Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1869-07-23
Commencement at Bowdotn Col

BRUxswIck. July 10th, 1869.
The exercises commenced Sunday with
the Baccalaureats sermon by President
Harris. delivered h the congregational
Chapel, at4P. M. Text. Galations :2S.
"Now, we brethren, as Israel was, are,
the children of promise"
The subject was ably discussed and
listened to with profound attention by a
respectfully large audience.
The exercise, Monday. was the prize
defamation by twelve members of the
Junior class
William Z. Frost, of Norway, was the
only one from this county. lie selected
for this exercise an extract from Hon.
Joseph Hollis speech on the Nationality
Of Kentucky" His part was well de-
livered and made very favorable i'm.
preston. In point of merit the several
parts were so nearly equal that it must
have been quite difficult for the committee
to decide who were entitled to the prizes.
William f. Spear, Of Rockland, was
awarded the first prize OF 80, and b. r.
Melcher, of Brunswick, the second of So.
Tuesday, at P. NJ, the address before
the Alumni was delivered by Rev. c. G.
Everett, of Bangor. 1t was fine, scholar
| " production; such as would be expected
from one Of his fine literary taste and ac-
quirements.
After the address, there was a meeting
of the Alumni, Gen. Chamberlain, Presi-
dent, in the chair. The routine business
disposed of, the question as to the best
method of raising 100000 for funds for
the College was discussed and finally re-
forred TO committee.
COMMENCEMENT DAY,
and the great day of the week, was We'd
nesday. The exercises were at the Con-
gregational Chapel and consisted of
Music,
Prayer,
Music.
followed by the exercises of the gradu-
ating class.
The class Of 1869 numbers thirty, and
are a fine looking set Of young men,
Three ofthc class are from Oxford County,
viz: Harrison S. Whitman, Of Wood
stock. Hiram Tuell of Sumner, and
Charles A. Cole, Of Paris.
Whitman selected for the subject of his
Grafton Individuality" which he dis
cussed with distinguished ability, dis
closing well disciplined and logical
mind. He pressed home the great ne
ccssity OF Individuality: Of each ones
striking out path for him self and not be
obliged to follow the lead Of another; to
BE- able to govern and not be governed.
Tuell's part consisted of a Philosophical
Disquisiton-subject, John Brown"
His subject was well handled, his prem
Uses clearly stated and deductions finely
drawn. He regarded the advent Of John
Brown as an important epoch in Ameri-
can history. From his execution is TO be
! dated the commencement OF the breaking
Of the bonds of African Slavery in Ameri
ca. He eHtolled the old man for his
purity of life and singleness Of purpose,
and zeal in his great undertaking show
ing that he had studied well the character
which he had selected for his theme.
Cole discussed the "Sphere ofThought''
rs not the mere difference between man
and the lower animals, but the proper
correspondence Of body with mind, and
their harmonious workings. He argued
that all Improvement, all progress and all
invention are the results ofthought. His
subject was well conceived and ably dis
cussed
After the literary exercises the Degree
of A. b. was conferred upon the gradu-
ating class and several honorary Degrees
conferred, among which was that of
L. l.. ID. on Governor Chamberlain.
d. d. on Rev. Horato Stebbins, OF
California, and Stephen Allen, of Liver
more Falls.
A. NJ. on Hon. Eugene Hale and Geo.
l.. Goodale. The Degree of A. NJ. in
course was conferred upon several, among
others was Henry l.. Chapman, formerly
of Bethel
The Alumni then proceeded to the Gym
nasium where the dinner was served,
after which President Harris introduced
DR.. Anderson Of Boston. who in few
graceful and touching remarks presented
Prof. Packard with purse containing
nearly twelve hundred dollars, raised by
his former pupils, as testimonial of their
regard for him as man and teacher, and
in view OF his long connection with the
college, extending, as it does, through n
period Of fifty years.
Remarks were made by Gen y. u.
Howard, VIM. W. Thomas, Geo. +. Tai
bot, Judge Maurice, of Texas, and others.
A subscription to complete Memoria
Hall was started. Mr.. Thomas of Port
land headed it with $1,000. The sum
raised on the spot was nearly $1,000. The
lower story is nearly completed, and the
building will be covered during the
coming summer. A. ID. Lockwood, of
Lewiston, gave s50O-and was chosen an
overseer in the College in the place of
Hon. r. A. ID. Fessenden, deceased.
Among the transactions of the Board
Of Overseers, was the appointment of Dr.
! /.