The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1855-07-02
LOCAL MATTERS
CoMxEsolmEsr or kloHmo Col

A brief notice OF the commencefnsnt ceTcuiunies
Of Ri,hms and College, prepared Tor Saturday
paper unavoidsb'y omitted; but we have
therefore time to give fuller account of them.
The ceremonies took place In the Second Bsp-
list Church. On Friday night. The building was
we'll filed with an attentive audience. The exer-
cises were interspersed with some very hne music
by Smiths Armory Band. The Degree OF b:
was conferred npon three young gentlemen, two OF
whom were preseni; the third We regretted TO learn
was sick, and therefore absent These addresses
were very creditsble indeed, TO them and 10 the
ns tuition Their names and theses are az fol-.
lows:
Pre-Emi.enee of Poetry p. w. FERRELL, Hall
fax.
Chayas,er-WM s. RYLAsp, Richmond.
Individuality -THos. HUME, Portsmouth.
Young Mr.. FERRELI was absent and his sd iress
was road by Dr.. BURRoUoHs. The other two young
gentlemen spoke theirs 10 good style and were
much applauded by the audience. We repeat the
three productions were exceedingly credtabie.
After the addresses, distinctions were announced
by DR.. RYLAND, who conferred the degrees and
concluded the cerem onies with the Baccalaureste
address, of which, as Ii contained some most ex-
celent practical advice and HATS, we propose to
give an ATTRACT.
After briet reference to the separation that was
to take place between the graduates and their tu-
tors, and to the responsibilities they were to as
sume. he called their attention to the question
sWhat kind of men 10 demanded by the present
agei" In answering this question DR.. X. gave the
proper prominence to the necessity of physical ca
pacty and energy He said that the body Is to the
miad what the casket 10 to the jewel The develop
ment of ito muscular energies, he continued, and
its preservation ia health and activity, are there
fore intimate connected with the successful use
| of the uobler part Dr. R combatted the Idea that
health is thing which the Deity has placed ip his
own power. Abating hereditary and infectious
diseases much of our sickness result from our own
conduct and may the refore, be the just ground Of
| se,f.reproof What RI hit has man. by excess, or
needless exposure. or improper food. or by taxing
| his strength beyond bis power of endurance. to
bring sickness on himself, and thus besides impo-
sing trouble Others to neutralize his talents tor
/ usefulness Of what avail are genius and learn
ing and every opportunity for good when the body
Ii emacated with languor and unable to discharge
its legitimate functionsf Be assured, therefore,
continued DR.. R., shat to preserve your health so
far as II 10 committed to your trust is part Of
your moral 0bgatton-and like all other duties its
faithful performance will carry with 1t present
| and ample reward. | would prescribe simple
| food-manly exercise-personal cleanliness-:otal
absence from intoxicating beverages-the reject
| ion of every KIDD of effeminacy-regular employ
ment-a cheerful temper and good conscience, as
| the surest preysntions against disease.
In the second place DR.. r. assumed that the spirit
of the age In this country demanded well disciplined
minds-not the result of that sort of education of
the Gradgrnd School the crowdng of facts into
the mind, nor In the passive reception of the
thoughts CT others; but such process OF training
as shall coubiue al once the accession OF varied
knowledge, tho unfolding and Inauguration OF the
faculties, by habits OF Independent and consecutive
thought. This sort OF discipline was the more me-
cessary In this country, he commended, because Of
the varied pursuits and responsibilities, profession
al and political, which man had to undertake. for
the government he considered It necessary to keep
two sets OF nen always ready to perform the duties
of it's admin stratoo, the uctua,on of the popular
elections always making changes In the men upon
whom they devolved. He successfully the
vulgar idea that education Ia unnecessary TO ii,
men for these responsibilities, which is generally
sustained by comparing strong minded self
taught man with educated feeble man TO this
he opposed the assertion that of two men equal in
all other respects the one who Is educated for his
business must excel him who is not educated
In the third place, DR.. r assumed that the age
which is ardent, progressive aud restless, demands
men of active and enterprising character. The
elegant arts, philosophy, and even the muses.,
were subjected to the rigid test of UTILITY 1t is
not worth while to complain of this OF things;
il 10 better TO submit to the genius of the age ard
make our efforts available to the public good
Theirs was no room for vacillatiou-ior udecision-
for repose. Men must not look to titles to pat.
roHage to precedeots Their own courage must
dictate their way, their own right hand must
carve out their fortunes. The true glory of man
Is activity in we'll doing. ACTOR was prescribed
among the ancients as The great requisite of elo-
quence and ACTION In higher sense, is tie grand
requisite of all success 1t Is the safeguard Of
Virtue No man has right to live In idleness-no
can long continue Ia ildeness, without sacriE-
wipe from tue lace OF sorrow-or a Sigh to sup
press within the bosom of humanity -ss long az
the earth shall bear thorn-or the atmosphere be
charged with pesilence- or man be born Ia a state
of ignorance, so long will the necessity for work
endure And In the very curse of God that man
shall live by the sweat of his brow, there is bes.
sing involved; for no man be happy unless he
!eels that he has mission TO execute-a noble end
to accomplish 81 pity " Said DR.. R., ''from the
bottom of my heart, hose louDgng, lostng wretches
who are not only living on the hard earnings of
their Industrious fellow, men, but who are corrod.
ing their own vitals by the rust of miserable in
dolsnce. | would Infinitely rather see child of
mine following the lowest handicraft-aye toiiDg
Ia the ditch, or clearing out the cutters of the
ssreeis-than living In absolute idleness"
Under the fourth division of his address, DIR. R.
assumed that religion required that the motiUes Of
our activity should be above selfshLess Men
praise those who do we'll for themselves; bu. the
commentator of God is bestowed on those who
live for the good of others Education in its truest
aspect is instrument of usefulness 1t is talent
committed to trust to be employed till the Dis
penser come, and then to be accounted for Adopt
then, the true theory of Lie the principle that
all sttainments are conferred by the Great Donor
auxiliary to the highest iaterests-not of the in
dvldual recipient merey-but of the whole race
aud the measure of your responsibility !s In exact
correspondence wiki your means of leaf ning
DR.. X. next spoke of the advantage of selecting
at early period the calling in life the student in
tends TO follow, that his studies may be pursued
with reference to it, Incidentally he spoke of The
noble and exalted character of the voc cation of
minister of the Gospel portraying Its responsible
ties and lis bright rewards. He concluded W it'll an
appropriate atieu to the graduates.
The company present showed much qualification
with the ceremonies.