The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1902-06-10
COLLEGE.
Senior Class Day Exercises-A Strong
and Eloquent Address by DIR. Par
son of Washington, ID. C.. OrEani-
zatiOn of AIumnae AssOciation-A
Successful Year Closed.

Correspondence of The Messenger.)
Charlotte, N. c., June s.
The most prosperous year in the his
tory of this institution, now known
throughout the southern states, has
just closed. A large number of visitors,
representing a numbe of states, which
have patronized the institution liberal
ly, were present. Virginia, South Car
DINA and Georgia, contributed largely
to the number present. In the morning
the senior class exercises took place on
the beautiful college campus in the
presence of a large n enthusiastic au-
dience. Each one of the eight young
ladies in the graduating class had 4
part in the programme. "reminiscences,
class history, prophetic vision into the
future, class personalities, wit, fun
and humor made up a delightful pro-
gramme.
In the afternoon an A1umnae Asso-
citation was organized as follows: Miss
Van Landingham of North Carolina,
president; Miss Holloway of South Car
DINA. vice president: Miss Dewoody of
Arkansas, second vice president; Miss
Kohn of South Carolina. secretary; Miss
Bennett Of North Carolina, treasurer,
and Miss Probst of Georgia, historian.
II liolltulloH Ids lawn pdliOldSt
from two northern states. and nearly
all of the southern states. The ecog-
niZed advantages of the institution
have drawn a select class of girls to it.
Last night the commencement exer-
ciSes were held insthe college auditor
ium. which was filled by an unusually
intelligent audience. The young ladies
are required to leave theses attesting
their scholarship, with the institution.
The senior class, with the consent Of the
faculty, had elected Rev. DR.. Parson,
Of Washington, D. c., to deliver the ad-
dress of the evening. DR.. Parson de-
lighted the audience with a mastery
effort, on the subject "A Bit of Stag
From an Old Furnace" He asked the
scientific questions. What is the age Of
the world? and What does the world
mean in the light of it's long prepare
ton? He referred 10 the fact that Sir
William Thompson, probably the great
est scientist of the present time,
gives the earth's age as approx
imately four hundred millions
of years. If world building has
been going on tina long, and on so stu
pendous a scale, what a wonderful prep
aration towards some end! Emerson
says You do not build magnifcently
for mice" so we infer our destiny from
the preparation for man. Development
is constant in the worlds history; there
is always a progress, a progress from
moluscan to ~articulate, from mammal
TO man, from man in to mar
in ~barbarism, from man in barbarian
TO man in civilization, and so from
lower to- higher, until in these last . -
we fall upon the highest ideals OF Ike,
duty and destiny. Shall we see tde
principle fail US just when it would be-
come most valuable? Shall it hold Tor
the molusc and fail for man? Shall
man be compelled to see all othei
spheres Of nature interpreted in MS
own life and his own life be an unex-
p~lainable enigma. The poet voices ou'
cry when he avs:
Thou wouldst not leave US in the dus'
Thou madest man he knows not why
He thinks he was not made to die:
And thou madest him. thou art just
In the story Of the worlds buildin:
we not only learn of ages past, but o
| ages yet to be, unless we are prepared
| to endow the rock with immortalft.
and withhold it from him who think
upon the rock.
The spiritual life Is the highest
Your teacher said he, addressing tn