The daily gazette., 1879-06-16
FIRST EDITION.
TO THE GRADUATING CLASS.

TO THE GRADUATING CLASS.
REV. j. NJ. WILLIAMS, A. M, breaches
THE BACCALAI REATE SERMON TO
THE GRADUATING. CLASS OF 10, OF
WESLEYAN FEMALE COLLEGE.
Yesterday (SundA morning, Rev. J.
NJ. Williams, the principal Of Wesleyan
Female College, preached the Baccalau
reate sermon before the graduating class
of that institution, at Grace church. The
reverend gentleman spoke from st.
Paul's 1st Epistle tp Timothy; Nv chap
ter and 10Th verse {: "1ake heed unto
thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue
in him for in doing this thou shalt both
save thyself, and them that hear thee"
In commencing, be said that in search
ing the field of themes, he did so, looking
for one that would give the most and
best results, and he had selected the one
just announced, not because it was the
most appropriate Of all, but because it
had no susperior, and suited the occasion
well. 1t was importantthat the whole
lesson contained In the test, should be
impressed on the minds of the congrega-
tion, and the reverend speaker said that
while endeavoring to do so, he would ask
special attention to the latter clause !:
'.for in doing this thou shalt both save
thyself and those that hear thee"
Every woman has mission and a task
assigned to her, which she is expected to
do. In doing it she is not expected to
make show and in but few cases comes
forth from the usual walks of life. She
may not teach in the synagogues nor on
| the corners of the street, but there Is
some place, some quiet and secluded cor
ner, where an influence is exerted,
through which strong and potent force
for good may go out that will continue
for all time. The influence of woman
for good is illustrated every where we
turn; and nearly every object with which
we come in contact, teaches the lesson.
In the National Picture Gallery at the
Capitol, where the portraits Of the Ma
tion's Presidents are arrayed side by
side, is one picture which bears out and
depicts this influence with great force. 1t
is that of General Washington, just after
he has been elected President, and he has
come to bid his mother farewell, before
starting for Philadelphia. On that occa-
sion she told him they should never meet
alive again. The picture represents him
resting his head W pon the shoulder ofhis
mother, weeping. From this picture we
have an example that let's us know that
the tender and upright characters Of our
great men are not formed by what passes
before the public gaze, but by .quieter
and more modest influence, that works
in the seclusion of the home-circle and
the fireside. Won ans influence did it !;
but it works in a very quiet and unas-
suming way. 1t is not to be public
one, although in these days they are
pressing themselves forward in the walks
of life but the day when they can, in a
public way, do much good is far distant.
Woman's influence must be exerted on
the individual and be personal one. 1t
must never lag or swerve, and used con-
stantly becomes a powerful centre around
the home circle. Beyond the home cir
Gle, in the social " orld is beautiful field
for the exertion Df this influence and
great opportunities are held out there. 1t
connot be question ned but that every one
has an influence, and while they must
vary in strength, none shall live for
themselves alone and attend so much to
themselves, that instead Of giving out
good influence, one decidedly to the re-
verse is sent forth
The reverend speaker then addressed
the graduating class, saying that the par
ticular sphere in which they were calcu.
lated to shine as leaders, because theil
intellectual advantages fitted them fol
such, would be proper field for them tt
use an Influence for much good. Whethe
they would be leaders in society wa!
optional with them alone. Every edu
Gated woman does not aspire to be |
leader in the social world, although
she is fitted for it. Here an infiuenc'
for bad as we'll as for good, coult
easily be exerled. Friends would b.
found who would constantly come fo
advice and course ofthe afier-life of man!
of those persons may depend upon th'
advice gwen them. The preacher ther
drew an illustration from q SCULPTOR
work and followed the gradual transition
of the marble from rough block of ston'
to beautiful figur re. Aslngle mis-strok'
might spoil the whole work. So 1t wa
with giving advice: A single wrong O
improper instruction may mar human
soul.
They should instruct and enlighten II
the hest OF their ability, as well as advis'
| property 1uCy ohouAu ~c @AAAOuS W
place in the help of each of their com
panions such information as she need
aud use their energies to mould thei
, characters in such way as would enabl
them to become good daughters, wive
and mothers. In society this same cours'
should be followed but regulated, y
course, according to publicity. Such les
sons should be given as Will be q proht
In the social world 1t Is really necessar!
to teach by mod st demeanor and q low,
of God, and by the avoidance of all low
= or adoption of show. God intended al
, to be beautiful in soul and it Is the dut
of all to make the mselves as beautiful a
= they can. In doing so, expenditure
e should be regulated according to means
and no one was justified or excused II
adorning the body at the expense OF tn
mind or to the detriment Of the soul
The nobility of soul was first to be OBJ
served and to be cultivated more thai
} that of mind and the nobility of min,
more than attention to the body.
The reverend speaker then alluded t,
woman's sphere ih the church. A chris
.ian woman's influence was almost in
comprehensive in its redeeming scope
e A woman can preach more to the charac
d ter than man, and . word or a lool
!, from her at times might be more poten
D than sermon.
:, Iu their christian demeanor, he advis
, ed the class to be bright, confident au
J, happy but at all times to be religion.
Il that good influence might be felt. Il
ouard.d them AGAINST too much show q