thy with our work. Such
friendliness on the part of an influential Southerner is pleasant to
note.

Dr. Beard, our secretary, preached the "baccalaureate sermon." He
presented in a very vivid manner the blessings to be won by those who
conquer the hindrances of life. He showed how the law of struggle is the
law of strength and of possession. The duty and necessity of overcoming
evil, as well as the rewards, were illustrated and urged.

The various alumni associations are now endeavoring to raise a fund of
one thousand dollars for the university. They are faithful to their alma
mater.

The graduating exercises of the Normal Department were largely attended,
and the thirteen young women of the class would have been listened to on
any Northern commencement platform with earnest and thoughtful
attention. President Cravath's address to them was on "The New Woman."
"The educated young colored woman of to-day," he said, "is, in a
peculiar sense, the new woman of her race." He contrasted the
opportunities of the young women before him with those which their
mothers had, and besought them to consider their peculiar
responsibilities linked with their opportunities.

For the regular college graduation exercises every seat in the spacious
chapel was filled. Plants and wild-flowers had been used to decorate the
platform, while large flags were artistically draped on either side. The
class, numbering fifteen, occupied the front seats. President Cravath,
Dr. Beard, and other guests were on the platform. The orations were,
without exception, highly creditable. The speakers chose subjects of
current interest instead of recounting the exploits of the ancient
Greeks and Romans or making Napoleon fight his battles over again for
us. They bore the marks of thoughtful and accurate study. After the
conferring of the degrees, the audience rose while the Mozart Society
rendered the Hallelujah Chorus. What a debt of gratitude we owe to
Handel for giving us that Chorus! General Fisk used to say that there
were glories and hallelujahs and amens enough in it to make several
rousing Methodist camp-meetings.

After the commencement exercises a collation was served to which all
the alumni and the parents of the students present were invited. After
the refreshments the speeches followed. These were not of the
time-honored sort. Fathers and mothers rose and told of the struggles
they had made to get their boy or girl through school. Many were the