The Southern herald., 1886-06-26
GiRsburg Collegiate Institute.

The commencement exercises OF
this institution commenced ETiday, |
June II, that day being devoted to
the examination of the graduating
class. On Sunday the commence
ment sermon was preached by Rev.
G. B, Rogers to large and atten
tive congregation. The following
Monday and Tuesday yowere taken
up with general examinations. On
Tuesday night the exhibition of
the preparatory department took
place. This consisted chiefly Of
recitations by the smallest pupils,
with some pretty songs and instru-
mental music, The entertainment
was somewhat interfered with on
account of the heavy rain that had
fallen during the day, which over
flowed the creeks and prevented
some of the pupils from being
present. The faculty, however, by
making a few changes, was able to
present a very pleasing programme
and the audience spent a very
pleasant evening. On Wednesday
night came the annual exhibition
and concert. The weather, which
had been raining during the day,
cleared off in the evening, and by
the time for commencing the exer-
cises the large hall was completely
full. The entertainment was va
ricd and we'll selected, consisting
of rccitations, orations, essays and
dialogues, with some beautiful songs
and fine instrumental music. The
dialogues were of the most amusing
character, and kept the large au-
dience in roars Of laughter. | will
not encroach upon your valuable
space by making separate mention
of the programme, but will content
; myself by saying that the pupils
acquitted themselves we'll, and that
all enjoyed the evening hugely, the
universal verdict being that the
entertainment was a grand success
3 Thursday was commencement day
The weather had again become
rainy and prospects looked very
gloomy early in the morning. Tit
sun, however, shone through th'
clouds about s clock and that wa
all that was necessary to cause th'
people to commence pouring in
, which they did in real earnest
$ coming from all directions and il
Q all sorts of conveyances. BY 1
: O'Clock about 800 persons had col
D lectcd, and Col. Stockdale, the an
: nual orator, having arrived, tn
a exercises of the day began wit
n prayer by Rev. R. J. Stewart
: Then a magnificent anthem wa
J. sung by the students, after whic
Mr.. w. B. Nixon, salutatoriar
n delivered his graduating speech
J. the subject being "Kingdoms an
g Gates" 1t was delivered in
IS mastery manner, rejecting gre;
,r credit on the speaker, At the cor
\ clusion of this address the singin
r class gave "Blue Eyed Lynette, "
,r beautiful song and chorus. The
II came the valedictory address
" Mr.. E. D. Schilling; subject, "Tl
:. Gulf Stream" This was abb
handled, showing that the speak
had spent deep thought in its pre-
aration. A quartette, "Frien
ia ship, Love and Song" was the
III sung, This was very beautif
&C though difficult piece of music,
ls' fact such as is not often attemptt
nc except by professionals, but
nj rendition proved that good mus
'ss and singing can be enjoyed in rur
ne districts as we'll as in large citi
ne and towns. After this the singh
ed class sang that song of songs, de
to every man and woman in t
sunny South, ''Dixie." This W
W. a surprise to the audience. as it W
not on the programme, and t
y, hearty manner in which they a
w. preeiated it, was shown in the ra
" turous applause at its conclusio
of The eyes of many strong men !
came dim with tears as the mu
=. of this song called back memori
II of days that are gone, when t
brave sons of the South marched
~ ~ battle by the strains of Dixie, a
-, thousands were laid low in dea
llu n.l II ID CInnl, dnln thnn rnSn