BY SECRETARY A.F. BEARD.


It included every Southern State in extent from Virginia to Texas, and
from Texas to Florida. It was a study of schools, their methods and
attainments; it was the acquaintance of new teachers and their work, the
greeting of those who have become old friends, the look into the eyes of
more colored youth in schools than usually falls to one person. It was a
comparative study of classes of all grades in schools of the same grade,
and of schools in different States and environments. It was an
examination of industries in agriculture, industries in mechanics, of
schools, normal and collegiate. It was an inspection of properties; an
inquiry as to the prices of paints and brick and lime and wall papers.

It was a visit to churches, a handshake with pastors and deacons, a
gathering of congregations to "make their wants and wishes known" to
"the Association." One soon learns that the correct use of the definite
article to designate the A.M.A. is not confined to those who have
studied grammar. There is only one Association for these people. They
never call it "American" nor even "Missionary." "The" is all sufficient,
and it does one good to hear his society thus alphabetically
abbreviated, as it does to meet these warm-hearted brethren of the
colored churches which have been nourished with life by "The"
Association. If anyone is suffering from iciness in the cardiac region,
there is no better place for him to get the cockles of his heart well
warmed up than in some of the colored congregations' churches which I
visited. I said some. Alas! there is a difference in churches--in the
South.