The age-herald., 1898-04-05
COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES Of Birmingham Medical College
 Took Place Last Night. DEATH OF DIR. JOHNSTON Dean of the Institution, Cast Gloom Over the Occasion Degree of M. D. Con-
 ferred Upon Nine Graduates.

The fourth annual commence ment of the Birmingham Medical college took place at the opera house last night On account of the inclemency of the weather the attend ance was not as large as it would have been otherwise.
 The recent death of Dr. w. H. Johnston. the dean of the college, cast a shadow over what is usually most joyful occasion. The stage was draped in black in his memory and each of the ushers and graduates wore crepe rosette as an emblem of mourning A vacant chair in the center of the stage marked the place he would have occupied had his maker not willed that he should be absent.
 Eloquent tributes were paid to his mem ory by pr. B. D. Gray, Dr. R. M Gun ningham and Capt W. c. Ward His life as Christian, a physician and a man, was dwelt upon by those who knew him and loved him.. In his death the medical college loses a most competent teacher and the city and state a most valued cti- zen.
 The exercises were opened with prayer by Dr. B. D. Gray. He asked the Divine Master to watch over, help and encourage the young physicians who were just about to start out in their chosen profession, and to prosper their alma mater
 The next number of the programme was the rendition of "The Sleigh Bells" by a uuartette composed of Misses Coffin and Kerr and -Messrs. Cartright and Washburn
 The degrees were conferred by Dr. R. M. Cunningham. Along with the diplomas he gave the young graduates wholesome advice to aid them in their career. The following received degrees:
 Richard c. Bains, Mississippi; Nathaniel G. Clark, Alabama; William B. Fulton, D. D. S., Alabama; Edgar A. Jones, Alabama; Thomas A. Jones, GeorgiaI John P. Lilies, Alabama: Dabney Luckie, Alabama; Chas M Murphy Alabama; Barney D. Sibley, Georgia.
 Then followed a mandolin solo. "The Bridal Rose" by MT. B. w. Hartzell
 Capt. w. c. Ward then delivered an ad- dress to the graduating class. He created considerable laughter by his references to doctors and was inclined to the opinion that many a year would roll round before the practice of medicine was made per- feet. However" he said, i've owe great deal to doctors, and they are determined to keep us in their debt"
 The solo, "Bedouin Love Song," was ex- cellently rendered by MT. Charles c. Washburn.
 Dr. E. H. Sholl was not present and his part of the programme was necessarily omitted.
 Miss Coffin and MT. Washburn sang the duet, q Feel Thy Angel Spirit"
 The valedctory address was delivered by Dr. Edgar Allen Jones. His speech was an eloquent one and his delivery was excellent. He advised his fellow gradu- ates to be ambitious and to be undaunted by failures. He paid a glowing tribute to the Birmingham Medical college, his alma mater, and to the citizens of the city in which 1t is located:
 After the rendition of ".The Liberty Duet," by Messrs. Handley and Washburn, the benediction was pronounced by pr. Gray. -s.s
 The commencement exercises of the Bir- mingham Dental college will be held to- night at the opera house.