Daily Concord Standard (Concord, NC), June 1, 1893, p. 1.

THE WORK IS DONE
THE COMMENCEMENTS OF NORTH CAROLINA COLLEGE AND MT. AMOENA SEMINARY
The Oratorical Contest – The Address Before the Alumni – The Literary Address – The Concerts – The Commencement Day – Other Notes

We have heretofore spoken of the Baccalaureate sermon by rev. J. C. Moser and the missionary address, by Rev. C. A. Marks, of China Grove.

The Preparatory Department held its exercises on Saturday night before – They were good.

MONDAY MORNING

This is the programme carried out by the contestants for the declaimer’s medal:
Ralph W. Barrier – “Our Country, Past and Present.”
W. A. Foil – “Henry W. Grady.”
Edgar E. Hendrix – “The Victory of ’92.”
J. Walter Peacock – “There is a God.”
G. M. VanPoole – “Signing the Declaration.”
A. A. Springs – “Oratory.”

The youthful contestants did themselves much credit –they spoke like orator in fact. The contest was so close that the judges had great difficulty in making a decision. The medal was awarded to A. A. Springs, with honorable mention of Edgar Hendrix.

THE ORATOR’S CONTEST

Took place Wednesday evening before a large audience. This was the programme:
C. B. Cox – “Two Problems Peculiar to the South.”
B. B. Miller – “Modern Oratory.”
H. A. Eddleman – “the Importance of Forming a Good Character.”
W. W. J. Ritchie – “All Monuments are not Marble.”

This was a splendid entertainment. The speeches were of a high character and the delivery was excellent – reflecting great credit on Societies and the efforts of the men. The committee awarded the medal to Mr. B. B. Miller, of Bear Poplar, N. C.

MONDAY EVENING

The closing exercised of the College and Seminary were held conjointly. This is one evidence that men and women have come to sympathize with each other; and it was decidedly more pleasant for all.

The exercises of Monday night were by the Seminary. It was the most enjoyable, upon he whole, of the week. This is the programme:
Instrumental Duet, by Misses Kime and Wingardt.
Recitation, “Genevera” – Miss Jesse Thompson.
Recitation, “The Bald Healed Man” – Miss Alma Shirey.
Vocal solo – Miss Mamie Schulken.
Recitation, “Over the Hills to the Poor House” – Miss Maybelle Kizer.
Recitation, “Absolution” – Miss Mary Graham.
Instrumental Solo – Miss Alma Shirey.
Class History – Miss Mary Mohr.
Class Song composed by Misses Belle Moser and Bessie Crooks.
Concent Recitation, “Tit for Tat” – Sophomore Class.
Recitation, “Tom Sawyer’s Illness” Miss Fannie Stricker.
Calisthenics – Sophomore Class.

The recitation by Misses Kizer and Stricker were particularly hastily received.

The night was one of splendid entertainment and the audience regretted the close of the programme.

The Literary Address.

The time too short to prepare even a synopsis of the admirable literary address before the students, by Prof. L. A. Gotwald, D. D., Prof. of Practical Theology in Wittenburg Seminary, Springfield, Ohio. Dr. Gotwald, after a few pleasant remarks relative to the friendship between himself and President Shirey, a classmate, announced his subject: “The Collegiate Culture Demanded by Our country and Age,” or “The Present Requirements of American Education.”

As it is our purpose to publish the address in full, (and it will be about the best reading obtainable) we only give the different heads of this admirable address, the delivery of which held the audience’s most careful attention from first to last. After a very scholarly and pleasing introductory to the subject of collegiate culture, Dr. Gotwald discussed these topic relative to his theme.

I. It should be thorough and solid instead of mere pretentious and superficial.

II. A second characteristic which should distinguish our American collegiate culture, that it shoudl be classical and scientific, instead of being predominantly utilitarian and practical.

III. the collegiate Culture demanded by our country and age should especially be thoroughly Biblical and Christian instead of merely secular and intellectual.

The lecture is regarded by the literary men who heard it as a literary gem, and by observing and thoughtful men it is regarded as the most practical and the most admirable address ever delivered on a similar occasion in the history of the two institutions. This writer sees in Dr. Gotwald a broad, liberal and scholarly gentleman. And by way of leaving this subject, Dr. Gotwald’s estimate of the whole exercises is such as to make both faculties and students alike happy.

