The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1912-05-28
EXERCISES At
UNIVERSITY
REV. eEoRE n. coRNELsoN OF
NEW ORLEANS DELIVERS BAG
cALAuREATE SERMON TO A
LARGE ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
CEREMONIES.
BY Jesse Z. Rurtz.

Gainesville, May ga typical Flor
ida May day with a bright, cheerful
sun, favored the first Of the oficial
series OF the annual commencement
exercises Of the University Of Florida
today, with the result that the big
Chatauqua tabernacle, which has
seating capacity equal to any building
in the state, was comfortably filled
when the services began at IL o'clock.
Notwithstanding the fact that the
weather was extremely warm. the tab
ernacle, overlooking a shaded hamlet
and cooling brook, was very pleasant,
being famed by gentle breeZes which
seemed to harmonic with the sur
roundings.
While all commencement exercises
of the university are marked with i'm
portance, this year seems especially
interesting, since the largest class In
the history OF the institution will be
turned out into the world to face the
battle Of life, and O. very representa-
tive body it Ii, too, being sons of
some of FTorida's noblest and most
widely known men.
The stage was appropriately deco
rated for the occasion with pot plants
and-evergreens, and a large American
flag covered the rear, while the uni
versity colorG. orange and purple, pre-
dominated on all sides.
Promptly at IL o'clock the process
sion, including President A. A. Muir
phree and his faculty, faculties Of the
experimental farm and agricultural de-
partments, ministers Of the city, the
visiting minister. Rev. George H. Cor
nelson, pastor OF the First Presbyte-
RAM church, Ntw Orleans. and the
graduating class formed on the out
side OF the building and marched down
the long aisle to their respective posi-
lions, the former on the stage, with
the members of the board of control,
the members of the graduating class
in front seats especially provided for
them.
The service opened with an inspir-
ing prelude. Priests March from Atha-
liza. by the university orchestra, after
which the invocation was rendered by
DIR. Cornelson in q most earnest man
ner. Following this the congregation
Joined In the hymn, How Firm a
Foundation" after which DR.. Cornell
son read the Scriptures. Rev. j. Ed
gar Wilson, pastor of the First Meth
odist church OF this city, offered an
earnest prayer. when the announce
ments for the week were read by
President Murphree.
Mr.. A. ]. Goodwin, who possesses a
rich tenor voice. favored the congre-
CATION with q solo. Not Ashamed Of
Jesus"
President Murphree, in a most i'm
pressive manner, introduced the speak
er Of the day, Rev. George H. Cornell
son, during which he took occasion to
refer to Or. Cornelson al one Of the
leading preachers Of the south and a
man OF superior eloquence, which was
later proven, for DR.. Cornelson's SER
mon was pronounced one of the most
interesting ever delivered from the au-
ditorium platform. which has accom-
modated a number Of the leading
orators OF the country, north and
south.
After the sermon was a prayer by
Rev. John @. Anderson, pastor OF the
First Presbyterian church OF Gaines
vile, a hymn, Nearer My God to
Thee" by the congregation, and the
benediction by Rev. J. ]. Cloar, pastor
Of the First Baptist church, Gaines
vile, which concluded the morning
service.