The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-06-08
FINALS BEGIN AT
RICHMOND COLLEGE
DR.. Skinner breaches Fine Bacca-
laureate Sermon to Gradu-
atcs.
BEST YEAR FOR INSTITUTION
Program for To-day Includes
Class Exercises, With Many
Good Speeches.

Before the largest crowd OF alumni
and friends ever gathered in the public
hall Of the institutions. the first eaer-
cises of the 1905 commencement Of
Richmond College began last night with
the baccalaurcate sermon by the Rev
IT. Claggett Skinner, ID. D.. pastor OF
the First Baptist Church, of Roanoke.
Dr. Skinner Is considered one OF the
most brilliant Of the alumni. having
won honors as a student. and having
been most successful in his ministerial
work in Baltimore and Roanoke. His
sermon was eminently appropriate to
the occasion, and was heard with great
attention.
Lndy Graduates Lead.
The graduating class. robed in cap.
and gown, assembled at the Science
Hall and with the four young lady
graduates leading, marched over to
the public hall. taking the seats which
had been reserved for them directly
in front of the speaker The members
OF the faculty came up the main aisle
later. and occupied seats on the ros-
trum. which was decorated with pains
and flowers.
There was not a vacant seat IN the
chanel although many chairs had been
placed in the main, aisle. Many of
those coming in late were forced to
stand.
Or. Skinners text was the verse,
."Whosoever shall compel thee to go
with him mile, go with him two"
the idea being that man should en-
deavor to do good not simply from a
sense OF duty, but should change reluct-
ance to willingness, in all things.
In treating the Subject he divided
life into the two miles, showing that
though one must live through the first
In order to reach the second, real hap
piness and goodness could not be at
tanned until the first mile had been
travcrsed and the second entered.
The priests in the Bible, he said. who
refused to accept the teachings of
Christ. but continued along tile beaten
track laid down by the ancient law.
doing no more and no less than those
laws commanded were men who lived
their whole lives in the first mile while
the Good Samaritan. who did good
wherever he saw an opportunity. was
a man living his life in the second mile
the only period bringing happiness
and other rewards.
AS further example of a man living
wholly in the first mile, he pointed to
Shylock, who could see no reason why
lie should not have the pound of flesh
at the cost of life. He was entitled
to it by contract and the bond he held
said nothing of mercy.
| He advised the young men and wo-
men, just beginning lifes battle In
earnest, to travel the first mile with
the determination to reach and enjoy
| the second. which, he told them, con-
tanned all the joy. happiness and good
| on earth and in heaven: there compul-
sion ceases and inspiration begins.
Most Successful Year Yet.
Preceding the baccalaureate sermon,
DR.. Boatwright made short speech,
telling the friends of the college of
the things accomplished during the
session. He said that the session had
been by far the most successful in the
history of the institution, there hav-
ing been more students in attendance
and the class Of work of higher grade
than before. An unusually small num-
Der failed to pass the final examina-
lions.
This evening at S:15 o'clock the
class day exercises will be held in the
public hall. Orators and historians
of both the academic and law classes
will be presented. The exercises will
! be opened with prayer by the Rev.
| j. Calvin Stewart D. D., pastor of the
Church of the Covenant.
The opening address will be made
| by the president of the senior class,
Mr.. j. BraNton Miller. of Anderson, w.
Va. the law class Grafton will be made
! by Mr.. w. o. Crockett, of Wytheville,
Va, and the academic Grafton by Mr.
r. II. Binford of Richmond. Mr.. Z.
( w. Hndgins, of buckingham county,
will read the law class history. and Mr..
j. f. Cropp, of Richmond. will present
that of the academic class.
Closing remarks will be made by the
president of the senior class and other
graduates. Members of the graduating
classes will assemble at the Science
! Hall at 10 o'clock this morning to have
their pictures taken for the benefit OF
future generations.