Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1879-07-03
The McNeeiy Normal School
OnImencement.
HoPEDALE. June 21st, 1875

HOPEDALE, June 21St, 1879.
Mr.. EDITOR is Commencement
week at the McNeely Normal School
1t is the Mecca to which the old gradu.
ates and pupils yearly turn their steps
that they may lay another offering upon
its altar, and rekindle the fires of its de.
vOtiOn at its shrine. This year has been
no exception to the rule. The exercises
began with the Baccalaureate address, on
Sunday last, delivered by the Rev. Jami-
son. 1t was replete with good advice
and Christian zeal, aiming to instill a
fervent and devout spirit in those about
to leave the institution as graduates
Public examinations of the undergrad
uates occupied the attention of the Fac
ulty from Monday until Thursday
On Thursday evening the public meet
ing of the Alumni Association took place
in Gymnasium Hall, which was filled to
overtiOwing with an attentive and ap.
preciative audience. Many of the
Alumni were present, and enjoyed the
reunion as only those can who are bound
together by common ties of love for a
common mother. Addresses were de.
livered by Miss Maddox of Short Creek
Mr.. Poulson of Sharpsburgh, Pa, and
Prof. J. L. Hunt of New York City
These addresses reflected honor upon
the association and elected the approval
of the many present.
The performances were enlivened by
excellent music from the HOpedale Or.
chestra, led by Prof. Bigger The Nor
NAL School sent out its first graduating
class in 1857. Year by year it has been
4 70 ha hox hoI
the education, skill and zeal fitting them
for the great work of public instruction
In almost every part of the Union these
graduates are found occupying places of
honor and trust in all the walks of pro-
fessional and commercial life. They
utter no uncertain sounds concerning
the great problems of the time; every
where they reflect the spirit and teach
ings of the Normal School.
Friday, the Commencement Day, came,
and with it day of exquisite lovelineSs
and beauty. The skies smiled in regal
splendor. and joy ushered in the morn
ing. At an early hour crowds came
from far and near, the school grounds
were thronged with old pupils, friends
and strangers. At ten o'clock the exer-
cises were to begin, but long before that
hour the gymnasium was packed, and
several hundreds were forced to remain
without.
This institution retains its place in
the hearts of its pupils and the public.
1t has never been a public beggar for
endowment funds; it has never catered
to the corrupt taste for superficial in
struction; it has never lowered its stan
dard of excellence; it has always upheld
the strictest morality; it has always con-
served the public interests, hence the
public appreciate its public perfOrman-
ces, knowing that they will not seek a
fish and get stone.
At the appointed hour the platform
was occupied by the graduating class
and Faculty of the school. We noticed
the following gentlemen from distant
places who had come for the express
purpose of visiting the scene of their
former labors: Prof. Edwin Regal, a
former President of the school; Prof. Il.
Il. Tappan, former President of but
now Professor in Kenyon College, Ohio,
and Prof. j. l.. Hunt, of New York City,
Vice Principal of the Normal School