Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1875-05-28
FISK UNIVERSITY.
The First commencement Exercises Of
the Institution.

~
CredItabIe Efforts by the Graduating
CIass-An Address from One OF the
AbIest of the Race" Stay I'm Ten
nessee.''
At 10 O'Clock yesterday morning How
ard Chapel was filled to overlooking with an
audience gathered 10 witness the first COM
mencement exercises Of Fisk University,
which We're as follows:
Elements Of True Manhood, by James
Dallas BuTus.
The Hundredth Year, by John Houston
Burrus.
Fms Opus Coronat, by Virginia Ella
Walker.
The speeches elected frequent and en-
phltic applause. Intelligent citizens re-
gayded the exercises as up to the standard Of
the colleges. They gave evidence Of hard
study, producing its legitimate result in
mental culture.
The graduates received the degree Of
Bachelor of Arts. Another member Of the
class, America w. Robinson, is now absent
with the celebrated Jubilee Singers, but
will receive the same degree after passing
examination on her return.
John Il. LangStOn, Ii. D., was intro
duced as the orator Of the day. He began
with the very appropriate motto: "Time
and God bring US all things" He said the
cOlOIed people are marching upward, and
their path lies through schools. He urged
fathers and mothers to put forth the ut
most exerUiOns to educate their sons and
daughters, and eXhOTted the young people
themselves to selfdenial, industry and
every effort to secure a thorough education.
The graduating class he charged not TO rest
on their laurels, but 10 remember that this
was only a commemorative beginning
Of their work; that, if permitted TO meet
them twenty years hence, he might be able
to take each one by the hand to cOngratU-
late him on some book written or some no
BILE work performed. The address was elO-
quent and stimulating.
Rev. E. NJ. Cravath, of New Y ork, one
Of the founders of the University, spoke a
few cOngratulatOry and encouraging words.
MANY ewes were filled with tears as he
alluded to the heroic mother whose three
sons in their attendance at Fisk University
had successfully worn the same pair Of
pants, turned and patched as occasion re
quired. The lesson was for Others 70 60
and do likewise,
Rev. George Whipple, of New York, also
spoke a few words Of advice TO the gradu-
ates, cOuuselling them to live only for the
advancement Of ChTist's kingdom i'll the
earth.
The exercises were interspersed with
music Of a high order, rendered by two
students, under direction Of Prof. B. z.
Unseld.
The following hymn, written for the Oc-
casiOn by Prof, A. X. Spence, was sung to
Old Hundred, the audience joining in the
DOxOlogy at the close.
With grateful hearts to-day we bring,
Oh God. to Thee, our Offering;
Accept these first fruits Of this vine,
Kept by no other hand but Thine.
In DAYS Of trouble and distress
Twas planted in the wilderness;
It's tender bOughs were then Thy care
Behold its fruitage rich and fair.
From mountain peak TO oceans tide
Its bEsnches spreading far and wide,
EIore bOuntiful than EshcOl's be
Its clusters borne, oh God, TO Thee.
Protect with might, oh God Of grace,
Hedge IL about with righteousness,
Nor sun 10y day, nor moon by night,
Its branches scar, its fruitage blight.
Let gladdened millions long oppressed
Sit down beneath its shade and rest,
And eat sld live, rejoice and sing,
AS now to Thee pHrpraise We bring.
The Alumni and Invited guests partOO6
of a bouitifu( dinner prosided by the in
siitutiOn, at the close Of which 4 number
Of speeches.were made in response to tOasts
read by Rev. II. S. Bennett. At night the
Students ard. their friends met for a social
reunion, when remarks were made by Rev.
Levi B. Wilson, d. D., on Kansas, and the
difficulties tobe encountered by emigrants
thither, stating that, if his advice were ask
ed, he would SAY "stay in Tennessee"