Mexico weekly ledger., 1885-09-03

that this feeling of profound interest
in Hardin College is shared by the
best citizens in every part of the
state. To me this is evidence that
the college is very dear not only to
the citizens of Mexico but the best
people of the whole state of Missouri.
These considerations have i'm.
pressed me with a profound sense OF
the responsibility of the presidents
Office. There are, however, far more
potent reasons for regarding the Of
fee of college president as one OF
grave responsibility. His work, in
its wide spreading influence and in
its far reaching results, extends be.
yond the bounds of time and is lin.
tied only by the years of eternity.
There is a wisdom by which kings
reign and princes rule and all the
judges of the earth decree justice
Yet all these potentates may and do
commit errors-errors which time
may correct; but let the teacher
blunder in training the mind and
heart of his pupil and an immortal
soul is married forever. I have often
thought that parents sometimes err in
seeking a school for training their
children. They direct their inquiries
solely to the intellectual and physical
wants OF their children, forgetting
that, during the period of school life,
the characters of their children are
formed for time and eternity. The
college president who does not fully
realize the grave import of this feat
ure Of his work-the proper training
of the moral faculty-has failed to
realize the fulImeasure of his respon-
sibility.
In accepting this important trust,
Mr.. President, 1 believe / am in full
sympathy with the board of directors
as to the administration of the col
lege. With this feeling 1 pledge the
best energies of my life to The accom-
p'ishment of their wishes.
President Blanton, of the State
Normal School at Kirksville, Mo-, was
the orator of the evening. After
speaking of the enduring character OF
the teachers influence-"his I'M
press is as deathless as the minds he
trains"-and giving a brief history OF
education and comparing the old and
new systems, he spoke in glowing
and eloquent terms of what modern
education had done for women. He
showed that all that had been done in
this direction had been accomplished
during the last fifty years. He
showed that the female schools OF
Great Britain of a generation Or two
back were miserable shams-where
girls got a smattering Of everything
and learned nothing thoroughly. He
gave a most humorous description OF
the fashionable female school of that
period, and in this connection spoke
of the sampler over which the
young girl was required to pass much
of her time making stitches of incon.
ceivable fneness, until she had fin.
ished all of the letters of the alpha.
bet and the figures and some outside
fourishes, when it was framed and
hung up as an object of %veneratior
for future generations, and then she
was ready to marry. He classed the
sampler with the other instruments o.
torture in vogue in that era, such as
the thumb screws, racks, etc. Ii
giving an account OF the institution:
that had been dedicated in this coun
tryito the higher education of women
the speaker took occasion to pay
graceful compliment to Gov. Hardin
and to predict for the institution h
had erected and endowed a futur.
rich with blessing to this communit.
and the west. Altogether the ora
ton was a splendid effort, replet'
with finest sentiment and sparkling
throughout with wit and humor of {
high order.
Miss Helen Blaylock rendered
fine selection, which was mnch en-
joyed by the audience. Miss Blay
lock is not only a fine elocutionist blu
a thorough teacher of the same.
Mrs. Yancey favored the audienc'
with a song, which was greeted witt
prolonged applause She has a fin
voice and knows how to control it.
Professors Ayres and Damn rem
dered a difficult piece of music Oh
the piano and violin. They boil
know their business.
NOTES.
The chapel was packed.
The parlOrs are elegant.