The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1897-06-02
THE SUMTER INSTITUTE COM
MENcEMENT.

There we're many old graduates who
thought of the Sumter Institute last night,
and If they bad witnessed the exercises they
would have teen still more proud of their
alma mater The exercises commenced at
8 30 By that time the large aud select au
dience bad Gro 6 ded the ball and many were
standing outside
DR.. n w. Edmuods made the opening
prayer in which he earnestly invoked Divine
aid on the school and scholars
The 6rst piece on the programme was
"Alessandro Straeella." played on two
pianos by Misses Edna Huebson and Mary
Millar, Lucille Husbscn and Adele Mcleod.
This difficult piece was rendered with artistic
powers, and showed that their musical train
ing was in no wise lacking
The salutatorian's place was filed by Miss
Edna Hughson, who complimented her class
on the flushing Of the college course, and
who closed her nest welcome with a bope
that her classmates would always have a
high aim in life Miss Lucille Hughson fol-
lowed this with piaoo solo, "La Consola-
tion." This was one of Dpssek's most well
known com positions, and it was we'll inter-
preisd by this youog graduate last night.
With grace Of manner and depth of
though, Miss Mary Millar r&d her charming
essay on "Energy." Il not only showed
study, but was delivered in most pleasing
manner.
A duet by Miss Allie Burkest and Miss
Junkin named Mazcrka Bnllante came next.
This selection was thoroughly erj,ved and
well applauded bs The audience.
Af.ersthe duet had been rendered, Mr. R o.
Pnrdy arose and congratulated the audience
on the pleasure that Vas assured them by
bavlng Rev W. E. Evans to deliver the Liter
aryaddrees Then followed Dr.. Evans address,
which it is safe to cay was one of the 6nest
ever delivered in Sumter. With humor and
patbos here and there and with an orators
power in voice, gesture and vocabulary, for
6fty- Eve minutes the audience spent most
delightful time in listening to his address
with conversation as i,s ttene. The barest
outline can only be given here. DR.. Evans
said that sll conversation must be gracious.
That the heart must always show its kind
ness Conversation was one of wonap's chief
powers and should be cultivated Af-
ter an introduction it was not the face
60 much as the conversation which attracted
one. The Doctor decried the wrong notion
of false modesty SO prevalent to-day, giving
instance after instance, showing when it was
absurd Doctor Evans further elaborated
the points on information, small talk, aud
minor faults 10 conversation.
When Dr.. Evans arose, if al did not know
thai be was splendid speaker, when he sat
down everyone was satisfied of that fact.
Churchman's ''Protect us Through the
Coming Night was then sung by the gradu-
ating class, while Miss Junkin played the
aot,-souudiDg accompaniment. Miss Edna
Hugbson executed with ability piano solo,
called sRemembrance, after which Rev A. J.
u. Fraser presented the diplomas in Dr.
Fraser's delightful talk to he class, he recall
ed his memories of The schools past, and re-
joiced in its present prosperity.
At the close of his speech be gracefully pre-
sented the following graduates With diplo.
mss:
Misses Allie Burkett, Carrie DuRanf, Sbar-
lie Graham, Lucille Hughson, Edoa Hughson,
Adele Mcleod, Mary Miller, Dora Richard
son.
Miss Adele Mcleod was the valedctorian
and closed her farewell speech with we'll
worded address to her class
Dudley Bucks "Throngh Peace and
Light" prayer-soug for the class, was suog
or Miss Mary Millar with voice that showed
that natural power and training bad made a
sweet toned singer.
Rev. a. n. Fraser pronounced The bene-
diction.
The foral tribute was most profuse last
night It seemed as if the flowers tried to
rival TIE beauty of the young ladies.
Bouquets galore were banked at the f,ont of
stage, with the eight lady graduates rs q
charming background. This closed the
exercises at the Ins,itu:e, place of learning
that has been always aDly managed aud
which last night showed 20 advantage.
Sermon to the Institute Girls.