The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1885-06-17
+ or THE CLARION
COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES
Of the Southwestern Presbyterian
University, Clarksville, Tenn.

This Institution has so many representa-
tlves from Mississippi among its students
that many Of your readers. feel assured
Will be interested in brief account Of the
closing exercises Of the last session. held
on the first three days of the present
month. No similar institution In the
Southwest has q wider patronage than
this, ten States being Represented in IT,
student body last session, and vet Missis-
-iPp. furnished more than one fourth Of the
whole number
The Baccalaurcate sermon was preached
by Rev. Dr. King, Of Waco, Texas. and
the sermon before the young Mems Chris
tiau Association by Rev Dr. Bunting. OF
Rome, GA Both Of these disconrses were
learned, eloquent and appropriate. and
were listened % with intense interest by
large audiences
On Monday evening, June lst. four
speakers, two from each Of the Literary
Societies, delivered orations in competition
for gold medal to be awarded Tor the
best performance. Mr.. T. n. Hicks. Of
Shreveport. La, WIS the successful candi-
date. Two Of our Nicksburg bows Henry.
H. Price, and Lee Richardson. Jr. were
among the contestants and acquitted them
selves with great credit Had the award
Of the medal been left 10 the vote Of the
audience Mr.. Richardson would have re-
reived a very large vote. His subject was
the Progress OF Modern Civilization as
evinced by the marvellous display in the
New Orleans Exposition.
On Tuesday evening a similar contest
took place for the College medal between
seven young men selected by the Faculty.
The prize on this occasion fell 10 Mr.. G..
w. Patterson, OF Baton Rouge, La. Ii
was the unanimous opinion OF the audi
ence that a finer exhibition ol oratorical
talent had never been made in the history
ot the University than was given by these
speakers.
On Wednesday morning diplomas, GER
tihcates Of proficiency, aud medals for
scholarship, were distributed. Amongst
others the beautiful aud costly gold medal
recently established by DR.. Ii. y. Spencer,
now Of 81. Louis. but a native OF Port
Gibson, Miss, was awarded to Mr.. Y.
Smylie, a son Of the late Rev. John A.
Smylie, 30 long and so well known in our
state Mr.. Smylie took the degree of
Bachelor Of Arts He has distinguished
himself in every department Of scholarship,
and "a q proof OF the estimation in which
he is held by the Faculty and Board Of
Directors, he was elected am Assistant In
structor in the University for the next
session.
Following the distribution of these Col
lege honors came the oratious before the
Alumni Association by Mr. w. NJ. Cox. of
Mississippi. The subject Of this masterly
oration, though not scholastic in its char
acter, was full of interest az one of the liy-
ing and pregnant issues OF the day. II was
The relation Of the South 10 the Colored
Population 1t was a production which
would have reflected honor upon a United
States Senator. The discussion was origi-
nal, learned and profound. If Mr.. Cox,
who is a very Young man, does not attain
eventually to the highest honors Of states
manship it will be a disappointment to all
who heard his splendid effort on this occa-
sion.
The Inauguration Of the Theological
Faculty came next in order The addi-
ton OF the School Of Theology as one of
the coordinate departments OF the Univer-
sity, is the happy contamination Of the
long cherished plans of the Directors OF the
Institution. Dr. Joseph X. Wilson, one Of
the most learned and distinguished minis
Of the Presbyterian church, was iuducted
into the Prolessorship Of Systematic Theol-
ogy; the venerable Chancellor, DIR. Waddel,
was entrusted with the chair of Church
Government DR.. Shearer with that Of
Hebrew, and New Testament Greek: Dr.
Price with that OF Church History, and DR..
Lupton with that of Pastoral Theology
Atthe close OF these impressive exercises,
Chancellor Waddel announced that the
chair OF Natural Science, made vacant by
the resignation of DIR. J. w. Caldwell, had
been filed by the election of Prof j. A.
Lyon. This is a familiar and honored
name in Mississippi. Rev. DR.. james a.
Lyon, father Of the newly elected Professor,
was for many years pastor of the Presbyte-
rian church at Columbus, and at the time
of his death held proiessorship in the
University at Oxford His son, though a
comparatively young man, has distinguish
ed himself as a mathematician and a
scientist, and is highly commended by
some of the most eminent educators in the
United States. He will be valuable ac-
cession to the teaching force of the institu-
ton, and his connection with it will be a
source OF the liveliest qualification to the
many friends of his honored father
throughout Louisiana and Mississippi
Thus ended one of the most prosperous
sessions in the history of this institution
The increase OF its faculty, the enlargement
OF its curriculum, and its growing popular
ity in the Southwest, lead its sanguine
friends to anticipate for it a distinguished
career of usefulness and success.