At night Central Church was packed in every part, pews, aisles, vestibule and gallery, with an eager, expectant audience, comprising the best element of the colored population of New Orleans. Such an assembly was never gathered in Central Church before. The audience itself was an inspiration and showed a deep and intelligent interest in the holy cause represented. A goodly number of our white friends were present, and were among the most enthusiastic in their congratulations.
Rev. H. M. Smith, D.D., editor of the _South-Western Presbyterian_, offered the prayer, in which he thanked God for the existence of Straight University and the good it had done.
The five young men composing the senior class, who made their salutations to the audience, represented three of the Southern States, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. Their orations were well written and well delivered. One of the orations was solicited for publication by two of the New Orleans papers represented in the audience by their editors.
The music, both in the afternoon and evening, was exceptionally fine, and so pronounced by all. It was entirely under the direction of Professor J. M. McPherron, and reflected great credit upon his method and excellence of instruction.
The new dormitory for girls will be entirely finished by July 15th.
It must be furnished by the 1st of October. Milwaukee, Wis., West Newton, Mass., and Evansville, Ind., have already forwarded money to furnish and name a room. Others have the money partly raised. Dear friends, come to our help at once. Send $50, if you can. Send $25, or $10, or $5. Do the best you can and at once. It is God’s work, and we ask your aid in His name.
The passing months have again brought us to where we may look back over the entire work of the year. While we grieve over opportunities lost and efforts to all appearance fruitless, we can, too, rejoice that the “Master of the harvest” has given increase. The year has been one, on many accounts, unusually successful and satisfactory. Never before have we known our pupils so susceptible to all good influences and so ready to receive instruction and guidance from their teachers.
During the year past, the school has experienced a most precious revival, over forty of our young people professing conversion. In our closing prayer meeting for the year, it was found that there were but about a dozen students of the Normal department who had not accepted the Saviour.