less perplexing, and directly affecting the political, industrial, and social phases of our national welfare. This experience, in so far as it has accustomed us to difficulties, has made us a strong and strenuous people. I think it must be admitted, however, that our suc¬ cess in overcoming these difficulties has engrafted upon the American character such confidence in our ability to extricate ourselves from embarrassments, as amounts to actual national vanity. We seem to have a contented notion that, whatever dangers press upon us, and whatever obstacles are to be surmounted, 21 Perean Hlanual (training nnb Snbusltial Scljool we "are able because we seem to be able," and that, because we have thus far escaped threatening perils, a happy-go-lucky reliance on continued good fortune will avail us to the end of the chapter. I plead guilty as chief among sinners in the vanity of my Americanship. I have a suspicion, however, that our serene self-confidence has sometimes not only made us very brave and daring, but has stood in the way of an early and provident treatment of national prob¬ lems, which, having been allowed to grow and harden, have invited increased pain and difficulty in their rectification. I am therefore impressed with the im¬ portance of this occasion, because it has to do with certain conditions which, I believe, in their present stage, should be dealt with speedily and effectively. It is absolutely certain that everywhere in this broad The duty of the nation land good people should be keenly alive to their duty towards the Negro and interest as related to the colored men, women, youth, and children, who constitute a factor, large or small, in the population of every community. They have been for more than thirty years entitled to all the rights, privileges, and immunities of Citizens of the United States. They were drawn into our citizenship from a condi- thrus^upon tion of ignorance and mental backwardness, without the Negro Percon Paniml Staining anb Bnbustrial School 22 Should im¬ provement be denied the Negro? the least preparation for the duties and responsibilities of their new relationship to our country's weal; and they number more than eight millions, scattered throughout every State and Territory. With the gift of freedom and citizenship, they lost the humble de¬ pendence and the care and restraint of servitude, and were suddenly called to labor and strive on their own account for their daily bread, to obey laws adjusted to those accustomed to the most advanced civilization, and, by the use of a free suffrage, to intelligently and honestly discharge the most delicate and important duty of citizenship. These considerations suggest the question whether it is in accordance with just and kind Christian senti¬ ment for us to treat these, our fellow-citizens, as inter¬ lopers and trespassers upon the domain of equal Con¬ stitutional rights, entitled to no regard or care for their amelioration; and with this the further question is presented—whether it is well for us, solely as a matter' of enlightened self-interest, to close the door of im¬ provement against these numerous members of our population, and thus permit their ignorance of civic obli¬ gations, their cramped opportunities to live honestly by the work of their hands, and their resentful sense of cur¬ tailed advantages, to menace our body politic. 23 hereon Ptanual ©raining aab Jntmairial Sdjool It is foolish for us to blind our eyes to the fact f10'® sh°uW be done for that more should be done to improve the condition the Negro of our negro population; and it should be entirely plain to all of us that the sooner this is undertaken, the sooner will a serious duty be discharged, and the more surely will we guard ourselves against further trouble and danger. It must be admitted that this situation has been The Negro at a dis= entirely neglected. Our colored people have been sup- advantage plied with a measure of public school privileges—even though in this they have been at a disadvantage as compared with their white neighbors. Private benevo¬ lence has done something in the same direction. We will not fail to estimate at its true value what has thus been accomplished—though the leaven is small in comparison with the lump to be leavened; nor will we fail to appreciate the importance of continued and increasing effort in extending to this class of our citizens opportunities for ordinary school education. We cannot forget, however, that we have to deal The Negro's condition with those whose deficiencies do not result entirely peculiar and from their lack of education as that term is commonly excePt,onal used. The circumstances of their case are peculiar and exceptional. Generations of dependence and of enforced monotonous daily toil, without wages or other fJerean Paitual ©raining anb Snbustrial School 24 incentive to willing labor, and without the chance of instructive or constructive work, tainted in days past the very blood of their ancestors; and from them the present generation has inherited, not only unfitness for such diversified work as best suits the needs of self- respecting American citizenship, but also a listless dis¬ inclination to attempt such work. As a result of these conditions, we find that there is a lamentable limitation of the kind of work open to our colored population, while we are quite frequently reminded of the un¬ welcome and homely fact that "Satan finds some mischief still For idle hands to do." The Negro Unquestionably all this should be corrected—and not merely to hew wood corrected speedily. But how? No one who has given and draw water the subject deliberate thought can doubt that, if we are to be just and fair towards our colored fellow- citizens, and if they are to be more completely made self-respecting, useful, and safe members of our body politic, they must be taught to do something more than hew wood and draw water. The way must be opened for them to engage in something better than menial service; and their interests must be aroused to the rewards of intelligent occupation and careful thrift. 25 IJerean Panual ©raining anb Sitbustrtal Sdjool I believe that the exigency can only be adequately Theexi- met through the instrumentality of well-equipped *y manual manual training and industrial schools, conducted either independently or in connection with ordinary schools educational institutions. I place so much reliance on this agency for the problem of negro citizenship, that I am inclined to estimate it above all others in use¬ fulness. I am convinced that good citizenship, an orderly, contented life, and a proper conception of civic virtue and obligation, is almost certain to grow out of a fair chance to earn an honest and hopeful livelihood, a just apportionment of the opportunities to get on in the world, and a satisfied sense of secure protection and considerate treatment. Let me refer here to the astonishing manner in which The Negro our colored people have availed themselves of every has availed himself of opportunity which has been extended to them to im- every oppor= tunlty to prove their condition. Whether in ordinary school or improve his in manual training schools, the progress they have condltion made has demonstated how well they appreciate ad¬ vantages, and how profitably efforts for their better¬ ment can be taken. While those things have been abundantly in evidence, there has, however, been also brought to light the less gratifying fact that vast amount of good remains undone because of the lack ISerean plattual ©raining anb jlnimstrial School 26 The object of the meeting The Berean School has demon¬ strated its power lor good The duty of Philadel= phia to the Berean School of manual training schools and their need of necessary equipment. The objects of our assemblage to-night are to learn the details of the work done by a manual training and industrial school located here in the city of Phila¬ delphia, and to extend to it our aid and encouragement. In this municipality, where every good work finds fertile soil, the thoughtful members of a community distinguished for benevolent enterprise are asking themselves whether they have done all they ought to do by way of improving in the manner I have indi¬ cated the citizenship of nearly or quite seventy thousand Negroes within their city's limits. Though still young, The Berean Manual Training and Industrial School has abundantly justified its ex¬ istence and demonstrated its power for good. Under the guidance of its Principal, who, with noble and Christian disinterestedness has devoted himself to the establishment and maintenance of the School, it has passed so far beyond an experimental stage that its usefulness is seriously cramped by a lack of means and the want of necessary accommodations. Surely, if the liberal citizens of Philadelphia are once satisfied that their duty to their less fortunate colored neighbors, and their obligations to protect the char- 27 $erean Planual ©raining anb Snbustrial Scljool acter and civic welfare of their