The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1872-06-19
Reported for the Dispatch.
R0aIioiic College. Salem, Ya.--Six-
tceItEs Commencement.
SUNDAY MoRNISG, June 1G, 1;


The exercises Of commencement week an
nuully attract numerous visitors to the quiet
town Of Salem. Early this morning the
large and handsome college church was
filled to overlooking to hear the Baccllallreatc
sermon, which was delivered by Rev. Il. W.
Conrad. ID. d.. of Philadelphia, from L.
Corinthians, H., ,. For nearly an hour this
distinguished speaker held his crowded
audience in rTpt attention by his logical
analysis, elevated style, and impressive
oratory. The whole discourse was delivered
without either manuscript or notes. The
practical application of the subject and re-
marks to the graduating class were pccu-
larly appropriate and impressive. The
great Object of life, az cXcmplifed in the
language of the text, was presented to the
audience in most forcible terms. The whole
discourse was a mastery production. well
worthy the occasion. ..
Sunday night the annual address before
the Young Mems Christian Association of
the College was delivered to a crowded a,!-
dience by the Rev. X. l.. Dabney, ID. d., Pre-
sidcnt of Union Theological Seminary. He
occupied more than an hour and half III
the discussion of his theme: "The Considc-
ration of the Christian Economy Of Wealth"
The learned divine condemned i'll uEmc;l-
surcd terms the tendency of the American
people for "layi>h expenditure" and criml-
nal indulgence in "scmi-barlrric Splcndor.
The elegant yet unostcntatious homes OF
Bishop Meade and Judge Carr were recon-
mcndcd us worthy the imitation of those in
the highest stations in society. Unworthy
motives in spending money. extravaganza III
drcs., worldly conformity, &C.. all received
the strongest denunciatiOlI. > DIR. Dabney in
duIgcd in sarcastic "hlimor while ulluding to
modern fashions, and the SlavishncSs OF mo-
tlern society in following thcm.
CONTEST FOR GOLD MEDAL IL oRAToRY.
Monday night, June Eth, an hour before
the opening of the contest the citizens OF
Salem and visitors were seen crowdiDg Il
the new Town Hall, which was soon filled
at the expense Of comfort. Many stood il
the Hall, while others gathered around the
doors aud windows TO catch the strains Of
cloqucncc from the youthful orators. The
beauty and intelligence Of Salem were there
the old and the young, the grave and The
guy, alike seemed interested in the contest
The eagerness of the audience seemed some
what relieved as the band entered and 0ccll
pied seats on the stage. The Judges
General Bradley T.. Johnson, Colonel G
w. Hansbrough, Rev. Professor j.
Miller, Rev. A. Phillippi, and Protcsso
!. III. Tirner--werc next escorted to TIL
seats reserved for them. Then the con
| testants marched to their positions on th
stage, while The band, enlivcned the scene
| by sweet strains. After prayer by Rev. DR.
| Conrad, the orators were introduced az fol
| lows:
G. W. Crumpeckcr, Franklin county, Idea
Beauty; J.W. Stephenson, Highland county
The Spirit of Genius; G. c. Campbell. Can
ton, Miss, Our Southern Dead; &. w
koimcr, Augusta county. The Dignity of tin
Human Mind; W. l.. Craig, Augusta cotlll
ty, Powers Despotic Sway; J. S. Motter
WilliaulSport, Md, RcverScS the Lights TO
Advancement. ..... ~.
The speakers all acquitted tl,emselvc
with great credit, and each deserves NOR
particular notice than can he given in TIL
report. The orations were well written AM
admirably delivered. giving unmiStakabI
evidence of the high culture of the compel
tori. The Judges, aller retiring fey
minutes for consultation. returned and sen
their decision to the stage. Amid the mos
intense anxiety the decision was announced
and the medal presented to Mr.. j. w. Ste
phenson by Mr. Edwin Schlater, of Louis
ana, who represented the Black Badge Fra
terity, by which the medal sannually award
ed on Monday evening: Of commencement
week. This announcement relieved the slls
pense OF the audience, who still further re
! iieved themselves by loud and repeater
cheers. The triumph Of Mr.. Stephenson wa
the gre. .er from the fact that he obtaincdap pc
sition in the contest only three weeks before
while the other speakers had the CREATE
part OF the session for preparation.
| :, rs,f - MEMO.