The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1883-06-28
Wesleyan Female Institute.
THE THIRTY-FoURTH sEssIoN-GRApu
ATES, &C.

Notwithstanding the temporary inter
ruption, the session of the w. i. L., whicI
closed Tuesday last, may be put down as
one OF the most prosperous III the histor,
OF that justly celebrated school. Their,
were i'll attendance 100 boarding pupil
from various States besides q number o
day scholars. The additions to the lis
would have probably been sufficient t,
make it reach two hundred, had tn.
causes mentioned above not interviewed
Whist in the face Of the difficulties en-
coilhCered such gratifying general ex
hibit IS made, il may be safely stated that
Ill each OF the various departments i'm
proNcments have been instituted, and il
possible, u nearer approach to absolute
thoroughness reached. The accomplished
heau OF the institution appreciates the
responsibilities resting upon him and
seems determined to keep ALWAYS ahead OF
tie times. Each year anpler accommo-
datlons are provided and Il wider range
given to the mental and physical develop
ment OF the pupils In short it would be
difficult to find II school in the Union that
possesses greater advantages in Il scholas-
TIC point of view, and none have more
home attractions than the w. f. /.
me commencement proper began on
Friday night with the annual celebration
OF The Lee aud jackson Literary Society.
A brilliant audience assembled in the
Opera House, and the delightful music Of
the Stonewal Band interspersed the
reading OF the essays. These essays were
all above an average, and not II few of
them were compositions OF which older
heads might well have felt proud They
exhibited breadth and beauty of thought,
striking IDEAS and command of Ian
guage rarely found with school girl essay
lists. The following young ladies read
compositions:
Salutatory, Miss Minnie d. Snithson, of Va.
Society Essay, Miss Mollie O. Sullenberger, Va.
Recitation, Miss Nettie Bennett, Texas
Society Essay, Miss Ellen 7. standiter, La.
Valedictory, miss Ida j. Hollingsworth S. G.
On Saturday night an art reception was
held at the Institute. The chapel was
brilliantly lighted and around the wall
were hung over two hundred pictures
ranging from the most dainty India ink
sketch to large elegantly executed works
in oil. Some of these pictures could only
have been produced by natural artists. for
even the careful instruction of such q
teacher us Mrs. Otis, unaided by nature
gifts, could not have impaired to the can
vslss expressions so life-lke and finished.
Miss Belle Rassett, of Texas, had on eX-
hibition twelve paintings and eight cray
ons, some of which evidenced the most
pronounced talent Miss Adelia Taylor,
of Virginia, Miss Mamie Pollard, of Mo-.
Miss Minnie Lee Walker. of S. c.. Miss
Mary L. Purkins, of Va, each exhibited
Il number of beautiful specimens which
would have done credit to artists of far
greater experience. There was also a col
lection of delicate water colored pictures
by Miss M. III. Youell. We had intended to
name the above works and give brief
descriptions, but satisfied Of our inability
to do justice to so many, and being un-
willing to discriminate, we must content
ourselves with..giving the list of artists,
and adding the assurance that each may
abundantly offered of conscientious labor
and decided talent. In addition to those
mentioned above, handsome exhibits were
made by Misses Maggie Gist, of s. c.;
Minnia Spnit hSnn of Nl ,,f
S. c.; Matte aud Edith Dorsey, OF Md. :;
Alice Mcclure, OF Va; Lula Owens, of
Ga: Minnie Carter, of Ohio: l.. Cleck-
ley, of s. g., Florence Powars. Of Texas :;
and others. There We're some exquisite
specimens of painted china, executed by
the accomplished instructor in the Art De
partment, Mrs. N. Whittier Otis, a teacher
whose success in imparting is remarkable.
The Annual Commencement sermon
was preached in the Methodist Church on
Sunday morning by Rev. j. w. Duffey, Of
Baltimore.
His subject at the regular II O'Clock
services was founded on the different mar
ratives of the New Testament. as recorded
by Mathew, Luke and John, concerning
Mary OF Bethany. This ever-to-b be re-
membered and interesting portion of God s
Word was rendered doubly so by the pa
tient research given to it by MI Dutfey.
He portrayed her as the lovelest female
character to be found in all the Bible.
showing from every circumstance con
nnpfp1 with tho XVbn1a hictnru hat ho,
heart was most in sympathy with her Mas
ter's, and it was for this, her precious love.
that the Savior revealed himself at first to
her, more fully perhaps, than to any one of
all bis other followers. Mary knew she
was amounting her Messiah King. Jesus
Christ, said he, when this humble woman
was rehulked by Judas and other of His
disciples, for the unnecessary and mis-
guided expenditure of the costly perfume,
casting His eyes adoWn the ages to come,
indicated her from this selfish aspersion
of character and honored her above most
Of her race, when He declared that Mary
loved much and that this act of hers
should be proclaimed to the uttermOSt of
time wherever His Gospel should be
preached. To-day, continued the speaker,
here i'll Staunton, but feebly announce to
you, my audience, what the Master did to
Mary centuriea ago.
AT night his text was taken from the
last chapter Of Proverbs and Goth verse
''She openeth her mouth with wisdom.
and in her tongue is the law of kindness. y
For a simple exposition Of the wonder
full effects of kindness over the human
heart, we may safely aver that the Staun-
ton people never heard better sermon
From beginning to end it was replete with
plain practical common-sense talk OF what
the more than magic power of kindness is
able to do His illustrations were all in
keeping with the chastest style of pulpit
discourse. We feign would, did space
permit, essay to give q meagre sketch
of it. We strew, said Mr.. d., with the
rarest flowers, arranged with the most
elaborate taste, the graves of our loved
ones. Better if we had streWn the path
way of the departed one while living with
the same kindly offices of love and encom~
agement.
With none of the gifts of oratory about
him except his gestures, the Rev. speaker
held his large audience firmly bound for