Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1878-06-18

ingl End in Highland county, one of lbs and the
other of zoos acres.
~ Commencement Sermons.
WESLEYAN FEMALE INSTITUTE.
The annual commencement sermon, and the
sermon before the Young Ladies Christian As
ISOLATION of the Wesleyan Female Institute
were delivered in the Methodist Church on last
Sunday, at IL o'clock, A. NJ, and 8, P. NJ, by
Revs. w. K. Boyle, of Alexandria, and w. E.
Edwards, of Portsmouth, Va, respectively. The
church was crowded on both occasions. The
young ladies of the school were seated on the
stage erected for the commencement exercises,
and they presented a most happy and lovely
appearance.
We regret that want Of space prevents us CIV
ing more extended notice Of these mostinter-
esting and eloquent discourses.
The commencement sermon In the morning,
by Rev. W. K. Boyle. was very appropriate. and
was delivered in a most pointed, clear and In
teresting style. The following Is a brief and
imperfect sketch:
and wonderfully made."-Psatns 1879: l4th verse.
The things with which we have been familiar
from childhood do not often engage our scrutiny
we constantly seek new things. The marvel
Gus is heard with interest, while subjects d
practical value become as an loft told tale."-
All around us we can find abundant evidences
of the Lords wisdom and skill, but the noblest
study of them all is man.
Of him only is it said, he is "fearfully and
and wonderfully made" The soul and body
were recognized as distinct and separable, and
yet have points of contact which seem to be
points of union. The one is immortal, the 9TH
er sinks to decay.
The cry of David in the text intimates that
the wonders of existence were to him a source
ofjoy and an inspiration to praise, and it ought
to similarly affect US.
Each part of the body of man is marvelously
adapted for the use for which it was designed,
and the dependency of one upon the other is
astonishing. An attack at any one part is in
stantly telegraphed to every other part. The
sense of touch may be SO educated that mans
eyes may be said to be in the ends of his fin
gers. How wonderful the recuperative power,
by which disease is thrown from the system
The hand being wounded, the factis telegraphed
to every part of the body, and vital force flows
quickly to the spot to restore and heal, and
soon the wound is healed and forgotten. Sure
ly we are wonderfully made"
As to the nature and functions of the soul =
it is from Coda spark of Divinity-the breath
of God, and therefore inlnaortdl-only Eternity
affords it sufficient scope. No one can say where
the natural ends or the spiritual begins. Our
bodily powers ought to be carefully preserved
and developed by proper use. We have no right
to dwarf our bodies at fashions demand, or
misuse any of their powers. "a sound mind
can only exist in a sound body" and our hap
pinesss is involved in a proper care for our
physical powers.
But much more is this true as to our spiritual
nature. 1t should be united to its author and
Lord SO that it may draw life and find growth
and be qualified for Heaven, and united, on the
resurrection morning, to a spiritual body, and
we shall share in. our Lords; final triumph
and through eternity use those marvellous
powers, vastly augmented by immortality. to
our ever increasing personal happiness and
the glory of God.
At s clock, P. NJ, the Rev. w. E. Edwards,
Of Portsmouth, Va, preached the annual SER
mon before the Young Ladies' Christian Asso-
citation, The house was crowded to its utmost
capacity and he held them in breathless atten-
ton for about one hour. We have space only
for brief outline of his remarks. The text
was from Mark xiii 34-"And to every man his
york."
He introduced the discussion by noticing the
connection of the text with the parable of tai
ents and also with that of the servants.
The general subject adduced from the text
was-The arork of life in its yaaols concon,it1,ats
"a diUi,e designation.
After some remarks indicating the fact of a
special life-work for every individual the en-
quirv was raised
I. What is the character of this acork?
The Scriptures declared it to be the consecra-
ton of self to God, which is identical with the
highest purity and holiness, and what is so
revealed in Scripture is as manifestly involved
in the existence of conscience. This work sep
arates into two distinct branches:-
l. IL contemplates the culture of indivit1ual char
dcter. This is the highest and hottest demand
that can be exacted of us. The soul is to be dis
ciplined and fashioned into form of beauty
that will grace the palace of the Great King.
2. II contenplates the temporal and spiritual
good of others. Society has its claims upon us.
We are to minister to its wants and enlist all
It's energies in the contamination of the far
reaching purposes indicated in ancient proph-
ecy.
After some discussion of these points the
speaker declared that there was antagonism
between these two classes of duty-each essen
tial to the perfection of the other. Therefore,
every opportunity for good is divine call to
relieve the unfortunate and means of spirit
ual discipline.
IL. The Instruments for the work. These are
as numerous and diversified as the talents with
which we are endowed. The general endow-
ments and facilities for usefulness are truly wo-
mans as mans: yet there are certain particu-
lars connected with those endowments and IA
cilities as exhibited in woman which invest
her with special influence in society.
The speaker here Indicated som O of tho ft,;,<r-
which distinguish woman's influence in socie-
ty, andwhich are accepted as her special tai
ents, and urged upon the young ladies ad-
dressed, the responsibility involved in their
Improvement The talents in themselves are
devoid of moral character. They make us neith-
er Inc better nor the worse. All depends upon
The use to which we devote them.
III. The Equipment for the work. This eouip-
ment is found in the proper adjustment of per-
sonal relation to God through Christ. We need
God
|. 10 put us in sympathy with our work,
J. Io render our work acceptable to God,
.. 10 render our work successful,
1hus equipped We are prepared for the war
rare Of life In college life or in the busy world
we can do something for God. The work and
It's results will not always be according to our
antclpatlons. These are, however, with God.
floenty Is ours. Severe hardships may be
placed upon US, but God will manifest in His
own good time the wisdom of his injunctions,
Faithful toll may seem to DO in vain, but He
who is Infinite in His resources will illumine
the darkness, and bring lasting good from
seeming disappointment.
The results OF all toll undertaken in the right
spirit, must, in the final issue of life, commend
itself to our judgment
~. The Rei0ard Of the aoork. The day OF final
account will come. The laborers will strike of
rom work. The Master will call them into
His presence to reckon with them according to