The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1867-06-28

was well filed last night, the occasion OF
the final celebration Of the Mu Sigma Rho
Society, in spite of threatening weather.
At about o'clock the Mu Sigma Rho
Society, proceeded by the Shockoe Lite
rary Society, entered the church in pro-
cession. Armbrecht's post band was pre-
sent, and discoursed sweet music.
Rev. T. G. Jones offered prayer, and
Mr.. Taylor Elyson introduced
Mr.. Charles F. James, of Loudoun
county, who had been selected by the
! Society as the essayist of the occasion,
announced as his theme "The Duties of
the Hour" and proceeded to read an in
terestiDg and practical paper well suited
to the times.
Referring to the social and political re-
volutions through which we are passing,
he said it was no time to be idle, nor to
manifest listless Indifference to passing
events-nO time to be looking with stolid
unconcern at threatened dangers without
an effort to avert them. He drew a pic
ture Of the past and present Of the Ameri-
can Republic, and especially of the con-
dition in which long and bloody war had
left our southern land. "What," he asked,
"are the duties of our people in this
crisisW We should promote schemes for
the diffusion Of knowledge, train our
selves-to work, encourage religious enter
prise, and avoid giving ourselves up to de-
spondency. All these duties the essayist
enlarged upon in a mastery manner, eX-
hibiting in his recorded thoughts the
working of a sound and vigorous mind. In
conclusion, he urged the aged, the vete-
rams in the war of life, and the women Of
our country, to encourage young men in
the fUlfilment of their duties, and pre-
dictcd glorious future when the lessons
of which he spoke were followed to the
letter.
The orator Of the evening, Mr.. p. B..
Reynolds, was then introduced, and after
a brief and pointed eXordium, announced
his subject: The True Object of Life, and
How to Obtain 1t. Proceeding first in a
practical way to touch upon the false hopes
and aims Of the young, he then pointed
ont what he esteemed the true object of
life. 1t is, he said, to fulfil the end for
which man was created. The means for
the attainment of the object was then con-
sidcred. The cultivation Of our own
moral and mental powers and striving to
do good, the orator held each being in
itsclf oud, would greatly conducc TO
this great object. A strong will, sclt-rcIl-
ancc, application, industry, seli-respect,
independence, and high aSpirations-all
these are necessary 10 success in life, and
without them the "grcat object" cannu.
he attained. Upon all these points he
dwclt at length, and in an earnest manner
urged the fulflmcnt Of mans duty to his
Maker and himself. The Grafton was full
Of lessons to young men, but in his pero-
ration all classes were addressed, and
urged to assist the young in their efforts
to improve.
DISTRIBUTION At ST. JoSEPH'S ORPHAN
AsYLUM.-The final distribution of pre-
miumS at st. Joscph'S Orphan Asylum
took place yesterday. The exercises were
Of most interesting character. Rev.
Father lIagan presided, and DR.. Brock, OF
the Examiner, was hOnOrcdby an invitation
to deliver the premiums and crowns. The
Doctor performed his functions with his
characteristic ease and gcntlemanly bear
in%.
The following young ladies were con-
lcrred with badges OF honor for studious
application and distinguished success ::
Misses Mary Walters, Matte Mason, Lou
lie Turpin, Loulic FOllics, and Joachiminc
Xetclle.
Premiums were awarded to
Misses Mary Walters. Matti" Mason
Thomasia Hutchcson. Louie Turpin, Bette
Franklin. Louie Foll"s, Harriet Campbell
Sarah Whitaker, Alice Colburn, Maggie
Walters, Louise Samanni, Marie Iybrock,
Irene McAdam. Catharine Eagan, Mary Z.
Engan Mary {. DOhrrty, Alice Starlic, Julia
Clllishcr. foachimimc Zetrlle, Mary Wager,
Ida Drmkard, Josephine Ictcile, Flora Cal
Usher, Sallie Purcell, Mary Is. Davis, Lena
Laube, Mollie Campbell, Annie warner
Serena Hutchrson, Aleyine llutches@n,
louze. Emma Mcdonald, Mary Redmond
Eva Landrum, Mary Morton, Ophpila Wor-
sham, Christina Miller, Amelia frIschkOrn,
Louisa O.Domell, George Cordle, Mary
kcnsella, Martha IankcrSlcy, Martha Grant
land, Ida Phillips, Lizzie Wassomcr Christy
Francisco, Mary Hall, Madeline Wendlinger,
Matte Ewcrs. Justine Dohcrty, Willie Barry,
Florence Gdcll, Alma .Iudiins, Pauline Ly-
brock, Mary Bagget, LuCiel Harmon. Lille Ca
togni, Nanny q keIe Mary kilgallOn, Sallir
Turpin, Nina Pizzini, Hannah Lichtenstein
Molllc Fairly, Emma Tyler, Emma Fraw-
ncr, Rosa Moore, Ida Buxton, Alice Nc
Adam, Carrie Walters, Mary Duggan, Leila
Tyler, Emily FAINT, Kate Dohcrty, PhilliPsi-
m HON man, ANNE EuulNSf halc oyer
Kate Ellyson, Ella Landrum, Ella Tyrec,
Linda Tyler, Ella Townsend, Emma Davis,
Mollie Goung. Lucia Pemberton, Katie
COTkery, Julia Thompson, Fannie FAINT, Mary
Fcnucssy, Bette Valentine, Rebccca Nlnter,
Jennie Phillips, Kate Dwyer.
A large number Of others, whose names
we regret to have to omit, were conferred
with honorable premiums or decrces.
CONFINEMENT EXERCISES TODAY
This morning at II o'clock the closing cX-
crciSeS of Richmond College will take
place at the First Baptist church. Hon. H..
l.. Montague, former Lieutcmant-Govcrnor
of Virginia, will deliver the annual ad-
dress. Rev. j. C. Long reads a poem be-
fore the Society Of Alumni, and Rev. T. e..
Jones, D. D., president Of the College, an:
novnces the distinctions and diplomas, and
delivers the valedictory address.
RICuMOND FEMALE 1NSTITrTE-CuN-
MENCENENT ENERTSES.-The commence
mcnt exercises of this institution will
take place this evening in the First
Baptist church. Rev. 7. G. Jones, d. D.,
president of Richmond College, will de-
liver the address before the PhilOmethean
Socictv two or three ESSAYS of the gradu-