Birmingham state herald., 1896-06-04
COMMENCEMENT IS.
At Athens.

Athens June 3.-(Special) )-The crowds grow larger at the commencement of the college with each day. Last night Mss Lela May Parker scored a great success in her annual elo- cution recital.
 The chapel was crowded to the last inch of space, and the people stood 10 feet thick on the outside for two hours to hear and witness the brilliant exercises. One of the most interesting features of the entertainment was the classic rendi- ton of several fine pieces of music by Prof Fred l.. Grambs of your city. MT. Walter Drennen of Birmingham also rem dered several cornet solos 10 the great ds- light of the large audience. Today is college day. It was certainly a great day. Several speakers made ad- dresses. among them Rev. w. F. An drews, Dr. J. R. Robertson of Tuscumb.a, pr. Anson West of Decatur and Dr. H. G. Davis of Alexander City. pr. DAVIS was for four years pastor in this city, and his friends, who are numbered by the thousands, are delighted to have him in their midst.
 The subjects for considera ton today were: First What Is a College?'. Second, What College Is Not?" Dr. Robertson presented the negative side Of the ques- ton with great force. Dr. West made great plea for thorough education. The lime ndS luliy COiIlC NllCh NRAA VI oNA schools must do thorough work. The age demands it. The parents demand It. The young people themselves demand IL. Tomorrow is the great feast of the com mencement. Twelve young ladies VIII take degrees of gra duation and leave for ever college life. May their lives be as bright and happy as their college days have been. -
 Rev. F. w. Brandon of Woodlawn will deliver the annual address. At Evergreen. Evergreen, June 3.-(Special.)-The commencement sermon of the Southwest Alabama Agricultural college was preached Sunday morning by Dr. J. J. Taylor of Mobile. Dr. Taylor,s sermon was delivered in the presence or a large audience and was certainly magnincent effort.
 pr. Taylor is yet young man, but
 stands high, not only ill the esteem of his own denomination but In that or all others, as a magnificent pulpit orator.
 Monday night the public debate oc- cured The subject was: 'lt IS Better to Have Loved and Lost Than Never 10 Have Loved at All"
 The affirmative of the question was sustained by Messrs. W. W. Watts and e. J. Crawford and the negative by Messrs. D. F. Childers and John D. Bur nett, Jr. The affirmative side was sue cessful
 Yesterday was commencement day and the following were the exercises:
 Song, Gently Lead Us'-Chorus class.
 Prayer. 7A".s r-
 Graduating exercises.
 Essay, Not Resting, But Polling Saliie Stallworth.
 Essay, "Gather Ye Rosebuds While Ye May"-Elvie Liverman.
 Essay. Be Sure You Are Right, Then Go Ahead Mary Howard Watkins.
 Oration, '"Tendencies of the Age"-Ar- thur Cunningham.
 Piano duet, -Poet and Peasant fSuppe)-Misses N. Can't and F. Finch
 Essay, Perfume Worship of the Ages" Fannie Kemp Dennis
 Essay, We have gathered only few pebbles on the shore, while the great ocean of truth lay all undiscovered before us'-Hallie Watkins.
 Essay,-"How far that little candle throws his beams! So shines a good deed in a naughty world''-Mary Liverman.
 Grafton, "Sign Boards"-WiIlie Wilton Watts.
 Essay, Glass Prophecy"-Mary Rob- bins Sampey. Awarding diplomas-Rev. B. F. Riley, D. D.
 Class song, "Retrospection" Never before has this school had so successful a year as the one that now c1o