Commencement Starts in the A. and T. College

President Dudley Asks That All Negroes Prove Their Loyalty on June 5—Sermons on Yesterday.

The 19th annual commencement exercises of the Agricultural and Technical college, which completes the 21st year of the connection of James B. Dudley with the college as president, began yesterday afternoon. The baccalaureate sermon was preached by Rev. E. M. Brawley, of Durham and the annual sermon to the religious societies was preached by Rev. Charles E. Stewart, of Baltimore. Music was furnished.

Continuing President Dudley said, “I wish to speak of the loyalty of our fathers to our country which loyalty stands out as a precedent in the history of the world. Nowhere in the world has any race of people under similar circumstances shown such loyalty to its county as has the negro race and this rich heritage which is ours during this time when the country is in one of the crises of its history, must not be reflected upon by any of us. In every war and conflict this country has had we have as a race, been loyal and I do not think it fitting or proper that any of us should at this time when the country needs patriotism more than ever, that we should air our grievances against the government as this is not the time to discuss our racial conflicts. On the 5th of June every male citizen between the ages of 21 and 30 years is required to register and you will do us all a duty to urge every negro to promptly comply with this request on the part of the government.”

E. M. Brawley was introduced to preach the baccalaureate sermon and took for his text Revelations 22:3, “And his servants shall serve him.”

The annual sermon to the religious societies was preached at 8:30 p. m. by Charles E. Stewart, who took for his subject “Labor and Reward” and preached from Matt. 11:28 “Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest.”

A review of the year’s work of the Y. M. C. A. was presented by J. H. Tucker of Petersburg, Va., while the annual report of the temperance societies was read by William Small, of Southern Pines.

The anniversary exercises of the agricultural literary society to be held this evening will be addressed by A. L. Brooks, of Greensboro. Tuesday the class day exercises will be held at 3 o’clock and D. John A. Lesh will deliver the annual address to the members of the Mechanics Arts Literary society.

Greensboro News
May 28-1917