The American Missionary | Page 5

be held. Here we found an earnest,
attentive audience. In one place an outdoor meeting was held. It was a
rare, perfect day. The people came in twos and threes, finding places
wherever they could. One could almost fancy that other scene of
centuries ago, beneath the blue skies of Palestine, where, when the
multitude were gathered upon the mountain, the Master "opened His
mouth and taught them."
Among these mountaineers are young men and women eager in their
desire for knowledge, and anxious for an opportunity to learn of a
better way of life. We believe that to the question, "What of the night?"
the answer can be given, "The morning cometh."
* * * * *
COMMENCEMENT AT FISK UNIVERSITY.
By Miss Alice M. Garsden.

I cannot promise you a sketch of our commencement abounding in
local color, for, if one were afflicted with color-blindness, he would
probably be unable to discover many points of difference between
commencement at Fisk and the same exercises at an Eastern college of
about the same size.
As a mere reprint of the programs of the various anniversary exercises,
which continued for three or four days, would occupy more space than
is allowed for this article, it is evident that many things of interest must
be crowded out.
The Department of Music gave a characteristic performance. Every
selection on the program was well rendered. No music but the best is
ever studied at Fisk, and the productions of the great composers are not
only well played, but also well appreciated by our students.
The exhibition given by the Gymnastic Department showed that Fisk
has athletes as well as musicians. The young men went through a series
of feats which showed both agility and strength. If they fail in the work
of life, it will not be for lack of hard, well-trained muscles. This
department has been under the direction of a student for the past two
years.
Rev. Ira Landrith, D.D., of Nashville, preached the annual "missionary
sermon." Dr. Landrith possesses true Southern eloquence, and was
listened to with marked attention. During the year he has, on several
occasions, expressed himself as heartily in sympathy with our work.
Such friendliness on the part of an influential Southerner is pleasant to
note.
Dr. Beard, our secretary, preached the "baccalaureate sermon." He
presented in a very vivid manner the blessings to be won by those who
conquer the hindrances of life. He showed how the law of struggle is
the law of strength and of possession. The duty and necessity of
overcoming evil, as well as the rewards, were illustrated and urged.
The various alumni associations are now endeavoring to raise a fund of
one thousand dollars for the university. They are faithful to their alma
mater.

The graduating exercises of the Normal Department were largely
attended, and the thirteen young women of the class would have been
listened to on any Northern commencement platform with earnest and
thoughtful attention. President Cravath's address to them was on "The
New Woman." "The educated young colored woman of to-day," he said,
"is, in a peculiar sense, the new woman of her race." He contrasted the
opportunities of the young women before him with those which their
mothers had, and besought them to consider their peculiar
responsibilities linked with their opportunities.
For the regular college graduation exercises every seat in the spacious
chapel was filled. Plants and wild-flowers had been used to decorate
the platform, while large flags were artistically draped on either side.
The class, numbering fifteen, occupied the front seats. President
Cravath, Dr. Beard, and other guests were on the platform. The orations
were, without exception, highly creditable. The speakers chose subjects
of current interest instead of recounting the exploits of the ancient
Greeks and Romans or making Napoleon fight his battles over again
for us. They bore the marks of thoughtful and accurate study. After the
conferring of the degrees, the audience rose while the Mozart Society
rendered the Hallelujah Chorus. What a debt of gratitude we owe to
Handel for giving us that Chorus! General Fisk used to say that there
were glories and hallelujahs and amens enough in it to make several
rousing Methodist camp-meetings.
After the commencement exercises a collation was served to which all
the alumni and the parents of the students present were invited. After
the refreshments the speeches followed. These were not of the
time-honored sort. Fathers and mothers rose and told of the struggles
they had made to get their boy or girl through school. Many were the
expressions of gladness and of hope, and when President Cravath
announced that the school year was ended, all of those who had taught
felt rewarded for the toils and anxieties of a fruitful college year.
* * * * *
HOWARD