The commencement exercises of this growing and popular University were held on Thursday, June 3d, and drew together an unusually large company of visitors within its wide grove of moss-draped oaks.
Many parents were present on this day, and also at the annual examinations, which continued from Monday till Wednesday evening. Two old men came from the northeastern corner of the State, a distance of 200 miles or more, to see their sons graduate.
The pains and thoroughness with which the examinations were conducted, aiming to exhibit the pupil’s real knowledge of his studies, the evidence throughout all of great care and constant drill in the use of clear, simple and correct English, and the plain indication of independence on the part of the students in their studying and in their own thinking, made these class exercises of unusual interest. The Senior Class passed creditable examinations in Natural History, Science of Government, The Theory and Practice of Teaching, and Natural Philosophy. There followed on Wednesday evening the exhibition of the Primary and Intermediate Departments, combined with that of the strong Temperance Society—an organization extending through the whole school, and representing a work of great importance yet to be done in this State, where nearly all people are in the habit of drinking, and that to excess.
On Thursday, a class of seven young men presented orations, and received certificates of graduation from the Normal Department of the Institution. These orations were highly commended by the prominent gentlemen who were present from Jackson. In the afternoon, a stirring address was delivered by President De Forest, of Talladega College, upon the topic of “Work.” This was followed by speeches from Capt. Wolf, of Jackson, from Dr. Watkins, the venerable pastor of the Methodist Church at Jackson, and from Dr. Hunter, pastor of the Presbyterian Church of the same city, all of whom expressed appreciation of the good work this Institution is doing. More than a thousand visitors were present at these closing exercises on Thursday, an excursion train running from a point fifty miles distant for their accommodation. The location of the University on this great railroad which passes north and south through the centre of the State, these beautiful groves being only about half a mile from the depot, furnishes rare facility for such a gathering of the friends and patrons of the school. The ignorance among the people in this State is fearful, but it is a very hopeful sign when the colored people are themselves showing an interest in such a school as this one now is, and when they are beginning to appreciate the sort of training given here to their young men and women. Much of this has been brought about through the wise, energetic and progressive management of the President, Rev. G. S. Pope.
The promise for the coming year is flattering. The school will probably be crowded even more than during the year just past. The buildings must be in some way enlarged, or new ones provided, in order to have room for all who will doubtless desire to come. There has been little or no complaining by the students on account of very rough, cold and crowded rooms—the only temporary places which hitherto could be provided. Another year, however, ought to bring better accommodations. Here is a place second to none in our country for the doing of great and far-reaching good.
A. H.
HOWARD UNIVERSITY.
Theological Department—Sixteen Graduates.
REV. W. W. PATTON, D. D., WASHINGTON
The anniversary exercises of the Theological Department of Howard University, (which is largely aided by the American Missionary Association), occurred on the 7th inst., in Washington. The spacious and beautiful edifice of the New York Avenue Presbyterian Church was freely offered for the purpose, and was filled with a large audience of white and colored people. Such an event could not have taken place at any former time, and it marks the rapid and healthful progress of public opinion. Six of the graduating class made addresses, which were a credit to themselves and to their race, and elicited the commendation of many intelligent gentlemen and ladies who heard them. Sixteen students were sent forth to preach, all of whom go to the South, to the Freedmen. Five of these had pursued a full course of study, including Hebrew and Greek: the others had received training in English studies only. Fifty theological students have been under instruction in this department the present year. Each graduate received a handsome Bible from the Washington Bible Society, and an address was delivered by Rev. W. R. Harrison, D. D., chaplain of the House of Representatives, and pastor of the South Methodist Church in this city—a fact which marks the progress of good feeling. Never before was the promise of usefulness in this work so great.