The Portland daily press., 1866-06-13
Kent's Hill Seminary.
To the Editor Of the Press:

To the Editor Of the Press:
By your permission will give to your read
ers through your valuable paper, some slight
report of the exhibition and commencement
of the Maine Wesleyan Seminary and Female
College, which occurred on the 9th and It'll
msts. Over forty years since, few benevo-
lent and Christian men, being deeply impress
ed with the fact, that among the thousands OF
young men and women who were desirous OF
obtaining an education, beyond that which
could be obtained at our common schools) but
few could avail themselves of the advantages
and opportunities presented by our colleges
and higher seminaries of learning, on account
of the expense, founded and established this
institution. BY the aid of funds contributed
by the friends of this enterprise, the trustees
were enabled to build in the year 1924 a
three story brick building, which remained in
an unfinished condition for many years, for
want of means to complete it. This building
was on farm given to the trustees by Luther
Sampson, Esq.
There was connected with the institution
in Its early history, manual labor system,
which attracted from all parts of the country,
the poor and enterprising young men who
awaited themselves of the opportunities thus
presented to obtain an education which so
well prepared them to fill the various places
OF honor and trust to which they have been
called in the various pursuits of life.
Forty-three years have passed away since
this seminary was founded, and the old build
ing is now among the things that were, but
its memory will ever be cherished in the
hearts of thousands of students who resorted
thither for instruction and improvement, and
many of the young men who have been edu-
Gated hereno fill some of the most important
places of trust and honor in the gift of the
people. A new college building was erected
some six years since, near the site tho ofd
one, which is Acknowledged by all who have
seen it to be one of the finest in the country,
located in one of the most beautiful and
healthy places in the State, removed from
places of vice and disturbing influences.
The exhibition commenced on the 9th inst.
with public declamations by the young men
and reading by the young ladies connected
with the institution. The performances of
the young men were very creditable, showing
a thorough training, and those of the young
ladies could not be well surpassed. Several
prizes were awarded by the committees APP
pointed for that purpose, to the best declaim-
er, reader, and for composition, bookkeeping,
DC. The commencement exercises of the
college, under the auspices of the Calliopean
and Adelphian, societies, came off on the 7th
inst. A procession being formed at the col
lege by the Faculty, Trustees, Calliopeans,
honorary and active members, Adelphians,
students, &C., proceeded to the Methodist
meeting house, preceded by the Augusta band
The exercises of the occasion were intro
duced by music, prayer being offered by Rev.
Mr.. Mckenzie of Augusta, when beautiful
poem was delivered by the Rev. LII. Eli OIL
Providence, r. l., before the Adelphian socie-
| ty, composed of the young ladies of the
school. The Rev. S. Harris, D. D., Professor
in Bangor Theological Seminary, delivered
the Grafton ON this occasion, before the Cal
liopean society-subject, "Work." The argu
Il
ment was perfectly conclusive, and could no
fail to convince the nearer of the dignity o
labor. Aif t2a
All the pieces of the young ladies and gen
Llemen were well written and delivered, ant
showed that they had been thoroughly train
ed in that direction.
The valedictory was delivered by Miss Alb
bic S. Fuller of Augusta; this was finely writ
ten, and the closing portion, abiding to tn
President, trustees, faculty, class mates ant
students, was very beautiful, affecting nearl
the whole audience. The College is unde
an efficient Board of Trustees and Instructors
FL. P. Torsey, LII. D., who has been connect
ed with the institution more than twenty years
is one fthe most popular men in the State
In closing would state that know O
no institution oflearning that presents great
er inducements to persons desiring Thorough
education, than this Seminary and Colleg
presents. REGNUM.
Portland June II, 1885,