The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1875-06-19
western Maryland College.
ElgAtA Anaaai Commencement Cfonsled
Houses and brilliant EntsFtainmsnis.



The Eighth Commencement Of Western
Maryland College, which 6spenses its bless
ings right among Us, has iilled our little city
with excitement and strangers during the past
week. The exercises were inaugurated on
Sunday morning by Baccalaureate Sermon
preached 81 the NJ Z. Church 10 the graduat.
ing class, by Rev. Dr. Ward, the President,
from Matt VII "a, The church was filed By
a throng OF eager hearers, who listened with
the most profoand and appreeiAsise attention
throughout the entire hour Of the splendid
discourse. la the evening much the same
crowd, heard very strong and effective ser
mon preached at the same place from Hebrews
W. y, hy Rev. +. d. Valiant, Of Georgetown,
| ID. Z, to the Literary Societies OF the College.
The three societies with their gay badges on
presented strikingly fne appearance as they
marched up the church aisle. On Monday
night at an early hour a crowd began mount
ing the hill and winding through the grove
that leads to the college, The occasion that
called them there was the Seventh Ami
versary Of the Browning, literary society
Of young ladies that has long enjoyed an en-.
viable and deserved reputation. Long before
eight o'clock, the hour Of beginning the ex
ercises. the chapel was literally packed with
an Intelligent and fashionable assemblage Of
ing eomnlimenied r;tl a more elegant audi.
enee and never ala mo shine with 4 BRIGHTER
mstre Than on This occasion The programme
was made mn Of mus;c. readings. rebearsals.
and or;v;nal essays. Weeannote-how arIently
We Lone to-hnt ~. can mot. q, into m nnalv.
sis AZ n and do iastiee 10 the nerfnrmanee Of
each member. But our readers will certainly
have natienes NJ allow room lnr a snecial
mention az The essay entitled ..The Imperish.
Ablei' by Miss Lille Bratt, of Oxford. Nd.
I'M rehearsal by Miss Allie Ernest. The read.
inc by Miss Kitiie Noel. and tbe singing by
Miss Salhe Wood. ali OF Westminster. The
last chorus by the society was also very fine.
All the ladies looked beautiful; All did we'll,
and they we're almost overwhelmed by tidal
wave oil flowers, cards and similar testimo.
mails. Long life and success to the Browning,
saw we.
On Tuesday morning. at ten O'Clock. the
large andiepce that had assembled in .he pa.
yilion erected in the grove, was called 20 order
by Mr.. G. W. Devilbiss, the President Of the
Class Of 10, who announced that the class
would now proceed TO celebrate its Class Day
Exercises, Of which programmes had been
distributed. These created much amusement
because they had been printed ia Latin and
but few could read them. They first sang the
Parting Ode of the Class-a rather strange
proceeding, we thought, TO sing the farewell
song first, but no matter. The Ode had been
composed by Mr.. Deyilbiss, of louisville.
Nd, and rs sung TO the tune Of .sWe're Go.
ing Home which formed part Of the chorus,
il was very pretty. Next the roll was called,
and this showed that the Class though bat Of
three members now. was once Glass of forty
nine. The reason for the withdrawal of each
member who had left was given, and some OF
these reasons we're very funny. After the
roll was finished, the history Of the Glass was
read by Mr. Thomas Ii. Lewis, of Easton,
Md. Ii was very humorous. The prophecy
BY Miss Ida Armstrong, of Sassairas, Nd.
the only lady in the Glass, was finely con.
eeiyed aud well written. The planting Of the
Tree and Stone Of the Glass ended these very
interesting and amusing exercises, which form
one Of the most pleasant features of every
commencement
The Fifth Oratorical Contest between the
Irving and Webster Societies was announced
for Tuesday evening al eight o'clock. Il was
held under the pavilion, and there was am.
pie room for all who might come. At least,
so it was thought The crowd began pouring |
in very early, and soon the vast tent was filed |
and hundreds were ranged around the outside. I
We are certainly not extravagant when we
say there were from six hundred to eight |
hundred people present, and it is gratifying |
circumstance that they preserved excellent |
order, and manifested o most appreciatye /
and fnttering interest throughout the even |
ing. Promptly at eight the Irving Society /
marched into the tent and upon the stage 10 /
the music of the Amphions. The Webster
followed, and the exercises were opened /
with prayer by Rev. H. c. Cushing. The !
silence that ensued was broken by Mr. II. B. 1
Norment, Jr. of Westminster, first orator Of
the Webster. He undertook to show his
hearers How to rise in the World and
drew largely from history to prove his theory,
which was that perseverance, is the cause OF 4
success. Mr.. b. Baker, Of Frederick county,
followed on the part of the Irving, with a well
written and forcibly delivered Grafton on
Action" Next came Mr.. l.. L. Billingslea,
for the Webster, who made our blood Jingle
by his presentation Of the exeel!eneies and
promises of '0ur Country He was fol.
lowed by Mr.. p. s. Deyilbiss. of Liberty. Nd |
for the Irving. His theme was ,sThourht.i'
and he showed by his superior handling of
how emphatcally he was the man of thought.
With this young iran the Jewel seems 10 be
the most important thing; he troubles him.
self not about the setting. Not that his
speech was wanting in grace Of dietion. for
that was present in abundance. But IL was
so entirely secondary 10 the thoughts he burn.
ed to utter, that all felt the influence az the
latter rather than the former. MANY nro.
nounced this the best speech Of the six Mr.
c. B. Middleton. of Washipoton u q no,y
came forward as the last orator of the Web.
ster, and delighted his audience for twenty.
FIVE minutes with the most beautiful imagery.
the most elegant periods, the most finished
sentences, while he talked Of :. Poetry and
Poets Mr. Middleton was the chosen
champion Of his Society. and nobly did he |
meet his responsibility. When he sat down.
a You Iryines are gone M" WHISPERED the
Websters. Well wait said he Irv;nas
!" until YOU hear the . Echoes'I onr la, man
Mr.. c. L. Wright. Of Hartford county i ~
act fiying'' And well m;ga, ,hsv AZ va,
Mr.. ". seemed falIy cognizant ~ VIA, was
expected Of him. and h. did NOT fall hsIoa
expectatiou. Indeed. he as,on;sbsd sver yb,S
bv The ingen,;,v ~ his ora,;nn ,ha ~.
his Reclamation. and the graceful aow If b;s
language. He has left an echo that will not |
soon cease 10 sound. think alI will asr ,,
,hat h,a orat,a,, o., 49, a.. 49,. -, -. : r