Delaware tribune. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1867-1877, 1867-10-24
THE DELAWARE ASSOCIATION
BY REV. j. G. FuREY.

We reproduce communication from
the agent of the Delaware Association to
the Episc0pdlian (P. T.. Church newspa-
per) in Philadelphia. We think il gives
view of the case which will find acceptance
with many of our readers and serve TO show
what are the real objects in view in the
noble work now going on among the color
ed people
| MIR. EDToE The following slip contain
| ing an account Of the opening and dedica-
| tion of the Normal School-house for colored
youth is cut from the Wilmington (Del.,)
COMMERtlAL:--
In accordance with previous announce
ment the Colored Normal School, which has
just been fitted up by the Delaware Associ-
| alton, for the education of colored teachers
only, was on Thursday formally opened and
dedicated to the work for which il is intend
! ed. The ceremonies took place in the
school room, on Orange street, above 10th.
The meeting was called to order by the
It. Rev. Bishop Lee, who gave II descrip-
ton of the work of the Association, and
the progress they have already made, and
explained the particular object sought in the
establishment of this school. lie also ack-
nowlcdgcd the obligations they were under
to the Frecdmcn's Bureau for the comfort
able manner in which the school house was
furnished.
Rev. Mr.. Aikman next made few re-
marks, and then in u most eloquent, impress
sive and appropriate prayer dedicated the
house to the work of the education and elc
walton Of the colorcd race.
Mayor Valentine was then called on, and
in brief address gave cordial encourage
ment to the enterprise.
! Eo was followed by Thomas Garrett /, John
| w. Layton and Frisby J. Cooper.
Rev. DIR. Castle and J. Miller, Esq, of
Philadelphia, the latter member Of the
Pennsylvania Legislature, were next intro
duced They We're the committee appointed
I by the Baptist Association in response to the
invitation extended that body TO be present,
and each, in brief addresses, assured those
present of the earnest sympathy of the AS
sociation they represented in the movement.
Rev. Mr.. Furey, Actuary Of the Associa-
ton, then made IL statement of the progress
already made, after which the DoXology
was sung and the meeting was dismissed
with the benediction by Bishop Lee.
The foregoing states the facts of the case
with sufficient clearness; but | beg leave to
send TO you fuller statement of the objects
kept in view by the Delaware Association,
and especially by some members of it who
have a higher aim than is generally suppos-
| ed
The primary object is of course, in accord
ancc with our published views, to promote
the moral and mental improvement OF the
culorcd people in our midst, and TO fiji por-
iion of them for teachers of their kind. This
We b lirvc will in due time he reached, and
we hope, under the Divine blessing, that
many now ignorant and neglected will be
made, by the influence Of our system Of edu-
cation, more intelligent and more noble us
men and women created in the moral image
of their God, and capable Of approaching
and exercising aright the many advantages
afforded them in this wonder producing age,
wherein tod has done and is doing so many
wonderful and glorious acts But over and
above indeed high above--this primary OBJ
jcct stated there is another in view by many
of our Christian brethren, in common will
myself, which renders the work we have in
hand sacred one, and claims the attention
and sympathy us well as the support of the
Christian Church Have we not known fol
many years that our noble and brave white
missionaries find Africa "thc whitc mans
grave, while common sense as well as TIC
history of the mission prove it to be = tho
Jtdck mans home" Surely, then, in view
of these facts and the sad memories we have
of our heroic missionaries fallen on the ma
larious coast OF Africa, il is our duty to con
slider well what is the best apparent
remedy for the case. Is il not TO train NJ
and send forth Africans chiefly as mission
aries to Africa? And are not the mean'
now used, in so many ways and places, siml
lar to our own Normal Schools, to educate
: mentally, morally, and rcligionsly the color
cd youth of our country, the very means
adapted 10 the end in vicw--thc final enlight
eminent and regeneration of heather Africa
, Who can doubt that in u few years licnc
many such will be ready to go forth
With all its dangers and horrors to th
: white man-Aiiica is, ncyerthcless,a beauti
ful and glorious land. Its trees and flower
ever bloom. Its plains and mountains eve
glow in beauty and vcrdurc. lis woods ar
ever green, and the waiblers of nature Fl
its groves with melody. BY the genia
warmth of its climatc-,senial and lealihft
to its native children the rich earth yield
II almost spontaneously all that is needed fl
: mans sustcnance and comfort. Its mour
tains and deep pure flowing rivers abound
all manner of precious store. Its palm
i plains and golden fountain furnish food an
wealth, and ''ihough every prospect please
yet only man is vile, vile because estran!
, ed from knowledge and the God of graz
l. and truth. 70 redeem such land and mo
than n hundred millions of such human b
/. ings, is our ultimate aud higher aim. Is
not worthy of sympathy, Of aid, and etfoi
of earnest effort and liberal aid from Il
id Church Of Christ, and every living mcmb
of the same?
n As Il mere matter of philanthropy havii
in view the mere ''moral improvement al
education of the colored people" ii COZ
n mends itself to the minds and hearts
many upright men and women, and receiv
from sucn substantial aid on that groul
ut alone. But to the mind and heart OF Il
true and enlightened Christian how mu
- more dear should be the work which Il
49,. Association, in common with others old
ny and stronger, has taken in hand to do?
not the signs of the times clearly point c
in the near future the purpose of Jehov