The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-06-30
william IND VIA.
Baccalaureate Sermon by BcV. James y.
Fair, of Richmond.

WILLIAMSBURG. Va. june 20 Special +
The spacious auditorium of the Baptist
church was filed t. its utmost capacity last
night TO hear the baccalaureate sermon
preached by the Rev. James Z. Fair. of the
Second Presbyterian church, Richmond. Va.
The historic chapel of the college in which all
the commencement exercises have heretofore
been held was Oh tins occasion thought 10 be
very small and the estimate of the faculty
proved to be correct. The crowd that came
10 hear the reverend gentleman would have
filed some such rooms As the chapel OF Viii
lam and Mary
The first tive rows of pews were reserved for
the students. On the pulpit platform were
seated Revs. F. T. Warren, James If. Moss,
Il c. Page and DR.. Fair.
The exercises were opened by Mr.. Warren,
pastor of the church, by announcing the 18th
Gospel hymn, which was sung by the choir.
The twelfth chapter of icclesAstes was
then read by Rev Mr. Warren after which II
was announced that special prayer would DO
offered for the recovery Of q student OF Viii
liam and Mary who is now dangerously ill aud
Rev Mr.. Page, of the tpis opal church. was
called upon t. asa divine AID aud mercy.
The llIth hymn was then announced and
sung. ana while the collection was being
taken up Mrs. l.. " ane. Jr sang a solo
full of athos and religious sentiment.
Rev. Mr.. Warren then came forward and
took as the theme Of his discourse the sec
ond verse of the iY. chapter of the secC nd
Epistle Of Timothy Il have fought good
fight"
The speaker began by describing our
Sayi0urs life upon earth. the hardships
trials and suheungs which no endured the
punishment and humiliation TO which he was
subjected. but showed that glorious reward
awaited him as the result of the life toll aud
long suffering here Then addressing him
self to the young men. 10 whom he came e.
pecally TO speak. said Life is a battle but
II seems 10 the young only a long, bright holt
day. 10 be spent IN pleasure. who never think
that changes must occur. and that what is oil
happiness and pleasure to-day may on the
inofrow be changed to sorrow and sadness
Ihis idea was then illustrated by describing n
young man who was Just leaving home TO
JON the army IN time OF war lie was all
buoyant with hope. aglOw with military
tuor aho laughing at the teQrs in
lib mcilers eyes as she bade him
. Std farewell. Little did ks DIRE an of the
hai9shlps; trals, priyations and suffering Of a
soidlers life. No thought OF the DAYS of
danger and nights of waking ever fitted
across his peaceful breast But soon he real
,lec MS mistake. 1reading the wintry plain.
n1s hlnbs benumbed with cold or marching
we oosey foad beneath the scorching rays
OF summer sun, the once bright and brl
haht uniform now riddled with bullets bar-
rowing scenes Of blood and carnage az
aos9ieuon Snd destruction passing m ranid
review before him. seeing the heaps az
deao and hearing the groans of the dying
with their life-blood .ebbing away and no
tender hand TO stsunch the flow OF blood and
no tongue 10 speak word OF sympathy or of
love- Ihen- IN all of its fullnoss, came the