The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-06-19
ANNUAL nrGArrA-sIDNEYs WIN.
BLAChSBURG COLLEGB.
A Large Crowd In Attendance Baccalau IL
reatc Sermon

BLACKSBURG, VA, June 17.-Special.--
Early this morning vehicles OF all descrip-
lions began 10 bring strangers into the
town. who were anxious to witness the
commencement exercises. The mess hall
had been cleared OF all Its paraphernalia,
and during the four next days the stu
dents VIII receive their meals at the
foundry. a platform has been erected at
one end Of the hall, ana IL has been hand
somely decorated with eVergreens The
walls are decorated with the United States
and State colors. The marshalS appoint
ed by the Maury and Lee literary socie-
ties, whose names were published In sun
days Times. acted as ushers during the
morning service, which formally opened
the exercises. They wore rosettes and
STATS draped In pink and white, and
10 be too small for the big crowd. and
nearly one-half of the visitors had to be
refused admittance. They endeavoreA-
passed the time by promenading through
the beautiful grounds.
a large choir had been formed for the
occasion by number or ladies who had
hindly volunteered their services, and a
number Of the members OF the cadet
band furnished the instrumental music.
rHE BAccALAUREATE SERMON.
Rev. G. T. Gray, the chaplain Of the
corps. conducted the services. After the
singing OF several hymns, the reading of
passages from Mark iv. and Matthew vii
ty Rev DR.. McGin. and a prayer by Rev
Al Surface, the baccalaureate sermon
was delivered by Rev. William e. Clarke.
OF fredericksburg. The sermon was a
masterpiece Of oratory, and beautiful
essay. fun OF instructive thoughts. The
preacher selected as his text part Of the
Weaty-nrst verse OF the first chapter of
81 ialls letter 10 the Philippians: For
me 30 live is pride" He described how
t"0 Young men OF the same faculties
start out from the same city and under
tle same conditions of life. but who SUBJ
setlelly achieve entirely different re-
SUITS one Is always successful in every
ming he undertakes, while the other,
though ne influences more than his coll
league, H. always in the wrong, and mere
ly TEAMMATES those he comes in con-
where does the difference IN the results
cusin8teI For the want OF better ex-
else. We are inclined 10 throw the blame
upon the Almighty. 80,
tween tne Ideals OF what the two men
seek % accomplish. One Is In everyDody'S
way, and Is doing everybody harm, while
tae other is constantly doing good. HIS
.9i} shows this In It's various Stages.
tahe our own great man, upon wnorn me
pane Of Father OF his country has been
Bestowed. He mad no such advantages as
We are enjoying, but his patriotism was
we very keynote OF his life. NO matter
Mhat might arise between him and his
pst,tioiism. II had 10 stand aside.
a We notice a similar trait In me mar
rno united Germany. Whatever came
nitnin his view had 20 yield 10 his love
N lhe fatherland. Similar results cav
Ye seen IN a comparison OF the lives OF
e eVla wellington and Napoleon, me con.
eueror Wherever the former went ne
,fsfnsd blessing and benediction, WINE
1te latter carried with him nothing put
ssmay and destruction. And 90 we can
20 all along the course OF history. ard
we can easily read how the world has
AK shaped for good or evil The sarae
snsfence Of ideals can bc noticed ~
s sasi Of damascus. who tried - persecnte
AUG destroy the world. and Ia Pau inc