“Our Race,” by one of the early graduates of the school, told of the discouraged feeling which he had when he arrived at Hampton and found that most of the students had to work hard with their hands every day. He showed of what advantage that same training had been to him, of how he had been able to build his own school-house. He spoke of lack of industry as being one great obstacle in the way of the success of the colored people.
Between the speeches, the great chorus, massed in the front part of the hall, swelled out in the national hymns of the different countries and the pathetic slave songs so full of power and feeling. After the valedictory, Rev. Dr. Strieby, the President of the Board of Trustees, presented the diplomas to the graduating class with appropriate remarks. Sixty students came forward to receive their diplomas. The present class is much the largest that has gone forth from the institution.
After the parting hymn had been sung by the class, Rev. Dr. Bartend paid a glowing tribute to the school and to Gen. Armstrong’s work. He said: “For many years after the beginning of this institution, we were accustomed in this part of the country to speak of the Hampton school as an experiment; to-day, by the help of Almighty God, we can say that Hampton school is a magnificent success.” He spoke of the work that was being done for the colored race, of the manly characters that were being developed by the school training. He referred to the Indians, and especially to the speech which one of them had made. He spoke of the intention of the early settlers of the country in regard to them. “Two hundred and fifty years ago there came floating into this beautiful harbor vessels from the old country. What was their object? What was their hope? The prayer that arose from their decks was this: God give us strength that we may educate and Christianize the Indian. William and Mary College, now almost ready to perish, is the monument of their endeavor. They did not see the answer to their prayer. God works in His own way, in His own time, with His own men. Could they see what we to-day behold, they would say as do we, speed on! God speed this glorious school. God bless its patrons that we may raise up good citizens here and glorify God forever and forever.”
The closing remarks were made by Rev. Dr. Burrows, of Norfolk, in the course of which he said that he had often heard of the institution, but the half had never been told him. When the crowd poured forth from the hall, the sun was far down in the west and the steamer was waiting to take away some that had brought much of brightness and cheer to our anniversary day.
FISK UNIVERSITY, NASHVILLE.
BY MRS. L. A. SHAW.
Commencement week, crowded with exercises representing the treasure accumulated by a year’s labor and overhung with the joys and sorrows usually attending such occasions, has just closed. Nearly two weeks ago “the last things” commenced, and the sadness of parting from friends began to settle down, tempering the joy of having completed a year’s work.
Friday, May 19, the first public exercises were held. A class of thirteen, having completed the Common School Normal Course, gave an exhibition and received certificates of fitness to teach the common English branches.
Sunday morning Prof. Bennett preached an appropriate sermon from Matt. 25:34. His delineation of the blessedness and glory of the saint’s inheritance in Heaven was especially attractive to tired teachers and pupils. The Baccalaureate sermon in the afternoon by President Cravath was from John 3:19. The darkness of the souls of those who engage in evil practices was so vividly depicted that deep and lasting impressions must have been made on many minds.