The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-06-01
Commencement Sermon
 by Dr. Porter.
LARGE AUDIENCE HEARS HIM
Many Visitors at Auburn to Take
 Part. -
Governor Conner and stan win Review the Cadet Battalion This After noon--Dr. Thach to Make <,
 Report.
BY CHARLES L. HAROLD


 Auburn, May 3I.-(spec.aL) )-Sur- rounded by all the traditions of the college. the commencement of the Ala bama Polytechnic Institute was for mally opened this morning at II o'clock in historic old Langdon Hall by the sermon of Dr. Fl. Al Porter, pastor of the Walnut Street Baptist Church, of Louisville, Ky.
 The beginning of commencement was an suspicious one. Such conclusion is based on the well-mixed character of the audience.
 Alumni were present. students were present in leayening numbers and no small contingent of the faithful resi- dents of Auburn proper were there. It was a powerful discourse delivered by or. Porter TO call it a discourse would not be improper although 1t new CT overleaped the bounds of sermon, forceful and didactlc. pr. Perter's subject was, 'sThe Death of Moses.
 The attendance on the first day indi- cates that Auburn is going to equal If not surpass all past efforts at com menceu1ent entertainment The people are here Already they have come from all parts Of the State. More are com Ing tomorrow and next day. In fact. with all due respect for the import anee of the commencement sermon, the outsider does not consider the exercises have begun until Monday morning. For this reason the great incoming of crowds to Auburn will be tomorrow morning and afternoon.
 Social Festivities. 5
 But there were enough visitors in town this morning to combine with these who were already on the ground to give the opening the color of real commencement. For the first time the gay set those who have been making q < since the inal exaninatiens closed, had an opportunity to rest Unttl late hour laet riaa a-ksofne do say, right ID to the midnight hour--those lovers of the germans piled their pleasures to the strains of famous old Wurna's sor- chAStra. -st ~ fffs4
 The playing of wurm's orchestra has about become one of Auburn's tradi- tions. If in dozen years the students and Visiting alumni have done without this organization the day cannot be Ntold No one has ever inquired Into the question of whether this orchestra IS a member of the union or there nlight be some indictments of working over Einae in this place. The Orange and Blue leaders have always made an indusS trious thing of this dancing game. Alumni of oven the eighties and nine ties thought they were doing well in the two step business but they have
 
 this younger generation.
 Here is q reminder of the strenuous schedule that the Auburn students have pulled off all to themselves very near ly. Friday afternoon the Sigma Alpha Epsilons had their reception and fol- lowed 1t up with their annual dance Friday night. Then came the Kappa Alpha dance with their reception. This was yesterday morning. Regaled with lunch they went back to the gymna- sium hoor--that is the scene of all dances except the commencement hop and soon they were in the whirl of the Phi Delta Theta affair yesterday af- ternoon. Saturday night the Freshmen and Sophomores united in giving their annual german, the crowning social event of the preliminary commence ment.
 4 Spiritual Fenst.
 From this 1t win be seen that the wheels are in motion and all is agog for the regular program of this week. True this morning was quieting and always becoming medium for those who come to enjoy commencement. The sermon came as spiritual feast after the merry go of the two days before. Everybody seemed to be interested in all parts of the days program. The attendance at the evening service at Langdon Hall was hardly less than at the formal sermon of the morning. Dr. Porter again displayed his striking ability as a speaker and teacher.
 Langdon Hall, the scene of so many commencements of bygone days. was attractively decorated today in flowers, ferns and foliage. The rostrum was , one huge embankment of green and flowers. Back of them sat those who took part in the exercises of the day. These were Dr. Porter. Dr. Charles c. Thach. President of the Alabama Polytechnic Institute; Rev. D. P. Slaughter, pastor of the Auburn Meth odist Church: Rev. M. P. Edwards, pastor of the Auburn Baptist Church, and Rev J. E. Ward. pastor of the Prasbyterian Church of this city.
 On the right of those occupying the rostrunl, on a lowered part of the stage, sat the members of the college faculty in a group This included the various assistants in all departments. To the right of the speaker was the choir in a corresponding position. and at the foot of these sat the Auburn orchestra.
 The music always one of the engag- ing features of Auburn's commence ments, clearly surpassed the efforts of previous years That is the criticism of musicrlovers who have been loyal frequenters of the occasion year after year The orchestra produced music this year that would do fair credit to a professional organization. If could have resulted from only close applica- tion and a uniting of the best and most willing talent of this college.
 The orchestra accompanied the choir in their various songs. The services opened this morning with a prelude from one of the masters played by the Auburn orchestra. Following the dox- ology the congregation was led in prayer by Rev. J F. Ward. Then came other music and prayer by Rev. D. P. Slaughter.
 pr. Porter's Sermon.
 The sermon of pr. Porter was pecu- liarly appropriate for the occasion. It was from the text: ''so Moses. the serv- ant of the Lord died there in the land of Moab" Deuteronomy. xxxiv-5 From arated from the Land of Promise bv the River Jordan. after many years of wan derinR. pr. Porter drew 3 lesson rich in