The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1884-06-14
HAMPDEN SIDNEY COLLEGE.
Commencement Observation-Disclosures by DR.
Curry and Others-Degrees Conferred.
Reported for the Dispatch.I

Curry and Others-Degrees Conferred.
Reported for the Dispatch.l
HAMPDEN SIDNEY. June u. 1884.
The one hundred-and-eighth commence
ment of this venerable and time-hOnOred
institution began on Sunday morning,
June Sth, with the baccaaureate sermon
by Rev. Richard McIlwaine, ID. d., presi-
dent Of the college. His text was taken
from III. Kings, chapter H., verse q" BE
strong. therefore, and show thyself man."
The sermon was exceedingly well-timed.
and was plethorc with suggestive thoughts
cor the practical Guidance OF the young
men Just entering upon the threshold OF
life. 1t was nowhere more iavorably re-
ceivcd than by those for whom it was spe-
cialy intended-the graduates OF the ses-
sion OF 1Ss3-'Sl.
On Sunday evening we had The pleasure
OF hearing another excellent sermon, which
was delivered by the Rev. Mr. Finley, OF
Romnev, w. Va. His text was Isaiah
tx. &c And His name shall be called
wonderful"
On Tuesday night was the annual cele-
bration OF the Union Literary Society, the
fortunate recipients OF the medals being
MIR. r.. V. Lancaster, OF Cumberland, Va,
and Mr.. Joseph Rennie, OF Richmond, Va.
To the former was awarded the orators
medal ef the senior class, and to the latter
the debater's medal Of the junior class.
One OF the browning features OF the COM
mcncsmcnt was the address before the lite
rarv societies, at II O'Clock on Wednesday,
by the Rev. j. L. NJ. Curry, ID. d., LII. D.,
OF Richmond, Va. This gentleman, so well
known in Richmond and throughout the
State. created the most favorable impress
sion. His address was listened TO with
the most marked attention and elected the
greatest approval. The subject, though not
formally announced, was, in substance, The
Potency ofldeas, or The Supremacy OF Mind
Over Matter. He began by very graceful
and fitting tribute to the memory Of the
deservedly honored founders OF Iampden-
Sidney, giving brief outline OF the cir
cumstances connected with the founding
OF this institution, and laying special stress
upon the guiding principles that actuated
the fouuders-namely, the love OF liberty,
especially the liberty won by the American
Revolution. and the love OF religion, and
particularly commencing to the considera-
ton of the young men who inherited so
precious a legacy by being connected With
the institution. After developing the core
OF his subject, the supremacy OF the imma-
terial side OF the thought power OF man
over the material, and abundantly illus
| trating his position, he closed his address
| by calling special attention to the dangers
and privileges that the young men entering
upon life in this the last quarter OF the
most noted century in the worlds history
would encounter. His style was extremely
graceful and forcible and his delivery eX-
ceptionally fine, his enuncation being
markedly distinct.
The Philanthropic Literary Society gave
its annual celebration at o'clock p. NJ,
which was well attended Notwithstanding
the inclemency OF the weather. The re-
cipients OF the Orators Medal Of the Senior
Class was Mr. A. c. Finley, OF Romney,
w. Va, and of the Sophomore Debater's
Medal, Mr.. L. 5. Henry, OF Charlotte, Va.
COMMENCEMENT-DAY.
To-day Thursday, cOmmencement-day
proper, one of the largest audiences that
ever graced commencement occasion here
WAS present TO show appreciation of the
efforts on the part OF the graduates to con-
tribute TO public enjoyment. The interim,
between the speeches was well filed up by
excellent music from the Norfolk Marine
Band. which contributed on this occasion
as well as oil throughout commencement
to the pleasure OF those attending.
After the opening prayer by Rev. DR..
Halves, OF Farmyilie. Va, the following
degrees were announced: ID. D.-Rev.
James Murray, Greenville, Augusta coun-
ty, Va; Rev. Thomas Drew, Richmond,
Va; Rev. William DinwiddIe, Alexan-
dria, Va. ;>Rey. Peyton Harrison, BaIti-
more, Nd. LII. D.-Mr. Roger A. Pryor,
New York.
The academic degree OF A. NJ. was con-
ferred upon Professor John j. Atkinson,
OF Texas University, and the honorary de-
gree OF A. VI. upon DR.. w. G. Eggleston.
OF phia-both former students Of
llampden Sidney College. The following
gentlemen graduated with the title OF a.
B.: w. Ill. Bocock, Hampden Sidney,
Va; w. D. Little, Richmond, Va; Il. III.
Robertson, Farmville, Va; II. V. Lam
, caster, Cumberland. Va; A. l.. Bondu-
rant, Buckingham, Va: p. G. Clark, Abb
P, ingdon, Va; A. &. Finley. Romney, w.
Va; j. X. Graham, Jr., Winchester, Va.
e. X. Stribling, Martinsburg, w. Va.
The title OF Bachelor OF Literature,
awarded for the first time in the history OF
the institution, was conferred upon Mr.. w.
III. Bocock, of Hampden Sidney, Va. Mr..
w. ii. Bocock and Mr.. W. o. Little were
the recipientes OF the first honor, the former
delivering the Latin salutatory and the lat
| ter the yaledictory address. The second and
the third honor were awarded to Messrs.
B. II. Robertson aud r.. V. Lancaster re-
spectively. Mr.. II. V. Lancaster delivered
the philosophical Grafton on the subject:
~ Gamma but Believe that Dowgs haze
| al al hxr
other members OF the graduating class.
The speaking OF the graduates was unusu-
ally good and called forth much favorable
comment. The audience was appreciative
and listened with marked attention through
out.
The feast Of reason over, large part OF
the audience, particularly the younger
members Of It, began TO look forward 10