Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1845-05-03
From the Palmyra Wing.
MASONIC COLLEGE.


ciety of the Masonic College, and from the
very short time said institution has been in
operation, and consequent freshmanship of
all the students, confess looked for quite
junior exhibit; and, sir, permit me to
say, was delighted more than ever was
with any similar exhibition ever attend
ed, land l have frequently had that pleas
ure.) regret that l was compelled toleave
before the finishing exercises at night. If
the young gentlemen whom heard were
fair sample Of the youth in that College.
the community have much to hope and
little 10 fear; for am well satisfied the
young men l heard, if they pursue their
studies, and maintain consistent moral
characters, will be the Joy of their parents,
the pride Of the Masonic College, and the
glory of their country. / have no interest
whatever in these lines | am penning, ex-
cept to award small portion of that JUS
tice to that College which is its due.
1t was not my fortune to witness any
part of the examination, but am well sat
isfed from all that | witnessed at the exit
bition, that few institutions have been so
fortunate in its President and Professors.
The strongest impressions were made on
the very large concourse of spectators in
favor of the College, and | should think
the Faculty, Board of Curators, and be-
nevolent Fraternity under whose fostering
care this College has sprung into existence
should feel great encouragement to prose-
cute their work. May it live and prosper
is the wish of w. S. McMURRY.
To the Editor Of the Wig:
l was one of the multitude who wit
messed the literary exhibition at Masonic
College on Friday, and will say what am
not left to doubt was the sentiment of hun
dreds in attendance: | have seldom, if ever,
been permitted to enjoy a rarer or richer
banquet. The examination of the students.
which had been progressing for several
days previously, as / learned greatly to the
honor Of the institution. was finished before
| arrived on the ground, and lament that
it is not in my power to declare from my
own knowledge what | heard from the
mouths of so many, of the highly gratifying
result Of this portion of the exercise s..
But on Friday | was present, and may
therefore be allowed by legitimate au-
thority, to bear testimony to its transac-
tons.
Masonic College is yet stranger to the
catalogue of literary institutions, being
only about one year old, and barely greeted
upon her accession to a place in the fair
sisterhood who preside over the arts and
sciences in the great Valley of the West.
But | was gratifed to observe how deep
hold she has already taken upon the affec-
tions of the intelligent community in whose
r,,, Jet Oh ho, he lot nd no q,
be mainly the recipients Of her labors. The
exercises were to be commenced at 10
o'clock, but long before the appointed hour,
very large conCourse Of citizens had as
sembIed, and were waiting impatiently the
deROuemeat Of The diuna. And in that con-
course was the representation of every
class and condition Of society fathers,
mothers sons, daughters, brothers, sisters
the old, the young, and middle aged-the
farmer and mechanic, the doctor, the law
yer, and the reverend clergy. Society it.
self was there, with intensest interest wait
ing to witness College Exhibition. Oh
We sickly dreaming creatures Of despOnd-
ency-ye melancholy prognosticators of
moral retrogression and national decay
look once around you; behold the spirit Of
learning and the love of knowledge, and
the devotion now every where paid to its
dissemination, and tell me what advantage
have vice and folly in such contest-when
did they win the victory over such compel
itors! At half past 10 the students APP
preached the college chapel in procession,
being believe, fifty-four in number, "a
goody sum for SO young College, and as
soon as they were seated the exhibition
commenced. An appropriate chapter was
read from the Bible by Rev Mr.. McMurry.
remember only the following verse: "And
"moreover because the preacher was l0iSe
"he taught the people kn0wledge; yea, he
gave good heed and set in order many
proverbs"
An impressive prayer was offered up to
the Giver of all good, and His blessing i'm.
plored, by Rev. Mr.. Hurley. Next fol
lowed orations of original composition upon
various subjects, philosophical, literary and
political, by the following young gentlemen
Students: Messrs. Waggoner. Bynum
Clark, Gore, Terrell, Crauly, Bower and
Glover.
The Alpha Society was addressed by
Alexander l.. Slayback, Esq In the course
of his very appropriate remarks, Mr.. s.
touched upon the proper method OF edu
cation, the value Of knowledge, the grea
difficulty of impressing its importance
upon the youthful mind, the worth of char
acter, and the power of individual intellect
Throughout he was exceedingly happy anc
entertaining. But when in conclusion h
came to speak of the founding of the Col
lege, the difficulties through which it hat
struggled, its condition and prospects, bot