The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1882-06-01
AuC1lsta. Femala Seminary
CLOSING ExERCIsEs-CoNIMENCEM SERMON
CERTIFICATES. DIPLOMAS, &C.

Augusta Female Seminary
CLOSING ExERcIsEs-coNMENCE SERMON
CERTIFICATES, DIPLOMAS, &C.
The Annual Commencement sermon to thu
pupils of the Augusta Female Seminary was
preached on Sunday night, the 2Sth ut., by
the Rev. G B. Stricken, and listened to by al
immense and profoundly interested audience
numbering near thousand people. His text
was taken from the 9th verse of the 18Th
Psalm: "How love Thy law. tbs my medi
tation all the day long" Listening to such al
orator upon such theme any attempt al
either praise or criticism appears the height OF
presumption, so we will only endeaYor to con
vey to those who were not so fortunate as to
hear this mastery effort, faint outline OF the
speakers argument and inductions.
He began by giving scholarly and inter
esting explanation of the Psalm from which
the text was taken, this the reader will see
by reference, to be one of peculiar artistic con-
struction and phraseology, remarkable not
only for its great length, but for the profound
meaning of its maXims, each separate verse
crystalizing vital truth or glowing aspira-
ton The whole is regarded by different COM
mentators in a variety OF lights; by some as a
grand sequence of logical arrangement; by
others. as a sort of hour book, COMPRISING
into brief and convenient space many separate
and wholly Independent truths, maXims and
guiding rules in the manner of Thomas a
Kempis, Jeremy Taylor and other devotional
writers who have closely followed their in
| spired model.
| The speaker then urged, by many eloquent
| pleas, the pre-eminent claims of the Scrip
lures to our reverent, profound and habitual
study, setting forth each argument in terms OF
indisputable logic, and supporting every claim
by the citation of illustrious examples in the
| entifc research.
The Bible is the fountain head of all knowl-
edge, all wisdom, all truth, and deserves our
feryent study, our untiring investigation in the
same measure as its Author is above and be-
yond all that merely mortal imagination can
begin to conceive Of greatness and majesty.
This portion of the sermon he addressed es-
pecally to the throng of youthful listeners
who sat near, urging them in strenuous and
atfectionate words to drink first at the pure
fountain of heavenly inspiration and there
learn reverence for all lifes nobler lessons to
PROSTATE self and selfish ambition in the pres
ence of the Most High, and so be exalted
The speaker concluded his sermon by an
impassioned and poetical apostrophe to the
sublime science of astronomy, pointing to its
impressive lessons as shown forth in the Bible
one isolated volume out of Gods endless
and eternally progressive compendium.
A sermon like this is only marred by even
the closest literal transcription to paper for
we cannot transcribe the speakers marvellous
personality, the grandly eloquent simplicity
that touches the heart while it conyinces the
most arrogant pride and reason.
The GRAFTON stands forth when it is finished
like temple OF Greek architecture, severely
simple in conception, yet breathing perfection
from corner stone to dome, and standing
bathed in the divine light of pure reason and
ardent faith.
The services were concluded by brief and
appropriate prayer by Rev. Mr.. Baker
The choir rendered some of their finest Sc
lections for the occasion; among others the
beautiful anthem, praise we the Lord" solo
and chorus. The solo sung by Miss Ollie
Hotchkiss, with the exquisite accompaniment
OF Prot. Stuart Turner at the organ, was rem
dered in the highest style of musical culture
ANNUAL sOIREE.
The commencement exercises of the A. F.S
were continued on Monday evening by grand
final concert under the direction of Professors
Hamer and Hintz and Mrs and Miss Mary
Crawford. That these musical entertainments
are appreciated by those favored with invita-
tlons is evident from the throng that besieges
the doors OF the concert hall long before the
hour for opening.
Through the kind courtesy of the gentle
men ushers, however, all were provided
promptly with comfortable seats in spite of
the rush. The programme opened with
Gounod's celebrated march, from Faust ar
ranged as vocal chorus, with the accompani-
ment of four pianos. This was followed by
an overture from Robert lie Diable on SIX pi-
amos and an organ This selection was most
beautifully rendered. the time and harmony
being quite wonderful considering the number
of instruments and performers.
CLEAR me Norma" the familiar, ever beauti-
ful duet, was given with fine dramatic effect
by Misses M. Garside and l.. Adams. "Alpine
Echo" song by Misses Adams and McLeary,
was sung with exquisite skill and taste, and
was pronounced by a cultivated and critical
listener the finest performance of the evening
The finale of Beethovens First Symphony
concluded the first part of the programme;
one other noticeable feature being the Capriccio
brilliant from Mendelssohn, played as duet
by Miss Stubs and Prof Hamer.
The second part of the programme was Sc
lected and arranged with the same fine taste
and discrimination that characterised each
portion of the first.
We have not space to follow each Individual
performance as it deserved, and are compelled
to content ourselves with general ana hur-
rled mention of the Concert as whole. The
vocal solo, "Flower Girl of Bevignani, sung
by Miss NJ Jones, however, we cannot pass
over without an expression OF the delight en-
joyed by us and shared by the entire audience
in its rendering This young lady, IN addition
to her remarkable gilt Of song, possesses a |
charming and piquant grace of manner and
beauty of face that took the audience by storm. |
She was absolutely forced to yield to the clam
orous encore that shook the walls and would
not be denied, and gave in response "Within
mile of Edinboro' town" We are sure, as a
noncritical listener can be, that Patti herself
could not have sung that lovely melody with
more captivating grace of manner or perfec-
ton of tone. The Seminary has reason to be
proud OF such pupil, and we predict for her,
should she choose it, a brilliant musical career.
The assemblage surrounding the stage form
ed veritable "Rosebud garden of girls" the
fashionable tints of blush-rose pink LARGELY
predominating in the quaint and picturesque
costumes that would transport one IN fancy
back to "The tea-cup times of hood and hoop"
Some of these beauties might have fairly stood
for the mimic shepherdess that held her court
while Vatican painted in the leafy gardens of
Versailles, lending her loneliness to the artist