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

vals all night. Notwithstanding this, howev
Ell, the large Church was well filed, and the en-
tertainment q genuine 6 feast of reason and
flow OF soul.''
Rev. DR.. Clark, of Lexington, a minister
We'll known in this community, delivered ar
earnest and appropriate prayer, and after NH
sic by the 'Stonewall' Brigade Band, Miss
Lizzie Perry; Of Texas, as the sautaterian, de,
livered an essay, with faultless elocution.
which abounded in the most beautiful thoughts,
spGed by an tindercurrent Of wit and delicate
irony: She was followed by Miss Alice Bal
lentine, of Virginia, in 4 society essay, the
subject Of which was: g Virginia, remember thy
Heroes" Beginning with word painting OF
this fair land as it blossomed fifteen years ago.
she sketched it's history through those dark and
trying hours until the end Of the struggle was
achieved at Appomattox, and then dwelt upon
the fame OF those two great captains OF history,
who had given name to the society, and
scendants Of southern races, through all ages
| to come.
The address OF Miss Pope Echols, Of Geor-
ga. ON g Footprints on the sands of Time >
counseled earnest and persistent effort on she
part Of those of her comrades who were Just
stepping over the threshold of womanhood,
and who will ere long be called upon to per-
form those arduous labors which only wo-
mans tender hand and loving patience can ac-
complish. Taking as an example the careers
OF Lee and jackson, she showed how each
nigh. improve and multiply her talents and
leave behind monuments in the hearts Of those
who love her, which would prove more lasting
and durable than storied urn or sculptured
shaft.
| Miss Matte Harris, of Staunton, the retir-
| ing President of the Society, read the vale
dictory essay, which was splendidly composed
and would have been finely delivered, but for
q hoarseness, produced: we suppose, by the
dampness OF the atmosphere. She alluded in
feeling terms to her long connection with the
Society, how, together with loving companions,
she had striven for the accomplishment OF the
| moral mental and social elevation Of those
! who had banded themselves together under
! the name of Lee and jackson, and how hard
it was to part with schOolijates. and especially
her fellow-members of the Society,"
If there was one thing more than any other.
conspicuous in these essays, it was the absence
of the sIereotyped sentences with which per-
sons have been accustomed to associate school
girl compositions. These efforts eyinced
careful research, originality and vigorous NEIL
tai capacities, proving beyond doubt that the
young ladies have taken advantage Of the SUI
perior instruction offered at this College, and
go forth in their different spheres of life with
minds well latlened with the most useful and
practical lessons, as well as adorned and beau
tilted by the graees aud accomplishments
which constitute the ornaments of society.
Between the essays, some magnificent
music was performed by the Band.
Hon. RIO. Mills was the announced orator, but
for some reason the Mills refused to grind.''
as was wttily remarked, and Prof. Points in
troduced the sRev DR.. Deems, Of New York
city, who, for over half an hour, entertained
the audience in most felicitous manner. He
began by saying that "like Mrs. Partingten,
he never opened his mouth but that he got his
foot into it," and, after a witty prelude,
opened on the grand theme of his address
which was u biblical text: s. And the root Of
the matter was in job" It was not q sermon,
however, but the finest extemporaneous adj
dress to which we have ever listened, embody-
ing plain, hard common sense, pathos and
/ eloquence. We have net the space at our
disposal to even skeetonizes it, and can give
nothing of our own that would do justice to
the speaker.