The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1906-05-11
WESTMINSTER THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY.
Twenty-Third COmmencement-Nam of
Graduates, Prizes, New Building, Etc.

The twenty-hird annual commencement of
Westminster Theological Seminary was held
in the Westminster NJ. P. Church May 6-S
The Baccaaureate Sermon was preached by
the president. DR.. H. l.. Elderdice. The
subject was Immortality of the Soul not a
| Discovery of Science but a Revelation. DR..
Elderdice did ample Justice to the subject as a
defender of the faith, and his aft! nation that
the Immortality of the soul is not and cannot
be discovery or demonstration of science,
but is a gospel revelation, is an index of his
teaching on all the fundamental doctrines of
the church.
In the evening the Alumni Sermon was
preached by Dr. J. A. Sehy. of the class Of
49,, now president of the Muskingum Confer
euce Of the NJ. p. Church. Dir. Selby made
many friends by his presence and by bis in
spring sermon.
On Monday evening the Stockton Literary
Society held its anniversary. For years it has
been the custom Of the society to make this
occasion social and festa one. This year
departure was made and literary program
was rendered to the public. The change pro
duced very gratifying results and added much
to increase the interest of the public IN the
annual commandments.
On Tuesday evening the commencement
proper took place. An octette of the students
furnished the music for the occasion. The
class Grafton was delivered by Charles NJ.
Ederdice. The address 10 the graduates was
to have been delivered by Rev. c. l. Queen,
OF ". Va. a member of the Board of Cover
nors, but the serious illness of his son pre-
vented his being present Fortunately an
excellent substitute was secured in the person
of Rev. +, q. Grouse, of Washington, ID. c.,
who delivered a masterfu and an inspiring
address.
The degree Of Bachelor of Divinity was
conferred upon Charles Martin Elderdice, A.
B.. William Lee Hoffman, A. B., and Leonard
BAyard Smith, A. B. Other graduates were
George Wesley Beck, Benjamin August Bryan,
Lloyd Burton Douglas, Ora Ellsworth Ford,
Carl Arthur Isuer. james David Smith and
Charles Scott Wampole.
The following prizes were awarded I'm
promptu Debate. ). ". Taylor; Hebrew. L.
b. Smith; New Testament Greek, l.. b. Smith;
Thesis, c. VI. ElderlIct; Thel,m, G. ). Hem
niger; Hymn and Scripture Reading, c. NJ.
Compiler; Historical Theology, {. 4. lsner.
This closes the most prosperous year IN the
history oi the Seminary. One member was
aided To the faculty Al the beginning "f lh"
year, Rev. c. E. Fortunes. A. b.. B. d.. Of
North Carolina; other items increased the eN-
peuses several hundred dollars. but not . cent
OF debt has been incurred. The Board Of
Governors, at their annual meeting on Tues
day. ordered the erection oi new building
which will cost several thousand dollars This
move was imperative because 81 the Increased
attendance of students. More students we're
enrolled the past year than ever before, aud
although ten OF these graduated tbs year. there
are already more than inns number OF new
students ~ sight for next year, aud We are
expecting several more before the Seminary
opens again IN September. The new building
will cost several thousand dollars, but Dr.
Eiderdicr aud Professors Fortunes and Douglas
will each take The Geld during the summer
months and solicit funds f,r the work. The
institution has been sustained in every forward
step Il has ever ,Akeu. and the church wili not /
fail to meet the demar Is created 10y the presen,
needs ui The school. Tbr warS Of the year
jus, closed and the prospects for ibe future /
are mcst gratifying.