Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1870-07-05


tanned his reputation as one of the profoundest
and most successful teachers of music in this
country. Any lady is fortunate who may be a
pupil of his. Miss Apperson's Vocal Pupils
also reflected no less credit on her as cultiva-
ted singer and accomplished teacher. Miss
Winston's chorus class also performed thei1
parts with fine effect. In word, Prof Schnei
der, Miss Apperson and Miss Winston may
well be proud of the success of this musica
entertainment.
Thursday evening at P. NJ, vast and
crowded audience were present, to witness the
closing Commencement Exercises These were
opened by music from the celebrated ''Stone
wall Band, led by Prof. A. J. Turner, afte,
| which was offered an appropriate Prayer by
Rev. James S. Gardner, of Harrisonburg.
Next the Salutatory Essay, by Miss Sue Fran
els, OF Alabama, which was chaste and beaut
full in sentiment, and reflected honor on hersel
and her School. Then the President of the
Institute, Rev. VIM. A. Harris conferred the
Distinctions and Diplomas on graduates il
Schools-then full Diplomas on full graduates
Then was read beautiful and touching Vale
dictory Essay, by distinguished full graduate
Miss Corinne deLaunay, of Georgia, with fine
music by the Band-by Miss Apperson's Vo
cal Glass and by Madame Ruhl, the celebrated
| Vocalist from Richmond city, now an instruc
tor in the Institute Then followed the BAG
calaureate by Rev. S. S. Rosze, d. D., oil
Baltimore. This most remarkable address
was the coup de grace" of the commence
| ment For more than one hour he held the
vast audience bound as by the magic spell Of
his eloquence. His topic was education which
he handled with the research of scholar and
the profound thought of philosopher False
theories OF education, scepticism infdelity and
error, all succumbed before his powerful and
scathlng sarcasm. But what the Speaker
called his variations" with reference to a
piece rendered at the Concert, was indeed won
derful. Along with his topic he poured forth
such torrent of wit and humor, of poetry and
| pathos, Of satire and sarcasm as to move his
| vast auditory with mingled and conflicting emo
tons. Seldom indeed before have we seen
great audience SO completely moved and
swayed by the power of auditory as on this oc-
caslon. For one moment enthusing his audi
eDce with unrestrained laughter and humor,
the next subduing them to profound silence
and quite to tears. His stirring and beautiful
tribute to Virginia, as the nursery of States
and Statesmen, thrilled the hearts of his au-
dience and called forth deep and heartfelt
response. His address at the time and since
has been loudly applauded as one of the rich
est, rarest literary entertainments ever here en-
joyed, and altogether exhibiting in new lustre
the brilliancy and versatility of his opulent
mind
To close the exercises, Madame Bertha Ruhl,
OF national reputation as vocalist, rendered
Home" in her own classical and touching
style. AS one Of the most cultivated singers
and distinguished Teachers of Vocal Music in
this country, she is, without doubt, great &C
QUESTION to the Musical Faculty Of the Wes-
leyan Institute. In the training, development
and cultivation of the voice. we do not know
that she has superior.
Then as the Benediction was about to follow,
Rev. E. T. Busey, Of Salem, Va, moved for
ward on the stage and in behalf of the young
ladies of the College, presented the President,
Rev. VIM. A. Harris, with beautiful and
costly silver pitcher and waiter
And while the ''Stonewall'' Band discoursed
eloquently, the audience retired and thus closed
one of the most interesting commandments
which has ever occurred in Staunton Long
may this Institution live to advance the cause
of learning and piety. It has reached al
ready degree of prosperity unprecedented
in its history During the last sessions its halls
were crowded with pupils from nearly all the
States Of the South, and its fame is reaching
through the bounds of its entire Church.
The following young Ladies were declared
Graduates and received Diplomas in the
Schools of