Part 3

“I commend this institution. I do not know of one educational institution in the country which is more important in its tendencies, as well as in its promised results, than this. I hope that Virginia will continue to extend her helping hand, that its patrons North and South will not withdraw their support, and that continued success may attend the labors of the General and those who are associated with him in this work. I will only add that these sentiments of appreciation of this work, and the desire for its enlargement and extension, are most heartily concurred in by the President of the United States.”

With a benediction from the venerable Dr. Plumer, the assembly broke up. The visitors turned toward their homes, and the school resumed its work, which will continue for three weeks, to the end of its academic year. I need not say to the friends of the Indian and the negro, perhaps scarcely to those who care for the welfare of our own Caucasian race in these United States, don’t forget Hampton and the institutions of which it is a shining example.

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FISK UNIVERSITY.

Early delays——Increasing favor——The five closing days.

MISS ANNA M. CAHILL, NASHVILLE.

Looking back over the past nine months, it seems a long time since the dark days of last September, when the school opened under the shadow of the pestilence, and we saw one of our own students, just returned from his summer work, stricken down by the fever. The firmness with which the few students then in the school stood bravely by their work gave some of us a confidence in their fortitude and faithfulness which, perhaps, we could not have gained without some such time of trial to develop it. As the autumn advanced the school began to fill up, though some who came to us after Christmas from the lower part of Mississippi assured us they came “as soon as it was safe.” Naturally the decrease in attendance resulting from the epidemic, was mostly seen in the number of new students. Those who have fairly started in the work of getting an education cannot be detained except by absolute necessity; others, who were thinking for the first time of going away to school, were easily led to wait another year.

Notwithstanding the delay in getting the school started, one of the features of the year has been the steadiness in attendance, especially in the advanced classes. As the result of this regularity in attendance, the school work has gone on with rather unusual satisfaction. There has been little to interrupt the quiet spirit of study that has so much to do with the amount accomplished; a friendly spirit of rivalry between different classes and among members of the same class makes it from year to year more of a disgrace to fall below the standard of scholarship.

The school has been growing in favor with the Southern people. The presence of a large part of the State Legislature at our public rhetorical exercise, in March, and the evident pleasure with which they listened to the young people, indicated an increasing interest in our success. We find that the aims of the University commend themselves to the best men of the State.

The anxious question as to how these aims can be carried out, and the enlarging necessities of the work met, has been partly answered by the generous offers to the University of $60,000 and $20,000, which have made this year memorable. It is safe to say that no visit has ever been made to our school that left in the hearts of teachers and students more hope and encouragement and thankfulness than that of the gentlemen who, after inspecting the work of the school for a few days in the Spring, gave, at the close of their visit, the intimation of the former gift.

The year has had a religious history peculiar to itself. Without any thing that could be called revival interest, there has been a constant turning of the unconverted, and a quiet earnestness on the part of Christians, that leave us with the feeling that the Spirit of God has indeed been with us. Beginning with January, there have been several additions to the college church at every communion season, and fully as many have connected themselves with other churches.

As the closing exercises of a school must partake of the general character of the year, our commencement week was one of much interest. Our delightful Tennessee climate scarcely affords a more beautiful week than that in which the commencement occurred.

Beginning with Sunday, five days are occupied with the different exercises. Examinations continue through Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Monday evening is given to the exhibition of the class finishing the common school normal course; Tuesday evening is devoted to the Union Literary Society; and on Wednesday evening the class finishing the preparatory course deliver their orations and are admitted to college. Thus there is a growing interest and importance through the entire week, ending with the college commencement on Thursday.

Dr. Roy reached us on Saturday, and stayed during the closing week, delivering, on Sunday evening, an excellent address before the Missionary Society. The baccalaureate sermon was for the first time preached by President Cravath, who for several years has been necessarily absent at the close of school. The shadow of death came once more into our household. One who five years ago came to the University to take the place of matron, but who for the past year has been suffering the weariness and pain of a long illness, was, on the morning of Commencement Sunday, called away from earth. The simple funeral services mingled strangely with the closing exercises, but the effect seemed to be only to give a deeper shade of earnestness to all our work, as one who had loved the work to the last passed from its labor into rest.

Among the visitors who attended the examinations were the superintendent and teachers of the white schools in the neighboring city of Edgefield, who expressed great pleasure at what they heard.

