Daily Republican., 1879-06-20
WESLEYAN COLLEGE.
Exercises Last Evening-A Large
Attendauce-TheE Exercises Of the

AtteuuAucc-Auo EAoEcASos "a tho
Evening.
The commencement exercises at the
college last evening were well attended.
The attendance was large, and prob
ably had it not been for the threaten
ing state of the evening tie attendance
would have been so excessively great as
to have filled every space of standing
room in the building. The exercises
were short andto each essay and musical
effort was given that strict attention
which merit alone demands.
The stage was occupied by the clergy
of the NJ. Il. church to which denomi-
nation the institution belongs. On the
right the graduates were seated while
upon the left the faculty were represen-
ted.
After devotional exercises by Rev.
DR.. Matlack, p. Il. Misses Lovene Car
derry and Ella Mccullough rendered an
instrumental piano duett "Masenello."
the piece was difficult one, but the
delivery was perfect.
Miss Mary }. Kurtz and Mr.. C. B.
Rhoads then sang duett, Coming
Home," which was highly appreciated
by the audience to judge from the spir-
tied applause that followed.
Miss Georgia Gearhart, of Catawissa,
Pa, in perfectly self-possessed man.
ner and in an attractive and pleasing
tone, gave the salutatory with an essay
''The End not yet." "The world is
drowned with beginnings. Beginnings
but where is an end,' she began, and
upon this aphorism, she before the
minds eye of the audience gave the
worlds existence from the time the first
sun shone upon its vapory imprint as
it evolved from the inmutabilities of
eternity. "Progress dates from eterni
ty, and the first material lesson was
taught in creation" she said and as a
tutor taught that progress thus emana-
ting, will not cease with eternity's in
gulf, which must eventually follow but
live and materialized in the perfecta-
biity Of another sphere. "Let man
feel there is nothing beyond and all
his hopes and aims are laid in the
grave.
This theoretical deduction in its prac.
tical sense embraces the same princi
pie. Nothing beyond 1t quenches
thirst which is as world wide as hu-
manity, and the thoughtful mind would
know not simply this fact but seek its
philosophy" The philosophy of mod
ern progress is progress of IDEAS The
speaker followed up their existence
from the days of mythology, when it
was thought that erebus from the con-
fines of his inferno gave created things
a beginning, down to the present.
To progress is due our ideas of being, of
life. This she considered and as the
thought carried her to the borders of
existence where futurity is but an an
ticipation she hoped that the "time was
nearing when we shall not only under
stand the plan of creation but lift some
corner of the veil which has hitherto
prevented us from forming ideas"
The essay was well written, and very
interesting, and contained many
thoughts that were original.
a well executed piano solo by Miss
Hattie Jones was next rendered. This
was followed by an instrumental solo
by Miss Mccullough. Both received
that appreciation which the superior
ability fthe performers entitled them
to.
"To day king, tomorrow nothing
was a production fresh and racy by
Miss Mary J. kurtz, of Cheltenhau,
Pa. 1t referred to the life of Louis XIV.
and pictured the scene that attended
his demise. How flattererS and friends
toroook him in The hour of his dissolu-
tion, and how the signal that was to
impart the information that the sonl of
the monarch had taken its flight i'll or
der that they might acquant the regal
heir that he was Louis XVI.
From this she drew the conclusion
Of the trailty of human affection.
"Men who are to day beloved or feared
respected or worshiped by their sub
jects are looked upon with aversion and
disrespect. This idea was followed to
its conclusion. The essay was replete
with quotations and historic Incidents;
especially in her consideration of the
mutability Of human works was this
the case. As with Rowe so it is with
the fortunes of man. They crumble.
To-day men have prospects as bril-
liant as the MONDAY sun. No thought
of loss occurs to them theirs is a life
of CAVITY and enjoyment. Fortune
smiles and they are content. But look
you tomorrow and see what differ
phaze is presented. Despnoding and
misery are depicted on their coun te-
nance: This is new existence.
The production gave evidence of con
siderable research and although some
what tending towards verbOsity of
IDEAS and "a perceptible wandering away
from the subject in point, it was Gre
dit to its composer. The clear tone of
voc. and the graceful manner in which
it was delivered gave additional effect.
Prof. Wilson formerly President of the
college then called up the graduates
when President Williams addressed the
class.
After the graduates had taken their
seats Mr.. Williams announced that the
degree of A. M. had been conferred up
on Miss Annie NJ. Houston, daughter of
Rev. James l.. Houston.
Miss Leven Cordery gave most ex-
cellently rendered piano solo entitled
"Cornare," which was followed by a
charming vocal solo "a Queen" by
Miss kurtz who was encOred.
The valedictory address with an essay
"The power of great name," was de-
livered by Miss Annie May Meltz. The
composition at once attracted general
attention from its smoothness of ex-
preston and purity of tone.
The genius of every country claimed
her attention and the literature of poe
l.. t.Ns, uaI, fNn utyt