The graduating exercises were held on Thursday morning. Six students received diplomas from the Normal Course, and five were graduated from the Theological Department. Essays and orations showed thought and originality, and were well delivered. If all the noble sentiments expressed are carried out in the lives of the speakers, a class has gone out from our walls who will make a stand for truth and righteousness, manly men and faithful womanly women.
After the conferring of diplomas and the awarding of prizes, President DeForest gave a resumé of the growth of the college during the ten years of his connection with it. The number of students has increased from 203 to 427, instructors from 9 to 18. In this time, theological graduates have passed from 7 to 28, and normal from 18 to 64.
The alumni dinner was partaken of with relish by graduates and invited guests, and after the physical man had been refreshed an intellectual feast was spread. Older graduates testified to their indebtedness to the College which by one, quoting the words of another, was said to be "de main spring ob de fly wheel ob de whole conjunction." Visiting friends spoke of their interest and satisfaction in the work of the school, and Drs. Beard and Haygood, with appreciative and hopeful words, fittingly closed the festivities.
On Thursday night, Dr. A.G. Haygood, Secretary of the Slater Fund, the steadfast friend of the black man, gave an address. His eloquence, wit and earnestness held a large audience in close attention for more than an hour, and he left with them much matter for thought.
Teachers and pupils have now said good-bye and college halls are vacant, but the work of the year will bear fruit as scores of students go out to the labors of vacation in the dark and needy districts of the South.
STRAIGHT UNIVERSITY, NEW ORLEANS, LA.
BY PRESIDENT R.C. HITCHCOCK.
The interest shown by the public in the annual exercises of this school increases each year, and for those of more general nature it is quite impossible to obtain a room large enough to accommodate the audience that assembles.
The baccalaureate sermon was preached on Sunday night by President Hitchcock at Central Church. On Monday night, the Sumner and Philomathean Literary Societies and the Band of Mercy held their anniversary meeting, and listened to a very interesting lecture on "Life at a German University," by Rev. G.W. Henderson. Wednesday night, came the annual concert and exhibition. This has for two or three years gradually taken more and more the character of an exhibit of the gymnastic exercises, singing, etc., from each grade, and with so large a school, gives a long programme; but since people here have learned that at Straight University, when the appointed time comes the exercises begin, every spot where a chair could be put in an aisle, or a foot stand, besides all the pews both below and in the spacious galleries of Central, one of the largest churches in the city, was occupied at the moment assigned for opening, and the attention was grand until the very last.