The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1905-12-12
Especial to The Messenger.l

Especial to The Messenger.)
Raleigh, n. c., December 1.-Two
Things somewhat married the other
wise tine ceremony Of the Inauguration
of DR.. William Louis Poteat as Presi-
dent of Wake Forest college. One
was the delay of an hour and a half in
the time of the arrival of the special
train carrying So prominent public
men, members of the Baptist conven-
ton, and ladies from Raleigh to the
college, and the other the fact that
congratulatory addresses were all cut
short by this awkward situation, so
that the students who had delivered
these were greatly Handicapped. There
was no time to inspect the buildings Or
grounds.
There was unlimited enthusiasm
among the Baptists, this college and
the Baptist University for Women be-
ing their special pets. The exercises
were held in he Wingate Memorial
E@!I, Which was packed. Among those
@ nthe stage were Governor Glenn, ex-
Judge James E. Shepherd, DR.. f. P.
HObgOOd, George T. Winston, James
DinWiddie, Rector McNeeley DuBOse,
President Venable, of the University,
President W. II. JJones, of the Baptist
state convention, Julian S. Carr, ThOs.
b. Womack, James Y. Joyner, Charles
Is. MeSerye, State Treasurer Lacy.
Rev. DR.. r. 7. Vann, besides the
speakers who will be alluded to later.
The distinguished visitors entered
headed by John NJ. Crenshaw, SO years
old, who "a the first student to enter
this college in 1885. Then came the
alumni, followed by $50 students. The
exercises began with singing 20 God
Our Help In Ages Past" a student at
the large organ and the student choir
leading. President POteat, of Fur
man University read a selection from
scripture, and lead in prayer for the
college, for his father, the new presi-
dent, and for their venerable mother,
who was present. DR.. Tyree, as mas
ter Of ceremonies, and president of the
trustees, spoke in presenting DR.. Po-
teat as president, saying the occasion
was IN inspiration. He extended well
come on behalf of the trustees, paid a
AiociS l1outS " L ISl ollu
referred to the Baptist University for
Women as the daughter of the Bap-
fist state convention
President r. T. Vann, of the latter
institution, made the presentation for
the alumni and in glowing words eu-
logiZed DR.. POteat, while he paid a
tender tribute to the retiring president,
DR.. Charles Z. Taylor. He declared
President Poteat was the Baptist lead
er in North Carolina.
Rev. DR.. William B. Royal, profess
sor under three administrations. spoke
for the faculty. He had hoped Or.
Taylor would be present, but sickness
| prevented. F. L. Hobgood read a let
ter from DR.. Taylor, TO the new presi-
dent, and gave the latter the college
| keys.
President Poteat's address followed.
| The audience OSe to greet him, II
| there was a notable demonstration.
After paying tribute to the great worth
| of the retiring president, he took as his
| theme THE Place of the Christian
| College in the Modern World" Here
are a few notable expressions in this
very fine production, "Christian science
| is but a m~ockery:'' "HaZing is in its
essence, no matter what its form, a
breach of the Christian standard "A
J combination of cOwardice and brutal
ty in a crowd t o take advantage of a
single-handed opponent is intolerable,
and justifes the extremist measures
to make it impossible Eighty per
cent of all our students are church
members" 1.-The Christian college is
best for young men I'm the formation
| period" .'Unbelief is like the teeth
ing stage of infancy" The Christian
| college stands side by side with he
ministry in the regeneration of the
world"
w. n. Jones representing the trus-
tees of the Baptist Woman's Universe
ty presented DIR. Poteat with a wreath
CT laurel. The time was now growing
short before the train had To return
TO Raleigh and other speakers could
only say a few words. Governor
Glenn was given an ovation when in
PRODUCED, and made a telling talk of
two minutes. He said he had for
many years known Wake Forest and
its work, and he congratulated its trus-
tees in electing such a man as Poteat
whom he had long known, and whom
he considered one of the very ablest
and best men in all North Carolina
No college had done higher, nobler or
better work than this ne, which rep
resenting the greatest denomination.
rcoonou ~nuva hoarfo than any other in