institutions; but I tried to mention one or more persons engaged in the different branches of business and professions. So any who are omitted will please attribute it to a want of space and not a neglect or oversight on my part.

[Pg xiii]

I shall feel that I have accomplished a good work if I have set before my readers food for earnest thought on the questions involved.

 G. F. Richings. 

G. F. Richings.

[Pg xiv]

[Pg xiv]

CONTENTS.

Introduction.

Preface.

[Pg xv]

[Pg xvi]

[Pg 17]

[Pg 17]

EVIDENCES OF PROGRESS AMONG COLORED PEOPLE.

CHAPTER I.

BAPTIST SCHOOLS MANAGED BY WHITE PEOPLE.

In 1865 four million colored people suddenly emerged from bondage, poor, ignorant, and in many cases with very crude notions of religion or morality. Not one-third of those who had arrived to years of understanding at that time can be found among the eight millions of colored population to-day. And consequently, the younger element of this race know little or nothing about the great conflict, the culmination of which brought to their fathers and mothers that boon of all human aspiration—liberty. "With the mutations of time in Egypt, a king arose 

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