The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1895-01-26
ST. PAUL'S INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL.

The Chicago Tribune, in a review of
worthy charities conducted for the child
rem in this city, makes mention of the
prosperous Industrial School of st.
Paul's Church-as follows:
SIN pretty little chapel of st. Paul's
Universalist Church of Saturday morn
ing is company of little children which
in their varying shades of color remind
one of the gatherings on the stage VIXEN
| the Parliament of Religions was in ses.
sion during the Worlds Fair. While
there are many white children in this
school little yellow brown faces FREEDOM
mate. and, truth to say, they are pretty.
bright little faces and withal sweet and
clean. Indeed, there is not more buoy
ant, joyous, clearly clad set of children
gathered in any of the Chicago sewing
schools that these bronze colored little
ones that meet here each Saturday morn
ing to "learn to sew straight seam"
By the came token they also learn to sew
one that is the reverse of straight, for a
large proportion of them remain in the
school until they have mastered the art
of making all the garments they wear.
Although they are happy, carefree set
of children, given, as is their race to
mirth rather than consideration, they
are STILL in their way, very much in
earnest, and many tiny girls of 6 and 7
years of age are really skillful little
needlewomen.
ut was eighteen years ago that Mrs.
William HI. Ryder established this school.
which is one of the oldest in the city.
1t was intended from the beginning par
ticularly for colored children, and many
of the mothers of children who are now
pupils were taught to sew here.
1.-THE present Superintendent is Mrs.
l.. G. Bassett. the Assistant Superin-
tendent Mrs. Noble B. Judah, and the
Secretary Mrs. E. A. Lancaster. The
average number of pupils is 200 and they
are divided into classes of seven. That
there is no lack of teachers speaks we'll
for the philanthropic spirit of the ladies
of st. Paul's congregation. 1t is we'll
ordered company made up of the little
groups of seven gathered about their
several teachers. There is continual
pleasant little hum of low voiced talk as
the work goes on. Not only is stand
ard of excellence maintained which
makes it obligatory that child shall do
all the work we'll that is assigned it be-
fore it can make garment which when
it has paid the sum of five cents it can
have as it's own, but there are prizes
given for good work and punctual atten-
dance. Last year thirty of these prizes
were awarded. AS there is no limit to
the number of prizes from the least to
the eldest there is constant striving
for them which makes each pupil anxious
to do her best, for the distinction as well
as the prize is very much coveted.
There is also in connection with this
school large class in dressmaking taught
by an experienced teacher who is paid
for her services. The girls in this class
are instructed in cutting, fitting and fin
ishing, and at the closing exercises of the
school it is expected that they wear a
gown which they have made without any
assistance whatever. This is really the
graduating class of the school, and when
pupil has finished here she is capable
of entering a shop and earning fair COM
pensation."