Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-06-19
SAVING ONES LIFE.
or, GARDENERS SERMON TO COLLEGE
BOYS ON THIS THEME.
.Iolut Celebration Of the Literary Societies
Last Nigbt-Bob Burdette TO
speak Tonight.

Commencement week at Richmoha 'oi-
lege opened very auspieiously sunday
night by a sermon from Rev. Dr. charies
q. Gardner. OF Nashville, Tenn. AT the
request OF the city pastors the sermon
was preached at Grace7Street church Ut
Gardner is an alumnus OF the college,
whose fragrant memory fingered with MS
contemporary fellow-students and the
professors till he renewed the friendships
of other years by this happy return. HIS
theme on Sunday night was happy
one. Saving ones Life" II was based
upon Christs declaration In Lukes Cos
pei. 9Th chapter, and 2ith verse: For
whosoeyer would save his life shall lose
H.: but whosoever shall lose his life for
Ny sake the same shall save II"
He said his theme was especially appli-
cable to young men only because they
happen 10 be at that particular point In
their career at which the great salient
questions OF life stand out before them
with peculiar distinctness. Every one is
living according TO one OF these TWO
principles. whether he has formulated II
or not Either he has adopted the policy
OF taking care of himself, sparins him.
sell. slipping through life by the smooth
est possible method. or having fixed in
his heart a purpose that points quite be-
yOnd the scope Of his individual life. he
regards that life as given him not to be
used for Itself, but devoted TO an end
outside OF IL.
BENEDICT ARNOLD AND PAUL.
Discussing how one may save his life
n We 1
he gave eloquent and convincing argu-
ments which deeply impressed the audi
ence. In his perOration he sharply and
brilliantly presented the conclusion that
he that saves his life IL a traitor, like
Judas or Benedict Arnold. but he who
loses It becomes loyal. like the great Paul.
who laid himself upon the altar OF sacri-
fee for his Master. and carrying the Cos
pei throughout the known world won the
crown of life. glorious and eternal. The
sermon produced a profound impression,
and was pronounced the best that has
ever been preached before the college
Rev. Or. Upper presided. Revs. II. a.
Bagby and Landrum assisted and Or.
Ryland made the announcements for the
week.
Rev. Or. Gardner left for his home. in
Nashville. yesterday at o'clock. While
here he was the guest of tha secretary OF
the college, Rev. G. II. Ryland. Or.
Gardner has been called TO the vacant
pulpit OF the First Baptist church OF
Greenville. S. C.. and will move there
July lst He was delighted with Rich
mond, and frequently remarked upon the
great Improvement OF the city since his
student life twelve years ago. IL was
charmed with our monuments and pri-
vate residences. lie noted the remarkable
progress Of the college in all departments.
The Literary Societies Celebrate.
The annual celebration OF the Philo-
ligian and Nh Sigma Rho Literary Socie-
ties of Richmond College took place in
the college chapel last night The chapel
had been beautifully decorated with potted
ferns and the college colors and the
colors OF the societies were draped on the
walls. a large audience was present. and
the young men who participated In the
exercises were literally applauded The
Blues Band discoursed music during the
evening
The exercises were opened by Rev. Or.
Willngham. who invoked divine blessings
on the gathering. Mr.. G. w. Dunstan. Of
Mu Sigma Rho. delivered the salutatOry.
during the course OF which he paved a
high tribute to Virginia and Virginians.
Poetic Genius" was the subject Of an
Grafton delivered by Mr.. X. III. White. of
the Philologian Society. Genius and talent
were treated separately and their defni-
lions dissected. Shakespeare was held up
by the speaker AZ a poet without a peer
Mr.. James ii. Franklin, OF Mu Sigma
Rho. spoke on Political Purity, the Bull
wark Of Free Government" and de-
livered an exceedingly Intellectual dis
course. The evils of corrupt elections
were touched on by him. and the depend
ence of society on the political govern
ment was clearly set forth.
The exercises closed with the valedic-
tory, delivered in eloquent language by
Mr.. II. W. Provence OF the Philologian
Society. The young orators acquitted
themselves excellen,ly. and well merlted
the liberal applause that was bestowed on
them.
The trustees will meet In the Library
Hall Of the college to-day at IL O'Clock
The years reports will be presented and
discussed and plans made for the next
session. The trustees have two sessions
a day. John Dabney, the caterer. spread
ing lunch for them at o'clock. on
Wednesday at the closing Of the morning
session the faculty and invited guests
will gather around the board with the
members of the corporation.
Trustees Meeting To-Day.
Mr. Robert j. Burdette will deliver the
address before the Mu Sigma Rho and
Philologian Societies tonight in the col