The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1874-07-08
commencement Exercises at Due West.

commencement Exercises at Due West.
We have had the pleasure again of at
tending the Annual Commencements OF
the Male and Female Colleges at Due
West, which came off on Wednesday
and Thursday of the past week; and
now after the hustle and excitement OF
the hour, we propose to recall some OF
the chief points OF interest Tor the en-
tertainment Of our readers. And III
the first place, let us say, thft the occa-
sion presented all of its usuIlintercstlng
features and attractive incidents-the
same gay throng of visitors, filling prl-
vate parlors and college halls. and CIV,
ing life and animation to street and
gr0ve-the same bright array OF young
and happy faces assembled once again
to grace this annual festival of letters
the same round of literary attractions
the neat essay, the sparkling speech,
the we'll digested oration, the parting
words of counsel and admonltlon--the
glad reunion and the fearful parting
Gears and laughter, music and letters.
All Of these are past, but they nave le1t
upon many minds the impress OF cher
ished thoughts and pleasant recollec-
tions.
THE EXAMINATION.
commenced on Thursday and closed on
Tuesday preceding, and furnished a
very thorough test of the scholarly at
tainments and literary capacity OF the
pupils of the two colleges. They were
conducted before separate committees,
consisting of literary gentlemen select
ied for the purpose, and presented very;
tcreditable display of proficiency in all
the branches of liberal education
showing that neither sex enjoys q mo-
nopoly of literary or scientific capacity,
and that broad culture is equally behe-
.1icial to both-the female intellect ac-
fquiring strength and acuteness, in the
,l,nths of abstruse learning, whilst that
;Of the male derives equal benefit from the
iculture of the aesthetic and emotional.
'Fhe couSse'cf study is Broad and COM
p-ekensi"c; and is designed to fit the
pupils for proper discharge of the va
:ried duties of life.
THE COMMENCEMENT SERMON
before the graduating classes was deliv-
cred at eleven o'clock, in the village
church by the Rev. II. w. Kuhns OF
Newberry, q minister of the Lutheran
Church, and attracted large audience.
The text was from Proverbs xii: 2S, "1n
the way of righteousness there is life,"
and presented clear and forcible expo
sition of the true and imperishable life,
as distinguished from the false and the
transitory. The sermon was q very able
one, and abounded in gems of thought,
and quaint aud original illustrations.
The reverend gentleman is comparative
1y a young man, but of fine literary cul-
ture, and Of wide converse with men
and books.
IN THE AFTERNOON
h very excellent discourse upon the pas
sage Of Job-"I would not live alway"
was delivered BY the Rev. ]. p. Smclt-
yer, d. D., President of the Newberry
College at Walhalla, which presented a
glowing contrast between the cares, the
shadows, and the stains of earth, and
the bliss, the light and purity of heaven,
as quickening our aspirations after the
:higher life.
ON MONDAY NIGHT
there was a contest in defamation, be-
tween the members of the Sophomore
class, and prize essays by members Of
the Junior class. The occasion attract
ed large audience to Lindsay Hall and
the exercises were Of very interesting
, character. The fine music contributed
by the Harmonics under the leadership
of DIR. Edwards, added much to the en-
'tertainment. The following is the pro-
gramme:
.DECLAMATIoN By THE SOPIIOMOREs.
H.C. Fennel, Chester, S. c., Webster's
reDly to HaYnc.
w. w. Orr, Charlotte, n. C.,-Man,
the. noblest terrestrial work of God.
Horace Rabb, Due West,-Bonnic
Blue Flag.
G. r. Stribling, Walhalla-R Robert
Emmet Oh being found guilty of treason.
JUNIOR PRIZE ESSAYS.
Fancy Picturcs-M. Z. Clinkscales,
O., Anderson.
The South-Hcr Silent Eloqucnce-
J. w. Haddon, Due West.
Concentration, or Oneness Of Aim
II. r. McCaulay, Coddle Creek,N G.
Poetry. NJ. McNeill, Chester.
THE JUNIOR Exhibition
came off on Tuesday night, and also the
.s;ee-union of the Glass 0f 1870. We were
not,present but learned that tire young
gentlemen acquitted themselves very
handsomely, and the address of Ira 3.
Jones, Esq, of the NeW6ery Herald,
the class orator, we have heard charac-
eerized as very fine effort, appropriate
to the occasion, and sparkling through
out with CLEANS OF true oratory. Mr..
Jones is a young man of excellent talents,
a member of the Newberry Bar, and has
u promising future before him. The
following was the programme Of exer-
'ciSes:
The Palmetto State-A. G. Brice,
Chester.
"Where There's q Will There's a
Way."-N. w. McAulay, Coddle Greek,
n. G.
The Mill Boy of Ashland-R. f. Pat
terson, Louisville, ga:
"Rome Was Not Built in Day."-J.
L. Todd, Due West. !
'nThe Giants of the Past, Pigmies of
the pressut.n- IT. Waller, Selma,
Ala.
uope-J. ". White, Chester.
REUNION OF CLASS OF 1870.
Orator for the Class-Ira B. Jones,
Esq, Newbcrry.
WEDNESDAY
VAS Commencement Day of Erskine'
rLr1epe- and though the threatening