Most encouraging reports were received during the year from former graduates, who are hard at work in their respective fields, and who to preaching add Sunday-school instruction, teaching in day schools, temperance lecturing, and often housebuilding. No department of our University yields richer fruit than does this.
WM. W. PATTON.
COMMENCEMENT AT FISK UNIVERSITY.
BY REV. A. P. MILLER, AN ALUMNUS.
Being absent on Thursday and Friday, I did not take in the exercises of the Senior Preparatory Class and the literary societies of the University, but learned that the young men and women did themselves and their Alma Mater much credit in their addresses and essays.
The missionary sermon was preached on Sunday morning by Rev. David M. Harris, D.D., editor of a Presbyterian organ in Nashville. Dr. Harris, who is a Southern gentleman, with much feeling referred to the wrongs endured by the colored people in this country, saying that he was heartily ashamed of their treatment in the past, but that he had rather be the wronged than the perpetrators of the wrong. The Doctor was much pleased with what had been accomplished by Fisk University during the trying years of her eventful history for the elevation of the African race in this country, and, through them, on the African continent.
The baccalaureate sermon in the afternoon, by Pres. E. M. Cravath, D.D., commanded the closest attention; and at the close, the President’s very feeling address to the graduates, four young men and two young women, was very impressive. The music provided for the services during the day by Prof. Spence and the Mozart Society was of the highest order.
The Rev. Dr. F. A. Noble, of Chicago, arrived on Saturday, and seemed to have taken in all round about him during his stay, visiting classes in all departments under examination. The exercises of the Normal Department of the University were richly enjoyed, degrees being conferred on six young men and two young women. The addresses and essays were thoughtfully conceived, timely, and well delivered; and to one who, nine years ago, was graduated from the University, showed marked evidence of advance. While one member was delivering his address, his fellow-townsmen were electing him to a position in their school on a salary of $75 per month.
On Tuesday the Alumni associations of the University held their anniversaries, addresses being delivered by Mrs. Ava Brown Dismukes, class of ’77, Normal, and the Rev. Albert P. Miller, of New Haven, Conn., class of 78, College. Mrs. Dismukes’ subject was “Local Missions.” She vigorously enforced the duty of graduates, wherever they may be, to make of themselves missionaries for the upbuilding of the race. The Rev. A. P. Miller spoke on “The duty of the hour,” and his address was listened to attentively throughout. Dr. Noble emphasized Mr. Miller’s remarks as to the Negro’s lack of sufficient moral courage to know and assert his rights. At the close of the Alumni meetings, Gen. Clinton B. Fisk and wife put in their appearance and were heartily applauded, and of course a speech was called for and received with wonted enthusiasm.