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 expressions of gladness and of hope, and when President Cravath announced that the school year was ended, all of those who had taught felt rewarded for the toils and anxieties of a fruitful college year.

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HOWARD UNIVERSITY, THEOLOGICAL DEPARTMENT, WASHINGTON, D.C.

By Prof.  J.H.  Ewell, D.D.

The American Missionary Association was obliged to reduce the appropriation for our work by one-fourth this year.  This has occasioned so much extra work, care, and anxiety, but the good hand of our Heavenly Father has been upon us, and the teachers have increased their hours in the classroom, and kind friends and churches have lent a helping hand.  Grateful mention should be made of large assistance from the First Congregational Church, of Washington, and of aid from young churches with heavy burdens upon them.