The evening exhibitions are always largely attended, the audience frequently changing every evening. Quite a large number of white people can be seen at almost any of our public exercises. The students of Vanderbilt University take a friendly interest, or perhaps curiosity, in hearing their darker brothers. The exercises of the Union Literary Society on Tuesday evening especially attracted their attention. Five of the students received certificates, and two of those admitted to college were absent teaching in Mississippi. The class entering college, ten in number, is the largest ever admitted to our college course, and we hope President Cravath’s admonition to have their number complete when they are ready for their degrees will be carried out.

Of Commencement day the following extracts from the Nashville _American_, of May 23d, will give the best account:

“The chapel of Jubilee Hall was beautifully decorated. Around the six iron pillars were twined ropes of cedar, while over the shield, upon which are the memorable words of Albert Miller, now a missionary in Africa, ‘Her sons and her daughters are ever on the altar,’ hung festoons of cedar. Draped along the entire length of the stage, and hanging in graceful folds, were the Dutch and American flags, while the British Union Jack stretched along the side of the room. Above the platform, in the centre, hung the beautiful portrait of Dr. David Livingstone. On either side were the portraits of the Earl of Shaftesbury and William Wilberforce. Between the portraits, in large letters of cedar, were the words, ‘Class of ’79.’ An hour before the time the highways were filled with the friends of the Institution on their way to Jubilee Hall.” After giving the opening programme, the account continues: “Preston R. Burrus, of Nashville, spoke of ‘The Power of Wealth’ with earnestness and good gesticulation, but a little too fast for the best expression. He was greeted with deserved applause as he closed. Miss J. H. K. Hobbs, of Nashville, read a well prepared essay on ‘What shall we Read?’ She read in a loud, clear voice. The excellence of the matter and the manner of reading enlisted the close attention of the audience. Austin R. Merry, of Nashville, spoke of ‘Ideals and their Influence.’ Mr. Merry’s production was an elegant presentation of the difficult subject he had taken, and evinced the possession of a pen of no ordinary ability. The delivery was as vigorous and graceful as the production was well written.

“Miss Lulu F. Parker, of Memphis, presented an essay on ‘Genius and Labor,’ but owing to sickness was unable to read it. It was read by Miss Laura S. Cary, one of the graduates of the Institution, and at present assistant teacher of Greek.

“The commencement address was delivered by Rev. J. E. Roy, D. D. Dr. Roy announced as his subject, ‘The Incompleteness of Individual Talent.’ While there is adjustment of the powers of the mind——intellect, sensibility and will——these are not always equally developed. Unity in variety is the law of Nature. As no two faces are alike, so no two minds are alike. One mind supplements another; one man fails where another succeeds; the first man succeeds in some other calling. A Western farmer failed as a farmer and storekeeper, but became the greatest captain of his age. All gifts are not combined in one man. Great inventions are the growth of years and the contributions of many minds. Theology is a growth developed through the centuries and by many intellects. It is still open to improvement. This diversity of talent provides for a division of labor. All occupations are mutually helpful, each being dependent on the other. Men and women have each their sphere, or rather hemisphere; the family is the unit of society. The mail goes to the polls and deposits ‘their’ votes——the votes of the family. Each man has his own talent. This he should cultivate. ‘Act well your part, there all the honor lies.’ The address abounded in striking passages and terse statements.”

“President Cravath then, in behalf of the Trustees of the University, addressed the graduating class in fitly chosen words, and gave them their diplomas.

“At two o’clock the alumni dinner, one of the institutions of Commencement week, came off. About sixty guests, including former graduates, members of the college classes, and various ministers of city churches, sat down with students and teachers to an ample collation. After dinner an hour was occupied in listening to speeches, which abounded in wit, humor and pathos.

“Thus closed a series of exercises which are regarded by all those who witnessed them as unusually interesting and successful.”

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STRAIGHT UNIVERSITY.

Commencement——A Local Notice——A Short Year——Needs and Hopes.

PROF. J. K. COLE, NEW ORLEANS.

A class of eight has just been graduated from the classical department of this University——the largest class yet sent out——of which seven were young men. Six members of the class pursued the entire course here; the other two had taken the greater part of their course at another school, and came here the last year to graduate. The size of the class and the corresponding large circle of personal friends excited more than usual interest in the commencement exercises, which were held Wednesday evening, June 4th, at Central Church. The body of the church was crowded to its utmost capacity, and many were forced to find seats in the gallery.

