The advocate. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1901-1913, 1911-10-12
PrOInenent
Graduates


went about his work He was con-
verified at the University, graduated
with honors and became a professor
OF mathematics there, and after
wards president. of Wiley Univers-
sity.
Mr., Washington himself constantly
points to the fact that it is left. large
ly upon educated Negroes to con-
vince the public at large Of the wis
dom of Negro education. This,
the graduates Of Wiley seem to have
done In a remarkable degree. Hon.
Chesley F. Adams, former county su :
perlntendent of public schools, in an
address a few days ago, introducing
Or. washington to a Harrison coun-
ty audience, declared that the coun-
ty could boast Of the best, most
peaceful, industrious and law-abid-
ing Negro citizenship in the state OF
Texas, largely on account Of the in
fuence of Wiley University.
That, after all, emphasizes the
real worth OF an institution. This
is the kind Of school that empha-
sizes in the highest degree, the neces-
sity Of moral and spiritual culture
OF young men and women. In d
peculiar sense, 1t Is emphasized here
as the Negroes greatest need. Mo-
ral and ethical culture in body anu
soul to know ones self, to be able
to stand up for the truth when truth
Is IN the minority, to breast the cur
rent OF a debased and corrupt pub
lie sentiment, this in the last analysis
is the only true basis for the perma-
nent development Of the Negro race.
This Is the gospel as taught here >;
this is the gospel AS students arc
taught to carry it out in their re-
1g1ous anG other organizations, in
thelr conduct with one another, in
their department on the streets, and
as a matter Of course, TO a large ex-
tent they carry it out when they 20
into the world
During the last fifteen years, huS
dreds Of young men and women have
been converted during the annual
reunion at Wiley University, trained
In patience, and In genuine manly
self respect With this sort Of cul-
ture, they have gone back to their
people-to their people in the South
no seeking honor, but service-the
keyWord Of Christian education. 1t
is small wonder that they are win
ming daily in the respect Of their fell
lows, that they are contributing, In
large degree not erue Of many 9th
er schools in tie South, to the sub
stantial progress Of their people.
Wiley University comes before the
public as school worth while, as an
institution exerting an influence up
on the Negro people in Texas ana
Arkansas and Louisiana that can not
De measured or estimated in words
1T is we'll to call attention to the
fact in this connection, that not a
young man who has ever attended
this institution or graduated from
any or its departments, has ever
been charged with the unnamable
crime against womanhood and virtue.
concerning which so much has been
said in recent years.
In yet another instance does this
institution set the pace for many
other Negro schools. While much
OF it's support comes from the North,
the Negroes in Texas, themselves, in
recent years, have contributed much
10 It's relief. Within the last few
years, this conference has contribut-
ed to Wiley University more than
$50, 900, and at the last session. set
themselves resolutely to the task Of
raising q one hundred thousand dol
lar endowment funG. This is not
by any means small task for these
Negro ministers and their people.
indeed, 1T seems to be a huge Joke to
see these men, whose annual salary
Will average considerably less than
$300, with lay membership behind
them composed largely Of washer
women, cooks and day laborers, talk
ing about raising an endowment fund
OF one hundred thousand dollars.
what they have done, however, Is
considered an earnest Of what they
can 10. OF the $4,000 necessary
TO erect the new dormitory for boys.
all but $4,000 (the gift Of Mr., Il,
q. Coe) was raised by them in one
year, and they have set themselves
to the task Of raising during this
conference year, in addition to the
endowment money, the sum Of ten
thousand dollars necessary to COM
plcte the building.
bishop Quayle refers to them as
peers among Gods noblemen" and
1t is hardly necessary to supnnse that