Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1859-06-08
For the Advertiser.
Address Of MIR. ]. w. Walker, of Gram
ifpyillp. 6. C..

1t having been my good fortune to attend the
celebration Of the Anniversary of tho Philosophia
Society of the Furman University ON the evening
of the 9th ult, have thought that brief notice
of the occasion would not prove entirely wanting
in interest to your readers, especially since the
Orator of tho occasion, Mr.. WALKER, is resident
Of your District.
The Literary Societies of the University, marched
from the Baptist Church to the New Court House
ut little after 8 o'clock p. NJ, headed by the
Greenyile Band" and halted in front of tho
door, opened ranks and marched into the build
ing in inverted order. The Street WAS brilliantly
illuminated und the procession present heauti-
full appearance in going through the msneuvre.
After an appropriate prayer, tho speaker wus
introduced. His subject, Mind and it's achieve
ments" though not calculated to elicit much .lcpth
of reasoning, WIS very nppror:iu e End highly
interesting.
The original happy condition of man in the
blissful rigiun Of perennial Spring, ere the foul
breath Of sin had blown upon and tainted the
mind, und his condition since that woeful urent
were beautifully uud graphically portrayed. Nuns
responsibility Us being possessed of "amind which
is aidod by that still small Ynicc," audible amid
the whirlwhnd ST passion as we'll as In the calm of
reflection forcibly, though briefly pointed out.
But these monitions are frequently unheeded. and
tho mind was most beautifully compared to rock
in tho Ocean over which the raging bilows of de-
basing uppetites and passions may aow for sea-
son, but when the storm subsidies 1t triumphantly
raises Its head above the waves.
The nature and effects of the achievements Of
the mind in different ages were ably delinsated.
The achievements of age assists the researches
of the succeeding; the lnbors of the Anciont
Philosophers have not proved in vain, for though
not free from error, they have formed the basis
upon which succeeding generations have built sue
cessfully. And here tho speaker dwelt with much
pathos upon tho lsbors Of Socrates, Plato and
Aristotle, which, though not appreciated In the
times of their authors, hayo since rendered them
immortal. This foot should over encourage tho
student in his search for truth, for though his
temporaries may not appreciate his services, flu
ture generations will award justice to their mcrit.
faEUCulHTly Wab tnh tue Cdeo WIN S'oCrhled L'us
it has not been confined to tho Ancient Philoso-
phers; the genius Of q Shakespeare was too lofty
in its flights and too dazzling in the unfolding Of
of its latent power to bc appreciated and rewarded
by the commons of hte day" tho poetry of
Milton was too pure for the nge in which he lived
and wrote, but succeeding generations have not
withheld their duo need Of praise.
Tho conclusion Of the address was especially TO
the members of tho Societies, and though brief
was complete with interest to them Students since
the whole Of the preceding WAS applied to them
al uffording encouragement in their laborij and
preparing them for the difficulties with whiSh hcy
would necessarily hsvo to contend in their en-
deavUrs to -,
"Climb
The steep where Fame's proud temple shines ,fur"
But.ws necessarily do the speaker great injus-
tice in SO brief notice Of bis eloquent Grafton.
Mr. Walkers style is chastc and beautiful. Ills
subject Nas illustrated throughout in highly
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