Birmingham state herald., 1897-05-12
ALBERTVILLE.
Closing Exercises of the Seventh District Agricultural School-Dr. A. Werts
 Commencement Sermon-Ed- ucational Interests,


 meneement sermon was preached Sun day by Dr. Anson West. presiding elder of the Decatur dis .rct.
 This closes the third year of the school, and also closes Prof. M. V. H5nry's con neetion with tha institution. He has served notice that he would not apply for ehe presidency another year, much to the regret of the whole Seventh district. H. has accomplished great work for the school and has succeeded in establish ing rae institutIcn firmly in the faSor or the masses. The people are beglnnlES to S4lIEders and the importance of such a school and it's growth in the future will incraase very rapidly. The location as to health and advantages of oppoftunl- ties of various experiments can not be excelled by any point in the distrc.. The experiment. ia nm, under the supervision of Mir. George F. Freeman, is a great suc- cess and is growing in value each year. e. The results of tests with various crops and fertilizers are of special benefit to ! the agricultural interests of the farm Ners, not only of thz Seventh district, but of all Alabama. A bulletin of results is published semi-annually, and the effects upon the farming conditions are plainly visible in all directions about Albertville.
 The beautiful plateau spread over Sand mountain Is fast being sstted up with il small farmers and gardeners and those interested in fruit culture.
 This beautiful stre.ch of mountain country cannot be eXcelled in any cline. The braoing summer breezss lower the temperature on the hottest days. The scenery is grand and inspiring, and will attract people as location for summer homes The wafer is pure e-stone, with here and there a chalebyate spring. The soil is easily cultivated and responds generously.
 The college building is located short distance from the town and situated about the center of a beautiful tract of land of some fifty-ive acres. The under growth has been cut out and the grounds. sown in grasses of different kinds. The 1T surroundings and conveniences are all that can be expected for an institution eof only three years existence.
 7 There have be5n $50 students enrolled during the year just closing, and the att -a4 tendance has been very good all the year isrFyery county in the diStriot is represent- L ed and th= influence is reaching out, and / it is expected that next year the enroll- ,5 ment will reach 800.
 There were many in attendance from the adjoining counties to hear the com mencement sermon, and the number will increase from day to day until he close. While the hospitality of the good people of Albertvile is being taxed consider ably. they are glad to hay: all attend the ' exercises who can possibly do so. s ,. There were fully 1000 people to hear J Dr. West Sunday. The chapel will seat l. about 500. and every nook and corner rrwas packed to suffocatton. A splendid musical programme was rendered, fur nishing a beautiful opening exercise. Presidertb Henry in a weil-chosen intro- Eductory, pre scented the distinguished di- lyYine to as beautiful and as intelligent an audience as can be found in Alabama
 SERMON SYNOPSIS.
 The doctor had lost none of his old time vigor and fire, and at once went to the hearts of his hearers and delivered as forceful a sermon as he ever preach-s ed. It was an inspiring audience and the old war-horse of the church thundered the truths of his text in an impressive manner for an hour and half and then was not weary nearer when he closed his beautiful appeal to the young men and women.
 The text was from the 23d chapter of Proverbs: Buy the truth and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction and under sta nding."
 The subject deals with human char acter and conduct Truth, wisdom, in .. Struction and understanding are parts of %. and have to do with human action The Z lack of either produces a deformity and s disfigures character. Truth is commend r ed Ito all men; wisdom Is commended to all men and instruction is essential for all men. Understanding must guide all men and prevent them going astray. We are told In the text to buy and sell not. It is the language of commerce and means to acquire and retain, to hold, have and be guided by.
 Truth is that which is spoken aEd acted in fidelity to and in conformity with facts the relations and obligations of con duct. We can not ignore the obligations and relations between men and things. Any departure from obligations and re- lations is criminal. Truth is like God. Make foundation deep in the apprecia- ~ tfon and apprehension of truth and it creates a grand character. Learn the truths of all in nature. It will do us '' good.
 ~ The theories advanced by many geo. z 1ogists touching the great truths of God z They lead to heresy. Hugh Miller in his Foot Prints on the Sands" and "Lan- isguage of the Rocks" became wildly feretical. Truth in all Gods creation ,,iis ours if we will but attain 1t. Truth is simplicity There is no deception, no hypocrisy and nothing uncertain about - truth. Learn to understand and discern C'the truth and follow it. ,7 Human society today is not what it seems. Things are not what they seem. ! Hypocrisy is the most plentiful commodi- 1'tyin our society. Remember that thous- ands and thousands of the race are de- ceived by the glamor of life. Truth is honesty. integrity modesty; it is truth. You can not judge by appearances.
 In this day and time how the hypocrits' do stalk about over the land! We are forced to make laws against bribery in high places and against stealing in high places. The state is robbed, the bank is robbed and the helpless and innocent are left upon the charities of the world. Truth is sacrificed.
 ~ What a spectacle and comment even I against the church, when the govern n1ent had to rise up in its majesty and ( abolish the lottery. The man who wishes and desires to secure the possession of 2 sl,Q00 with $1 desires i'll gotten gains aud the truth is not in him.
 We must study and learn the truth, but remember that falsehood may be perpetuated without criminality. False hood and islander may be perpetuated by trGe statements. Slander travels faster when 1t has small truth to go upon.
 I am moving to Nos. 2Ol2