whom sixteen appeared before the audience with compositions. The whole class acquitted themselves with honor, and received from the audience unmistakable testimonials of approval. The exercises concluded with an address from Hon. E. A. Nisbet. It was conceived and delivered in his happiest style. Thus closed the seventeenth annual commencement of the Wesleyan Female College. Long may it continue its career of honorable usefulness, and every succeeding return exhibit increasing prosperity and success. [From the N. O. Advocate, Aug. 2.] CENTENARY INSTITUTE, ALABAMA. Our readers are aware that a Society of the Alabama Conference edu cates young men who have been called to the ministry. They have nine or ten receiving the benefits of education and primary training. A correspondent says: BROTHER MCTYEIRE: There were several things at Summerfield, not coming properly within notice of the Examining Committee, that are, nevertheless, worthy of notice. I hope some one will give you an account of the "annual class-meeting.' It is worthy of a chroniclerought to have a place in the history of modern Methodism. But I am seated to give you an account of another scene. During the year there have been connected with the institution six licentiates and three candidates for the ministry. Our excellent Brother Pitts had taken much pains to teach them. This was found a pleasant and profitable task for both teacher and pupils. Should we put theology under ban, and carefully exclude it from the "school of the prophets"? Ought we to? The class, to manifest their appreciation of his labors, presented him, through Bishop Andrew, a fine family Bible. The Bishop's talk was rich and touching. He heartily indorsed the effort to teach those intending to enter the ministry-thought the gift the most appropriate the class could have selected for the occasion-commended Brother Pitts, and exhorted the class as he would have done at Confer ence. Brother Pitts receiving the book, promised to preach its doctrines in simplicity to have all the labors of the school-room hallowed by itnight and morning to gather his family around it with renewed thankfulness, to inquire the way of the Lord and find the "golden seed which yieldeth angels food." [From the S. C. Advocate, Aug. 7.] WOFFORD COLLEGE COMMENCEMENT. Commencement Day-The Inaugurals-The First Graduate-The Sermons-The Female College-College Buildings—A Plea for Wofford. The 16th of July will be a memorable day in the history of this Institution, as the date of its first commencement and the starting point of its career. The morning was bright, and the spacious college chapel was crowded at an early hour. Glance around and you will find present one fifth of the S. C. Conference-several with the imperial D.D., representatives from Charleston, Columbia, Camden, Greenville, Laurens, and the surrounding districts, and last but not least, a profusion of the beautiful flowers that cluster around Spartanburg. A procession is formed in front of the President's house, moves to the chapel, and enters, led by the faculty and trustees. The exercises are opened with prayer by the Rev. Dr. Cross; after which Professor Du Pre reads an able inaugural on the science of Geology-which is connected with his department. The Professor takes a bold but Christian view of the subjects suggested by his theme, and handles them with the address of one accustomed to grapple with abstruse points; yet you can but admire how admirably the barren rocks crop out here and there, covered with the freshness and beauty of elegant diction and poetic thought. Luther's grand old hymn, "Before Jehovah's awful throne," sung with spirit by the audience, gives a graceful finale to the address. The Rev. Dr. Whitefoord Smith now follows with an admirable paper on Polite Letters, in which he strenuously urges the importance of placing our Colleges in the advance ground of grammar schools and primary departments. The Doctor was never more happy; with mellifluous language and glowing pathos, he ably advocates the claims of his chair, and bespeaks the public approval of the high standard assumed by the College. แ President Wightman now announces that Mr. Samuel Dibble, of Charleston, will deliver a graduating address on Genius." This is clear, comprehensive, and calmly delivered, after which he pronounces a short but pathetic valedictory, which draws tears from the eyes of the old men who now see the first-born of the College going forth with honor to himself and his Alma Mater. The President, after an elegant Latin valedictory, delivers to him his diploma, and the exercises, characterized throughout with dignity and interest, are closed with the benediction by the Rev. H. A. C. Walker. May each returning commencement send forth a noble band, "Who round life's bright Olympic goal On the preceding Sabbath, the Rev. Dr. Cross delivered the commencement sermon to a large and intelligent audience strung to its highest pitch of expectation. The