The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1878-03-26
MORGANTOWN LETTER.
MonoAaToYx, MARCH e, 1s7s.

Edition. Inlelligencar:
Examinations are still going on at the
University. So far the atudents have
generally passed very fair examinations.
they will close on next Tuesday.
There are now and have been a series OF
evening meetings held in the Baptist
church by Rev. Jordan, the pastor, assist-
ed by Rev. NJ. d. Lee.
The last Junior and Senior perform.
ances OF the year occurred to-day, begin
ming ut 2 p. N. A very good sized audi
ence was present and listened attentiyely
10 the various performances. Being n
able TO write up any notes on the per-
formance, n member Of the Freshman
class very kindly furnished us with the
following:
The exercises were opened with a piece
OF instrumental music by Miss Susie
Moore, the organist for the occasion.
MIR. Spencer Wade, Of the junior class,
gave as the frat performance an Grafton
on the subject Of "Prison Reform" The
object Of the speaker was to chow the
disastrous results TO both the mind and
body Of conyicts by the present System OF
punishment In prisons, and 70 insist that
there should be a "prison reform" He
urged that the good work begun by John
Howard be carried on until our prisons
should be instruments 10 raise debased
men from their fallen condition rather
than TO sink them lower in degradation.
Mr.. Wade's delivery was somewhat more
energetic than usual, but there Is still
room for variety.
The next was an essay by Mr.. g. W.
Purinton. Of the Junior Glass; subject
"Chance." The gentleman endeayoredto
show that there ia no such thing rs
chance, that everything ia brought about
in accordance with direct law. To use
his W words, "Chance is o nonentity."
When men see things they cannot ac-
count for they attribute them to "Chance."
The designs Of God are accomplished by
no uncertain means. The performance
was very we'll delivered.
The remainder Of the performers were
Of the Senior Class.
MIR. A. +. Courtney, essay; subject
"Chiuese Immigration Mr.. Courtney
takes the ground that Chinese immigra-
ton wa beneficial rather than detrimen-
tai to the interests OF u country. he
brought forth some very able arguments
in support Of his views, but we have not
sufficient space 10 mention them. The
gentleman had a subject Of vital import
ance, and treated It in a manner high
" creditab!e to himself. We are inclin-
ed TO think this performance was better
than he has given heretofore.
Mr.. J. NJ. Lee, GRAFTON, subject: Money
the American IDOL" The speaker dwelt
at length upon the devotion to money
and the labors Of all persons 10 obtain
it, forcibly showing that 1t is the "Ameri-
can Idol.d BE mentioned the three tests
for first class society breeding, Brains
and Bullien," but he thinks in this coun-
try II a man has plenty of Bullion he
can get along without the others. Mr..
Lees Grafton was very highly appreciate
ed by all present.
Essay BY Mr.. B. s. Morgan, subject:
GByron.n Mr.. Morgan'sessay was princi-
pally some comments upon the character
and works OF this great poet. He dealt
Justly with his subject, showing both the
good and the bad traits Of Byron, point
Ing out his excellencies and deficiencies
in such a manner as 10 give to his hearers
a good idea Of the character OF Lord
Byron. He introduced several fine pas.
sages from the works Of the poet, which
he rendered with fine effect.
He was followed by Mr.. e. ]. Marsh
with an Grafton on the subject "king
Lear"
The gentlemen after commenting some
on Shakespeare and giving the character
istics Of several Of his chief plays said,
"For expression" OF emotion the deepest;
pathos, the noblest, and grief most sub.
lime, all must point to "King Lear" He
gave the plot Of the play and many quo.
tations which he reduced in good style.
Essay by Mr.. A. G. Dayton; Subject,
HSlayery Of Modern Thoughts" Mr.
Dayton argued that although when we
compare modern ideas with those Of
ancient times, we seem to have reached
the uitimatum, yet the mind has far TO 50
before IL will be emancipated from is
thralldom. But, the time will come, he
says when thought will cast of the shack.
les which now bind it and be free and in.
dependent.
The gentleman's production was very
good and was well received.
The last performance was an Grafton
by Mr.. Daniel Rich; subject, "Cannons
Never Cease to Roar" The speaker adj
yanced the idea that 1t is on account Of
war that the world has attained to is
present stage Of progress. he says: "By
war dangerous forms Of error have been
swept away. The frequency Of ancient
wars show how great was the effort to
advance the race a step. Nations securing
their own freedom fought from principle
rather than necessity" Mr.. Rich, as he
always does, gave US good thoughts fore
IDLY and clearly expressed.
Prof. Pnrinton, with the college choir,
as usual, furnished excellent music for
the occasion. PHMANDER.
81