The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1875-06-24
Williamson Female College-The Com
mencement Exercises.

teachers, t0ok place on W wednesday ana AnurS-
day of last week. The commencement sermon
was delivered on Wednesday evening by Rev.
J. I. Bonner, D. D., President of the Due West
Female College, in the presence of large and
appreciative audience, who were highly edited
by his learned and excellent discourse.
On Thursday morning. at an early hour, the
streets of Williamson began to assume lively
appearance, and the incoming trains brought
many persons from the neighboring towns and
villages. The people from the surrounding
country we're present in large numbers to attest
their interest in the Williamson Female COL
lege, and at eleven o'clock the throng assem-
bled in the college chapel to hear an address
from Rev. Samuel A. Weber, who had consen-
ted to fill the place only few days before, in
consequence of the unavoidable absence of
Rev. Dr. Mcynardie, of Greenville, who was
previously announced to deliver the literary
address. Mr. Weber selected for his theme
"Science and Religion" and we are assured by
competent judges that this effort was worthy
OF the highest encomiums, evincing great cul-
ture and profound thought upon this interest
ing subject. He maintained with success the
harmony and cooperation existing between
true science and revealed religion, and for the
space of one hour enchained the audience with
his thorough elucidation of the subject. Mr..
Weber is unusually gifted by nature, and his
attainments as q scholar manifest the closest
application and the most studions habits.
The Closing Concert and Graduating Exer-
cises took place On Thursday evening, and it
was our privilege to make one of the vast au-
dience that convened in honor Of the occasion
The chapel was densely crowded, and not less
than six hundred persons were seated by the
gentlemanly ushers before the programme was
entered upon. The opening chorus "Again,
again we meet" was finely rendered by large
class of pupils, after which an earnest and
appropriate prayer was offered by Rev. DIR.
Bonner.
The programme of the concert was admira-
bly, arranged, including vocal and instrumental
music, which comprised sentimental and hu-
morous pieces, just enough of the latter to give
spice and variety to the entertainment In
deed, the introduction of humor was an inno-
vation upon former customs, as we understood
from the remarks of the President who was
we'll satisfied with the experiment, since the
reverend clergy who were present manifested
their appreciation most Enthusiastically. We
were forcibly impressed with the selection of
music, which is usually beyond the comprehen-
sion of ordinary persons and intended to please
cultivated ears, rendering such concerts tedious
to the average listener. But the majority of
pieces were plain and simple, being we'll adap-
ted to promiscuous audience, and yet there
was a suffciency of difficult music to illustrate
the ability and proficiency of teachers and
pupils. We will not enter into particulars,
but cannot refrain from mentioning few pie
ces, with which we were specially delighted.
The vocal duet, "Ah could teach the night
ingale p an old and familiar song, was excel
lently rendered by Misses Clara Lander and
Nina Dukes. "The Lords of Creation" an
other well-known song was sung and acted
with much spirit by Miss Maggie Marion, of
Chester. The vocal duet, "a. B. c." teaching
foreigner to read English, Miss Susie Reid
and Mr.. Lander, was quite amusing and i'm
mensely enjoyed by the audience, which appre-
ciated the efforts of the pupil to instruct the
teacher The chorus, "Greeting to Spring."
by large class of young ladies, also deserves
passing notice for its beauty and appropriate
rendition. The juvenile glee, by the "Try'
Company, consisting of thirteen sweet and ina'
teresting little girls, opened the second part of
the concert, and was decided success. The
duet for two pianos, "Home Sweet Home"
was exquisitely performed by Miss Susie Reid
and Miss Julia Archer. The musical enter
tajnment closed with the song of the gradua-
ting c'ass, "This Seventeenth of june" an
original and appropriate production, which
was touchingly and expressively rendered by
the graduates, Misses Julia Archer, L. Gray,
C. Lawton and Sallie Mcmillan. The entire
concert was creditable to the scholars and to
the institution, and demonstrated the care be-
slowed in giving instruction, resulting in accu-
rate music and graceful ease in its perform
ance.
The exercises were interrupted soon after
beginning the second part by violent storm
of wind and rain, which at one time nearly
caused panic among the spectators. For the
comfort of the audience, the large windows Of
the chapel had been entirely removed, and
when the storm came the rain beat in furously,
the lamps were blown out and the crowd was
hurried to the opposite side of the room, many
seeking safety and security by repairing to the
main building. The wind grew stronger, and
the lightning's constant fash revealed terror
stricken audience, where only few moments
before all was happiness and serenity. 1t was
q fearful sight to behold, and when President
Iander calmed the audience by feW words Of