The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1903-06-24

virginia University were held /
|, Commencement Hail Thursda,
beginning at ten o'clock. No elias
since the founding Of the Universit
was ever sent out into the worl
under circumstances more auspi
! cious.
Before the hour for the exercise
the hall was packed, every seat bein,
occupied by some interested person
The audience was typical Com
mencement crowd. There was
large sprinkling OF friends and rela
tives,-parents, brothers and sister,
of those who were to receive di
plomas. There were old graduates
who had come back 10 their aim,
mater TO review the scenes OF stu
dent days. In addition to these
there was the usual crowd of stu
dents, members of the faculty anC
people of Morgantown.
The scene in Commencement Hal
was inspiring. The stage was occu
! pied by the graduates in cap anc
gown. Around them on every side
were the spectators. As usual, there
were more women in the audience
than men, and their CAV dresses
with howcr-trimmed hats framing
smiling faces made scene, at cnee
full of gayetv and inspiration. The
hall was deliberately decorated with
colors
The program of exercises was
opened promptly Mr.. John Porter
Lawrence rendered the"William Tell
Overture" by Rossini, on the pipe
organ. The swelling tones of the
great organ, under the touch Of so
great an artist made fitting open
ing for an order of exercises always
impressive and inspiring. The great
audience was stirred by the organ's
swelling tones, and when Dean
Wrjghtson had finished singing
Bizet's "Agnus Dei,' were hushed
to momentary sileree, followed by
enthusiastic applause. This cast
was one of the greatest musical
numbers ever heard in the hall. The
Dean was accompanied by Miss
Foster, on the piano, Mr.. Lawrence
on the organ, Mr. Kaspar, first violin,
and Mr. Spence, second violin.
The invocation was delivered by
DR.. p. b. Reynolds, the venerable
and beloved chaplain OF the Uni
versity. 1t was asimple but ferveut
to the Deity for his guidance and
protection always and in all things.
The audience, aud all who were to
take part in the exercises Joined
devoutly in the sentiments he ex-
pressed.
Wagner's spinning Wheel Che
rus" was rendered in spirited
manner by Misses McMurphy, Bray,
Crumrine and Mrs. Snee, all of the
School OF Music faculty. This was
brilliant piece oil work, and pre-
pared the audience most admirably
for the splendid address which fol-
lowed it.
DR.. George &. Lorimer, the Com
mencement speaker, is one Of the
most distinguished men that has
ever occupied the stage on such an
occasion. He was for ten years pas
tor of the First Baptist and En-
manuel Baptist churches of Chicago.
1891 ne became for the second time
pastor of fremont Temple, Boston
Two years ago he took the pulpit of
the large Madison Avenue Baptist
Church in New York where he now
| breaches. He was born in Scotland
sixty five years ago, came TO this
country at the age Of eighteen and
went en- the stage tor time, but
entered the ministry in 1859. He
has written numerous religious
books, but has Just added a new
achievement by becoming a novelist.
His novel, which will be issued in a
few days, is entitled THE Master of
Millions" II is voluminous work
with an elaborate plot, laid in
London and in Australia It's re-
ligious ideas show degree of liber-
atty that is likely to cause comment
in church circles.
DR.. Lorimer's son, George Horace
Lorimer, is known to the En-
glish speaking world as the author
of the Letters of Self Made Mer-
chant to his Son."
DIR. Lorimer's theme was the ag,
or, ssive, conquering power Of the
Saxon race. The Angles, he said,
were only small native tribe OF
England that was abso bed by the
Saxons They had left no impress
on our civilization. "Celtic-Saxon'
was better term. The Celts-I Irish,
scotch and WEIGH, had played an
important part in the formation Of
civilization of England and America
today. The ethical idea of that
civilization was embodied IN the one
word Justice
The speaker gave an eloquent and
closely critical estimate of the Celtic
and Saxon influences in English
literature and showed the differences
between the two.
On closing he referred to speech
by Lord Roseberry, onsWhat Might
Have BEEN" In which the great pre-
mier said had George Third not
lived, and by his tyranny caused the
separation of the colonies from Eng
land, America would have been the
seat of England's world wide empire.
The time maycome, it shallcome, when
America will be the seat of world
wide empire of English speaking
people, including England, America
and Australia with headquarters at
Washington, and the British Isles a
summer play ground for American
millionaires said the speaker.
DIR. Lorimer took his audience
by storm. He is a magnetic speaker
full Of elemental force, eloquent in
words and manner, and fascinating
in the highest degree His address
was considered by many the greatest
ever heard at a Commencement here
The audience listened with intense
interest every minute, and many
stood during the whole address. In
addition to being scholarly, full d
force and power, the address was
entertaining, and the audience war
frequently relieved by hearty laugh
at some queint story, aptly iilustra
tive Of some point which the sreakel
wanted to impress.
The address can be appreciated