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VOLUME XIII. NOH IIIMW 11 This Famous Old Institution, Known Throughout the South, Held its Fifty-fifth Annual Com mencement Last Week. A IMFIGtNF SENIOR CIASS OF IHIRUF-FOUR. Fifty-five years ago, the La Grange Female College held a beautiful commencement —t h e first blossom of the brilliant bou quet of annual entertainments that have given name and prom inence for more than half a cen tury to this popular school for young women. LaGrange is a city of flowersbut her crowning summer blossoms are the com mencements of her two colleges, known far and near throughout the South. The first week in June belongs to the LaGrange, Female College, ami the remain der of the month seems all the brighter for its beautiful begin ning. From a distance, the patrons of this sterling, old institution flock to its halls to enjoy its clo sing exercises, seeing year by year a score or more of young women sent forth, equipped for the fields of miturer life. Last week’s commencement was one of unusual excellence, full of in terest from the first, and closing a year of earnest, thorough work that will last for all time. For this is the character of the work done by this college. With a president of ability, known and loved for his nobility of charac ter and broad knowledge, the school is a leader in the South’s educational work for women. As sociated with President Smith is a large and experienced Faculty, capable of the best work for the training of the pupilsentrust ed to their care. The best schools. of this country and of foreign universities and conserv atories have fitted these teachers for their positions, and the thir ty-four graduates sent forth this year attest the excellence of the direction they have had. With one or two exceptions the faculty will remain unchang ed for another year, thereby as suring a continuance of the suc cess that keeps this college in the lead. There was no primary exhi bition this year, so the annual sermon, delivered by the Rev. Dr. J. P- 'MuFerrin, of Bit- The Graphic. LAGRANGR. TROUP COUNTY, GA., TUESDAY, JUNE 12 1900 mingham, Ala., at 11 o’clock on Sunday morning, June 3, was the opening of thtj com mencement. Drji McFerrin is one of the representative Methodist minis ters in the South and his sermon Sunday morning was able, elo quent, persuasive and powerful. His text was the last clause of the sixth verse of the 77th Psalm: “I communed with mine own heart and spirit and made diligent search.” He used no manuscript in de livering his sermon, or The Graphic would have taken great pleasure in publishing the discourse. Through the kind ness of a friend, the following interesting notes are presented: “The discourse, was, in itscll a grand illustration of its prin cipal theme, to wit: Man’s pow er of introspection —to study and know himself —a power which exalts him infinitely above all other created beings upon the earth. The preacher showed with great clearness the absurdity of man’s ignoring this power and the higher attributes of his nature, and’ reasoning along merely realistic lines in an effort to solve the problem of his origin, the purpose of his creation, and his final destiny. It is in this study of himself that man readily recognizes such evidences of' a nature so far re moved above the merely mate-i rial around him as that it 1 faintly suggests to the mind of] even the heathen some idea o£ his divine origin and immortal-i ity, and prepares the mind of the Christian to apprehend these grand truths of revelation, and in their light to measure at their true worth the value of mere physical life, the pleasures of sense and the things of time; to account for the failure of these, no matter how perfect in them selves, to satisfy the longings of a human soul. “It is in Christ alone that these aspirations of the soul can be satisfied and the most per fect human life without Him M BC EURE YOU ARE RIGHT, THEN GO AHEAD.** falls as far short: of its possible perfection of beauty and utility as does tl<p meagre outlines of an artist’s sketch the finished picture of a master’s hand. “The sermon was one of great power and beauty and the speaker displayed the rare grace of the true orator as he lifted the minds of his hearers above their accustomed planes of thought and gave to each of them broader views and clearer apprehensions of the wondrous provisions of the grace of God and the dignity of mankind.”. The music was exceptionally fine, the organ solo being one ot Baptiste’s exquisite commun ions. The chorus, “Ye Sons of Israel,” from Laudati pueri, Mendelssohn, was very difficult but was beautifully given and Prof. Alwyn M. Smith’s solo, “Babylon,” by Watson, was interpreted with tender sweet ness and power. SUNDAY EVENING SERVICE. Sunday evening’s service was held in the First Methodist Church, Dr. McFerrin preach ing again. His text was from the 23rd and 24th verses of the chapter of Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians: “But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumbling-block, and unto the Greeks foolishness; But. unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wis dom of God.” The discourse of the morning had prepared the people to ex pect the grand sermon which they heard in the evening. He said that the preaching of Christ crucifi •<! was unto the Jews a stumbling-block, because they expected in the Christ a temporal ruler surrounded with all the pomp and circumstance of an universal King. The lowly life and ignominous death of Jesus of Nazareth ran conn f ter to all of their preconceived ideas of the Christ, atql was to the Greek foolishness, because all