FISK UNIVERSITY COMMENCEMENT.
A. R. MERRY, STUDENT.
The commencement exercises of Fisk University began on Sunday, May 19th, at eleven o’clock A. M. Addresses were made before the Society for the Evangelization of Africa, by Professors Spence and Chase.
As the readers of the Missionary doubtless know, from this Society already have gone forth four young consecrated souls to bear the light of the Gospel and civilization to the perishing ones on the west coast of Africa; and in the future we are sure that many more will verify the prophetic saying of one of those already gone: “Her sons and her daughters are ever on the altar.”
At three P. M. the baccalaureate sermon was preached by the Rev. H. S. Bennett, from the text, Matt. xxii. 21: “Render, therefore, unto Cæsar the things that are Cæsar’s, and unto God the things that are God’s.”
On Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, commencing at 9.30 o’clock, examinations were held in all the departments of the University, and were, on the whole, unusually satisfactory.
On Monday evening the Common-school Normal Exhibition took place, at which time those who have completed that course were granted certificates of ability to teach in the common-schools. The exercises of the evening consisted of essays and original declamations.
On Tuesday evening the Union Literary Society held its ninth anniversary. The exercises were unusually interesting, especially the debate, “Should the colored people of the United States migrate to Africa,” which was well sustained on both sides, by Mr. J. C. McAdams, of Tennessee, in the affirmative, and Mr. R. H. Harbert, of Texas, in the negative.
On Wednesday evening the Senior Preparatory and Higher Normal Exhibition took place. Six young men were admitted to college, and three young ladies secured the Higher Normal diploma.
On Thursday, College Commencement day, the interest of the week culminated. At an early hour the chapel of the University began to be filled, until all available space was occupied. The audience room was tastefully and elaborately decorated. At the back of the platform, extending its entire length, was the national flag, gracefully folded and festooned. Above, on one side, was the portrait of the hero, Livingstone; on the other, that of the statesman and philanthropist, Wilberforce; from the centre, the generous, open countenance of General Clinton B. Fisk smiled benignly down; above all, in evergreen, were the words, “Class of ’78.”
At eleven o’clock the exercises commenced with the chorus, “Hail, Festal Day,” well rendered by the University choir, after which prayer was offered by Rev. Mr. Baird, of Ohio. Mr. H. S. Merry, one of the two graduates, then delivered his oration, “Beyond the Alps our Italy.” The young man acquitted himself with honor. The manuscript of Mr. Miller, the other graduate—now absent as Missionary to Africa—not having arrived as expected, extracts from letters recently received by various members of the University were read instead. These letters breathed forth a spirit of zeal and devotion, and a courage unabated, even in the presence of the obstacles and difficulties with which he must daily combat, thus showing that his was not a mere romantic sentiment, but a deep, controlling principle.
After a well-rendered instrumental solo, Mr. John H. Burrus, candidate for the Master of Arts degree, read a carefully prepared thesis on “American Citizenship.”
Rev. A. J. Baird, D. D., of Nashville, then delivered the Commencement Address, which was full of wholesome, practical advice, interspersed with happy illustration. He dwelt largely upon the great tendency of young men to rest upon their laurels won in college, and to expect afterward to float with folded arms into a haven of prosperity and success. He maintained that substantial success is achieved only by unmitigated toil. After the address, the degree of A. B. was conferred upon Messrs. H. S. Merry and A. P. Miller, and the degree of M. A. upon Mr. Jno. H. Burrus and Mrs. Virginia Walker Broughton. After a few pertinent remarks by Prof. A. K. Spence, Dean of the Faculty, a shield, bearing in golden letters upon a blue field the parting words of one of our missionaries, which have been unanimously adopted as the motto of our institution—“Her sons and her daughters are ever on the altar”—was suspended upon the wall of the chapel amid sounds of hearty applause. The benediction was then pronounced by Rev. L. N. Merry.
In one hour, professors, students of boarding department and invited guests assembled in the dining hall to partake of a carefully prepared collation. After all had partaken heartily, remarks were interchanged by invited guests, professors and students. Among the many pleasant features of the occasion was the presence of two old friends of the Institution from Great Britain—Rev. George Crow, of Belfast, Ireland, and Rev. William Bathgate, of Kilmarnock, Scotland, who gave many words of cheer and congratulation. Thus pleasantly closed the most prosperous and eventful year in the history of the institution, with a clear gain of thirty-five per cent. in attendance over last year. On the day after commencement, the 24th, the Union Jack floated from the tower of Jubilee Hall, in honor of the birthday of Queen Victoria, and significant of the close relation the institution sustains to its friends in Great Britain.