Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1913-05-22
Powhatan College Commencement

The Commencement exercises of the
above institution opened on Thursday oil
last week with very pretty entertain.
ment given by the children of the col
lege's Model School All the perform.
ers did well and they showed talent in
many directions. The Barcarolle from
..Ta.es Of Hoffman" by Offenbach was
played with great precision of touch and
time for so little pianist. Rubenstein's
MELODY in F" arranged by Hans Har.
than. and the Irish song, Kathleen
Mavourneen, represented very pretty
music and Singing. Robert Browning's
"Pied Piper" was acted with great spirit
by every one of the characters. The
teachers. Miss Mcqueen and Miss Will
son, are to be compllmented both for
their excellent training work and for
the interest and spirit Of perseverance
they evidently had aroused in the chill
dren.
Saturday evening witnessed the pres
entation of Shakespeare's Twelfth
Night. by the senior Eiocution Class.
Everyone acted well. The story was de-
veloped with much nicely of expression
and balance of movement. and the whole
play was enjoyed by the audience.
Considered as an indication of the work
of the class. the entertainment did great
credit in every way to the young ladies
aud their teacher, Miss Speich.
The Commencementse service in the COL
lege chapel began on Sunday evening at
eight o'clock. The service was presided
over by DIR. Pentuf as president OF the
college, assisted by the Rev. MI. AL
friend and Rev. Mr.. Cole. the sermon be-
ing preached by DR., E. B. Hatcher, of
Baltimore. The subject was clear cut
and scriptural presentation of the dis.
tinction between the vision of the eye Of
the flesh. the eye of the mind and the eye
of the spirit; and picture of high ideals
on which to focus the eve of the spirit
was given to the young ladies of the coll
lege and those present generally.
The young ladies rendered their
Music Recital on Monday evening TO a
large and well pleased audience. There
was enough variety both of vocal and
instrumental pieces to please. Some
Of the songs expressed the grayer-
thoughts and feelings common to man
kind, while others were of lighter
VEN; and on the pianoforte, the solos
gave US examples of execution and
technique, and the concerted pieces
showed good understanding of time
and were rich with we'll chosen har-
mony.
The exercises closed on Tuesday even
ing with the graduation programme.
The President, DR. James r. Pentuff,
delivered the address to the graduates.
His subject was the Medium and Law
of Mental Growth !" which he introduced
by presentation of the general idea
of growth. He then discussed the
physical side of what might be called
mind in notion, This physical side
or base of operations is the brain, and
the one way to reach out in mental en-
deayor with safety and effect is to de-
Yelop this base and stock it well with
the munitions of war. 1t was here
that the learned doctor correlated his |
subject with the fair members of the |
graduating class, for he explained that
it was education that brought about
this state of trained readiness; and he |
gave them the idea of activity as
the law of mental growth. This was
the key note of the successful culmina-
ton of their past efforts, and he hoped /
thhtit would abide with them and gov
ern the still greater mental growth
which he expected of them in the flu
ture.
The musical part of the programme
was given with great skill and was
much enjoyed In fact. all through the
exercises the vocal and instrumental
members did great creditto the indus
try and taste of the young ladies. and
also to the instruction work Of the tea
cheers, Miss Price, Miss Harper and
Miss wilson,
DR.. Pentuff was assisted by Rev, w.
S. Cole and Rev. ]. S. Alfriend.