Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-09-22
THE HALL REOPENED.
St. GATHERINGS Hall Opened After Five
Years, "Wednesday.
Bishop Nicely and Many Visitors Present
Ihiriy-six Pupils Enrolled.


standing for five years empty and de-
serted, with doors closed against all
corners, it's portals were thrown open
wide In hospitable welcome to pupils and
their friends and to all Interested in edu-
cation. goodly number responded to
the invitation in the Journal to attend
the opening exercises, and before the
hour arrived all available seats were &C.
cupied by an interested throng. among
whom many of the old pupils were no.
ticed. Bishop Nicely occupied the plat
form. and on either side of him sat Miss
Elizabeth Clark, the new principal. and
the Rev. MIR. Degen. through whose ef-
forts the school has been re-opened.
There was short religious service.
consisting of prayers and the reading of
Scriptures. and the hymn known in old
times as the st. Catharine's hymn" in
which the old pupils heartily Joined.
Mr.. Degen made brief address of well
come and then introduced the bishop.
who made an impressive address. The
bishop alluded feelingly to the sad day
five years since, when, through COM
bination of untoward circumstances, it
became necessary to close the school,
and contrasted it with the present joyful
occasion. At that time he had but little
hope that the work of the school would
ever be resumed, and as the years had
passed the prospect Of re-opsaing seemed
ever further away. But, in the provi-
dence of God, the difficulties had been
cleared away and one of the dearest
wishes of his heart had been fulfilled.
The advantages to any community Of
having such a school in its midst coulo
not be measured, and a.. present were ex-
horted to feel that they had a personal
interest In the growth of the institution.
No school could prosper for long unless
the quality of its work were the best,
and the bishop impressed upon the new
pipils that this largely depended upon
their diligence and exemplary conduct.
The standard of the school had always
been high and its reputation unexcelled.
He believed that with the new corps of
teachers that good reputation would be
continued, and he invoked Gods blessing
upon the undertaking.
Mr.. Degen then announced to the WIS.,
itors that the entire building was now
open to their inspection, and nearly
everyone present awaited themselves of
the opportunity, which is not often pre-
sented in a young ladies' boarding school.
The buildings present quite trans
formed appearance. The large double
parlors excited general admiration. The
floors have been newly laid In hard wood.
and in each of the deep recessed windows
broad window seats have been built. up
holstered in rich. dark velvet. The furni-
ture is mostly of antique design and is
rich and elegant. The expense of re-
frr
borne by the alumnae.
At the south end of the entrance hall
Is the principals reception room. fur
nished in mahogany with blue draperies,
the gift of former pupil. Mrs. Lucius
Hubbard of Cambridge. Mass.
At the other end of the hall is the cozy
library and reading room. with its open
fireplace and cushioned window seats.
most attractive sitting-room for the pu-
pills. The large walnut table In the room.
covered with the leading magazines and
papers. was presented by Mrs. Vaughan
Of Hallowell.
The bedrooms, all neatly carpeted and
furnished with dainty white iron bed
steads and ash furniture. looked most
cozy and inviting. Pupils and teachers
had We'd with each other in ornamenting
their rooms with pretty pictures and
bric-a -brac and artistic draperies.
The Kindergarten is bright. sunny
room, furnished with a plano and the
little tables and chairs made specially for
this department. and the walls adorned
with bright pictures. Miss Binet. the
Kindergarten took special delight in ex-
hibiting 1t to visitors and the little folks
who are to occupy 1t appeared to at once