The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1874-06-24
Comm cncement Exercises Mt wash
iHgton and Lee University.
lRcportcd for the Dispatch.i
LEXINGTON, VA, June 81

LEXINGTON, ' A., JuUe Il, lcft.
The opening exercises Of the commence
| ment of Washington and Lee University
took place to day in the college chapel. Rev
Z. +. WinkIer. d. d., of Marion, Ala, by
| invitation, delivered the annual sermon. Dr.
Wiuher was for many years pastor al
Charleston. S. c., and is well known as one
| of the ahle$t orators OF the Baptist denomi-
nation. lie is now in charge Of very wealthy
ard prosperous church in Marion, and also
editor of the alabama Baptist. The Doctor
was listened TO with deep interest by very
large congregation composed OF citizens ana
many visitors. The text was Psalm 119: So
81 thought on my ways, and turned my feet
unto Thy testimonies" Subject: Prepa'
ration for life. What is necessary, and the
motives"
Under the head Of ncedrul preparation be
insisted on education, intellectual and moral,
- necessary. Afterwards, an acquaintance
with business, and then in all, and above
all, the establishment of principle. Second
Is, the motives to prepare for life? What
are they: He replied, llle's CHARACTER, life's
i, nuence, and liie's end. These points were
aoiy elaborated and illustrated into dis
course Of interest and power. The conclu-
sion was able and of deep interest. 81
cannot forget" he exclaimed, that We
are gathered at Lexington beside the
monuments of Christian heroes. The name
OF your institution, and even more, the hon
ored spot where we worship now, recalls
the fact that college was the last fortress
our great leader beld-the last field of his
fame. This quiet retreat retains the Legacy
OF his memorable example. Here, as with
his dying breath, he taught his people 10
cultivate and eX:llt the spiritual; 10 open a
Way through their dcsoIated land for the
progress of the kindly sciences; to give
scope to education and marshal their sons
uader her shining banners; to redeem their
HON 5, their graves, by the consecrated and
re,is,lcss power Of Intelligence and deep
devotion. And in kindly intercourse with
the young, to whom be performed fathers
part, it is pleasant to think that another
youth may have come to the war-worn vet
erau in LIES decline-an Indian summcr-a
fresh perfume from carly years-a renewal
of the past, its tastes, its sympathies, its
blessed inSpirations-a return to that sweet
banquet to which Youth and Hope gave
Zest long ago. Remote irOm the storm oil
battle the Captain Of our hosts served the
State even to the end, and taught us how 10
serve 1t.
1T the advice is needed and the example
followed; if we rear generation pure jill
character, unwearied in study, mig hty in ar,
gument-a rece of scholars and patriots and
Cbrstians-wen need not fear Tor the fortunes
of our children or the destinies OF our
country"
at night the chapel was crowded to its
utmost capacity to listen to sermon by DR..
w. E. Muusey before the Young Mems
Christian Association. This Association has
accomplished much good during the year
| among the students. The discourse WAS
| elaborated after the style Of the eloquent
| orator in bis ablest manner, and held en-
chained his large congregation for one hour
and forty minutes.
The Doctor has kindly consented to take
the place Of General Gibson and deliver the
address on Wednesday. General Gibson is
detained at his home in Louisiana on account
| Of sickness in his family.
A very large number of strangers are in
the town and take great interest in all the
| exercises,