The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1882-06-14
King College Commencement.

ONAAO6O
NeSSrS. Edators,-The Baccalaureate
Sermon, by DR.. Martin, of Atlanta, Ga,
whose theme was The Banquet Of Wis
dom and Invitation Thereunto," was not
only rare literary production, but it
was feast of fat things, such as the Cos
pei onl y can furnish. The sermon by
DIR. McCallie, of Chattanooga, before the
Young Mems Christian Association,
preached from the text, "Wherewithal
shall a young man cleanse his way" was
the clarion ring of the evangel. A bet
ter sermon to young men l never heard.
Of the poem, read by DIR. Martin on Mon
day night, on The Beautiful, the uni
versal expression was, "It was beauti-
full. The address before the Literary
Societies by Rev. S. R. Preston, of Wythe.
vile, Va, an Alumnus OF the College,
who had carried off the Oratorical Prize
Medal when a student, and of whom
much was expected on the occasion, more
than met expectations. His speech had
the ring of martial spirit He appear
ed as the young warrior in the great life
battle, with spur and plume, but whose
weapons are not carnal. The address
before the Alumni Association, by Rev.
D. o. Byers, of Jonesboro Tenn, was a
little gem. 1t was string of pearls.
In regard to the performances of the
students, have only to say that both
they and their Faculty ought to be salts
fed with the encomiums pronounced by
the most capable to Judge, of those in at
tendance. 1t is now universally accept
ed that King College is a necessity. Its
continuance is fixed. Pure atmosphere,
bold scenery, bright skies, sound Chris
tian morals, and cheap living, all con-
duce to the desirableness of the situation.
Besides, it is in the midst of part of the
country that has furnished more minis
ters to the Presbyterian Church during
the past century than any other of equal
extent between the oceans. DR.. Nelson
who wrote the cause and Cure of Inf
tellty, and Rhea, who sleeps in Persia,
were East Tennesseeans. The history of
King College in putting into the minis
try, within the last ten years, twenty
eight men, is in keeping with former his
tory, With our hundreds: of vacant
churches, and with the rapidly increas-
ing demand for ministers to preach the
gospel at home and abroad invests King
College with a sublime Importance. 1t
bears directly upon the great commission,
Go into all the world and preach my
gospel" While those who have been
laboring in this college ought, probably,
to be satisfied with the past, they are not
content for the future. They must ex-
tend their work and increase its efficiency.
The time has come to plant the banner
on Underground If the stewards of the
Lord want to be able one day to say,
q" Thy pound hath gained FIVE, 1 know
OF no more inviting investment to make
of the Lord money. Messrs. Editors,
commenced to give very brief notice of
the occasion, but "out of the abundance
of the heart the mouth speaketh," and so
| find myself being led off into a plea
for our determined persistence in the past.
and for more than ever in the future.
Allow me to say that the prospects OF
the College were never before so encour-
aging.
P. S. The degree of Doctor of Divinity
was conferred on Rev. E. NJ. Richardson
OF Memphis, Tenn, and Rev. w. V. Will
son, of Max Meadows, Va J. D. It.