Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1894-08-25
REV. HUNTER FULLY IDENTIFIED,
BY Rev. Evans Payne Ia the ssPlanet''
August 18th, '94.

Normal School as the First Baptist
Church interfered to tell him what to
dO."-PAYNE.
True failed il delivery, but have
made many efforts and have failed in
some, Payne has made no Efforts, and
consequently never failed. Please read
my failure. Hunter, that same Hunter
that failed before the Richmond Normal
School.
Mr.. President and Members of the
School Board, Superintendent, Instruc-
tors of Class of 81, and friends CT Edu-
cation tn this day of mental activity,
t0is day of intellectuRi advancement in
this day persuant with thought and sci
entific Investigation and invention, in
this electrical age. | deem lt no small
honor to speak before a class gradual
ing from Normal departments class
fresh from study, ready to launch out
upon the vast sea of usefulness, readytO]
put into practical use the kno wledge that
has been stored in the millions of infin-
testimal cells of the brains-the impress
sions that have been made upon the
eternal something we call the soul; the
lego" of man, Hence, it is with no 1T
tie hesitancy that begin few words of
cheer and advice, for even though l
were Gladstone or a Douglass, I
should take more care in touching the
young minds than / should the maturer
ones, for as says q familiar quotation,
las the twig is bent so the tree inclin-
eth" In the young people is seen the
youthful nation, and, If il is to be a
moral, intellectual and christian nation
we are to be very careful how we fash
ion aud mold their youthful minds. You
gentlemen, who sit here as the represan.
tatives of the people of this capital city
in the promotion of it's educational
work have need to be proud, and sirs,
desire to congratulate you upon being
thus chosen.
Yours is a grave and responsible
trust yet no worthier work could 20 ur
heart, head, and hands find to do, than
the advancement of christian education
in it's broad and popular sense, as il ap-
pertains to the making of good citizeus,
and so good countrymen, | maintain
that such an education given to the
masses is destined to settle some of the
very vexatious problems of the day.
The Public School System of this city
not only does credit to the city and
state but TO the country, and while as in
every good work there NAV be room for
improved methods and advanced
thought, yet when cur cities and states
all over this fair Southland shall copy
your excellent example and give to the
Negro such a chance of development as
is here given in the Public Schools, the
day will not be far distant when igno
rance ''shall fold it's tents like the Arat
and as silently steal away" and tn,
race will be uplifted from gulf of dark
ness and the nation be made better
and stronger because of it.
Again, let me congratulate you, sirs
and ask you to grow not faint or tired
IN this great work but rather seek res!
in renewed effort. and deeper dives fo
richer pearls of education to bestow up
on your youths that the name.of Rich
mond may be made synonymous Will
- learning. III the work of the Scho1
Board is q grave and responsible one
Far more 80 is that of the teachers. TIL
work of the true teacher is no less i'm
portant than that OF the minister of tn
gospel of the Lord Jesus Christie is
work of To- ing patience, a work of gen
tie firmness and a work of intellectus
christianity, scarcely comprehensive
and hardly appreciated. and because {
the teachers accountability not only I
school managers, parents and students
but to God himself. | deem there mus
be Palms of Victory in the bright b,
yond for the true and faithful teacher.
would fain not emphasize so soundly til
word TRUE and yet, alas | must, for
this noble calling as in all Others ther
trusts. Some false prophets" l desiI
not so much to congratulate you teacl
ers IA to say, all honor to you and bi
you Gods speed in your chosen mission
In the honored class of tonight ther
are no doubt students, whom with
teachers eye you have followed from Il
primary to the intermediate, thence
the Grammar, and through the Norm
Grades, and you nave your reward no
IN the consciousness of the helpful inf
ces that you have thrown about theI
God bless every true hearted teacher
Class of the hour, 1 turn to you for
few moments. To many of you if n
all this is the supreme hour so far
your life. You have worked, looking fC
ward to this day, as the Excelsior"
would not for a moment still one thr
of happiness that permeates your sol
/ would not for a moment have II
hour loose one bit of the roseate hues
has assumed for you, but / would ha
you know that the certainties of IL
life is before you. The color of your G
vironments will be changed, becau
henceforth you look not upon the
with the eye of a child or student aloI
but added responsibilities and duti
will change all things. Let rue urge VI
to meet this change cheerfully and I
bly,. Ever fight for the life of Truth, a
the death of Error. Remember too tn
noble deed is step toward God, Ii
ing the soul from common sod Il
purer air and a broader view" In
things be. true to the right for Tru
(though) crushed to the earth, shall r
again. God bless you too
And now have wondered WI
It shall emphasize in my talk
ST. t would be strange if a painis
cur Lord and Savit
~ sSselect thought that
not someWay tend to exalt his Mas
and especially minister who had SD
many years in service, however veal
may have been. And so ] shall beg y
to think as l shall emphasize q
thoughts on Religion as the basis
moral training and the necessity of g.
moral training in our public school
Washington whom we term the "Fat
of the Republic" and who was q son
the "Old Dominion" said "Whate
may be conceded to the influence
refined education on minds OF pecu
structure, reason and experience b
forbid as to expect that National mo
ity can prevail in the exclusion of rt
ious principles" while the great ors
and statesman Daniel Webster decls
that ''to preserve the Government
must also preserve the MORALS
Morality rests on religion and if
destroy the foundation the euperstr
ure must fall. When the public mind
comes vitiated and corrupt, laws
nullity and constitutions waste pap
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