The friends and patrons of Talladega College have great occasion for encouragement and congratulation, in view of the present condition and future prospects of that Institution, as evinced by the examinations and exercises connected with its Tenth Annual Commencement.
Those exercises opened grandly on Sunday, June 6th, at 10.30 A. M., with a baccalaureate sermon by President De Forest from the text (1 Tim. i. 12), “And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful putting me into the ministry,” which was a clear and inspiring argument for entering upon the work of the Gospel ministry especially appropriate for the occasion, as it was addressed particularly to the class of eight young men who this year graduate from the Theological Department. At 4 o’clock P. M., a Union Prayer Meeting of the Sunday-school classes was held in the College Chapel, after which Prof. T. N. Chase, of Atlanta University, gave an intensely interesting detailed account of his recent experiences while visiting the Mendi Mission on the West Coast of Africa. The evening was given to the missionary sermon by the Rev. O. W. Fay, of Montgomery, on “The Divine Economy in the Gospel,” or the plan according to which God has been working, and is destined to work for the redemption of mankind. Text, Isa. xiii. 4: “He shall not fail nor be discouraged, till he have set judgment in the earth: and the isles shall wait for his law.”
On Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday occurred the regular examinations which, for impartiality, thoroughness, and general familiarity with the subjects considered, reflected great credit upon both teachers and pupils. To one not familiar with the standard of instruction and scholarship in the colleges of the American Missionary Association, it might seem a little surprising to find examinations in moral science, geometry, history, pastoral theology, and all higher branches, conducted topically and well sustained; but, when it is known that Pres. De Forest and Profs. Andrews and Ellis, with their able corps of lady associates, represent Yale, Olivet, Oberlin and Mt. Holyoke, he is prepared to expect and find all that is standard and best, both in theory and practice, at Talladega. There was no evidence of special “cramming” on the part of the students, or of special favoritism on the part of the instructors. On the other hand, the evidence was abundant that all had been doing good work, thorough, honest and true. Ex-Gov. Parsons, one of Alabama’s most distinguished citizens and a trustee of the College, honored the examination of the graduating class with his presence, and expressed intense gratification with what he saw and heard. A few other white citizens of Talladega were present at the various exercises from time to time through the week. It is to be regretted, however, that so few were inclined, even by their presence, to show their appreciation of what the College is doing for their community and the State. While there was no great throng of colored people in attendance, there was a goodly number present throughout the week, who, by their remarkable appreciation of the exercises, showed that the occasion was to them “a feast of fat things.”
The public exhibition of the “Adelphic Literary Society,” on Monday evening, was an occasion of interest. The exercises consisted of declamations, original essays, and a discussion of the question, “Should capital punishment be inflicted for murder?” The essays were good, the declamations and the discussion were presented with spirit and a good show of ability, while the music was excellent, all showing careful preparation and a laudable ambition to excel.
On Tuesday evening, the Annual College Address was given by Rev. J. E. Roy, D.D., Field Agent of the A. M. A., on the “Incompleteness of individual talent.” In his own inimitable style, the doctor entertained his audience with happy illustrations, amusing anecdotes and solid thought, showing the mutual interdependence of society, and how God has really and practically given “to every man his work.” In the afternoon of Wednesday, came the prize-speaking. The contestants for prizes in declaiming and reading were eight young men and one young woman. Two prizes were contended for; the first was tuition at the College for one year, and the second, tuition for half a year. A good deal of commendable ambition was aroused, and the contest was so sharp that the Committee found some difficulty in awarding the honors, which were finally conferred by giving the first prize to H. L. Bradford, of the Normal Department, and the second prize to Spencer Snell, of the Theological Department. Miss Dorcas White was also awarded a second prize for an essay on education. At 8 P. M., as a part of the programme for the week, was held the regular Wednesday evening prayer-meeting, led by the pastor, Prof. G. W. Andrews—full, fresh, spiritual and refreshing in its character. The subject of the hour was “Christian education.”
The graduating exercises of Thursday were, indeed, a fitting culmination of all that had preceded them. The orations of the eight young men who graduated were in happy accord with the expectations raised by their examinations the day before. They were all thoughtful and manly efforts, well conceived and well delivered. As an illustration of what can be done as well as of what is being done for the colored race, the proficiency and promise of these young men is highly encouraging. They all go forth with enthusiasm for their work. They all have fields for immediate labor. It is quite confidently hoped that at least one of this class will decide to go to the Mendi Mission on the “Dark Continent.” But when we look about us and see the almost innumerable fields already white for the harvest, the inquiry involuntarily comes. What are these few “among so many”?
In accordance with her new motto, Talladega College is doing a grand work “Pro Christo et Humanitate.” Her facilities and prospects were never good as at present. She was never so well deserving of support and patronage as now. Her location among the mountains of Alabama is delightful. The long blue ranges of mountains, as seen in the distance from the College campus, along with the bracing mountain air, strongly remind one of New England. The only institution of its grade for colored people in the State, its constituency is simply immense.
With a farm of nearly two hundred acres, her facilities are rare indeed for aiding young men to obtain an education, who are disposed to help themselves. She has an efficient corps of instructors, enthusiastic in their work. Particularly is she fortunate in her new President, under whose wise administration the College has assumed a new character and taken a new position in the State. No one could listen to the earnest yet tender and eloquent words of counsel addressed to the graduating class by Pres. De Forest on presenting the diplomas, without the feeling that he is just the large-hearted, scholarly. Christian gentleman who is needed in the place which he occupies.
But notwithstanding all this, Talladega has very pressing needs. Her accommodations for young men are altogether inadequate to the demand, and such as she has are of a very indifferent character. A donation of $15,000 from the Stone Estate, however, gives cheering prospects that during the coming year this sore need will be met.
But $10,000 more is needed just as much for furnishing the new dormitory, improving the College grounds, and making necessary repairs on “Swayne Hall,” which, though originally costing $30,000, and a very stately building, is literally going to ruin from lack of means to repair it.