The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-05-12
SHAW UNIVERSITY
COMMENCEMENT
Able Address BY Pres
ident C. F. Meserve.
SIXTY GRADUATES
Annual Address Delivered BY Rev. J
C. Massee---CIosing of Industrial,
Literary and College Depart
ments, Exercises Were Pleas
ina and Full OF Interest.


trial, literary and college departments
Of Shaw University were held yester-
day morning in Estey Hall, on the
university campus. This has been the
most successful year in the history OF
this institution, there having been 5O4
students. and 60 graduates from these
departments. The exercises continued
three hours, every event on the pro-
gram being full of interest and m
structivenesS.
Rev. j. C. Massee, pastor Of the
Baptist Tabernacle delivered a mas
terly annual address, and the parting
address to the graduates by PreSl-
dent Charles Frances Meserye was re-
plete with words OF momentous i'm
port Of the colored youth who have
just completed their school work, ana
are entering the various fields OF Ell
fort and of thought.
1t is planned at Shaw to make the
industrial course, second to none at
the university. The achievements of
this department are notable, and its
great success has determined the Off
GERS of the institution to plan for the
erection next fall of an Industrial
Building, to cost $4,000, with adequate
and perfect equipment.
oughly enjoyed. The large gradual
ing class was seated on the platform,
before whom were President Mcserve,
Rev Mr.. Massee and several promi-
nent leaders among the negroes OF
North Carolina.
Shaw University chorus. and the
stringed instrument band, furnished
beautiful music for the occasion, and
the hall in which the exercises were
held, was artistically decorated.
The commencement exercises began
promptly at 10 o'clock. and after the
singing of "Et Incarnatus." by the
chorus, Celia l.. Jeffries read the an
nual essay, with salutatory, her sub
ject being, Joan of Arc"
Charles w. Worth delivered the an
nual grafton, with valedictory, having
as his subject, '"The Value of College
Education"
Mr.. Massee took for the subject of
his address 1.-THE Making of a Man"
The points of his address worthy of.
special note were the introduction in
which it was declared that this is
the age of human creation God
worked six days and rested, leaving
this the seventh period of the ages
for man to do his creative work.
This is q day." he said,
"in which more and more wond-
erful things are being made
than ever before in the history of
the world. Men make every thing
books without end, machinery, ar
ticles of utility comfort and luxury.
But in the midst of so much creative
work one cannot but be disappointed
that so little attention is given to
the making of man. 1t is true that
we have our schools and colleges
we'll equipped and sending out yearly
their many graduates. But these
are too often only athletes or social
ed scholars. But of the better sort
of men, men of Drawn and brain and
soul, men who cannot be kept from
worthy achievement by any sort of
adverse environment there are far
too few. There can be no subimer
spectacle then that of a young man
turning his face to the future with
the light of a strong pure purpose
and an abiding hope in his eyes; the
strength of cleanness and integrity in
his life. Then beginning with mast
cry of himself; by patience and toll
climbing his way resolutely to the
pinnacle of humanity's best ambition,
an old age full of the ripened fruit
of worthy achievement. In compare
son to the making of a man every
thing else in life pales into signifi-
canoe.
God has placed him in the center
of this vast universe i'm which we are
so small q part and of all his creation
has crowned him with the glory and
honor of Intelligence. 1t is for his
making that the human face has
been steadily pushed forward upon
the wheels of progress and
civilization, in spite of war and pest
Hence through providence and seem
ing accident, to the dawning of this
day in which once again he is ready
TO be crowned but little lower than
the angels.
1.-THE race has had to fight two
great obstacles to its best develop
ment. They are sloth and selfishness.
Ii has been the opposite of these that
has discovered new lands subducd
forests, peopled the wilderness. fought
the battles of liberty against oppres-
sion and tyrany. builded the institu-
tons and promoted the enterprises of
civilization. No heroic quality of soul
has been born of these parents T.y
them no cross is born, no hardship
Is endured. There is no foe to the
making of men so strong as these yet
none have voice so seductive or charm
so subtle.
why call this your commencement?
because it is truly the commence
ment of your real life. You will go
out to the same old hopes struggles
These are your life testings. They
come to all men. None ever escape
them. The vital question is whether
you or they are to be the maste viii
you return again to the old life Of
selhshness, and lazy luxury 70 idle
dreamings about your position 70
foolish chatting against sociai ana
racial distinctions? To complaints that
the world fails to pay what IL owes
YOU While Won think 1of of What Won
owe to the world? Or shall il be that
you will go out TO Use lie trinity of
poWer that God giyes-of heart and
head and hand-to achieve tn. high
est and make of yourselves real me:I?
No higher ambition than that can
come TO you for the 'noblest work OF
God IS man. Let this commencement
be to you call to the virtues. IL
bors. ard attachments of the best
manhood x4T
Col. James II. Young awarded the