Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1868-05-06
For the Freeman
Letter from Macon. Georgia.
WORK AMONG THE FREEDMEN.
Macon, GA, April %, 1S6,

Many thanks for your pleasant letter with
its words of approval Of my letter to the peo-
ple of Essex Junction, unexpectedly pu b.
lshed by voursclf-and it's kind invitation
70 write occasionally for your papers, assur-
ins me that, in your opinion I g could
thu- be doing a. much for the cause of
Christianity and Education among the
freedmen, a. in any other way
Could but feel that anything might
write. would help to deepen the interest
which the people of my own beloved State,
.re already taking in this blessed work of
~ilcatins and clevating race, | would
gladly accept your invitation and indeed
The past four weeks have been so rich in
precious experiences to us here in Macon,
that deem it a privilege to give our north
ern friends a brief sketch of them.
During this time, we have enjoyed three
days, Of such intense interest as can never
repeat themselves in ones lifetime The
--5vnny events of those days, were the
D. icatiJn Of our new School Building, the
Lewis High School''-the organization of
% Congregational Church-and the Dedica-
ron Of our Norwich Chapel
Our School house. erected by Government
through the agency Of the Bureau. is really
.uc of the very few fine buildings for Educa-
ti9ual purposes in Georgia. 1t is two full
stories in height, with spacious halls and
-Jmmodipus stairways, with four large
school rooms on arch floor Recitation room
Principals Office, &c. fitted up with modern
~
md convenient-and only be fully
appreciated in it, convenience and attract
jyencss. by those teachers who have, thus
far. been wearing themselves out, by
teachinz two or three at the same time, in
some oIcn. cold, inconvenient, badly seated
auI crowded c)lored church where in the
iriu and discipline Of school, there was
necessarily much wear Of brain and nerve,
which amounted u but little for want of
-litable surroundings. This is now obviat-
,l. and Teachers lind their school duties
less fatiguiug. and scholars make far more
rapid progress. / wish our northern friends
vh1 are contributing 70 the support of
thi- noble work, could look in upon our
schools ! think many Of them would be
a-t0nished. o. find what excellent schools
there an 5e. among these dusky-faced chill
lreu aud youth Of the South They would
fad ia tEe Lewis Ugh School all grades
from the Primary to Grammar School and
also a Normal Department and Training
Sch0ol-wherc several Of our own and some
schools from other points. are being fitted for
Teachers.
The Dedication Of this Building was on
Tho 26rh Of March Some Of the Teachers
rrln Atlanta and a few Bureau officers
we're present. otherwise with three OF four
exceptions the large audience were all
o5ilred people. Mr.. J. 4. Rockwell our
Superintendent of schools in this part of
Georgia. gave a brief sketch Of the work
from its commencement.
Nr f. 4 Ware State Superintendent
delivered rhe principal address, and Gen.
Lewis Of Bureau - for whom the Bull
din- Is named made very pleasant
speech, acknowledging the honor, and
adopting tie school as the especial object
of hi- care Several speeches from promi-
nent colorei men followed. The exercises,
which had been interspersed with suitable
songs hy tile pupils. were closed by singing
the Star Spangled Banner after which, the
audience having passed 10 the grounds in
front, gave three hearty cheers, to our Star
>pangied Banner, which was proudly float
Ing from the turrct Of the chapel 1t was
rnde glad day for these people, and
marked q long stride in our work among
+to-, ,r4 s+,,Jir,, ,- ercb ,,o;n+. xra 20 -
see more clearly than ever, the progress
The race is making And what an educat-
in- power over the youth, there Will be in
these fine school rooms. and the order, care
and perfect neatness now required of them
oJutrasting as it does with the poverty and
wrc,chedness of the homes of many, even
among our finest scholars. For FIVE hours a
day. at least, they are lifted out of want
aud poverty and the elevating, refining
influences of these few hours each day,
viii do much 10 mould their after life. Dc
we not often underyalue this silent uncon
4cious influence of pleasant surroundings, II
forming the character Of children? !
pleasant. happy, attractive home Wha
memories cluster around it , and what
restraining power have these pure memor
H. over young person, when they hav
gone out among tine temptations OF tn
world Such pictures of home, many @
these children will never have, yet so muc
the more are we thankful that they ca
have pleasant memories OF happy, attrae
tive school room
Our Chapel, adjoining the School Hous
is a plain Gothic structure, capable {
seating coo persons, and built almos
entirely by Mr.. Rockwell's personal friend
III Norwich, Conn, and is named for then
the Norwich Chapel. 1t was dedicate
the 18th of April. Rev's. f. p Smith @
New York, Woodwork Of Boston, Ban
croft of Lookout Mountain, Tade Q
Chattanooga, Francis and Ware of Atlanta
and some others were present at the Ded
ication. Rev Mr. Dana, pastor of tn
church in Norwich, Conn. was here, an
preached the sermon; ; and a finer more
appropriate discourse is seldom heard in
deed all the exercises were of superIo
order The Communion services in the al
ternoon, were the most impressive, of tn
kind | ever attended, several members Q
the colored churches, Methodist. Baptist
and Presbyterian were present.
Our little Church, the First Congrega
tional Church Of Macon. was organized O.
the llth of April, sermon by Rev. c.
e ,rbf md of 40