The herald., 1896-06-18
OCCIDENTAL 5 CLASS Day
Commencement Exercises Held
at Boyle Heights
THE GRADUATES ORATIONS
ssibilities of Life and Influences Of
Philosophy on Nations
The Presbyterian Church, Scene Of the Exsr-
The Presbyterian Church, Scene Of the Exsr-
cises. Handsomely Decorated-Musical
Events-Alumni neeting

Tie commencement of the Occidental
college took place in the Boyle Heights
Presbyterian church yesterday morning.
The interior of this edifice, which has
the unusual construction of an altar ra-
dating from a corner, is admirably
adapted for decoration. Fine advan-
tage was taken of this; long waving
palm branches and other luXuriant TO-
liage clustered in the corner, and guam
titles of graceful vines and flowers about
the curving chancel rail producing a
most artistic effect. An added attrac-
ton was huge floral design suspended
in the foreground, bearing the entwined
number SO in purple and white bios
SONS.
At the hour of opening. which was
nearly IL o'clock, the church was COM
fortably filled, and the two graduates,
Mr.. George Edward Byram and Mr.
Walter Van Eman Thompson, occupied
the platform, with Mr.. E. N. Condit,
president of the college and chairman of
the occasion.
Several musical numbers attended the
most engrossing features of the program
the orations. Miss Mary NJ. Robert
son played a piano solo, Rubenstein' s
Kamennoi Ostro; Miss Josephine Has
kins sang Dream, o Dream of Me, and
Fare Thee Well, Sweet Day; and Miss
Grace Rita Burnett performed the Nalse
Brilliante by Moszkowski. All of these
participants were thoroughly apprecia-
ted and numerous floral presentations
were accorded them.
The first Grafton was by George Ed
ward Byram; subject, The Possibilities
of Life. Extreme nervousness detract-
ed somewhat from what would other
wise have been termed a most meritor-
ious effort Aside from the delivery the
grafton was excellent from an earnest
tone that ran through the production.
The possibilities of life We're considered
from a civic, philanthropic and relig-
ious standpoint, from which was logic
ally eXemplitied that good citizenship.
charity to ''the least of Them even a
cup of cold water, and religious effort
We're conducive to a symmetrical Chris
tian life.
The second orator, Mr.. Walter Thomp-
son, acquitted himself very creditably
on the subject. The Influence of Philoso-
ply Upon the National Mind. From the
SophiStry of the Greeks and the mater
ialism that affects France. the speaker
came to the prevalent philosophy of
today, dwelling at length on material
ism. He said it was the tendency of
man to be free, to reason God out of the
universe, but it should be remembered
that while a little philosophy created
skepticism, depth of knowledge led to
the divine.
Mr.. Condit in happy speech present
ed the diplomas to the graduates, con-
ferring the degree of Bachelor of arts.
He also spoke somewhat fully upon the
state of affairs of Occidental college.
Since the fire in January which had de-
stroyed the building decisive steps had
been in progress for future operations,
the outcome to be reported later. Mr..
Edwin Field, president of the board of
trustees, followed with remarks on the
same line, stating that a meeting of a
council of the Presbytery would be held
Monday next, when plans would be suf-
ficiently developed to secure a suitable
habitation for the regular college open
ing in September. Special mention was
made of the great accommodation that
had been accorded the college since the
fire by the use of a portion of the church
building as class rooms for the students.
The following pupils were announced
to have been graduated from the acad-
emy: Grace Rita Burnett. Anna Jane
Hall Kelso. Mabel Patty, Royal Wright
Day, William Fellows, Frank Lynn and
William Twieg. The exercises closed
with the benediction by Rev. Chichester,
after which an alumni meeting was held,
followed by dinner. which was not the
least gratifying event of the day,