Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1882-06-30

EOAA Sl9EAG 10 EBAOD - 1ACNe 0As
BOggs' RetIremenT-SenatO Hill
Mercer COMMENCEMENT Bae-
cslaureate SermOn-The Champion
Debate - Freshmen Orators The
sophomore COnIest-The Alumni
Address.
MACON, June 27-The return trip OF the
writer from Athens to this city was devoid of
any special interest by the way, albeit he was
delighted to note that timely sunshine and pro-
pitious seasons had done much TO hasten the
maturity OF the corn crop, which is looking
magnihcently; and cotton too, emerging from
its low estate. is growing rapidly, and bids fair
to retrieve all the backsets occasioned by the
fulhlIment of Mr. vennor's frigid VACCINATIONS
In Atlanta, however. he witnessed two Incl
dents which are more than worthy Of passing
mention. The first was the proceedings Of the
Central Presbyterian Church in reference to
the retirement Of their beloved pastor,
REV DR.. BoeGs,
who, at the close of deeply interesting SER
mon, read his letter of resignation, and asked
that his congregation would Join with him in
the request that Presbytery might dissolve his
pastoral relations that the way may be opened
for the acceptance of professors chair in
the Theological Seminary at Columbia, South
Carolina The remarks of Dr. Boggs were
very tender and impressive but it is evident
that he believes it is his duty to go, and
his people, though greatly saddened
at the prospect Of losing so
able and devoted a spiritual head, viii bow
with resignation to the will of Presbytery in
the premises, though committee was ap-
pointed to appear before that body and oppose
the removal of their pastor.
1t is aptly remarked that "the pulpit is a
minister s throne" and it should not be vacated
save for the most salient and overwhelming
considerations. Dr. Boggs is greatly beloved,
and Yields an immense influence for good
among all the evangelical denominations Of
Atlanta. His retirement will be a public
calamity.
TIE other object of interest spoken of above,
was visit to the bedside of Georgia's i'll Sena-
tor,
hon. B. H. HILL.
1t was the privilege of the writer to sit side
by side for nearly four years with this distin-
guished statesman on the recitation benches of
the University of Georgia, and hence the
friendship which has continued for foil forty
years Even in his early youth Mr.. Hill was
remarkable for most retentive memory, and
could recite long pages of "Vattel's Law OF
Nations "Upham's Mental Philosophy"
phraseology of the author in the least. He
bore away the highest honors of his class, and
was regarded as a skillful debatant and elo-
quent speaker in the Demosthenean Society.
Since then, his record and fame are as house
hold words to the whole country.
Alas, that the hand of disease should have
left him. as it were, a stranded wreck midway
upon life's voyage. But fifty-eight years of
possessed of an indomitable will. untiring in
dustry and the happy faculty of overcoming
obstacles almost without any seeming effort,
to him there had apparently opened up long
vista of years, each of which would add new
triumphs to his ever growing reputation. But
the God he devoutly worships has ordered
otherwise and we found the great statesman
sitting up and quite cheerful, but pale,
reduced in flesh and great sufferer Unable
to swallow nourishment in any other than the
most diluted form, and relishing nothing his
devoted wife said the great difficulty was to in
duce him to imbibe sufficient aliment to repair
the daily waste OF nature. His continued ex-
iStence seems but a question of time Through
all this the patience of Mr.. Hill is most won
derful, and his characteristic urbanity will
cause him to talk more than is prudent with
his friends Holding his hand as we inter-
changed few words, what a rush OF thought
and memories, extending from boyhood DAYS
to the present, came crowding along through
the silent aisles Of the irrevocable. and to him
eventful past. But they found no expression
in words, and soon, fearful of everlasting the
strength of the Senator, the writer turned away
with a sad aud aching heart May the ever
lasting arms Of the Almighty sustain and
strengthen this illustrious Georgian even in the
last throes of glorious and useful existence.
MERCER UNIVERSITY.
