The advocate. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1901-1913, 1909-06-03
.'''s:.C|lI)HRgG'
EAERCIsEs Or, NEGRO CHURCH,
So 4, l,a.q' SCHOOL. ~ >.::tiH
MARKS AN Epoch In Life OF the Color
|, 50 Metl.odista Who Raised $75, 900
Tor Its Mslntena4ce. -. 1,.,' ) -. '-.| !.
Z CHORES ID. Slatler.l
/ ~ ~. - 49, IA:

birmingham. Ala, May 2S.--The
com meRcement exercises T. of the
Miles Memorial College at this place,
vi W9ch Rev, Dr.. James A. Rray is
president, haIb demonstrated the
greatness OF the work of that insti.
tuition and the security of the tlata
" mas gained In the affections Of the
people this early In it's history, i
&c was not 40 long ago, that after
herculean efforts on the part az the
clergy and Iaymen In the CoIored
Methodist Episcopal Church in the;
State OF Alabama, that the existence
'of Miles Memorial College, with Its
great and beneficial work for the
Negroes of the State was made pos
slble. Considerable sacriaces re-,
suited In the raising OF more than
+Io'ooo OF black folks money with,
which to maintain and erect this
magnificent institution. -
The character Of the exercises rem
dered by the students show Goncl,-
slVeiy the excellence OF the training
ana discipline. and a brighter and
more acceptably appearing bodv. Of
young men and women cannot be
found anywhere in the South, -,
10 Dr. James A. Bray, the .presi-
oent or the institution. much credit
is due for this remarkable disnIav.
his educational ability as director
ana leader Is fully demonstrated and
his power to draw unto him the so1-
ia support of all the leaders In the
church' and the active and conscien-
tlous endeavors of his faculty prove
NM TO be man of rare ability as an
executive. and administrator.
The commencement exerices pron-
er began Sunday. May 23th, with the
oaccalaureate sermon by Rev. w. B.,
Johnson, ID. D., pastor Of St. John
a. M. E. church, Birmingham. Rev.
Johnson spoke from the text, "But
when that which is perfect shall
come, that which is in part shall he
done away" I. Cor. xiii: 10. His
theme was '"The Clearer Vision" He
declared that men and women womb
look with different eyes upon every
day occurrences. and shape their
courses along different lines, when
they had that clearer vision born or
life In Christ. TO the question If
the world is growing better, DR..
Johnson declared that it was, and
that every one, save the most gloomy
nessimist, could see the change for
the better. +
the = tremendous amount of
crime. murder, theft; highway rob
Psries 1ypGhtngs. A., tha sssupaE~iadul-
gence m social evils, all shall be for
gotten, when the life of Christ, the
perfect man, shall be taken as pat
tern and lifted up in the hearts of in
|diViduals, races and nations,'' he de-
f;Glared'< 1.-The wings of justice will
not be bruised and broken, hope will
r1pen In every heart and sweet peace
Will take the place Of confusion"
The principal feature OF the sec.
ond days proceedings was the exer-
cises of the undergraduate depart
| ments. The exercises Of the primary
department was held in the afternoon
and those Of the English department
In the evening on the campus Of the
institution. Rev. DR.. G. e. Coley
| or Selma, Ala, agent for the publish
Ing board of the G. NJ E. Church
and member Of the board Of trus.
| tees, delivered the address.
The ordinary affairs of Women's
work, and the great part the women
of the race can play. in it's final de-
Yelopment furnished the theme Of a
strong address by Miss Fannie Haw,
k1ns, president Of the Woman's Home
Missionary Board of the G. M. E.
Church, at the third days exercises.
Miss Hawkins gave some sensible
advice to the young women In the
audience, advice that is Of practical
everyday application. She laid par
ticular emphasis upon the doctrine
of soap and water and personal clean
Illness, which she maintained was ah