Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1859-08-24

VIII buy when they see it. See advertisement
Commencement at OberIin.
Yesterday the Commencement Exercises of the
Ladies Department of 0berlin College we're held
in the immense Oberlin Church. The exercises
wero to commenc at halfpast one, but long before
that hour the roads leading to the village wer,
througed with those from all the country about
eager to secure seats in the Church. Seats had
been reserved for the young Ladies Of the Insitu.
tion, and at the hour, they fora ed in procession
across Tappan Square, in double file The ranks OK.
tended entirely across the Square, forming most
beautiful sight All were dressed in white with
green gnrlands about the waist, and as they
marched to the church with heads uncovered. the
effect was most charming and impressive. They
occupied the two sides of the gallery, and no more
beautiful sight ever greeted the eyes of those be-
low, than that great white cloud presented, how
ering over and around the silvered heads of The
Professors in the Pulpit 1t was mot merely n
beautiful, but solemn sight to see this array of
the fulure wives and mothers of our land" said an
old bachelor at our right, and he was right; the
destinies of half the country may be in tho,hands
Of that white-robed galaxy.
| The church was crowded to its utmost capacity,
which it has not been usually until the second day.
Probably there were not less than 5000 persons
within its walls.
The Graduating Class numbered twenty, Eve,
being much the largest class that has ever gone
out from the Institution Brief mention is made
below of their several essays the report being ne>
oessarily much more brief than we could wish
The essays were all good and showed an amount
of talent surpassed, We believe, by no graduating
class of any institution, In the absence of Presi-
dent FINNEY, Prof. MORGAN oficiated in his place.
The exercises were commenced with an appro
PIRATE prayer by Prof Morgan, invoking the bless
ing of Heaven upon those who were to leave the
Institution and Offering up grateful praise for oil
mercies received by the college and the pupils
This was followed by the execution by the
choir OF the music "BehOld what manner Of love"
The effect OF the yocalizaton with Orgen and piano
accompaniment, was very fine. The organ was
played by MIR. Smith Penfcld and the piano by
Mr. Frederick Pease, Mr. Churchhill being leader
Miss Helen }. Adams, of Wellington, read the
III 81 ESSAY, upon The Internal aud the External"
The idea that she made the foundation Of her es
say was, that our sense Of the external objects In
the world depends upon our own inward thoughts,
purposes and desires. As different coored spec.
ldoeH klNc u ulltItnl nue. 10 al around, 80 our own
inward dispositions aud Spirits give to all the out
side world beautiful or sOmbre appearance and
the external world corresponds 20 the little in
ward world which each one has within himself
Miss Adams read in a clear voice which all could
hear, and by her own charming appearance and
sentiments showed that her spirit took bright aud
kindly views of the external world.
Miss Mary Atwater of Mantua, followed with q |
picture Of 1.-The True Idea of Heaven" aud surely |
her imagery could not but stir up each hearer 10
alnnah hnVt 20 la
portrayed nota world or state Of absolute rest but
OF holy activity mingled with joyous and perfect
tranquility.
''The Influence of Scenery" by Miss Mary NJ.
Bacon, OF Carlisle, pointed out the voice of God |
which speaks from every hill and valley covered |
and filed with their millions of silent tributes 10
His goodness. The sOitenng tone that came l
from the rustling foliage was very happily illustra
ted'in the Essay, and the reader truly said that
where something of the beautiful, grand, aud Gle
yaling in nature, came daily before u.s. the mind |
could not but be enobled and purified.
Miss DassaliDa NJ. Bates Of Hamilton, read a |
touching poem upon "Our Old Oak Tree which, |
Ia pleasing description OF youthful deeds and fans |
cles under the ayorite tree, spoke to each listener
OF sights aud sounds OF long ago. The rhyme |
melody and poetic laDcies Of this poem were silent
~ heard by the thousands in the house until the |
Close when spontaneous applause showed their |
appreciation OF the authors skill
Miss Kate NJ Bissel of Hartford Wiz read an /
Essay upon "Irees," which, In an or hand and |
independent style, compared the different classes
OF human beings to the different classes Of trees
and right ingenionsly aud appropriately did she |
carry out her metaphor. The oak, poplar, elm.
IN those who walk the earth. This WIS an admir-.
able production, as all could testify.
The choir here sang "lhe Harvest Time" the |
lively measure Of which put everybody IN capital
humor' to listen to "A Plea for Plainntss,n by Miss
Angehue b Bruce, of LapoTte parody on Burns
Of A mans man for a that" it was capitally
done, too, Scotch brogue aud all The idea was
that self respect aud inward worth was of more
value to girl than hne clothes 'and "a that ~
Yes, tho time Is coming, Miss Bruce when Young
men will learn TO respect and love great noble
souls, and then you need fear no neglect
Gables" by Miss Hattie O. Burt, Of Oberlin;
mentioned the ''cablos' that are found n an SCOTS
parties and ehques, which serve as the hobbies Of
the respective proprietos. The Democratic cable,
with the strands "LecOmpton,n Fugitive Slave
Bill, Wellington Rescues &C. &c, she humorl usly
showed up In It's deoayed condition.
Miss Virginia p Day, of Columbus, read a
poem Thrice Named 10 which she followed The
course ofa child Sin the little vale of Yere, which
was chrstened "Rosalie" before the altar, "my
bride Rosale" before the same altar q few years
later aud "Angel ROsalie" when before the same
altar her dead body lay, and the white haired
pastor uttered tribute 10 her pure life The pOen
was very prettily and tasteiuly conceived
The literature Of Sadness was read bv Miss
ftances 3. Estabr0Ok, Of Warren This litctature
sue divided INTO that which feeling aud reason has
ounl lDuseu Ihe ecQmmepoement oithe essay was so /
involved 10 be uninterestinV but al fbe
ltaaer advanced she spoke truthfuy Of the weep-
ing Joy ana Joyous sadness which has devel- /
oped suon powers as many OF the most beautiful /
lorms OF Ienhyson, Whittier and kindred spirita /
The essay was very good, but too metaphysical 10
meet general reporac from her hearers
Miss Helen NJ Ferris, OF Hinckley, read au essay
on Exercise" i" IN which she boldly oontended thei
there WAS no provision such as there should be- iu /
the College Tor the proper exercise Of the pupils
She believed it to be the duty Of the ladies' II they
could Mt play ball with the gentlemen, or IN The
front yard, they could Ia the back yard with each
other. She closed by saying, that when she got