The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1872-05-10
Union Theological Seminary.
Correspondence Of the Richmond Dispatch.
HAMPDEN SIDNEY, Va, May s, 1872

HAMPDEN SIDNEY, Va, May 8, 1872.
The session of Union Theological Seminary
closed to-day. The following-named gentle
men were graduated, and were presented
with the usual certificate of proficiency by
the Faculty and Board of Directors: John
Boyle, Kentucky; l.. W. Curric, North
Carolina; William G.. Dyer, Missouri; Ed
ward c. Gordon, Virginia; A. T. Glaybill,
Virginia Charles L. Hogue, Kentucky
William Irvine, Kentucky; Joseph c. Pain
ter, Virginia; Charles NJ. Payne, North
Carolina; William n. Scott, Virginia Alex
ander G. Snoddy, Tennessee; F. B. Webb,
Alabama; Edwin L. Wilson, Virginia.
The examinations of the classes began on
last Friday and were concluded Yesterday.
These are oral, and are conducted BY the
professors in the presence Of committee of
the Board Of Directors Of the seminary.
am informed that the examinations reflect
great credit on the faculty, and exhibit Ii
commendable degree of diligence on the part
of the students.
The closing exercises were inaugulated
last night by an address before the "Society
Of Inquiry" delivered by Major Robert
Bingham, of North Carolina, who presented
the claims of the Bible to large and appre-
ciativr audience. This address has already
been pronounced more than once, and
coming az it does from cultivated layman,
is we'll worthy OF being repeated. The
speaker presented six considerations which,
Us he expressed it, tended to advance the
commercial udlue of the Bible. In elabora-
ting the first theme he followed closely in the
accustomed track, showing, first, that the BIZ
BILE differed from all other systems of religion
in presenting God as the "all-comprehend-
ing God"; second, that the success achieved
by Christianity evinced its importance; and
third, that Christianity was coIncident with
civilization. His fifth point was that Chris
tianity had done most for the elevation and
development OF woman. In the fourth
viz, "The Bible is the greatest of
English classics" the speaker contrasted the
position which the English Bible has in re-
spect to English literature with that held by
other modern versions to their own Ian
gllageS respectively. and then exhibited the
character of EnglisR-Speaking people as con-
trasted with other races, and the influence
| exerted by the Bible in England, America,
and their colonies. III this epart of his adj
dress, as well as in the last argument adj.
yanced,-VH., Christianity is the soul of mo-
dern civilization, and is the only means to
prevent its elimination and decay-Maior
Bingham was especially entertaining and in
structiye. The entire address was rep|ete
with forcible quotations from the great mas.
ter minds Of ancient and modern times, and
adorned with elegant classical illusions and
illustrations. ssas E -
They have queer way of doing things at
Hampdcn Sidney. The "Society Of Inquiry
upon whose invitation Major Bingham was
present, was not represented by any one OF
Its officers during the evening; and the
speaker was introduced, not by the Presi-
dent OF the Society, but by stranger who
was, perhaps, not so well known by face to
the audience as Major Bingham himself.
| This morning the annual address was de.
livered by Rev. T. w. Hooper, of Lynch.
burg, who announced his subject to be the
"Genius of Presbyterianism.'' The adj
mirers Of this form of church government
might rejoice II this excellent address could
be delivered In many places where Presbyte.
rianism Is not known or not appreciated.
The speaker showed that Presbyterianism
was liberal and conservative as, q system of
theology, and In Its form and policy logically
consistent; that 1t was animated by spirit
OF impartial justice, and best adapted TO Sc
cure the ends Of justice TO all land finally,
that tsasRhole tendency was; to- humble. man
and exalt God, He closed with few prac.