Richmond planet., 1908-05-16
COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES.


Collegiate Institute held its Sixteenth
Annual Commencement in the Re
built Old Bagley Hall, on Sunday and
Monday, May 10th and 18th, respec-
lively. Fully six hundred persons
attended the Exercises on Sunday
Morning and Sunday night. Presi-
cent SmallwoOd, Phi. D., presided at
1880 A. NJ. Sunday and the Rev.
Leonard +. Kieser Of Petersburg. Va.
delivered a most interesting, instruc-
tive and eloquent sermon on Racial
Tenacity. Dignity and Union. At
times he had the entire large
congregation wrapped in thought.
as to what will be his next
point. Rev. Mr.. Kieser is n young
man with commanding appearance, a
most pleasant personality. and is an
earnest and eloquent speaker
The Newly Rebuilt Bagley Hall is
credit 20 the Negro Race. as Il is
TO the community. AS Mr.. Kieser
said 10 his congregation on Sunday
last, nothing but race-pride, energy.
interest AID moral courage could
have accomplished the work done
here in Claremont by one man.
Among the numerous visitors, were
Mr. Sampson Howell, Mr.. Anthony
Johns, Mr.. Elliott. John Howell. Jul
ius Jackson of Surrey c. H.: Matthew
Charity, Charles W. Byrd. Carter
Wooden. Mr. George Taylor and Mr.
Thomas Gilchrist The above nam
ed were accompanied by their fami-
lies. Besides. there were large mum
hers OF distinguished ladies and gem
tlemen from various parts of the
counties OF Prince George, Surrey.
Isle % Wight. Sussex, Nansemond.
Norfolk and from North Carolina.
The usual strict Bible study and
the observance OF the Holy Sabbath
were maintained without ostentatfon.
This Institute Is strictly moral. reli-
gious and Industrial. Boys and girls
are certainly safe in a pure moral.
and religious atmosphere, when once
under the shelter OF this Institution.
The Annual Temperance Mass
Meeting commenced at 7:3O on the
10Th inst. Mrs. Rosa +. Smallwood
the Lady President. presided at this
meeting. Mrs. Smallwood gave a
very interesting and eloquent address
and special appeal towards the cause
of Temperance. Honesty and Morality
and Education at the homes. Mrs.
Smallwood addressed her visitors at
great length. and arrested their at
tention throughout her eloquent ad-
dress.
The Students. as DISCLAIMERS for
the cause of Temperance. did honor
20 the cause of Temperance. TO the
Institution and TO themselves. Mr..
j. r. Boiling the Field Agent for
the Institution. delivered the annual
address on Temperance. Or. Small
wood spent his time on Monday show
ing his friends the two school farms
There are two excellent school farms
one pertaining directly 20 the School.
on which will be erected all the
buildings. and the other on which
stock raising and farming are carried
on.
MONDAY NIGHT. MAY nth.
The George W. Williams Prize
Contest will have as contestants. Mr..
Charles L. Hayley, of Warrenton, "
C., and Miss Lucetta Anthony of
Harpersville, Va. The honorary
speakers on the occasion will be Miss
Lee lsadOre Banks, of Oyster Point.
Va. and Miss Lula NJ. Clayton OF High
Gate Va. Prof. Barton will preside
at the meeting. Mr.. Barton is an
educated gentleman, and a real chris
tian. Miss Lee Banks, one of the
honorary speakers is not yet fourteen
Miss Clayton is older and is a beau
uful young lady, and a brilliant stu
dent.
The contest for the Williams
Prize" was a heated one between
Miss Anthony OF Virginia and Mr..
Hayley of North Carolina. Both
realized the great responsibility and
not unmindful at the same time of
the pride OF their native states.
The Annual Address on Education
was delivered by Rev. w. II. Daven-
port OF the Clark Memorial Church,
Claremont Va. The Rev. Gentleman
is a strong earnest speaker. entirely
free from pretence, bold in his as
sertions and purely racial. Thus
ends the Sixteenth Annual Commence
ment OF the Temperance, Industrial
and Collegiate Institute, a Negro In
stitution, founded and perpetuated
by Negro energy, industry, skill and
sacrifice.
This Institution owns three hun
dred and seventy-seven acres of land
cows, excellent horses, a large
number Of plOughs. wagons. cts. 1t
gives employment TO eight teachers
and employees, In various depart
ments, and between fifteen and twen-
" other persons. On the farm are
raised peas, corn, oats and hogs.
Mr. w. r. Gray, who recently accept
ed the position as Business Manager
is proving himself the right man In
the right place. DR.. Smallwood
keeps up wonderful courage and from
somewhere, gets on enormous a.
mount of will-power He is TO be
helped and admired for the great
work already accomplished.
The Dedication OF the Rebuilt
Bagley Hall, Will take place on Oc-
tober 18th and 18th, next. There
VIII be representatives from the
states OF New York, Pennsylvania.
New Jersey, Maryland, Virginia and
North Carolina. DR.. Smallwood and
his co-workers will push this work
all through Summer. Let us all hone
Tor the success of a great work. for