Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-06-13
THE COLLEGE FINALS.
HAPPY CELLBI,ATION OF LITE
HAIRY SOCIETIES LAST EVENING.
4 STROHG AED BEAUTIFUL SERMON.
DIR. Hawthorne Delivers on sunday
One OF the Most Thrilling Dis
courses Ever Ucnrd IN the College
ChapeI--Trustces To Meet To-Day.

The annual commencement Of Rich
mond College began with the usual bacca
laureate sermon Sunday night by Rev
DR. j. y. Hawthorne. pastor-elect Of thu
Grove-Avenue Baptist church. this city
Dr. Hawthorne was honor6d by the at
tendance OF one OF the largest gathering
OF people ever seen at the college on o
similar occasion. His sermon was d
model OF thought and beauty eloquenty
and fasc,uatingly presented.
Last evening the celebration Of the Mr
Sigma RIO and PhiioloGian Literary so
ciedes took PLACE. the occasion proving
most plea s=snt q the many who camo out
Drawing tae storm.
WELCOMED BY MR.. PEARSON.
The opening prayer last evening was
offered by Or. Alfred Bsgby. Of Powha-
tan county. the first speaker was Mr..
&. Chiffon Pearson. d. A.. OF Richmond
county who delivered the salutatory in
a very hearty spirit Of welcome He
spoke Of how much the societies always
have and DO appreciate the large and
attentive audiences from the city and
the interest manifested by their presence.
His speech may be characterized In three
words: Brightness, earnostness, and
brcvty.
The nrst orator was Mr. r. w. Buch-
anan OF Arkansas he represented the
Ma Sigma Rho Society and won laurels
for himself and honor for bis society.
Ills subject was William r. Gladstone.
His discourse was thoughtful force
ful, and Inspiring. showing the Grand
Old hant as a man Of gigantic mind.
an orator, a statesman. an author
theologian. and 4 Christian gentleman.
AS compared With the great mcn of his
day and Of past generations, MS ra:ne
will ever stand out pre-emincht and bril-
liant among the worlds greatest states
men and political yeformers. Both in
puOlic life and in private life. in youth
and in old age. he unfurlcd. and kept I'M
furied. the greatest banner that ever was
by mortal bornc-the banner Of Christian
truth.
VTRGINIAs CONTRIBUTION.
The second orator Of the evening was
Mr.. r. r. PoulsOn. OF Accomac county
Va He stood forth as a representative
of the Fhilologian Society and delivered
an GRAFTON which will never cease 10 90
credit 20 the speaker and honor 10 his
society. His speech was considered by
al the most lihHhldl VI llif 'N'Af+'it1f |
bringing forth applause loud and long as
he unravcilcd the patriotic subject "Nir- |
ginia's Contribution to America lie |
spoke in thrilling clarion tones and pro- |
uounced beautiful and stirring eulogy |
on Virginia and Nireinia's statesmen. He !
declared that Virginia has been FIRST IN |
every great deed Of the nation; that |
Thomas Jefferson was the greatest states |
man Of all time. Everybody thinks more |
rid
Robert L. Lee and Stonewall Jackson.
AWARD or SOCIETY MEDALS.
After this Grafton. when the sweet and |
patriotic strains of "Dxle" had subsided, |
Rev. II. A. Bagby, in a happy speech fun |
of thought and humor. dwelt at length on |
tho importance Of the work of the Lite |
rary Society, and then delivered the So |
ciCty medals 90 the successful contest |
ants on the rostrum and with the pen. |
lie delivered to Mr. j. w n. Mcneil the |
joint orators medal of the two societies, |
end then. as AN emblem Of greater sue |
cess the State intercollegiate orators |
u.~,ol The i.'rt writer's medal was !
awarded to NJ. S. L. Morgan. The best |
debatcrs mccall q the Mu Sigma Rho |
Society was awarded TO Mr.. J. -. Lee. |
along wi:h the best Gebater's medal of |
tho Phu5'ocjan Society. which was award |
ed TO 1lr T.. ". Neathery. The two |
metals for Improvement in debate We're !
awarded 20 Mr. r. l.. Allen, Philologian, |
and MIR. u. r. Deans. Mu Sigma Rho. Mr.. !
Deans, IS well as Mr.. Allen, did fine |
work Ia their societies. and are young |
men Of fine prospects.
The valedictorian Of the evening being |
sick. Mr.. j. Emerson Hicks read in a |
very pleasing and touching manner the |
valedictory address, prepared by Mr.. |
Henly NJ Tugate. This was filed with |
pathos and regret that old friends must |
part.
DIR. HawthOrnc's Wine Sermon,
Rev. Dr. Hawthorne delivered one Of |
the most masterful and impressive SER !
mons in the College chapel Sunday eve |
ming ever heard upon that floor, the Oc- |
casion being the initial exercises OF the |
annual commencement OF that Institution. |
DR.. Hawthorne was IL fine voice and |
condition. and bis audience a most in |
capacity of the building. Many stood |
throughout the exercises. and yet many |
standing room. DR.. William T.. Hatcher, |
president of the college trustees. pre- |
sided and presented the distinguished |
preacher. other ministers or members of |
dent Boatwright, Rev. George Cooper, |
j.. D. Rev. J. y. Hutson, Rev. H. a. Bag |
by. Rev, ]. Il. Garlick, ID. j., Rev. \. |
]. Barton. D. D.; Rev G. II. Ryland. ID. |
a
lessor John Pollard. and Rev. w. r. L. !
Smith. ID. ID.
The singing. which was congregational |
and full of inspiration, was led by che |
quartette Of the Second Baptist church. !
The exercises opened at S15 by the great |
gathering standing and singing the |
hymn, Come, Thou Almighty King" |
Rev. Mr. Nutson read the Scripture les |
son after which there was prayer and |
singing OF the hymn, Arise, We Saints, |
Ariser
SERMON ON TRUE GREATNESS
DR.. Hawthorne took as his subject !
s'True Greatness founded upon the |
text "A greater than Solomon is here" I
Matthew xii. A.. He said in part:
The fact that we appreciate greatness |
and aspire 20 IL, indicates that God would |
nave us strive IN every legitimate way
40 become sreat. Jesus Christ did not for |
bid His disciples TO seek greatness. He |
simply rcbukcd their false conceptions of |
II. aud the!y wrong methods Of seeking !
IL.
" we measure man by the cumulative |
standard. ne IS ono Of the most insignih- |
cant objects in tho universe. When we |
compare him with the spacial maCnih- !
oence OF yOnder sun. he is too little 10 |
think about. But when we measure him I
by the qualitative standard. he out !
weighs the whole universe OF matter.
In Gods thoueht the greatness of mind !
height above that of any material body. |
In the light OF His thought ana example /
we know how 20 measure men. We know /
how 10 classify them in respect 90 real |
merit.
Jerries. Corbett, and Fitzsimmons are /
great ia physical stature and strength |
Martin Van Buren, and Alexander Ste [
pheits wers physically small and feeble; |
Sut 80 mind and heart they Were giants |
in comparison with any OF the heroes Of |
the lucoars prize ring.
True greatness ia inherent. IL is in the |
man. ana not f. the raiment he wears !
NOR "A ha IA M ift fh..