The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1903-07-03

The first commencement Of the Train
ing School for Nurses of the James
Walker Memorial hospital vas held
last night and was attended by a
splendid programme of exercises,
which were greatly enjoyed by about
one hundred and fifty guests. The
event transpired at the Memorial hos
pital and consequently the number of
guests had 10 be limited much less
than desired. as it would have been i'm
possible TO have accommodated more,
for. though the building is a large one,
il is not adapted, of course, for purposes
Of this kind.
In honor of last nights event the
handsome building was made to display
prominently both it's attractive interior
and exterior appearance. The building
was brilliantly illuminated from base
ment TO dome and the different apart
ments We're artisticalIy decorated. The
exercises were held in the assembly
hall. at the southeastern end of the
building. which was PROVIDED with
guests. At the southern end of the hall
is the stage, which was beautifully dec
GRATED 1t was banked with many
handsome palms. on the platform
were seated DR.. w. J. H. BeIlarny. the
orator of the occasion. DR.. Joseph Ak
erman. the superintendent of the hos
pitaI. Rev. A. D. Mcclure. D. D. and
members of the board of managers
Vice President W. H. Sprunt. Secretary
Geo. r. French and Messrs. NJ. s. Will
lard. D. c. Love, Sam Bear, Jr.. and
John H Render. The last mentiOnei
was recently elected to fill a vacancy
caused by the resignation of Dr. c. P.
BOlIes.
DIR. BeIlamy being also a member of
the board the entire membership was
in attendance save the able president.
Mr.. Walter @. MacRae. and Nj. NJ. j.
COrbett, both of whom are now in
Europe. Regret was expressed at the
absence of these two popular and faith
full members.
The exercises opened with singing of
the DOxOlOgy by the superb Masonic
quartette. composed Of Messr5. H. X,
Holden. G H. Cooper. Chas. NcMiIleIi
and Burdis Anderson, which was fol-
lowed by a fervent and beautiful pray
ed offered up by Rev. DR.. Mcclure
Following the prayer came another
delightful selection by the quartette-
Twilight"
Then DIR. Alderman. who had been
gracefully acting as master of cere-
monies. introduced DIT. w. J. H. Bel
Iamy. who in easy and most charming
style delivered the following splendid
grafton. which was highly compliment
ed by all:
Ladies and GentIemen:
L acknowledge and appreciate the
kind motives of those who selected me
10 address you on this ent and
auSpIciOuS occasion. marking as it does
an annrh in tho history of 10 mos Wall L
er Memorial Hospital. the establish
ment of a training school for nurses. II
Is the C~OnsummatiOn of the wishes and
desire of the noble benefactOr himself
who. with a c~Ountenance expressive OF
delight. often cOnversed with me on the
subject.
Would that this great man could
have lived and could be with us on this
occasion 1t would be our greatest
pride and pleasure to place him in a
seat OF honor, and enjoy with him these
exercises: but Providence has declared
otherwise, his living body cannot be
with us, his spirit movers over US: and
in that presence let me say. with rever-
enCe and with candOr. the city of VIII
mingtOn has never known such 4 bene
factor.
"Harnett. Ellington. Waddell and
AShe of the revolution contributed
much to our existence: nature, with its
bOuntiful provision has done much fol
our prosperity: but compare anything
II everything that has been done il
the history of our town with wha'
James Walker accomplished for suffer.
ing humanity. in the alienation of it.
ills. Forty thousand dollars. made il
the state of North Carolina, honestly
and induStriOuSly has been expended
judiciOusly and in a most praiSewOrth.
name in the erection of this superb
structure and he too. not to the mano
born
1t is a to his memOr!
a-d event though his name should b,
etttced from the building. generations
Yet unborn. will revert To the establish
rCeUt of this institution. as a grea
event in the history of this time honor
ed town: a monument more iaStin:
than brass and more durable than mar
bic
The institution of a sChOo for tn
training : nurses. by a SyStematl
course OF instruction.. having been cor
SItered essential TO every hospital o
any Importance. in connection with thu
hospital there were provisions made p
a special act OF the legislature for
training school for nurses. the legitl
mate offspring of an excellent systeT
all over the country.
Though the training OF nurses in q
established training school was no
commenced in Europe. until Miss Night
ICgaIe. fresh from experience in tn
Crimean war with great generOSit
established the first training SChoo G
nurses. under the Spi of the orde
of st JOhn. at ST. Thomas Hospital i
London in 1850. ~ early as the yea