The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1876-06-22
Wesleyan Female Institute.

OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
FERRING OF DIsTINCTIoNs-AwARD
OF MEDALS AND DIPLOMAS.
The commencement exercises of this pros
nerous and Justly celebrated institution Of
learning, of which Rev. VIM. A. Harris is
President, began on last Sunday morning,
with a sermon to the young ladies, by the Rev.
Aplieus W. Wilson, ID. D., of Washington
city. In the Methodist church q large plat
form had been erected. upon which were seat
ed the pupils Of the school. The church
proper and galleries were crowded to their Ca
pacities The sermon of Mr.. Wilson was
founded on IL Corinthians, V chapter and l3
verse FOR aohether ve be beside ourselves, 1t IS
to God or achether aoe be sober, II is for yoatr
cause" and was throughout one of rare inter-
est. The manner of the speaker is impressive,
his articulation clear and distinct, and his Ian
guage chaste and elegant. The latter part OF
the DISCOURSE which was addressed particular
ly to the young ladies, contained many beau
tiful ideas and word paintings.
Rev. S. S. Ros ,ell, of Harrsonburg, was
expected to deliver the sermon before the
Young Ladies Christian Association on Sum
day night, but for some reason he did not APP
pear, and the Rev. Mr.. Wilson supplied his
place-delivering a most excellent sermon
from the text ''VerAy say uato you, achere-
soeusr this gospel shall be preached in the schole
acorld, there shall also this, that this aconaan
hath done be told as a memorial Of her," Mat
thew, oath chapter, and 18th verse. The mu-
sic by the choir excited universal comment
and admiration, the selections being the an
thems, ODE joyful IN tie Lord" and "lEighty
Jehouah.''
LEE AND JACKSON SOCIETY CELEBRATION.
Monday night was devoted to the final cele
bration of the Lee and jackson Literary So
ciety, which numbers as its members about
one-half of the pupils of the school, and which
from the evidences afforded on Monday night
forms one OF the most attractive features of the
Institute. The aim and object of this organi-
cation is the literary culture of its member,
and Il closer companionship, anda keener in
sight into individual character 1t excitesa com
mon sympathy, aud promotes a common good,
uniting its members by stronger ties than those
OF mere school fellowship, and teaching each
to more justly appreciate that which is COM
mendable in the character of Others As the
pupils, tastefuly and handsomely dressed,
filed into the church, presenting all array OF
bright, hapl faces and sparkling eyes. which
made many bachelors heart start up an un
usual patter, the members of the society, took
their seats on the left of the pulpit, and those
who were not members, occupied the benches
Oh the right. The exercises commenced with
the execution in Il manner worthy of Prof.
Rubenstien and his talented pupils of '.Marcie
Miitaiie"--Op. 81. No. 81 Pidnos-Schu-
bert. by Misses G.. johnson, VI. Colett, NJ.
Weldon, X. Downs, Y. Bnrrus, T. White, NJ.
Fort. and y. Keith, and was followed by an
earnest, fervent and impressive prayer,
after which came the salutatory essay. by
Miss Kate Downs, OF Texas. Both the compo-
sition and delivery o. this essay reflected cred
it on the fair salutatorian. 1t is {, subject
which has been so frequently eNpatiated upon,
that ole clli scarcely venture on it without tread
ing i'll the foot y: nts OF these who have gone
before, and who have narrowed the confines Of
originality To siic' circunscri6ed limits as to
afford only 10 the keenest invention any re-
Ma:ti for lbs lalJor-. The Fo:;ng lady, howcr-
ever, while not departing from the text, prov
ed how attractive tareadbare subject can be
made. and how the details OF IN Oft told tale
may be fashioned into interest under tie skill
full touch OF genius.
Miss Al Ice Keith. of kcntacky read So
ciety essay. Oh .'WIiat are the wild waves say
ing" in Which WIRE expressed many beaut-
full thoughts, and ideas which could only have
cultivated woman. l. was read clearly and
distinctly.
In the essay of Miss Lizzie Lear, of Missis-
ippi, on the Evils of Filtration was contain
ed much sound advice, and good counsel to
her fellow students who are just stepping from
the threshold of school days into the radiant
sunlight of belledom, and its adjacent realm
Irritation. The essayist denied any personal
knowledge OF the art, and seemed familiar on
~ with its sombre side, but she developed
many true womanly thought, which, if they
did not fall on stony ground, may perhaps yield
its hundred fold, but the merry, sparkling eyes
around her seemed to accept the profered
counsel with a few grains of salt and the de-
termination to trespass just q little OH the
forbidden ground. The composition was wor-
thy of the head and heart of noble represen-
tative of her sex, and was justly appreciated
by the audience.
The society proved its wisdom in selecting
Miss NJ. Lewis Figgatt, of Virginia, as its
President and valedictorian. Her essay poses
sed unusual merit, and was about the best we
have heard on an occasion of this kind. Each
idea was clearly defined, and clothed in the
chastest language.
All the essayists exhibited grace and perfect
self-possession as they appeared before the
audience, and their compositions were read
with the confidence of accomplished elocution-
lists.
The address before the society was by Rev
S. A. Steele, OF Richmond, who chose for hi;
subject mistakes" This subject he divided
under four heads, viz: 1t is mistake for a
girl to suppose that education only rounds and
and finishes, so that the scholar may become
an accomplished votary of society; it is a mis-
take to suppose that life is all a fction--that
it is not real and earnest: it is mistake to be
an old maid ; it is mistake
wish yourself other than you are. Each 81