Surely this is rapid progress. Not half of one generation has passed, and the spelling book is supplemented by normal, college preparatory, to some extent college, and theological studies. Some of those first primary students are preachers now. The babes of those recent days have become the leaders of their race. Figures are not juicy; but it is noteworthy that one hundred and sixteen of our students were teaching during the last summer vacation; that three hundred and eighteen who had pursued something of Normal studies have gone thence as pedagogues; that of our forty-two Theological students, fifteen are pastors of A. M. A. churches; as many more are ministering in other fields, and the remainder are still in training. Such facts are inspiriting and full of hope. These results, let it be remembered, have been realized with meagre resources and poor appliances. If now our means could be made more commensurate with our necessities, if our resources could compare with our opportunities, what a grand work of patriotism and Christianity might not the College attempt and expect in the near future. As regards the higher branches of learning, the College has an unrivaled place in a great State, half of whose population is black. It has in Alabama more than 600,000 colored people from whom to draw its students. It cares for muscle as well as mind, and for heart most of all. It teaches industry and thrift and economy. It emphasizes the fundamentals, and believes that the foundations of learning should be laid before the superstructure is attempted. Still in its care for the masses, it is seeking for wise leaders, and wishes to take certain elect souls through as long and as thorough a course of study as the circumstances will allow. It aims especially to furnish men well equipped for the Gospel ministry, and thinks it has found a place for uplifting not only America, but Africa, and that by laboring there among the foot-hills of our own Blue Ridge, it may help beautify the Dark Continent with salvation. As long as cotton grows on those black bottoms, or those hills yield their treasures of iron and coal, so long will Talladega College be needed, and so long it hopes to stay. It desires to grow with the generations and increase with the ages. Already it feels its need of permanent investments, and is asking for the beginning of an endowment. It calls for the personal service of some, and asks for the gifts of others who cannot offer themselves. In both cases it gives an opportunity for usefulness as large and as lasting as can be desired. * * * * * Rev. A. D. Mayo, D. D., writes in _The Christian Register_ of Talladega College as follows: