Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1859-06-11
FINN. the Biblical Hcorder
OXFORD FEMALE COLLEGE.

DEAR Bxo jaws have Just returned from
the commencement at Oxford Female College, and
without falsely colorins putting that Institution.
desire to give the readers of the Escsrier short
account OF its public exercises together with tho i-
preston which vas made my mind Of the ln>titu.
toll But first, le: me s~y one word about Oxford
think it is one of the most handsome towns in
NorthCsrOlina. Its situation Is all that could be
desired to make it healthy and pleasant. The in.
hati;ants unusually hospitablc and judging from
the numbc: Of its scaools, which is six, would say
1t Is a most attractive seat cf learning.
The President Of this College. NJ. Mills has long
since discovered that which is now beginning to he
Seen and felt, the utter futility Of public cxamiua
tons as they usually conducted in similar Insii
buttons; consequently there was no examination
His examination are during the session. and arc
open to all his patrons ut any time. lie points to
the daughters Of his Institution living monuments
Of his care and attention, and wishes his reputation
to stand or sall rs his graduates stand the test Of
81 time, scrutiny and talents and not an hours ex.
animation At the close Of each session
The commencement exercises were opencd on the
evening Of the soth Of May, by the reading Of orr
ginal essays and compositions by the young ladies'
These were wellwrtten, and, with but few excrp-
tons, read in clear distinct and audible manner
There were some little girls whose heads scarcely
rose above the table before them, who read enu.
positions that would do credit to riper years and
those Of any Of our male Colleges
On Thursday morning. the GRAFTON before the Clio
Society was delivered by the Rev. Mr.. Cnvn. Of
Trinity College. His subject was Female Eluea.
ton. In happy manner he protraycd the benefits
Of thorough system Of female education, and con.
cludci that It was equally important as that 81
the males II was fine GRAFTON, and was received
with much appreciation.
| Ats p. NJ. the Rev. Mr. Brooks Of Wake Yorrs,
College preached the sermon before the Gransiains
Glass; His theme WAS :" The Pearl Of Great Price
Tic was fortunate in his scle i,n earnest in delivery
and the silent tears Of many eyes told Of its imprr
siveneSs
Immediately after the sermon the following essay,
were read by the Graduating Class:
TuE SCHOLAR.
Miss Bette Barha,n, Of Wake County.
| AIR cAsrlEs
! Miss g. Hunter, Of Oxford
| CALICO
Miss E s. Traynham, Va
These were without exception the products o
much careful thought and investigation, and evident
ly showed cultivated intellect, . refined taste
and noble heart"
At night the chapel was filled to ovrrtiowns viii
rare collection Of "beauty, wit and grace" to ri,
ness = concert in which all the young ladies parti
cipated. This was q grand display OF mlSica
talents and rs was justly remarked they sang wit
degree Of inspiration which is scarcely equsllcd-
not the inspiration Of the Bible, but that Of tn
poet-that which he felt when he penncd the word.
Nor was it confined to them alone Every hear
that was not dead to al sensbiy must have felt I,
influence, and that deeply.
Thus ended the exercics Of an Institution whic
ought to be dear to the heart Of every lover Of n
male education-an Institution which bids fair 1
rank among the very best Female Seminaries Of on
State-an Institution whose great object l. to sen
forth maidens to b!e's As well Is ornamess soc;es!
7 to be good IS well AZ do good