It is something entirely new that our school should be noticed in the local papers, and I shall be pardoned for taking the following from the New Orleans _Times_ of the 5th inst. After giving the order of exercises, it says:

“The orations were of high order, and reflected great credit upon the young men. They all gave evidence of the thoroughness of training they had received in the University. They certainly gave promise of honorable success in the life-work to which they had devoted themselves. The essay and valedictory of Miss Flemming deserves especial mention. It was well written and gracefully rendered.”

The singing, says the _Times_, “was exceptionally fine. Professor McPherron deserves great credit for the patient and thorough instruction which was manifest in the superior rendering of the anthems and glees.”

President Alexander conferred the diplomas in a brief address of commendation, encouragement and advice.

The school year has been too short to accomplish all that was desirable. Eight months, our usual time, seems a short school year, but to reduce this one-quarter is almost a disaster; and furnishing school-rooms and supplying furnaces, out-buildings, cisterns and much needed plank-walks after school opened, was for a time a great hindrance. But the end of the year shows, in many respects, favorable results, and leaves more hopeful impressions and anticipations for the future.

The need of buildings for a boarding department is as urgent as ever, but this need we hope may be met by the donation from the Stone estate. These accommodations will bring in a large addition from the country of just such material as we desire——young men and women from the better families who are unwilling to come to the city and board away from the influences of the teachers.

The unsettled condition of the public schools, too, is likely to add largely to the number of students here next year.

We can only hope that our good friends at the North will see, as we in the field see, the importance of not only keeping up our present work, but of extending it and making it better each succeeding year.

New buildings will certainly bring many new pupils. More pupils will require more teachers, and more teachers will increase the expenses of the A. M. A. But _now is the time to do good among this people_, and we trust the churches who sustain this work will not be weary in well-doing, but will furnish all the means that are needed to extend this work wisely.

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TOUGALOO UNIVERSITY.

Sunday-School Convention——Farm and Normal Work——Compliments.

MISS ORRA A. ANGELL, TOUGALOO.

During my three years’ stay in Tougaloo, there have been many changes that deserve to be more widely known. One that is fresh in mind is our Sunday-school convention, held on June 1st. It was first assembled by our principal, one year ago, at that time an entirely new and unheard-of affair among our pupils. What a change was wrought in their estimate of Sunday-school work by last year’s teachings and convention. The heavy rains of Saturday last compelled our use of the chapel instead of the grove, and reduced the number in attendance, yet one of our students made a journey of fifty miles to be present, and we received word from others through the county who desired to come. A Sunday-school Union of our young men having been formed this term, its president opened the convention, and our principal was appointed chairman of the session. The forenoon was given to remarks and a temperance concert by our Sabbath-school. One fruit of the concert ripened immediately. One of the recitations was an extract from Colfax, upon the death following drunkenness, and the young man who gave it came to the office _next morning_ to sign the pledge. Being asked if it had not been his business to sell liquor, he answered, “Yes, but I shall bust it up! I felt as if _I_ was bound for death.” The two months he has spent here have prepared him to make this decision. The afternoon session from two to five consisted of addresses by the Faculty and students, followed each by discussion.

The good of the convention was not merely in the considerable number present giving the people of this county the benefits of one day’s contact with a modern Sunday-school; but the efforts of our students will be far more intelligently directed as they disperse through this State to their summer teaching. Their desire to push forward their mission work will only be _increased_ by the rude log churches, benches that tip uneasily, shuttered holes in the walls, and dearth of Sunday-school papers, books and Bibles. The needs of their people are becoming more and more plain to them as they observe the methods and efforts used for themselves at this school, and the example set causes them to use some efforts for the benefit of others. They draw their pupils with them on their return here. The pestilence of last summer kept from us an overflow of students whom our next term will see filling our rooms. Perhaps the cracked and leaning walls of our buildings will be severely tried, but all who wish to study will be welcomed with confidence on our part, that all needs will in time be met with a supply.

