The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1897-06-12
RACCALA[REAIE DAY.



June 6, 1897.
Sunday morning dawned serene
and cloudless. Nature radiant with
her purest and most propitious
smiles lent balmy breezes to temper
the fierce rays of the sun. Ideally
favored, the success and interest OF
Baccalaureate Day was assured. At
a timely hour a large coneourse CT
people began to wend its way to
Commencement Hall. This is always
day of glad and beating hearts
Promptly at eleven o'clock the
choir composed of eight ladies and
four gentlemen appeared upon the
platform shortly afterwards Pres
ident Goodnight escorted the Revs.
Wilbur, Buchanan and Barnes upon
the platform. With the rendition
of violin solo by Miss Pierce ac-
companied by Miss Finnell, the or
ganist, the class of '97, clad in caps
and gowns filed into the auditorium
and occupied the two tiers of seats
fronting the rostrnm. To their right
was seated the Law class of '97.
One of the largest audiences in the
history Of Baccalaureate exercises
filed the large Hall.
At IL :05 the devotional exercises
we're opened by the congre-
cation rising and singing the pox-
ology, after which DIR. Goodnight
invoked the blessings Of God upon
the mornings services. The choir
then sang the beautiful hymn, 'Come
Thou Almighty King" Rev. Barnes
gave readings from the Scriptures.
Rev. Buchanan followed in an earn
est and feryent prayer for the guild
ing light and overshadowing infiu-
ences of the Divinity. The choir
then sang the anthem ''From Egypt's
Bondage Come" President Good
knight came forward and announced
that Rev. Wilbur would preach at s
o'clock that evening in Commence
ment Hall under the auspices of The
Young Mems Christian Association.
He expressed regrets that Reys.
Cameron and Sheerin and the Bap-
list minisler were absent for I'M
avoidable reasons. He then intro
duced Rev. G. f. Wilbur, of Pitts
burg, who was selected some time
ago at the suggestion of Prof Miller
to preach the baccalaureate sermon
to the graduating class this year.
Rev. Wilbur is a young divine of
pleasing appearance and Of earnest
and impressive delivery. He is not
stranger to our people having lee
tured here in February 1896 at the
M. p. church of which denomina
ton he is a member and faithful
worker. He is man of broad cul-
ture and wide education His text
was selected from st. John, 7th
chapter and 7th verse. The leading
theme Of his sermon was: "Obedi-
ence is the Great Law of Spiritual
Trust
He emphasized the great and in
dispensable need of spiritual work
and lie. While not ignoring the
place and power of broad intellectu-
al culture, he showed the incom-
pleteness of man without the essen
tials of spiritual light and training.
The entire audience listened with
closest attention to the SOLDERING
words of wisdom of that fervent and
masterful mind. His advice to the
class of '97 found deep Judgment in
the responsive hearts Of the large
audience.
We subjoin synopsis Of the SER
mon. To appreciate it and to be
come in sympathy with its teachings
it is necessary that one should have
been present
After the delivery of the sermon,
Rev. Barnes prayed fervently that
the help and interposition of Provi-
dence might rest upon the congre-
cation. The soul-stirring hymn,
"All Hail the Power of Jesus Name!'
was sung and the congregation was
dismissed with the benediction pro-
nounced by Rev. Wilbur. A much
more thoughtful and meditative con
gregation left Commencement Hall
than entered it.
''Obedience the Organ Of Spiritual