The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1886-07-07
THE PE1LoMATHEAN SOCIETY.
It's Torty-FOurth Anniversary ---T The
Negro and His &.atIs---Thc Teach
or and His RequiSites---McdaI
ESxa XiS:S... ID COatCrS.

No event Of the commencement exercises
of Erskinc College is anticipated with more
pleasure by the general public than The ami
vrrsary celebrations of the two Lii erary Soci-
cticS. The ilLh Anniversary of the Philona-
thran society was celebrated on Monday eve
ming, and ut an early hour the handsome nail
of this society began 10 be filled by an III t4l!-
gent and cultured audience and continued un-
iii every seat had been taken. The society
had chosen as It's presiding officer, the ahle
and efficient School Commissioner OF AGbe-
willie County Mr.. George G.. Hodges, AZ lie
appointed hour the President followed by
those who were to take Part IN the exercises
OF the evening entered the hall. Upon ii king
the chair he thanked the society FOR the non,
or which had been conferred upon him, ana
in well prepared address discussed the req
uiyitcS for Il successful and influential teach
err Moral and intellectual training was inc
great field in which he laborcL, ANA TO make :,
success OF his work abOvcall things, he should
nosscss a Siaunch and inlpcachab.c character.
Palicncc in the school room, aud II rcnirm-
hrancc of the fact that he Is eN"rtinS an uh-
known influence, which is perhaps shaping
the destiny of his pupils, We're some OF the cl-
cmcntS of tho successful teacher. The address
was delivered in ln easy and gracriul style
and impressed itself upon all who heard IL.
The next exercise upon the programme was Il
debate between Two members OF the Junior
cluSS They had chosen the following query
as Tic subject for discussion. us the presence
of the negro in the United States to- be consld-
cred as an advantages" The affirmative was
ably maintained by Mr.. j. Il. Cochran o!
Query v. C., while Mr.. y. o. lilice in Il lorci-
bic manner presented the negative. Both
gent tlclnun acquitted themselves handsomely,
and were listened 10 with interest by The en-
tire audience. Upon the conclusion ot tne
debate the President stated that IL he shon!d
consult his own feelings simply, II" would
gladly leave the question undecided, butaS II
had been made his duty TO decide for one SIDE
or the other he would do so. IL Was rendered
in favor oI the negative.
The next item upon the programme was the
presentation Of diplomas TO tic graduates,
Mr. j. G.. DuuglasS Of WinnsbDrO, s. G. IN be-
half of the society. in Il touching and ieelinE
address presented this mementn TO the only
graduate. In accepting ii Mr.. w. =. Castles oi
Chester, thanked the society for the taiSlmcn
presented and in Il touching manner bid anlru
iO those with whom he had been so intimate
Is and pleasantly associated for the past lew
Years The concluding exercise OF the pro
rrammo was the prcscntatinn of tho society
medals hy the Rev. G. T.. Mcdonald, of Char
lottc y. G. Ina fitting speech intcrnlnglrd
with hits of wit he presented the medals To
tho successful contestants.
nj Tor The best IJcclaimcr in tho Freshman
class: Honorable mention Mr.. j. T. Calhoun
Mr. J. l.. Gamble was the best cssayiSa IN the
Sophomore class. Honorable mention MnsSrs.
T.. l.. Reed and George Bricc, Mr.. y. q. I,ri"c
as the best dchater in tho Junior class: Hon
ur,hle mention Mr.. J. =. Knox. Thus ended
the iith anniversary Of the Philomathcan So
cictv. May her future celebrations bc MS sue
cc>sful and pleasant Us the one on Monday
evening.