The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1884-06-19
RICHMOND COLLEGE.
THE COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES.

| THE COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES.
Formal Openinq OF the "Jeter Memoir al
HAIL. Last Night.
Soon after the death OF Rev. J. B. Jcter,
d. D., president OF the Board OF Trustees
OF Richmond College, a movement was set
on foot to honor this grand man by the
erection OF library hall which should
bear his name.
Under the indefatigable and skilful CT
forts OF Rev. DR.. A. +. Dickinson over
$40, 900 was raised for the purpose, and
there has been completed in the south wing
OF the college 0ronting on Franklin street,
one OF the most beautiful halls in the coun-
try.
THE HALL.
This spacious and elegant room. one
hundred feet long by fifty feet wide, with
a pitch OF twenty-five feet, Is devoted TO
library and museum purposes, and affords
ample space not only for extensive cOllec-
tions in this department, but for their
preservation and attractive display. The
hall is elaborately furnished WITH black
walnut book. and museum-cases, which
combine all modern improvements in their
construction. The hall also contains Val
entine's marble bust OF DR.. Jeter and
number of portraits Of departed worthless.
THE LIBRARY.
The excellent library Of the college and
those OF the two literary societies have
been placed on the shelves, and DR.. Dick
inson has already raised for the "library
fund" nearly fifty thousand dollars (and
is going on to increase the sum-, from
which large and valuable additions will
soon be made to the collection. DR.. Dick
inson is also successfully prosecuting an
effort to raise funds for scholarships for
ministers sons.
DEDICATI0N.
Last night large crowd assembled on
the occasion OF the formal dedication OF
this noble monument to one OF the grand
est men who ever toiled in the Masters
vineyard or fell at the post Of duty.
THE CROWD.
Long before the appointed hour the
doors OF the chapel were besieged by an
eager multitude. and the spacious chapel
was packed with much of the culture. re-
finement, and beauty OF Richmond, while
many were compelled to igo away, unable
TO find even standing room.
THE PROCEEDINGS.
Rev. DR.. j. l.. VI. Curry (president OF
the Board OF Trustees and chairman OF the
Library Committee) presided on the occa-
sion and appropriately introduced the eX-
erciseS. After prayer by Rev. j. l.. Carroll
Rev. DR.. c. III. Ryland, secretary OF the
college, read letters expressing deep inter-
est in the college and the occasion from
General John Eaton, United States Com
missioner OF Education, Professor George
f. Holmes OF the University Of Virginia IA
former professor in Richmond College,,
General q. w. c. Lee, OF Washington and
Lee University, and Il. l.. Headstrong,
Esq, OF Brooklyn. Professor George +.
Holmes reminded the committee that their
dedication was on the anniversary OF the
battle OF Waterloo.l
THE KEY.
Rev. DR.. w. T.. Hatcher, chairman OF
the "Jeter Memorial Committee" then
presented TO DR.. Curry the key to the
hall.
lie said that soon after the death OF DR..
Jeter there was spontaneous expression
OF desire to rear some suitable monument
to the memory OF one who had risen from
humble life to the highest place among us,
and TO be one OF the broadest and
ablest friends OF liberal culture that
ever lived in our Commonwealth.
The Jeter Memorial Committee had ac-
compished this work, and now presented
it not only free from debt, but with money
still in the treasury.
He expressed grateful Acknowledgements
for the liberal beneiactions Of the North.
and paid fitting tribute to the ability and
tact OF Rev. DR.. \. K. Dickinson, the efli-
cient agent OF the committee.
He presented the key, saying that behind
it would be found hall unsurpassed IN the
State in beauty and convenience, and eX-
pressed the hope that there would soon be
behind it a magnificent collection OF booS.
THE KEY ACCEPTED.
Rev. DR.. Curry gracefully and gratefully
accepted fIom the committee, for this and
for future generations, this magnificent
hall, with all OF its responsibilities. He
accepted it as a testimony Of gratitude to
noble man who had well served his genera
ton.
Richmond College, now on the threshold
OF its second half century, had been found
ed by gOdly men to perpetuate Christian
principle, and this memorial would honor
one OF the noblest OF these men.
He expressed his warmest thanks TO
friends Of the North who had contributed
so literally to this ball, and would COM
mission his distinguished friend DIR.
Thomas) to bear to them our warm thanks
for their liberaity and kindness, which
have done so much to strengthen ties OF
common fraternity. He paid a warm
tribute to the untirng energy and tact OF
their agent, Rev. DR.. A. f. Dickinson,
who has accomplished so noble a work for
their Alma Mater. He eloquently re-
dedicated the college and all OF its APP
Durtenances to the cause OF learning and
of truth, and spoke Of the kind Of library
needed and which would be provided. lie
then introduced as the speaker OF the eve
ming the wel-known scholar, orator,
writer, and preacher,
REV. DIR. J. b. THOMAS.
DIR. Thomas begun his address by face
tiously alluding to the fact that as some
years ago "incipient iterattl from the
North" had destroyed the library OF the
college, 1t was fitting that others should re-
store il. " We invaded and desolated you |
once. but you have conquered the North |
by sending your General Dickinson"
DR.. Thomas's address, which bristled |
with fine points, telling hits, and eloquent
frequently brought down the
house in applause, and added not little to |
the reputation OF the distinguished orator.
He spoke OF DIR. Jeter and his teachings, |
and the value Of library and the history |
OF the Baptists In the cause OF education.
Tonight.
Tonight will be held the commence
ment exercises proper, with the delivery
Of the diplomas and the address before the
alumni by S. b. Witt, Esq.
The annual meeting OF the Alumni will