Dr. Scott referred to the condition of things during and at the close of the war, in which he had a part. He expressed his delight in being permitted to see the growth and progress of the last seventeen years. His words of appreciation and sympathy were especially grateful to the workers. He reminded them that any institution which outlives the trying period of training and sending out its first graduates and of nourishing and giving strength to its first alumni was destined to live and grow. Alma Mater is a name dear to every good student, and Fisk University has a history and a future. The delightful exercises were brought to a fitting close by all rising and singing the doxology, “Praise God from Whom all blessings flow.”
The final examinations occupied three days, the 25th, 26th and 29th of May. The attendance of parents and friends increased from day to day. On Sunday a Sunday-school Institute was held and the attentive throng seemed about as great as the chapel would hold, but the absolute limit of its capacity was not reached until the exhibition, Tuesday evening, when the people were fairly wedged in. A beneficent down-pour of rain Wednesday morning prevented the crowd from being any greater on that day, and rendered the air so cool and pleasant that people did not suffer from being closely packed.
The Committee on Decorations had made the chapel very inviting with a fountain, motto and other devices. A class of six earnest, faithful Christian students, three young men and three young women, having completed the normal course, were to receive certificates. President Pope addressed his sermon to them Sabbath evening--his theme being Serving One’s Generation.
At 10 o’clock on Wednesday, the 31st, the commencement exercises began. As these young people have been, in accordance with the avowed aim of this institution, educated for usefulness in practical life, it was fitting that their essays and orations should be as they were, on subjects of every-day interest and treated in an intensely direct and practical manner.
The music was inspiring, especially the class song, composed for them by the Rev. B. A. Imes, of Memphis, a fine scholar and talented gentleman of their own race.