The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1885-06-10
For the Farmer and Mechanic.
The Spot to Which Many Hearts
Turn.

y week passed under the roof Of St.
Marys has given me the opportunity of
seeing something OF the inner working
Of that time honored institution, and az
torded me the pleasure OF witnessing the
series of recherche entertainments which
give proof to the public of the thorough
ness of her methods. Perhaps some of
your readers may feel interested in a
short and necessarily imperfect account
OF them.
The closing exercises of the school
year, consist first in the rigid examine
ton. sometimes oral, oftener written, of
every class, in the text books which it
has been studying.
These are not open to the general
public, but inmates Of the household.
parents and other near relatives are al
ways welcome to them. The evening
entertainments present to a wider circle
OF friends and acquaintance what may
be called the esthetic side Of their school
work, since the ornamental branches
are there made most prominent. Music
elocution, callsthenics, Art in various
forms, and exercises in foreign Ian
cuages make a varied and charming pro-
gramme for each nights performances.
Beginning with 'Children's Night we
are led along up the Heights of Learn
ing" till we reach on Commencement
day the elimination OF the course of
study and see the highest hOnors Of their
Alma Mater bestowed upon those who
have long and faithfully workedifor, and
at last have attained the precious re-
ward.
The Primary Department is regarded
with special interest, for it is here that
foundations are laid in the pupils mind,
for the broad course Of instruction
school life. Morally, mentally, phys
ically, she is cared for and trained in all
that makes woman lovely, pure, and
useful. But she IS taught that all these
are but hand-maids to religion-the
GROWING place of the perfect woman
leading her to paths of peace here, and
to the eternal life Of a world beyond.
SO around the dear chapel cling the
fondest affections of the children of st.
Mary's, and in the turmOils and trials of
mature years, no memory is more preci-
Gus to them han that of the daily round
of holy teaching, the sweet services of
prayer and praise, and the annual course
of Festival and Fast which cluster about
that sacred place.
No exercises or entertainment of this
week has been so sweet to me as these
Sunday services. The glorious organ,
the clear ringing voices chanting the
Psalms of David or singing sweet melo-
dious hymns, the Rectors ''I%nstruction,"
all were full Of tender recollection and
hallowed 10y.
The Missionary Society's report was
given, and it is wonderful how generous
and broad are the charities of these
young girls. In a year of unusual fl
nancial straitness, they have given to
the poor of Raleigh, to St. Johns Hos
pital, and to the Oxford Asylum; they
they have responded to the appeals of
various needy parishes, and sent $40 to
to support a Memorial scholarship IN a
christian school in China. The whole
aggregating an amount by the side of
which many a parish might blush to
own its contribution.
But | may not longer discourse upon
st. Mary's. l speak what | do know,
when l say that Solomon's virtuous wo-
man, is in the minds of all who know
her, p~ersonified in our beloved st Mary's,
and that her daughters, Throughout the
length and breadth of the land delight
to rise up and call her blessed.
Truth.