Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1898-06-25
FROM BLUEFIELD.
An Annual Sermon to the
Students Of Blue6eld Col
ored Institute.
COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES HELD
JUNE 18th wIFH A 0REDITABLE
PROGRAMME.

the Occasion-Dr. @. n. Grandson
Delivered an Able Address-Mr. II.
S. johnson and Miss Lucy Shipman
Carries OF the Honors in the Way of
Medals-Other Locals OF interest |
from the Coalfield-Great is Hon !
John Mitchell, Jr.. ''No Officers no |
fehtr'
BLuEFRLD, " Va, June 20, '9S
Editor o. FIkNET -
There was an immense audience as
Bembled in the large and magnificent
chapel Of the Rluefield Cololed Insti-
tute on the second Sunday Of this
month, to hear the first annual sermon
to she students OF this institution,
which was ably. scholarly and master
IL handled by Rev, r. J. perkins, d.
D., OF Huntington, w. Va. The chapel
was filed with an overfowinR congre-
cation. DIR. Perkins chose for his
texs let Samuel 1926. Those who
know this able divine are aware OF the
fact that he is fully equipped TO unfold
the things which are calculated TO lift
the race to higher elevating stand
ard OF progress, etc.
The doctor has but few equals in this
state. He is one of the gifted pulpit
speakers of the race. White and col
ored complimented his noble sermon
to the students and audience at large.
This sermon will be long remembered
by those who heard this distinguished
divine, as he told them many lasting,
good things.
The commencement came cG on the.
18th inst, being viewed by fully q
thousand people or more. Some of the
most prominent business and profes-
sional men were present, and gave ex-
pressions OF compliments upon the
creditable rendition of such a COM
plete programme. Too much cannot
be said OF our able Professor Hamilton
Halter. the president Of the Institute.
He is true genuine educator Of the
truest type; and ranks among the
greatest leaders of the race as such.
On the seats opposite the president,
were Rev. @. n. Grandson, u. d Rev.
A. ]. Brown, B. d DR.. @. II. Layne,
our city physician and surgeon; Prot
II. NJ. Smith, Rev.G. I. Wright, pas
tor Of Raleigh st NJ. K. Church. Ma
tional colors were in large variety.
Flowers and evergreens made the
chapel SO decorative until it looked
like that of the V. n. and Q. l., or a
Northern Commencement We here
give the following programme:
H.
bV Rev. G., T. Wright; Chorus by the
School; Defamation, Gods Owner
ship Of the Sea- by Rev. James H. An
derson; Recitation, "Beseie KIndrick' 8
2AIourney" by Mics Josie Warren; s'Ten
Commandmen by John Trigg; Rec
station. "PenR's Monuments" by Miss
Lucy Shipman; Defamation, Stew
art Holland" by Master Callie Doug
Lass; Recitation, "Nellie's Victory" by
Miss Ailene Hooker; Defamation,
supposed Speech OF John Adams" by
Osborn Dabney; Recitation. "a Con-
hict of Trains by Miss MRriah Sank
ford Solo, Happy Bird" by Henry
Johnson; Recitation, Her Excuse. -
Miss Lilly Dabney; Defamation, ZAP
peal co Young Men" by James III
Price; Recitation, Selling the Farm
Miss jamie Trigg; Defamation, "AD-
rahena Lincoln" by William Nesbit
Defamation, death OF Garfield By
Henry Omohundro; Solo, Pardon
Came Too Late" by Miss Hattie w
Booze; Defamation, Massachusetts.
Young; Recitation, "Ginevra' Miss
Lizzie Redd Defamation, Liberty
and Union," Emery l.. Wright; Reel
tetion. Mr. and Mrs. Bowserv by Miss
Roxie McDcHAld; Duett, 'Nightin
gale" by Miss Jennie Mickens and Mr.
II. s. Johnson; Music by the Bluefielc
Eagle-eye Band.
Grafton, climbing the Mountain
by Mr.. W. ii. Cobbs; Defamation
Possibilities OF the Future" by II. s
Johnson; Recitation, Fall of Pember
ton Mill" by Miss Jennie Mickens
Grafton, Negro Needed in Business
by Horace M. Smith; Solo, SIN Prison
by H s. Johnson; Recitation, "VaIley
Forge" by Miss Helen Nj. Abbitt; Cho.
rus, Good Night" by the students.
All the students did exceedingly
we'll but we cannot refrain from max
ing special mentioning OF Miss Luc,
Shipman and Mr. II. s. Johnson. Miss
Shipman and Mr., Johnson spoke will
an electrifying aud burning orhtorica
zeal. which was the chief feature OF Sht
occasion and everybody was vel
pleased with them. They were cheer
ed with prolonged appliance.
IN There were two prizes out for tn,
--Oest Geclamations Of which Mis-
Shipman and Mr. johnson Won will
much honor and credit.
All honor and praise to Hon. JohI
Mitchell, Jr., who is the proprietor ant
publisher OF one OF the greatest Negr
Journals on this continent (the Plan
ETY. who is doing more towards tn
races recognition and rights than tn
the pulpits of to-day, and ell othe
journal inclusive. Tt is long pas
recognized fact that Hon. Mitchell ha
served the race ae no other leader deai
or living as true, genuine defende
for right ard Justice at all times
When he says mo oficers; no fight 7
he voices true and exact sentimen
OF the entire race. Mr.. Mitchell. tn
entire race commend your brave stan
upon such recognition question b
your fearless pleRdings and contendin
before this great republic Of an en-
lightened era that Negroes should b
mustered into the army as officers, 8
much 50 as regular soldiers TO fgh
Yes sir, Mr.. Mitchell, you are RICH
Negroes have made America what sh
is to-day and it is high time for thel
to receive their pay, and now is til
time.
When despisabIe and Negro-h hath
newspapers like that Of the Dispatc
and other most damnable, low ar
contemplate papers hate to see a n,
gro with q respectfully looking suit
clothes on, as a step Of advancement
much less than to occupy a position
prominence. and especially peyiI
~ position.
This is equally so all over this bros
ours, but from the blows
IN Mitchell's pen. it is steadi
and we trust ere soon
hing OF the past, still we fe
will have to be many dealt
ignorant and Negro-hatir
bites before the matter
lifted our hat to Govern
y. O'Ferralf, when Governor
1la, as q friend to our arace, n
toleratiDg lynch-law but toNE 7
feel, If Governor J. Hoge Tyler 49,
pay this city visit, we would bow j
on cur knees to hiIn as q true govern
OF Virginia by not violating his ont
regarding the colored battalions
Richmond and Petersburg by turnis
them over to the Government as TIT
are.