Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1918-03-30
DINING HALL
At THE VIRGINIA
SEMINARY

5tWnVARY
Wednesday March 20;h. appropri-
ate and impressive services were held
dedicating the now dining hall OF Vir
ginia Theological Seminary and Col
lcge. Two services were held, after
noon and evening. Tho afternoon
meeting was in the nature Of gcner
al platform exercise. State and local
ministers and laymcn made strong
and enthusiastic addresses review
ing the growth and progress of the
institution, among those speaking in
this meeting were: Drs. l.. II. w.
Johnson; w. w. Hicks; B. Tyrrell,
RcyS. w. G.. Brown. S. A. Davenport
l.. 0. Lewis. G. G. Cabcll; b. X.
Mason; Dcacons Reuben Wade. Hum
'blcs and others. Each speaker follow
cd his address with II report from his
Church. Another feature Of the after
noon service was the cXcellenu singing
by the city choirs and the chorus of
the institution.
AT the evening exercises the dedi
catorial program proper was carried
out. The chorus of one hundred and
twenty five voices led "All Hail the
! Power Of Jesus Name" assisted by
the entire student body and audience.
Special scripture selections were read
by DR.. l.. r.. w. Johnson. special
prayer by Rev. w. G. Brown and tho
dedicatorial prayer by Rev. l.. o.
Lewis, b. d.
The president of the institution
presented Prof. e. b. Crooks PHI. ID.
Head Of the Department of Philoso-
ply and Psychology at Randolph Mac
on Womans College who used us a sub
jcct, "rhc Reason for being Educat-
ed" DR.. Crooks spoke from the point
OF view Of the teacher and out Of a
ripe and extensive experience made
a brilliant and most effective address.
Dr.. Crooks is an educator of deep
Sympathics and broad, learning and
his hearers were sincerely impress
cd with the intent of true education.
His Hon. Mayor r. jos Jr.. was
subject: "The Application of a Prac-
teal Education. The Mayor urged
upon his hearers the seeking after
the type Of education in every sphere
that could be translated into altruiS
tic service and thereby prove bone
diction to the human race. Mayor jos
ter has manifested a keen interest in
the institution and took occasion to
urge upon alumni, student and friends
loyalty to the work. When he arose
to speak. he was given an oya Sion by
' the audience and he stated he was
. sincerely moved by the same. The
, Mayor in a very profound way handl-
cd his subject and showed n breadth
Of spirit and kecnncss Of interest
that tied his audience to every word.
! The speaker for the Board Of Trus
tees and the institution was the Rev.
Thos. J. King, d. D., of Richmond.
Va. and Vice Chairman Of the Board.
DR.. King had MS his subject: "The
Institutional Life Of tae Race" The
speaker was in excellent form and
grasped at the outset the enthusiasts
, TIC interest Of his audience. Now his
address tecmed with Patio. :" he re
lated the incip:ent struggles Incl
dent to the maintenance and enlarge
ment of the work and the passing of
the heroes. Then again his audience
would be swept as it were in an avail
anche of oratory when he pictured
the suffering incident to the rise OF
the race; the ambitions and hopes OF
individuals that had given living form
to their ideals. The speaker said,
among other things, this. 1.-The ins,i
tutional life and development of any
race are the direct results Of that larg
. or vision and interest of the most un
/ selfish among any people. 1t is los
Ting sight Of all individual interest
! and actch,ng the larger vision. The
greatest insti mtion OF any race or ma
ton, hcg;nS with the initiation of II
simple movement. divine in its spirit
and aims and worldwide in it's scope
! and plan"
In very touching way he referred
Ia the suiferings of the pioneers and
the sacrifices of those who labor now.
"The New Negro must Work Mira
cles." said he. 1--WE must build our
monuments and fall to sleep at their
feet" he continued. The audience was
sincerely apprcciative of this and the
other splendid addresses. All the
speakers received rounds Of applause.
The chorus under the direction OF
Prof. j. A. Jordan. made a fine show
ing and captivatcd the audience.
The reading of letters from all sec
tons and the announcements of the
amounts sent in, occupied an interest
ing part of the program. While no
church was asked to send more than
ten dollars. several did enlarge the
amounts. Several hundred dollars
were realized. 1t was very crafty
ing indeed and considered Il great sue
cess, when viewed in the light Of the
nearness Of the approaching convcn
ton. Thus closed a successful day and
added much to the life of the institu
ton.