Page:Extracts from letters of teachers and superintendents of the New-England Educational Commission for Freedmen.djvu/13

 employed, too, in making garments for the destitute among their own poor, at the camps. To help them help themselves, we only need materials upon which to keep them at work. They can'be very easily taught to use them. My first impressions of the capacity of the blacks to receive and profit by instruction, remain unchanged. In every quality that goes to make the intelligent and teachable, as well as the "docile and affectionate " pupil, these children equal any white children it has ever been my privilege to teach.

22d, 1863. I want to tell you the great need of books in our Sabbath Schools; we have exhausted our supply, and in the name of fourteen hundred Sabbath School Scholars, I pray you send us a quantity. I have four Sabbath Schools under my charge, and as soon as I receive the books necessary to do so, I shall establish two or three more. At one of the Sabbath Schools there is an average attendance of over six hundred scholars; at each of the others, two hundred. We need tracts, primers, testaments, singing books, and papers, and need them immediately. The Sabbath Schools are co-agents with the day schools, and it is very desirable to keep alive the deep interest felt in them. There are now five day schools in full tide of operation here, and the scholars are making wonderful progress in their, studies. If the predictions of many prove true, it will not be necessary to send North for teachers bye and bye. At the evening school which is under my direction, there is an average attendance of over three hundred scholars. It is a highly interesting and popular school. I have the aid of thirty officers and privates (belonging to regiments in this vicinity) in this school.

4th, 1863.—I have established a morning school in a Contraband camp south of the Trent River; there is an average attendance of one hundred and twenty-five pupils, and we now see a very studious band striving to learn with all their powers. There are about one thousand freedmen in this camp, and many of them who have heretofore depended upon the labors of sons and daughters for their "daily bread," are now seeking other means of supply, that their children may attend school. It is often said to me by these poor people, "Iam willing to make any sacrifice that my little ones may be educated," and this remark is made by those who have not a crust of bread for the morrow. There are fifty males and seventy-five females in this school; their ages are as follows:

My evening school for adults is full of interest; there is an average attendance of three, hundred pupils. Over one hundred have learnt to read since they began to attend, and almost two hundred pupils will soon need a more advanced book than the one they are now using. Writing has been introduced into this school. It is my intention that only those who can read well, shall be allowed to have lessons given them in this accomplishment. I am obliged to make this condition for them to learn writing, as there is not space in the building to have many departments of learning. As soon as practicable, I intend to introduce arithmetic into this school. I have four Sabbath Schools under my care; two of these I established. At one of these schools there are over six hundred pupils, and at each of the others two hundred. As soon as I receive a supply of books and papers, I hope to establish other schools.

23d, 1863. Mr. James gave me a School which Miss Canedy was teaching, consisting of adults and a few children who could not attend her large school. It is one of intense interest. The scholars manifest the most enthusiastic desire to learn. The great point with all seems to be to read the Testament. Some learn very rapidly and quite well but when they attempt to spell, have no idea whatever of the sound of letters, nor can you give them any if they are old; with the younger ones I am trying to overcome this, and by perseverance shall, I hope, succeed. With those who have ffrown old, it 2