The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-06-05
C0LORED YOUTH TO GRADUATE
COMMENCEMENT OF THE GEoR-
GA INDUSTRIAL COLLEGE.

Rev. j. w. L. Bowen, ID. DAN In
vocation for the Progress of the
Haee-The Programme of Exer-
cises-DlpIomas to he Presented by
Chancellor BOggs-PROgress ana
Success OF the Work OF the Col
Iege.
The commencement week exercises of
the Georgia State Industrial College be-
gan with the delivery Of the baccalaureate
sermon by Rev. J. w E. Bowen, D. D..
Of Atlanta, at Il O'Clock yesterday morn
ing. The exercises took place, as will
those Of the other days of commencement
in the new Meldrim Auditorium, in itself
! an evidence Of the good work that is be-
ing done by the college and designed and
constructed by the instructors and stu
dents, without outside assistance.
Among those occupying seats on the pat
| form were President Wright, Rev. J. W.
Roberts, Rev. John CroIly, Rev. J. c.
Bryan of Americas, Rev c. H Uggams of
Palatka. Fla; MIR. r. B. Reppard and
others. The seating capacity Of the au-
ditorium was taxed to the utmost. Every
available foot Of standing room was taken
and many stood in the Railways outside
Fully LOGO people were present The col
lege choir sang the chorus, angelic Ser
enade," after which there was an invoca-
ton by Rev. James c. Bryan and the
reading Of the scripture lesson, The if
teenth chapter of Deuteronomy, by Rev
e. II. Uggams. The speaker was presented
by President Wright His text was taken
from John 1871, Arise, let US so hence"
The development of a people" said the
speaker, must come through the develop
| ment OF the individual. The growth of
races and nations is like unto the growth
of men.
They must have their infancy and child
hood, their youth and their manhood. In
their youth they must be subject TO law
ana obey law, as no person who cannot
be subject to law can ever hope to COM
| mand obedience, so no race or nation who
does not obey and respect law can ever ex-
pect TO command law. The strict laws of
the Puritans in the early days of the colo
MES were necessary for the ma don in its in
fancy, for without it the 4th of July,
I66, might not have been possible. This
slhctness of laws and of their enforcement
made possible independence and emanci-
| patton. II was the subsection in the Wild
erness for forty years that made it pos
sibge for Israel to give to us Moses, a
jeremiah and an Isaiah"
In this development of the nation and
| race through the individual the greatest
| clement is character I advocate the
/ highest possible education for all negroes
! who are able to take il, but no matter how
much Greek or Calculus one has, if he
does not possess moral character, he is
! the worse off for his education. l have
often heard ministers preach from the say
| ing of Peter that God IS no respecter Of per-
/ sons True but God is a respecter of char
! aeter, as is pointed out in the same chap
| ter. urge upon all the continuation of
! of pure moral character, of purity in word
| deed and thought If other people are not
| respecters of persons, and do not measure
| a man by his worth, the time will come
| when worth and character will be the
| true and right standard of manhood and
| womanhood.
Rev. Dr. Bowen spoke of the many vir-
tues of the Anglo-Saxon, especially his
! resolution and his patience and admonish-
| ed the young men to cultivate these vir-
! tues. For, said he, you are The makers
Of the race There is a story of a young
| Frehchman whose father had gotten a DO
sition not by the fairest means. While on
| the street one day he was insulted by
many other youth, one saying, My father
| was a Mayor; another, have the blood
! of a duke in me, what have your still
! another, My grandmother was a Ouch
ess what was yours?' and so on. The
! young man was at first Inundated. but.
! getting courage, he stood up aud said:
Gentlemen, l am myself an ancestor.
! Your history is behind you yours is made.
mine is before me; | am making mine
| This is the case with every young col
ored man. He can point to no honored
ancestry, but he and his fellows are an
cestcrs; they must make the history and
the name for generations yet to come.
Finally, have faith in God Trust to
the righteousness of God in dealing with
the affairs of men, end,. though the con-
ditions sometimes seem to warrant a Civ
ing up of faith, never doubt, but work
and trust and pray"
To-day viii be devoted to the literary
and scientific work of the college rba
classes in each of the departments will he
examined and an opportunity win be Civ
en- those who care to attend 10 see The
progress that is being made.
AT night the annual celebration of tba
Young Mems Christian Association Of the
college viii take place. and is expected to
be among the most interesting events Of
! commencement week. Besides a song
service and essays and readings by the
young men and women of the college
there will be an address to the association
by Rev. Floyd snelson of Valdosta.
I0-iHotlOW VIII D0 devoted TO an exhibit
ton of the work of the industrial depart
ment, the finished products of the stu
dents being shown 20 the visitors The
exhibitions in the shops and work rooms
viii continue from 10 o'clock in the fore
noon until o'clock IN the afternoon.
In the evening the anniversary of the
literary societies viii be celebrated. the
programme consisting of music, orations.
and a debate, Resolved, That the Amer
lean negro should emigrate," in which the
affirmative VIII be held by r. w. Williams
and the negative by +. W. Houston. The
programme is an elaborate one and it is
expected that the friends of the school
win endeavor TO be present and enjoy il.
Wednesday VIII witness the delivery of
the diplomas and the graduation of the
c.ass of 1899 The diplomas win be pre-
scented by Rev. William Ellison Boggs
chancellor of The state university, and ad-
dresses viii be made by Col +. w. Mel
drim chairman of the board of commits
sloners; Gov. A. D. Gambler, State School
Commissioner G. r. Glenn and others
The commencement orator will be 1t
Rev. b. w. Arnett d. d.