The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-06-03
GIRLS HEAR
 ABLE SERMON N. bowman Breaches
 at Tuskegee. DR. MASSEY'S SCHOOL Gfaduating Class Admonished as
 to Character E1fty-Arst Commencement of Alabama Conference Female College, Which
 is to Be Removed to
 Montgomery.
BY WILL T. STEPHAN.

Tuskegee. June 2.-(Special.) )-In Tuskegee's Methodist Church, set among the towns old oaks. and with Its interior beautiful in soft gray col bring, Rev. Dr. Charles Bowman of Atlanta. this morning preached a ser mon to the ffty-firs graduating class of the famous and historic college for girls of the Alabama Conference.
 To the graduates as they appeared in the black academic gowns drawn over the soft dresses of commencement, Dr. Dow-nan delivered a message on char acter. He spoke from the expression of Paul. which declared that only in Christ could character be fui1 Dr. Bowman was formerly of the faculty of Emory College. but he Is now a resident minister of Atlanta. In Georgia. he is widely known as a preacher of power and force.
 To his Alabama audience, Dr. Dow man appeared strfkingly like the late J. L. M. Curry, whose statue has been contributed by Alabama to the Hall of Fame at Washington. He has the same strong. powerful voice and the intense earnestness. In his physical characteristics he Is also. much like the distinguished Alabamian.
 Dr. Massey's School.
 The commencement of which the mornings sermon forms a part, closes 4 A4tA anu dsCtai SCoi ch thO NotiSSS which has become so identified with the President, who has given 1t the best years of his life, that in Alabama it is generally known as Dr. Massey's School.
 Notwithstanding the decision of the great denomination which controls and maintains the college to move 1t to Montgomery, the college has con- tinued always successful Nor has It's hold in the affection of the people ever been disturbed. In years, when edu- cation was not so popular as 1t now is. when there were not so many speakers and leaders arguing the right of every boy and girl to an education, the Ala bama Conference College was a potent and splendid factor in the dissemina- ton of learning and culture in the homes of Alabama.
 Under the direction of such a man as Dr. Massey. for thirty-one years it's head, 1t could not fall to maintain its splendid place in the affection of the people and in the educational interests of the State. To him the affection and gratitude of his people is given in peculiar way.
 Now. after more than half a cen- tury of a beautiful and useful life. the college Is to be moved to Montgomery The causes of the removal were con ditfons and developments outside Of the institution, and for which it was in no wise responsible. Throughout its long life of usefulness, 1t has done well it's work and 1t has prospered with the years.
 But changes have been rung in with the years. Developments have made new conditions, and new conditions have made changes inevitable. Ihe Alabama Conference, in Its wisdom, has decided to establish its college for young women at Montgomery, in the firm belief that 1t will fill larger field of endeavor and be richer in results khan ever before.
 Its Move to Montgomery.
 The North Alabama Conference has struck hands with the Alabama Con- ference and given its pledge to work together for the future greatness of fbe institution to the welfare of which tha Methodists of Alabama have com ,nStted themselves The North Ala hama Conference has gone farther. It has given its own female college to the nrosperity and well being of the in- Stitution which is to begin it's new life in Montgomery and there do its work. The Athens Female College, aupuorted and maintained by the North Alabama Conference, will be closed. It's resources, its students and It's sup port will be thrown to the Methodist College which begins so auspiciously its life in Montgomery.
 Montgomery itself the new and greater Montgomery. is itself the eager friend and patron of the institution. Tn fancy 1t looks upon 1t already with pride and affection. Without regard fo denominational lines. the city of Montgomery is the jealous friend of the institution which is coming within her gates.
 The Methodists of Alabama placed certain qualifications upon the great honor they proposed to bestow upon the city of Montgomery. Certain things