Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-10-07

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not TO content themselves alone with
studying the Word in the English Ian
guage, but TO study It carefully as
well, in both Hebrew and Greek, as 10y
such study only could the Word be pro-
perly divided and understood.
After dwelling at some length on this
exhortation. the Professor concluded in
the following words:
Now, gentlemen, let me say in the
words of British contemporary writer
who knows exceedingly well how 10 tell
the truth on many matters of great inn
portance TO our time, that / believe the
question, what is to be the type and
tone of the ministry in any generation,
is decided in the theological seminaries.'
What the students are there the minis
ters Of the country will be by and by.
And while the discipline of the authorities
and the eYhortatons and examples OF
professors may do something, the tone
Of the college is determined by the stu
dents themselves. The state of feel
ing in q theological seminary ought to
be such that any man living life In
consistent with his future profession
should feel thoroughly uncomfortable ana
have the conviction driven in upon his
conscience every day that the ministry is
no place for him
God grant that such may ever be the
state in this seminary; that 1t may be
place in which men may grow in Christ
like character and masterful comprenen-
sion Of Gods Word. God grant, also, mat
the men here to-day--a day formative,
because 1t is the first day-may give
true tone and coloring TO the life mere
Lord God of all grace, since hfty Eears
hence. a hundred years hence, hve nun
dred years hence, and more, the life OF
1A of az
life this year. let Thy blessing rest on 1t
this year May this be a year In which
we shall approve ourselves unto Thee as
workmen that have no need Of shame for
our work This we ask 10 the praise OF
Thy grace, Lord God of Hosts-make the
whole future of this school worthier than
even its past"
Ere he took his seat Professor Johnson
extended a cordial invitation to the stu
dents TO visit frequently the homes of
the professors and to make themselves
at home I'm the institution.
Bishop Penick, pastor OF st. Marks
Episcopal church, pronounced the bene-
diction with which the gathering was
dismissed.
FIag-Raising in the Afternoon.
The crowd which gathered in the alter
hoon TO witness and participate in the
presentation was the largest which las
yet assembled on the seminary grounds,
and IL was an enthusiastic crowd as well.
made up of young people and Old all
happy i'm the one thought that the semi
nary had been launched here with such
great success and started anew upon us
mission of grace with such fiattering
prospects.
II had been intended that the flag
a. 80 -.
administration building promptly at
o'clock. but the delays occasioned by the
inability Of many to secure rapid trans
portation caused some delay Therefore,
when at last the flag the same In color
and design that had fioated over the
heads of intrepid Scotchmen in days OF
carnage when the crimson flag OF Charles
l. invaded their shore, was flung TO the
breeze. the sun was casting long shadows
over the campus and sinking to rest he
yond the western horizon.
The sight was one which might have
lent inspiration TO poet. Hundreds OF
ladies and gentlemen were grouped on
the lawn in front OF the building. all with
their races upturned in eager expectancy
Then came the little Covenanters in COM
pany front. marching with the precision
OF veterans, with their blue banners float
ing ahead of them. The boys, who ranged
i'm age from 20 l6 years. wore broad
bands of blue ribbon over their right
shoulders and across their breasts, on
which was inscribed in large figures their
company numbers.
They represented the First and Second
churches the Grace-Street church, and
the Church OF the Covenant. OF this city,
and the Tabb-Street church, OF Peters
burg. The Richmond churches were rep
resented by full companies, but the
Petersburg flock only sent delegation.
Just as the young laborers in the vine
ward made their advent on the scene the
flag was run up to the top of the staff.
There for moment 1t hung limp and
still. then the breeZes caught II, and IL
sailed TO its full length, displaying the
ST Andrews cross in bold relief against
the blue background.
THE INTERESTING EXERCISES.
After this pretty ceremony had been
concluded the congregation adjourned TO
the two main class-rooms in Watts Hall,
which. for the time being, had been
thrown into one, and the exercises were
begun. A large space Immediately In
front OF the rostrum had been reserved
for the Covenanters and here the little
fellows were seated. When quiet had
been restored, Rev. DR.. Witherspoon
assembled the platform and said: These
exercises which are now about to open,
are the elimination Of the two days cell
ebration. and they are peculiarly appro'
priate. Two months ago the event which
has lust taken place here was one of
great frequency. Uncle Sam was raising
his flag on many islands of the sea, which
had become his by virtue OF war"
DR. Witherspoon referred TO the sug-
eestion made by DR. Cuyler on the pre-
cedIng day, that the blue banner OF
Presbyterianism be noated from the
Iower of Watts Hall. and said the idea
had long since occurred 10 others, and
the flag was already in the spot desig- |
mated. He then gave brief history Of
Inc flag. from It's origin In Scotland TO
the present day. after which he an
nounced the hymn, Jesus Shall Reign"
which was sung with great sweetness |
by the boys
DIR. ROSEBRO'S PRESENTATIONS.
Rev ]. w. Rosebro. y. d., was intro
,uced and. on behalf OF the Covenanters' |
formally presented the flag TO the semi
pary. He said: II am glad that In these
interesting exercises our boys have
BART given them, for In the Presbyterian