Henderson daily dispatch. (Henderson, N.C.) 1914-1995, 1938-05-09
Character Courage
Christ Urged Upon
Graduating Youths
Dr. L. E. Smith, President of Elon, Points Wav to Fu-
lure Living High School Seniors in Baccalaureate
Sermon; First Eve mt of Commencement

Conn1cncement exercises of th,. 1888
.,oduating class of Henderson high
echoo1 were begun with the preaching
Of the baccalaureate sermon in the
auditorium of the high school Sun
Nv night by DR.. L. E. Smith, presi-
d,nt of Elon College.
Dr.. Smith held up character, cour-
age and Christ as a guide for life,
Ms subject icing, Three Words 10y
Which Men Live" Character is not
salvation. but the great characters of
the world have been men of faith,
7r Smith said, and he pleaded for
men of faith and conviction, and urg-
cd the graduates to talke Christ as
their model, their inspiration and
their eternal savior.
The auditorium was virtually filled
TO its capacity of 1000. The class num-
hers los young people, the largest in
the history of Henderson high school
In addition to DR.. Smiths sermon.
there were several musical numbers
nv members of the class and the high
school choral groups and glee club.
The audience joined in singing several
city took part in the program.
Glass Day exercises of the seniors
will be held in the auditorium Wed
nesday afternoon, and that night a
special program has been arranged
for the presentation of awards and
prizes that have been won by various
students of the high school and ele-
mentary grades. The final gradual
inc exercises will be held Thursday
evening in the auditorium, when dip
Tomas will be given to the 108 grad
yates. Every member of this years
senior class will receive a diploma, ac-
cordng to Prof. w. D. Payne, prin-
cipal, a most unusual achievement in
a class so large as this one.
AT the Sunday night service the
choral classes sang Lead on, o King
Eternal" as the professional, follow
ing which the audience joined in sing
ing, Come, Thou Almighty King"
The invocation was Icy Rev. A. S. Hale,
pastor OF the First Baptist church.
The girls glee club sang, "Open Our
Eyes and the Scripture reading, the
fourth chapter of James epistle, was
by Rev. James A. Jones, pastor of the
First Presbyterian church. The prayer
followed by Rev. R. E. Brown, pastor
of the First Methodist Episcopal
church.
Miss Annie Hyman Bum, member
of the graduating class, sang a solo.
co. Come to My Heart, Lord Jesus"
by Ambrose. The ease with which she
always sings never appeared greater.
and her tones were clear and her
melody just about all that could he
asked. In this her final appearance
at the high school, many thought she
gave the best performance ever. She
was accompanied at the piano by Miss
Pauline Porter, director of music.
Rev j. Everett Neese, pastor of the
Congregational-Chris church, in
troduced Dr. Smith, and following the
sermon the benediction was by Rev. T.
J. Whitehead, pastor of the Methodist
Protestant church.
The Pilgrims Chorus" by Wagner
was used as a occasional, sung by
the choral classes. Mrs. w. w. Parker
was accompanist for all musical num-
bers except for Miss Bum.
What is Life?" asked DR.. Smith at
the lightning of his sermon, taking
the question from the letter of James,
together with the apostles answer,
1T is a vapor," and so on. The value
of a mans life, said the preacher, IS
determined by the manner in which
he lives it. The text was from Micah
68, What doth the Lord require OF
thee, but to do justly, and to love
mercy, and to walk humbly with thv
Cod"
The three words by which men live
were given as character, courage and
Christ Christian character is found
ed upon Christ and it always counts
heavily in shaping life. The thought
was freely illustrated by events from
the lives of individuals.
DR.. Smith put great store by the
word courage" This country needs,
he said. men with courage to
champion the right at all times,
who will turn a deaf ear to flattery