p. 8 | BATTLE CREEK COLLEGE

Seventh-Day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Thursday, June 24, 1880

FromAdvent Review and Sabbath Herald, Vol. 56, No. 1

BATTLE CREEK COLLEGE

COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES.

The exercises of the second annual commencement of Battle Creek College were held June 15. The baccalaureate sermon, which we hope to give soon in the REVIEW, was delivered by Eld. White, at the Tabernacle, Sabbath, June 12. The entire day, Tuesday, the 15th, commencing at about half past ten, was occupied in the exercises of the junior and graduating classes. First came an entertainment given by the junior class to the graduates. This it was designed to hold on the College grounds, but the weather in the morning threatening to be unfavorable, it was adjourned to the Tabernacle. The exercises commenced with an anthem by the College Glee Club, and invocation by Eld. White. Then followed an oration, “The Demands of the Times,” by C. H. Giles; the reading of Part First of a paper called “Lutte d’Esprit,” by Edith Donaldson; Poem, “Thomas Jones,” by Eugene Leland; Essay, “Flowers and Fruits,” by Mrs. S. J. Hall; “History of the class of ’80,” by Emma Boyd; reading of Part Second of “Lutte d’Esprit,” by Ella R. King; Congratulatory, by Geo. R. Avery, class of ’81, and Reply by Leroy T. Nicola, class of ’80. These exercises were interspersed with songs from the Glee Club.

The seats having been removed from the vestries surrounding the auditorium, tables were spread, from which the Trustees of the College, the Faculty, the classes, members of the church, and invited guests, numbering in all about eight hundred, partook of refreshments during the dinner hour.

Assembling again in the auditorium, the following sentiments were presented and responded to by the persons named:—

1. “The College—Its present and future.” Responded to by Eld. James White. 2. “The Occasion—The beginning of a series; may each annual recurrence excel its predecessor in interest, as years shall add importance to the event.” Eld. D. M. Canright. 3. “The class of ’80—May its honorable record in College life be but the opening pages of a history of useful deeds in behalf of God and humanity.” W. C. Wales; followed by the class song, words composed by the class, music by J. E. White, and sung by all the members. 4. “The class of ’81—The Juniors of to-day. May its members walk worthily in the yet unexplored paths of the future year, and graduate with honor to themselves and their Alma Mater.” C. H. Giles. 5. “The Class of ’79 and the Absentees—Although their places may be occupied, no others can ever completely fill them.” E. B. Miller, of the class of ’79. 6. “Our sister Colleges—Kindred in purpose, may we ever cultivate fraternity of feeling.” Prof. Kunz, of Kalamazoo College. 7. “The Press, the Archimedean lever that moves the world; indispensable to the cause of education, and itself an educator.” U. Smith. 8. “Our city—May she ever maintain her position in the front ranks of progress in education, business enterprise, and public spirit.” W. C. Gage. A chorus of trained voices under the direction of J. E. White, sung two beautiful pieces from his forth-coming temperance song book, “Pure Water,” and a “Tobacco Song.”

The junior class did themselves great credit in their literary program, and in all the exercises of which thus far in the day they had charge. Not the least of their entertaining acts was the presentation to the class of ’80 of a large, finely mounted eagle, which will be left as a souvenir in the College museum. Throughout the day the impression steadily grew that the Seniors would be obliged to put forth no small effort if they expected, in their exercises in the evening, to surpass the doings of the day.

The graduating exercises commenced at 7:30 P. M. The class of ’79 was composed of four persons, the present class of ten, as follows: Fred H. Atwood, Laura J. Ginley, L. B. Losey, and Eva Perkins, graduated in the Teachers’ Course; Richard Conradi, Isaac Morrison, Leroy T. Nicola, D. W. Reavis, and W. C. Wales, and Alph. H. Wood, in the Classical Course, received the degree of A. B.

The exercises were interspersed with excellent singing by two quartettes of male and mixed voices, was as follows: Salutatory and Essay, The Crowning Work of Creation, Eva Perkins. Oration, When Will It Triumph? W. C. Wales. Oration, Inventions, Fred H. Atwood. Oration, Nature’s Crucible, D. W. Reavis. Oration, Self-Made or Never Made, Isaac Morrison. Oration, Human Activity, Richard Conradi. Oration, The Love of Country, Leroy T. Nicola. Essay, Word Power, Laura J. Ginley. Oration, The Quest of Life, L. B. Losey. Oration with Valedictory, Alph. H. Wood. Presentation of Diplomas, Conferring of Degrees, and Address to the Graduates, Eld. James White.

The graduates surpassed themselves and surprised the audience by the excellence of their efforts. There was neither hesitation nor embarrassment, on the part of any, but a high order of thought upon the interesting themes chosen, a pleasing style of delivery, and an evident thoroughness of preparation, which reflected great credit upon themselves, and the institution with which they had been connected. All were greeted with hearty applause, and bouquets were presented to each in profusion. The Tabernacle was tastefully adorned with flowers, and the mottoes of the two classes were suspended over the rostrum, that of the class of ’81, being “Remuneratus ad Labores,” Rewarded according to our Labors; and that of ’80, being “Cogita et Age,” Think and Act.

This commencement day marks a memorable point in the history of the College. Nothing occurred during the day or evening to mar the real pleasure of the occasion, and one of the most satisfactory remembrances of the event will be that all levity and trifling were conspicuously absent.

Many were present who had attended one or more terms at the College, and who, by the inspiring exercises of this commencement, were moved to a determination to return and complete some one of its courses of study. The class of next year will, no providence preventing, number sixteen. And at no time has there been a greater or a more well-founded enthusiasm on the part of students and friends, in regard to the school and its work.