The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1884-05-10
commencement Exercises at Westmin-
ster Theological Seminary. TN.

The first commencement exercises OF the
Westminster Theological Seminary were held
in the Methodist Protestant Church OF this
city on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday last.
On Sunday morning Rev. DIR. Lawrence W.
Bates. of the Maryland Annual Conference
of the NJ p Church. preached the annual SER
mon, taking for his text III. lin, chap,
first clause of the End verse-"Preach the
word" His discourse was a mastery one,
and was replete with good advice to the stu
dents. The inaugural exercises, Sunday even
ing. were opened by Prof b. F. Benson, of
Western Maryland College. DR.. j. I. Muir
raw, President of the Maryland Annual Con-
ference, and Rev. T. H. Lewis, President of
the Seminary, followed with interesting, ad-
dresses. On Monday evening, the Stockton
Society of the Seminary celebrated its first
anniversary. The programme was as follows;
Organ solo, by Miss Mamie Davis; quartette,
Lewis; chorus, IL will Praise Him." Presi-
dents address, by Z. A. Warfeld; address
on the motto of the society, "Kata Skopon
Dioko," by E. J. Wilson; chorus, Son the
Shoals;n reading, by L. R. Dyott; solo, by E.
A Warfeld; recitation, by G. W. Pool; quar-
tette, ''Hear the Angels Coming" annlyer-
verv thesis, by S. G.. Ohrum, on the subject
of 'Gnosticism. After Mr.. Ohrum's thesis
A. H. Merrill, Professor Of Elocution in the
Seminary, read, by request, humorous Sc
lection, which was much enjoyed. The en-
tertainment was closed with another chorus,
entitled, "Reioice Evermore.n The singing,
which was done by the members of the Goci-
ETY., was a very ENJOYABLE feature of the pro-
gramme. On Tuesday evening the regular
commencement exercises took place. They
were opened by Rev. L. j. Drinkhouse, of
Baltimore. DR.. J. T. Ward and Rev. j. D.
Kinzer, pastor of the NJ. P Church of this
city, followed with addresses, setting forth the
! successive steps which led to the establish
ment of the Seminary. After music. Mr.. Il:
A. Warfeld, graduate Of Western Maryland
College, and who has been for the last two
years a student in the Seminary, read his
graduating thesis on the subject of "Pelagan.
| ism: Ancient and Modern.n Mr.. Warfield
is the first graduate of the Seminary, and is
alone in his class. He received from Presi-
dent Lewis and the Board of Governors of the
Seminary the diploma of the institution, con-
ferring upon him the degree of Bachelor of
Divinity. The ceremony connected with the
comforting of the degree was both interesting
and impressive. The services were closed
with the doxology and benediction.
The presence of Drs. Murray, Bates and
Drinkhouse during all the above services
added largely to their interest and success.
All the services, except the anniversary of the
|
oelent music by the NJ. p. choir, assisted by
several from the NJ. E. and Lutheran choirs.
The anthems and solos rendered were exceed
ingly appropriate, and were admirably sung.
MThe Seminary the only school of theology
in the State, and the only Methodist Protes-
tant theological seminary east of Michigan.
The institution is owned and controlled by
the Methodist Protestant Church, and is under
the special patronage of about twenty annual
conferences South and East. 1t was organ
lied in September, 1882, and was incorporated
by the Legislature at its recent session. 1t
has had twenty students during the year, and
the first year closes with fattering prospects
to the Seminary. Rev. Thomas III. Lewis is
the President of the Seminary, and there is
full corps of professors.
The inaugural of President Lewis ON Sun
day night was interesting as setting forth the
position in theology to be taken by the new
institution. The theme was " Permanence
and Progress in Christian Doctrine" and was
discussed in its bearings upon the method of
theological instruction. That method was
approved and emphasized which assumes that
the great doctrines of Christianity are to be
considered as finally settled in and by the
Word of God, while admitting progress an
doctrine, but not to,cdrds it.