The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1889-07-04
a Gala Day at Due West.

Last week was Commencement week at
Due West, the exercises embracing three
days-Tuesday, Wednesday and Thurs
day-,and from the beginning to the close
they were exceedingly interesting. Itwas
the nemi-centennial of Erskine College,
and the thirtieth anniversary of the Fe-
male College. During all these years
both of these excellent institutions have
been roted for its interesting Commence
ment exercises. and large. crowds Of visi-
tors, many of whom would come from
distant States, and this year was no e1cep-
ton.
II was our desire to be present through
out the exercises Of both Colleges, but the
pressure of business kept us at home
until Thursday morning, when, at an
early hour, in company with our towns
man, Mr.. r. G. Webb, We drove out Of
the city and in a few hours landed safely
in the classic town, where everything was
astr, People were coming in from every
direction, and it was soon evident that the
crowd in attendance would be larger than
on Aer of the preceding days.
Thursday was the day set apart for the
exercises Of the Female College, and by
9 o'clock Lindsay Hall, where. the exer-
cises we're held, was crowded to Its utmost
capacity, nine.tenths of the audience
beirg ladies. The scene In the Hall was
most beautiful one. AS we sat upon
the rostrum and viewed the two thousand
fair faces before US, we soon came to the
conclusion that bachelor does not often
have the opportunity of seeing 80 much
beauty massed together.
Shortly after o'clock about one hun
dre1 of the fair students marched into the
Hall and were seated upon the rostrum.
The exercises were opened with prayer by
Rev. DR.. Sloan, of Abbe7ille County,
after which the one hundred young ladies
joirsd in singing the opening chorus,
sGod is the Refuge" a regular pro-
grarnme OF about three hours length was
then rendered, consisting of exsays, vocal
and instrumental music, award of medals
and presentation of diplomas. At o'clock
] recess was taken until 3 o'clock.
In the afternoon the crowd that wit
nessed the concluding exercises was as
large as in the forenoon, and the pro:
gramme equally as interesting. After
the opening chorus and piano quar-
| tette, Miss Iva Cook, of this County, read
the alumnae essay, her subject being
E"Llfe is what ne make It," which was
handled in very interesting raanner,. re.
| fecting great credit upon the fair essayist.
The audience was treated to more music,
aa6 then Rev. A. A. Marshall, who was
to deliver the anniversary address, was
| introduced. Mr.. Marshall held the undi'
vided attention of his hearers for about
thirry-fve minutes, his subject being
1.-THE work of the Teacher 1t is useless
for US to say that the address, was most
eloquent, instructive and interesting, fol
our readers know that he never delivers
any other but that sort.
This concluded the exercises for the
day, and after the crowd was dismissed, q
large portion of the visitors spent an hour
or two at ths College inspecting the art
exiibit.
1t night reception was held at the
College, when the students of Erskine
College and many of the male visitors had
The pleasure Of meeting the charming
yo.4ng students. light refreshments were
served and the evening was most pleas
! antiY spent.