The western sentinel. [volume] (Winston-Salem, N.C.) 1887-1926, 1894-05-31
wm.F. BURBANK, Editor and Proprietor
AT THE STATE NORMAL.
BISHOP RONDTHALER DELIVERS
AN ABLE SERMON.

Paid a Glowing Tribute TO the Late
DR.. Wiiey-General Gordon on the
Last Days of the eConfederacy"
The Raleigh News-ObserYer, ii
reporting the commencement exercises
Of the State Normal and Industrial
School at Greensboro, has this to say
of Bishop Rondthaler's sermon
At II O'Clock Bishop Rondthaler, OF
Salem, preached the annual sermon.
His text was from Job, 45 chapter and
part Of the 10th verse, "He openeth
the ear to discipline"
1t is needless for your correspond.
ent to say anything OF She splendid
ability as a finished pulpit orator OF
the Bishop to North Carolinians. he
is too well known. 1t is sufficient to
say that he was listened to with
wrapt attention by that large audi
encc, and pin drop could have been
heard at any time. During the SER
mon the Doctor said that great sacri-
lice and discipline is necessary 10 the
getting of an education, that educa.
lion is not how much you learn from
books, but how well the mind is
trained. We do not understand why
all have to toll and struggle, but God
allows it as He knows it is for the
best. He sometimes almost crushes
US but it is only that lie may after
ward stamp Us as current coin. He
deals with His children intelligently.
Here the Doctor gave US an illuStra-
tion, the blindness of Milton, who
never would have been famous but for
his blessed blindness.
GEN. GoRDoN's ADDRESS
General John B. Gordon spoke for
an hour and three quarters Thursday
night in the spacious auditorium of
the State Normal and Industrial
school. Every available space was
crowded. The distinguished orator
was introduced in a most handsome
manner by Justice A. c. Avery, of
the Supreme Court, who paid him q
splendid tribute. Gen. Gordon, in his
opening words acknowledged the COM
plimenJ and proceeded in his match
less style to portray the scenes, which
lis subject, "The Last Days of the
Confederacy'' contemplated. 1t took
only few minutes to show that the
tone and spirit of the audience was
fine, and that they were in full touch
with the speaker. From the first he
held them by his splendid presence,
powers of Oratory. Throughout his
address ran a vein of humor which
completely captivated the audience
and the brilliant flashes of the speaker
were received with outbursts of ap-
plause and contagious laughter, Whic h
would subside and often break out
anew. Seldom was such sympathetic
appreciation evinced.
Gen. Gordon's eulogies of Jackson
+ <@-1R Nl< ri
his tribute to Grants generosity and
er brought forth prolonged applause.
One of the most pleasing features
of the address was the happy faculty
of the speaker in relating Incidents
and scenes of the war which came un-
der his observation, and these were
interviewer with fine pathos and
eloquence. Many distinguished gen.
tlemen heard the address.
At this point the speaker turned to
the graduating class and said l only
know one of your number. the daugh.
ter of the first State Superintendent
of Public Instruction in North Caro-
lima, and am the late DR.. Wiley rec
minded of his long, heroic struggle
for better educational facilities in
North Carolina.
Bishop Rondthaler closed with an
eXhortation to the young ladies to
pray, pray hard that the Master may
lead you safely along the rough jour-
ney of life and that he may help you
fight in the battle.
DIR. McIver then presented certifi-
Gates of proficiency in the art of teach
ing. and explained to the audience
that these certificates entitled the
owners to teach in any public school
in North Carolina without being eX-
amined. He also presented certif1-
Gates to the students of stenography,
who had a speed of eighty words per
minute. After this DIR. McIver made
short address on presenting the di
plomas to the following named gradu-
ates: Misses Katherine Applewhite,
Scotland Neck; Gertrude Bagby, Ra
chel Brown, Newbern; Mary Lewis
Harris, Concord; Susan Israel, Ashe
Vile; Annie Lee Rose, Smithfield
Virginia Taylor, Greensboro, and
| Mary Calhoun Wiley, Winston.
| Rev. Jesse HI. Page, of Morganton
| in behalf of the institution, presented
a Bible to each member of the class
L