The bulletin of Atlanta University, 1906 no. 165

              NUMBER  165                                     ATLANTA, GEORGIA                                         JUNE, 1906 For statement of the work of Atlanta University see last page. COMMENCEMENT WEEK On Friday the weather was very unfavorable, there being a rain which was welcome in its effect upon earth and atmosphere, but which was a disadvantage upon that particular day. After Friday the weather was all that could possibly be asked, the air being beautifully cool and delightful. Public Day at Oglethorpe School In spite of the rain, these exercises of Friday forenoon were fully attended. The exhibit of the industrial art work of the Junior Normal class was admirable, and the exhibit and exercises of the grades and the kindergarten attracted the most favorable comment. Phi Kappa Anniversary This exercise, Friday night, was notable by reason of the admirable address given by H. M. Porter, Esq. ('93), of Augusta, who spoke upon the subject, A New Day and a New Demand. It was unfortunate that the very rainy weather should have so diminished the audience. Those who attended felt well repaid. The Sunday Services The baccalaureate sermon was by Rev. Ozora S. Davis, Ph. D., pastor of the South Congregational church in New Britain, Conn. It was strong and timely, and listened to attentively by a crowded house. Extracts are given elsewhere. The prayer meeting at night, led by Mr. Ware, was full of interest. Class Night Exercises The precedent of last year was followed, the Senior classes presenting one of Shakespeare's dramas, The Taming of the Shrew. A few of the Juniors also participated. The good results of Mrs. Herndon's training were very apparent in the splendid work of the participants. Eleventh  Annual Conference This is reported elsewhere. Dedication of Carnegie Library Building Directly following the chapel exercises upon Wednesday morning, Pres. Bumstead introduced Prof. Chase, who gave an account of the history of our library,   speaking upon its  origin,   its growth, its principal benefactors, its librarians, and its successive locations. After his address the audience marched to the new building, where the prayer of dedication was offered by Pres. Bum-stead. Following the singing of the doxology came the usual opportunity to inspect the library building, and the various departments of the industrial work. The Alumni Gathering Vigorous efforts were made by the officers of the Alumni Association, and with marked success, to obtain a large attendance on the part of the graduates. Especially were the classes of '76, '86 and '96 in evidence, and given due prominence. At the banquet, which was presided over by W. B. Matthews ('90), the speakers were E. J. Penney, W. H. Crogman, J. E. Smith, and H. H. Williams (76), J. B. Porter, J. B. Greenwood, Mrs. Maggie N. (Baker) Wimbish and Mrs. Emma A. (Myrick) Henry ('86), F. A. Curtright and N. W. Curtright ('96), Pres. Bumstead, Prof. Chase and Prof. Webster. The same friend who offered one hundred dollars for a permanent fund, last year, on condition that the graduates raise four hundred, had renewed his offer. The alumni responded by doing their part and even more. As last year, the money will be added to the Ware Professorship Fund. Commencement Exercises These, as usual, passed off successfully. There were ten speakers, representing a college class of seven and a normal class of fourteen. The places of honor upon the program, in the college, were assigned to Augustus Granville Dill and Bazoline Estelle Usher, and in the normal class to B. Beatrice Raiford and Janie B. Cunningham. College honors were announced, to the class of 1906, with Honor, Augustus Granville Dill and Bazoline Estelle Usher; to the class of 1908, with Honor, May Catherine Hawes. The Commencement address, by Prof. Franz Boas, was received with great pleasure, and is largely quoted elsewhere in this issue. President's Reception This was fully attended, and brought to a happy close the exercises of the week. The Baccalaureate Sermon By Rev. Ozora S. Davis, Ph. D. "And for their sakes I sanctify myself." John 17:19. Here by one sudden break of light we discover the very depths in the character of Jesus. He unveils the purpose of his life; he displays the supreme motive of his soul. Surely we do not need to spend more than a moment by way of introduction in making it clear that in Jesus our humanity has been expressed in its supreme beauty and perfection, and that the ideals of Jesus, the purposes of Jesus, are the purposes and ideals for us. . . . You see it is not a question of abstract and difficult theology; it is just a plain question concerning a man's purpose, concerning the use of his own being. First of all, I bid you note what Jesus says concerning the use he makes of his own life. He does not say, "I will do certain things." He does not construe life in the terms of work or political achievement or fame or station. He conceives of life in the terms of purpose. Life is not understood or mastered in the terms of tasks but in the terms of purpose. Jesus did not attempt primarily to do something; he sought first of all to be a certain sort of a person. . . . First of all, then, be something noble in order that you may do noble deeds. Your greatest gift to your generation is your own soul. What work you may accomplish, what wages you may earn, what positions you may fill—all these things are trivial in comparison with this other matter—what are you, what is the quality of your soul, what is the depth of your inner life, what is the supreme motive of your endeavor. Get down to stern wrestling at the beginning with this question. Define yourself to yourself as the child of God and vindicate the worth of your spirit by your assertion of the supremacy of spiritual purpose over all other considerations. Remember how Jesus conceived of his life.    Thus conceive your own. . . What is this which Jesus puts at the very center of the text? Himself. What can this mean!    Is Jesus selfish in thus Continued on 2d  page.