fair city, demand the increased success of this institution, it should not be difficult to induce them to extend to it a helping hand. Whatever other localities may do or may fail to do with their shares in the problem of negro citizenship, we cannot anticipate that its neglect will be chargeable against the people of this philanthropic and patriotic city. Percon Pattual draining aitb Snbushrial Scljool 28 Mr. Ander= son's good work for the Berean School The progress of the Berean School The Berean School should be made a con* spicuous success Address fcy Col. Alexander K. McClure, late editor of the Philadelphia Times. Colonel McClure spoke in substance as follows: Mr. Chairman, Ladies, and Gentlemen: I am glad to have this opportunity before so large and intelligent an audience to testify to the good work that has been done by the Rev. Matthew Anderson in the organization and direction of the manual training school in this city. I have been in an humble way associated with him since the school was first organized and have had every opportunity to note its progress and appreciate its achievement. It was started under discouraging auspices for want of ample means, and only the confi¬ dence felt in Mr. Anderson, and his own untiring energy in struggling to maintain it, has finally brought it to a safe foundation, and one of the important educational institutions of Philadelphia. Considering the large colored population that we have in our city, and the very limited opportunities the members of that race have to advance themselves in industrial pursuits, I have very keenly appreciated 29 pcreon IHanual ©raining ant) Snbuotnal Scljool the importance of making Mr. Anderson's school a conspicuous success and greatly enlarging its sphere of usefulness. I can give the assurance to the public that the school is in thoroughly competent and honest hands, and that every dollar contributed to its sup¬ port will bring the very best possible results in pro¬ moting the interests of the colored race. With very limited resources, and chiefly, indeed, almost wholly, by the unflagging efforts of Mr. Anderson, his school has made steady progress until now it is so well established in all its different departments that it can be safely commended to the confidence and favor of good and liberal-minded citizens. Philadelphia should come promptly and generously to its support, and speedily make it capable of increasing its usefulness tenfold, and then steadily increase it from year to year. Under our laws there are precisely equal civil rights to all classes and conditions of mankind, and before the law the white man and the black man stand on equal footing. This is as it should be, and must be if we are to maintain a free government, but it is only the truth to say that these laws are only partially executed in their letter and not at all in their spirit. We say to the black man, "Your chance in the struggle of life is equal with the white man; you are his equal Assurance that the Berean School is in competent and honest hands Philadelphia should generously support the Berean School While all men are legally equal before the law, the law is violated both in letter and spirit in re¬ gard to the black man hereon ptanual ©earning anb Snb us trial School 30 before the law; his equal in all civil rights," but we practically close the avenue of industry against him by which he would have opportunity to make himself a useful citizen. We complain that he is thriftless, and yet deny him the right to fit himself to compete with the white race in the great struggle for bread and raiment. It is done by unwritten laws which disre¬ gard and practically repudiate the written laws of the nation. The trades unions are closed against him, and that-deprives him of the vast field that is open to all his white fellow-citizens to earn a livelihood. Race preju= The prejudice of race, unreasonable as it is, is nearly ths^North or Qu^te as strong in the North as it is in the South, and the black man is offered little opportunity to fit himself for earning a livelihood. This condition that none can dispute certainly calls for the good citizens of Philadelphia, and of the North generally, to come to the front and give to the black man something approaching equal opportunities to make himself a useful and progressive citizen. The idler can never be useful to himself, to his home, to society, or to the public, and when idleness is enforced by a public sentiment that is overwhelming, how can we complain of the black man because he does not make industrial advancement? He must have opportunity to learn 3i hereon Panual ©raining onb Sntmstrifll Sfljool how to best employ his faculties, and that can be done only by training him in manual schools which will fit him not only to cope with his white fellow-citizens in the battle of life, but to advance, inspire, and elevate his colored brethren alike by his precept and his example. There have been many suggestions made as to the The true , . ... , ,, , , . solution o solution of what is commonly called the race issue. race The colored man is in the North, especially in our harmony cities, and he is here to stay. We cannot banish him, and our first duty to him is to give him every oppor¬ tunity for usefulness. He is in the South and the chief laborer of the South, but there the race issue, by reason of political friction, has become greatly intensified and hindered the education and elevation of the Negro. He is, to-day, as much needed in the South as is the white man. He is, and ever must be, the chief source of labor in the Cotton States, and there is but one way to harmonize the races and make them mutually happy and prosperous, and that one way is to give the Negro opportunity for education with an environ¬ ment that will inspire him to make the best efforts for himself and his race; and when both races in the South shall fairly understand the issue it will be solved in that way. Neither can be prosperous or Bereatt Ulaitual draining anil Snbustrtal ^cljool 32 happy with perpetual race conflict, and neither can separate from the other. With such conditions the An earnest education of the Negro, North and South, becomes an the Berean imPerious duty, and I earnestly appeal to this intelli- School gent audience to appreciate this important duty, and to give prompt and generous support for the enlarge¬ ment of the Berean Training School. IHoaiU^u) Iah^UH^ 33 flerean fHamial ©raining anti Sntiustrial School Address by Rev. Matthew Anderson, A. M.t Founder and Principal of the Berean School. Me. President, Ladies, and Gentlemen: Before giving the report of the Berean Manual Manuaj Training and Industrial School, permit me to state trainln£ needed for briefly why I am in favor of manual training for the the Negro Negro. First, let me say, I do not believe in manual training for the Negro because I think him so different from other men that this is the only kind of training to which he is adapted; but, it is because I believe him to be like other men, especially white men, in his physical and mental composition, that in order to become a civil force he must be trained industrially as well as mentally and morally. The fact is, no people became strong financially which neglected the industrial train¬ ing of its youth. Prior to the year 1862, there were not more than growtj, six schools in the whole country where manual and 0< n,anual training industrial instruction could be obtained, and they were »chools intended only for the most favored classes. Now, there is hardly a State in the Union which has not its industrial schools. hereon fflattual ©raining and Snbnstrial Scljool 34 Technical Several States have technical schools, where the most schools are not for the liberal instruction is given along all the lines of in- Negro dustrialism, from civil and mechanical engineering to the onerous duties of everyday life; but these schools, practically speaking, have been established for white youth only; especially is this true in the South, where in the South ^wo races are educated separately. There, except training schools are the few schools set apart for the manual training of closed against the negro youth, the doors are closed against them; and, in Negr0 the North, though the negro youth are not excluded from the manual training schools, yet, on account of the impractical character of the instruction, so far as In the North peculiar wants of the Negro are concerned, he is the technic cal school virtually excluded. For the Negro, in his present instruction does not status, needs not so much a technical training, in the wants of the cornmon"y accepted sense of the term, as training in Negro the ordinary trades, which he can put immediately into The Negro use in the ordinary walks of everyday life. Now this needs train= . . inginthe "e cannot get in these schools; first, because of their trades peculiarly high technical character; and, secondly, be- No training cause of his poverty, he is not able, generally speaking, in the