This benevolent scheme is based on the supposition that the colored man must, for the most part, be the educator and elevator of his own race in this and other lands. Hence, a leading object of the institution is to educate and thoroughly train many of them for professional teachers, or for any other position or pursuit in life to which God, in His providence or by His Spirit, may call them. It has also been a cherished idea with the founders of the institution that a theological department should be organized at the earliest period possible, in which young men, called of God to preach "the unsearchable riches of Christ," might receive that aid so essential to prepare them for this great work. We are happy to learn that several young men have already entered this department, who give promise of great usefulness to the church and the world. Our enterprise has enlisted the hearts and received the favor of some distinguished statesmen and other citizens of our common country, and is designed to unite and engage the efforts of all Christians and philanthropists. Several of the leading denominations of Christians are represented in the board of trustees. We have good reason to believe this work is of God, that His hand is in it, and His blessing will be upon it, and, therefore, we hope for good results.

IMMEDIATE RESULTS.

The catalogue of 1859-60 showed a roll of 207 students, the majority of whom were the natural children of Southern and Southwestern planters. These came from the plantation, with nothing mentally but the ignorance, superstition, and vices which slavery engenders; but departed with so much intellectual and moral culture as to be qualified to be teachers in several of the Western States, and, immediately after the overthrow of slavery, entered their native regions as teachers of the freedmen.

A large number were gathered from the free States, and many from some of the most respectable families in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Illinois, and California. These derived the greater benefit from the instructions given at Wilberforce, and were prepared for a higher sphere of useful. ness. Dr. Rust has also formed a class in the classics and mathematics, another in French, and a third had commenced theological studies, of whom were 6 young men, who have since distinguished themselves in the pastoral and other fields of usefulness, covering politics, the mili tary service of the United States, and the publishing department of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. One of these ran a short but glorious career as a pastor, and is gone to enjoy the "Saints' everlasting rest."

WILBERFORCE UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.

On the 10th of March, 1863, between 9 and 10 o'clock p. m., Daniel A. Payne, one of the bishops of the African Methodist Episcopal Church,

agreed with the original trustees of Wilberforce University to purchase the property of the African Methodist Episcopal Church to be used as an institution of education for the colored race, which was at the time excluded from all the schools of higher education, excepting two or three, of which Oberlin was chief. Their admission into others, if admitted at all, was on such conditions as few persons of color would accept. This bishop associated with himself Rev. James A. Shorter and Mr. John G. Mitchell, who was at that time principal of a graded school in the city of Cincinnati, Ohio.

After contracting for this valuable and beautiful property our first effort was to liquidate the debt. Before we could secure the title deeds we had to pay, on the 11th of June, 1863, our first installment of $2,500. This was promptly raised by collections within the boundaries of the Baltimore and Ohio annual conferences. That sum was paid and the title deed handed over to the agents of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, viz: Rev. J. A. Shorter, Rev. John G. Mitchell, and Bishop D. A. Payne; but it was particularly specified as the property of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. The next step was' to take out an act of incorporation. This was secured according to the laws of the State of Ohio. The third step was to secure a charter, which declared that two-thirds of the board shall always be members of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, and that there shall never be any distinction among the trustees, faculty, or students on account of race or color. These three persons applied for and obtained a new charter for Wil berforce in the name of the African Methodist Episcopal Church.

The school was reopened on the 3d day of July, 1863, by Prof. John G. Mitchell. Only 6 children were present. They were put upon the study of elementary English.

During the first 10 months the school gradually increased in members and progressed in knowledge.

Professor Mitchell was aided by his wife, Mrs. Fannie A. Mitchell. At the opening of the spring of 1864, the increasing numbers demanded another teacher, and Miss Esther T. Maltby, of Oberlin, then a teacher in the schools of the American Missionary Society, at Portsmouth, Va., was secured as lady principal and matron.

THE CATASTROPHE OF 1865.

Professor Mitchell was constrained, by the wants of the school, to go out as a financial agent. The management of the school was left solely to Miss Maltby, and, under God, it was increasing in numbers and popularity.

The progress of the students was commendable, and classes were formed in Greek, Latin, and the lower mathematics. Everything indicated a prosperous future, when suddenly the buildings were set on fire by incendiaries. Within half an hour the beautiful edifice was nothing but smouldering embers. The catastrophe fell upon us like a thunderbolt out of a clear sky.

It was a time of lamentation for our friends, and rejoicing for our enemies. Said one of the latter, "Now their buildings are burned, there is no hope for them." Another said, "I wish lightning from heaven would burn down Wilberforce." This one supposed his impious prayer was more than answered.

But we believed and said, "Out of the ashes of the beautiful frame building a nobler one shall rise." Without faltering, one of the cottages was converted into a school room and scholars were taught therein till the last of June, which terminated the academic year; after which all the students from abroad went home.

