Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1882-05-30
Closing Exercises Of the Augusta Fe.
male Seminary.
Commencement Sermon by Rev. g. B. .trlek1sr D. D.

C0mmencement sermon by Rev. g. b. strlckler ID. d.
On last Sunday night, the First Presbyteri-
an Church. the most spacious In this city, was
nlled to Its utmost capacity by an audience as
sembled to hear the commencement sermon OF
the Augusta Female Seminary" by Rev. g. B.
Strickler. D. D., the able Pastor of Thinking
Spring Church in this county. The exercises
on this interesting occasion were participated
in by Rev. ]. E. Booker of the End, and by Rev.
VIM. e. Baker of the First Presbyterian church.
Rev, Or. Strickler selected as the text Of his
sermon the 9th verse Of the 10th psalm, which
reads as follows:-
20 ho,u loue I thy la,o! II is my meditation all
the day."
After speaking Of the peculiar characteristics
of this psalm which is not only the longest, but
the most remarkable in several respects, he en-
tered upon the subject OF his discourse-the i'm
portance of diligent study OF the scriptures
Whatever reasons there may be for the study
OF any other book, whether for history. philos-
ophy. poetry literary style, or for the practical
duties of life, there are much greater reasons
for studying the scriptures.
It's a reproach to any one not to be familiar
with the scriptures, and much more SO than
not to be familiar with any other book.
It's a book of principles and not Of rules, and
should be thoroughly studied that we may
learn from the whole how to perform the du-
ties imposed by those principles. He explained
that rules imposed duties and told how they
were to be performed; and That principles also
imposed duties, but did not teach the mode OF
their performance.
Owing to the fact that familiarity will create
Indifference or want of regard, the fact that
fun damental truths are made familiar to us by
being Iinned into our ears from youth, makes
us less re.-ardful of them than we should be,
and tn puard against this evil it is necessary
for us to make t.. em subject Of daily medita-
ton. Those who LIN Elm cities cease to observe
Its din and confusion, <nd those who live at
Niagara become SO acoustic oed TO the thunder
GUS roar of the mighty cataract that they fail
to mark it, and we become SO FAM af Win the
glory Of the heavens that the stars tn
Forever sing as they shine,
The hand that made us IL divine"
cease to impress us as they should; and SO it is
with the fundamental truths Of the scriptures
by familiarity they cease to impress us. and
we should mediate upon them "all the day."
It is necessary for the exercise of spiritual
grace that the scriptures should be meditated
all the day. 1t is as necessary to spiritual
growth and life that the principles inculcated
in the scriptures should be properly assimila-
CeQ az IL Is 10 puySlCal CROWN anu lie tuAI Inc
elements of nutrition should be.
Let no one think that 1t is impossible to
make the scriptures subject of meditation
all the day." and every day. David was king
with all the cares and responsibilities of gov
ernment, besides a multiplicity of domestic
and other cares and yet he affirmed that they
were his meditation all the day."
The mother in the late war who had son in
the army, did not neglect any Of her duties, yet
she could truthfully say, that she thought of
her dear boy "all the day.
The music by the choir was excellent.
The annual concert marked feature of the
closing exercises, was given last night by the
pupils of the music classes, vocal and instru-
mental, which reflected great credit upon the
talent and proficiency of the pupils as well as
the skill and diligence of their instructors-
Seventeen pieces Of music, embracing quite q
variety. and some quite difficult. were rendered
in good STYLE In the instrumental music six
pianos and an organ were used AS we were
putting our paper to press whilst this concert
was in progress, we were unable to speak more
specifically OF it.
The exercises will close tonight, and will
consist of reading the report and in awarding
certificates, prizes. diplomas, and medals; cho-
rus by the vocal class; solos by Misses ]. Dale
and M. Jones: and an address to the graduates
by Rev. DR.. Strickler.