(From a Lady Teacher in the Mountains.)


We have been greatly encouraged in our work. A marked earnestness has
been expressed by our scholars. The industrial building has afforded
work for a number. Our boys enjoy their work much and are so thankful
they "can git to go to school." Many of the older scholars who enter our
school have never had any advantages, or, as they express it "pow'ful
bad chance of gittin book-larnin."

They are willing to take their places with the small children. It is
really pitiful to see the embarrassment of a young man of nearly thirty
years, when he cannot read a single sentence in the Second Reader. Two
years ago, a young man entered my department who had not attended school
in fourteen years. He actually knew nothing; one week he did nothing but
listen. He was ashamed; he thought he could not stand it. He was a
Christian young man, and asked God to help him. His progress has been a
wonder. To-day, he stands at the head of his grade and conducts one of
our out-station Sunday-schools every Sabbath. He has an excellent
influence among his people, seeing their needs, and his great desire is
to carry the blessed news of the gospel among his own people. The
possibilities of our girls and boys God only knows.

During our vacation a number of our scholars went home. One girl visited
her home, a distance of about fifteen miles. Her brother, a rough
mountain boy, came for her with his "wag." She was a happy girl, for her
love for her mother is great. She did not return, and we thought she had
left us. To-day she appeared, bounding in and crying for joy. 'I just
struck out and walked, and I'm nigh plumb giv out.' The change in these
girls is often very encouraging. We feel greatly our cramped room, but