The majority of the advanced students never returned, but went to other institutions. Those who preferred Wilberforce came back the next autumn. Meanwhile we began to mature our plans for rebuilding. The result is before the country. As respects the school, it passed through severe trials.

Miss Maltby's nervous system was so affected by the catastrophe that for 12 months she was unfit for labor, and never returned. She is now a missionary in Asia Minor, in the service of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions. Professor Mitchell was compelled to be in the field soliciting funds to aid us in rebuilding, and, therefore, for a season, the management of the school fell upon our most advanced student, Mr. J. P. Shorter, who acted his part nobly, until we were able to secure the services of competent professors, who were soon found in the persons of Prof. Theodore E. Suliot, Prof. William Kent, and Miss Sarah J. Woodson.

OPENING OF THE DEPARTMENTS.

The theological and classical were opened in the autumn of 1866; the scientific in 1867; the normal in 1872.

STATE AID.

Through the noble generosity of the State of Ohio there was established in 1888 a combined normal and industrial department at the university. A special board of trustees selected by the governor and the university board directs its management. According to the law under which it is organized, every member of the legislature is entitled to select a youth from his district who may receive the benefits of that department free of tuition. The immediate effect of this act has been to increase the efficiency of the normal instruction given, and to inaugu rate a line of technical training. The course as outlined continues through 2 years, including for the young men instruction in use and care of tools, involving sawing, planing, joining and squaring, industrial drawing, mitering, boring, mortising, dovetailing, work from drawings, practical work in and out of the shop, attention given to cabinet work, tool sharpening and saw filing, the general principles of carpentry, framing, house building and practical work, instruction in wood turn

ing and scroll drawing throughout the course. For young women a course of 2 years is given in dressmaking, including plain sewing, basting, hemming, running, back stitch, taking measurements, cutting from model, button-hole stitch, fine needle work, with other domestic work as may be added. It is earnestly hoped that around this new education-the industrial-will cluster the substantial sympathy and coöperation of the friends of the race.

The board for the management of the new department consists of three members elected by the university board and three members appointed by the governor and confirmed by the senate. The tenure of office is 3 years.

Four thousand dollars was appropriated by the legislature at its last session and $6,000 for the ensuing year.

FINANCIAL EXHIBIT.

Among the benefactors of the university have been Chief Justice Chase, who left $10,000; Mr. John Pfaff, Cincinnati, Ohio, $1,000; the trustees of the Avery Fund, $10,000; Dr. Rust, of Cincinnati, and Miss Ella M. Graves and mother, New York; Bishop J. P. Campbell, Philadelphia, $1,000; Bishop J. A. Shorter, $1,000; Mrs. Bishop Shorter, $1,000; Mrs. Mary E. Monroe, Cleveland, Ohio, $1,000; Dr. D. H. Snowden, Litchfield, Ill., $100; Mrs. E. Tillotson, New Bedford, Mass., $2,300; Mrs. Teagle, West Chester, Pa., one-fourth interest in property valued at $100,000; Rev. E. N. Yelland, LL. D., 1,000 acres of land in eastern Kentucky. In 1869 the university received through General Howard, from the Freedmen's Bureau, $3,000, and in 1870 we received from the same Bureau by special act of Congress $25,000. Total from the Bureau, $28,000. An excerpt from the secretary's report for 1887-88 indicates financial conditions and progress:

More than a quarter of a million dollars have been expended for educational purposes. On the 52 acres belonging to the university are ten buildings. exclusive of a barn and stable. Nine of these buildings are cottages, erected within the campus. They are occupied chiefly by students and families who came to educate their children under college restrictions and influences.

The main edifice is built in the center of the campus. The foundations are of solid limestone. The superstructure is of red brick, three stories above the basement, and is 44 by 160 feet. It embraces a center and two wings. This building contains eight recitation rooms and one lecture room, an art and a music room, one library and a large hall, to be fitted up for a museum. It also has five dormitories, with forty bedrooms and sleeping accommodations for eighty persons. The basement contains fifteen rooms, which embrace the kitchen, pantry, storerooms, dining hall, laundry, and sleeping apartments for all connected with the culinary and laundry work.

The expenses for students are as follows: Tuition each term in theological department, free; in practice school, $3; in sub-academic department, $4.75; in acedemic, normal and scientific departments, $5.75; in classical department, $6.75.

Yearly expenses of students are from $100 to $120.

The following table indicates the number of students attending Wilberforce:

The distribution of students in different departments was as follows in 1888-89: College department, 9; College preparatory department, 9; theological department, 8; law, 1; first year English, 14; second year English, 27; third year English, 24; music, 9; combined normal and industrial, 68; total enrollment, less those who were reënrolled, 132. The number of graduates since the establishment of the university to June 20, 1889, is 107.