The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-05-23
Sermon BY Rev. Charles
w. Niles.
AN ELOCUTION RECITAL
The Exercises Continue Today and the
important Event is the Meeting of
the AIumnae TO Be Held This
Afternoon With Exercises
at Night.

Inc WOfQS Oh prayer, Ane hymns OF
praise, the reading from the Book and
the splendid words of advice given to
the young ladies who this week grad
uate at st. Marys School were the first
events of commencement at that noted
institution of learning on Sunday
This was on the occasion of the
| baccalaureate sermon, delivered by
! Rev. Charles w. Niles, ID. D., rector Of
| Trinity church, Columbia, S. c., who,
| despite a severe accident some ten
| days ago, when he was thrown from
| his horse, came to fulfill his promise
| and preach to the young women.
Preceding the services in the chapel
| used for commencement for the first
| time since it's enlargement there was
| the gathering of the graduating class
| and the members OF the school, the as
| semhlage being in front of the build
| ing, the entire school membership
passing into the chapel in couples
| singing the professional
The scene was one of rare beauty
| and solemnity. The young ladies We're
all attired in white and were under
| the direction of young lady marshals
| these wearing regalia showing their
| position. The chief marshal, Miss
| Frances Wcolf Of Deuopolis, Ala.
4
Jennie Murchison of Wilmington;
| Senah Critz of Winston-S Elmer
| George, of New Bern, with blue sashes
| AT the head of the class of 1905 was
! the president, Miss Margaret DuBose
| There were present many visitors III
| the congregation to witness the first
| event Of commencement week, and
these joined earnestly in the religious
services of the day. The regular
morning service Of the Episcopal
church was used, and the hymns We're
| sung with great effectiveness by the
| young ladies Of the school.
Aiding in the services of the day
were Bishop Joseph Blount Cheshire
| lev. W. T. Picard, of Jackson, North
ampton county: Rev. McNeely DuBose
| rector of st. Mary's, and Rev. Charles
| w Niles d. D., of Trinity church. CO.
| lumbia, S. c., who delivered the COM
| menccment sermon. The graduating
| class occupied the front seats i'm the
| chapel
Dr.. Niles is a strong looking man,
of large build and florid complexion
| He is clean shaver and with a full
| head of hair, a man of perhaps forty
| five years of age. In his manner he
| is earnest, and while using no gestures,
| he reaches the people by the very
| earnestness of his words, which seem
to sweep up from his heart to find ut
| terance
DR.. Nile chose for his text the words
| found in the 59th verse of the second
chapter of Saint Luke, these being:
Jesus increased in wisdom and stat
ure and in favor with God and man"
With this as his theme he preached
| 4 sermon that was in reality a heart to
heart talk with the young women
whom he addressed.
Beginning his sermon he explained
that he had written one for the occa-
sion, but that as he gazed into the
faces Of the young women whom he
was about to address that he would
not use this. but would talk to them
from the fulness of his heart upon
things which they should impress upon
their lives.
DR. Niles sermon was a personal
enc to each member of the class, and
in this he urged that the education
received should be so intertwined with
religion. that these two. working to-
gether, should not alone benefit those.
who mad these but should exert an in
fiuence upon all with whom they came
in contact.
The sermon dwelt especially upon
three points to be considered in the
life which comes from an education
received in a religious school. the value
Of which he urged for he held II
as prime essential that education and
religion should go hand in hand
This education combined with re-
ligion he declared, makes first for a
Christian life, one that sheds abroad
its influence upon the world He paid
tribute to Christianity and to its in
fluence and in so doing declared that a
Christian woman is the highest type
that God ever made, and that the in
fluence Of a Christian woman can do
tpC of al y In
in making this world better and
purer
His second thought was that educa-
ton in religious school makes a
gentle WOman and a gentleman. The
refining influence of such an education
was dwelt upon. how it softens and
ennobleS life, how it Smoothes the
rough places, and how when trouble
and sorrows came it was lives inn
bued with such attributes of gentleness
that helped others to bear the storms.
His third thought was of the value !
of the training found in a school |
where education and religion are com
bined. He held that it was in such
that the true scholar is found, because
the knowledge and the wisdom that
comes has as it's basis Christianity |
which enriches ali scholarship.
He urged that as the young women |
Of ST. Mary's go out into life that |
they take with them a true religion
and a true purpose for in the days to
come they would either become a !
credit or a discredit to the institu- !
ton that sent them forth, that as they |
would have an influence on the gener |
atoms TO come to guard we'll their ac-
tions, for that these would either bring |
credit or discredit upon their families. |
The sermon, in it's entirety was a |
powerful plea for right living. 1t told |
of the influence of the educated Chris I
tian and it made a personal appeal to |
the young women addressed, that they |
should become powers for good in
their various communities. 1t was a
talk from the heart to the heart, and
it could but leave an impress for good |
upon all who heard.
Evening Triumph.
The elocution evening at st. Mary's
School was a distinct triumph for Miss
Balfour. who has charge of that de-
partment The students taking part |