Doctor with a master grasp upon his subject, gathered up and presented in one scope a world of thought chafed with gold, and opened views of celestial charity, dazzling and dark with excessive light. It was the product of a master hand, alike honorable to the head and heart. At night, the Rev. Dr. Hanner, of Tenn., delivered an eloquent and impressive discourse before the young ladies of the Female College. The sermon was marked with a fine philosophical and practical view of the atonement in its application to the heart and the development of character. This institution, under the judicious management of President Tucker, has already taken a position to warrant the highest expectation. The examination and concert passed off with high credit to the young ladies and their instructors. Wofford College has sprung into existence, and in one year taken rank alongside the first institutions in the Southern States. The suite of buildings, six in number, crowns a commanding site to the north of the town, and gives an imposing prospect of the surrounding country. The group is arranged in the form of a crescent; the President's house fills one horn; the main building, 280 feet long, with two massive towers running up 100 feet, occupies the centre; and the houses of the professors complete the semi-circle. The entire suite is built of brick, combining all the airy elegance and substantial proportions peculiar to Italian architecture. As you enter the town from the south the group presents an imposing appearance, standing out from a deep back-ground of evergreens and the still remote peaks of the Blue Ridge, sweeping in billowy outline along the horizon. The College is conducted on the non-resident plan. The students are broken up into small numbers and distributed throughout the town. Thus, the social and pastoral influences of home are brought to the aid of college discipline and to the formation of character softened by urbanity and preserved by virtue. The gentlemanly deportment of the students shows how admirably the plan has worked. The College possesses many advantages from its location in one of the most flourishing and rapidly growing towns in the State, within sight of the mountains and within ride of many mineral springs; and it possesses a salubrious climate and a class of citizens known for their hospitality intelligence, and piety. J. T. W. [From the Southern C. Advocate, Aug. 2.] DEDICATION AT OLIN HIGH SCHOOL. MR. EDITOR: Events of historic character ought to find their way into the current news of the times, and I doubt not they will be cheerfully received by you, and noticed by your liberal readers. The 23d July was the day set apart by the trustees of the High School at Olin, (formerly New Institute,) to dedicate to education and religion their spacious and elegant building, which the spirit and energy of the friends of education have erected in the north-east part of Iredell Co., N. C. The dedication sermon was preached by Rev. R. T. Heflin, of the N. C. Conference, to an immense audience, filling the large chapel of the building. This sermon was a noble composition, worthy of the man and the occasion. In spirit and conception, it was truly catholic, and administered to bigotry and intolerance a merited rebuke. His main position was, that faith in Christ Jesus constitutes the great bond of union in the brotherhood of Christianity, and where this exists and its fruits are seen, we have no authority to create barriers on questions of "doubtful disputations." I shall attempt no analysis of the sermon, but wish its pure sentiments were engraven upon every heart, and that the author may long live to instruct and delight other audiences, as he did us on that interesting occasion. At the close of the sermon, President Lander arose and addressed Dr. C. F. Deems in behalf of the trustees of the school, and requested him to dedicate the building to education and virtue. Dr. Deems' brief address in reply was characterized by some bright flashes of true elo quence. The grand thoughts leaping forth in the resplendent and beautiful imagery of his language, swayed the vast assembly as winds the waving grain. Behind him on the rostrum, sat the venerable James Patterson, who has been a preacher of the Gospel seventy years, has preached through two generations, and is now a counsellor for the third, He turned to Father Patterson and addressed him in a strain congratulatory of his preservation to see what he then saw, and alluding to the labors of the past, the results of the present, and the prospects of the future. This incident was one of the most beautiful and touching exhibitions I ever saw given by any orator from an unforeseen occurrence. Nothing could have exceeded the pleasure afforded the audience by this worthy recognition of meritorious services rendered to the Church and the world, by one of the noblest survivors of the early planters of Methodism in Virginia, North and South-Carolina. In the afternoon