Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1873-07-03
Franklin College Commencement

with three gentlemen who are proud
to claim the s'modern Athens" as their
"alna mates.,n we seated ourselves in
neat and comfortable carriage drawn
by two gallant steeds, with the inten-
ton twisting the scenes of their early
triumphs- In the class room, society,
and melon patches, and of gratifying
ourselves with being present on COM
mencement occasion. Our route lay
by way of one the much sbused pixies,
until we reached the road ldiverging to
Hammonds X roads, which for sake
of variety we took. We were fearful
that we would go astray and not arrive
at our destination in time, but as we
listened to our companions describing
the peculiar evolutions that had oc.
curred ON this and that spot, as we
passed along, and recount the hair
breadth escapes and wonderful encoun-
ters with man and watch dog,-detail
minute descriptions of every hill and
vale, and of every spring-house anG
cellar, located near the point of our
destination, we concluded that our
party knew the ins and outs of our
journey and we feared no longer. As
we passed along and looked out upon
the lovely views around US, we con-
cluded that God had wrought a won
derful landscape of loveliness and
placed it in frame of beauty. Our
eye, never wearied of the wondrous
and ever changing beauties. Here
were broad acres in the highest state
of cultivation, with comfortable homes
made happy by all that nature can be-
stow and wealth provide. Here the
waving grain in green and gold, the
rich colored rows of corn and the
sweet-scented meadow. The ride was
q charming one. Arrived at the place
where is situated this modern Athens,
we were reminded that the monks of
old always sought sequestrial spots for
the pursuit of their learned studies and
brought forth many great work in the
cool retreat of their cloister, and that
like in this instance, modern instrue-
tors have located their seats of learn
ing in obscure and out of the way
towns-in quiet places, away from the
din and noise and temptation of the
great cities.
Such place is New Athens, placed
by the Geographer in the southern
part of Harrison County, few miles
from the Belmont line. There is no
|rippling stream near by, about whose
sparkling waters, young Athenians
can play, but there is a freshness and
beauty in the scenery to inspire the
grandest thought and awake the most
dormant nature. The usual dullness
OF the town is always pleasantly lost
amid the excitement and hustle of
commencement, when it is full of
strangers, and the residences of the
hospitable citizens are thrown open for
the entertainment of visiting friends
of the institution. On the day previous
to our arrival Wednesday,
THE SOCIETY OF THE ALUMNI
held their annual business meeting in
the Lecture Room, DIR. Ross, President
Of the Faculty presided. The Hon.
VIM. Lawrence, of the class of 1888,
was elected President. Rev. Thomas
Love end II. S. r. Watson was elected
1st and Vice Presidents, J. NJ. Nc
Lane, Secretary, and DIR. s. B. Shot
well. Treasurer, to serve for two years.
On motion Drs. Ross and Shotwell
We're appointed committee to make
arrangements for the next annual
meeting of the Association. s'.i sst.
At two O'Clock the Association met
in the College Chapel to engage in the
public exercises as previously arranged.
The Philosophic and Jeffersonian Lit,
erary Societies by their representatives
E. F. Rea, of the former, and s. NJ.
Bentley, of the letter, welcomed the
Alumni in appropriate addresses,
which were responded TO by Rev. H.
P. McAdam, of Lodi, New York, and
Rev. w. II. Mcfarland, of Cambridge,
Ohio, in behalf of the Alumni.
By this time the large room was lit
orally packed with an intelligent and
appreciative audience to hear the
ADDRESS BEFORE THE PHILo SOCIETY,
by Hon. VIM. Lawrence, of Belle
fOntaine, which was an admirable ora
ton, full of wholesome advice and in
struction, and replete with knowledge,
wisdom and wit; the address was lis
tened to with marked attention and in
terspersed frequently with outbursts of
applause. !l.-.. aIi
In the evening the Chapel was again
crowded to listen to the address before
the Jefersonian Society, by the Rev.
j. p. Sankey, of Rochester, New York,
which was received with unlimited ex-
pressions flavor, as being brim full of
choice thought dressed i'm beautiful
robes. t..s lat-.er1 ..I. -....
The commencement on Thursday
was everything that could be desired.
The morning was bright, cool, and
beautiful. A great many of the Alum
nj from all parts of this and adjoining
States were present, together with nu-