The loyal Georgian., 1866-03-10
Communicated.
FREEDMEN'S SCHOOLS.

On Friday the I'd inst, an exhibition
of the Colored Schools of this city, under
the charge of the American Missionary
Association, was held; which will be
long remembered, by all who had the
pleasure of witnessing the exercises; and
and the good impressions which it appear
ed to make on all present will not soon
lose their benign influences.
The exercises consisted of declama
tions, dialogues, singing and recitations
of Scripture The Beatitudes, and the
lst, 23d and oath Psalms were repeated
entire, by all the schools.
In all these exercises, great profcien>
cy was exhibited; and their character re
fleets the highest credit upon the teach
ers--showing that the course of instruc7
tion includes every thing that is calculated,
or necessary, to fully develope both the
moral and rental qualities of the pupils
to fit them for a lEoper discharge of
all their duties as men, and above all as
Christisns.
The valedictory, delivered by little
girl scarcely above ten years of age, a
pupil of Miss Hosmer's school, is worthy
of special mention. The calm self-pos--
session of the child, her perfect diction,
and the case and grace with which she
acquitted herself, all combined to claim
for her a need Of honor, which many of
ripper years and far superior advantages
might well be proud of.
The remarks of Rev. Mr.. Martindale
were very apt; and calculated to create
in the minds of the pupils only those
feelings and sentiments which lead to
virtue and happiness.
They were all travelling, he said, on a
great road which leads from earth to the
Eternal City. On one side was all man.
ner of vice; and ON the other, all those
things which are essential to our safety
here, and which are necessary to carry
and guide us, at last, to eternal bliss.
They must carefully avoid the former;
and prayerfulfy seek for the latter.
Mr. Eberhart, State Superintendent of
Freedmeu's Schools, made IA few remarks
in which be stated that the exhibition
had been held for the purpose of allowing |
the parents of the pupils, and all their
friends, to see what kind of instruction /
is given them. What you have seen !
here to day, said he, can be seen IN all
the larger cities of Georgia.
These schools are all taught by per-
sons who have engaged in the work not
merely because the freed people are ne.
groes. but simply because they are part
Of the human family and need our
aid.
The American Missionary Association,
which sent these teachers to instruct your
send no one unless they be a
member of some evangelical church and
they come to you in the discharge of what
they deem to be Christian duty.
No matter what prejudice or passion
may say of them. they feel in their hearts
that they are right--that God called
them to the field-and that time will
vindicate their cause
Iu laboring for your elevation, we arc
for the good of onr entire
for your good only.
The prosperity of our country depends
upon the Intelligence and virtue of our
people. 1t is ignorance and vice on one
band; and education and religion on the
other. We labor to wipe out the former
Ito encourage and promote the latter.
You, my friends, are entitled to great
praise for what you are doing for the
education of yo1r own people. The in
terest you manifest in the cause of cdu
cation, and the amount Of money YOU
have contributed in support of your
schools, has been far beyond the expecta.
tions OF your most hopeful friends
The exercises closed by all the schools
(about 700 pupils) singing The Battle
Cry of freedom: :" which was accom>
panied by waving of flags, and an en-
thusiasm which gave evidence that pat
ri0tsSn5, as well as other virtues, is taught