trades . , . . . for the *° Pay f°r "1S education in schools of this class. For Negro in the ^ggg reasons, therefore, there is nothing like a respect- technical schools able number of negro youth attending manual training schools, even in the North, where there are no re- 35 hereon Pattual draining anb Sntiustrial School strictions, the doors being open to all. And even such schools as are free, belonging to the system of public instruction, as in Philadelphia, they are rated as schools of higher grade, admission being granted by certificate from the grammar schools, which few of the negro youth reach. What is needed, then, is the establishing of manual training schools for the educa- tin of negro youth all over the North in congested centers, which will be adapted to their peculiar wants and needs. The United States has long since seen that, if she would ever hope to cope with Europe in material wealth, she must give her youth manual instruction, to which Germany has been giving the closest atten¬ tion for over a century. It was in 1862 that the first real onward movement in this direction was made; and since then scores of schools for manual and in¬ dustrial training have been established, so that, there is not a State which has not its manual training or technical schools; and, as a result, the material wealth of the United States has been amazingly increased. Now, if the colored people would keep pace with this mad, onward rush after material wealth, their youth should be as carefully taught in the different trades and in the technique of the various lines of indus- The need of manual instruction in the United States Manual training specially needed by the Negro Hereon Panual ©raining anb $nt> us trial Srljool 36 The time of sympathy for the Negro is past Skilled workmen will be demanded whether white or black trialism. The time has passed for sympathy for the colored people because of their previous or present condition, especially in the North. Another king has arisen who knows not Joseph; and, if the Negro will not stand upon his feet and meet the demand of the times, he must fall, when his destruction must be inevitable. The time is coming, if it has not already come, when the American people will not ask whether the work¬ man is white or black, but whether he has the qualifi¬ cations and the skill to do the work required as well, if not better than any other man. The time is fast coming, friends, when he who is master of his trade or profession will be in demand, no matter what may have been his previous condition, or whether he is white or black; and; too, the time is coming when sentimentalism in regard to the Negro will have lost its force. Men will not take pity upon him because he or his father or grandfather had been a slave, or because of his poverty, the result of his misfortune, or his ignorance; even though his ignorance was the result of the white man's prejudice and proscriptive laws; neither will a mendicant attitude serve him, especially in the North, and it will soon have lost its force in the South. The time is coming, and that 3 7 per can planual ©ratning attb Jkbustrial School rapidly, when the thing which the American people His work's value will will inquire about every employee will be the measure measure the of his marketable value. It will be, What value will ^pl?.yCe' ' whether he be to his employer? If his value will be cheap, if whiteor black he will be unable to bring his employer a return which would measure up to the standard, he will not be in demand as an employee; and he will have but little, if any, employment, no matter how needy or impor¬ tunate he may be. The time is passing rapidly when the old Negro, Skilled labor with his bucket, brush, and lime, will be seen upon the thepiaceof streets, or beating carpets upon the lot, or filling the neighborhood with his plaintive strains, as he sits, occupations covered with soot, upon the chimney. The time is passing when the old Negro washer¬ woman will have a monopoly in her line. These have each had their day; a more dignified and scientific form of labor has taken their place; therefore, unless the young Negro reads the handwriting aright, and prepares himself to meet the demands of the time, he The will be shoved aside. Hence, the need of manual demands for the manual training and industrial schools, not only in the South, training of . _ . . the Negro but also in the North. In fact, the demands for greater in the North than in North are even greater than they are in the South, South manual training among the colored people in the than in the fUmon Ponufll ©raining anb $nbustrial School 38 Nothing Is of greater help to the colored people than training schools for them Higher education a mighty power in preparing leaders for the Negro race notwithstanding the masses of the people are there, because of the peculiarly embarrassing obstacles in the way. Now, there is nothing which the good people of the North could do which would be of greater assistance to the colored people than the establishing of manual training and industrial schools, the object of which would be the training of the head, the hand, and the heart; in fact, the whole man, and thus get him to see and feel and act his part nobly and well in life's battle. . These are some of the reasons, ladies and gentlemen, why I favor the establishing of manual training schools among the colored people of this country; not that I am opposed to schools for the higher education of the Negro—not at all; nor do I think that the philan¬ thropists made a mistake who gave freely of their bounty towards the establishing of such schools as Atlanta, Fisk, Clark, Biddle, and Lincoln; these schools have been, and are, a mighty power in the uplift of the Negro in preparing leaders for the race. It is very certain that the Negro would not have been as far advanced educationally, and, I doubt, financially, if it had not been for these schools. The fact is, the same course was taken by the friends of the Negro 39 pereon planual ©raining ant) Sntiustrial Scjjool towards his education that was taken by the Pilgrim Fathers in providing for the education of their youth in their adopted country. They came, for example, bearing in their hands charters, not for the establish¬ ment of manual training schools, but schools such as Harvard, Yale, and Princeton; they would prepare needetno!-80 leaders first, and manual-trained men afterwards, pre-the manuaI„ traming of cisely the same course which has been taken in regardthe Negro to the education of the Negro. It was because of this For the view of his education that has led me for the last manual twenty years to do what I could to assist him along the'Negro' manual training and industrial lines. Hence, thethe Berean School was establishing of the Berean Manual Training and In-founded dustrial School. The Berean Manual Training and Industrial School One of the is one of several institutions which have grown out institutions which have of the Berean Presbyterian Church, though it is notgrown out denominational or in any way connected with theg^^an church. These institutions are: First, the Berean Kin- I dergarten, which was opened in the fall of 1884, andxhe Berean for ten years carried on by private contributions, which has since been taken under the care of the Board of Public Instruction of the City of Philadelphia. This school is regarded as one of the best of its kind among the poor in the city of Philadelphia. Pereati ptanual draining anb Snbustrial School 40 II Second, The Berean Building and Loan Asosciation, BufkHn™and which was founded February 12th, 1888. The primary Loan object of this association, like all other building and Association loan associations, is the securing of homes for its stockholders, and the encouragement of economy. This association, since its founding, has been instru¬ mental in enabling over one hundred colored families to secure homes of their own. Its average monthly re¬ ceipts are now $2,500, and the assets $100,000. Nothing which has been undertaken among the colored people of Philadelphia has done more to encourage economy and thrift among them than this association. Third, The Berean Seaside Home. This beautiful seaside resort is a gift to the Berean Presbyterian Church by Mrs. Margaret M. Barber, of Philadelphia. The home is situated at Point Pleasant on the Phila¬ delphia & Long Branch Railroad, ten miles southwest from Asbury Park. It commands a most inviting position, only a square from the sea. The object of the home is to furnish an inviting place by the sea for respectable and refined people, especially ministers and teachers, where they can secure board at a reason¬ able rate, and be surounded with all the comforts and refinements of a well-regulated Christian home. Once a week a Chautauqua is held in the parlors, when a III The Berean Seaside Home 41 Pereati Plattual draining atib Snimstrial School paper is read and discussed on some issue. The home is open from June 15th to September 15th, and can