The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1890-06-27
Closing Exercises.
OREGON STATE AGRICULTURAL
COLLEGE, lSS9-90.
TReported for The Gazette. ]
Sunday, June %. 1890.

ment the Baccalaureate sermon, the
first of commencement exercises, was
delivered by Rev. E. J. Thompson in
the college chapel at | l a. m.
The stage decorations had been mn-
der the management of Geo. Coote,
and they rendered his excellent taste
apprrent.
The audience began to arrive before
the stated time and soon filled the
assembly hall to its utmost capacity.
When the services commenced every
nook and corner which gave a view of
the stage was filled with people.
The services opened with the sing
ing of the Doxology by choir and audi
ence. Rev. Thompson then led in
prayer, after which Rev. A. Rogers
read lesson from Goth Psalm and
from Numbers, 18th. The choir then
rendered "Zlon, City of our God"
The audience was again led in prayer
by Rev. A. Rogers, after which
Rev. Thompson arose and read the
text, "But my servant Caleb, because
he had another spirit with him, and
hath followed me fully, him will I
bring unto the land where into he
went and his seed shall possess it,"
from Numbers 14:24.
The speaker compared the position
of the class to that of ship passing
the mouth of river, and being warn
ed by the pilot to enter. If it passes,
there is lost opportunity. He said
that the worlds heroes are those who
are searching for opportunities; all fol-
lowers after truth are seeking to enter
new fields of enterprise. He asked,
"What kind of men and women does
the present age require?" "The ideal
allures men onward" A revolution
in the realm of opinion is passing on
all around u.s." The tendency of the
present age is materialistic. He dis.
eussed the question in this strain in an
exhaustive manner and then passed on
to the other, viz: "Who are they that
are most likely to meet with successl"
This was as thoroughly demonstrated
as the other. He came to the conclu-
sion that they are those who will make
most of opportunities; that there are
heights and depths no human mind
can fathom; that education points
through nature up to natures God.
AT this point he turned aside in an ad-
dress to the class of 1890. He bade
them strive for character; told them the
earth holds unexplored honors for them;
that life's possibilities are all before
them; and bade them 60 from those
halls like men to win their triumphs in
life. He reminded them that when
they met others in the battle of life |
they should first know that they are
right and then press forward He
closed the address with good wishes
and prophesy Of future SUCCESS,
The whole sermon was eloquent and
instructive, and will long be remem-
bered by visitors as well as by students.
After another prayer and a song,
"Onward Chaistian Soldiers," the con-
was dismissed by Rev.
Rogers.
The people presented a magnificent
spectacle as they filed down the walk |
in front of the college on their way !
home. There were from $50 to 800 !
in number, the ladies in gay spring
colors, and the gentlemen in their best.
Ali seemed to, take pride in the present.
fourishing condition of our college.
The assembly would. have done honor
to many older institutions than ours.
Members of the alumni from all parts
of the country were in attendance.
June 23rd:
The entertainment of the Dialectic
society was one of the most important
Of the week. During the day the hall
was beautifully decorated with floral
tributes from the conservatory. Mr..
Coote, assisted by some of the cadets,
placed the flowers so that they seemed
% have grown where they stood. Long
before the time for the exercises 10 be-
gin crowds of people began to arrive
rom town and soon filed the hall.
This being the first oratorical contest
occurring in connection with the col
ege it presented a new attraction.
When the time for be0iilnino the.