Daily new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1897-1906, 1903-06-18

mencement exercises of the West
Virginia University were held in
Commencement Hail this morning,
beginning at ten o'clock. No class
since the founding of the University
was ever sent out into the world
under circumstances more auspi.
cious.
Before the hour for the exercises
the hall was packed, every seat being
occupied by some interested person.
The audience was a typical Com
mencement crowd. There was a
large sprinkling of friends and rela-
tives,-parents, brothers and sisters
of those who were to receive di-
plomas. There were old graduates
who had come back TO their alma
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 and
people of Morgantown.
The scene in Commencement Hall
was inspiring. The stage was occu-
pied by the graduates in cap and
gown. Around them on every side,
were the spectators. AS usual, there
were more women in the audience
than men, and their gay dresses,
with flower trimmed hats framing
smiling faces made scene, at once,
full of gayety 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
Wrightson had finished singing
Bizet's "Agnus DEL were hushed
to momentary silence, 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
DIR. P. B. Reynolds, the venerable
and beloved chaplain of the Uni
versity. It was a simple but fervent
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
devouUly in the sentiments he ex-
pressed.
Wagner's "Spinning Wheel Cho-
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 OF work, and pre-
pared the audience most admirably
for the splendid address which fol
lowed it.
DR.. George G. 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 he 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
slxty-five years ago, came to this
country at the age of eighteen and
went ON the stage tor time, but
entered the ministry in 1859. He
has written numerous religious
books, but has Just added new
achievement by becoming novelist.
His novel, which will be issued in a
few DAYS, is entitled The Master OF
Millions" 1t is voluminous work
with an elaborate plot, laid in
London and in Australia. Its re-
ligious ideas show degree of liber-
atty that is likely to cause comment
III 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
gressive, conqucring, power of the
Saxon race. The Angles, he said
were only small native tribe o
England that was absorbed by til,
Saxons. They had left no impress,
on our civilization. "Celtic-Saxon'
was better term. The Celts-Irish
Scotch Rand WEIGH, had played al
important part in the formation o
civilization of England and America
today The ethical idea of thai
civilization was embodied In the one
word Justice"
The speaker gave an eloquent and
closely critical estimate OF the Celtic