Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1858-06-17
THE EXHIBITION AT EBENEzER.

On Wednesday, last week, we made a days Wis
it to Ebenezer, and participated with much pleas
ure in the Exhibition" by the students of the
Academy.
At ten o'clock, the young gentlemen, accompa-
MED by their teachers and the Trustees, and pre-
coded by the Ebenezer Band, marched in process
sion to the Academy, in front Of which an awning
and platform had been erected. After prayer by
Rev. Mr.. RICHARDS, select speeches were declaim-
ed by the younger students, until the hour for in
termission. Under the tuition Of the Assistant
Teacher, Mr.. McWHoRTER, the boys had prepared
themselves carefully; their selections had been
committed 10 memory with surprising accuracy,
and we're delivered correctly and with much of
the spirit which our models of eloquence cannot
fail to inspire even in tender minds.
The interval was employed in a vigorous discus
sion of the feast prepared by the Ebenezer ladies'.
Although collated after the pic mic fashion, it
would be unfair to rate the entertainment among
rough.and-ready gatherings.in usually denomina.
ted pic. MICS. It was more like a wedding-ban-
quet; made up of dainty dishes and set cut with
taste-the handsomest and most inviting table we
have ever attacked under the cover of shade-trees.
When discussing matters pertaining to cuisine. we
generally get enthusiastic; but we, nevertheless,
mean what we say.
In the afternoon, a feature new to our country
Academies was introduced-the delivery Of origi-
nal speeches by a select number Of the members
of the Dialectic Society, in the following order:
James NJ. Adams-The Works of Nature; S.
W. Barron-The Patriot and the Scholar; James
r. Massey-Ancient Greece W. J. Mcmillan
The Heroes of the World J. NJ. Perry-Music;
G. NJ. Acknowledgment NJ. B. Summer
The changes of Time; W. 7. Wilkes-The Amer
lean Trio.
To use a stereotyped phrase in simply pronouncing
these efforts excellent, wouldb be bestowing a praise
too faint. The truth is, taking into consideration
the age of the speakers and the fact that these
were their first efforts, they were all remarkably
we'll done. Every argument was pervaded by o
pure moral tone marked, singularly, by mature
and energetic thought; written and recited in a
correct and manly style and prompted through
out by those liberal sentiments which point to the
higher and nobler purposes of life. Both as to
We have often attended College Exhibitions, and
we do not hesitate to say that the efforts on last
Wednesday would have graced the College rostrum,
while more than one would challenge comparison
with the high-Aown productions of College wrang-
lers. The entire exercises constituted a most
f~attering commentary upon the ability and the
success which have uniformly characterised Mr..
SHURLEY's teaching; and at the same time they
afforded q conclusive vindication Of his course in
banishing from the Academy the unmeaning and
silly dialogues which have heretofore made up the
substance ofschool exhibitions, and in their place
introducing exercises which tend to develop the
mental powers, encourage original and earnest
thought, and accord to an intelligent auditory n
dignifed and rational Entertainment We trust
our teachers will improve blythe lesson so success
fully taught by Mr.. SHuRLEY.
To follow these young gentlemen, in an off hand
speech, was to US o trying task and We did so,
because we were completely caught and could not
avoid playing the game out, at all hazards. That
we did not make an utter failure gives us sufficient
qualifications; and if the friends who heard us so
kindly, patiently and attentively, have bestowed
on after-thought upon the truth We crudely endea'
yored to demonstrate, our sacrifice may not have
been in vain. More than this we could not say,
even if, not being editor, we were seeking, affec'
t~ionately, to indite words of praise for another.
We are glad to know that the Ebenezer Academy
an institution which, in our earliest days, wa:
me-honored-has never been more prosperous
The pupils number more than forty, the majority
of:whom are pursuing classical studies with q sue
cess which ~testifes Mr.. SnUnLEy's fine q~ualifca
tions for his charge, and should give to his patron!
the most unqualified satisfaction. We speak I'D
visedly, when we ~reiterate our opinion that in tn
departments which he processes to teach, MIR. S
has not o superior in the up-country. The nobl
aims of the teacher constitute the mission of hi
!, life. And thoroughly devoted and trained to il
t he discharges irresponsible trustsm faithfully
We spent o pleasantday and if many are grant
ed to US, we will take care to devote more tina
one in partaking Of the generous hospitality of tn
!, Ebenezcr people. Our thanks are due to them
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