An Appeal in behalf of the Washington Education Society

AN APPEAL

IN BEHALF OF THE

WASHINGTON EDUCATION SOCIETY,

WHICH IS AUXILIARY TO THE

NATIONAL THEOLOGICAL INSTITUTE,

WITH A

STATEMENT OF THE WORK OF THE INSTITUTE IN WASHINGTON, D. C.,

AND IMMEDIATE VICINITY.

Washington, D. C., July 31, 1866.

The undersigned, officers and members of regular Baptist Churches in Washington and vicinity, take occasion, in behalf of The Washington Education Society, which is auxiliary to the The National Theological Institute, to solicit the earnest attention of the Christian public to the following statement:

The special object of the Society is "to aid in the support and in promoting the usefulness of brethren who may be striving to enjoy the facilities for education afforded by the Institute, especially in connection with the maintenance of schools where they may be profitably employed, according to their ability, in imparting instruction to others."

In addition to the work in operation in other sections of the country, and not including the fifty connected with the schools in Alexandria, there are in this city and immediate vicinity, belonging to the schools of the Institute, about two hundred Christian brethren, fifty-five of whom are connected with the school which is under the daily supervision and instruction of Dr. Turney, at Institute Hall.

Most of the brethren in these schools, having been but recently released from a state of slavery, are poor. It is difficult for them, with the utmost industry and economy, to meet the necessities of life. Any assistance for them, in the way of money, clothing or provisions, by which they may be able to secure a greater portion of their time for study, will be rendered to the best possible effect. Such contributions are urgently needed for the most effectual accomplishment of the great object had in view; and when made, they will be faithfully and economically applied. Donations for this purpose may be forwarded to Washington, D. C., either to Rev D. W. Anderson, Chairman of the Executive Board of the Society, 279 North L St., Rev. Wm. F. Nelson, Secretary, 114 Second St., David Rees, Esq., Treasurer, 406 F St., Charles H. Morse, Esq., Member of the Board, 350 New York Avenue, or to Rev. E. Turney, D.D., 56 Louisiana Avenue, who has under general superintendence the schools of the Institute, and who is hereby particularly requested to collect contributions for the object of this Society, at such points as he may visit at the North during the summer.

The National Institute, in the instruction of those who have been gathered into its schools, "is doing," as Gen. Howard has so truthfully and appropriately remarked, "a most important and valuable work." It is a work which has the warmest and most unqualified sympathy of those who are the most directly and largely reached by its benefits. While the facilities for instruction afforded by the Institute are freely extended to the members of other denominations, they are enjoyed chiefly by those belonging to the Baptist Churches. And, in addition to other friends, the regular Baptist Churches of colored brethren in this city and vicinity, are, without exception, in organic and active co-operation with it. We believe that in the Institute, with its provisions for instruction, and the adaptation of its arrangements to the wants of those for whom it is designed, they are unanimous in recognizing the provision which God in his providence has supplied for the prosecution and accomplishment of the work which it has in charge. Will our brethren to whom this appeal may come, unite with them to supply the means to make it in the highest degree effective?

It may be proper to add, that those who are being instructed in the schools of the Institute, are, in their turn, very many of them, as they are able, instructing others. A very considerable number of week-day schools, for the instruction chiefly of adults, have been put into operation, in which they are thus being usefully employed as instructors. The number in this immediate vicinity who are receiving regular and valuable instruction in the schools thus organized, is already not less than five hundred; while the whole number who are being taught by these brethren, either during the week or in various Sabbath day exercises, is more than two thousand. Shall this work be encouraged?

D. W. ANDERSON, Chairman of the Executive Board of the Society, and Pastor of the 19th Street Baptist Church. deacons. Lindsay Muse, Vice-President, Cornelius Clark, Wm. Pierre, Superintendent of Sunday School.

SHILOH CHURCH. William J. Walker, Pastor. committee. Edward Brook, James Sample, S. G. Scott. J. M. Washington, Clerk.

SECOND COLORED CHURCH. [The Pastor, Rev. J. H. Gaines, a Member of the Executive Board of the Society, is now absent.] co-operating committee. George Ensor, Andrew Green, William H. Hewett, Frank Dixon.

FIRST COLORED CHURCH, ISLAND. W. H. Lee, Pastor. committee. Materson Frazier, Henderson Noakes, William Newman.

THIRD CHURCH. Albert Boulden, Pastor. co-operating committee. William B. Jefferson, Henry Scott, John Wiggins.

FOURTH CHURCH. Henry Baily, Pastor. committee. Solomon Hunter, Robert Johnson, John Johnson, Robert Young, Robert Collins.

ZION CHURCH, ISLAND. William J. Walker, Pastor. committee. George W. Jackson, H. Fitzhugh, Richard Bumbry, Henry Brooks.

THE GEORGETOWN CHURCH. Sandy Alexander, Pastor. deacons and other officers. Aaron Lomax, Beverly Pryor, Moses Wilson, Thornton Yates, A. Butler.

ENON CHURCH. Samuel Scott, Pastor committee. William Thornton, George Mentis, John Shirley.

FIRST COLORED BAPTIST CHURCH, FAIRFAX COUNTY, VA. Cyrus Carter, Minister. deacons. Richard Thomas, Henry Nickens, Armstead Westerly, Lee Currier, Robert Parker.

FIFTH CHURCH. John H. Brooks, Minister. committee. Washington Waller, A. Fitzhugh, Frank Mahoney, Dabney Walker.

MOUNT ZION CHURCH, ARLINGTON. Robert S. Laws, Pastor. committee. Simon Robinson, Robert Jackson, John Smithers, Randall Bates.

The signatures here given are all from those belonging to churches of colored brethren.

The Examinations of students of the Institute, at Institute Hall, July 2d, and at Metzerott Hall, July 16th, were, by universal testimony, in the highest degree, satisfactory. Arrangements for a public Examination, also, of the school taught by Rev. D. W. Anderson, at the corner of 19th and I Streets, are in process of completion.

WILLIAM F. NELSON, Secretary.

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