The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1888-04-19

1t was my pleasure to attend a musical
| recital given at the College On Friday
evening, the 9th inst.
l do but simple justice to the facts in
the case when | say that the entire per-
Torrance waz laoSt creditable to the In
stitution and to Miss Young, who has
charge of this department. The selections
| were of Il character to show what real
knowledge of music the pupils had ac-
quired, and not primarily to entertain
merely. Some of the selections were
rendered with such taste as to call for
| special mention, but since all did SO well,
we will not do SO. There was to lie very
marked improvement since the musicals
| given in the early part Of the session
| | was glade to hear of the prosperity at
| tending the Institution. There have been
| about one hundred pupils entered during
the session. This has almost reached the
! capacity of the present school building. |
looked into the chapel at the close of a
| school day some few weeks since, and every
seat seemed to be taken and Indeed they
were crowded. There are representatives
| from Pitt, EdgecOmbc, Sampson, Wayne,
Halifax, Green, Wilson, Granville, War
rem and Vance counts in North Carolina
and from southampton, Mecklenburg and
Greenvilie in Virginia. l have had some
experience and some observation in, the
projection and Inauguration of such en-
terprises, and l say without hesitation and
with much confidence that one hundred
pupils is Il good exhibit for the first year
| This clearly shows the Willingness of the
people to patronize such an Institution in
! Henderson.
The boarding pupils are fine set of
| girls, Of good age and size for college work,
and it must be a source of pleasure to our
citizens to see them in their becoming uni
| form as they march along our streets and
the line is getting longer, and longer.
| Thele is notable fact that needs to be
| emphasized, and it is, that there has not been
a case of serious sickness during the entire
session, and there has hardly been ne
cessity fer medical attention at all. The
young ladies look we'll and healthy. This
is a matter for congratulation, since it es-
tablishes the healthfulneSS Of the location
which is great factor in the future success
Of the school.
Il seems to me that this is an enterprise
in which every citizen of the town should
feel deep interest. Not that this InStitu-
ton is what the Faculty and Management
want it to be and intend it shall be but
now that the foundation is laid, and the
enterprise fairly.entering upon its career,
you have before you reasonable prospect,
that as the years pass by, the patronage
may be increased, the buildings enlarged
the course of instruction extended and I'M
proved, aud ultimately the school enter
upon larger sphere Of usefulness to the
town and the surrounding country.
How happy the thought that many girls
may here receive thorough collegiate
training and thus be prepared for the duties
OF life, that could never think of going off
to college at an expense OF four OF five hun
dred dollars a year. Now while some.m
think OF this as town enterprise and n
means of building up Henderson, it yet
seems tome, that whilethis is true, higher
view is found in the fact that deserving
girls ofour community may have oppor-
tunltieS OF higher instruction.
Nothing perhaps On this life brings US
more abiding peace and comfort than the
thought that we have tried to help some
one that deserved helping, and that too at
an opportune time when they most needed
it. The names of Howard and Peabody
and Corcoran are we'll nigh immortal and
will live on the lips and in the hearts of
nations yet unborn, while those OF multi
tudeS OF rich men their contemporaries
will 60 down with their riches to complete
oblivion.
There is no special merit or virtue in &C
, cumulating wealth, even when done hon
estly, but there is great virtue in being
faithful stewards of the Lords money.
Many daughters of poor parentage are
capable of as high degree of culture as
the daughters of the wealthiest man in the
land.
What benefaction then may such an
Institution he when we'll equipped, we'll
otficered, and we'll managed The work
develops, improvements and corrections
. will suggest themselves to o5Servant men
and thus high degree Of perfection may
$ be attained.
Another matter L Will fitiiliOii IL II
we'll to remember that the highest grade of
such schools is the result of long years of
patient working and waiting. Such results
; have in them the elements OF stability.
r Many such enterprises in our land have
, come to grief because of an unhealth
anxiety to see what the would calls
Grand Success accomplished af if by
4 magic. Time is an element and an impor-
, tant one i'll this matter.
| write all this on my own motion and as
4 a friend TO the college and the town.
e While not here as a permanent resident
, / yet esteem it privilege to add any little
influence HAY have TO the upbuilding of
;, the town aud its enterprises and institutions
e In the case of the College l happen tC
f have known its history from the first projec
, ton Ihave seen the difficulties encountered
the spirit of mutual fOrbearance and kind
ness practiced on all hands-and that sub
! Stantial progress has been made.
:, The first public commencement and con
5 cert will come on in a month or two. Thi:
5 should be to ali a pleasant occasion that
t calls together people from many miles
around, J. ID. ARNOLD.