accommodate forty guests at one time. Fourth, The Berean Bureau of Mutual Help. This ,v The Berean institution has for its object the securing of situations Bureau of , , T Mutual Help for reliable servants. Its purpose is to give young men and women engaged as house servants practical lectures on domestic economy at least once a month, and the use of the church parlors, reading room, and kitchen on their afternoons off, where they can pleas¬ antly and profitably spend their time away from the temptations and snares to which many are subjected who leave their houses in the country and the South for better wages obtained in a great city. This de¬ partment, though recently organized, is doing a most excellent work in this line. Fifth, The Berean Manual Training and Industrial V The Berean School. This school was founded November 6th, Manual 1899, in Witherspoon Hall, and opened its doors Feb- ruary 1st, 1900, with an enrollment of thirty-five trial Sch°o1 pupils and six teachers, and the folowing departments: Carpentry, Mechanical Drawing, Plain Sewing, Cook¬ ing, and Waiting, and English, embracing the primary branches. There is now an enrollment of over three 0ver hundred, and the following additional branches taught: 300 8tudents r.rrran Panual draining atti> Jnbustrial Sdjool 42 Fourteen teachers Sessions and location The great need of a building Finances of Berean School Tuition Millinery, Upholstery, Dressmaking, Applied Elec¬ tricity, Stenography and Typewriting, and Bookkeep- There are over sixty young women in the Sewing and Dressmaking classes alone, all of whom are under capable instructors who received their training at the Drexel Institute, which is one of the best endowed, equipped, and managed institutions of industrial work in the United States. All the teachers, some fourteen in number, are paid regular stipulated salaries, from $1 and carfare to $2.50 a night. The school meets at present at night in the side rooms and basement of the Berean Presbyterian Church, on South College Avenue, opposite Girard College, which answered very well when the school was first started, but there is great need now of a larger and better equipped building, as we are disagreeably crowded, and to do effective work a building is now imperative. The estimated cost of such a building is $35,ooo. The tuition in each department is $3 a term of three months, there being three terms in the year, fall, winter, and spring, comencing the 1st of October and closing the middle of June. The school has no fund, having 43 Hereon III a mini graining ant> Jnbustrial School to rely wholly on voluntary contributions, which are Voluntary Contri= raised principally by the Principal. All funds raised buttons are received by our efficient Treasurer, George Peirce, Treasurer °* Berean Esq., 623 Walnut Street, Philadelphia. School hereon Panual ©rattling anb Snbnstrial ^cljool 44 The next speaker, Mr. Robert C. Ogden, spoke in substance as follows: Mr. President, Ladies, and Gentlemen: After hearing: the able addresses of the President of the evening and Colonel McClure, and also the interesting report of the work of the Berean Manual Training and Industrial School, as given by its Prin¬ cipal, the Rev. Matthew Anderson, I feel that the duty of making the appeal on behalf of the excellent work of this school is a superfluous task. The state¬ ment that has just been presented carries with it to every thoughtful mind a profound and earnest appeal that should require no words of enforcement from myself to make it powerful in producing the desired assistance which this school asks of this community. The hope of There is, however, a phase of the subject which we this country are now considering in which I am particularly in¬ terested, and to which, with your permission, I will direct my remarks during a few of the minutes allotted to me. The hope of this country depends upon the free and general distribution of educational advantages among all classes, rich and poor, black and white alike. In the South, where the largest per cent, of 45 perean Ptanual ©raining ant) Snbustrial Sdjool illiteracy exists, special attention should be given this subject, for there will be no amicable adjustment be¬ tween the whites and blacks of the South until there is an intelligent awakening of the two peoples. It is undoubtedly true that most of the racial trouble exist¬ ing in the South to-day is largely the result of ignor¬ ance. Let free schools for each race be planted and sustained in that Southland as liberally as they are sustained in the North, and it will not be a decade before the same amicable relations will exist as we so greatly enjoy here in the North. When men are led to see their God-given mission Every man has a in the world, and that their missions are not antago- God-given nistic nor detrimental to each other, but, rather, com- n,lM,on plementary, all intended to work together harmoniously in carrying out the munificent purposes for the saving of society of the one great common Lord and Father of us all—when this time comes, all rancor, envy, and hatred will disappear, and all will look upon each other as brethren. Ladies and gentlemen, the agency that will bring A free distri¬ bution of about this halcyon time throughout our entire country knowledge —the time when all races and classes will live together neces,ary amicably—will be a free dissemination of knowledge, by which the principles of our institutions will be correctly hereon Pattual draining anti Jnbustml Scljool 46 taught and clearly understood in our public schools, and the spirit of Christianity faithfully proclaimed, as the only basis for the golden age of a democracy founded upon the law of service. a determination to succeed. It was only to-day I was told of a colored young man who, a few years ago, in the city of New York, engaged himself with a leading concern as an ordinary porter. So proficient did this young man make himself in typewriting and stenography that he became the general correspondent of the entire business; so reliable and trustworthy in everything that he undertook, that he has been made a director of the corporation in which he is employed. I have no doubt that, when this young man entered upon his work as a store porter, he had no thought that in the course of a few years he would be promoted to so elevated a position. Now, what this young man has achieved is possible for hundreds of col¬ ored young men and women if they would do thor¬ oughly and well their work in their several depart¬ ments of life. Let the work ^nd should I say anything in behalf of the Berean be thorough gch00i jn addition to what has already been said, it No power can keep an earnest man down There is nothing in this country which can keep any man down if he has the native qualifications and 4 7 Sereatt fUanual draining anb Musirtal ^cljool would be that special pains be taken in every depart¬ ment to impress upon the young people to make them¬ selves proficient in their trades or in whatever they are preparing for as their life work, so that they will be of the greatest use possible, not only to themselves, but to their fellow-men. The consideration of the claims of the Berean School makes it quite fitting that this audience should be reminded of certain facts pertaining to the building trades in the city of Philadelphia in past years. In the decade between 1830 and 1840 the masonry, brick¬ laying, carpentering, painting, and plastering were practically in the hands of colored laborers and me¬ chanics, and, although the population of the city has doubled several times during the intervening period, it is a sad fact that to-day the total number of colored mechanics in these several trades is positively far less than in the period of sixty years ago, and comparatively nothing to the great number of mechanics employed in the aggregated building trades. Colored mechanics can now only find work upon small or irregular jobs, and have practically no recognition in the labor organi¬ zations that are now in control. This is a sad fact for any good citizen to contemplate. The causes are too deep and too numerous for discussion here and The trades in the hands of the Philadelphia Negro to¬ day com¬ pared with 1830 and 1840 Colored mechanics can now find work only on irregular jobs hereon Ponual draining attb Snbustrtal Scljool 48 The North unable to appreciate the condi¬ tions in the South now, but the fact may lead to profitable thought. Certainly an industrial education that will make a man an intelligent, self-supporting, valuable citizen will have much to do in the restoration of the honest colored mechanic to the honorable position which he formerly held in this community. In comparing somewhat the educational conditions of the two great sections of our land, it is proper to note that the people in the North with their many advantages are hardly prepared to appreciate the priva¬ tions and struggles which the poor of the South among both races are undergoing in order to obtain an education. In