Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1884-06-24

SdSeU IN some Oh DuSlH0SS All
and are thus deprived of the privilege of
gaining an education. The opening night
is one long to be remembered by me and
doubtless by all the bows that were there.
When l arrived there were about twen-
ty-tive boys on the sidewalk in front OF
the school, each waiting for his turn to
be admit ed MIR. J. was standing in the
door admitting the boys as he took their
names. After the names OF seventy boys
had been taken Mr. ]. closed the door.
All this time the boys that were inside,
under charge of Mr.. Scott Murray, the
teacher, we're almost uumanaseable, it
being new thing to them. i lsrge num-
Der Of the boys came for fun, but tha:
kind of Buys did not c0ne IcDg. The
school was soon reduced 30 those boys
who came to learn aud then il steadily
improved. The session closed July /,
1881. After nearly three onths vacation
the second session commenced, O;tober,
1881, with DR.. Morrison and Misses II. and
S. as teachers. The school soon showed
marked improvement upon the
preceding session, and the hall was
soon inconveniently filled; but Mr.. j..
who is always looking to the interest cf
the boys, enlarged the hall. That year
there were 205 names enrolled, with an
average attendance of about seventy. The
school closed the last of June, 1881. The
boys were then given e vacation of two
and half months, the third session COM
mencing September 8, 1882, with Mr..
Futrell as teacher. During the year there
were l30 names enrolled, and an average
attendance of seventy-five at the begin
ming and twenty at the close, which was
in July, 1888. After rest of three months,
with renewed interest, increased energy
and higher ambition this, the fourth and
best session of our school, since it was
organized, opened October IA, 1888, with
sixty three enrolled. The boys all began
to study hard, and have made more i'm
provement than in any other year. We
have had more teachers and more studies.
And as we look, OF this closing evening,
at the result of our studies during this
past year, our feelings are proud and
buOyant, for our success has surpassed
our expectations. Our school is divided
into three grades-primary, intermediate
and advanced. The branches taught are
reading, spelling, penmanship, arithmetic,
grammar, history, geography and draw
ing We have four regular teachers, and,
in addition, Miss E. Browne and Mr..
Friedlander kindly assisted in teaching
two evenings out of each week, Miss
Browne teaching the advanced class in
geography and Mr.. Friedlander the same
class in drawing. The number enrolled
during winter months, seventy five; but
during spring many of our boys had to
work at night, and our attendance has
been small, it averaging about fifty-tive
the 1st OF May. There are eighteen boys
who have been attending school
during the last three sessions. This
might be considered small, but some of
the boys who attended during preceding
years have gradually been promoted 10
positions which require their services at
night, thus depriving them of the chance
OF attending school. The boys have all
been enjoying good health this year con-
sidering the severe winter, and not one OF
our boys have died. Some of them live
at too great distance from the school to
90 home for their suppers, but so anxious
have they Eeen to obtain an education
that they have attended school all winter
without any supper. The attendance has
been pretty regular, and two OF our num-
her have not missed single night,
namely, Gus Cornell and Rudie Strehl.
During the past year the boys have been
drawn nearer one another and have been
enthusiastic over the success OF the school,
manifeS.ing great interest in any exer-
else in which they could take part.
Associated together as we are has made us
friends, and the friendships formed are
the strongest we have. God in His wis.
dom and goodness has scattered genius
and talent among the poor as well as the
rich and powerful, and have often Won
dered if the boys OF the Hope Night School
would not make some Of tGe business and
professional men our city, or some OF the
hOnored and respected public men OF our
country. Would it not be source of de-
light to Mr.. j., and qualification to the
teachers, if they should make that kind of
men, for instance, Senator Naegele, Con-
gresham Murphy, Judge Rushaupt; or
how would this sound, Higham's Foundry
ana Machine Company, Julins Altman,
coal merchant; George Newton, jeweler;
Ney's dry goods store; Gus Correll, shoe
deaieri w Il Owens, printer and iith0-
grapher. But boys, this ls left wit us.
Man is the architect of his fortune,
and it is lefs with us whether we make
honOred business II en- and trusted en-
pioyes or whether We make the dis
honOred l0aler and degraded sot. But to-
night ends our season and We have vaca-
ton. Boys what shall we do with it? Do
not waste it in idleneSs, but study by
yourselves or read some good book al
night. Remember every hour comes TO
us charged witt duty, and the moIaent 1t is
past returns to heaven to register Itself
how spent. May you enjoy your vaca-
ton, and in bidding you farewell | have
year. And to our teachers who have
labored so patiently and earnestly with us
let me say in behalf of the boys of the
school that we all wish you happy vaca-
ton, and hope in the coming vacation we
may meet you again as your scholars and
be able to show our appreciation of your
efforts in our behalf. l regret to say that
Miss Osborn, one of our teachers
for the last three years, will not be with
us in the coming session. And in behalf
of the boys | would say to her that we
wish that behind that impeuetrable veil
the future-there is in store for her many
blessings. And l would like to thank DR..
Porter in behalf of the boys of the school,
for valuable aid he has rendered us. And
to Mr.. Johnson, the founder of our
school, and the friends of the working
boys of Memphis, let me express the
unanimous regret of the boys that he is
not able to be here, And now to you, our
kind friends, in behalf of the scaool, let
me thank you for the interest you have
shown IN us by coming here, and we hope
you feel repaid for your visit, and welcome
you to our school in the coming session"