The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-05-31
CROWDS AT TUSKEGEE
INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL COM
 ENRICHMENT IS ON.
Visitors Shown the Actual Work of Professor sWashington's Institute. List of the Graduates-Meet-
 ing of the Trustees.

Tuskegee. May 30.-(Special. )-The twentieth annual commencement of the Tuskegee Normal and Industrial In- stitute is in progress: The grounds were thronged from in the morning. Many came as early as Saturday, others followed on every train, but the great crowd came today. Over 300 Of the citizens of Montgomery. white and colored. came by special train, under the leadership of Trustee J. W. Adams. All the morning visitors were busy visiting class rooms and industrial de- partments. A regular school day yas in operation in class rooms, shops and fields so that all were able to form good idea of the daily work of the school. At noon, dinner was served, in three sections, at Dorothy Hall, the teachers dining hall and under the magnolias. in front of Porter Hall. The magnolias caught the crowd. Here the "50o0' were fed. Forty gallons of coffee and innumerable sandwiches were dispensed. Promptly at o'clock the bugle sunded over the grounds and the procession was formed in front of Alabama Hall. It marched at once to the chapel. In a moment the great building was filled in every part. It was magnificent audience and one in most perfect sympathy with the oc- casion. Today only served as the conclusion of exercises that began with the exhibition of the training school held in the chapel Thursday night, May 23. The children delighted every body by their rendering of beautiful cantata entitled "The Fairy's Tribunal Seven graduated and will enter the normal school They have had train- ing in gardening, sewing and wood working. Friday night came the last of the weekly religious services for the year, with a sermon by Rev. MT. Dun bar. Sunday morning was devoted 10 farewell services of the various reli- gious societies. They were full Of fn- terest and deeply impressive, showing what a marked feature of the schools work Is it's religious training. Sunday afternon came the commencement ser mon, by Rev. w. W. Landrum, D. D., of the First Baptist Church, Atlanta. TNe chapel was splendidly filled and to L..,in with, the audience was greatly interested in the distinguished speaker. Rev. Sidney Catts of @Tuskegce intro duced Dr. Landrum in very interest ing way. He said the Doctors father had a theological class of colored peo- pie in bis study in the days of slavery and that the, Doctor himself taught theology to the students of the Atlanta Baptist college, while it was located at Augusta. The sermon was a most scholarly production and yet so learned and clear in its statements and so kindly in it's spirit that it seemed to be fully appreciated by every one. His subject was: Christ the key to the mysteries of the Kingdom of God" The closing words to the graduating class were especially inspiring and inn pressive. The music, under the lead ership of Professor Harris. now such a familiar figure at Tuskegee. greatly moved every orie.a #
 Monday night the eighth anniversary of the 2. Phelps H4h Bible Training School was held. It was by far the best in the history of the school. The whole body of students was seated on the platform. All united in the reef tation of passages Of Scripture and then sang, with excellent effect, 70, Worship the King" Rev. B. H. Peter son presided, in the absence of Chap lain Penney. In a few opening words, he said the year just closing had been their most fruitful one. The enroll ment has reached 71, seven of them or dained ministers, ,5 who came that they might fit themselveSs for better work and meet the demands of their people for a more intelligent ministry. The students of the year represent thir- teen States and six denominations thirty-eight Baptists and thirty-two Methodists. All have lived together in perfect harmony and have been mu- 'tually helpful. This experience is do- ing much to alIay the bitterness of sec tariap prejudice. The standard of the school is being gradually raised. Many of the students are now aiming to complete the Normal as well as the Bible course and some, after finishing here, are led to a college and theologi- cal course. The young men all become impressed with the industrial idea and go out not only to preach the Gospel, but also to practice and inspire thrift and industry. There were four grad uates tonight-Pinkston Howard, Mt. Meigs, Ala; W. c. Cleland, Newberry, $. C.; A. G. Mitchell, New Orleans, La.: Joseph J. Bills, Bolivar, Tenn. The orations of the young men were clear, forcible and of a real practical turn.
 The annual address was by Rev. P. P. Johnson of Atlanta, on Moses the Great and Safe Leader" He gave a most interesting account of the quali- ties of safe leadership. in Moses, and urged upon all young colored men and women. who aspired to be leaders, to take Moses as their model. Very rare ly has a more helpful address been de- liyered before a Tuskegee audience.
 The Trinity Church, Boston, oratori- cal prize, on Tuesday night, was one of the great events of commencement week. This year there were two prizes, one of s25 and the other of $15. Six young men contended. J. c. Jordan, H. R. Patterson. T. B. Medley and F., H. Carry of the senior class, R. H. Fleming and F. P. Chisholm of the in coming seniors. Revs. C. B. Mcleod H. Trawick and A. B. Paine, Esq, of Tuskegee, served as a committee of award. The speakers were all favor ites and the friends of each one seemed determined be should win. Medley, the South Carolina scholar, blacksmith and wheelwright, carried. not only the com mittee, but also the great audience. Fleming, the trained nurse. of Colum- bia. Tenn, took the second prize. This was the sixth annual contest. The in-