The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1875-06-17
Wesleyan Female Institute.


ladies were inaugurated on last ounda.
morning by d sermon from Rev. Chas. l
Deems. d. D., of New York. pastor OF Tn
s.Church of the Strangers OF that city. III
discourse was based upon the 3rd verse OF TN
4th chapter of Phillipians:-S And L entrea
thee also, true yokefellow, help those women
which labor with ME in the gospel, with Glen
ent also, and with other, my fellow aperer
whose names are in the book OF llfe' IL Wa'
discourse OF rare beauty, force ana apo
siteness. Indeed, it was the only sermon we hay
ever heard that really fitted such an occasion
Without any strained effort at gilt-edged ne
ures. or polished sentences to captivate the sV
perficial taste, from the beginning to the clos
of his remarks, he brought out in promlneh
relief the great truth that the death OF Chris
dated the era of woman's elevation to ne
true sphere, and hedged around her those asso
Citations and opportunities which tended e
the development Of her full capacities Tor TN
promotion of the cause of pure morals ana re-
ligion. Contrasting her condition as it existed
previous to the Sacrifice on the Gross, witt
what it was afterwards, and is now, in strain
Of unstuded eloquence and affecting pathos
he pointed out the avenues of duty for VIRGIN
Wife and Widow - in moulding character ant
advancing the interest of the Kingdom o
Christ, and closed by an earnest appeal to thu
young ladies Of the Institute, who were seatet
all around him attired in white, to aspire high
er than the mere trappings and tinsels OF di es
and gaudy display, to standard OF moral ex
cellence and beauty that would fit them to be
come yokefellows and laborers in the cause O.
the Redeemer.
DR.. Deems manner of speaking is exceed
ingly impressive, without the flerid e1uber
ance which too frequently destroys the effect
iveness of pulpit efforts, and his subject mat
ter, arranged in logical order, enforced by ar
earnestness which gives evidence that the SEN
timen he utters come yelling up from SOU
overflowing with christian love for his fellow
man, and a singleness of purpose to do good
to his hearers, and promote the great cause to
which his life is devoted.
The Church on Monday night was well filled
On a large platform surrounding the pulpit
were seated the young ladies Of the Institute
This night was devoted to the Final Exerci-
SEES OF the Young Ladies' Christian Association,
and as the school filed into church those be-
longing to the Association took their stand on
the right, whilst the remainder occupied the
benches on the left. Whether or not this ar
rangement was typical of the grand separa-
ton eventually to be made, when nations, not
school girls, shall occupy similar positions, we
are not authorized to say, but if the choice had
been given us either to be numbered with those
on the right or those ON the left it would have
taken natural lifetime to have decided.
After fervent and eloquent prayer by the
Rev. DR.. Deems, Of N. Y, Miss Lizzie Daniels
class, supported by several male voices, sang a
chorus s'Rianbow." and Miss Ida Steagall, Of
Texas, read the Salutatory essay. Miss Stea-
gall was rather frightened at first, but soon
overcome her embarrassment and finished hel
beautiful composition with much credit to her
self.
The first duet of the evening was ''Ruth ant
Miss Hutcheson's voice is clear, strong, very
distinct and finely cultivated, while that O
Miss Hoffman is a deep, mellow alto, which
impresses every listener with its richness AM
rarity. The duet was a splendid perform
ance.
The Society essay of Miss Mary Hubbard, o
Texas, on the s'Fall of Man, gave lovely pic
ture Of Paradise before 1.-THE entrance of sim
Such picture as could only present itself to ;
pure and womanly mind. 1t was fine pro
duction and well delivered.
A Trio ''Distant Chimes, -'by Misses F. Reed
NJ. Miller and Hoffman received much applause
The careful training of Miss Daniel was mos
successfully demonstrated in this trio. Tn
sweetness and strength of Misses Reed ant
Miler's voices blending with the deeper note
OF Miss Hoffman, produced most delightful
harmony.
christian Fellowship was the subject 0
Miss Louie Figgat's essay, and she handled i
with ability. Beginning with the lowest 0
the insect creation she traced the fellowship
through all the intervening stages, until tn
highest type-man-was reached, and dwellin,
on this last handiwork Of the creator, presente
some forcible and excellent thoughts. Mis-
Fggat was followed by Miss Kate Downs, o
Texas, in Society essay on the Beauties 0
Nature" The fruitful theme received ampl
justice at the hands of the fair essayist, who's
chaste and beautiful ideas proved that Nature
dowry to her had been improved and cultivate
until it blossomed into luXuriant maturity.
After chorus, Miss Bette Thornton, of Tex
rs, delivered an essay. The text chosen wa
''All things Of earth pass away Nothing
true but Heaven" and the production through
out was an unusual one. In vivid words sh
| ness, compared with the joy and bliss of tina
Home beyond the skies, and the futility O
mans efforts for distinctions in the world be
low, whilst Heavens honors were freely offere
to all who would come and drink of the s'livin
waters.''
The duet "Holy Mother Guide his Footsteps
sung by Misses Thornburg and Turner wa
very fine. Both of the young ladies posses
soft, sympathetic voices, which were partic11
larly adapted to the prayerful pathos of tn
song.
The President Of the Association. Miss Mar,
B. Campbell, of Virginia, delivered the Vale
dictory with such distinctness that every wor,
could be heard from any seat in the house,
They were words, too, That one could not at
ford to lose, especially her touching farewell t.
Principal, Teachers, school mates, and fellow