The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-07-08
NEGRO BAPTISTS HAVE
 BUILT A NEW COLLEGE
By HORACE D. SLATER

Out of Birmingham's total population
 there are but few people who know that there has been erected a beautiful, com
 modious three-story brick building at
 Powderly Station, just a short walk from the South Bessemer car line, which will soon be thrown into use as the Birming- ham Baptist College for Negroes. So quietly and earnestly have the leaders of
 these people been at work for the past four years on this project that but little
 noise has been made about it. There has been lack of trumpet blowing that Is not only commendable. but is unusual
 As rule when the colored people try
 to do anything, there is not only noise,
 but discord as well. but this has been the
 exception to the rule, and the Birming-
 ham Baptist college is now ready for it's first year of work. Some might ask why
 this multiplicity of negro schools in the Birmingham district? The negroes here are up against the same proposition they
 are up against in most sections of the
 south. There would be no need for so many schools doing secondary work in the various communities if the cities and
 municipalities and states did their duty
 toward negro education.
 It is not the purpose to argue the why or the wherefore of this. The fact re- mains, however. that the school accom-
 modations for negroes in Birmingham,
 besides being unsafe, are inadequate and the school buildings will not house one-
 half the negro children of school age who might want to go to school. It is tbQrafora fn mi up of their own means, as meagre as they are, tho necessary school buildings
 and to maintain them at tremendous
 sacrifice, in addition to paying their taxes and in other ways contributing to the school fund from which they receive so little.
 Thus 1t often becomes necessary for negro parents to send their children off to schools when the local communities
 should be providing that training for them. The average negro child is com pelled to spend from three to four years In schools away from home in order to get elementary training that should be provided at home Thus the poorest peo- pie of the community are put to the severest strain In order to give their chill dren any schooling at all. To meet these needs in communities such schools as the Birmingham Baptist chollege are in- stituted.
 That does not mean that they will not do other than elementary and high school work. for 1t Is likely that the most pretentious curriculum will be made out, whether it is employed or not Miles college. the Central Alabama institute and this third school will ca ter for the most part to the people of this immediate section, giving them that elementary training that the city of Birmingham ought afford.
 In raising the money to erect the Birmingham Baptist college, this is the kind of appeal the leaders have made to the negroes of the district: God will permit you and your children to re- main in ignorance but He will not take any pleasure in your living in that state. He wants you developed and lifted up. When you educate yourself and your children you please Him" This and similar appeals have brought results. For four years the Baptists of the community have struggled first purchasing the land, next going up with the foundations, then adding another story and another until finally the whole was completed. They worked just as their funds came in Giving up the work for a time until more money could be secured.
 It Is not always easy natter for one to understan6 the large mount of sacrifice that guHa into the Npbuilding of negro schoaK EAKa inf5 lonsidera> tion the fact tue inc leQaeils in this venture are leaaers In @eoras of other enterprises. in thR church. he lodge, and so on. and aas wlll see how ter ribly busy somsbOHy must he all the time. The land upon which the Bir- mingham Bapta&k college ands was purchased by tha negro Bapttsts of Jeff ferson county Axs years aeu. It con sists of eight acres Of land lear Pow derly. There is ! splepasS ree-story building, and wask xiu begin with the first of the schNpl season
 Dr. J. H. Easonl formerly connected 1 with Selma uniNBrstfEi president of the | Alabama Baptist skate cona Fltion for 10 years and pa If 3a on Street l Baptist church. Wppdlawu. mas been | elected presider Hr N&snn with the 1 other trustees sntsrested individ- | uals is taking u fead to rssHs, if pos | sible, $6000 by septsnter so the | school work can begin kfl AafAest. One | thousand dollar. nsesed gns pay | ment on the bNsNfnE AnctAer, thou | sand for fixtur suA furniFure and | $3000 for salarit @f seachera and in f cidental expense fex She yaEr It is interesting to ngtH -1k' SheE aave set about raistnK th assFey-