American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1855-07-21
NUMBER 4.


fortune dcprcciate, or time, or change,
or eternity destroy. One thus fitted
and furnished for his future career,
may be subject to momcntdry trials,
but will retain all the means and Gle
ments Of greatness and felicity, which
promise entire success and a glorious
destiny. Religion and education, ap-
lplying their influences to the head
springs Of life, give character and di-
rection to the ever widening & onward
flowing stream, and who shall measure
or estimate the magnificent results p
In the glowing language of Webster,
we oxClain, " Stubborn ages and visions
of glory dawn on my soul" Science
and Religion, angels of light and love,
seem circling round the globe, hover
ing over the path Of progress and I'M
rrovelhent, uttcring in the car of the
struggling but hopeful spirit, "words
of lofty cheer;'' and under the inspira-
ton of their ministry the soul is plum
ing her immortal pinions for sublimcr
flight. Whole communities and nations
arc rising in the greatness of their
strength, to compass the ends of ma
tional existence. Long, long has been
the struggle with ignorance and sin
but the day dawns and tho day-star
foretokens the full-orbcd sun at hand.
The long predicted increase of knowl-
edge begins to gld our towering noun
tain tops with her holy light. If we
who wear gray hairs are appointed to
retire from tho active scenes Of life,
and find a quiet restirg-placc in the
grave, ere all this celestial radiance
shall burst Upon the world, we will
Iyicld to the summons with the assur-
ancc that something has been achieved
for the race, and that while we leave
to our children a legacy richer and more
enduring than tine, we will feel that
we have not lived wholly in vain.
We may be permitted, in conclu-
sion, to congratulate the citizcns of this
town, upon finding in your midst, SO
respectable md useful an Institution
! for the caucution df young ladies'. IL
i speaks we'll for the intelligence andlib-
crality Of its founders, and is ominous
of incalculable good to tho rising gen
Grafton and coming time. .l =,
! We rejoice in the demonstration Of
fidelity and skill, or the part of Teach
crs, furnished in the examination to
which We have listened and would, by
any suitable words to- which we can give
uttcrancc, encourage their hearts amidst
crushing cares and consuming tolls
Next to the Chrstian Ministry, the Of
fcc of Instructor of youth is, doubtless,
the most responsible and really import
ant vocation to which the Deity has cy-
CT called any Of our race, and it fur
nishcs occasion for gratitude that that
call is so ably and faithfully met here
We have looked upon these bright
and blooming faces, those Of the pupils
) Of this school, with emotions to which
words ccn give no adequate expression.
We have thought Of the fondIy cherish
: cd hopes that aninltc and swell the
7 youthful heart; Of the noble bowers
with which q bcncGiccnt Creator has
distinguished them, and Of the precious
priyilsgos they here enjoy, till we feel
an Irroprcsslbic desire to speak in their
cars such words as VIC cannct command
But VIC can, at lCast, find relief to o
swelling heart in The consciousness Of
our dcbp-fclt interest in their happi-
ness, and by a sincere and fcrycnt
prayer, brcathcl into the car of the
Infinite One, that these advantages
may be we'll improved, and that all the
benefits OF which We have spoken, and
more than We can describe or imaginc,
may accrue to each and to all ~.
Some OF YOU young ladies, will be
removed from this world i'll youth,
| VIII 1t plant thOrnS IN yOr,r dviu, nil