River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1875-09-03
The Dedication.


as well as local history. Ii was day
OF pride for this place, FOR Pierce coun-
ty, and for the st. Croix Valley. 1t
was day of rejoicing but not Of tu-
mult--a day of praise and thankful
ness, expressed in actions, words and
song. But of this we will forbear to
speak farther, since it is only Of the
exercises on that occasion that we now
propose to write. And to these we
have neither time nor space in this issue
10 do justice, and more especially to
the addresses of Supt. Soaring, Prof
Parker, Mr.. Starr,and other distinguish
ed speakers. The exercises took place
in the Grand Hall of what may now be
termed beautiful Temple of Science,
and it might be sufficient to say that
they were all Of the highest and most
appropriate character. holding the au.
dience as with a magic spell from the
opening anthem to the closing chorus.
Yet we shall not stop with notice so
brief, or an account so meager, and,
whatever may be the result of this
hasty sketch, we may speak Of them
hereafter.
The exercises, in the main, consisted
of an Anthem from the Choir, Invocation
PRAYER, followed by a chorus from
Mozarts Twelfth Mass. Then came
the presentation speech by Mr.. Starr,
passing over the property to the care
and custody Of the proper authorities,
and the response by President Parker.
This exercise was followed by the
reading, and singing by the Choir, of
the following Ode, written for the &C.
casion by Prof. G. W. Pratt:
Beyond the reach Of mortal sight,
Fair science wings her lofty flight,
But comes to earth her sens to bless,
With beams of light and righteousness.
She builds her temples mid the spheres,
Her glory crowns the circling years;
Planets aud suns around her shine
Filling the earth with light divine.
We come with oyous hearts to-day,
And round her al homage pay;
And while our lip. ler praises sing,
Our hands rich, gift SHALL bring.
We rear for her this Temple shrine;
With wreaths of love the gift we twine;
The Goddess, pleased, accepts the prize;
Pointing Ia beauty to the skies.
Aud next in order came feast of rich
things in the brief addresses made by
the different members Of the Board of
Regents, not one Of whom failed to
touch rich vein of wit or wisdom, or
of both. And next in order came a
grand Hosanna Chorus by the Choir.
This was followed by the able Address
of Prof. Soaring Last, though not
least, came from the Choir, that grand
old Chorus from Haydn's Creation,
"Achieued are Thy Glorious Works"
etc.
Never in the history Of this place
was there really more enthusiasm felt
upon any occasion. Yet there was but
little outward expression, and no useless
display What was the privilege Of
one was no less the privilege Of all; and
what was the duty of one was no less
the duty of ALTO make the most Of
this opportunity, with the least possible
demonstration.
The occasion brought among us many
strangers who are expected to take up
their abode here, aud remain in our
midst, and thus the new associations
this day formed possess an unusual in.
terest, aud there is attached to them an
important significance. The occasion
passed-its events recounted, = its
pleasure long anticipated now fully
realized, we separate for season to en-.
JOY in silence those grand reunions so
often found only in the most lively
pictures Of the imagination.
As that which impresses, or pleases
us last, always needs to be disposed Of
FIRST, we shall devote the remainder Of
this article to an attempt to do justice
to the Choir, aud their performances
on this occasion. AS we write from
the impulse Of the moment, we may be
a little lavish in our praise, though We
think there is no danger, since all who
were present will agree Gas we verify
belicye) that they there got one notch