Southern standard. (McMinnville, Tenn.) 1879-current, 1884-06-07
NO.. 80
Commencement at g. F. College.

bled In the College chapel to witness
the closing exercises of this prosperous
and deservedly popular institution.
The exercises opened with prayer by
Ed, II. l.. Walling, For sometime
the audience was pleasantly entertained
with good music and recitations, we'll
selected and well rendered. The prin-
cipal feature of the entertainment was
the operetta, "Maud Irving" in which
each character was well represented
and well performed, closing the exer-
cises of the evening.
On Sunday moning at II o'clock at
the e, P. Church, Rev. ]. w. Fits
gerald, of Lebanon, delivered the COM
mencement sermon, from Matthew 5,
4S: "Be ye therefore perfect, even as
your Father which is in heaven is per-
feet" The sermon was appropriate,
well delivered, and well received by a
large and appreciative audience.
On Monday evening the exercises
were resumed at the G. P. Church,
which had been provided with suitable
platform and other conveniences for
the occasion. The, church was beauti.
fully decorated with evergreens and
choice flowers, and at an early hour
the large and spacious auditorium was
densely packed with visitors, patrons,
and friends. The exercises opened
with prayer by Rev. H. B. Reams.
The entertainment consisted of music,
both vocal and instrumental, and reci-
tations. No former music class of this
institution ever showed to such advan-
tage or made sweeter music to an au-
dience. The selections and perform
ances were excellent. The recitations
were also we'll selected and most cedit-
ably rendered. Many of them deserve
special mention, had we the time and
space The recitation OF Miss Pearl
Rice, "How Rhuby Played" was ad,
mirably delivered. The entire exer-
cises of the evening were very credita-
BILE to both pupils and teachers. Tues
day evening was commencement. The
audience room, though large, was fill
ed to its utmost; even standing room
was all occupied. By request of the
senior class, six young gentlemen, Al
bert Etter, John Mcclure, Percy
Wallace, Hacket Ross, Frank Colville
and Charley Morford acted as ushers.
These young men made themselves
very useful, not only in comfortably
seating the audience, but in delivering
the many handsome baskets of flowers,
boquets, etc., from admiring friends to
the young ladies. The exercises were
opened with prayer. by Rev. j. E.
Hickman, one of the Oldest ministers
of the G. P. Church, and for many
years travelling agent for G. F. COL
lege, as for back as 1851. The essays
read by the ten young ladies of the
graduating class were we'll written and
well read. The music, as before, was
of the highest order and well rendered.
Certainly the Misses Reed have reason
to be proud Of their music class, about
sixty in number we believe, many of
whom are fine performers.
The valedictory, "Setting Suns" by
Miss Rudolph of ClarksvilIe Tenn,
was exceedingly well written and read,
in tone to be heard all over the house.
The essays were all well written and
most of them read so as to be heard
distinctly. At the close of the vale
dictory, Prof, Flnney delivered an in.
teresting and appropriate address to
the class. After confering the degrees
and delivering diplomas, he thanked
the audience for their marked atten-
tentien and good order during the oc-
casiQn. 1t is a fact worthy of notice
that a McMinnville audience know
how and never fails to behave nicely
on<such occasions. After the benedic-
ton by DR.. Stainback, an interesting
scene presented the separation and bid
ding farewell of students and friends.
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