Bridgeton pioneer. (Bridgeton, N.J.) 1884-1919, 1888-06-21
COMMENCEMENT.
The Closing Exercises Of Ivy
Hall Seminary.

Ivy haii, ClasS OF 'SS, Wednesday
June 18th. s p. m was the inscription
on the tickets that admitted the large
audience to the Commencement exer
cises Of the graduating class of Ivy
Hall Seminary at the First Presby-
terIan Church, that evening. At an
early hour streams of people began
pouring in which was kept up until
every available seat in the large edifice
was taken. The front part of the
church was beautifully decorated with
ferns and flowers, in the rear of which
were arranged seats to accommodate
the graduating class and teachers
Rev. Henry Reeves, Principal of the
school, together with Rev. Beach, Rev.
E. M. Hitchcock, D. D., of Philadel-
phia, Revs. Stanger and Coyle, occu-
pied seats on either side.
The graduates were Miss Erba Cars.
kaddon, Lock Haven, Pa; Miss Matte
Brick, Woodbury., N. j.; Miss Marie
Soaring, Tonkins Cove, N. Y; Miss
Lizzie Stevenson, Salina, N. j.; Miss
Retta Straughen, Pennsgrove, N. j.;
Miss Lanra Willis. Fairton, N. j.; and
Miss Ester L. Soaring, Tomkins Cove,
N. Y.
At eight o'clock the large church
organ, presided over by Mrs. Ed. NJ.
F'ithian, began to peal forth the notes
OF the opening march, while the school
in a body, headed by ushers Moore
and Riley, marched up the centre
aisle and took the front seats which
had been reserved for them.
Following the opening march was q
solo and "Infiammatus, by
the full church choir, after which Rev.
Beach, pastor of the church, led in
prayer. A quartette-.O! Lovely
Night.' was then rendered by four
ladies of the choir, in a delightful
manner. Rev. Henry Reeves, then
announced the essayist and saluta-
torian, Miss Erba Carskaddon, of Lock
Haven, Pa, In her salutatory she
alluded pleasantly to the graduation
day, how it had been long looked for.
now here. IN her essay. the subject
OF which was rs Vigorous Character
Desirable for Women?" she set forth
the many differences between mans
life and that of the woman, and held
that vigorous character in women
was desirable. She portrayed the
many positions women might occupy,
not aspiring to the Presidency, but in
the cause Of temperance and charities,
and withaH to be a good, true, noble
woman. The speaker wore a delicate
cream satin, and was perfectly COM
posed throughout; she has an excellent
voice and graceful manner
rhe program was continued by
music, ''Affertoire in G, on the church
organ. An essay-"Experience"-by
Miss Matte Brick, of Woodbury., N.
j., should have been next, bat owing
to recent affiiction in the young lady's
family, she was excused The next,
an essay by Miss Marie Soaring, Of
Tompkin' Cove, n. Y. on "Imagina-
ticn,' was read in clear, distinct
tone, and the subject well handled.
She spoke OF the various characters
and habits of people, how the imagin-
alton will often lead astray; how, that
when the imagination is excited, it
carries one farther and farther into the
future, until our magnificent air castles
are ruined. I'VE should realize that
we are held responsible for our imagin-
ations." The artist chooses his ideal,
and by his imaginations he is led to
change after change. Nothing is as
good as Imagination in poetry writing
poetry is the connective link between
nature and mans mind. The entire
essay was one of great merit, and
showed careful study. Music-'Apollo
Strikes the Lyre"-was next rendered
in an enhancing manner by the choir.
Miss Lizzie Stevenson, of Sahua, N.
j., was the next essayist. Her subject
was Everything Has Its Season.
This theory, she said, seems incred-
ible--life seems to be too short-little
things make up life, yet everything
has its season. Spring Summer,
Autumn and Winter come regularly;
and after the colds OF Winter, with
nature apparently dead, yet in due
season the warm rays OF the sun comes
again, and we have beautiful Spring.
1t is necessary for everything to be
done in its specified time. That man
is deluded who builds his hopes on the
past. Improve our time; half hour a
day, with an earnest purpose, will ac-
complish much. Much is doing little
at time; employ the moments, and
everything will have it's season. The
speaker looked charming in rich
cream satin dress, and spoke in clear,
audible voice. Music followed, Spring
Song" and March of the Marionette, I"
on church organ.
The essay Transformation was