The commencement OF this fouriShing insti-
tuition is progressing with great eclat and its
future seems radiant with promise. On Fri
day night the champion debate between the
two societies was holly contested, and the
speeches of the young gentlemen reflected
credit on their Evolutionary training. The ques-
ton selected for discussion was Ought women
to be allowed to voter" The Ciceronian Society
espoused the affirmative, and were represented
by Messrs. Glenn P. Steed, Charlton E. Bat
tie and F. Gregory For the mega
tive. Messrs. John ?. Ross, H. H. XII
patrick and H. A: Hall appeared as the
champion of the Phi Detas The umpires were
Professor Cosby Smith. D. D.. Rev. E. w War
rem. D. d, and J. G. Ryals Esq. Loud and
long did the wrangle continue, each side dis
playing much ingenuity, el0quence and orator.
cal grace. Without tempest roared, and the
rushing rain threatened to drown the voices of
the speakers. But they stood their ground
manfully, and held the large audience under
at late hour Dr. Warren, in behalf of his
colleagues, after few appropriate predatory
remarks, rendered their decision in favor of the
Phi Delta debatants.
The COMMENCEMENT SERMON
was delivered in the First Baptist Church, on
Sabbath morning, by your gifted townSman,
Rev. J. E. L. Holmes. All who listened to him
will agree with the writer that it was fully the
equal of any similar effort for years past. The
text was drawn from Matthew, eleventh chap
ter and eleventh verse: verify, l say unto
you, among them that are born Of women
there hath not risen greater than John the
Baptist"
The speaker said the world had not been
WduilDk III SiCdb iucAl, al duUWH bIO bfdCk vi
ages and in every pursuit of life. A Caesar and
Alexander had arisen to startle the vision of
the universe, and leave their indelible impress
upon the times in which they lived. Orators
and artists had appeared whose works survived
them, and philosophers whose systems and
sage utterances challenged the admiration of
the world. Yet, John was the greatest of them
all In privilege and dignity, especially, was
his superiority most manifested. The renown-
ed Kossuth, when in this country. was, in some
respects not the equal even of an obscure
newsboy, because the latter as an American,
was clothed with all the rights attaching
to his nativity in this free land, while
the eloquent patriot and reformer was but an
alien. So the mission of the dsuntleSS forerun.
ner of the Saviour was one of commanding and
unspeakable privilege. How masterful was
his sway over the masses" Mems achieve
ments must be estimated by their results.
Even the genius and eloquence of Demos
themes and the Irish orator O'Connell failed
in accomplishing the ends for which they
labored. But John, when he addressed the
mutitudes that went forth into the wilderness
TO hearken to his divine messages, ruled his
auditory with plastic hand. Mobiles and com
mon people alike hung entranced and awe
struck at the graphic recital OF the coming Of
the long promised Messiah, the latches Of
whose shoes the inspired orator was not worthy
to unloose.
The speaker said he would confine his re-
marks, however, not to the mighty prophet
who came clothed with the power and prestige
of the great AN, but to the man. John the Bap-
fist. He was no hgure-head, no puppet. no
pretantiods adventurer The people found
him even more than prophet He pointed
out to them, in their midst, in tangible exis-
tence and very fact, their Saviour and Re-
deemer, who had come to ransom fallen
world from the dominion of sin and Satan
John proved himself even greater than the
glorious work that had been assigned to him
He appeared upon the scene without an army,
unattended and alone in the majesty of his
manhood. And yet even kings trembled at his
presence and rebukeS.
But the words, in the absence of notes would
do gross injustice to this noble discourse, did
we attempt to reproduce the glowing words
and eloquence of the learned divine, who held
spell-bound his immense audience. Suffice it
to say his whole effort, including tho opposite
remarks and application OF the subject to the
Senior class, was worthy Of the occasion and
challenged the admiration of all within the
sound of his voice.
THE FRESH HAVE A SHOWING.
On Monday morning. for the first time in anv
of our colleges, the Freshman class had an ex-
hibition in defamation. A prize medal had
been offered to the best speaker by Mr.. F. b.
Gregory of the Senior class. and the youths
acquitted themselves quite creditably. At night
the regular
SOPHOMORE CONTENTION
for prize medals came of in Masonic Hall
The spacious chamber was crowded to its ut
most capacity, and the speaking above the
usual average. The following young gentle
men delivered selected pieces:
Henry S Jones, P. D. S , Burke county, Ca
''The Two Monuments" Taylor
Elisha @. Bsssett, P. D. s., Houston county,
Ga -"Disfranchisement of State" Hal
Thomas E. Fletcher @. s.. Monroe county,
9a.-"Danger OF Delay" Br0itghanl.
m ]. DiQEQrd