The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1882-08-26

Reported for the Democratic Advocate.

reported for the Democratic Advocate.
The readers of the ADVOCATE have been
advised of the project of Rev. J. L. Ward,
d. D., of building an additional Hall to ac-
commodate the increasing number of students
of Western Maryland College. When his
plans are completed, the male and female
students will be accommodated in buildings
more completely separated than at present.
He proposes to accomplish this object by the
generosity of the friends of the College in
making small contributions, in sums of one
dollar and upwards. The responses so far
have been sufficient to Justify the immediate
erection of one wing of the new Hall. The
ground has been broken, and on Monday at-
ternoon last the first stone of the new Hall
was put in place with impressive ceremonies.
The interesting ceremony was performed in
quiet, unostentatious way, only about dozen
persons. including the local board of trustees,
four ladies, and two of the students of the
College being present. The ladies, who were
the wife of the President, wife of the Pastor
of the Methodist Protestant Church, the
mother of the Principal of the School of
Theology, and the wife of r. B. Norment,
Esq, sister of the President, getting wind of
what was going on, came Unexpectedly upon
the scene, much to the qualification of the
participants. John Smith, Esq, President
of the Board of Trustees, who was expected,
sent his regrets, being unable to attend.
Judge Isaac C. Bale, X. B. Norment, Esq,
DIR. J. w. Herring, and Mr.. f. o. Grimes,
Trustees, lifted the stone to its place, when
DIR. j. T. Murray, who was made master of
ceremonies, observed, that as in this work we
aim at the honor of God, and acknowledge
that Except the Lord build the house, they
labor in vain who build it. they would be-
gin by asking Gods blessing upon the enter
prise, and asked DIR. Herring to offer prayer.
After prayer DR.. Murray, in the name of the
Holy Trinity, poured a bottle Of water upon
the foundation stone, giving the building a dis
tinctive title. As agreed by the Trustees
present, in honor of the President Of the Col
ieee. it was given the name of WARD HALL.
As the intention Of this well-deserved com
pliment was kept secret, its sudden revelation
had a peculiar effect upon the President; it
was an electric disturbance of his compOsure,
and greatly enjoyed by those who had planned
to fix an honor upon him, against which he
would have protested if he Fad not been
caught with guile. 1t Is a pleasing coinei-
dence that this interesting event occurred on
the anniversary of the birth of President
Ward. The ceremony closed with the Apos-
tolic benediction by DIR. Ward.
The company then drove to Rose Hill, the
pleasant home Of DIR. Ward, to spend a social
evening. Another surprise awaited him. At
the tea table, as the viands were passed to the
guests, the plate passed to him had on il
rich morocco case lined with SATIN. contain
ing l; ''turnip in shape and sometimes in
rsillery called turnip. The DIR. concluding
that il would serve him better 20 mark the
hours than as an eseulent, did not eat it. 1t
was cased in gold, bearing on one side his
initials combined in monogram, aud on the
reverse the year 1882 similarly wrought The
inside case bore the initials Of his wife daugh.
tiers, son-iu-law, and grand children, who had
prepared this pleasant birthday surprise Cor
him they love aud honor. Altogether this
was one Of those delightful events IN family,
social and official life, which afford higher
appreciation OF their blessings and honors and
to God.