Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-06-13
COLQREp. N0RAAL SCHOOL.
Closing Exercises at Ebenezer Church Las
Diplomas and Addresses.

Closing Exercises at Ebenezer Church Last
Night-D Diplomas and Addresses.
The closing exercises of the Rich
mond Colored Normal and High School
was held at Ebenezer church last night,
commencing at 8 o'clock, under the
management of Mr.. r. NJ. Manly, the
principal. At a very early hour the
church was crowded with the parents
and friends Of the scholars. The pull
pit was occupied by Mr.. j. 7. Ellyson,
William II. Williams. r. I. Briggs,
William Lovenstein, William +. Drink
ard, and Superintendent Garnett, of
the School Board Rev. W. ii. Hunter
and Rev. j. ii. Holmes.
The exercises were opened with a recita-
ton entitled "Sight for the Blind" by Lucy
Flood which was read with fine effect. 2.
Chant by the school, led by the organ and
the cornet. 3. Recitation "Pyramus and
Thisbee An amusing piece, well rendered.
4. Debate OH the question "Ought Dram
Shops to be suppressed by Law? "-afiirm-
ative, Juliette Nicholas; negative. Henry
G. Smith, who closed with yaledictory, in
which he spoke of the labors OF the hon
ored principal Of this school and OF the help
gwen IDe ScuOOl DOdIu. o.
hymn. 6. Alumni Grafton: Importance
of Morals in Education" by James III.
Johnston, Of the class Of 70. This address
was full OF good advice and well delivered.
The honor scholars were then ad-
dressed by Rev. W. II. Hunter, Of the
Third-Strcet Methodist church, on the
Aims of Life" in which he gave the
scholars good advice as to the method
of doing well for themselves as well as
for others.
The names of the following scholars
who had secured the Peabody medal
were then read;
John II. Braxto Baker School: Gertrude
Lawrence. Navy.Hill school; George II.
West. Valley School; Norma Epps, Janus
Forester, Parthenia Jones, OF the Normal
School.
This class was addressed by Mr..
William +. Drinkard, of the School
Board. lie referred to the untiring
labors of Mr.. r. NJ. Manly, principal OF
the Normal School, and then presented
the medals with short address, full of
good advice.
The following members Of the senior
class were then announced as having
graduated
Charles II. Bright, Henry q. Smith,
Thomas Wallace, ROsa Is. Blakey, Lucy j.
Flood, Perzealia +. Robinson. Mary Il. Ellisi
NJ. Juliet Nicholas, Emily 3. A. Jackson,
Josephine Hooper.
j. Taylor Ellyson, Esq, chairman Of
the City School Board, then addressed
the graduating class. He expressed the
hope that many of the graduates would
adopt the profession of teachers and be
found throughout the State endeavoring
to elevate the children of the land by
educating them, mentally and morally.
Hon. William Lovenstein, Of the
School Board, then called on Mr.. r. NJ.
Manly to make a few remarks before
closing. Mr.. Manly said that in taking
leave of the school he felt unable to
express himself, but he hoped that the
work that he had been instrumental in
starting in this city would never be
discontinued until there is no more
need of education. lie thanked the
scholars and teachers of the Normal
School and the School Board for uni
form kindness and help in the response
bic position of principal Of the Normal
School, and closed by invoking the
blessing Of God on the work and all
engaged in elevating the race by educa-
ton.
The exercises were then closed with
singing by the school and benediction
by Rev. J. II. Holmes, Of the First
Baptist church.