The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1892-07-13
AN HISTORIC, OCCASION.
CELEBRATION OF THE MI-CENTENNIAI
OF THE PHILoMATHEAN LITERARY
SOCIETY.

Patriotic Work and Filial Love OF
the Sons of the SOciety-Re.U UniOn
) Of IIOnOred BrOthers-IIistOry OF
the Occnsion-New Heart and New
; Hope for All.
On Tuesday night June 2lst, 1892, the Phio
mathean Literary Society celebrated its tif
tleth anniversary. This was an occasion OF
great pleasure TO the A alumni OF the society
1t marks an epoch In her history. Fifty
ture Is before her. But before we speak OF
the celebration ITSELF we deem 1t nothing but
just that we should tell the movers in this
enterprise.
Il HISTORY OF THE ENTERPRISE.
At the semi-Centennial of Erskine College
in 1859, In the meeting Of the Alumni Of th is
ID. c., proposed that we appropriately cele.
brate our semi-centennial, which would oc.
cur in 1892; and that sum OF s., 900 or s., 200
be raised by subscriptions from the Alumni
for the purpose or refurnishing and reftting
the hnll and library. All heartily concur
red In this proposal. and were glad Of this
for and interest In their old Society. DR..
Darlington started the ball rolling by large
subscription. In quick succession names
followed, and that evening most OF the
tinns. Mr.. r. c; Brownlee was elected troas-
urer Of the fund.
Nothing further was done until commence.
| ment In 1881 when the following committee
OF arrangements was appointed by the Alum
nj Association J. ]. Darlington, Rev. r. 6.
Miller, Rev. ]. T. Chalmers, P. L. Grler, r. C..
Brownlee, w. l.. Miller.
The active duties of the committee devolv-
ed upon the last three named, who met from
| time to time, made all the arrangeme IN tx.
superintended all the work, made all pur-
cha ses, collected the su inscriptions, etc.
| The total amount subscribed was Tin round
numbers) 81 200. 1t was determined TO ex-
pend $500 OF this amount in improvements on
the building, and the remaining 800 was TO
| be used in buying new and standard works
| in every department Of literature and science
! for the library.
This entire matter of expenditure was left
| In the hands Of the committee OF arrange
ments. How we'll they have performed their
duty. their work attests. They have replaced
the old roof with an entirely new one, had
the hall repainted outside and inside, pur.
chased a beautiful carpet for the auditorium,
mating for the vestibules and stair cases.
and some fixtures for the hall. Books for the
library have not been purchased yet This Is
the way of improving the hall. but we feel
that IL deserves more than II passing notice.
for their taste was an excellent as their
work.
DESCRIPTION OF HALL.
On the right as you approach Erskine Col.
thean hall. It's two story brick structure,
fronting thirty-seven and running back fif-
ty-five feet. The dead stretch OF wall Is re-
lieved by pilasters, which ascend at regular
the front OF the hall are adorned with acan-
thus leaves after the beautiful Corinthian
archt ecture. A large arched window Is In
the center Of the front. The body OF the hall
is painted salmon brown, with trimmings
cream white. This is as pleasing TO the eye
as II Is unique. The doors together with
their facings are painted beautiful wal
on the brow Of the hall CLEANS a bright
star, the badge OF the Society, which has the
motto engraved upon IL "Tentare est Valers.'
Two doors admit you into the lower vesti-
bule. Here large double door opens Into
the library, whose shelves are well filled with
the choicest works Of biography, history. poe
try, etc.
which is used as Literary hall. The presi.
dents stand Is at the opposite end Of the hall
from the entrance. Al bove 1t hangs the por-
@ Ps 1 Dr. 81 E H Uege oSs
the mantels facing each other are the por-
traits OF DIR. Z. L. Patton and DIR. K. c. Grier.
While over the door Is the picture Of Napo.
leon Bonaparte, which was presented to the
Society by Hon. Il. K. Hemphill.
The interior OF the auditorium is painted
pure white, with oak and maple wainscoting.
The vestibules and stair cases are painted
white, with deep belt of dark trimmings to
protect the lower part o the wall.
On the presidents stand Is the following
motto in letters OF gold "Nil Desperundum"
THE PROGRAM.
Not only did this committee OF arrange.
ments hnve under their immediate supervi-
sion the various improvements which were
them to arrange the program Of exercises for
men for each position, and men who acted
well their parts. They arranged the follow
r Rev. ~ 5. q. phillips, D. D., Louisville, Ga,
president and to make the opening address.
Hugh w. Harris, Esq, OF Charlotte, N. c.,
10 make the semi. Cen tennial address.
J. n. Miller, ESQ, Camden, Ala, to m al e
the Literary address.
EXERCI SEES OF TIE EVENING.
The committee or arrangements had some
invitations and programs printed which were
sem 10 every member OF the Society whose
address could be obtained. A large number
OF Alumni were present, but many more
were unable to attend. Some OF these sIgni.
fed their deep Interest and longing desire 10
be present on this occasion by letter TO the
comm ittee.
On the evening set apart for this celebra-
tion, the Philomutheam hall was early filled
with an expectant audience. The Alumni
were seated to the right OF the speakers. The
McGlll Quartette relieved the tedium OF the
evening by sweet strains Of music. The first
piece played was PhIlomatheun Schottche,
composed By ID. H. Magill, Esq.
At the appointed hour the speakers march
ed in. The venerable DR.. Phillips assumed
the duties Of the presiding officer. He intro
duce the exercises by some delightful and
characteristic remarks. He spoke OF the diff:
ference between education and learning. 1t
was indeed pleasant To listen 10 The past rs IL
admOnlshed the present.
The nexton the program was the semi.Cen-
tennial address of Hugh w. Harris, Esq.
This address was purely historical In It's na-
ture. He dwelt upon the origin and organi-
| Zation Of the Society. The Society was fully
organized and In working order in June, lS4l.
This paper was intensely interesting. He
then spoke OF some OF the prominent Alumni
| OF the Society.
Then followed the literary address OF j, n.
beaming with thought, adorned with the
choicest language and the most beautiful fig
ures. The eloquent speaker was untramnel-
ed With manuscript, and thereby gained all
| the inspiration of the occasion. We have
heard often OF his cloqucnce, but now we
have heard II, and know that IL has not been
| exaggerated.
After this, the aged president said that 1t
was early yet. and 1t was proposed that they
have a few dry toasts, but he wanted 1t dir
tinctly understood that they were to be dry
toaStS. He then proposed u toast 10 Erskine
College, and called on Rev. +. \. Pressly, Of
Abbeyillc, to respond. :.
Rev. r. 6. Miller then proposed n toast to
| the elder sister, Euphemia, und called upon
Rev. b. +. Riley to respond.
| PhilOmathean was then proposed and re-
sponded TO by j. &. Reid Of the Senior class
w. l.. Miller, ESQ, then proposed Il toast to
the light and brightness of The audience, wo-
man, and cnllei upon the Solicitor OF this
District, Col. w. +. Ansel To respond, which
hed did in most pleasant and appropriate
| manner
| This closed the exercises OF the evening.
| The following young men acted as marshalS:
j. $. MuShat, f.. T.. Williamson,
| Norman James, &c. Mclaughlin.
The music was very fine indeed. The
Magill Quartette is composed of the follow
ing:
D. II. Magll, y. l.. Polhill,
John Mngill, b. Mugill.
We do not feel tina: We can justly leave the