Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-06-07
MT. VERNON SEMINARY.
Interesting Graduation Exercises at the
Metropolitan NJ. e. Church.

Interesting Graduation Exercises at the
Metropolitan NJ. e. Church.
The Metropolitan NJ E. Church is one of the
largest edifices in this city, but if 1t were any
smaller it could not have well accommodated
the crowd that gathered there last evening for
the annual commencement exercises OF Mount
Vernon Seminary The class of SO numbered
fifteen young ladies and they received at the
hands of bishop Of Methodist Church
last evening diplomas that certified to
their having received the benefits Of
liberal education. The ceremonies at
tending this important event in their
lives were made as interesting and pleasant fol
them possible, and remarkable feature Of
the commencement was the fact that it was ut
terly devoid of salutatories valedictories, reci
tatons or any of the other elements that usually
60 to make up such an evening.
There was music of the very highest order
both instrumental and vocal, and there was ar
address to the graduating class, delivered by q
well-known minister in the Presbyterian
Church, and this. with the presentation Of the
diplomas, comprised the whole entertainment
1t was most delightful affair in every way,
and all those who were present came away
feeling that they had had genuine artistic
treat, apart from the interest they may have
had in the sweet girl graduates.
SWEET GIRL GRADUATES.
And sweet girl graduates never looked sweetel
and fairer than they did last evening. The
platform of the church had been extended, SC
there was room upon 1t for quite large collec.
ton of feminine ioveliness Near the center Of
the stage was q tall umbrella lamp with ,
yellow shade. At one end of the stage
was huge bunch of white Lilies
and on the opposite end another
Of yellow daisies, yellow and white being the
class colors. These were the colors used il
tying the dainty programs, and each one OF the
| ushers was decked out in like manner, TO,
there was another innovation in the shape of 6
| dozen or more attractive and tastefully
gowned young ladies who we're stationed
| at the aisle doors Of the church
| to escort the guests to their seats
The front part of the church was marked of
with ribbons and reserved for the under classes
of the seminary. While the guests were being
| seated Mr.. James Caulfield performed prelude
on the big organ, and later he played grand
march when the students entered the church
| from the Sunday school rooms below.
The stage banked up in the rear with
magnificent palms, while on each end and In
front there were smaller palms. ported plants
| and cut flowers in lavish profusIon. Sur
rounded by this green frame beauti.
ful picture was presented by the young
ladies Of the graduating class, who were seated
were seated about thirty-fve more young
ladies' also in white. These were the members
of the chorus who supplied the musical features
of the program. In front of the stage was a
large orchestra, the Wilhelmj Club. which did
excellent work under the leadership of Prof.
| kasper.
THE GRADUATES AND PROGRAM.
The entrance of the members of the schoo
into the body Of the church was a pretty
sight. First came two handsome girls carrying
the diplomas in their arms. Their
came Mrs. Somers, the principal OF Mount
Vernon Seminary, leaning upon the arm of
Bishop Hurst. Then came Miss Scull with DR.
I. s. Hamlin Of the Church of the Covenant
The students followed up both aisles at the
same time, walking two by two, and last of all
walking single file, came the members of the
class of SO, all in white and carrying huge
punches of white roses
They were Blanche Clare Barnitz, Washing.
ton, d. c.; Grace Newcomb Bentley. Grand
Island, Neb. Elizabeth Berry Dare. Washing
ton, ID. c.: Alice Z. Edwards, Delafield. Wis.
Anna Louise Hoeke Washington, d. c.; Beuah
Cooper Hubbell, Des Moines, Iowa; Gertrude
Mellen, st. Paul. Mimi: Mary Nc Cauley. Wash
ington, ID. c.; Katharine Luella Peck. Kalama-
zoo, Mich; Emangene Lavon Peters, Galloway
Ohio: Florence Whitney Quick. n. Salem, MY.
Alice Beatty Ridenour. Kansas City. No.; Cor
inne Shellabarger, Decatur, ILL.,; Blanche
Mitchell Swope, Washington, d. c.; Frances
Wood, Marshall, Mo.
As soon as they were all seated the orchestra
struck up the fascinating strains of the over
ture BY Auber, la Muette di Portici" This
was followed by an admirable rendition. by the
young ladies accompanied by the orchestra. OF
Schubert's wonderful chorus, 1.-The Lord is Ny
Shepherd, i Shall Not Want" The remainder
of the program was as follows:
Prayer, Rev. Hugh johnson. D. D.: solo
Aria from Herodade. III est doux, il est bon =
Massenet Miss Lorna Guard: chorus. 1.-THE
Water Lily" Abt; address TO graduating class
Rev. Teunis Hamiin, d. D.; chorus, spinning
song, Flying Dutchman," Wagner: solo
Boero, "Sicilian Vespers," Verdi, Miss Leta
Stakeley: presentation Of diplomas, Rt. Rev.
John +. Hurst. DID,; Pilgrims chorus. from
Tannhauser (by request), Wagner; benediction.
In his address to the graduates DIR. Hamlin
spoke in favor Of intellectual honesty. urging
the Young ladies to be always straightforward
selves. He reminded them that mind how
ever strong. if linked to a proud heart, was
weighted with an unsupportable burden. He
spoke Of the importance of love in its broadest
sense. love Of truth, of mankind and of God.
The diplomas were presented to the gradu-
ates by Bishop John F. Hurst. d. D.. of the
Methodist Church. Bishop Hurst was intro.
duced by Miss Somers and addressed a few
appropriate words to the class. Afterward he
dismissed the company with a benedictiOn.
A WEEK OF GOOD HEALTH.
Material Decrease in the Number nj