THEOLOGICAL DEP’T, HOWARD UNIVERSITY.
BY REV. W. W. PATTON, D.D.
Our theological anniversary exercises passed off very pleasantly May 5th. They were held in the Assembly Presbyterian Church, which is of convenient size and centrally situated. Though the weather was unpleasant, the attendance was good, both of the white and colored races, and included various persons of distinction. The number of theological students this year has been thirty, not including eight others, who study principally in the classical department. The graduates were five, connected with the Congregational, Presbyterian and Methodist denominations. Three go to the Southern field, and two look towards Africa. Their addresses were most creditable in matter and manner, and were warmly received by the audience. On behalf of the Washington Bible Society, Rev. Dr. Butler presented each of them with a neatly bound copy of the Holy Scriptures. Rev. Dr. Bullock, the chaplain of the United States Senate, made an excellent, practical address to them, on their coming life-work, and Rev. Dr. Craighead, Dean of the department, added some felicitous closing remarks. Owing to the endowment by Mrs. Stone, supplemented by the large aid of the American Missionary Association, and in a less degree by that of the Washington Presbytery, the Theological Department of Howard University is in vigorous operation; and we are prepared to receive and train young men, white or colored, for the Gospel Ministry of all Evangelical denominations.