Baccalaureate—Commencement—Visit of the
State Board—Report of Local Paper.
On Sunday, June 20, the baccalaureate of Atlanta University was preached by Rev. M. E. Strieby, D.D., of New York. His subject was the path of the just and the way of the wicked, the forming of character, good and bad.
The examinations lasted three days.
The Commencement exercises, June 24, came off the same hour with the nomination of Gen. Hancock. Orations were pronounced by six young men, and essays read by ten young women, all of whom showed a fine scholarship and a good degree of the art of elocution. The most gratifying feature in these productions was a zeal to help their people by precept and example in the way of economy, thrift, and moral reform. The degree of A. B. was conferred upon three young men, and that of B. S., with the certificate of graduation from the higher normal course, was given to twelve students, male and female. The music, which was of a high order, was by the students. One captivating piece was, “I am in a strange land.” The college address was delivered by Rev. J. E. Roy, D.D., and the diplomas presented by Rev. M. E. Strieby, D.D.
The State Board of Examiners, ten in number, came over, fresh from the inspection of the State University at Athens, and gave four days of faithful attendance upon the examinations and Commencement of this Institution. Their Report is to be made to the Governor and the Legislature, but it was understood that they were greatly delighted with the thoroughness of the scholarship evinced, and the general morale.
The Constitution, which reported each day, said: “The examinations were heard by many visitors who showed great interest in all the proceedings. The various questions were, as a rule, aptly answered, and each student gave evidence of the progress achieved in this excellent and yearly growing Institution. The familiarity with Greek which was shown by the class, which was called upon to construe and parse selections from Demosthenes, was quite astonishing. Everybody who has grappled with the Greek language knows how difficult it is to render the “Oration” properly. Special proficiency was shown in the several other branches upon which the students, both male and female, were subjected to rigid questioning. Our citizens are cordially invited to visit the Atlanta University, and see for themselves the great good which the management is doing for the colored people in our midst.”
TALLADEGA COLLEGE.
Commencement Exercises—Standard of Instruction—Literary Society—Needs.
REV. O. W. FAY, MONTGOMERY, ALA.