a talk with Dr. Edward Everett Hale a few days since, he told of a visit to a negro school in the backwoods of North Carolina. He described a building composed of poles, chinked and daubed, twelve by twenty, windowless, floorless, simply a door, without furniture, logs for seats, and the total school equipment one book and a blackboard. The teacher was about as limited in his education as the school was in books; but all of the seats were filled with earnest youngsters anxious for an education. Think you, my friends, that a people, be they white or black, which exhibit such zeal for an education can be kept down? And this may be seen throughout the South 49 l?man Ittaitual ©raining onb Snbustrial School among both white and black, and does not the pathos of the situation appeal deeply? And more let me say, there are white men in the South whose hearts are inspired by intelligent patriot¬ ism—educated men belonging to some of the best families in the South, who are employing all their influence to improve the educational condition of both the whites and blacks. I have never found better men, men of higher, purer, loftier views anywhere than among some of the broad-minded, big-hearted men of the South. What is needed is that the good people of the North join hands with the good people of the South and work together for the uplifting of the masses throughout this land. When this time will have come, when there shall be a united effort in regard to the betterment of our fellow-citizens, lynchings will have ended, party bitterness and acrimony will have ceased, racial antipathy will have been banished from our shores, and the great principle of the Fatherhood of God and the Brotherhood of man will have been ac¬ cepted and lived by all. But the duty that here and now lies nearest is to sus¬ tain the hands of the Rev. Matthew Anderson, a man whose career of patient struggle and energetic useful¬ ness has been an open book in this community for Noble white men of the South Good men of the North should join hands with the good men of the South The hands of the Rev. Matthew Anderson should be supported Perecm Platiual ©raining and Sntiustrial Scljool 5o more than a score of years. He has commanded the unqualified respect of his fellow-citizens. His work for Christianity and education has been progressively con¬ structive, and, now that the institution under his guid¬ ance desires to take on a larger life, an upward move¬ ment, and a forward step, halting only for the needed funds with which to defray the expense of develop¬ ment, it behooves the people of this city to give him generous support, that the local progress of his race may not be limited for the want of a very modest sum of money. 5i Bcrcatx fllattual ©raining attb Snbustrial Sctjool Ex-President Grover Cleveland's Tribute in introducing Mr. Booker T. Washington: If there are any here to-night who doubt that the The Negro Negro can take advantage of an education, let him "education recant at once. If there are any here who even o1 be,nsa gentleman> dreamed that the Negro would not develop all the andattain= ing the best characteristics of a gentleman, let him hide his face character in shame. If any have thought that the Negro could not attain the refinement and character that would make him worthy of the fellowship of citizenship, let him abandon that idea forever. If any one present ever entertained such ideas, he on® of is to witness a man whose very history would shatter bestdttfzens those thoughts, a colored man who can well bear the title of gentleman, scholar, and citizen. If any ever dreamed that the rights of citizenship had been ill-bestowed, he may be assured at once, for this man has proven himself one of America's best and foremost citizens. Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you Booker T. Washington. Ilerean Panual ©raining anii Jnbustrial Scljool 52 Extracts from the Address of Booker T. Wash¬ ington, LL. D.t Principal of the Tuskegee Institute, Alabama. Interest felt in the Negro Few occurrences could so strongly emphasize the interest felt in the elevation of my race as the fact that an ex-President of the United States is willing to leave his home and duties for the purpose of presiding at a meeting called to discuss matters bearing upon our interests. Philadelphia has the The attention of the citizens of Philadelphia has largest been called many times to the needs and conditions Negro popu= J lation, 0f j-hg Negroes in other parts of the country, but it except three cities may interest you to have the fact brought to your attention that, if we except three cities, Philadelphia has the largest negro population of any single city in the country. This fact alone brings prominently before you a duty and a responsibility. The Negro . ... taught While slavery had its evils, it was during the exist- habits of industry ence of that institution that many of our people were taught habits of industry, were given skill of hand that enabled them to become of tremendous 53 berean Panual ©raining anb Snfcustrial Sdjool economic value. Every slave plantation in the South had not only its common laborers, but, in many cases, scores of skilled laborers. Freedom brought us face to face with new privileges and responsibilities, and at the same time with new economic and industrial conditions. One of the most serious tasks which the race has to perform at the present time is to try to adjust itself to the conditions of free labor with its increasing skill and increasing demands in the way of intelligence. In slavery the Negro has worked, in freedom the great lesson which he wants to learn is to work—not only to work, but to seek after work and to love it for its own sake as well as for the financial reward. I am intensely interested in the work being carried The work of on by the Berean Industrial School, under the super- the Berean Manual vision of Dr. Matthew Anderson, for the reason that Training he has been far-sighted enough to make a study of ""ia/school the occupations which are open to our people in this city; and, having made this analysis of those occupa¬ tions, he has established an institution that seeks to fit men and women to perform in the very best manner the service those occupations presents to them. We find here a plant worth $100,000, with three hundred students, and instruction being given, among other $ credit ninnual (Training aitb Jnbustrial Srljool 54 Objection to manual training rapidly dis> appearing Mere book education will not save the race Occupations once in the hands of the Negro have passed into the hands o! others things, in carpentry, dressmaking, cooking, house¬ keeping, upholstery, cobbling, caning, waiting, tailor¬ ing, and applied electricity; besides, there is a building and loan association connected with the institution that gives opportunity for our people to learn how to save and invest their money in homes. The objection which once existed on the part of many of our people against any form of hand training has in a large measure disappeared. This is true to such an extent that Dr. Anderson has the support and co-operation of the best people of our race in this city. Mere book education alone, as valuable as it is, will not save our race. Mental education, whether for a black man or a white man, serves to increase one's wants. Unless, while the wants are being increased, we give the student skill by which he can supply those in¬ creased wants along lines at which he can find em¬ ployment, we are in danger of making a mistake. It is right here that the common sense of those in charge of the Berean Industrial School is manifested. Every young man and woman graduating from that institu¬ tion goes out fitted to earn a living at an occupation which is open to him. Many of the occupations which were formerly in our hands in cities like Philadelphia, 55 Perean Panual Staining anb Snbustnal School such as barbering, whitewashing, nursing, cooking, laundrying, waiting, have passed into the hands of others, largely for the reason that our people have not been fitted to perform these duties in the very best manner. We must be taught to do the little things of life well and use them as stepping stones to higher things. No race that does not learn to sweep a floor so well that it cannot be improved upon is likely to be represented in any large degree in Congress. I am tempted to add that it seems to me the whole future of our race hinges upon the question as to whether or not we can make ourselves of such in¬ dispensable value in the community where we live that the community will feel that it cannot dispense with our presence and our service. There is an urgent need for service in every line of household duties, and a large portion of our people can be fitted to perform this service well; but it can only be done by teaching them as Dr. Anderson is doing, to put brains, skill, and dignity into all these common occupations. No man who learns to do a thing better than somebody else is left without en¬ couragement. The