The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-11-14
Athens College Work and
 Some Glir1pses Of History

, equipped than ever to undertake her mission for the future
 Those who are interested in the prog ress of education for women will find
 the following article very interesting and enlightening. It is copied from
 the Dollar Whig," an Athens paper, giving the Athens College notes No- vember 23, 1S44, one year after the founding of the Institution.
 We had the pleasure of attending the examinations in the above collegi-
 ate institution for the last few days, and we frankly confess that we were not only highly pleased, but at many of the classes we were greatly astonished.
 We had supposed from the difficulty
 of learning girls the first principles of numbers that they could never be pro- ficient in the higher branches of the math ematics. But we witnessed on this occasion complete triumph of female intellect over the most abstruse por-
 tions of geometry as we'll as algebra.
 And there were several classes in the languages that did themselves high honor. We particularly observed the
 Virgil class and the composition class in French. But there were other things that pleased us equally as well--the
 manner of examination. The classes had no prepared (by rote) lessons but
 were examined fairly on the whole of
 their studies. Of course, many aues- tions were missed by some of the classes, and by particular ones (those
 who had been indolent)in most of the classes. But fairer test of young la dies requirements, we presume, could
 not well be made. We heard gentle men who had been engaged for several years as professors of languages and mathematics, say that better classes they had never seen than they wir
 messed during this searching examina.
 tion. The examination took place in the new institute building, which is q
 noble establishment for school pur~ poses. We had no idea that thorough educations could be given young ladies as we now witness being done through the distinguished qualificati tionS and in- defatigable exertions and industry of the present faculty We feel we ought to say something of the great labori- ousness and unwavering industry of the president and professors, but our little sheet oompels us to be short. We will add that we shall never again despair of accomplishing any earthly object where the proper amount of industry and perseverance that knows no ob- stacles are brought to task"
 In the issue of the same paper on De- cember 21 1S44, we find the following article also concerning Athens Female Institute" as the college was then called:
 "The prospects of the above institu tion located al this place, are very flat tering at this time. We hear a number of new scholars that will be here b5 the opening of the next session The professors are all here anxious for the commencement of the next session. We learn also that nearly the whole of tha old scholars will be new ones at the next session; that is, they are coming back. We are informed, moreover that a considerable portion of the apparatus lately purchased for the institute is here, and--we are really in extacies all most at the prospect before us of hay ing our females made thoroIgh and profound scholars, not only intel1ec- tually but morally. Then may we look out for more Washingtons and Frank lins and Weseys being raised by these finished scholars, for 1t takes such mothers to raise such men under tn, providence of God. May he spread the good work so far as it is in con- formity and acordance with his SOW ereign will"