The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1861-07-31
The Michigan Female Colleye--Reuore of
the Conference Visitors.

The undersigned having been appointed by
their respective conferences attended the re-
cent Examination and Commencement of the
Michigan Female College. and would respect
! fully present TO the public the following re-
port. This Institution is pleasantly located on
4 plat Of 20 acres. within or near the city Of
Lansing. Michigan. Ii was founded by the
Misses y {. x Della Rogers about six years
snce: has college charter OF liberal provis-
ions, and has conferred the degree of Mistress
ot Science and the Arts" on - Young ladies'
About SO students have been in attendance the
past year, ard We are happy To learn that,
through the liherality of i,s patrons. il is now
s'if- -s'staiHing. Thirty or thirty-iive students
boarded in the college. and the remainder with
amilies in the city. The boarding school
seemed like well regulated christian family
the accomplished instructors are surrounded
by atlecticnatc and obcdient daughters. The
curriculum includes both a scientific and CLASH
cal course the latter is with the founders
favoritc feature of The institution and will
compare IA, orably in extent with colleges for
NAL ;. None have graduated from this depart
ment rs yet. though some have entered the
course.
One feature Of 10th departments we regard
a. deserving especial commendation. viz. the
Holy Scriptures are the subject OF careful study
from the beginning to the end of the course
We hope TO live 10 see this cyample initiated
10y all the colleges and seminaries in our land
Tie Bible IS eiliRcntiy rorthy or the study Of
literary ,aen. and We insist should constitute
much more than the classics of Greece and
Rone-part of a liberal course of study; not
that we would make it Il textbook from which
small so,fiod professors should evolve denomi-
national distinctions. but as the irsi, greatest
and best ,f all books. one Of uhich IL 10 a
| shame for educated man 10 be ignorant
The examinations evinced thoroughness of
| instruction and diligence and capacity on the
part Of the students. Almost every question.
whether by teachers or visitors. within or with
out the text books was satisfactorily answered.
Discussion had been frequent in the classes,
and each student seemed To have an individual
opinion on the various subjects OF inquiry.
Doubtless there were different degrees of pro-
fieicncy and merit. but where all was so good
we deem ii unnecessary 10 paricularize A
failure 10 use fui roiuns OF roiee in an
swering and reading was the principal defect
| which we observed, but this was not the case
with all.
| The exercises Of the Literary Society were
creditahe considering the time allowed for
/ preparation.
| The Baccalauraca;c Sermon, by Rev. ID. Z.
.Jacokes, of Detroit, was an able and learned
discourse on the powers o: the human mind.-
Though somewhat marred By an occasional
extravaganza of expression, yet the facts and
arguments were pert and original as to
cause it to he long remembered.
The Commencement Exercises on Friday
morning occurred SO near the Sabbath as 10
forbid the presence Of most of the visitors. but
are described by Rev. s. Reed a credtablc TO
all, and in some parts a. highly interesting.
\ graduating class Of o!eyen where in IsiG
all was wilderness. is such a wonder of en-
ergy and progress a can be found only in the
Great West
The design for college buildings presents a
large central and two wings The west wing
only is erected; and men of wealth can scarce
DO better deed than to furnish the means "a
erect the central building Immediately Val.
liable beginnings of Library. Cabinet and
Philosophical apparatus have been secured
and additions will doubtless be made from
time 10 time.
This rising Seminary in the literary heaven,
meets "A felt want of the city of Lansing and o
northern Michigan. and is too far distant from
other Institutions of the same grade 10 make i
! a rival of any. But few of the students wht
graduate here would have found their way I,
Albion or elsewhere. A iudcious distribution
! OF institutions of this class tends to bring th,
, blessings of liberal education within tn
reach Of all.
Circulars giving full information may b
obtained by addressing Miss 4. c. Rogers. O
Hon. J. ". Longyear. President of the Boar,
: of Trustees. at Lansing,
Hillsdale. July 9th. 1861.
Rev. WM Z. CoNFORT. OF the Mchi
VI. Il. CAMBURN, gan Confer
". A. DoUGHERTY. ence.
Rev. SETH REED, OF the Detroit Con
d WUITupRF 4 ferancp