way to solve the problem that con¬ fronts us is to teach the Negro youth to do a thing better than somebody else. Must do thoroughly the little things ol life Urgent need of service in every line of household duties fereatt Panuctl ©raining anb Snbustriol Scfjool 56 Will the white people support the Negro in Idleness and crime ? High death rate can be reduced Bringing the whole matter down to a plain question of business, will the white people of Philadelphia support a large portion of our race in crime and idle¬ ness, or will they fit the race to support itself by honest work? My race, especially in these Northern cities, more so than in the South, is handicapped by want of opportunity to use the skill after it has been secured. We must face another serious, if disagreeable, fact. Crime among our people in Philadelphia is entirely too large in proportion to the ratio that the race bears to the white population. The way to reduce crime is to increase the efficiency of the race in the matter of work. The death rate is also abnormally high. The way to reduce this is to increase the Negro's skill and effi¬ ciency in industrial directions. The medical director of the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company informed me a few days ago that after having an experience of twelve years, he found that his company was justified in drawing no color line in the matter of insurance, for the reason that experience has demonstrated that the Negro who had a trade and worked regularly lived as long as the white man did under the same conditions. The Negro coming into Philadelphia fresh from the 5 7 $erean ptanual Staining anb Snbitstrial School South has to face competition, and is brought into The Negro • i -i i • t~v coming contact with temptations that are new to him. Dr. to the North Anderson, through his Industrial School, seeks to gethastoface competition hold of this class of our people and fit them for their new life; and in this praiseworthy work he should have the sympathy and support of all the citizens in Phila¬ delphia. Our race should be given the same oppor¬ tunity to earn money that it now has to spend it in your city. Every idle, criminal black man in this city will Every idle Negro will drag down to his level some white man. Every intelli- drag some gent, thrifty, economical Negro will add to the gence and wealth of your community. No member of your race can, in the slightest degree, lift up the meanest member of my race without you yourselves being ennobled and made more Christ-like. pereati ptanual ©raining anil Jnbustrial School 58 The Organization of the Berean Manual Training; and Industrial School, South College Avenue, opposite Girard College, Philadelphia OFFICERS Rev. Matthew Anderson, A. M., Principal, 1926 South College Avenue. Hon. William N. Ashman, President Board of Trustees. Clarkson Clothier, Vice-President. George Peirce, Treasurer, 623 Walnut Street. Rev. Henry L. Phillips, Secretary. 59 perean Planual ©raining onb ,Sni> us trial Scljool REFEREES Mr. Isaac H. Clothier, A. M., Eighth and Market Streets, Philadelphia. Mr. Robert C. Ogden, LL. D., 784 Broadway, New York City. Mr. George Foster Peabody, 28 Monroe Place, Brooklyn, N. Y. Prof. Henry van Dyke, D. D., LL. D., Princeton University, Princeton, N. J. Rev. Charles Wood, D. D., Pastor Second Presbyterian Church, Philadelphia. Rev. Charles J. Ryder, D. D., Secretary American Missionary Association, New York City. 13emn Ptamml ©raining anb Snbustrtal Scljocl 60 FINANCE COMMITTEE Clarkson Clothier, Chairman, Eighth and Market Streets, Philadelphia. John H. Converse, LL. D., Baldwin Locomotive Works, Philadelphia. Philip C. Garrett, 308 Walnut Street, Philadelphia. William H. Wanamaker, Sixth and Market Streets, Philadelphia. Major William H. Lambert, Tenth and Chestnut Streets, Philadelphia. Robert M. Hogue, 100 Pelham Road, Germantown. William H. Scott, 1215 Clover Street, Philadelphia. Edward W. Clark, School Lane, Germantown. Rev. Matthew Anderson, 1926 South College Avenue, Philadelphia. 6i hereon Panual ©raining aab Jnimstvial School BUILDING COMMITTEE Matthew Anderson, Chairman, Clarkson Clothier, John H. Converse, LL. D., William H. Wanamaker, Prof. Thellwell R. Coggeshall, Secretary, Robert M. Hogue. Bfrean ptanual draining anb Sntiustrial School 62 BOARD OF TRUSTEES Hon. William N. Ashman, Clarkson Clothier, Rev. Henry L. Phillips, George Peirce, Esq., Philip C. Garrett, Arthur B. Huey, Esq., Col. Alexander K. McClure, William H. Wanamaker, Frank Leake, William Wood, Rev. John B. Reeve, D. D., James MacAlister, LL. D., Prof. T hell well R. Coggeshall, William H. Scott, Robert M. Hogue, Theodore C. Search, Seldon J. M. Brock, Thomas C. Imes, M. D., Rev. Irwin P. McCurdy, D. D., LL. D., William W. Still, Major William H. Lambert, John G. Carruth, John M. Porter, Henry J. Hancock, Rev. Matthew Anderson, A. M 63 $erean pJattual ®ratntttg aitb Snbustml Scljool LADIES' AUXILIARY BOARD Caroline V. Anderson, M. D., Mrs. Margaret M. Barber, Mrs. Bradbury Bedell, Miss Josephine Brazier, Mrs. Anna Coates, Mrs. Stephen W. Dana, Mrs. Henry C. Davis, Mrs. John R. Davies, Mrs. Florence Fay, Mrs. W. H. Green, Miss Mary Ella Hadley, Mrs. Catharine L. Hogg, Miss Emma Hogg, Mrs. W. M. Jones, Miss Julia F. Jones, Mrs. Robert F. Kennedy, Mrs. Mary Kemble, Miss Elizabeth T. Lawall, Mrs. Joseph J. Martin, Mrs. E. W. Moore, Mme. H. de la G. Nicolai, M. B., Mrs. Mary Pardee, Susan B. Parks, M. D., Mrs. Benjamin T. Tanner, Mrs. Sarah Taylor. l?erean planual ©raining anb $nbustrial Scljool 64 COMMITTEE OF COLORED PASTORS Rev. Henry A. Monroe, D. D., Chairman, 1310 Parrish Street, Zoar M. E. Church. Rev. E. W. Moore, D. D., Vice-Chairman, 1133 Ogden Street. Zion Baptist Church. Rev. John W. Lee, A. M., 1726 Bainbridge Street, Recording Secretary. Rev. Solomon P. Hood, D. D., 1661 Oxford Street, Frankford, Pa., Corresponding Secretary. Rev. William A. Creditt, D. D., 626 South Nineteenth Street, T reasurer. Rev. G. L. Blackwell, D. D., 1527 Catharine Street, Wesley A. M. E. Church. Rev. C. M. Crosby, 653 North Sixteenth Street, Union A. M. E. Church. Rev. J. M. Henderson, D. D., 2224 Fitzwater Street, Allen Chapel A. M. E. Church. Rev. Henry L. Phillips, 751 South Fifteenth Street, Church of the Crucifixion, P. E. Rev. G. Alex. McGuire, 1509 Pine Street, St. Thomas P. E. Church. 65 Berean Ptanual ©raining anb Snbustrial School Rev. John B. Reeve, D. D., 1511 Lombard Street, Central Presbyterian Church. Rev. William R. Templeton, Reading, Pa., Washington Street Presbyterian Church. Rev. Matthew Anderson, A. M., 1926 South College Avenue, Berean Presbyterian Church. Rev. W. T. Hemsley, 1809 Ringgold Street, Haven M. E. Church. Rev. W. H. Phillips, D. D., Eleventh Street below Lombard, Shiloh Baptist Church. flereatt Patiual Staining anb Snimstrial School 66 An Appeal in Behalf of the Berean Manual Training and Industrial School of Phila¬ delphia. Negro popu= lation of Philadelphia Public Schools fall short of meeting their needs Trade unions close ap= prenticeship to them Philadelphia has a Negro population of about 65,000, of whom some 6,500 of both sexes are between fifteen and twenty years of age. These come of families which must from their peculiar resources and suroundings train their children for labor callings. The public schools fall far short of meeting their needs; and to them the high school is of no use save in these special cases which deserve and should receive higher education. Neither public school instruction alone nor high school training can qualify those who are to fill the working ranks of domestic service and of hard labor in mechanical and other trades. Trade unions close apprenticeship to them; the public manual train¬ ing schools are not available to children who must work early and who cannot secure the preliminary common school instruction required for admission. They must learn as they work. With them, and as untrained as they, are some 2,000 young men and women who yearly come to this city The Proposed New BuiUing 67 hereon Pmtual ©raining anb Bnbustrial Scljool from the South, friendless and alone, and knowing no task or work they can do well. The Negro problem in Philadelphia primarily calls A call lor industrial for the provision of industrial education and training education for this standing and native army, 6,500 string, of young men and women desirous of working but without training, and a third as many more who come to this city seeking work, but ignorant how to work even as to the simplest operation of domestic service. With this training they will work willingly, because their work will command wages that will stimulate industry. If they are untrained they will sink from regular work to odd jobs, from odd jobs to idleness, from idleness to crime. They can only be saved by indus¬ trial training, not only offered to the young, but also open to those of mature years. The Berean Manual Training and Industrial School TheBerean School doing at 1926 South College Avenue, opposite Girard Col- what it