FISK UNIVERSITY, NASHVILLE.
MISS ANNA M. CAHILL.
On Sunday, May 20, the baccalaureate sermon was preached in the chapel of Livingstone Missionary Hall. This and all the other exercises of Commencement had the added interest of being the first held in our new building—a building in whose beauty and usefulness for school purposes we have rejoiced all the year.
Ten young people—three graduating from the higher normal course and seven from the college course—listened to the earnest words of President Cravath, spoken especially to them, from John 14:23, on the power and need of an inner life of communion with God.
The annual missionary meeting which is always held by the missionary society on the evening of Commencement Sunday, was duly observed. Tidings had reached us of the illness of Secretary Woodworth, who was to have given the missionary address, and, failing to supply his place, we were thrown back upon our own existing missionary zeal, which, we were glad to find, burned brightly enough upon the home hearth to make a solemn, impressive hour of this last Sunday service.
Our Commencement week happened to coincide with “military week” in Nashville, for which great preparation had been made, and the city was gaily decorated with the national colors, and crowded with people. We had feared the effect of the excitement on the school, but found no cause for anxiety. Our pupils were too much absorbed in their work to be drawn away by the attractions of the parade ground, and our audiences seemed not to be much increased or diminished by the event. The class admitted to college on Monday evening numbers eight, three of whom are children of professors in the university. Among the essays and orations of the evening, were pleas to imaginary millionaires in the audience for a gymnasium, a conservatory of music and other improvements. Thus the incoming classes are seeing needs and making demands which the university has no means of meeting.
On Tuesday there drove up to the door of Livingstone Hall a furniture wagon, from which was unloaded a suspicious-looking rectangular box addressed to Prof. A. K. Spence. Strange that through the law of association so much of harmony can be suggested by so simple a geometrical form. Curious eyes watched the opening, and saw with delight on lifting the top a handsome Steinway square grand piano. It was carried into the chapel and placed upon the platform. Rumor said it was a gift, but nothing further could be learned until Commencement day.
In the midst of the exercises of the higher normal graduation on Wednesday evening, Secretary Woodworth entered and took a retired seat on the platform. His health was so far restored as to enable him to travel, though not in time to reach us before Sunday. The alumni address, which formed part of the programme of the evening, was given by Prof. McPherron. After this Secretary Woodworth was called out from his retirement and spoke for a few minutes. The list of alumni was read, the present work of each stated and the announcement made that steps had already been taken by the alumni to raise gradually a sufficient sum to endow a professorship in the university.
The last great day, Thursday, was as perfect as clear skies and fresh, dustless air could make it. A large audience of both white and colored people assembled early. The young men marched to Jubilee Hall, and a procession was there formed to return to the chapel. The British flag was draped over the platform on this birthday of England’s queen, and the room was bright with terraces of flowering plants. The seven young people who appeared as candidates for a degree represent many years of work on the part of student and teacher; the average length of time spent in the institution by members of the class is seven years. The one young lady took for her theme, the great field of work opening before and among the girls of the South and the necessary training for that work. Spoken from her standpoint her words were full of solemn meaning. After the graduates had finished their part, we listened eagerly to the address of Dr. Washington Gladden on the causes of poverty, ignorance and vice—the threefold evil against which we are fighting.
When the final piece of music had been sung, Prof. Spence asked permission to say a few words, and after some rapid wheeling of pianos to certain places on the platform, announced that Mrs. General Fisk had presented the new piano for the chapel of Livingstone Hall. Its companion was given by the same lady some years ago for the parlors of Jubilee Hall. Mention was made of the many other gifts of Mrs. Fisk, and a vote of gratitude for her kindness was heartily given by the entire audience. To afford an opportunity to hear both pianos together, Mendelssohn’s wedding march was played as a quartet.
A prominent Southern gentleman of Nashville, himself a former slaveholder, was present for the first time with other invited guests at the alumni dinner, and spoke warmly, cordially and strongly for our work. The most encouraging comment that I have heard on the exercises of the week was made by a former student, who was present: “It seems to me that every Commencement is better than the last.” So may it continue to be while Fisk University stands.