The young people enter on a busy life here, in many respects new to most of them. Their own hands do most of the farm and in-door work. We have a field of one hundred acres planted in corn; next on one side is the sweet potato patch of ten acres; and on a southeast slope were set strawberry plants last year, that will another season furnish a supply for some northern market. This spring ten acres were sown with grass, ten with clover that now feels revived by the recent rains. The new wire fence is already showing its merits by keeping in our own stock and shutting out others that have heretofore grazed in our grove and fields. Our stock is now of the best breeds, and instead of buying we shall be able to supply meats for our tables, that already have a variety of early vegetables from the garden. Ornamental trees have been set out upon the grounds, and the whole plantation has been brought to better use and improved appearance.

Less frequent change of teachers, a more regular attendance of students, and their promotion according to merit, have advanced the scholarship in this institution. Last summer for the first time it graduated a class. The present year opened two months later than usual, and the senior class will study another year before graduating.

Normal methods have been used this year in the seminary department, and proved a success, giving promise of better material for promotion to the preparatory department. The senior class in the normal department have had one lesson a week in the primary room; and in addition to this preparation for their work as teachers, all in the normal department have been formed into a practice class in grammar, each in turn being teacher of the rest. The examinations of this week in these and other classes have given pleasing evidences of the work accomplished.

After the examination closed on Thursday, students in the normal department have literary exercises, interspersed with music, before an audience numbering many of the parents and former students, some of the trustees and other friends of the institution.

At 3 P. M. the President of the Board of Trustees of the State Normal School and others gave congratulations and sound advice to attentive and appreciative listeners. The President of the Board referred to the fact that the State had made no appropriation for the school for the present year and last, saying it was not from any lack of interest in the work done here, but simply because the Board of Trustees found it impossible to perform the duties imposed by the State, while the school itself was under the control of another Board of Trustees or Society, and therefore had made no recommendations to the Legislature. He said, as evidence of their appreciation of our work, that he would refer to what one of the members of the Board, who is also county superintendent of an adjoining county, said at the last meeting of the Board. He said that the moral influence of the teachers in his county who are students at Tougaloo is quite different from those coming from other schools; that almost invariably they start Sunday-schools as soon as they open their day-schools. He assured the teachers and pupils and friends present, that they might expect with much confidence an appropriation to the institution of a few thousand dollars from the next Legislature, with a visiting committee to see if it is well expended, and make report directly to the Legislature.

Rev. J. E. Roy, D.D., our Field Superintendent, in his address upon “Our Country,” gave an immense amount of practical information in regard to its history, vast area and resources, its wonderful development during the past century, its present condition and future possibilities. This address, as also his missionary address the night before, could not fail to inspire all with true _patriotism_, and the real gospel spirit.

Thursday evening an exhibition by the preparatory and primary departments closed the exercises of the week, and the delighted friends parted, feeling a greater interest than ever in their institution.

We feel grateful for the general good health and harmony of feeling during the past year, and we look forward with courage to the coming year.

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HOWARD UNIVERSITY.

Commencement Exercises——Theological Department.

REV. W. W. PATTON, D.D., WASHINGTON.

The educational year at Howard University, Washington, D. C., closed with the last week in May. It has been one of success in all respects. The students instructed in the various departments were 236. The concluding exercises were largely attended and of great interest. At the college commencement the audience overflowed all accommodations, large numbers being compelled to stand, and various members of Congress who attended went away expressing the highest gratification at all that they saw and heard. The recent appropriation by Congress of $10,000 towards the maintenance of the University in the academic departments, is a great relief and encouragement, it having received the support largely of both political parties. The thoughtful Democrats are becoming convinced that the University is well managed, and is doing a good work, which could easily be quadrupled with suitable aid. At the recent annual meeting of the trustees, Hon. Thomas J. Kirkpatrick, of Lynchburg, Va., appeared for the first time, and at the close made very impressive remarks as a representative of the old slave-holders. He was an officer in the Confederate army, and is an elder in the Southern Presbyterian church. He pledged a hearty co-operation in our work, and declared the negro race to be a noble race and deserving of all that could be done for it. This brought to his feet another trustee, Frederick Douglass, the famous colored orator, now marshal of the district, who responded with great eloquence and pathos, and as an ex-slave cordially welcomed the ex-slave-holder to the common work of sustaining Howard University as a grand instrumentality for elevating the oppressed negro race. The scene was touching in the extreme, and ended with a prayer of thanksgiving by Bishop Brown, of the African Methodist Episcopal Church.