Obituary.
At the last meeting of the Executive Committee—their first meeting after the death of Dr. Cravath—the following minute was unanimously adopted to be inscribed in the records of the Association, to be sent to the bereaved family and to be published in The American Missionary:
Minute.
In recording the death of Rev. E. M. Cravath, D.D., President of Fisk University, the Executive Committee desire to express their deep sense of loss to the institution and to the American Missionary Association.
In the work of the American Missionary Association Dr. Cravath has for thirty-five years given his life, having served for ten years as Field Superintendent and Field Secretary, and for twenty-five consecutive years as President of the University.
Mustered out of the army as a Chaplain at the close of the war, Dr. Cravath immediately selected the location which has become the permanent home of Fisk University and recommended it to the American Missionary Association. No one person did more toward locating and founding the institution. No one person has done more toward its perpetuation and development. The work to which he gave his life, for reasons well understood, was a difficult one and involved much of sacrifice; but among the difficulties which he encountered he ever bore himself with a calm dignity and a wise prudence which, with his intellectual power and attainments, gave him great prominence and influence throughout the educational field of the South.
To manage, govern and direct an institution like Fisk University in its environment, and in the face of many prejudices, called for an exceptional man. Dr. Cravath comprehended not only its necessities but its possibilities. He united a marked administrative ability with his spirit of consecration so that the University constantly increased in power and influence under his charge. With a large sympathy for the young he commanded their entire confidence, and by his fairness and friendliness and power of personal sunny kindliness secured their cordial co-operation.
To those who worked with him he leaves a precious memory, and to those for whom he worked an incalculable inheritance. In this bereavement the Executive Committee desire to extend to Mrs. Cravath and the afflicted family their sincere Christian sympathy and to commend them to the unfailing love and care of Him in whose name we have our common service.