Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1905-06-02
Commencement at Southern Seminary.

Buena Vista, May 31.-Today is on
of the brightest of all the days in TIL
long 81 years history of the Southern
d Seminary, closing of one of its mos
successful sessions. The commence
ment was one of the happiest the in
stitution has ever had.
| The baccalaureate sermon on Sun
day by Rev J. S Engle of Baltimore
editor of the Baltimore Southern
Methodist, and Sunday evening befor
the Missionary society, by Rev. H. H
Canter of Roanoke, and the annua
address on Monday, by Rev. j. L
Thompson, Buena Vista. Va, were al
| generally regarded as among the most
appropriate and helpful ever delivered
here.
The graduating exercises on Mon
day morning were particularly inter
| esting. AS is usual with this institu
tioD. there were not many diplomas
One of the most striking and signifi
| cent things about I he commandments
is the fact that the institution delivers
very few. which is the best evidence of
careful and Conscientious manner in
which it is doing this most important
work of female education. There
were no full diplomas at all, and only
two regular graduating diplomas,
we're in the literary course, which is
not as extensive as the full course re
quired for full graduation. What was
more significant was the fact that there
were but few diplomas in schools, in
comparison with the number of stu
dents in the Institution.
The annual art exhibit on Monday
at p. H., was considered particularly
fine, while the final recital by pupils in
elocution and music last evening at s
o clock, was considered TO be the most
interesting ever witnessed here Or else
where. 1t is seldom that an audience
at commencement occasion follows
with such deep and unflagging in
terest from the beginning to the end
all the parts of the program. The
chief interest conferred in scenes from
Good as Gold, and the music incld
entail to them. The young ladies who
took part in these scenes were: Miss
belong of Botetourt county, Miss
Abney of Texas, associated with Miss
Helen Binford of Richmond, and Miss
Ora Curtis Rowe of Buena Vista,
Miss N elson of Middlesex county, Miss
Jordan of Pulaski county, |
NJ ISIS Garth of Albemarle county, Miss |
Walton of Luray, Miss Andrews of |
Roanoke. Miss MeelesJOn of Texas.
The settings in the accompanying |
scenery were particularly fine, and it |
s impossible to describe the heighten |
I'd and refined effect of the whole scene |
Produced by the Personal appearance
md bearing of the young ladies them |
elves in the bloom OF youth and beau
y. In fact one of the III )st striking |
Kings about the institution is the per-
onel of its student body, the match
{ IS scenery and climate ii the heart
If our Virginia mountains doing their
work and showing their beautiful re-
ults in the health aud life of the young
aides as certainly as in the vigor and
OlOrIng OF our mountain plants and
lowers.
AT the close of the program. just be-
ore the march by Miss Foster of Tex
IS, for the young ladies 10 retire from
he Auditorium, Rev. E. Fl. Rowe,
PRESIDENT of the institution, said that
t was due both the teachers and stu
ents that he should bear testimony
o the faithful work which had Deen
one during this school year.
There were an unusual member of
isitors at this commencement. A mOng
hem, Mrs. J. B. Andrews of Roanoke,
lr. w. Ii. Sapp of Goldsboro, Md
F. B. Wingfield, ex treasurer OF Abe
narle county.