The American Missionary | Page 6

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.
On Thursday night, the Alumni Association met at the University
Chapel for election of officers, adjourning later to the parlors for a
social meeting. These Alumni meetings grow each year in numbers,
interest and importance. Papers were read by several members, the
usual history, prophecy and poem were given, remarks were made by
others and some good music was rendered. Many who could not come
sent interesting letters. Friday night was the great occasion. The crowd
was no less than on Wednesday night, and that such an audience should

sit, giving close attention, from 7:30 to 11:30, to the orations and
essays of the graduates, with no sign of weariness, was to me a
wonderful thing and showed a deep and heart-felt interest, in the
community, for Christian education, which is grandly encouraging.
Two of the graduates were from Mexico, one from Mississippi, one
from Plaquemines Parish, one from Baton Rouge and five from this
city, the proportion from the city being larger than usual.
Members of the Trustee Board and others who have heard these
exercises for many years, without hesitation pronounce them as a whole
far better than those of any previous year. It is certain that each year
there is shown a marked advancement in general intelligence and
culture, and in the depth and arrangement of thought. The venerable
Judge Whittaker, who seldom leaves his home at night, was on the
platform, and at the close of the valedictory, which was given by
Leonidas Burbridge, of Greenville, Miss., he jumped from his chair,
seized the young man by the hand and expressed his wonder and
gratification at all he had heard and seen, saying that in all his fifty
years of life in New Orleans he had seen nothing that so filled his heart
with emotions of astonishment and joy.
I neglected to speak of the meeting on Sunday morning, May 26th, of
the College Y.M.C.A., which has had a very prosperous year. The
Association was addressed by Mr. Fred S. Hitchcock on Y.M.C.A.
work in the great cities, and by Mr. Perry on College Y.M.C.A. work.
The year has been a good one, notwithstanding many adverse
circumstances. The establishment of a regular graded course of study,
from the lowest primary grades to the college, and close adherence to
such course are being felt more and more each year. More than half the
graduates of this year began their education in the school, and all
interested are proud of them. There is all along a marked difference
between those who have come through our own primary schools and
others equally capable who have had no systematic early training. For
the first time since the course of study was adopted, every class this
year has thoroughly completed the work assigned, and in most cases
reviewed it.
The State has been in a condition of great excitement during most of
the year, nearly one-half the parishes being under a complete reign of
terror, and it has been a frequent thing to see one of our students from

the country, especially from the southern parishes, in tears in
consequence of the intelligence of some friend, father or brother
perhaps, having been the victim of some dastardly outrage from the
"regulators." Tales of sorrow and suffering could easily be gathered to
fill volumes. Iberia, Terrebonne and Lafayette parishes have been
especially noted as under this reign of terror, and from these we have
many pupils. Three sisters of Sammy