Evening star., 1897-05-27
BISHOP PAYNE'S PORTRAIT
Presented to the Public School Named in His
Honor.
Interesting Exercises Held at the
Others Make Addresses.

The pupils Of the Payne School, their pa
rents and a large number of their friends
assembled yesterday afternoon in the audi
torium Of the High School on M street near
New Jersey avenue northwest, to take part
in the exercises attendant upon the pre-
sentatfon OF large portrait of Bishop
Daniel A, Payne, in whose honor the school
Is named. The audience comprised many
Of the most prominent colored people in
Washington, and various addresses and
other features of the program were en-
joyed to the full extent.
Superintendent G. F. D. Cook presided,
and on the stage were Bishop H. A. Handy,
Bishop y. W. Arnett, School Trustees B.
K. Bruce. L. A. Cornish and DR.. F. G..
shadd, Supervising Principal E. w.
others. After prayer by the Rev. F. j.
Grtmke the pupils of the High School sang
chorus, after which an original song
written for the occasion by Prof. Coppins,
was rendered by quartet.
bishop Arnetts Words.
Bishop B. w. Arnett made the presenta-
tion address. 1t was an eloquent effort.
After speaking of the significance of the
event and paying pleasant compliments to
the trustees of the school, he said that the
schoolmaster's desk has been made an al
tar of hope and inspiration. on which the
fires of patriotism and religion burn side by
side.
With the Bible on every teachers desk,
said Bishop Arnett, land the flag Of our
country floating from every gable. our
common school becomes more and more the
bulwark of our nation"
In behalf of the bishops, officers. elders
ministers and the million and half mem
bers of the A. NJ. E. Church, he thanked
the public school authorities of Washing
a m n o. Of hai htyt III liv,n, Of on
one of the most illustrious bishops of the
A. NJ. E. Church, who was the apostle of
an educated ministry and the founder of
Wilberforce University. He contrasted the
school conditions in this city thirty-two
years ago with the conditions of today,
and said the result gave him greater hope
for the possibilities of his people, and
greater appreciation of the opportunities
afforded colored children to qualify them
selves for useful and good citizenship.
Early CoIored Educators.
Bishop Arnett gave an interesting glimpse
of the history of colored education in
Washington. The first colored teacher he
said. was John Adam. who was principal
of what was known as the Costin School,
which was supported by the free colored
people in 1915 Anna Maria Hall was the
first colored teacher. She taught in the A.
NJ. E Church, on Capitol Hill. Miss Mary
Billings opened the first colored school in
taught school in 1923 John Prout in 1875
and IN 1S43 John +. Cook took charge of
the school in Washington, which was af-
terward taken up by his son, and continued
until 1861. He gave other interesting sta
tistics of the school, and then proceeded to
relate the life history of Bishop Payne,
closing with the quotations of the remarks
of Frederick Douglass at the memorial SER
vices of the bishop after the latter's death.
Trustee Cornish Accepts.
At the conclusion of Bishop Arnett's re-
marks the pupils of the Payne School rem
dered song, written for the occasion by S.
G. Brown. Then Trustee L. A. Cornish ac-
cepted the portrait of Bishop Payne in be-
half Of the District of Columbia. Mr. Cor
nish said the quality of the commissioners
and trustees in naming the public schools
II. the capital of the nation was to make a
historical entry upon the records of the
state in honor Of worthy and distinguished
citizens and great public benefactors. The
selection of name for public school was
a most important duty, because a public
school is considered in the highest sense d
living monument to him and those In honor
OF his name. In conclusion he paid high
tribute to the characteristics of Bishop
Payne, saying that the portrait must ever
be an inspiration to pure living and indus
trious habits with the teachers and pupils.
Tribute From the Teachers.
Mr.. NJ. Grant Lucas on behalf of the
teachers of the Payne School presented to
Bishop Arnett beautiful tribute in the
shape of an immense bouquet of red and
white roses, tied with blue ribbon, this
blending of the national colors being much
appreciated. Mr.. Lucas said that no great
er encouragement could be afforded to the
teachers of Payne School, no greater in
spiration could be extended to the pupils
and the boys could not be given more
impressive object lesson. industry and vir-
tue than the study of the story of the life
of the exhalted character they have of
Bishop Payne. The name would lend honor
and dignity to the school Mr.. Joseph H.
Douglass played a selection on the VIOLIN
and after remarks by Bishop w. B. Der
TICK and Rev. W. NJ. Moore the exercises
were closed nv q choELS from