ATLANTA UNIVERSITY.
The eighteenth anniversary of this institution has just passed. No year in the history of the school, perhaps, has witnessed a broader and better work than that of the year now closed.
The exercises incident to Commencement week were inaugurated with the baccalaureate sermon, preached by Sec. Woodworth, of Boston, Sabbath morning, May 22d, in the chapel of the University, packed to the full with the students and their friends.
Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday were occupied with the usual examinations of the Normal and College departments, in the presence of the State Board of Examiners appointed by the Governor for that purpose. Every opportunity was given and taken to test the students in their thorough knowledge and mastery of the subjects reviewed; and it is but simple justice to them and to their teachers to say that they bore the test superbly. In addition to the ordinary school work, there were exhibitions in handicraft of various kinds. First came an exhibit in the principles and practice of wood-working, including carpentry and turning, which would have gratified the advocates of manual labor connected with our public schools.
Next came an object lesson, by the Senior and Normal classes, in nursing. They brought in, upon a stretcher, one of their own number, and illustrated how different kinds of bandages should be made and applied; how plasters and poultices should be mixed and spread, and also how deftly and easily the clothing of the sick bed could be changed and renewed without removing or disturbing the patient.
Then came an exhibit in artistic and scientific cooking, by the Senior Normal class. If the quality of the cooking were to be judged by the rapidity with which the different articles disappeared after reaching the hands of the committee, it must be pronounced a great success.
And last, but not least, came a look at the farm, and an inspection of the barn, the crops, and the stock. The conclusion was that the whole establishment was a credit to the State, and worthy of the study of all the farmers thereof.
At the close of the examination on Wednesday, P. M., the school assembled in the chapel to listen to the report of the examiners on what they had seen and heard. They had nothing but praise to bestow on the literary work of the University; the evidences of hard and accurate study; of clear, inspiring teaching, and of the scholarly bearing and quiet, orderly spirit in all departments of the school. They were specially gratified with the manual training given in so many directions, and its promise of future value to the State. One of them, who seemed to voice the feelings of the others, said: “I believe that, take it all in all, Atlanta University is the best-equipped school in the State of Georgia.”
Wednesday evening, Rev. A. D. Mayo, of Boston, delivered a very able and quickening address, taking for his theme: “American brains in American hands.”
Thursday was the great day of the feast, when five young men and six young women delivered their orations or read their essays from the Commencement stage. The services were held in the Second Baptist Church, before an audience of twenty-five hundred people. One of the examiners remarked at the close that he never before witnessed, on such an occasion, such perfect order and decorum. And of the orations and essays it is praise enough to say that not one of them contained a weak or foolish thing.
It will interest the friends of Atlanta to learn that the presidency, made vacant by the death of the lamented Ware, two years since, was filled by the election of the Rev. Erastus Blakeslee, of New Haven, Conn. Mr. Blakeslee was a classmate at Yale College of Mr. Ware and of Prof. Bumstead, who has been acting president during the past year; and it is believed he will enter heartily into the spirit of the institution, and will bring to it new enterprise and enthusiasm and power.
C. L. W.
CLOSING EXERCISES AT STRAIGHT.
A Young Men’s Christian Association has been organized during the year, and the first of our closing exercises was a public meeting of this association, conducted by its officers at Central Church.
Addresses were made by Prof. Olds and Rev. Dr. Berger, and a fair audience was present. This was on the morning of Sunday, May 25, and on the evening of the same day the Baccalaureate sermon was preached by Dr. Berger. It was a grand sermon, and was listened to with profound attention by a large audience.
On Monday evening the societies, the old “Sumner Literary Association,” which is almost as old as the school itself; the “Philomathian,” of later birth, but great usefulness; the “Band of Mercy” and “Band of Hope,” united in a public anniversary meeting. A programme, consisting of recitations, orations, reading of essays, and debate, was presented, and a large audience testified to its entire success.
The annual concert and exhibition came on Wednesday evening. The young people were greeted by a full house, and money enough was realized to nearly pay off the indebtedness on the printing outfit. The music was conceded to be excellent, and all the exercises were applauded.
Friday was Commencement. The exercises are held in the evening, as most of those interested in the school being working people, many who would desire to attend could not do so in the daytime. In New Orleans, especially in summer time, audiences are not noted for assembling early, but people have come to know that when Straight University says 7 o’clock, that is the hour when exercises will commence; and as soon as the doors were open, the crowd was ready to go in. No such an audience ever before occupied that church. At the opening of the doors nearly enough were there to fill the main audience room, and soon galleries, aisles and doorways were packed. It is estimated that a thousand people were present, and a great number were unable to get in.
Formerly, on all gatherings of this kind, it was found necessary to have a force of policemen present; but when getting my permit from the Mayor, I was asked what policemen would be required, I ventured to say “none,” and I am rejoiced to be able to say that during the entire series of meetings no disturbance of any kind occurred. It must be remembered, in order to give force to this, that Central Church is situated in the very heart of the most densely populated portion of the city.
It was a long programme, but so quiet and attentive was that dense audience, that every word could be heard in any part of the room. The exercises from the platform were such as we were proud of, and the audience was not less a subject of pride.
Ten students were graduated, the largest number ever completing the course in any year, and all their exercises were marked by a simplicity and force quite in contrast to the floridity and fluffiness often attributed, and sometimes with justice, to the colored people. Some fine music by the choral and glee clubs, and by individuals, gave variety to the exercises.
The diplomas were presented by Hon. Thomas J. Woodward, vice-president of the board of trustees. A few remarks were made by President Hitchcock and Secretary Chas. Shute, followed by a neat and forcible impromptu address by Rev. A. E. P. Albert, D.D., an alumnus of Straight; closing by singing “The Heavens are Telling,” by the choral club, and benediction by Dr. Berger. Of the graduating class, all but one will for the present engage in teaching; several hope to return and take post-graduate courses. All are working Christians.
R.C.H.