Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1894-09-05
Praise God from Whom All Blessings
Flow

Oh glory, p@ans OF triumph and songs
of praise and gratitude. The severer
struggles for life are over, the crisis in
her history is past and her future as one
of the leading educational institutions
of the country is assured. Her plans
are constantly charging, the scope of
her continually broadening
to meet the requirements of this pro.
gressive era. Persons, who are invest
ing their wealth in enterprises for the
elevation and betterment of the hui
man race, are beginning to consider
her claims, and taking into view the
financial depression everywhere pre-
vailing and the vast number of public
movements throughout the country
needing and deserving help, they are
generously responding to her appeals
for aid.
August 30, 1894, will be q memorable
day in the annals of this historic and
hallowed spot. 1t marks the begin
ming of a most hopeful and inspiring
renaissance in its educational and re-
ligious enterprise. Amid the glorious
associations and dear memories that
cluster around this first nursery of
learning and piety in the Southwest,
this day is what the diamond is among
the precious stones-what gold is
among the precious metals, not a whit
less noteworthy and prophetic of good
than the day when DR.. Doak dedicated
it to God and Humanity.
The day itself was a sun kissed psalm
in nature. The columns, domes and
spires of c~loud-castles floating in
heavens tenderest blue were painted
in amber, gold and Tyrian purple.
Though the heat was intense wher.
ever the throngs gathered cool airs,
prophetic of balmy September, whis-
pered in the groves and swathed the
lances of the August sun in refreshing
mildness. On the repose and beauty
of the landscapes there seemed to rest
a consciousness of the happy and tri-
umphant occation and the imposing
ceremonial that ushered in q surer
hope and a brighter promise for the
grand old enterprise that was dedicated
anew to art, science, classic thought
and religious culture. Olympic game
and .Delphic oracle ne'er drew together
a multitude more absorbed by the
same emotions and more intent upon q
common purpose than were the throngs
gathered upon the college campus by
the hour of 10. Before them, in a brick
base capped by a line of gray Alabama
sandstone was G minor in this piece of
frozen music, " to be rounded out and
swelled into a full note by the laying
of the corner stone of the new church
edifice. AS walls of old were reared
to the strains of Amphion 8 Tyre SO this
structure will rise in its beauty and
massive grandeur to the songs of cheer
and exultation from the hearts of those
who honor God and love the cause of
Christ.
AT Pm. the corner stone was laid
by the Arcana Lodge, of Limestone,
assisted by members of the Masonic
fraternity from Johnson City, Jones
boro and Greeneville. The ceremony
transmitted to the present from the
temples of cd, was impressive in its
simplicity, solemnity and beauty OF
symbolism. John M. Mckee, P. NJ.
and p. II. p, of G~recneville. oficiated
as the master of this imposing service
and did it in a ann that command.
ed the most profound attention. DR..
Willoughby, the pastor, explained the
:. nature of the occasion in a brief ad.
:. dress and followed with an eloquent
) and appreciative'prayer DR.. A. S. N.
{ Dobson presented the articles for de,
, post which consisted of q Bible, a his.
tory of Salem Church, a copy of the
Collegian, the college paper, a roster
, of all the pastors and elders of the
church, q list of all the contributors ia
/, the new church and q card bearing the
names of all the contractors on the
building. The corner stone is q beauti.
full block of gray Tennessee marble.
On one side is inscribed: Salem Church,
organized by DR.. Samuel Doak 1880
on the other, LIST church erected in
1880, the End, 1895, the 3rd 1894.
; Rev. R. NJ. Murrell, pastor of the First
Baptist Church at Greeneville, was
, chaplain of the occasion and his ad.
: dress was eloquent and edifying.
The laying of the corner stone con.
cluded, the immense throng repaired
5 to the college chapel to listen to an ad.
dress on Culture and Christianity
by Rev. Barton Bigler, pastor of the
Second Presbyterian Church at Jones.
boro. His subject was an old one, but
he handled it with the skill of a master,
and presented old and new thoughts
and truths in a striking effectiveness
I of coherent arrangement and cogent
reasoning. Such an effort deserves the
:. perpetuity of cold type.
Looking over the grounds, we must
; conclude that Washington College il
on the move. Improvements in material
e equipment in unison with the modern
q. ideas of taste and con yenience are be.
ing made, and the friends and patrons