The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1886-06-16
Southwestern Presbyterian Univer.
sity Commencement.
GAINESVILLE, Tenn, June 10. 1886

| GAINESVILLE, Tenn, June 10, 1856.
EDITOR CLARION: The Southwestern
Presbyterian University" has Just closed
the most satisfactory and successful year
| in its history. On last Sabbath, in the
| spacious and elegant Presbyterian Church,
the venerable Chancellor, Rev. John n.
| Waddel, d. D., LII. d., preached the BAG.
calaureate sermon. Rev. Drs. B. NJ. Palmer
and Thos. r. Markham, of New Orleans,
assisting in the devotional services. The
| text was in jeremiah Sd chapter, 4th
verse "Wilt thou not from this time, cry
unto me, my Father, thou art the gnide OF
my youth ?" 1t was presented in that
mastery style for which the renowned
educator is justly famous. With an expe-
rience of more than fifty years, largely
| spent in Mississippi, as Teacher, Professor,
| President and Chancellor, having mean
| while under his instruction thousands of
young men, his arguments, illustrations,
| warnings, appeals and encouragement
were suited to the wants of those whom he
was especially addressing. He talked 10
them with all the tenderness and affection
of a father to his sons. In showing the
need of "Divine Guidance" not only now,
in the days Of their youth, but all through
the great battle of life, he spoke with the
wisdom of philosopher, and his words, so
"like apples of gold in pictures Of silver"
will long be laid up as sacred mementoes
in the hearts of his students.
At night a large congregation as
sembled to hear the Rev. John III.
Bryson, d. D., of Huntsville, Ala,
address the Y. NJ. C. A. His text
was LIST Peter, Sd chapter. and 18th verse ::
"Be ready always tc give an answer to
every man that asketh you a reason of the
hope that is in you" The validity of
Christian Faith, his subject 1t was dis
cussed ably and scholarly, under "the idea
of race religion"-our coming to the heart
and meeting the wants of all peoples. 1t
was an interesting line of thought for the
student of the Bible, and all study it as
text book in this Institution.
During Monday willing hands were busy
in preparing the commodious and pleasant
hall, in the Stewart Cabinet Building
tor the remaining exercises. The platform
was tastefully dressed with flowers. The
walls were gracefully festooned with oak
leaf wreaths. Just behind the speakers.
and in full view of the audience, the white
satin banners of the Literary Societies
were suspended on the wall, emblazoned |
in golden letters, with their monogram,
and over them in evergreen letters, their |
respective notices: "Sargam," and "Per |
ardua ad ala
The picture OF Prof. VIM NJ. Stewart, |
the late lamented friend and patron of the |
University, was suspended between them |
and encircled with evergreen. TWAS the oc-
CASTOR for hearing the "Orations by repre-
sentatives OF the Literary Societiesn-G. A.
Woods and w. L. Frierson, both OF Ten
nessee, representing the Stewart and w.
#. Dowd, OF Aberdeen, Miss, and G. w.
Patterson, of Louisiana, the Washington
Irving" The sweet music by the Italian
String Band, and the magnificent bouquets
from admiring friends, gave zest to the oc-
casion. The orations were all admirable
both in composition and delivery. g. w.
Patterson, of the ssWashington Irving.
won the closely contested prize, and the
sioint medal was awarded him in an
amusing speech by Rev. DIR. Markham, Of
New Orleans. The pleasant duty was as
signed Rev. John f. Cannon, OF Shelbyville.
Tenn, to confer the Stewart Society Medal
Of Improvement" upon J. K. Ottley, of
Miss, and also Rev. r. F.
Bunting, ID. D., of GAINESVILLE, to confer
The washington Irving Medal of I'm
upon r. Y. Hicks, of Louis
lana. Each Of the Literary Societies gives
,ne Of its members who is adjrdged to
nave been most faithful to his duties, and
o have made the most improvement dur
ng the year:
Tuesday night every man entered the /
lrena on his own account and they nobIy
contested for distinction each against all
The orations were competitive for the 4
speakers medal It ID awarded BY the
University At each commencement, 10 en-
outrage original composition and oratory. !
The programme Vas