The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-06-06
THE DEDICATION
OF the New Ferguson and Williams
College for ColOred Students.

Rev. F. j. Grimke. D. D., of Washington
conducted the dedicato1y services in the
building on 9th instant. In closing he made
the following references to Rev. and Mrs
Williams and their work In this commu'
hity:
"And now but word more =.
need not assure you that II gives me very
great pleasure TO be here to-day. All that
have said in the address to which you listen.
ed, believe To be the aim OF this school, and
therefore 1t gives me unusual pleasure 10 oe
here. ! have left my home and come nun
my appreciation of the magnificent work
which has been accomplished in this commu-
nifty by my friends, Rev. and Mrs. Williams
have known them Tor years. They were
both members OF my church. bad the
pleasure Of uniting them In the bonds OF
matrmony and when they left Washington
City for the south, 1t was with the deepest
Interest that followed them; ana M ieit SUI, sure
wherever, in the providence OF God their LOT
should be cast. they would make themselves
felt as Il power for good. And my eXpecta.
kept myself thoroughly Informed In refer
ence to the work that they have been doing
in this community, and l have been more
than pleased.
If any two persons ever entered
the South with un earnest desire and purpose
TO do good, TO do with their might whatever
IL was possible for them TO do, TO bless and
elevate our people, believe they did. And
/ believe more; l believe that during these
twelve years that they have oeen In tne
work, they have never lost sight for a mo-
ment OF that as the crowning desire OF their
lives
From what l know Of them do not
hesitate TO say, that do not believe to-day,
tnat you can find anywhere In the south
among tpe hundreds OF men and o%oiina women VINO ,
our people, two workers who are
more thoroughly in earnest, and more con-
scientiousIy devoted to the great work OF de-
veoping in our people, all the elements tnat
go TO make up true manhood and woman-
hood.
This 10 them it has been q work, OF
love, Into 1t they have put their whole
heart, soul, mind. and strength. ana am
more than pleased " know that their ear
nest, conscientious, painstaking, and self de-
nying labors are appreciated by you; thai
they OCCUPY warm place IN your hearts.
| am also grateful to know that the work as
carried on by them, has not only won your
esteem. but also the respect and sympathy
and earnest cooperation of the large and In
tiuential class Of whites who make up tnls
community. ,
In the Good Book, we are told TO prove al !
things, to hold fast that which is good, and l
am glad that you are following this scrip
turaI Injunction. These friends have oeen
with you for twelve years; you know them,
you have had time to test them and. judged
by their character and work, they are
worthy, and therefore you do we'll In hold
ing on TO them, and in continuing 10 give
| them your sympathy and earnest co-opera-
tion.
1t isn't every day that you come
across men and women OF the stamp OF this
brother and sister, men and women VINO are
earnestly and ursefshly devoted TO doing
good. Such are the people whom the Goou
Book exhorts US, To esteem very highly for
their works sake. And this ! am sure
you are doing and will continue to do.
l 4lx, lnnr
sister, permit me 10 extend TO you both my
warmest congratulations. believe that
God directed your steps 10 this place; that
he has been with you In the NOBLE ~orK
last twelve years. 1 believehe Is still with
you, and that he will continue to be With
you.
The past Is encouraging You have
done we'll but ! believe the future has IN
store for you still greater results. l believe
this new start, which you are now taxing,
is out the beginning of still greater future
God moves in mysterious way; We can.
u ct always understand His providences, but
this we may be sure OF, II we commit our
way unto Him, and trust in Him, He WILL
always bring US oIt into larger pace Sir ana q
your case. This new and beautiful build
Ing, and the promising outlook that liz now
opening up TO you, clearly Indicate the di'
vine call to you both to still greater useful.
ness, and to a broader and more comprehen.
sive work for the elevation OF our people.
In the prosecution OF this work, bid you
| God speed. You have my warmest sympa-
you only keep your faces TO the light, and
put your trust In God. The following lines
written by some poet unknown 10 me. may
be helpful TO you IN the arduous task which
is before you, and with it close:
There's ringing glorious measure
In the march Of life, my brothers;
n we listen we may hear II all day long
With a unQertOle OF triumph
! No diScordance wholly smothers
And this is the cheerful burden OF the song
Forward" Keep the column moving,
Perfect rest shall be our guerdon
When our missions are fulfilled, our labor
Duty's path lies plain before u.s.
i Whatsoever our task and burden,
II we bravely set our faces TO the sun.
). Dlsappointments may o'ertake us,
Losses, greis and grim surprises.
May assault us In the WpaIy way We go,
Look not back kward, but onward ever,
Lo! The goal before US rises.
And the valley Of the shadow lies below
II With hand to help the fallen,
! Where the rugged sleeps delay us,
Though the reddening SUBMITS warn u
of the night,
We shall conquer all the evils
That ussall us and b.tray us,
While We keep our faces bravely TO tn
light.
Steady, Keep the ranks in motion,
Tho we only be retrieving,
The disasters and mistakes of yesterday
There Is shame in dull lnaciion,
There is glory in achieving,
If we take one step on the upward way.
Day by day the distance dwindles,
| Foot by foot the steps surrender,
And we dread no more the barriers over
past;
While we breathe the air serener,
And our eyes behold the splendor,
OF the gates where We snail enter In a