78 STATE BOAED OF AGKICULTUEE. 



twenty living graduates were present, — a grateful evidence of tlie esteem in 

 •which the College is held by them. Professor Prentiss, of the class of 18G1, 

 now Professor of Botany in Cornell University, delivered the public address. 

 It consisted of a review, in the light of several years in its use, of the methods 

 of education pursued in this institution. It was a tlioughtful and candid tes- 

 timony to the value of the educational work of the College. 



Mr. John J. Kerr, of the class of 1871, gave a history of each graduated class 

 and of its members, and the Eev. Oscar Clute, of the class of 18G3 read a poem. 

 The exercises were interesting and excellent throughout. The Bisho2)'s Opera 

 House Band of Detroit, that had furnished the music for the Junior exhibition 

 the day before, furnished the music for this occasion also. Some afternoon 

 games and a supper in the evening brought to a close this festival of the Alum- 

 ni, which has strengthened the ties that bound the College and its graduates, 

 has brought the graduates of different years together, and renewed the friend- 

 ships of past times. At the time of issuing the Annual Catalogue for this year, 

 now the twentieth, there was also issued a Triennial Catalogue of officers and 

 graduates. This catalogue has been bound in with the annual catalogue. 

 Among the pleasant occurrences of the year was tlie celebration by the students 

 of the fourth of July. Besides a parade and salutes, there Averc the reading of 

 the Declaration of Independence, brief outline of the Constitution, a sketch of 

 the liistory of the country, and appropriate music, by the students, and on their 

 invitation a history of the College by President Abbot and an oration by Pro- 

 fessor Fairchild. 



A supper with toasts closed the exercises of the day, all of which, at the 

 request of the students, Avere presided over by Dr. Kcdzie as president of the day. 



Eev. Mr. Prudden, Eev. Mr. Wilkins, Eev. Mr. Malvern, of Lansing, and 

 Eev. Mr. Gault, of Ionia, have favored the Christian Union with addresses. 

 Mr. 0. M. Barnes of Lansing addressed the Delta Tau Delta Society on London, 

 and the Eev. Mr. Lewis of Jackson gave an address before the Union Literary 

 Society on the Ladder of Oratory. 



The interest of students in their studies, and their faithfulness in manual 

 labor have in no year been greater than in this. The College organization for 

 self-government has been more efficient than last year, and all the College, 

 Scientific, and Literary societies have been more than usually flourisliing. 



The Natural History Society is participated in by members of the Faculty 

 and the students. Its monthly exercises have been highly interesting and profit- 

 able. They consist of occasional addresses, and frequent papers on subjects 

 under special examination by jirofessors or students, descriptions of observed 

 phenomena, or objects in natural science, and free discussions. There are four 

 standing committees in the society to lay out its work, viz. : on Botany, Chem- 

 istry, Geology, and Zoology, but its jiapers and discussions are not limited to 

 these fields. A few additions have been made to its library and museum. 



The Christian Union has had occasional addresses, monthly entertainments 

 consisting of music, readings, essays, and recitations upon previously assigned 

 topics. Its Sunday evening prayer meetings have been well attended, the special 

 subject for contemplation being announced beforehand. The Sunday School 

 under its charge lias had five prosperous classes, and their library has been con- 

 siderably increased. The society held a series of religious meetings at one time 

 this season which were Avell attended. 



There is a society called the Union Literary Society, composed of members 

 of all the classes, excluding none who are willing faithfully to cooperate with 



