Another evidence of such appreciation is found in the attendance at our school anniversaries, of persons who represent public sentiment. At Hampton, President Hayes, Secretary Schurz, the Governor and an ex-Governor of Massachusetts were present; at Berea, the audience numbered probably 1,800 or 2,000 persons, two-thirds being of the white race; at Fisk, there was reported “a crowded house;” at Atlanta, the audience was packed; at Straight University, New Orleans, it is reported that “the audience, both in numbers and intelligent appreciation, was one of the best ever gathered for the purpose in the city.” Our work is not now done in a corner, nor under the ban of good people, North or South. The colored people show their appreciation of the schools by an increased attendance. The roll is larger than last year in the aggregate, and in nearly all the departments. The total number of pupils reported this year is 8,052 against 7,207 last year. The largest proportionate increase is in the theological, grammar and normal grades. Our schools are meant to be _religious_. If not, they are as nothing to us. We watch, therefore, with great jealousy, the developments in this direction, and we are gratified to be able to report interesting revivals at Fisk, Tougaloo and Woodbridge, with conversions and a quiet spiritual work at other schools. The usefulness and activity of our students as they go out in vacation or at graduation may be illustrated by facts like these: “One pupil who is a minister reports over forty hopeful conversions in connection with his labors during the summer vacation.” Another writes: “I was assigned to a place where there was no school-house or church. The people had their meeting under an arbor. I worked with the patrons until they built me a school-house.” From Memphis the report is: “Sixteen of our young people have, during the summer, taught 1,035 day pupils, and very nearly as many Sunday-school scholars.” The returning pupils at Tougaloo reported that “the Sunday-school and Temperance work had been vigorously pushed with excellent results, one of which was over 1,300 signers to the Temperance pledge.” Our _Theological Departments_ are the flower of our schools, and the germinating seed for our church work. They have this year, as we have seen, increased in the number of their students and in their efficiency. Talladega reports that “eight young men will graduate from the Theological Department, all of whom will enter the Congregational ministry in the South. They are now warmly welcomed to the pulpits of all denominations.” From New Orleans: “The Theological Department is larger than in any previous year. Four of the class are ordained ministers, of whom two are pastors of churches in New Orleans.” The Theological Department of Howard University reports that “sixteen students were sent forth to preach, all of whom go to the South to the Freedmen.”