Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-05-18
BELMONT FEMALE SEMINARY.
Cornerstone Laid with Imposing Masonic
Ceremonies.

Ceremonies.
fcorrespondcnce Of the Richmond Dispa,chJ
BEDFORD CRY, Va, MAY 16, 1890,
The cornerstone of Belmont Female
SEMINAR was laid to-day. The showers oil
the morning excited fears that the hour
chosen for the ceremOnies-3:3O j. NJ
would be likewise inclement and that there
would be a great disappointment on the
occasion. for which much preparation had
been made. but the afternoon proved 70 pe
favorable. and all the scenes OF nature
were fresher and more beautiful by reason
of the recent rains.
A large crowd from the city ana sur
rounding country had assembled on inc
Ground and gathered under the shade OF
the trees with which il is adorned When
the sound OF music announced the mp
prOach of the procession, ana soon TIE
Bedford CITY band appeared II sight accom-
Danvinp Tho members of the Masonic IRA
| tcrnitv end an interesting line OF young
ladies' and girls dressed III white ana carry
ing flowers.
NoN-sECTARIAN.
The Belmont Seminary, though not sec
tarian is founded by the Presbyterian
church Of tins place and is under its con
troll. and TO its pastor. Rev. T.. ID. wash
burn. was assigned the duty OF opening the
exercises with prayer. After TINS hylu !
appropriate 20 the occasion was sung eho
from many voices in harmony ascendeu
the petition
"The heads that guide endue with sSili'
The hands that work preserve from III;
lie thou in them and they in thee,
Oh ever blessed Trinity"
THE STONE LAID.
Under the direction of the WOrshipful
Master, Rev Il. W. Jones, rector OF the
Episcopal church, the cornerstone was
then laid with tho usual Masonic ceremo-
MES. each officer performing his part with
promptness. The work was pronounced
true and trustworthy. Tho corn OF
nourisbment, the wine OF refresh
meut. and the oil of harmony were
poured upon the stone, ana then
from the hands Of the young ladies' hoWGrs
in profusion were showered upon II. Inc
list of articles sealed within the stone en-
braced Bible, the charter Of the Belmont
Seminary. with the names OF It's trustees
copies Of the Central Presbyterian and Chl1S-
tan ObsvrG'. the Richmond STATE and ms
| mach. the Bciford IndeT, and com OF 1871.
By an unfortunate and much regretted aG-
cident the Bedford Democrdt was omitted.
All the exercises were interpreted with
good music from the band.
REV. MIR. PRICES ADDRESS.
When the time arrived for the delivery
of the address expected from Rev. DR.. Lati-
mer, of the Union Theological SEMINARY
in Prince Edward county, Mr.. Nashburn
announced that he could not be present on
account of sickness and introduced heY'
i. b. Price, of Buchanan, who delivered a
brief address, in which he alluded TO the
history of Presbyterian institutions IN VIZ
ginia, beginning near the time OF the ReVo
luton, and TO their female seminarles es
| tabished and in prospect in the valley o.
Virginia, in Southwestern Virginia, ana &c
what the other denominations are dong IL
this department of education.
CLOSING EXERCISES.
Rev. Mr.. Washburn offered few remarks
showing that in tho Belmont school the
Bible would not be excluded as secular
book, and the exercises were closed Will
the Doxology and benediction by Rev. Mt
Abbott, of the Baptist church.
The seminary Is TO be erected on one 81
the most attractive sites within the city
The property purchased is known as Dr.
Sales residence, and embraces five acres OF
land.
The female school, under the care Of
Mrs. Wade and her daughters, consists OF
seventy scholars. These young CONSTITUTED
large part of the procession, which added
so much to tho interest Of the occasion
This school is to be transferred to the new
seminary, which Is be opened next tal
with Mr.. J. Il. Guy az principal and Miss
Florence Wade as associate principal.
TUCKAHoE.
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