The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-06-07

aisles and in the hall in the rear of the
chapel and still many were compelled to
stand UP. But the concert was of a
very high order, and the music lovers
of Raleigh feel themselves amply repaid
for their discomfort. The program was
a long one, and the rendition of it lasted
well into the night.
At the close of the exercises the preSi-
dent of the Board of Trustees announced
the election of DR.. Vann to the presidency
of the school. and DR.. Vann responded
briefly and effectively to the announce
ment.
DR.. Blasingame, the retiring president
has shown himself to be one of the fore
most educa tors of the State. He is up
to-date and progressive in his idea, and
his methods smell of steam and electric
ity. He is energetic to the last degree
and his retirement from the profession
is a distinct loss to the educational work
of the State.
II o'clock yesterday Rev. T. c. Nc
Cornell, of Lynchburg, preached the
commencement sermon. DR.. Mcconnell
is Of a pleasant and prepossessing APP
pearance and has graceful delivery.
The services were opened by an invo-
cation by Prof. R. T. Vann
DR.. Poteat, of Philadelphia, read the
lesson. which was the 22nd chapter OF
Pslams.
Prayer was offered by Rev. Geo F.
Smith, pastor of Edenton Street church
Dr. Mcconnell, took as his text a
part of the goth verse of the 18th chap
ter of Exodus: Miriam, the prophecies
@.
largely drawn from the life of Miriam.
He compared the exodus of the Israelites
to the educational revival now sweeping
over the State. But the difference between
the two is, the women do not share IN
the delverance from ignorance as the
Jewish women did in the exodus from
Egypt. Speaking of Miriam, he SAID she
was the first woman called a prophecies.
God recognized her right to think and act
religiously in her sphere, just as Moses
and Aaron in their sphere.
He then spoke of the first time we have
any record of Miriam at the river bank
watching over the little bark in which
her brother lay. He spoke of her mother
wit and sagacity, showed in arranging
that Moses mother should be for
as nurse, without betraying her rela-
tion to the babe. 81 make a plea that
God has endowed women with peculiar
gifts and qualities, and the education
should be in keeping with their God
given nature" Women are marked by an
infinitude Of compassion. After the pas
sage of the Red Sea, Miriam's song. a
glad acclaim of deliverance, was COM
posed. We see that women are capable
of approaching liberty, and freedom. God
intended for women to have intellectual
capacity, and we ought to give them edu-
cational and intellectual possibility.
Speaking of the fact that Miriam never
married, he said, Il don't blame her for
not getting married. She had right to
remain single if she wanted TO. But /
do believe that if man has a chance to
marry and refuses to do so, he ought to
be dealt with by the State and church -
God bless the women who are making
another way. The mothers make ma
ton. No nation can ever become great
whose mothers are corrupt. Their names
may never be recorded but the women of
a countryside mothers and the wives
make it what it is. No man has ever
yet achieved any glorious action, and
done the world a great good. but that
sympathy with his.
The address was fine effort and re-
ceived close attention. The services were
concluded by benediction by DR.. Skin
ner