TOUGALOO UNIVERSITY.
The assembling of the Sunday-school and the study of the lesson entitled Paul and Barnabas in Cyprus, with “Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them,” as its key-note, seemed a most fitting introduction to the Commencement exercises upon the close of which a large number of the students were to go forth to their summer’s work.
Following the Sunday-school exercises, and in keeping with the custom of previous anniversaries of this institution, a Sabbath-school convention was held, in which was discussed a variety of topics calculated to stimulate and aid the students in their Sunday-school work. These exercises were enjoyed by a large number of people, many of whom were from a distance.
At 7:30 P.M. the chapel was again filled. The well-drilled choir sang “I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills” in a way to inspire all present. The sermon to the graduating class was upon the words, “Return to thine own house and show how great things God hath done unto thee.”
Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday were occupied with the oral examinations of the different departments. These examinations were well sustained by the students, who gave good evidence that their instructors had been faithful and thorough in their work. The attendance of visitors upon the examinations was good, but as the last day drew near, large numbers arrived by every train. Many came by their own conveyances. One persistent young man, a former student, eager to attend the Commencement, came a distance of thirty miles on foot. On Wednesday evening the audience room was filled with an expectant throng. The exhibition which called it together was greatly enjoyed, and reflected much credit upon those charged with the laborious task of planning and training and bringing it to pass.
When Thursday morning dawned, many more were added to the number of visitors already present. The audience assembled promptly at 11 o’clock. Members of the State Board of Visitors, with other distinguished guests, were upon the platform. The music by the choir elicited much praise. Three young men and two young women having completed the Elementary Normal Course were graduated, receiving certificates of fitness to teach the common English branches. Five others were appointed to supplement the programme of literary exercises.
The essays and orations presented covered the following range of topics: “The Teachers;” “Genius and Success;” “Whitewash;” “Why a Young Man Should Seek a Thorough Education;” “The Material Advancement of the South;” “The Cause of Temperance;” “As You Would Have It;” “The Study of Physical Science;” “The American Missionary Association;” “Home.” The Principal of the Normal Department then presented certificates to the graduating class, setting forth in a few well chosen and emphatic words the nature of these certificates, of the step the graduates had taken, and that there was more beyond. Col. J. L. Power, editor of the Clarion, a man of wide influence in the State and a staunch friend of the school, spoke on behalf of the State Board of Visitors, of which he is the Secretary. He paid a glowing tribute to the work of the school and of the American Missionary Association. In referring to the essay on “Whitewash,” he said there was no whitewashing done at Tougaloo—that it was the genuine stuff. Referring to the oration on the American Missionary Association, he said he had known considerable about the Association and its work, but that he was amazed at the magnitude of its work. In closing his speech, which also was without “whitewash,” he said it would be the pleasure of the Board of Visitors at the meeting of the next Legislature to ask for at least as large an appropriation as the institution had received for the last two years. Rev. Dr. C. B. Galloway, Editor of the Southern Christian Advocate, was then introduced. He commended the work of the institution and expressed his satisfaction with the original, direct, practical, common-sense way in which the essays and orations had been written and presented. He was impressed with the absence of grandiloquent gush, so characteristic of the youthful mind on Commencement platforms.
After the Commencement dinner the graduating class held their “Ivy Exercise,” which consisted of a class song, class poem, planting the ivy and an address by a member of the Faculty.
In the evening R. W. Jackson, class of ’80, delivered the address before the Alumni, on “Decision.” It was well written and full of interest. At its close Mr. G. W. Jackson of Whiteside, Tenn., a former student, and Miss Rosa McCutcheon of Chattanooga, Tenn., class of ’82, stepped upon the Commencement platform and were united in Christian marriage, constituting by this sacred tie a Christian family. Thus closed a most successful year of faithful work.