Neqnses STORY OF THE ST. PAUL NORMAL AND INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL [Catechetically Arranged] t LAWRENCEVILLE, VIRGINIA 1919 SrORY OF The St. Paul Normal and Industrial School [Catechetically Arranged] LAWREN'CKVILLK, VIRGINIA 1919 Rev. JAS. S. RUSSELL, D.D.. Principal FOREWORD The catechetical method of presenting the storj’ of the founding, growth, progress and present status of the St. Paul Normal and Industrial School, employed in this little booklet, is uesd in the hope that its superior directness and conciseness of information may make it appeal alike to the general reader and to the busy man or woman who must have a concrele ]>re- sentinent of facts. It is hoped that everyone into whose hands this little volume may come will give it a careful perusal and sj'mpathetic con- sideration, for it represents and describes the life, effort and results of over three decades of consecrated, devoted service for tlte Church and for the upbuilding of a backward race. ST, PAUL S MEMORIAL CHAPEL. LAWRENCE VILLE, VIRGINIA BOARD OF TRUSTEES Rt. Rev. Beverley D. Tucker, D.D Norfolk, Va. Rt. Rev. Arthur C. Thomson, D.D Portsmouth, Va. Mr. Robert B. Tunstall Norfolk, Va. Mr. L. II. Raney Lawrenceville, Va. Rev. David W. Howard, D.D Norfolk, Va. Rev. Carl E. Grammer, D.D Philadelphia, Pa. Mr. Charles E. May Lawrenceville, Va. Rev. II. L. Phillips, D.D Philadelphia, Pa. Rev. Scott Wood, D.D Pittsburgh, Pa. Rev. James S. Russell, D.D Lawrenceville, A’a. Rev. C. Braxton Bryan. D.D Petersburg, Va. Mr. R. C. Taylor, Jr Norfolk, A"a. Rev. Giles B. Cooke Alatliews C. H., Va. Rev. Eilwin R. t'arter Hampton, Va. Mr. Oliver J. Sands Richmond, A'a. Rev. Josejih B. Dunn, D.D Lynchburg, Va. Hon. E. P. Buford Lawrenceville, A’a. Rev. Herbert N. Tucker Boydton, A'a. Mr. W. W. Old, Jr Norfolk, Va. OFFICERS OF THE BOARD Rt. Rev. Beverley D. Tucker, D.D President Rt. Rev. Arthur C. Thomson, D.D Vice-President Rev. .lames. S. Russell, D.D Secrtary Mr. Charles E. May Treasurer The Jones Ainlit Company Auditors Mr. A. II. Turner Business Manager ADVISORY COMMITTEE TO THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES Rt. Rev. Philip M. Rhinelander, D.D. Rev. W. Russell Bowie, D.D. Rev. James E. Gregg. D.D. Judge Legh R. Watts Dr. J. I). Eggleston Mr. .lohn M. Gandy Mr. William Anthony Aery SAUL BUILDING-GENESIS OF NORMAL SCHOOL THE ST. PAUL CATECHISM Question : Where is St. Paul’s Normal and Industrial School located? A.vsweu: At Lawrenceville, Brunswick County, Virginia, in the very heart of the largest Negro population in the state. Ql'es. Who founded the School ? Ans. Archdeacon James S. Russell, July 2nd, 1888. It was opened Sejit ember 24th, 1888, and incorporated March 4th, 1890. QUES. Who is Archdeacon Russell? Ans. He is a devoted Churchman who has given the best years of his life and energj' to missionary and educa- tional effort in building up the Church among his people and in educating and training them for spheres of usefulness. QL'Es. What is his personal history ? .\n.s. lie was born of slave parents in Mecklenburg County, Virginia, December 20th, 1857. He attended private and public schools in the neighborhood until he was 17 years of age, when a chance was given him to enter the Hampton Institute. He was so poor that his school suit was made from wool grown in the neighborhood and woven in the community loom by his grandmother, and made by his mother. From a child it was predicted that he would become a minister of the Hospel. At Hampton he felt more keenly the call to the sacrecl ministry and from there entered the Branch Theological Sem- inary of Virginia, now the Bishop Payne Divinity School. He 7 was graduated from there and was ordained to the diaeonate March 9th, 1882, and seven days thereafter went as a mission- ary to Brunswick and Meeklenl)urg Counties, with headquarters at Lawreneeville. He was advanced to the priesthood Feb- ruary 7th, 1887. He was appointed Archdeacon by the late Bishop Eandolph, October 11th, 1893. He has twice been tendered the highest office in the gift of the Church, once by election to the Suffragan Bishopric of Arkansas, and second by a committee appointed to name a clergyman to be elected Suffragan of another Southern diocese. In each case he de- clined, belie\*ing that the interests of his missionary and educa- tional work in Southern Virginia reqiiired his presence and efforts more. In June, 1917, he was given the degree of D.D. from the Theological Seminary of Virginia, the only colored person to be so honored by this well-known institution. Ques. What are the circumstances of the founding of the School .’ Ans. It is the outgrowth of the Parish School which Arch- deacon Bussell established in the small vestry room of the chapel which he built at Lawreneeville when he first began his missionary labors, in the summer of 1882. The school soon outgrew its original quarters, and through the generosity of the late Rev. Dr. Saul, Philadelphia, a neat three-room building was put up, taking its name from the donor—' ‘ Saul Building. ’ ’ This building still stands on the grounds, the genesis of the Normal School, for it was in this building that tne Normal School was opened, September 24th, 1888, with three teachers and less than a dozen boanlers. Qt'E.s. What impressed Archdeacon Bussell to take such a step .’ Axs. Absolutel,v none. His first land purchase, a piece of point.. Scarcely five out of a hundred could read or write. The schools were poor, terms short (three and four months), teachers for the most part poorlv trained, and nine- teiiths of the ]>eople were tenants or renters. His practical 8 PHYSICAL DRILL mind saw that a school of longer term, giving both academic and industrial training so as to increase their economic and industrial efficiency, was their great need, and that material and social uplift could only come through increased efficiency, industry and thrift. These were the motives that influenced him to take such a step. Ques. Did he have any resources or promises of financial sup- port to encourage him in his venture? Ans. Absolutely none. His first land purctiase, a piece of property costing $1,000, was paid for by giving his own notes. Contracts for building, lumber and other material were entered into and construction begun the latter part of July, 1888, without a dollar in hand or a cent pledged. Three days afterwards a Duluth, Minn., ‘ ‘ Friend ’ ’ sent the first donation of $5.00 to the Normal School. Ques. What then was his dependence? Ans. Faith in God and in the righteousness of his cause, and in the generosity of friends whom he might raise up for the work. That was his principal asset then; and now, after thirty-one years, it still remains the same. Ques. How is the School controlled and supported? Ans. It is under the auspices of the Episcopal Church and controlled by a Board of Trustees. Support comes from donations by churchee, individuals, by boards, from products manufactured by the School, revenue from students’ board, etc. Ques. What are annual running expenses of the School? A.NS. Between fifty and sixty thousand dollars. Ques. What is the total income per year from all sources? Ans. About forty-five thousand dollars. Ques. How much money has to be raised annually to offset the difference between assured income and the amount necessary for running expenses? 10 Ans. Twenty-five thousand dollars. Ques. Was the School successful last year in raising enough money to prevent a current deficit? Ans. Its current deficit was small, due to the rigid economy practiced at the School. Ques. How has the war affected the income of the School? Ans. It reduced it materially. Tliis reduction has been accomplished in two ways; the falling off in donations, the rise in j>rices of commodities, and the necessity of paying increased salaries to teachers and others. Ques. What is the present indebtedness of the School as a consequence of the war period. Ans. About forty-five thousand dollars. Ques. What is the sum needed for running e.\penses for the current year, including the deficit, ami how much of this is assured? Ans. One hundred thousand dollars, amount needed for running expenses, including deficit. Assured, almut thirty-two thousand dollars. Ques. What are the most urgent needs of the School in the matter of buildings, equipment, and the wlierewithal to prosecute its work more efficiently? Ans. Girls’ dormitory, thirty-five thousand dollars; Boys’ trade building, sixty thousand dollars; and equipment for both, fifteen thousand dollars. Ques. Are there other urgent needs besides these.’ Ans. Yes, several, and any person or persons wishing to learn more about these will please correspond with the Principal. II STUDENTS CULTIVATING THE “LOW GROUNDS” Material Results Qces. How does the School compare with similar institutions? Axs. It is the third largest institution of its kind in the country and the largest missionary and educational work under the auspices of the Church. Qces. What is the objective of its training? Axs. The highest Christian and moral education, coupled with a trade of some kind and a thorough English academic education, so that students may return to their respective communities and become useful citizens and eflScient members of society. Qces. Have the results of this training been satisfactory? Axs. Yes; according to competent authorities the School has fully justified its existence and claim for continued support. Qces. Name some of the endorsers among living and deceased ? Axs. Bishops of the Church : Bishops Randolph, Brooks, McVicar, Potter, Greer, Tucker, Dudley, Lines, Lloyd, Tuttle, Gibson, Burgess, Brewster, Lawrence and a host of others, including the General Convention and several diocesan councils, the Board of Education of Virginia, General Educa- tion Board, John F. Slater, and the Board of Missions. Edu- cators, Public Men : Several Governors of Virginia, United States Senators and Congressmen, county officers, doctors, Wallace Buttrick, H. B. Frissell, Booker T. Washington, James H. Dillard, Edwin Alderman and others. Qce.s. What are some of the material results — first, local; second, general ? 13 Ans. Tlie School began with one building, less than a dozen boarders and three teachers. To-day it has forty large and small buildings, three of them permanent brick buildings; five hundred students from 26 states, Cuba, Haiti and Africa ; fifty-two officers, teachers and employees; six hundred grad- uates; over forty-five hundred undergraduates; sixteen hundred acres of land, and a plant valued at over two hundred and fifty thousand dollars. Other local results are the complete revolution of moral, material and educational conditions in its home county. When the School began its work the log cabin reigned supreme, most of the people were renters and tenants, scarcely any own- ing land, ten thousand acres comprising their ownership. The county ranked among the poorest and least progressive in the State. To-day the log cabin is a thing of the past. Frame houses of two, three, four and even six or more rooms, painted, have taken its place. Instead of 10,000 acres, the Negroes now owm 63,000 acres of land, valued at five hundred and thirty thousand eight hundred fourteen dollars, the greatest valuation of Negro-owned farm land in the State, and with one exception the greatest number of acres owned by Negroes of any county in the State. The total personal and real property of Negroes, including town lots, according to the report of the Auditor of Public Accounts for the State and the Personal Property and Land Books of the County, are of the assessed value of $937,799. Aside from these strictly mater’ al re.ults, the criminal expenses are among the lowest in the State. The jail has been known to be empty for six months at a time, and the colored people of Brunswick are now ranked among the most thrifty, industrious and law abiding in the State. This extract from a prominent attorney, of date of Aug. 2, 1919, relative to the Soldiers’ Welcome Home Celebration, reflects prevailing white local opinion : “Yesterday was a glorious day for the Colored people, and I want to thank you and your School for the perfect conduct of these people. They certainly 14 RIFLE SQUAD' PRESENTING fullilled the eipectatioiis 1 had in them. 1 have always said the Colored people of Brunswick were the best behaved in the eoxmtry, and I do not hesitate to say that it is due to your influence and that of your School alone, for you have done more for the race in this section of the country than any living man, and your School more than any other single agency.” Ques. What can be said of the large number of St Paulites who answered the country ’s call for service in the recent World War? Ans. No finer set of men went from any school, and they deported themselves most satisfactorily. They reflect- ed great credit upon their race and the School that trained them. More than a dozen commissioned officers and scores of non- commissioned officers resulted to the credit of St. Paul’s. 18 General Results Ques. What can be said of the results of tlie Sc-hool’s work generally? Ans. It has been very successful. The general work has been of three kinds, purely uplift: the work of grad- uates in their various communities; second, missionary and Church work by its graduates and students; third, educational and community. Ques. What and how about the purely uplift work? Ans. Numbers of the School ’s students have gone into back- ward communities, helped to build schoolhouses and cliurches, encouraged the people to buy land, start bank accounts, build better houses, schools and churches, and improve home surroundings. One graduate went into