Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1884-06-20
Shepherd College Commence.


ment of Shepherd College WAS held OIL
Friday morning last in the College Hall.
A large audience was present to show
their inter est in the exercises of tho Nor
NAL graduates and to encourage the pupils
and teachers in their work.
The Hon. B. l.. Butcher, president. was
the only member OF the Board Of Regents
in attendance. He, together with the Ex-
ecutiye Committee of the school and
Boar6 of Trustees OF the college, was
present at all the exercises.
The number of gradutes this year was
nine, all Of whom delivered oratiOns or
read essays and acquitted themselves with
great credit. The following are the sub
jects OF the oralions and essays: every
One the Architect of His Own Fortune"
Sallie Hollida; "The Progress Of Tenn
perance." Harry Wintermoyer; "Why"
Maggie Graves; '"The Necessity of Being
Able to Say No." Edward Spohn; "FOre-
sight," Lizzie Boswell; Observe Success
and You Will Command It," Enoch
Vickers; "rherc is No One Without In
hucnce," Hattie Bennett; "Labor, a Bless
ing or u Curse" Matt. Mason; "IIappi-
ness in Pursuit or Possession" Ada
Brothcrton.
After the conclusion of the addresses,
Mr.. Butcher presented the class with
Normal diplomas and gave them some
good advice in few well-tmed remarks.
The exercises were then closed with the
bcncdiction by Rev. Mr.. McLaren, OF the
NJ. f. Church. The exercises we're inter-
spcrsed with music by Criswel's Silver
Cornct Band.
The Alumni Anniversary, presided over
by Geo. j. Hill, was held Friday night in
the Reformed Church, which had been
kindly loaned them for that purpose. The
opening address was made by George w.
Banks, who had for his subject "Entcr-
prise and Education" in which he argued
that it was the application Of knowledge
and the disposition TO use it that had &C
complishcd so much and was the power
that set in motion and made subservicnt
to man the hidden forces of nature that
had lain dormant for ages awaiting the
enterprise and knowledge necessary TO
make them obey the will and power of
man. This point was enforced by several
familiar examples and illustrations.
Miss Rose \. Cockrell, 4 member of the
class of 1874, then came forward and read
in 4 graceful manner an essay on "What
Can Woman Do?" The essay was no tritc
discussion Of woman's rights, but an adj
mirable argument OH woman's qualiiica-
ton and ability to do many things, as
shown by her success In pursuits from
which she had long been excluded. She
rcjoced that the way to higher cduca-
ton had been opened TO woman and that
she had not neglected. to enter it, and had
not disappointed those who had Interested
themselves in her behalf, and that as Il
teacher woman had shown herself fully
capable of discharging the duties and re-
sponsibiitics of that profession.
"rhc History of the Class Of 1879" was
then given by j. ID. Rentch, who, by his
earnest manner and pleasant delivery,
added much interest to the subject dis
cusscd in connection with the class his
tory-"Our Duties and responsibilities"
We are permitted to give the following
extract from the historical part OF his adj
dress:
I,oy- NJ tha
class represent tonight bid farewell to
Shepherd College; but many and great
have been the changes aud events since
then, and the general inquiry Is, Have we
accomplished what was expected of us
and performed we'll our several parts In
the great drama Of life!
Early in June, 1879, a class of six ladies
and twelve gentlemen were registered rs
Normal graduates of Shepherd College
and went forth 20 do the work of women
and men. Three of the ladies, actuatcd
by motives OF pure bcnevolcncc, entered
the School-room rs teachers and trainers
OF youth, anxious to do what they could
towards lettering the condition OF youth
full humanity; but one, soon becoming
wexry in well-doing, with more Prudence
than tho rest, became a Miller, and on the
9th of October last the fair-haired, rosy
checked maiden bid farewell to single
blessedneSs and school room joys. The
L.ly and the Rose, two lovely domestic
flowers, remained Tor time Mt home, but
the rose has lately been pluckcd from the
parent stem and now makes happy the
home of young farmer In this vicinity
another proof Of the poetic truth,
What's In n namo?
\ rose by any other name Is Just us sweet
Our May, too, is still in the spring-time
of her beauty, and with bountiful hand
scatters about her home the flowers Of
love and beauty. but how long sho will
remain in
"Maiden meditation, fancy free"
this dcponent knoweth not.
or the twelve gentlemen, five tried
teaching rs their profession, but only
three adhered to their first love. The first
on the roll remained awhile near his early
home, but is now located among the vine
clad hills and golden fields of distant Cali
fornia. The nsxt, an artisan by choice,
has been roaming from city to city III the
far West, and even to the everglades Of
Florida, but unlike "the rolling stOne,"
he seems to have gathered moss at
every stop. Two are teaching in this
county with earnest efforts TO do their
whole duty, while another is pursuing
the same calling among the Hoosiers Of
the West. Two are merchants, one in our