The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-05-18

The day was unpropitiouS as to
weather yesterday, but it was day of
days for the Baptist girls, and for !3ap-
lists from all over the State, for triple
were their joys at the freedom from
debt of the Baptist University for
Women, (the new name just decided
upon for the Baptist Female Univer-
sity) the laying of the cornerstone of
the new Faircloth building, and the
commencement of the University.
If the weather had been perfect me
big chapel of the University could rot
have held more people than "ere
crowded there yesterday morning,
while the rain descended in an even
down pour outside. The enthusiasm
was tremendous, and the scene love-
ly and inspiring one. On the platform
sat the large chorus of college girls,
all in white, a dazzling vision Of owe
illness, and when they sang they
thrilled the hall with their bird like
notes all keyed together. All ,!own
the right side of the chapel sat the
students of the University, all
in white except the beautifully
stately graduates, who wore the
academic mortar-board and gown ever
their white frocks. They were might
lily applauded as they filed into the
hall, and again when they went upon
the platform just before the address
by DR.. p. s. Henson.
Hon. j. L. JOyneE, cIdle OupeIln-
tendent of Public Instruction, was
master of ceremonies for the dedica-
tory exercises, and the laying of the
corner-stone The latter ceremony
was concluded shortly after six o'clock
in the evening. Those who took part
in the exercises, besides President r.
T. Vann, of the University, were Rev.
J. B. Boone, superintendent of the
Thomasville Orphanage, and financial
agent of the University; President
Charles f. Taylor, of Wake Forest coll
lege; Mr.. w. n. Jones, of this city,
chairman of the Board of Trustees;
Rev. c. A. Jenkins, of Chapel Hill;
Rev. o. l.. Stringfield, of Asheville Dr.
p. S. Henson, of Boston; President
Charles F. Meserve, of Shaw Univer-
sity; Dr. H. w. Battle, of Greensboro;
Mr.. c. w. Mitchell, of Aulander; Pres
ident Charles ID. McIver, of the State
Normal and Industrial college at
Greensboro, and Rev. w. f. Frye, of
Greensboro; Rev. w. f. Frye, of
Goldsboro, and Rev. w. c. Tyree pas
tor of the First Baptist church, this
city.
Among the prominent out-of-town
Baptists who were noticed as being
present were Rev. r. c. Sanding, of
sampson; Mr.. Johnson, of Robson;
Mr.. c. T.. Hoton, of Greensboro; Mrs
Murchison, of Greensboro; Prof N. Y.
GuHey, of Wake Forest Prof. Lam
mean of Wake Forest; Mr. n. L. Shaw,
of Warren; Mr.. A. w. Early, of BERTHE:
DIR. and Mrs M. p. Perry, of Macon;
Prof f. p. Hobgood. of Oxford; Rev.
Thomas Carrick, of High Point; Rev.
A. l.. Belts, of Mt Airy.
The Exercises.
Shortly after ten o'clock Superln-
tendent j. Y. Joyner was introduced
as the master of ceremonies by Presi-
dent Vann, and announced that the
exercises begin with the singing - the
doxology, which was then sung b. the
chorus and the entire audience With
fine effect.
Then Rev. J. B. Boone, financial
agent of the university was presented,
and read from the forty-fifth psalm.
The dedicatory prayer was offered
by Rev. DIR. Chas. e. Taylor, president
of Wake Forest college, that Father
in Israel, as Superintendent Joyner
called him. 1t was a beautiful, APP
propriate prayer
The college song was then sung by
the entire student body.
Superintendent Joyner then said
that this occasion marked an era in
the progress of the Baptist denomi-
nation 1--WE have come said he Ito
plant a golden milestone on the path
of the Baptist denomination, to plant
golden milestone on the path of
education in the State" 1t was as fit
ting that we should come here to ded-
icate an institution of learning as
it was that we should dedicate yonder
church to the service of God. There
is a life about an institution of this
kind that is immortal. What we see is
but the outward form of the thing that
it is. There is something in an in
stitution like this that is akin to a
human being. Its influence is as wide
as the world itself. Its real being
never dies. 1t is therefore fitting that
we dedicate this institution to the ser
vice of God and the service of man. 1t
serves God best when it serves man
best and it serves man best
when it serves those who
shape and mould men most, those
who are destined to reign over the