The Washington bee., 1911-09-30

Norfolk Journal and Gulde.)
I have been asked to say something |
k,r the epublic, relative to the Ma
t;onaI Religious Training School and |
Cbantauoua located at Durham, \.
9 and managed by DR.. James (. |
Cbanard who first conceived the idea |
oF such an institution By his power |
of initiative, marvellous ENERGY and |
suDreme faith, he made 1t feasible and
practicable, and was accordingly cleo
ted its first president. He is the
human dynamo, which charges most
wonderfully perfected piece OF edu-
eational machinery. 1t calls forth
exclamations OF wonder, admiration
and grateful acknowledgements from
men Of all shades of opinion and
from every section Of our country,
when once they behold the transtor-
nation and rejoicing made possible III
the wilderness and solitary place, Just
out from Durham, in the short space
Of one year.
Bv the touch of his genius, this
Young man has given to the educa-
tiOnal propaganda fOr the Negro
race in this country, what might be
called the Shepherd idea The
founders original thought was to
provide a great summer school. offer
ing opportunity for the masses as well
as the more cultured along lines OF
religious and theiCal instruction,
through lectures and otherwise; some
what after the style of NOrthheid or
Winona Lake For several reasons,
that plan was modified and the one
Eow in successful operation was sub
stituted. Among these reasons
might be mentioned the lack of ap-
preciatiOn of the utility OF such
training and the difficulty OF secur-
nag philanthropic aid for such a novel
educational venture among Negroes.
The plans were changed so as to pro-
vide both a summer curriculum, ca
pable of supplying the demands Of
patrons of standard schools; but the
original plan of making religion the
key-word, the rallyIng cry of the IN
stitution was not abandoned Hence
the name. Although all phases of
mental, industrial and religious train
ing are offered by the National to the
applicant, it is with the uncOmpro-
missing that the entire course OF study
Is 10 be we'll seasoned with religion
The great purpose of the founder
Is to generate, collect and put in mo-
ton, from the National as a center,
waves of religious instruction, cul-
kure. and enthusiasm, which will
touch the remotest edge of racial
darkness, ignorance and superstition,
and thereby secure a larger number
of the lower strata, the cultural ad-
vantages of the gospel Of peace and
good will 20 all mankind.
The scope of the school is large
and gives evidence of a just ambition
10 have it stand among the best edu-
eational institutions OF our times, so
Il should; for it seeks to lift its pat
rons and all whom they may be PRIV
legged to influence, into communion
and intimate association with the
best that life has to offer, now and
eternallv. 4 welI-rOunded, intelligent
graduate of this school who has
rightly appreciated and appropriated
rs true spirit and dominating thought,
NAV we'll lay claim to, as he Will
surely have association with the spIr-
It's of lust men made perfect, Uni
veTsal as we'll at National in design,
This school offers every phase OF use
bal training which will make better
citizens and more completely fit one
for effective service to his day and
generation Its motto IS 4 serve
and its creed, Religious industrial
and literary training must go hand IN
hand"
It's varied courses of study embrace
theology, all kinds of Bible study and
religious training for preachers, mis-
sionaries, Sunday school, Y. NJ. {. A.
and other religious workers; train
tgg for social service workers, every
variety of industrial work practical
business and mechanical instruction;
the various sciences both theoretical
and applied; all English branches and
Normal work for teachers; modern
and ancient foreign languages. The
school is we'll equipped for the work,
as it employs competent instructors
and draws upon the best talent avail
able for lectures and special work.
No school has been more fortunate
IN the personnel of its lecturers and
instructors; such men as Bishops ].
c. Kilgore, of the NJ. z. Church
South. George w. Clinton, of the A.
N E. Zion Church, Robert Strange,
Protestant Episcopal Church, DR..
Jesse L. Hurlbert, noted Chautau-
aua lecturer and Biblical authority,
II. Y. Chapman, celebrated pulpit ora
tor and D. Webster Davis, and a
score of others equally as Promi-
nent and OF both races, North and
South. are each year found at the
school, gladly helping to give impe-
tus and shape to its controlling
ideal
The growth and progress of this
unique venture is one Of the wonders
Of this marvellous twentieth century
Less than two years ago, the philan-
thropic and public-spirited citizens Of
Durham gave to the cause tract Of
20 acres of land, unimproved, barren,
but admirably located for the pur-
poses intended. DR. Shepard moved
the magic wand of faith over it, then
H., ,et-otad he fo;tI7 b,y rOncacrafad