The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-06-04
BISHOP ATKINS
 BREACHES SERMON Commencement at Southern
 University Begins DECLARATION CONTEST Twelve Young Men contended For the MedaI-Publc Gymnasium Exhib- ition is Well Attended and is
 of Great Interest.
DECLARATION CONTEST

Greensboro, June 3.-(Special. )-Sunday morning dawned cold and cloudy and big fires were comfortable. Despite this fact, however, an immense audience assem- bled in the college chapel of the South ern university to hear Bishop Atkins, who delivered one of the finest sermons evey heard on similar occasion. His text was from the fifth verse of the seventeenth chapter of St. Matthew: Hear ye Him. !"
 He showed the unity of the Old Testa- ment and the New and Christ, the cul- imitation of Gods purpose, that Jesus wai the Great Teacher. radical in his teachings and therefore revolutionary; that his teaching was universal and final Fo. fifty minutes the large and attentive audience was swayed by the bishops eo- auence Beautiful music was rendered by the Greensboro Choral society, under the able direction of Prof. Burt Richard son.
 The evening sermon was delivered by the Rev. J. NJ. Dannelly of Opelika, who held ur Joseph as an example to the young men. It vas well prepared and delivered with great earnestness
 Defamation Contest.
 This morning another large audience assembled in the chapel to hear the sophomore declamation contest. There wee twelve speakers who with their sub jects ars as follows:
 The Unknown Confederate Dead"- L. z. Brannon.
 'Immortality'-G S. Frazer
 Consolidated Capital'-R. B. Carr.
 Citizenship and the Law'-J B.. Bur gin,
 "A Southern Patriot'-J. F. Burford. Solo: "The Message of the Rose" (Gottschalk)-Miss Minnie Ward.
 ''American Liberalism. the Secret of National Greatness"-A II. Moore
 After Supremacy Responsibilty"-O C. Weaver
 "The south Before the War"-R. c. Rush.
 rWhat Endures''-S. B. Price.
 Scottish songs (a) Mary of Ar gle; (b) Flow Gently, Sweet Alton Miss Kathleen Waller.
 "1ndependence of Cuban-S B. Strout. ''The Peerless South"-L. J. Weber. "The Future of Our Republic"--R. F. Thompson.
 All of these young gentlemen did so well that the committee will have great difficulty in rendering a decision. Beau tifu music was rendered by Miss Minnie Ward and Miss Kathleen Waller.
 Public Exhibition.
 This afternoon at o'clock a public exhibition was given by the members of the gymnastic classes. The varied ex- ercises were beautifully carried out by ths boys who seemed to have practiced until every part of their bodies were supple and their muscles splendidly de- veloped
 The new and handsome gymnasium re- gently built at a cost of several thou sand dollars Is furnished with the most up to date equipment including shower baths and the students under Professor Richardsons able training have improved wonderfully.
 This evening the unior oratorical con test will take place, when eight young gentlemen will contest for a medal.
 Many visitors came in on this even ing's train, helping to swell the large number already present.
 MT. and Mrs Edgar Elliott of Mound vile came down Sunday to hear Bishop Atkins.
 The Misses Going of Birmingham are two charming visitors to the commence ment.
 This is a season of reunion and old friends are greeting each other as they have done for so many years past at . Southern University commencement