The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-06-01
NORMAL COMMENCEMENT.
Rev. pr. c. o. Boothe Breaches Bac-
 caIaureate Sermon.

Normal May a.-(Special.) )-After spending two days in the undergraduate exercises the commencement exercises proper of the Agricultural and Mechan- ical college the famous school for ne- groes founded by W. H. councill, began here yesterday, with the baccaluaureate sermon by Rev. Dr. c. O. Boothe. deal of theology, Selma university. Dr. Hi- rom E. Archer, the vice president of the institution impressed upon the stu dents and visitors at the beginning of the commencement exercises the great ness of the life of Professor Councill and expressed the hope that his ideals and principles would always be carried out atN the institution and that their per petuation in the conduct of Normal and the instruction given the students in tho years to come would be his most last ing monument.
 Dr. Boothe preached the baccalaureate sermon in the chapel of the institution before large audience from the text: "Whosover shall seek to save his life shall lose it." Matthews vi. % He de- clared that the present manhood in it's
 
 ment of power. harmony or adjustment of law, and toward productiveness in tho useful achievements. He urged the young people graduating from Normal to con- sider the importance of making this ideal life the goal of their career and gave some pointed advice on the race ques- ton.
 In this connection Dr. Boothe stated that in intellect. resulting in the dis covery of natural forces and in inven- tion and strength of character the ne- gro does not equal the white man and has much to accomplish before he does. "The black man in this country is a weak man. he said. Our pride may cause us to confess that our only hope to live as a race amid such a mighty race lies in our ability to possess a spirit of inoffensveness toward our stronger brother and also to possess skill and application in the useful. wage-payina trades
 We need not hope to benefit ourselves by fretting at our lot" he continued. We can't make one hair white or black. Conditions underlying social order arc slow in changing. Gods great wheels turn slowly because they must measure ages at turn It Is not necessary for us to hint to the white man that the crowning glory of greatness is its ser- NiSS Aol tiio lOWl9. W 0 ueSu not peg them to deal gently with the slow burn ing fires of kindling life in the black man at their side.
 The older men of both races have about cleared the scene of action, pass ing into the great beyond. A new gen. eration of white men and of black men now appear on the scene. These men now hold and master, or they bow and serve the forces and issues of life. If Christ may be king over the people 1t shall still be well for the strong man and well for the weak man and well for our great country. All that has been laid before you as possible achieve ments can come only as the result of faith in God, hopeful vision. brotherliness and patient hard york;
 Prof. Henry Hopkins delivered the an- nual address before the Sunday school and Rev. J. W. Ramsey before the re- ligious societies. Because of the death of the late President Councill the com mencement exercises will be considerable eurtailed this year. The graduating ex- ercises were held today with addresses by Rev. T. w. Walker of Birmingham and Dr. F. w. D. Hammonds of Nash- vile.