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


tuition, under the Presidency of Rev. VIM. A.
Harris, and located in Staunton, Va, began
with the Annual Commencement Sermon on
Sunday, June 10th, at IL A. NJ, by Bishop
E. M. Marvin, d. D., of Missouri.
This was one of the most interesting features
of the occasion. Before the appointed hour
for service, the large and elegant audience
chamber was crowded with anxious and intelli-
rgent hearers The Bishop occupied the large
stage on which were also the young ladies Of
the College, dressed beautifully in their white
uniform, presenting to the audience an impo-
sing assemblage of lovely daughters from near
Iy all the States of the South and West. 1t
was indeed an inspiring scene.
AS he stood there with this splendid array
of the youth and beauty Of the College on his
right and left, and before him sea of faces,
filling pew and gallery, with all sexes and ages,
while expectation was on tiptoe, we were right
glad (if not proud) that our Church and School
were in the hands of such representative on
that occasion. His text was Remember now
thy Creator in the days of thy youth" When
the Speaker announced it, we could see but lit
tie more in this subject than mere hortatory
discourse, but to the surprise and delight of
all, In few sentences he had opened to the
minds of his audience the most sublime and
wonderful field Of thought, and entered upon
discussion of his subject in a manner at once
the most profound and phiosophic. His great
point was the true conception and careful study
of God, and the elevating and ennobling inhu-
ence of such study on all minds. His appeal to
| the young ladies to remember God, to keep
Him before them at all times as the highest,
grandest, best ideal of all being, and all that
was lovely and beautiful in being, was very
touching and impressive. Certainly, no one
could hear that solemn and eloquent sermon
| so full Of new thoughts and new facts-so full
of the spirit and power of Divine eloquence,
productive of such noble impressions and high
inspirations, without being benefited, not only
benefited, but positively blessed.
This sermon tended to increase the audience
for the evening. At 81 P. M. the seats, pews,
and galleries were crowded densely. His text
was-'Do we then make void the law through
faith God forbid: yea We establish the Law"
| profoundest and clearest sermons ever delivered
| In this city.
| In this, as in all his sermons, were the very
| happiest combinations of the philosophic and
the aesthetic. Profound, yet simple-logical, yet
lucid-learned, yet neutrality-suspicious. and
seemingly careless Of words or manner, yet
chaste in one and graceful in the other; all this
he was and far more-a Divine power and unc-
tion-a heaven-b born fatus and influence, in
sensibly from him going out, went into and
permeated the hearts of his hearers, and long,
very long will lingeri Il hope forever) the i'm
pressions and convictions of his great sermon
of Sunday night. judging from his discourses
here, believe by common consent, our people
rank Bishop Marvin among the first pull
pit orators in our country.
Virginia congratulates Missouri on her claim
to such son-one whose increasing usefulness
and widening fame has already made him
leading representative of our Church and coun-
try. Here in few days he has drawn and
knit all hearts to him. Few men in SO short
time, las he did here) have so completely won
the hearts Of our entire people. May Heav-
ems richest blessings follow him.
Monday evening at P. NJ, the Lee and
Jackson Literary Society Of young ladies, held
their first Annual celebration. The exercises
opened with Prayer by Rev. Mr.. Williams, of
Staunton The Salutatory Essay, which was
written in a chaste and elegant style, was read
by Miss Matte Station, Of Maryland. Rev.
j. Hoffman Waugh then introduced Rev. j.
A. Proctor, of Richmond, Va, who delivered
the Annual address. His address set forth the
duties and influence Of woman in her own pc
culiar sphere. It was replete with fine
thoughts and noble sentiments, and did the
Speaker and the occasion marked credit. The
thanks Of the Society are due Mr.. Proctor for
his able address.
The Valedictory Essay was then read by
Miss Sue Francis, of Alabama. which was
gem Of its kind, was read finely, and was re-
ceived with the warmest appreciation by every
hearer
Prof. Turner and his Orchestra interspersed
the exercises with sweet music, and closed
with Home beautifully rendered.
Tuesday at II A. NJ was the first Public ex-
ercises of the Young Ladies' Christian Asso-
cation The exercises opened with Prayer by
Bishop Marvin. The Annual rddress was de-
livered by Rev. Samuel Rogers, of Baltimore
Like everything from the pen of Mr. Rogers,
this address was finely conceived and happily
expressed. It was fine combination of gen
uine sentiment Of valuable thought and classic
wit. 1t was just the speech for the occasion
and gave great satisfaction to the entire Asso-
citation and the Public, and was pronounced |
one of the most successful and pleasing fee
lures of the entire commencement. The S.noak-
er, without an effort to please, pls>,sea every.
body, especially the Associate, whose cause
be SO ably represented.
The Annual Coneer' vas held Tuesday the
banS,omo,, - - The room was decorated
handsomely .or the occasion, and the young
l4uieS Pr scented a beautiful appearance on the
i pi"" yrm. The general expectation Of bril-
liant Concert entertained by the Public, and
the great desire to enjoy it, long before the ap-
pointed time, brought together an immense
audience The building was packed and
damned to overlooking. At 81 o'clock the
Concert opened with brilliant Overture from
Tampa, which was performed by the Misses
deLauney, of Georgia, Williams, of Alabama
Rooney, of Georgia and Powers, of Richmond
Virginia, in manner very creditable to them
and with fine effect A Vocal trio by the