Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-05-25
GRADUATING MINISTER'S
It Was the Twenty-second Anniversary Of
Towards Theological Seminary.
Justice Brewers Eloquent Address
and Advice to the COIOred Race
Diplomas Awarded.

The. twenty-second anniversary Of the
theological department of Howard Uni
versity was celebrated last evening in the
Andrew Rankin Memorial Chapel. The
chapel was crowded by the friends of the
university and of the graduating class, Mr..
Justice Brewer of the United States Su-
preme Court addressing the graduates, five
young colored men. Seated upon the plat
form was the president of the university,
the Rev. DIR. ]. E. Rankin; Prof. John l..
EwelI dean of the department; the mem
hers of the faculty and Mr.. William Bal
lantyne, treasurer of the Washington City
Bible Society. The university choir, under
the direction of Prof VIM. ]. Stephens the
instructor in vocal music, furnished the
music.
The exercises opened with the singing by
the choir of the anthem. The Lord is
Great" after which Prof. Isaac Clark read
a selection from the Scriptures. Prayer
was then offered by Prof. Geo. o. Little,
DID,, when Prof. Ewell read a statement
showing the work accomplished during the
past year.
The report Of the examining committee
was read by Prof 7. S. Hamlin, DID. Prot.
Stephens next delighted the audience with
which Messrs. Curtis, Gaines and Clarke
of the graduating class delivered brief ad-
dresses. Mr.. Curtis spoke OF St Francis OF
Assist, Opportunities" being the su93eet
Treasures being Mr.. Clarke's theme; The
addresses were well delivered. Mr.. Leek,
also of the graduating class, was excused
from reading his address, the subject OF
which was "Fhe Greatness OF the Apostle
John"
After President Rankin had conferred
diplomas on the following graduates, Alfred
T. Clarke of Jamaica, West Indies; Linus
C. Curtis of Florida, William H. Gaines OF
Virginia, James H. Hill of the District of
Columbia and Richard T. Leek of Mary
Washington City Bible Society, on behalf
of the society, presented each graduate
with large, handsomely bound Bible. On
behalf of Henry G. Maynard of Northamp-
ton, Mass, Prof Clark presented each of
the graduates with a standard Life OF
Christ"
Justice Brewers Address.
Mr.. Justice Brewer then briefly addressed
the graduates. explaining that while 1t
might seem odd for a lawyer to address
theological graduates, he had come upon
the invitation Of his old schoolmate, Prof.
Clark, glad to be present and to have done
with the difficulties and perplexities Of the
income tax.
Impressing upon the graduates the i'm
perative Importance of building themselves
Up from within, Justice Brewer told them
that since the emancipation of the negro
here the country had faithfully done its
Fart to advance and protect him. But, he
said, all that would go for nothing unless
the negro did his part in advancing and bet
tering his race. The negro race had the
brightest of prospects, thought Justice
Brewer. and, after picturing the rise and
fall of nations. he declared that no one
could deny that Africa would not some day
lead the nations of the earth. Telling them
that they lad enjoyed grand opportunities,
Justice Brewer said to the graduates that
they should never neglect their sacred call
ing, but, realizing that the burden of their
race rested upon them. should never for a
moment be idle in the wondrous work
awaiting to be done by the negro.
Mr.. Justice Brewers remarks were loudly
applauded, and, after the choir had rem
dered the anthem Sing, Heaven" the
exercises were concluded by the pronounc-
ing of the henediction by the Rev. Sterling
n. Brown.