The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1871-06-29
Commencement Exercises Of Wesleyan Fe'
male Institute.

Commencement Exercises of this Institution
began Sunday, June 9Th, with the Baccalaureate
Sermon by Rev. s. S.. Roszell, of Washington
City. at the appointed hour the speaker ascend
ed the platform, while the young ladies attired
in their beautiful uniform were seated on his
right and left upon the stage
The fame of this eloquent preacher had called
together an immense audience, which filled the
church to its utmost capacity. The speaker
announced his text from Revelations, and preach
ed for one hour with great liberty and power
With soaring thought, with an imagination bold
and fervid, with elegant diction and spledid i'm
agery, he poured forth.the sublime ideas and SEN
timents of the text His allusion to the 'tpower
of the hour of darkness, was peculiarly eloquent
and impressive. His sermon, altogether, produce
ed solemn and deep sensation, and will, we
trust, be long felt for good in our community
Time and space forbids us saying more than this.
that it was regarded as of the Doctors ablest
efforts, and met the expectations of his friends
and hearers.
Monday, p. m, occurred the final cclebra-
ton of the Lee s. jackson Literary Society About
one Huuurtu young lduleo, III IuOi1 WuatOf
form, were seated upon the stage, presenting
such an array of grace and beauty as may be
rarely seen on such occasions.
To the music of the D. s. B. Band, the Soci-
ETY. in uniform and with gold badges of o s'star
and Crescent marched in and took its position
on the right of the Speaker.
After an appropriate prayer by Rev. DR.. Ros-
zcll, the Presidentsef the Institute, Rev. W. A.
Harris, introduced Miss Mosellc deLauney, of
Georgia, who read the Salutatory Essay. TWAS
gracefully read in very clear, musical voice,
and was heard by the entire audience. 1t was
chaste and beautiful, and seldom have we heard
college essay that equaled it. 1t was heard with
profound attention and applauded heartily.
The D. D. & B. Institute Band, discoursed
fine music lead by Prof. NJ Turner; after which
Prof. A. 7. Bledsoe, L. L. D., of Baltimore, was
Introduced, and delivered the anoual address be-
fore the Society. This of the Doctor 8
ablest productions The address was a splendid
exhibition of profound philosophy, classic wit
and whitening sarcasm. His hits at woman 8
rights were telling, humorous and crushing. HIS
alusion to Washington, and Lee, and Jackson,
men great in action, sons of Virginia, reared by
Virginia mothers, was eloquent and thrilling
This address itself was sufficient we think, to es-
tahlish the fame Of the speaker as of the finest
thinkers and writers of the age--in this country
or in Europe.
Mr.. Harris then introduced Miss Julia R. Ros-
zell, of Mary land, who read the Valedictory Es
say in behalf of the Society. And again we must
say the graceful reading, noble sentiments and
beautiful rhetoric of this essay were never TO cur
knowledge surpassed on any occasion. Her part
ing words to the audience to the Faculty, School
and Society were delivered in touching language
and with fine effect. It was heard with almost
breathlcss silence, and was long and enthusiastic
ally applauded. While the Band discoursed sweet
music, the audience retired, delighted with one Of
the most brilliant and impressive literary enter
tainments we have ever enjoyed.
The Lee 6 jackson Literary Society Of the Wes-
accomplished anal intelligent representatives as
Mss de Launey and NJ ISIS Roszell, who reflected
such distinguished honor on themselves and On
their noble Society.
Tuesday evening, 8 p. M. the large audience
crowded the chamber aud CALLER es Of the church
to witness the Final Exercises of the Young La
dies Christian Association.
After fine sacrcd chorus, lead by Madam
Ruhl and her vocal class Of about fifty voices,
trained by her, the Exercises were opened. with
feeling prayer by Rev. John Landstreet of
Loudoun county, Va. The vocal class of Madam
| Ruhl then rendered the TIE Deum in most i'm
pressive style.
| Rev. II. II. Kennedy then introduced Miss
Nellie Mitchell, Of Maryland who read the Salu-
tatory Essay. It could not be heard distinctly
| by the whole audience, and those who could not,
expressed much regret, for it finely conceiv-
| cd and beautifully expressed. 1t would have re-
| 1ccted credited u, on one far in advance Of her
| in years.
Rev. W. \. Wilson, CT Baltimore, then delivered
| the Annual Address before the Association. Mr..
Wilson spoke without MSS or notes, in free, easy
and unstudied style, which is so unusual on such
occasions, and to the audience, very pleasing
| Withe ut any effort at display in language O..
manner, in clear, forciblc and logical style, the
| speaker unfolded and discussed the power of D-
vine truth in transforming and making he char
| acter of the young. He showed that all that was
great and good in life all that was true and beau
| tiful in human character, was but the reflex ct
the sTruth as it is in Jesus His address, spe-
cially to the Society, was impressive and appro-
pirate. Mr.. Wilson is a profound thinker, and
reaches his conclusions philosophcally, step by
! STEP in the order of logical sequence.
| During the Exercises, Miss Lizzie Daniel, late
| ly elected to the Department of Music in this In
stitution came forward and sang one of her best
sacred pieces which produced q profound impress
sion
The Salutatory was then read by Miss Stella
Guice, of Mississippi This was a superior com
position. Every ear was strained 10 catch the
words Of the eloquent essay. 1t was heard with
deep interest and loudly applauded
Madam Ruhl and her class then sang the Gloria
IN Excelsior, and closed the exercises of this in
teresting Association.
Wednesday evening. 8 p. M, the house from
gallery to floor again densely filled to wit
ness the exercises of the Final Soiree, conducted
by Prof. Schneider and Madam Ruhl. Of this
concert we may state in brief, that it was one OF
| the most brilliant AID entertaining we have ever
witnessed in any schbol. The instrumental mu-
sic was excellent, and showed that the pupils had
| been trained by the hand of master. without
aid prompting, the young ladies played the
most difficult pieces, and this indicated clearly
their confidence in their musical powers and skill.
Prof Schneider may we'll rest his reputation as
a master of music in the hands of such pupils for
they reflected high honor on him their teacher.
Among the instrumental performers, the most
distinguished we notice Miss Goodwin, of Char
lottesville, Va, Miss Thompson. of Mississippi,
| Miss Hawkins, of Staunton, Miss Jameson, of
Maryland. Miss deLauney, of Georgia, Miss
Rambo, of Georgia. Miss Rooney, Of Ga, and
| "nlj,1 80 No.,