The Charlotte journal. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1835-1851, 1837-08-18
Iron TIE CHARLOTTE JOURNAL.
EXAMINATION AT DAVIDSON CoLLEo

EAAhlNAIlON Al DAhlDSON COILEOE r..
The first Examination of the Students Of Da-
wilson College, took place on the last ult and the
first Of the present month. II was Ia the highest
degree gratifying to the friends and patrons OF this
Institution, that public interest appeared TO have
been 50 much excited IN this first exhibition OF It's
results An unusually large concourse Of persons
from the Immediate vicinity and from more remote
distances attended 10 witness The exercises OF the
occasion. The young gentlemen Of the lnstitu
ton were fully and strictly examined upon the an
cient classics generally, viz: Cesar, Virgil, Clce
TO- &c, with the ordinary Greek Authors, and
certainly gave proofs Of credl,able diligence IN
themselves and entire competency in their nstruc-
tors. Some attention had been given TO the SCI
cree OF Mathematics-lbough as this was the close
Of the first session Of the Institution, the advance
mcnt OF the pupils in that branch of knowledge
was limited. Tie class however Of Algebra and
tha, OF Geometry appeared 10 be well instructed
During the course of the Examination, the young
gentlemen gave the audience some agreeable spe-
cimcns of defamation. The speeches were CON-
posed in some degree to suit the circumstances of
the country and especially Of this infant Seminary
Of Learning. On TUESDAY, after the exercises Of
Inc occasion were closed, the assembage was IA
yored with discourse from Major John Beard, jr,
OF Salisbury, the orator chosen by the Society OF
the Institution for the duty. The subject chosen
was Education in that enlarged sense IN which 1t
means the Improvement Of the mind. It's lmpor-
lance and richness afforded 10 the orator vice
field for valuable and interesting reflection. II
was treated happily. The observations which were
nade-its adaptedness 10 the occaslon-the style
and manner of the discourse, fully sustained the re-
putatioa which Major Beard has acquired for extern
siye literary attainment and exalted moral worth.
It may be remarked that manual labor is requi-
red Of the Students Of this Institution IN connec
ton with the pursuit., of academic instruction The
plan is European in lis origin, and had for It's Oh
iect TO cheaper the benefits of liberal education.
Ii has been adopted IN some Of our Northern and
Western Colleges, and has succeeded, ii is believ-
cd, very well where II has been fairly tired In
some OF the Southern Semlnaries II has likewise
been adopted with highly useful results. This
experiment is So far fortunate. There Is growing
a crop Of corn the lands OF the College quite as
well cultivated and quite as well grown as that
produced by neighborng farmers on lands Of the
same quality. Here the land was eleared--ienced
and the growing crop cultivated BY The Students
Of the Institution. The plan with US is novel and
il is not designed 10 discuss its usefulness. II,
NAV be remarked however, that If with care and
attention on the part OF the officers OF The lnstitu.
tiiil, ava ilTtfiitss b tiit ga HttiiAe
dians, it shall be permanently adopted, it will at.
ford ,he advantages Of education 10 every one who
chooses % adopt the means O. acquiring il.
Davidson College owes its origin to the concern
which religion has taken in the cause Of education.
That virtue and knowledge 60 hand in hand IS a
truth we sll feel and admit This Temple of Sci
ence has been reared therefore upon the basis Ct
moral sentiment and religious affection. 1t is de-
signed that Christianity shall be part Of its sys
ten Of Instruction. b. this is meant that en-.
larged and liberal system Of moral duty which all
denominations sgree IN believing 10 be derived
from the same fountain of truth. The particular
doctrines ofChristianitg taught exclusively BY one
denomination of Christians form no part OF its
academic plan. II has not yet been two years
since the project put on foot, and the lnsttu-
ton has done much towards the contamination of
the purposes for which it was designed. II AREA
dy affords the benefits Of elementary instruction
in the classics aud sciences well II can DC ac
Quired in our best academies and upon much chea-
per terms, In the course, It is hoped, Of another
wear and when its organization is more complete,
the course Of instruction viii be much more en-.
larged and the expenses stl diminished. With
such auspices, aud promising such benefits TO the
Western portion Of North Carolina, this infant In
stituiou certainly deserves the patronage OF the
people. lis plan IS especially popular, and aaap-
ted 10 the wants OF those whose limited resources
dehar them from the ordinary means Of education
Much has already been done 10 place il on 2 res
pcCtable and permanent foundation. Bat spring
ing as il does from the love Of pisty and knowl-
edge it must look 10 those who have planted II for
the care and affection Which it is trusted with con-
fdence, viii DOT permit it 10 languish or TO die
Something more on this subject may be said here.
after. AN OBSERVER.