PREFACE. I was born in the Qreen River Country, Hart County, Iientucky, May 30th, 1851. I was a slaveuntil theEmancipation. Myparentsleftme and went do the Good Land when 1 was yet a boy. My chances for an education have not been good. In that matter, however, I have done what I. could. I have labored with my hands, taught school, and preached a RISEN, present Savior-not a bad lot after all. I am now an Elder in the African Meth odist Episcopal Church, the stationed pastor at Springfield, Ohio, and General Financial Agent of Wilberforce University. JVi th this brief account of myself, I pass to notice the Institution in whose interest I have written, and whose permanent endow ment I hope to secure. Wilberforce University is situated three and onehalf miles North-East of Xenia, Qreene County, Ohio surrounded by beautiful farms, and from the West, looked down upon by a group of heavily wood ed hills. It is one of the most desirable College sites in Ohio. The locality is eminently healt, hy. considerable creek, minding around the groui dst o the Southward, drains the nejghborirlg fields, and gives the whole surrounding an admirably neat aspect. A number of fine springs break out in the deep ravines around t, he College, bubbling and laughing, with lucid health sparkling jn their faces. The campus is laid out on a beautiful p1 at eau, lying South-East of the University, and covered by a splendid grove with here and there a neat cottage among the trees. TIIE BUILDING. The University Building is of substantial brick and slate roofed. The rooms are large and airy. The accommodations good. Probable value of buildings and grounds, 52 acrep, sixty-iive thousand dollars G5,000.00. No incumbrances.MISSION. The school, thougll under the auspices of the A. M. E. Church, is-STRICTLY NON-SECTARIAN in its pretensions, and has, as its general mission, the irnparting of CHHIST A ED N U CATI t O o N th e colored race. The special mission of the Normal and Scientific De partmenth is the preparation of Christian Teachers for Southern fields of labor. The Theologic, zl De partment hag, as its special work, the training of ef PREFACE. 7 Gcien t preachers, to carry an enligh tenrd Gospel among the freedmen. The great and good founder of the institution, Bishop D. A. Payno, D. D., has lived to see much of the fruits of his labor in the last-named department. Bishop Payne came to the Presidency of the Uni versity when in its trembling infancy, and for fifteen years holding up the mot. to, LIKEP RIES L T I, K E P EO PLE, he cried in the ears of the churches Give us educated preachers for the freedmen, until many big hearted and good young men rose up and follomed him. His successor, the Rev. Benjarbiu F. Lee, B. D., one of his students, shows that he lacks nothing of his masters spirit, efficielit in training, strong in intellect, replete in goodness and supported by a Faculty who share his rare qualities he goes right to work with a v131 that means inspiration…
