The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-06-19
ALUMNI SOCIETY.
Its Annual Meeting at Richmond College
Chapel.


Last night the Society Of Alumni held its
annual meeting in the College chapel.
After prayer by Rev. j. Il. Garick, of Bru-
ington, the president, Rev. II. II. AGREE, of
Petersburg, referred to the early history of
the college, and introduced 10 the audience
the venerable and beloved Rev. DIR. Robert
Ryland. the first president Of the college. DR..
Ryland was greeted with hearty applause,
and his account Of the origin and develop
ment Of the institution Of learning of which
Richmond and the state are now proud was
exceedingly interesting. lie stated that he
and few others met on the 9th OF June,
1S;O, in the Second Baptist church, OF
this city TO consider the propriety OF
establishing a school for the instruc-
ton Of young men who contem'
plated entering the Baptist ministry.
The result Of that conference was the es-
tablishment of the Virginia Baptist SEMI
nary on the site now occupied by Richmond
college.
TheDoctor related some amusing experien-
ces ia connection with the early days of the
institution. The students all boarded with
the family Of the president, and it was a
custom 10 seek proficiency in photography
by passing words around the table 10 be
spelled; and there were some practical ex-
amples Of phonetic spelling.
CHARTER APPLIED FOR.
Gradually the institution grew, and at
length the trustees applied TO the General
Assembly of Virginia for charter; but the
Legislature refused TO grant a charter TO a
Theological Seminary, and so 1t was de.
cided TO make ii only a classical
school, and the name was changed
10 Richmond College. While the college
has always been, and still is, owned and
controlled by the Baptist denomination, il
~ not and has never been, in any sectarian
sense, a Baptist college. Students of all
crecds, and Of no creed, have shared Its ad-
yantagcs and borne oil it's honors; and even
professors have been chosen regardless OF
UNCONVENTIONAL connections.
In 1919 the college for the first time con
ferred degrees. The full graduates were
Rev. T.. 5. Henson, ID. d., now Of Chicago,
and Josiah Ryland, Esq, a prominent bust
ness man and useful citizen of Richmond.
The institution was growing rapidly
when the war (bellum horrendumD came
on, scattered the students and faculty, de-
str0yed the endowment, and defaced the
buildings.
AFTER THE WAR.
Soon after the close of the war the college
started again on its career of usefulness
with DIR. Ryland still at its head, and for
some years afterward il was under his
charge. IL was ever his aim 10
induce Young men 10 gain the
most thorough preparation possible
for their life work. One giant Is worth
hundred pigmies. His efforts in this di-
rection were not always successful, yet the
college, year after year, has sent out strong,
well-equipped imen-men who have done
and arc doing their work grandly and
well.
The friends OF the College were delighted,
1T the opportunity OF looking upon the
form erect and the genial face Of the dear
old man who has done NO much for the cause
OF Christian education.
THE ALUMNI ADDRESS.
Rev. II. A. Upper, Jr., ID. d., Of Louis
VILE. KY, was next introduced as the ora
tor Of the evening. DIR. Upper Is young
man Of rare ability and exceedingly grace
f>lI % speaker. He Is the pastor OF the
broadway Baptist Church OF Louisville,
ed u son Of Rev. DIR. II. A. Upper Of
Richmond.
The alumni address was delivered by
Rey. II. A. Topper, Jr., ID. d., OF Louis
vllle, Ky. Dr. Tuppers subject was ''Sell-
UegOtsm," and was discourse OF unusual
power and eloqucnce. The speaker thor
coghIy mastered his interesting subject, and
hcld the close attention Of the large au-
dience. In opening his address he said:
- y whst is I'm . thing that determines It's
value. The rough rock Of the mountain. the
Wild wave OF the sea, the vapor0us.veil Of the
9ty shut from the eye mines. oceans, worlds
Of wealth. The invisible II more potent
end more permanent than the visible;
ne Intangible IL richer and more
reel than the tangible. The mass OF
men are married. 70 the material. Circum-
eeoocee ere bon0red above character he
ODe = the outward mon; the other Il the in-
ward man: the one Ii what man appears u
lsS IRE other IL what q man Ia. Fnino *
1nogo 14ht0Dsble than foundation la an age
teep lie lnds ~ Sufiiciency on the surface
Q0l91 TothsQpestlon "what The worshs'