From Our Church Paper (New Market, VA), Vol. 22, No. 25, June 20, 1894, p. 2

Commencement at Mt. Pleasant.

The Interesting Exercises of North Carolina College and Mt. Amoena Seminary.

The Baccalaureate Sermon was preached June 3 by Rev. H. 8. Wingard, D. D., of Springfield, Ga. Rev. Wingard is an alumnus of Newberry College, located at Newberry, S. C., having graduated in 1870 with first honor. Dr. Wingard is well known for his literary and theological attainments: in recognition of this, his Alma Mater one year ago conferred the title D. D. upon him.

The friends of these two colleges expected great things from him, and they were not disappointed.

He took for his text, Phil. 1 chapter and first clause of 21st verse: “For me to live is Christ.” He took for his subject “The True Aim in Life.” He held up the Apostle Paul as a model in life. And there was no other save Jesus Christ, from whom Paul derived his life. The following are the main divisions of his subject, viz:

1. The source of a Christian’s life is Christ.
2. The rule of the Christian’s life is Christward.
3. The aim of the Christian’s life is to glorify Christ.
4. The goal of the Christian’s life is to be with Christ.

The address before the Woman’s Home and Foreign Missionary Society of the Seminary, was delivered Sunday evening by Rev. M. G. G. Scherer, Concord, N. C. Rev. Mr. Scherer is a graduate of Roanoke College, located at Salem, Va., having taken the first honor in this noted institution. He is a young man of rare intellectual ability. He selected for his text the first clause of the 13th verse of the 5th chapter of Matthew’s Gospel, “Ye are the salt of the earth.”

Any attempt to reproduce or even to give an outline of this discourse would at best mar its beauty. He captivated his audience right in the beginning, and held it spell bound to the end. Truly it was a model gospel sermon.

Monday morning, 10-1/2 o’clock a. m., the Declaimer’s Contest took place. The following is a list of contestants, viz: Luther H. Host, Efird’s Mills, N. C.; P. A. Bost, Mt. Pleasant, N. C.; J. V. Burleyson, Bridgeport, N. C.; J. W. Fischer, Mt. Pleasant, N. C.; Edgar E. Hendrix, Mt. Pleasant, N. C.; and P. Wilbnrn Tucker, Mt. Pleasant, N. C. These all did well. Mr. Tucker took the medal, and honorable mention was made of Mr. Hendrix.

Monday afternoon the Contest in Oratory took place. There were five speakers, viz : V. L. Ridenhour, Mt. Pleasant, N. C.; C. A. Brown, Bear Poplar, N. C.; J. H. Barnhardt, Mt. Pleasant, N. C.; J. H. Thompson, Lexington, N. C.; C. E. Boger, Flow’s, N. C. This was certainly a close contest. The young men certainly did reflect honor on not only themselves, but their professors and the college. The speeches were well written and well delivered. Mr. Barnhart took the medal.

Monday night the friends of these institntions were highly entertained by a drama at the seminary building.

Tuesday morning, 10 1/2 o’clock, was the hour set for the address before the literary societies of North Carolina College.

This address was delivered by Rev. G. W. Callahan, A. M., of Mt. Pleasant, N. C. Subject: “The Aid to the Success of Future Generations at the Hands of This.” This was a good speech. Mr. Callahan is an orator.

Tuesday afternoon the address before the alumni of the college took place. This address was delivered by Rev. W. A. Deaton, an alumnus of the college, having graduated six years ago. He took for his subject “Mummies.” We scarcely ever have the pleasure of listening to such a discourse as this. It abounded in thought, freshness and beauty. Few young men could handle such a subject in a more masterly manner. One of the oldest and most intelligent men in the community was heard to say at the close of this address, “That is fine; I am proud of old North Carolina College.” Well may be be proud of North Carolina College, for certainly her graduates stand high in literary circles.

Tuesday evening, what is known as “Class Exercises,” took place in the Seminary building. The exercises were introduced by “a scarf drill,” which was almost perfect. This was followed by music, recitations, compositions, etc. These exercises were the richest it has over been our privilege to witness. The building was taxed to its utmost capacity, and many, very many could not find an entrance. One great admirer of education said, “Hurrah for Prof. Fisher and the girls.” And we all say hurrah for Prof. Fisher and the girls.

Wednesday morning 10.30 o’clock a. m., it was our privilege to listen to the Junior orations. There are seven young men in this class, viz.: Jesse L. McLendon, Cypress, S. C.; Chas. D. Cobb, McLeansville, N. C.; Luther S. Shirey, Mt. Pleasant, N. C.; Bachman B. Miller, Bear Poplar, N. C.; Walter M. Cook, Mt. Pleasant, N. C.; J. Deberry Fisher, Mt. Pleasant, N. C.; Wiley W. J. Richie, Faith, N. C.

These young men all had well prepared speeches, and they delivered them in good style.

Wednesday afternoon there was an Art exhibition in the Seminary building. Everybody speaks of the exhibits in the highest terms.

Wednesday evening a grand musical concert was given by the young ladies of the seminary. There Is no use in talking, if Prof. Fisher’s seminary girls can’t play an organ and piano it is no use for any one else to try.

Thursday, the great day of the commencement, the interest manifested by the community was unabated, besides there were many visitors from abroad. The exercises began promptly at 10 o’clock. There were eleven graduates. The following progrmme was observed:

0 v e r t u re—quartette by Misses Maud Miller, Elise Ortman, Jessie Thompson, and Maud Brown.
Salutatory—Miss Alma Shirey.
A duet—by Misses Elise Ortman and Maud Brown.
Essay—by Miss Mary Graham, subject : The mutability of all things.
Essay—by Miss Mabel Kizer, subject : Troubled waters make the sweetest music.
Essay—by Miss Bertie Kime, subject : Into each life some rain must fall.
A sextet —by Misses Mattie Miller, Addie Jenny, Leila Moser, Venora Blackwelder, Lillie Lingle, and Lizzie Brown.
Essay—by Miss Belle Moser, subject : The loom of gossip.
Essay—by Miss Marie Schulken, subject: Day Dreams.
Essay—by Miss Jessie Thompson, subject: The stone that is fit for the wall is not rejected.
A sextet—by Misses Mattie Miller, Beulah Thompson, Julia Hentz, Belle Moser, Custis Wingard, Tensia Shearouse.
Essay—by Miss Lizzie Weimer, subject: Beyond 1865 lies 1895.
Essay—by Miss Custis Wingard, subject: Sunset splendors.
A quartet—by Misses Mamie Wingard, Bertie Kime, Minnie Derrick and Julia Hentz.

Awarding of medals to the following young ladies : The mathematical medal and the prize for the highest grade in English literature to Miss Lelia Moser.

The medal for the student of the sophomore class who made the highest average in the English studies was awarded to Miss Callie Lipe.

The medal for the highest average in deportment was awarded to Miss Alma Shirey.

The prize in music to Miss Mattie Miller.

Next came the awarding of diplomas, after which Prof. Fisher made a beautiful and feeling talk to the class. Then came the valedictory by Miss Mary Mohr, of Wilmington, N. C.

Thus closed the commencement ex ercises for 1894.

I cannot conclude before expressing the sentiments of the audienoe. The exercises were all good and of a high grade. These exercises demonstrated the fact beyond a doubt that North Carolina College and Mont Amoena Female Seminary can and do as good work as any institution of similar character. And considering the health of the place and the cheapness of living, etc., it really seems that this would be the place for parents to send their boys and girls. We hope these institutions will receive a liberal patronage next year. J. Q. W. in Visitor