Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1889-06-21
COMMUNICATED.
SHEPHERD COLLEGE COMMENCEMENT.

|
For week past the wonted quietness of old
Shepherdstown has been broken upon by the
happy laughter and the CHEEKY voices OF the
lads and lasses of Shepherd College.
Why WAS 1t that in passing along the street
you would here and there see bevy OF girls
or boys. or meet something hurrying to and
fro which required a second look to deter
mine whether 1t was girl or only a lot OF
walking flower pots?
II has been the week for the sixteenth an
nual commencement Of Shepherd College.
and all know what an event such matter is
| in school life.
| The first OF the exercises began Wednesday
night, June IL, with the Musical Concert
| given in the College Hall by Miss Fordyce's
music class.
The stage was prettily trimmed with flow
ers which formed a fitting background for the
fair girls seated in front. If there was any
Savage beast" present it was certainly
"soothed" by the sweet strains called by the
fair hands. The programme was full, includ-
ing vocal and instrumental music.
Whilst the young ladies deserved and re-
ceived praise for their work, their luster was
reflected on the faithful teacher who had so
earnestly striven to do her duty. and by SO
doing had won the glove OF her girls" She
will always be the same, wherever her voca-
tion may lead. that in their hearts she will be
lovingly remembered.
Thursday evening the Alumni of the Col
lege held It's annual reunion at the Reformed
Church. where the Rev. j. $. Keiffer, a min
lister Of that church in Hagerstown. delivered
a scholarly address before them He was fol-
lowed in a speech by one OF their own num-
Der, Mr. II. NJ. Turner.
Old Father Time moves rapidly, and 10, Fri
day, June II, the day that closed the tenn OF
1889, and which n few months ago looked so
dim in the future, was at hand.
Early in the evening the Reformed Church
was filled with expectant people to witness
the exercises of the graduating class.
After an opening prayer by Rev. II. e. Nc
Daniel, sacred song was sung by the school.
This was followed by an Grafton on the SUBJ
ject Character" by one of the promising
young graduates, Mr.. Harry Allen, OF Moore
field. The subject was treated with mas
terly hand, and in his face, we'll as those
of the others of the class, could be seen the
promise ofsuch character as he so earnest
ly described and urged others TO seek. In the
tribute he paid regarding the influence of
home and a mother, he uttered the noblest
sentiment young man can hold.
Mental Growth" the next Grafton by Mr..
Melvin Davis, was well treated, and showed
that with him there had not been standing
still of the mind, but that school life had aid
ed mental growth"
Mr.. Alvey II. Reinhart spoke on the ''The
American Revolution and the Reformation"
BY it was shown careful preparation, and it
deserved great credit.
A clear-sighted grafton on "The New South"
by Mr. Frank Mcdaniel, son of the NJ. Il. min
lister at this place, was well delivered. Sell
dom has an Grafton from so young man
contained so much good thought and shown
SO thorough knowledge on the subject treat
ed. May his eager hopes that our own town
may soon awake and join in the rapid NOV
ing progress OF the New South" be soon re-
allied.
At the close OF this, State Superint endent
b. S. Morgan stepped forward, and, with
words of encouragement and earnest advice,
presented to these four young men the well
earned diplomas.
Never before in the history OF the College
has class come forth without some "sweet
girl graduate in white muslin and tears"
but as these four manipulating graduates
stood before the audience 1t seemed sure that
the "Class of $50" would make the world bet
ter for its living, and will make up fol- any
lack in numbers.
The Principal, Prof Asa b. Bush, spoke
some helpful words to his class, and with
words of commentator and sincere friend
oh for oil hio puniIc ho1a than r. aIvall for
the summer vacation. To him belongs sin
cere praise for the way in which he has con-
Quoted the school, and for the improvement
he has wrought In many ways since 1t has
been under his control.
While there are yet many things needed in
this school, still 1T is far superior to many
more pretentious; and If the present teachers
return another year, success will still crown
their efforts.
The esteem in which the graduates were
held was expressed in the beautiful flowers
sent them, which fair-fading things were on
ly embems of the unfading flowers Of love
and patience to be both found and given
along LIES way.
In looking back over this session, surely
no pupil Will have any but the kindest
thoughts and words for the teachers who
have so conscientiously devoted their whole
energies for the welfare OF their pupils
If both sides of every case are looked at
with perfect fairness, no one can charge any
injustice.
1t is doubtful II any school can claim teach
ers who have worked SO patiently and low
ingly, though sometimes the labor seemed
lost, and that the seed sown amid disadvan-
tages would return to them void.
But no 'labor of love" is ever forgotten,
and they did "labor of love-" for while try
ing TO store the mind with knowledge, the
higher training of heart and soul was not for
gotten, and many are the lessons taught out
side the textbook, both by precept and ex-
ample, that will be carried away in the hearts
of some OF the pupils Those who go out at
the close of this year to return no more will!
doubtless pause amid the stern realities of
after years, and looking back Mt this year
sigh, backward turn backward, o, time, in
your flight"
May each one then be able to say in truth,
ave learned not for school, but for life" and
going forward with brave heart remember
that "No LIE can be pure in its purpose and
strong in its strife and all life not be purer
and stronger thereby
The girls played their part Saturday morn
ing by industriously using their handker
chiefs as the early train sped away carrying
with 1t many CT our winters friends.
AS all separate and go TO other duties, the
hearts OF both teachers and pupils, while
speaking the good-byes and hoping that all
will be together another year, unite in say
ing to each other, God be with You till we
meet again."
June 10, SO. DISCIPULA.