Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1889-06-15

ana entertaining. he gave the graQu-
ates some sound advice aud the audience
much to think of. He was several times
roundly spplauded.
After the class-parting song, rendered
by the classes and the Quartette, Rev.
MIR. Edwards pronounced the Benedic-
tion, and the vast assemblage reluctant
~ moved out of the hall to tire strains of
sweet music by the Mechanics Band.
In order to afford all who wished to do
SO the opportunity to attend the services
on the occasion of the delivery of the
Baccalaureate Sermon, the Protestant
ministers agreed to close their churches
Sunday evening, with the exception of
one, the ministers and their congrega-
tions to attend in body the one select
ed. The church referred to, the Metho-
dist Episcopal, having the largest seat
ing capacity, was chosen, and Rev. F.
NJ. Woods, of the Presbyterian church.
invited to deliver the sermon. Accord
ingly, at the usual hour the spacious NJ.
E. Church edifice was filled with repre-
sentative citizens, members of all the
Protestant denominations of the city,
and another beautiful and inspiring
scene presented itself. There seems to
be among the religious denominations of
Martinsburg harmony, and an endeav-
or to work in unison; spirit of brother
~ and christian fellowship; a true reali-
zation of the of the God-proclaimed fact
that sects and creeds and individual
opinions, are laid aside when the
pearly gates of Heavens safe fortress
close upon the devout and fortunate
Soldier of the Cross. This state of
affairs in the lovely little hilled city is
worthy Of more than passing note, and
POI it out as a desirable location for
those who wish to enjoy perfect freedom
in their opinions, and Yet be one with
all others, differ though they may. This
dispersion must be excused in conse-
quence of the impression it is calculated
to make upon a comparative stranger
for the scene presented last Sunday
night, where all creeds for the time were
sunk in the general good, can scarcely
be duplicated in any other city of the size
Martinsburg, within the writer's knowl-
edge.
The choir's, also, of almost all the
churches in the city had joined hands.
and under the leadership of Prof. Fred
Luscomb, contributed greatly to the at
Effectiveness OF the services With a
skill that is really marvellous the profe3
sor in very short time trained the large
number of voices to such perfection that
they seemed to have been organized for
y IAhCu vi LHclT uuIuOeT5 were Civ
en- with a proficiency and expression
that would have done honor to the first
choir of the land, whilst the last beauti
full song was renderedin such exquisite
style that had it been elsewhere than in
ths House of God tumultuous applause
would have greeted it.
In the pulpit and within the altar
rail, in addition to the pastor of the
church, Rev. Mr.. Edwards, and Rev. +.
N. Woods, were Rev. Mr.. Kennedy, of
the Methodist church, South; Rev. Mr..
Trump, of the Lutheran church; Rev.
Mr.. Robinson of the Baptist church;
and Rev. Mr.. Ridenour, Of the United
Brethren, Christ church. all of whom
after the delivery of the sermoa-made
few remarks.
The text of the reverend and talented
gentleman, F. M. Woods, pastor of the
Presbyterian church, who had been Sc
lected to deliver the Baccalaureate Ser
mon, was, very appropriately, "Let your
Light Shine" There were no prelimi-
nary remarks, none of the ordinary apoI-
ogies, no explaining of irrelevant mat
tiers, in the outset of the splendid pro.
duction of the able speaker. He went
straight to his subject, and handled it as
one used to such matters. There was
scarcely q useless sentence in the entire
sermon. All was meat and of the rich
est kind With simile and strOphe al