Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-06-25
DUTY OF THE ALUMNI
PROF. HARRIS POINTS THIS OUT TO
THE COLLEGE ASSOCIATION.
His Address Masterly EfT0rt--Good
Music and Humorous Recltations-
Many Former Students Present.

music and Humorous RecttatOns-
Many Former Students Present.
Last evening was another delightful oc-
casion for the old as well as the new stu
dents of Richmond College.
This was the third night Of the CON-
mencement and the annual celebration of
the Alumni Association.
The pretty college chapel in its gay
dress was densely crowded. The beauty,
culture, refinement, and intelligence of the
community were we'll represented.
There were q number Of alumni present
from all parts of the country and they
seemed 10 greatly ENJOY being "at home once
moro 70 look upon the scene Of their early man
hood. Among them were Rev. j. VI. Pitcher, ID.
d., a. NJ, 1861. Petersburg, Va; Dir. j. c. Long.
Hatcher, A. B., Richmond; Judge George II.
Swami, VI. ~, 1873, Fincastle, Va; DIR. A. Z.
Dickinson, A. b., 1852, Bichnond; Rev. c. h.
James, ID. D., B. A.. 1870, Roanoke, Va; VIII
liam f. Fox, Esq- A. b., 1856, Richmond; Rev.
John X. Bagy, a. b., 1860, Powhatan,. Va;
Mayor J. 4. ElHson, 1858, Richmond; Josiah
Ryland Esq, A. b., 1S49, Richmond.
Among those OF later years were Rev. W. G..
Tyree, Il. A., 1889. HarrlsOnburg, Va; &. A.
FOX, B. A., 1889, Tennessee; II. r. Hundley.
j. A., 1889, Luray, Va; Rev. t. b. Pollard, NJ.
A. 1886, divinity student At Yale; W A. Har-
kinH, II. A., 1886, past graduate at Johns Hop
klns: Rev. w. +. Wright, 1889. Grocer Semi
nary; Rev. II. n. Qudenberry. 1889; berkeley,
Va; Mr.. NJ. W. Thomas, 1890, Washington,
ID. c.
THB ORATOR PRESENTED.
Rev. r. r. Acree ID. D., Of Petersburg. pres-
don't OF the association, occupied the chair.
Mayor EllysOn introduced Rev c. f. James, OF
Roanoke. who opened the exercises with prayer.
Professor II. II. Harris, ID. d. IL. d., then de-
livered the alumni address, He began by OK
pressing his regrets az the absence OF the chosen
orator and az his own want OF adequate prepGra-
tion, having been appointed only few weeks
ago. He proposed 60 make a plain, practical
talk on the "duty of alumni to their 4 Ina Mater
and some Of the ways in which they might dis
charge this obligation.
Promising that tho college consists OF trustees,
faculty, and students, each with their own duties
and responsibilities, and that they might If they
would crtticse their own administration he in
vitcd his auditors dutiul sons TO look only AZ
eXcellencies, and cultivate just pride in their
mother; to walk about Zion, tell her towers,
mark her bulwarks, and consider her palaces
HONESTY.
One tower Of strength Is sterling honestly.
The foundations Of this were laid by deyout mon
who organized the Virginia Baptist Education
SOcety aud by Dr. Robert Ryland who guided
their enterprize in its formative period and
gradually developed the seminary for minlsie
rial students into full-aedgcd college for tibe-
raj education. To DR.. Ryiand be paid In passing
q touching tribute, quoting from old catalOuges
10 show how carefully he avoided all prctense.
| Thus IL has come about that our courses Of
study, methods OF instruction, and standards Of
graduation require solid attainmcuJs, severely
tested as prerequisite to college honors'
ALUNSI
Graduates Of the college have passed on 10
professional schools Of law, medicine, theology,
engineering, TO the University OF Virginia, and
10 Johns Hopkins University, and everywhere
with uniform and most gratifying success; lhey
have come up before army and navy boards,
Ciyi-seryiCc, and other competitive examina-
t0ns, and in no instance hayO failed. 10 IS az
fectiug 20 witness the exhaustion Of race-horse
at the end Of 4 fOur-mile heat but he has shown
the bOttom-speed which makes him reliable for
the demands Of less drastic service. So We re-
gret to impose severe examinations and to adj
Judge some OF the contestants 20 be distanced,
but there Is no other satisfactory proof OF ability
TO wrcstle with the problems vi real life,
GROWTH or THE COLLEGE.