of His teachings were devoid ■of the mysticism to which they I were accustomed in their teach ers. “But unto them which ;are called (‘and all are called’) i the power of God,”-in that it was the highest manifestation of divine love, the greatest of all forces in the universe—And the wisdom of God” —in that it made ample provision, not only for the redemption of the hu man race but for a complete satisfaction of all legal penalties without abrogating the law it self, was of such a nature as to commend itself to the judg ment and to so appeal to the heart of man as to dispose him to avail himself of its benefits. The points were forcefully elaborated by the preacher in such manner as to delight his ’ hearers and to indelibly impress the truths upon fheir minds and hearts.” The voluntary, “How Lovely Are The Messengers,” from Men delssohn’s St. Paul, and Mrs. Alwyn Smith’s solo, ’’The Pil grim,” by Adam’s, speak for themselves so far as beauty of se? lection is concerned, and the i large congregation enjoyed the excellence ot their rendition. SOPHOMORE READINGS. Monday morning, June 4, at 10 o’clock, the auditorium held a large audience assembled for the purpose of hearing the Sophomore exercises, consisting of readings and a debate. The Sophomore readers win their places through excellence in class standing and the young , ladies who read on Monday showed evidence of careful training. They read well and' their hearers were interested in the selections and the manner in which they were interpreted. Delightful jnusic was given at intervals throughout the programme, which was as fol lows. MONDAY, JUNE 4, 9 A. M. Meeting of Trustees and Visiting Board from North Georgia Conference. PROGRAM. Organ Solo-Prelude,N>. 3, Mendelssohn Miss Leila Irvin PRAYER. Dolores —M iss (J le tn Qu ill ih n, LaG range The Village Seamstress —Miss Eudora Bacon (excused) Buena Vista. “Telling Pa’s Fortune,” —Miss Annie Lou Barksdale, Fort Deposit, Ala. Piano Solo —Valse, op. 34, No. 1, Mosz kowski, Miss Susie Farmer. The Choice of a Lover, Shakespeare, (Merchant of Venice) Portia, rich young heiress, Miss Ocillee I’oer, West Point. Nerissa, Porti i’« maid, Miss Robie Clif ton, Lyons. Huldy’s Elocution, Joe Lincoln, Miss Leila Jernigan, Greensboro. Vocal Solo, Springtime Becker. Miss Alice Jnme«. A Race for Life Tourgee Miss Louis Cotton, LaGrange., Sandalphon Longfellow. Miss Edna Philpot. Hogansville Piano Solo, Nocturne Wely, Miss Stella Benton. Sweet Girl Graduate.... Phelps, Miss J inie Cofer, Elberton Persephone• Ingelow, Miss Sidnor Davenport, Fairburn. Female Q lartets.. .Three Flower Songs (a) Clover.. ) (a) Daisy .. Mrs II 11. B -ach. (c) Biuebell ) Miss s Scott, Irvin, James and Capps. Debate —Subject: “Resolved, That the tendency of woman to enter the busi ness world is a menace to society.” Mezzofantian, Affirmative —Miss Sadie Smith, Miry Howard Smith, Rebie Neese, Ernestine Dempsey. Ireniari, Neg dive—Misses Stella Ben ton, Flora Quillian, Marie Ilarri s-rn, Coral Capps. , Vocal Duet, Day of Joy and Gladness. Schnecker, Misses Robertson and Scott. ART RECEPTION. .Ou Monday afternoon, from 4 until 5 o’clock, Miss Polk, the art teachei, and her pupils, ! were the hostesses at an imfor • mal reception in the art room 1 and studio. Beautiful work has been done throughout the year in this important depart- ment, and the con vases, pastels, watercolor pieces, in studies charcoal and crayon, still life bits and decorated china made a varied and exceedingly at tractive display. Among the pupils were, Miss Tenora Merrill, Miss Mary Dal lis, Miss Marie Harrison, Miss Ijotiisp Bay, M iss Nena Hodges, Miss Emmie Sue Hendrick, Mis§ Mary Quillian, Miss Janie Cofer, and Miss L. L. Harrison. Miss Polk will again have charge of this department next year and the college is fortunate in securing her services* She was a most gracious hostess and many visitors throngc ’ the stu dios and admired the work. Refreshments weer served. RECEPTION TO SENIORS. From five to seven, on Mon day afternoon and evening, Professor and Mrs. Clifford L. Smith complimented the mem bers of the graduating class with a most enjoyable reception at their pretty home on Broad street. 'l’he thirty-one graduates in the literary department and the three graduates in music thor oughly enjoyed the reception in their honor, and very charming they looked in their mulls and organdies and ribbons and laces and flowers. A guessing game ot authors was played and Miss Sadie Smith, of West Point, won the prize. Among the visiting young men present was Prof. Frank C. Turner, of the Georgia School of Technology, who claims to have been a college girl at one time, having attended the La- Grange Female until he had completed the studies in the Sophomore class. The subject of evolution was the principal topic of conversa tion be tween Professor Turner and the young ladies. ANNUAL GRAND CONCERT. Monday evening, June 4, at 8:30 o’clock, the annual grand concert was given in the audi torium of the college, a large ynd appreciative audience being in attendance. This college is famous for the excellence of its music, both vocal and instru mental, and it is not surpassed in this department by any school In the South. Visitors from far and near attend the annual grand concerts and last Monday evening’s entertain ment was one of special excel lence. The following program was given: Fdiu.ile Quartet. EituJiantina, Lacome Misses Robertson, Irvin, James, Capps. Piano Solos(a) Prelude in D fl it major (b) Maz jrka in B flat minor Chopin—Miss Leila Irvin. Reading, Hagar’s Farewell to Abr ihatn Nicholson —Miss Sadie Smith. (Continued on Second Page.) Sij YS\R