J. K.
GREGORY INSTITUTE, WILMINGTON, N.C.
Our closing exercises this year partook more of the nature of a Commencement than heretofore. This is the second year only that our school has turned out graduates from any of the higher courses. From the class of ten comprising the elementary normal class, seven—five young men and two young women—were graduated. One other young man, who failed to pass on account of being absent teaching during a part of the year, and who is working hard, determined to make up the lost studies before leaving the city, will probably succeed and be granted his certificate during the summer.
The exercises were held on Thursday evening, May 27th, in the church instead of in the hall, in order to get a larger room. It was needed, the largest number being present that were ever assembled within the walls of this beautiful building.
The exercises consisted principally of orations and essays by the members of the graduating class, interspersed with singing, all of which were rendered in a highly creditable manner. In addition to these were recitations by the school of the 23d Psalm, a Scripture catechism learned during the year, and a missionary colloquy beautifully rendered by girls from the different classes, representing, by their dress, many of the heathen nations.
Another and a very interesting feature of the evening’s entertainment, was a half-hour address by Rev. Geo. S. Smith, pastor of the Congregational Church, Raleigh, N.C. He was introduced to the audience as a colored man who had been trained in the A. M. A. schools, and a noble specimen he is, as an orator, as a scholar, and as a man. He chose for his subject, “Encouragement,” from which he delivered an address replete with sound practical thoughts and advice.
A better behaved, more attentive audience scarcely ever gathered than that at our Commencement. We feared that they might not like these exercises as well as those of the usual exhibition order, but many said this was the best exhibition we ever had. Everything passed off nicely, with nothing to mar the enjoyment of the evening.
As we looked at the people before us, we thought: “How could any one in this Christian land have ever said, ‘These niggers have no souls’; or, ‘You can’t educate a nigger to make anything of him’?” Even at this late day we hear these or kindred expressions. I tell you, friends, if you were thrown with this people as we teachers are, you would soon almost forget that they are colored. Please don’t forget that they are here to stay, 7,000,000 of them, and they need your help to rise from their despised, neglected condition. They are surely marching onward, but much, very much, yet remains for the Christians of our land to do.