The graduates Of the college are divided by
the suspension Of 1861 60 into two sets. Tho
former, all B. AS, consists OF siXty-eight, re-
duced now 20 fOrty-niue. The speaker ran over
the list indicating In word where and how they
arc employed, and congratnlatng the other
alumni on being associated with go gOOdly a fel-
lOwship Of honOred and influential men.
Since 1866 diplomas have been awarded In
separate schools as well rs on complete courses.
The list brought down 10 $50 contains ntty-nine
masters Of art, hftyhve bachelors of art, seventy
bachelors OF law, and 3f3 graduates IN one
school or more. These men are scattered IRON
Maine 10 California, from Minnesota 10 Mexico.
To show how they are appreciated at home II
was mentioned thpt the list contains the names
Of his Honor the Mayor, the Judge Ot the Hhstngs
Court. a recent Judge Of the Chancery Court,
, Ia.5 Police Justice. tho Commemorative Attor-
pey the City Attorney, the Superintendent OF
the Natcr-WOrks, the superintendent and two
principles OF public schools, Clerks In tWocOurts'
and seven pastors Of churches in Richmond.
The speaker portrayed the college as 10 was
when he entered t, October /, 1884, then away
ont in the country and hardly accessible. The
city has now extended its limits and itsimprOye-
| n,euts beyond Us. The old buildings are all
gone except one, new and better have taken
| ia cir places. -Four schools have Doen added and
| the library and museum opened. Win such I'M
provements the students OF to-day have I'M
| inensely better opportunities than their prede-
eessOis. Whether they will develop into strong
! er men must depend on how they utilize their
advantages.
Passing from these grounds Of proper pride
the speaker advertcd briefly to some things tho
alumni can do for the college.
II BRINGING STUDENTS.
Under this head ne pleaded not for mere num-
bers but for young men able to appreciate ana
prcunred to profit by collegiate instruction.
THIS was emphasized by statistics showing how
greatly the proportion OF graduates has IN
creased since preparatory classes were aDol-
ished. In this connection he made an earnest
plea for q a'aucmes, not too few % be out OF
| reach nor too many TO be strong and vigorous.
IN HELPING ENDOWMENT.
Tho college. like all other growing organisms,
needs constantly increasing supplies. Tho
pressing wants Of tho present are larger and
better lecture-rooms, laboratories, and gym
nasium, and most of all income available for
whatever may be needed, a reserve force 10 be
directed here or there, as the fortunes OF the
day may indicate.
IN INTERPRETING TO THE PUBLIC.
The Professor closed with eloquent allusion 70
tha functions Of the chorus IN an ancient drama,
.ssE. aNlr
and eYfound TO the great audience the develop
Inent OF the theme and the lessons taught. so
the alumni ought as TAR "a ptacucabie' 70 At
tend commcncements, cheer me old teacners'
whom in former years they failed TO appreciate,
and 90 back home prepared by this touch of base
to- guide public opinion in reference TO the I'M
portant questions Of training the bOdies, the
hearts Of the coming generation.
Professor IIarris's address was greatly enjoyed
for its practicablity and true earnestness by the
alumni and the large audience present. He has
added another link 10 the golden chain Of higher
education to which he has given his life.
MUSIC AND POETRY.
Af,er Professor Harris's address there was
very enjoyable quartette by Professor L. r.
Uamberlin, Messrs. James c. HarwOOd, Russell
Williams, and Ralph Clements. The first sOng
was "The College Bell" and when an encore was
given they sang "The Old Kentucky Home"
Professor Hamberlin was introduced by DR.
Acree as another jewel from the casket Of gems.
The Professor then delivered humorous poem,
in which he spoke OF n great conference OF birds.
This conference argued that II mans origin was
an ape that they must have evolved from some
wonderful first cause. The wise owl said that
there was once n 1ay whose wing-feathers first
fell away: his breast then became bare; his
legs were cold his down was no more; his nude
ness from ieshy red grew green. DR.. Crane came
along. and the "Orign Of the birds ds"-nOw
frog-jumped into pond. The doctor" rolled
up his pants, waded In, and swallowed down his
" first cause Moral: Don't 80 back too far for
yodr beginning you will get bad bargain.
The evou lOnist Is a peculiar fellow. aud
His ancestor may be an orangoutang
But claim for mine man.
The Professor was recalled. and then then with
Mr.. Harry l.. Watson, Of Richmond, declaimed
the "Tent Scene Between Brutus and Cassius.'
PROGRAMME FOR TONIGHT.
This evening tho commencement proper will
be held Distinctions will be read, diplomas and
the college medals will be awarded and degrees
conferred. There have been large audiences
each evening and this evening they may expect
anoter pleasant occasion.
His ENcelIency Invited.
The Governor has been invited to attend
"a zN llN