The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1906-07-11

Kew James r. Graham, of the North Kiangsu
Mission in China, has arrived with his family in
this country. They left their station early in May
and sailed the 18th of that month for the
United States Mr.. and Mrs. Graham have been
connected with the China Mission for seventeen
years, and return at this particular time for the
benefit of Mrs. Graham's health.
AT THE VIRGINIA MILITARY INSTITUTE
The Virginia Military Institute has for many
years had strong hold on the affections of the
people of Virginia. 1t has educated so many of
the sons OF the old Commonwealth and they have
proved so efficient in the development of the State
III the time of peace, and SO loyal and true in the
time OF war that the Institution has grown in hon
or and in the esteem of the State
From 1917 to 1880 the Western Arsenal of Vir-
ginia here with a company of State guards
guarding some military stores; and the State &C
CURED some of the property embraced in the
Institute grounds. In 1885 it was suggested that
the arsenals be guarded by cadets, who should be
instructed and in 1889 the Institute was opened,
General F. II. Smith and Colonel J. T. L. Preston
being the hrst professors. In IS42 class of six
teen cadets graduated, and the Institute has
continued the good work. For fifty years, Gen
eral F. H. Smith superintendent, and for sew
enteen years Gen. Scott Ship, of its own
alumni has presided over its interests.
Distinctly military school, giving its cadets
the benefits of the restraint and discipline of mill
tary life, there added courses in mathe-
mates, in the natural sciences, in English and his
tory, with the modern languages and Latin The
aim has been to develop a strong and manly
life, prepared to take up any professional studies
and especially those occupations that would help
in the development of the natural resources of the
State and the South So large number of its
graduates have become engineers, constructors
architects, manufacturers But many are pro-
fesslonal men, some in educational work and some
in the service of the United States civil and mill
tary. Quite number of its graduates have en-
tered the Christian ministry, in the various de-
nominations, though the preparations here given
do not point in this way especially
When the between the American States
came on, graduates of the Virginia Military Insti-
tute, with their fine military education and train
ing, were eminently fitted for Office in the army;
and almost without exception the graduates who
were living became officers in the army. And III
OF them died on the field or from wounds receiv-
ed in battle. The heroic behavior of the cadet
corps under Colonel Ship at New Market in the
Virginia Valley, belongs to Virginia history, and
can never be forgotten. The Commonwealth is
most generous in its support of the State Educa-
tional Institutions and gives annual support and
large occasional appropriations for buildings and
improvements to the University, the Virginia
Military Insttupte, the Virginia Po1ytech-
mic Institute, the Normal School of William ana
Mary, the Female Normal College at Farmvil1e
the Colored Normal at Petersburg and Hampton
Institute.
The Virginia Military Institute has had this
year Cadet Corps of Goo and has sent out Of its
ranks class of nearly fifty manly -looking young
men. 1t was a privilege to stand before them on
the Sunday of the final exercises and deliver them
a message from the Book of divine authority.
1t was an inspiration to look into their faces, and
we are not forgetting the message: "Qut you
like men, be strong"