The Greenville times. [volume] (Greenville, Miss.) 1868-1917, 1900-05-26

A Successful Session and Brilliant Closing
1t was the privilege of this writer to
attend and take in all of the public
exercises of the fifteenth annual COM
mencement of the Industrial Institute
and College. Leaving Jackson on Sat
urday morning, the 18th, in company
with Governor Longino and Attorney
General McClurg, we reached Columbus
at 1870 same afternoon. Our friends
Speaker Russell and Railroad Commits
sioner McInnis not only held the M. &
o. train but provided the best refresh
ments that Elmire could muster, and
his ability in that line is simply unlim-
tied.
1t isn't always that the lines have
fallen in such pleasant places to this
writer as on this visit to Columbus. Our
old commander at Chickasaw Bayou
and Bakers Creek was at the depot on
our arrival, and claimed us as his guest.
A drive through the city and visit to
the waterworks. about two miles out,
occupied the time before supper. The
capacity of the waterworks reservoir is
900 gallons. 1t is II feet deep, and
the diameter of the circle is So feet. 1t
is supplied from the Luxapalia, and is
fairly we'll filtered before passing into
the pipes for the city.
On Saturday night the anniversary OF
the Peyton and Callaway-Orr Literary
societies took place in the college
chapel. There was some delightful
music, vocal and instrumental The
chapel had been very Hastily decorated.
The students, to the number of three
hundred and fifty or more, occupied the
main body of the chapel, and there
were several hundred citizens and Wis
itors The orator of the evening, Hon.
Monroe McClurg, was introduced in
deservedly complimentary terms by
President Kincannon, and he received
most cordial greeting from the great
audience before him. He had made
speeches to the young ladies on other
occasions, and he had their ears and
hearts in advance. The attorney gen
eral had been so occupied of late with
affairs of state that he had to plead
guilty to the lack of time for prepara-
ton for literary address, on the usual
lines; but nevertheless he suggested
many topics, not taught in the text
books, that enter into the probabilities
of life, its public and private obliga-
tions, opportunities and duties. His
closing reference to Mrs. Peyton, the
mississippi Woman" who first con-
ceived and publicly advocated the idea
of a separate State college for the
white girls of Mississippi, were received
with special approval.
The Sunday Morning Exercises
Were unusually interesting. There
were no services in any of the city
churches, and hence, at the appointed
hour, the college chapel was filed to
its utmost capacity. The platform was
occupied by the faculty, trustees, min
listers of the city, and special guests.
After the Professional" the entire
audience Joined in singing Onward,
Christian Soldiers" the scriptures were
read, prayer offered, and Miss Brown
sang a solo. Then came the great treat
of the day, the commencement sermon
by Rev. Geo. B. Eager, d. D., OF Mont
romery. His text, "Jesus saith unto
them, My meat is to do the will OF Him
that sent me, and to finish His work, "
was the basis of one of the most appro-
pirate discourses to which we have ever
had the pleasure of listening on such
an occasion. 1t made profound inn
preston, not only on the students for
which it was specially intended, but
upon the great audience of others who
listened with delight to the earnest,
tender and eloquent discussion OF the
theme suggested by the text.
After the sermon, the choir led, and
the great congregation Joined in sing
ing ''Stand up, stand up for Jesus" 1t
was a most edifying and delightful
service.
Exercises took place in the chapel at 8
p.m., when there was another large
audience, more delightful music and
other approprite exercises, and another
good sermon by DR.. EaRer-his theme
being discipleship and apostleshiP. In
cidentally he paid hearty tribute to