The Alumni address of Prof. S. S. Lindler, of Ella, S. C., of class ’78, was delivered before the Alumni Association, Tuesday evening. It was one of those practical discussions such as one may expect from a teacher of 15 years experience. His theme was that of “The Teacher.” Besides the pleasure of seeing a face yet familiar in not having changed a particle in 15 years, the character of the address was such as to draw the large audience’s best and closest attention. Prof. Linder, whilst not posing as an orator, is one of those fine scholars that reasons well and writes accordingly. His lecture was indeed enjoyable. This writer has had especial pleasure in reading the address from the original manuscript. We regret that time and space forbid a more extended notice of this excellent eulogy to “The Teacher.”

Immediately after the lecture the association met and elected Rev. W. A. Deaton, of Columbia, S. C., as Alumni orator for 1894.

The art exhibit in the parlors of the seminary was superb.

The Annual Concert.

The writer took a lady to the Annual Concert, by the ladies of Mont Amoena Seminary, Tuesday night. Aside from two recitations and one other item of the programme it was all classical, we presume. The lady said the concert was excellent, this writer doesn’t know, but he felt as if he was not only killing time but being persecuted. He belongs to nine-tenth of the educated and civilized population of the world in so far as not being able to appreciate classical music. The ladies looked pretty and were graceful and that is all the writer saw to elicit attention. The vocal quartet was highly enjoyed; and, from our stand point, the music that was an oasis in the desert was a duet rendered by little Miss Mary Hendrix and little Miss Mary Welsh. Several people said to us that the Concert was excellent–it was.

Commencement Day.

This is the programme of Commencement Day. The exercises were held in the Lutheran church, opened by Prayer by Dr. Gotwald.
Salutatory, M. A. Boger.
Music.
Essay, “Noble Things are Difficult” – Miss Mabel Barrier.
Music.
Essay, Aesthetics in Nature” – Miss Lester Bloom.
Music.
Essay, “Right is Might” – Miss Hattie Misenheimer.
Music.
Oration, “Not Things, but Men” – W. J. Boger.
Music.
Oration, “Literary Monuments” – M. A. Boger.
Music.
Conferring Degrees, Awarding Medals, Announcement of Distinctions, etc.

The three young graduates, in all their modesty and grace were charming. Their essays were of a high order. We have secured tow of them. It is our purpose to publish them during the next tow months.

The Messrs. Boger surpassed the expectations of their fondest friends. We have never heard superior graduating addresses. They are modest, manly young men, and their record for four years in College has never been surpassed by the many who have preceded them. As Cabarrus men the Standard is intensely proud of them. Their father and mother, Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Boger, must necessarily feel proud of the young men. Just what they intend pursuing we do not know, but if they carry into any profession or work of life the same ambition and zealousness as they did in their college life brilliant success awaits them.

Misses Mable Barrier and Hattie Misenheimer are young ladies of Mt. Pleasant, and Miss Blume is a Charlotte lady.

The degree of A. B. was conferred upon each of the Messrs. Boger. By a special course of study, the board of trustees conferred the degree of Ph. D. upon Prof. W. T. Whitsett, A. M., of Gibsonville, N. C.

President Shirey announced the distinctions, and made announcements for the coming session. President Fisher, of the Seminary, announced that when the young ladies returned they would find another large and handsome building on the Seminary grounds. this is made necessary by the growth and prosperity of the school.

The valedictory was then delivered by Mr. W. J. Boger. It was a gem. It was so cleverly delivered and so fine and touching in sentiment that large numbers of the vast audience had to use handkerchief in wiping away tears that stole out.

The benediction was pronounced by Rev. Samuel Rothrock, D. D., who has been in the Christian ministry over 60 years.

Notes.

The Mt. Pleasant band furnished the Music. It was excellent and came in for its part of the compliments.

The order was superb.

The marshals were handsome and efficient.

There were large crowds from Salisbury; a goodly number went down from Concord.

The enrollment at the Seminary was 92, the largest in its history.

The officers and faculties of both institutions are greatly encouraged.