Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-06-30
EDUCATIONAL.


sopurspondence ofthe Richmond Dispatch
ALEXANDRIA,. VA, june ~, 80.
The summary Of the events OF the
closing week at the two well-known
Episcopal institutions near this CITY,
which has for many years been laid be-
fore your readers, will this time pos
sess al least its accustomed interest.
The last Sunday night Of the session
fshis year June 2lst) has for some time
been appropriated to the final sermon
before the students OF the High School,
and with IL the commencement exer-
cises may be said to have begun. The
school chapel being small, and the
popularity Of the preacher great, the
service, by invitation Of the faculty OF
that institution, was held in the chapel
Of the Seminary. The service was read
nv the Rev. Kinloch Nelson, ID. D.,
tcnce fiigh-School boy himself, and
the sermon preached by the Right Rev.
Thomas u. Dudley, ID. d., Bishop OF
Kentucky. on the leading features in the
character Of ST. Paul. II is enough to
say here that it was as able, as effective,
and as eloquent ss the reputation Of the
distinguished speaker prepared his
hearers 10 expect it would be.
Tuesday night occurred the joint final
celebration Of the literary societies oil
the High School, which was largely at
tended, and, with the aid OF good
music, good speeches, pleasant weather,
and moonlight, was Of unusual attrac-
tiyeness. Bishop Dudley made the
opening prayer. Harry Nee. John
son, Of louisiana, presided for the
Fairfax, and II. Edgar Wootton, OF
MARYLAND, for the Blackford Society.
The medals for excellence in reading,
defamation, and debate were given IN
the Fairfax Society to Ernest NJ. Stires,
of Norfolk Du Brutz Guitar, Jr.' OF
North Carolina, and Charles Z. bchois'
OF Alabama, respectively. In the
BIsckford. to NJ. Waring Harrison, OF
Alabama: Samuel Meredith, of STAT
ford. ard Sherrard X. Tabb, Of Rich
mond. The Joint valedictorian was
Ernest NJ. Stires, a member Of the Fair
fax Society. Charles b. Wierman,
ESQ, of Lynchburg, delivered the an
nusl address.
Wednesday morning the annual meet
ing Of the alumni Of the Seminary took
place in the chapel, the Rev. George A.
Smith, Of Alexandra, of the class OF
1923. the senior member, occupying the
chair. This venerable gentlemen, con-
trary TO his own wish that some
Younger man be chosen, was reelected
TO the Office of president of the Society,
which he has held fer so many
wears. Besides the Bishop Of Virginia,
Bishops Dudley of Kentucky, Peter
kin of West Virginia, and PaTet OF Ma
ryland--ihe last not an alumnus-were
present, and made brief though happy
addresses. Much interest was mani
tested in the project for the increased
endowment of the Seminary. The an
nual essay was read by the Rev. j. II.
Elliott, s. T. D., of Ascension church,
Washington, on the " Plenary Inspira-
ton of the Holy Scriptures" After
the adjournment of the Society hand
some luncheon was served for the visit
ing clergy end others in the Seminary
dining.room,
The closing exercises Of the session
at the High School took place Weines-
day afternoon ,t3 o'clock. Bishop Pc
terkin offered the opening prayer. The
annual address was TO have been made
by Bishop Randolph, who was unayoid-
ably absent, bat at the request of the
principal his place was pleasantly sup
piled by Bishop Dudley, whose remarks
for ten or fifteen minutes were received
with high favor. Readings and recita-
tions by the boys and the presentation OF
prizes ard medals followed. The prizes
in elocution were as follows: For Read
ing at Sight, TO Thomas l.. Wood, OF
Albemarle; for Reading, to NJ. W. Har-
rison, Of Alabama, and E. A. Gree
Rough, Jr., of Fairfax; for Declama-
ton, to j. B. Johns, Of Delaware, and
+. G. Milton, of Kentucky. In Scholar
ship, where the Meade is the highest,
the Johns prize was given to William
r. Hereford and Allen Z. Murdoch,
both Of West Virginia; the Meade prize
to Charles +. Echols, of Alabama
Harry Ne. G. johnson, Of Louisiana
William ii. X. Pendleton, Of Fauquier
and Ernest NJ. Stires, of Norfolk. All
the prizes were standard books.
The distribution of the medals an
nually provided by friends of the schoo
came next, as follows:
Liggett Junior Prize Medal, for Elk
cellenee in General Scholarship, Il
William Richard Hereford, of Yves
Virginia.
Potts Prize Medal, for Excellence il
the Study Of Shakespeare, to Ernes
Milmore Stires, Of Norfolk.
Thorn Prize Medal, for Excellence il
English Composition, to Henry Edga
wootton. Of Maryland.
Blackboard Prize Medal, for Excel
lence in Latin and Greek, to Charlie
Patton Echols, of Alabama.
Barclay Prize Medal, for ExcellenC
in Mathematics, to Kenner Taylor,
Kentucky.
The chanting Of the Ts Deum by I'll
school choir and the benediction by II
Bishop Of Maryland closed the evening
Wednesday night in the Seminar
chapel. after services by Bishops Du'
ley and Peterkin, the annual sermon b
fore the Students Missionary Socie'
was preached by Right Rev. Villa
Paret, d. D., Of Maryland.
Thursday morning at 10 begun Il
closing exercises Of the Seminary
the chapel, the Bishop Of the Dioce
as president in the chair, supported
the Dean and other members Of {
faculty, considerable congregation b
ing present. Essays were read by I
graduating class as follows, the pape
being designated only by their titles +:
Rev. John c. Fair, Of washingt
Territory--subject, "Skepticism n
an Unmixed Evil"
John G. Hobson, of Ashland--su
ject, /" The Argument Of the Person
Christ"
Joseph c. Jones, Of Ashlsnd--su
ject, "The Ecclesiastical Year."
William n. Meade, Of Clarke--su
jsct, "St. Boniiace, the Apostle
Germany"
Heating 8. Nelson, OF Fairfax--su