REV. JOS. E. ROY, D. D.,
FIELD SUPERINTENDENT, ATLANTA, GA.
ATLANTA UNIVERSITY.
The Tenth Anniversary—Commencement—Alumni Meeting—Going Forth to Work.
REV. C. W. FRANCIS, ATLANTA, GA.
The tenth anniversary of Atlanta University, which has just occurred, was an occasion of special interest to all its patrons and friends. The fact that the school was closing a year of prosperous work, during which a larger attendance than ever had been secured and maintained, and that evidences were multiplied of increasing confidence and respect on the part of all classes of people in the State, so that opportunities for usefulness were never greater, while generous gifts had recently come to provide needed facilities for the work, together with the real merit of the exercises and the large attendance of graduates, gave all a feeling of satisfaction which did much toward making the week one of great pleasure.
The exercises were introduced by a thoughtful and instructive sermon on the Sabbath, addressed to the graduating classes by the Rev. Mr. Bumstead, in which he set forth the occasion and motives for a high standard of attainment in life according to “the pattern shown on the Mount.”
Three days of examination followed, which were attended by a board of examiners, appointed by the Governor of the State, and by a committee of citizens, invited by the Board of Trustees, and a large number of patrons and friends. The chairman of the Board of Examiners, a prominent editor of the State, who has attended these exercises in his official capacity for six successive years, spoke, in an address to the students at the close, of his increasing satisfaction with the progress in education exhibited, and the substantial work done, with the spirit and management of the institution, and the zeal and skill of the students in their work, in different communities. He assured them of the liberality and friendliness of the people, and pledged the hearty co-operation of the State authorities and leading citizens with all their efforts at self-improvement, and for the elevation of the poor and ignorant so long as the present high standard of doing good was maintained. For all their work in these directions thus far, he had nothing but praise to give.
The Commencement exercises upon the last day were brief, sensible and entertaining. Five young men were graduated from college and two young women from the normal course, and degrees were conferred upon six young men who were graduates of three years’ standing. The music was a pleasant feature of the occasion, being well selected and well rendered. A report, which was highly commendatory, was read by Rev. J. M. Martin, D.D., of Atlanta, who had been in attendance upon the examinations by request of the Board of Trustees.