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362 in advance of our condition one quarter of a century ago. We suffer, as a matter of course, much more than some other races at present, and yet possibly not more than others who have occupied a similar position.

Let us look up and look forward, patiently laboring and waiting and praying for a better day with greater and more lasting blessinos.

To do this one must grasp every opportunity for making a step forward.

As the years roll on, and as we ripen with the experience we shall gather, we may do our part in giving prestige to this race by economy and thrift and watchfulness.

Among those womanly characters that have done so much along this line is to be mentioned Madam Selika, who has well been called the "charming, enchanting singer." This lady seems to have achieved a victory in the beginning of her career as a public musical artist. We commend her achievements as worthy inspirations to many of our young women who already possess great and wonderful talents, who have many opportunities for improvement of same, and who seem to be greatly favored by nature in the distribution of certain special gifts. Each of you can do something to bless your race and country.

While you all cannot be a Selika, a Batson, a Harper, a Wheatley or a Brown in their special callings, you can be equally as great and as good in some other important calling. While we much regret that we cannot at this time present to our readers a full and just account of this