Bloomsburg democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1867-1869, 1868-08-05
Wyoming seminary.
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE EXAMINING CO

privilege TO attend the final examination
and the twenty.fith Anniversary of Wy
oming Seminary, occurring on the 22d, 23d
and oath Of June, 1868.
The students, throughout most rigid
examination, evinccd a readiness to answer
and familiarity with tho studies in which
their proficiency was tested, highly com
mandatory of their application and ability,
as WE'LL as the thoroughncss and and skill Of
their teachers.
Entire freedom from that austcrity which
tends to embarrass, and kindly, concilia.
ting manner and address characterised the
Professors in their intercourse with their
classes, which was truly admirable.
Throughout the entire Examinations, and
Anniversary exercises, nothing seemed to
be done merely pro Jorma-no salutatory--
no valcdictory--no hackneyed Latin senten.
ces in comforting dcgrees-no Latin oration
nothing comic among the nineteen essays
and speeches which delighted the audience
Throughout there was a striking correspon.
dence between the highly suggestive themes
and the well wrought essays and orations,
every one keeping to the text, and cvincing
decided talent. There was not a single fail
urc. The gentlemen spoke remarkably
well, had no prompter, and exhibited no
hesitancy, embarrassment nor haste. The
ladies' read with enunciation clear and dis
tinct, without apparent trcpidation, self
possessed and dignifed The style and clo-
cution throughout, would have done credit
to any Of our colleges. The interest awak-
encd in the beginning was fully sustained
to the close. The essays and orations were
all original, and Of such uniform excellence
that discrimination is not deemed advisable.
The music, whether vocal or instrumental,
was Of high grade, and the thrilling effect
Of its harmony and science upon the appre-
catiyc multitude was answered by frequent,
emphatic .applause-of which it was the
more deserving, being wholly from the re-
sources of the Seminary. We enjoy the
music Of good brass band, but we look
upon this arrangement as in excellent taste,
and worthy Of unqualified commcndation
We cannot speak in too high praise Of the
department Of music in this institution.
The drawings and paintings, the handi-
work Of the pupils, showed high order of
talent and superior instruction.
The mos, admirable order prcvadcd the
whole Seminary exercises. Every student
was ready and in place at the proper time,
and the concurrent movement advanced
without friction or confusion, like beautiful,
perfect machinery. The three hours occu-
pied in the morning passed without indica-
tons Of f,'iguc-;nd apparently to the au-
dicncc, as TO us, they were hours of COM
mingled pleasure.
The able Anniversary Adlrcs3, by Rev.
II. Ma.tison, d. D., in the afternoon, was
listened to with profound attention. De
cidedly American well conceived, well ar
ranged and forcibc and uttered in his own
eloquent impressive style, it was frequently
interrupted by applause.
Then followed the very appropriate, ex-
ccllont and touching address of the talented
Principal, Dr. Nelson, to the graduating
class Of ladies. IL came from noble heart,
aud many tears evinccd the lodgment it had
made in other hearts.
In contemplating the gradurting class
and others identified with the exercises of
the occasion, the thought occurred, that if
the worthy chief and his learned assistants
had made their own selection from the
thousands they could not have succeeded
better in commenting their own taste and
skill, or in contributing more to the interest
Of the Anniversary.
Christian education is mquestionably
vital to the pcrmancncy and continued pro-
grcss Of our civil institutions 1t is, indeed,
a tritc aphorism, that they depend for their
permancncy upon ''the virtue and intclli-
gencc of the people, Every patriot, there
fore, must be friend of Christian cluca-
ton, and Wyoming Seminary, in this con-
nection, is a blessing 70 our country, q
splendid monument to the wisdom, per-
scryance and libcrality of Wyoming Confer
ence, and an honor to the church in general.
The very extensive, beautiful and commo-
dious buildings; the crowded halls; the
glorious results-moral, religious and literary
developed in the history of the Institu-
ton, and the inspiring prospect Of enlarged
usefulness afford conclusive proof of the
ability, efficiency and fidelity Of the patrons
and managers Of the Institution, and great
cause for gratitude.
The Commercial College, connected with
the Seminary, and under the superintcnd-
cnce Of Prof l.. l.. Sprague, with its tclc-
graphs, bank and various offices, and COM
plete appointments throughout, furnish
superior advantages toall wishing to acquire
a thorough business education.
N. B. The Fall Term of the Seminary
and Commercial College will commence
August IL, 1868.
JOHN A. GERE,
D. G. OLNISTEAD,
L. l.. KILLER,
....,. ASA BROOKS,
z. l.. RICE,