The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1869-07-15
Communicated.
Commencement Week a1 Clinton

Tie examination and Commencement ex-
crcises OF the Mississippi College, at Gin
ton for 80, opened on Monday, June 2Sth.-
We had the pleasure of attending them
throughout, and are happy to announce that
they reflected great credit both on teachers
aid students. They were conducted by the
President, Rev. Walter Iilman, and the
Principal of the Preparatory Department
George T. Critz, a. NJ. On Monday, Tues
day and Wednesday, they were conducted
" th great satisfaction to teachers, as well
a. patrons and friends
On Tuesday night very interesting ex-
hibition of the Preparatory Department
was given and largely attended An were
highly pleased.
Oh Wednesday night followed the exhi-
bition OF the advanced Glasses OF the College,
consisting of twelve original oratiOHs, ac-
/ companied with very superior vocal and in
. stTumental music by the young Ladies' of the
Central Female Institute. These exercises
particularly, bore the marks of close appli-
cation and great mental Improvement, and
were pronounced by many competent judges
i'll some respects superior to any they had
ever attended at this Institution, even pre-
! yious to the war.
The number of persons present has been
estimated at over a thousand, and yet the
most perfect order was kept. and intense in
. showers descended in protuson upon the
speakers, as tokens of appreciation aud con-
ordinations.
With these interesting exercises closed
those of the Mississippi College for 1869.
/ VIC. as friends OF this institution, and of
1 the noble cause of education at large, have
reason to thank God for the signal success
( with which He has crowned the labOrs of
those connected with the school. Great cred
I il Is especially due to the Rev. w. Hillman
for the successful manner in which he has
I sustained himself as President of the two
/ Institutions at this place. As President and
/ teacher in both. he seems To have perform
/ ed faithfully his duties, and to have secured
/ the unbounded love and admiration of all
/ under his charge. Surely, he Is 1.-THE right
4 man in the right place"
/ In conclusion, we appeal to all the friends
/ of education in the State to direct their at
/ tention to this College, and to aid in carry
! ing on the noble work ZealOusly begun
I ut the Baptist State Convention, that soon
the remaining clouds, still Over-shadowing
| ii, may be dispelled, and that it may again
light up the dark places of our land with its
I glorious etful9ence.
] Likewise, the examination and closing
{ exercises of the Central Female Institute,
began on Monday, June Is. To prevent
doing injustice to either, we have thought
/ it best to mention these apart.
! These examinations were conducted with
marked success, and with that system and
/ thoroughneSs SO characteristic of this Insti-
! tuition and so seldom met with elsewhere in
| such high degree of excellence. They
continued throughout the first three days OF
/ the week also.
Although all the exercises of these DAYS
were interesting and well attended, yet we
! deem it but justice to some to state that
| those of Wednesday attracted more partic-
uIar attention than those of the other days.
At \. NJ, in the large Chapel building
before an audience of from five to eight hum
bred, the several classes in History, Mathc-
MATES, Reading and Spelling, were respect
lively arranged on the stage tor eXamina-
ton.
First of the important classes we mention
that in History. With great ease and accu-
racv the members of this class answered
| promiscLOus questions scattered over the
many pages comprising the work OF the
/ five months study in that branch.
Then the class in advanced Algebra took
the floor. The pupils in this displayed not
/ only their own industry in acquiring, but
the marked skill of their teacher in impart
! ing knowledge in this branch of science.
/ Next came the Prepar atory and lvanced
| classes IN Reading, to which, prizes were
/ offered for the best reader in each. In this
/ branch of study, which with Spelling we
deem one of the most important in the
course, all the pupils displayed the finish
! of practice, and some, a decidedly natural
/ talent. Great interest was displayed, and
/ the decisions of the Committee were handed
! in amidst the applaudings of the audience.
/ Lastly, out not le3SLlN.lnt spelling ClslSStS
took the stage. one of which, the advanced,
was the wonder of the day. For three
/ hours or more, words taken at large from
I all the pupils had passed over during the
/ whole session, including many Latin and
| French phrases. were given them in rapid
succession; yet ut the expiration OF this
/ time twelve of the class remained standing,
/ who had made no mistake i'll either spelling
! or accenting. At that time. the teacher,
/ having become perfectly exhausted, the
I al dix za1 hat
each of the twelve, instead of one only,
should receive a prize,
Thus closed the examination of the Insti-
tute classes, and next day, Thursday, the
Commencement Exercises followed. These
comprised the reading of the Junior and
Senior Essays, the presentation of the prizes
to the several candidates, and the comforting
of the Diplomas by the President. As a
matter ofparticular interest, we would men
| ton that between the exercises ofthe Junior
and Senior, the President and the spectators
were all surprised by the unaHnOunced pre-
senUation of a beautiful token of love and
admiration to the former. as the President
of the two Institutions. by the LeSbian and
Hermenian Societies. All the exercises of
the day were particularly impressive, but
these decidedly affecting. The circum-
stan ces and association connected with the
proceedings rendered the Presentation
touching. The committee OF young ladies
and gentlemen standing about their beloved
Instructor. with hearts filled with emotions
too profound to be concealed; the Presenta-
ton Address so beautifully expressed, and
so filled with sentiments of afectionate eS-
TEEN, and the impromtu reply of the Presi-
dent, moved the whole house to tears.
Twas scene that is perhaps not witnessed
by many, more than once in a lifetime.
The following is the inscription on one of
the pieces of the service presented:
Rev. WALTER HILLMAN,
President of
MISSISSIPPI COLLEGE,
and of the
CENTRAL FEMALE INSTITUTE,
As a testimonial of Esteem and Admiration,
by the
LEsBIAN SOCIETY,",
of
Central Female Institute,
and the
RMENIAN SOCIETY,
of
Mississippi College,
June 30th, 1869.
After the Seniors had read their Essays,
which were both beautiful and appropriate.
the Diplomas were conferred by the Presi-