A JUBILATE.
(Composed for the Commencement Exercises of Tillotson Institute.)
BY MISS ANGIE FULLER.
A song, a song of joyous exultation,
That where but late was darkness and despair,
Harps upon the willows, hopeless lamentation,
Sighing and moans, and foolish superstitions,
The cringing fear and terror stricken wail,
With all the miserable, the pitiful conditions
Gross ignorance and bondage can entail,
There now is light that promises to brighten,
There now is thankful prayer and notes of praise,
There now is hope, sweet hope, to cheer and lighten,
A race oppressed and wronged in many ways;
There now are minds aspiring and expanding
And daily demonstrating they are strong,
To answer to Progression’s stern demanding
And take a place among the cultured throng.
God-speed to those who lead this van of progress,
Who work as pioneers in Wisdom’s fields;
Proving to all the wondering, doubting people
What grand results, fair mental culture yields.
Still may they press undaunted onward, upward
Greater achievements and successes win,
While hopeful millions in their footsteps follow,
And Heaven smiles approval most benign.
GREEN COVE SPRINGS, ST. JOHNS RIVER, FLA.