Hildebran Industrial Academy, Hildebran, N. C.
By J. W. Beach
OUR third year of school in this Southland has opened very encouragingly, and a new order of things has come in without any effort on our part. Last year we had thirty pupils from homes not of our faith, and some months ago these patrons and the free school board proposed that they close the free school and send the children to us; and instead of paying tuition, they pay two teachers, furnish the schoolhouse and fuel. After consulting with the academy board and with others capable of giving good advice, we accepted their proposition, and now school has opened with ninety-five enrolled, and more to follow. We have secured the aid of Sister Rochelle Philmon, of Gainesville, Ga., and have graded the school, placing the first three grades in the primary room, the next three in another room, and the class in academic work in another room. These arrangements exceed our fondest hopes in the working out of the details, and we have reason to expect a very successful year. We praise the Lord for overruling in the plans, and also in carrying out the same. We would like to take occasion to say to our friends in the North that there is a great needy field here in the South; there are hundreds of places ripe for the opening of small schools, and we find the children agreeable, naturally polite, studious, easily governed, and desirable students. J. W. BEACH.