Rev. S. M. Frost, of the N. C. Conference, preached a sermon mainly to the young men. It was a capital sermon, and calculated to do much good. It was clear, impressive, and instructive. At night Mr. Heflin preached again with great liberty and pleasing effect. So passed the 23d at Olin. The large attendance was delighted and we instructed. On Thursday, the 24th, the Rev. Dr. Deems delivered an address, filled with rich and stirring thoughts. The main subject was founded on that remarkable passage of the Bible, "Let us make man." This address was worthy of an audience of philosophers, both for the depth of thought and the beauty of language. "Apples of gold in pictures of silver," were the treasures of thought and beauty in this address. Dr. Deems is equally at home in the deep thoughts that divide the philosophic and religious world, or in the domain of poetry and fancy. The errors of pantheism, the importance of man in the scale of being, his relation to things material, to God, to eternity-the truth harmonious and consistent with itself, were some of the topics presented in brilliant language. The audience refused to disperse without another address. The Rev. Wm. Barringer preached an excellent sermon, full of pure Gospel truth. This was a high occasion for this place. This school is the most remarkable in the history of the schools of the State. It was begun with a respectable academy four years ago, and soon one academy was found inadequate, and another was constructed, and both were soon filled. It then became evident that Western North-Carolina needed and would sustain this school, and its liberal population have put up one of the best and most convenient buildings in the State for school purposes. The school has now opened, under Mr. S. Lander, as Principal, with competent assistants. The history of schools in the South hardly furnishes a parallel to this in the growth of the school and its dependent interests. Quite a respectable village has grown up from it; and I may say, this school bids fair to accomplish much for Western Carolina. It is now prepared to receive any number of scholars. The Rev. B. Clegg, formerly teacher, now agent for the trustees, is travelling in different parts of the State. A FRIEND. [From the New-Orleans Advocate, Aug. 9.] CENTENARY COLLEGE COMMENCEMENT. A friend who had the pleasure of attending, makes a glowing report to us of the occasion on the 29th and 30th ult. Having received no letter as yet, we make up a brief account from other sources. Rev. C. K. Marshall preached the commencement sermon in the absence of Dr. Keener, Sunday, 11 A.M., and also at night. Mr. Sigur, who was expected to deliver the address to the Literary Societies-was not present, much to the disappointment of a vast and brilliant assembly. In the absence of Mr. King, R. Nugent, Esq., delivered the address to the Alumni, which is well spoken of. Wednesday the ceremony of laying the corner-stone of the centre building of the college began about 12 o'clock, in the presence of a large concourse. The brick work of this handsome building has already been completed up to the second story. A place was, however, reserved for the corner-stone, in the south-west corner, some twenty feet from the foundation, where the beautiful block, with its treasures inclosed, now stands out conspicuously. This ceremony was conducted in the best style by Rev. C. K. Marshall. His speech was written, and occupied an hour and a quarter in delivery. We hope to see it published. But a higher honor than making a fine speech awaited him—it was doing a fine thing. The subscription following amounted to between twenty-three and twenty-four thousand dollars. Before the day closed the amount was carried up to twenty-five thousand dollars. This, with the sum in hand, will build and furnish. The music from the students' amateur band is said to have been excellent, as it always is. The following graduated, a class of nineteen: T. W. Compton, (first honor,) Miss.; T. P. Clinton, (first honor,) La.; J. C. Stafford, Miss. ; J. W. Barrow, Ala.; J. S. Billiu, La.; K. A. Cross, La.; T. P. Caillouet, La.; R. S. Dunn, A. F. Drake, Miss.; James M. Fly, Miss.; James E. Gibson, Mo.; J. C. Griffith, La.; W. H. Knight, La.; G. S. Mayo, La. ; Robert J. Perkins, La.; Chas. M. Pilcher, La.; Wm. G. Richardson, J. H. Brigham, La.; J. B. Tarlton, La. La.; CENTRAL COLLEGE, Mo. In the St. Louis Advocate, Aug. 14, the Rev. W. M. Pinckard makes the following proposition: That five persons be found who will give five thousand dollars each to the endowment fund of Central College, payable as may be agreed between the donors and the curators, upon the following conditions. 1. A sum shall be raised sufficient, when added to the amount here proposed to be raised, to make the endowment of the college $50,000. 2. The college building shall be completed and paid for, or a sum sufficient to complete and pay for said building shall be raised by the 1st day of July, 1857. |