can lege, of which ttie Rev. Matthew Anderson is the demand1*6 Principal, is doing what it can to meet this demand. It is teaching between two and three hundred pupils of both sexes, from the youth to the middle-aged man and woman; and they are learning such trades as they can put immediately into practical use, such as carpentry, upholstery, applied electricity, millinery, ilereatt Panual ©earning anti Snbustrtal School 68 plain sewing, dressmaking, cooking and waiting, ste¬ nography, typewriting, bookkeeping, together with the primary branches of a common English education. In its present cramped condition the limit of those it can care for has been reached; and yet those attending this school number not more than one twenty-fifth of those who should be taught, would be taught, and could be taught if opportunity existed. To reach as many as possible of the vast number remaining and still deprived of its advantages it urgently needs $35,000 The claims to buy a site and erect a suitable building during the of the School coming spring season, for the continuance and en¬ largement of its work. This situation was made clear and the claims of the school on the community presented at the public meet¬ ing held in Witherspoon Hall, Philadelphia, December nth, 1902, at which meeting ex-President Grover Cleveland presided. So much interest was taken by the very large audience present that it is confidently believed that had an earnest appeal for the needed funds been presented at the time, the whole amount would have been raised there and then. Inasmuch, however, as the opportunity to make such an appeal was allowed to pass, it only remains to present in this manner the cause to the public, and to 6g |5ctcan fflattual ©ratntng atib Unimstrial Scljool solicit the moderate amount required for this beneficent and struggling enterprise. We, whose names are hereunto subscribed, earnestly request our fellow-citizens to join with us in pledging the needed amount—$35,000. It is important to secure the pledges promptly, but subscriptions may be paid in two instalments as needed during the progress of the work. (Signed) Isaac H. Clothier. E. W. Clark. John H. Converse. All contributions should be sent to the Treasurer, Mr. E. W. Clark, Bullitt Building, Philadelphia. Com¬ munications should be sent to the Secretary of the Committee. Rev. Matthew Anderson, 1926 South College Avenue, Philadelphia. Perean ponual framing anb Bntmatriot Sdjool 70 MR. EDWARD W. CLARK Mr. Clark needs no in» troduction A friend to the Berean School Mr. E. W. Clark, Treasurer of the building fund of the Berean School, is so well known to the business and literary world that he needs no introduction here, other than to show that in the midst of his vast interests he has taken the time to assist in an enterprise which has for its object the improvement of the colored people in our midst. We have had the honor of Mr. Clark's acquaintance for over fifteen years, during which time he has been of invaluable service. When assured that the object is as represented, he is at once its friend and will do what he can to assist it. It was not until after he had visited the site of the Berean enterprise in company with his wife and daughter and was shown through'the buildings and made acquainted with the work that he expressed his interest and willingness to assist, and from that time to the present he has been one of our most substantial friends. He gave not only repeatedly towards the in¬ debtedness on the property until it was paid off, but was the first to pledge a substantial amount annually for five years towards the running expenses 71 iereatt ptanual ©raining anii Sinimstrial School of the school, which pledge he has not only faithfully carried out, but for the last two years has greatly encouraged the spirit of the Principal by raising funds among friends to assist in meeting the expenses. When it is considered who Mr. Clark is, his financial and social standing, being the head of a great banking One of Phila delphia's house and the financial backer of Prof. Hilprecht, the m08t loyal eminent archaeologist of Nippur fame, he must be re- citizens garded as one of Philadelphia's most loyal and valued citizens. Such is the Treasurer of the building fund of the Berean School, and to whom it is hoped liberal contributions will be sent, addressed to his bank, E. W. Clark & Co., Bullitt Building, Philadelphia. pereatt Panual ©raining atiti Bnfcustrial School 7 2 MR. JOHN McGILL Valuable assistance rendered Before Mr. McGil) be¬ came inter= ested the Berean en¬ terprise was but little known Whatever the Berean enterprise is or may become is due largely to the valuable assistance rendered by Mr. McGill. Until the time when his attention was called to the work in the fall of 1882, he was known simply as a successful business man of means and ex¬ perience, but not particularly as a philanthropist or one who had any special interest in the colored people. In fact, at the time he was practically ignorant of the con¬ dition of the colored people or the racial questions which were agitating the country, but when his atten¬ tion was finally reached he at once devoted all his spare moments to the investigation of the subject, so that there are few business men who can converse more intelligently on subjects relating to the colored people than he. Before this time, namely, when his attention was called to our work, the Berean enterprise was but little known, not owning a foot of ground nor a dollar in money at the time. True, $3,500 had been pledged towards $6,000 which was being subscribed for a lot and building, but in order to secure the subscriptions the 73 itoeatt Planual Staining anb Snbustrial ^cljool whole amount had to be pledged within two years from date, namely, the 14th of May, 1881; hence, $2,500 had to be raised within six months. Under the circumstances, the prospect was exceedingly dark, and what was still more discouraging was the fact that the list of friends known to be interested in charitable work was nearly exhausted. It was at this critical moment, when burdened with the responsibility of the undertaking The prospect exceedingly and apprehensive of failure, we were led, as a last resort, dark to call upon Mr. McGill and lay before him our embarrassing situation. On several occasions before, during the eighteen months, his attention had been called to the work, but at no time, either by word or act, did he intimate any special interest in the undertaking. Hence, it can better be imagined than described, our joy over his joy and gratitude over the hearty welcome he gave Pr°P°8,l,on us and the voluntary proposal he made to financially back us in our undertaking. At our request he at once moved forward and secured a lot 136 x 147 feet on South College Avenue, opposite Girard College, on > Mortgage which he erected a well-appointed blue marble church, Burning together with two dwellings, one a parsonage, the other for sale, at a cost of over $50,000, advancing the money himself and relying entirely upon our assurance Perean Pftnual draining oni> Snbustriol School 74 that the same would be refunded. The new church was entered the 14th of October, 1884, and on the 14th of May, 1891, it was paid off, and on the 14th of May, 1902, the parsonage was paid off and the mortgage burned. Berean February 12th, 1888, The Berean Building and Loan Loan Aosoci- Association was organized, when Mr. McGill was ation organ- c^0sen Treasurer. The association has increased its ized monthly receipts from $50 taken in on the night the organization was effected to $2,500 at the present time. One hundred and fifteen homes have been secured for the colored people of the city of Phila¬ delphia, averaging $2,000 apiece, through the instru¬ mentality of this association, and $68,100 have been paid back to the stockholders of matured stock within the last six years. The assets of the association are now $100,000. The Associa= The association is growing gradually in strength tion has ^ effectiveness all over this city, which is largely grown grad= uaiiy in due the practical assistance rendered by Mr. McGill. strength and effectivenesB During all the years of its history, since its organiza¬ tion in 1888, Mr. McGill has been rarely absent from .