COMMENCEMENT AT FISK UNIVERSITY.
By Miss Alice M. Garsden.
I cannot promise you a sketch of our commencement abounding in local color, for, if one were afflicted with color-blindness, he would probably be unable to discover many points of difference between commencement at Fisk and the same exercises at an Eastern college of about the same size.
As a mere reprint of the programs of the various anniversary exercises, which continued for three or four days, would occupy more space than is allowed for this article, it is evident that many things of interest must be crowded out.
The Department of Music gave a characteristic performance. Every selection on the program was well rendered. No music but the best is ever studied at Fisk, and the productions of the great composers are not only well played, but also well appreciated by our students.
The exhibition given by the Gymnastic Department showed that Fisk has athletes as well as musicians. The young men went through a series of feats which showed both agility and strength. If they fail in the work of life, it will not be for lack of hard, well-trained muscles. This department has been under the direction of a student for the past two years.
Rev. Ira Landrith, D.D., of Nashville, preached the annual "missionary sermon." Dr. Landrith possesses true Southern eloquence, and was listened to with marked attention. During the year he has, on several occasions, expressed himself as heartily in sympathy with our work. Such friendliness on the part of an influential Southerner is pleasant to note.
Dr. Beard, our secretary, preached the "baccalaureate sermon." He presented in a very vivid manner the blessings to be won by those who conquer the hindrances of life. He showed how the law of struggle is the law of strength and of possession. The duty and necessity of overcoming evil, as well as the rewards, were illustrated and urged.
The various alumni associations are now endeavoring to raise a fund of one thousand dollars for the university. They are faithful to their alma mater.
The graduating exercises of the Normal Department were largely attended, and the thirteen young women of the class would have been listened to on any Northern commencement platform with earnest and thoughtful attention. President Cravath's address to them was on "The New Woman." "The educated young colored woman of to-day," he said, "is, in a peculiar sense, the new woman of her race." He contrasted the opportunities of the young women before him with those which their mothers had, and besought them to consider their peculiar responsibilities linked with their opportunities.
For the regular college graduation exercises every seat in the spacious chapel was filled. Plants and wild-flowers had been used to decorate the platform, while large flags were artistically draped on either side. The class, numbering fifteen, occupied the front seats. President Cravath, Dr. Beard, and other guests were on the platform. The orations were, without exception, highly creditable. The speakers chose subjects of current interest instead of recounting the exploits of the ancient Greeks and Romans or making Napoleon fight his battles over again for us. They bore the marks of thoughtful and accurate study. After the conferring of the degrees, the audience rose while the Mozart Society rendered the Hallelujah Chorus. What a debt of gratitude we owe to Handel for giving us that Chorus! General Fisk used to say that there were glories and hallelujahs and amens enough in it to make several rousing Methodist camp-meetings.
After the commencement exercises a collation was served to which all the alumni and the parents of the students present were invited. After the refreshments the speeches followed. These were not of the time-honored sort. Fathers and mothers rose and told of the struggles they had made to get their boy or girl through school. Many were the expressions of gladness and of hope, and when President Cravath announced that the school year was ended, all of those who had taught felt rewarded for the toils and anxieties of a fruitful college year.