« „« its meetings. Early and late, rain or shine, indeed, Mr. McGill always at whatever might be the weather, he would be found at his post of duty his post of duty unless compelled by sickness or 75 Pcrcfltt Panual ©raining anb Snbuetrial ^dfool absence from the city to remain away. The amount of good which this gentleman is doing in the way of encouraging the colored people to save their money to secure homes of their own during these times when the manhood and citizenship of the Negro are being assailed, is most encouraging and refreshing, and it should be an incentive to many others interested in the improvement of the colored people to employ their influence in the same practical way. 13erean fttanual draining anb Snbustrial Scljool 76 JOHN H. CONVERSE, LL. D. Heart open to every good work Pew men have done more to al= Ieviate want Over twenty years since his attention was called to the work A frequent contributor Mr. John H. Converse, LL. D., of the world- renowned Baldwin Locomotive Works, is so well known in Philadelphia and the business world that he needs no introduction here, but Mr. Converse is not only known as a st^pch and successful business man but one whose heart is opened to every good work. Few rich men have distributed their charity more liberally than he nor over a wider area. Schools and colleges, churches and homes, the needy but worthy poor, of every race and creed find in him a listening ear and a responsive heart. Few men have done more to alleviate the wants or to raise the hopes of the struggling poor than he; it is in this relation that we wish to speak of him in connection with the Berean enterprise. It has been over twenty years since his attention was called to the work in which Mr. Anderson is engaged, and from that time to the present he has been one of his most valued friends, not only assisting by his wise counsel and advice, but frequently con¬ tributing towards his work. When at the instance of 77 Perfan manual ©raining anb Snimstrial School Mr. Anderson a number of gentlemen were invited to meet on the 6th of November, 1899, to consider the propriety of organizing a manual training school for the colored youth of Philadelphia, Mr. Converse One of the founders of was among those who came, and after a full and free the Berean ,, , t ■ , 1 r , Manual discussion he moved it be the sense of the meeting Training that a manual training and industrial school be estab- Scho01 lished, to be known as "The Berean Manual Training and Industrial School," which motion was unanimously accepted and adopted. Ever since the organization of the school, Mr. Con- Personally Interested in verse has shown a deep personal interest in it; for the School two years he was on the Board of Management, and when he was compelled to resign because of his great duties he assured the Principal that it was not due to a lack of interest in the work but want of time to act as Trustee, nevertheless he would do what he could to assist the work. This he has done, first, by con¬ tributing regularly towards the running expenses of the School and liberally to the building fund, and, secondly, by consenting to preside at the fourth annual commencement of the School, June 18th, 1903. pereatt Partual ©raining anii Bnbuetriftl Scljool 78 ANDREW CARNEGIE, LL. D. His princely gift to Negro work The largest contribution to a Colored School The subject of this sketch, Andrew Carnegie, LL. D., is in no way connected with the Berean School either officially or as a contributor, but we feel that we cannot close this booklet without expressing our heart¬ felt appreciation of the princely gift he has made to Tuskegee, the great industrial school among the colored people of the South. Mr. Carnegie, by this act, not only shows his appreciation of Mr. Washing¬ ton, the sagacious Principal of Tuskegee, but of the colored people generally, thus honoring the whole race. No one has ever before made so large a contribution to a single colored school in the United States, and it is doubtful if there has ever been as large a sum given to any colored school in the world. The amounts con¬ tributed by Mr. Slater and Peabody were larger, but their contributions were for the whole Southern work, embracing all the schools; hence, no one school re¬ ceived a large amount. Mr. Carnegie, by his princely gift of $600,000 to Tuskegee shows his confidence in the integrity and "T 79 icrean fltanual Staining aitb Jlnimstrial School ability of the Negro to properly invest and control HisconfU . dencein the large financial interests, for without this confidence hopeful fut- he would never have made the gift. It must be borne Ngg°othe in mind that the management and the teaching force, from Mr. Washington to the teacher in the primary department, are all colored at Tuskegee; and when a gentleman of the extensive practical business experi¬ ence of Mr. Carnegie is willing to place in the hands of a colored institution thus managed over half a million dollars with no restrictions other than that it should be used in the interest of the school, he places his stamp of appreciation upon the moral stamina and worth of the race, which is most re¬ freshing and encouraging. What the colored people of the United States most The greatest need of the need is confidence in their own native ability, confi- colored dence that they have the capacity to succeed in any field people of thought or line of work in which other races and peoples have and are succeeding, and to inspire in others the faith that they have this ability. Nothing since the emancipation of the slaves in 1863 has done more to inspire this confidence than the princely act of Mr. Carnegie, and he will ever be held in grateful and loving remembrance by the ever-increasing mil¬ lions of sable American citizens. In saying this, we NOTE—Since writing the above we learn that Mr. Carnegie placed hi3 gift in the hands of Messrs. Robert C. Ogden, Wm. H. Baldwin, Jr. and Geo. Foster Peabody, New York, Trustees of Tuskegee Institute. But this fact does not alter the statement, for the gift would not have been made if Mr. Carnegie had not had un¬ bounded confidence in Mr. Washington and his work. Bereatt Plonual ©raining anti Sntmstrial School 80 would not take the least glory from or reflect in any way upon the work which is being done in behalf of the colored people, especially in the South, by that shining array of heroes and heroines who left their The heroes and heroines homes and firesides in the North immediately after the war of the Rebellion and rushed to the cane-brakes and everglades of the South with the spelling-book in one hand and the Bible in the other, to give a Christian education to a long-enslaved and now emancipated people; and who have followed up their work all these years by sending their sons and daughters and their beneficent gifts, so that 2,991,000 Negro youth are now attending school in the South, and 27,000 young Negro men and women, graduates of the higher schools, are teaching in the South. Schools and colleges for the higher education of negro youth in manual and industrial training, such at Fiske, Atlanta, Clarke, Biddle, Talladego, Claflin, Hampton, and Tuskegee, may be found all over that Southland, which, as oases in the desert, are the hope of the colored people, and for all of which their hearts go out in gratitude, but the gift which stands out preeminently above all of this philanthropy, the gift, in fact, which solidifies and places the crown upon the whole, is that which was made to Tuskegee by Mr. Andrew Carnegie, LL. D. NOTE—We were mistaken in the number of Negro youth attending school in the South. Instead of there being 2,991,000 Negro youth in school, there are but 1,096,774 attending. The above figures represent the number of Negro youth in the South and the number that ought to be in school, hence the greater need of more schools. who went South after the war Manual and Industrial Schools in the South Crowning Gift 8i |5erean ptanual Staining onb Snbustrial S&cjjool THE REAL NEEDS OF THE BEREAN SCHOOL When the third educational conference was held under the auspices of the Berean Manual Training and Industrial School, the nth of December, 1902, an account of which is given in the booklet, the manage¬ ment asked for the modest sum of $35,000 for the purchase of a site and building which were imperatively needed for the School; but while this sum would greatly relieve its present cramped condition, it would not enable the management to carry out the compre- Buildings needed for hensive plan which they have in contemplation. At the School least four buildings for dormitories, one for domestic arts, another for mechanic arts, and one for the train¬ ing of nurses, together with a chapel and a Principal's residence, in all nine buildings, are embraced in the plan, which to accomplish $200,000 would be necessary. It is the purpose of the management to raise one-half of this amount at once, and the balance at the earliest possible date. The State of Pennsylvania, under Governor Penny- packer's administration, has shown its appreciation of the work by contributing $4,000 towards the main- Perean fftanual ©ratntng anb Snbustrial School 82 nized by the tenance of the School, and it is felt that inasmuch as State of there is a growing interest in the School among all Pennsyl- vania classes in the city of Philadelphia, that through the assistance of wealthy philanthropists in other parts of the country the amount needed will be secured and a great and glorious work built up which will tend greatly to advance the moral, intellectual, economic, and industrial capacity of the colored people, not only in Philadelphia, but throughout the United States. WtltMJg lB.HAJMM.PJ. WlUlAM CiAmimr aP«Mi»o«c, J. JMBMfCFciMHSoW.J. ^6—