&quot;Howard College&quot;

Title

"Howard College"

Source Type

newspaper

Publisher

South Western Babtist

Publication Place

Marion, AL

Publication Date

7/30/1851

Transcript

"Howard College
The annual Examination of the students of this Institution commenced on Thursday the 17th inst.
The first day was occupied with the exercises of the Preparatory Department under the charge of Mr. Melcher. The lads acquitted themselves with great credit in all their performances. A large class in Geography attracted particular attention. Most of the members of this class drew accurate and handsome maps upon the black-board, with an ease and rapidity of execution which showed that they had been thoroughly instructed in the use of the chalk and board.
Atlases of their own drawing were also passed to the spectators. Some of these were executed with great beauty and fidelity. This method of teaching Geography and impressing upon the youthful mind the situation, boundaries, and prominent features of different countries is decidedly superior to all others and ought to be more generally adopted. In fact, the black-board is the most useful article of apparatus that was ever introduced into the school-room, and we were glad to see no less than four large ones in pretty constant use.
The Rhetorical exercises of the Juvenile performers were also highly creditable. A class of the smallest rehearsed a piece or two in concert with fine effect. Why were so few of the parents present? Mr. Melcher retains charge of this Department another year, and a more laborious and faithful teacher it would be hard to find.
On Friday the advanced Preparatory and Irregular classes were examined, including several classes in Latin, Greek, Algebra, Natural Philosophy, &c. The regular College classes were examined on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday following, also the Theological classes in Church History and Systematic Theology. Competent judges pronounce these Examinations fully equal if not superior to any they have ever witnessed in the Institution.
On Tuesday night several of the young gentlemen delivered select speeches in the Town Hall. The performances are highly spoken of by those who were present. The exhibition of the Junior Class, on Wednesday night has elicited much commendation. Most of the members of this class are quite young in appearance, but their orations indicated well disciplined and mature minds. An appropriate and graceful delivery of valuable thoughts neatly and logically expressed, rendered the exercises of the class exceedingly interesting and secured the closest attention of a very large and intelligent audience.
Programme: Exhibition of the Junior Class of Howard College, July 23, 1851.
• MUSIC.
• Oration—The Influence of National Melody, GEORGE W. CHASE.
• MUSIC.
• Oration—Electricity, POWHATAN LOCKETT.
• MUSIC.
• Oration—Science, CHARLES O. JONES.
• MUSIC.
• Oration—Romance, GEORGE W. LOCKHART.
• MUSIC.
• Oration—The Fall of Grenada, WILLIAM D. LEE.
• MUSIC.
• Oration—The Moral, the Sovereign Power, RICHARD A. MONTAGUE.
• MUSIC.
________________________________________
Fourth Annual Commencement of Howard College, Marion, July 24, 1851.
The Commencement Exercises were held in the Town Hall on the 24th. A procession, consisting of the Faculty and Students was formed at the College at 9 1/2 o'clock, under direction of Robert T. Goree, Esq., and two assistant marshals. The following is the order of exercises:
• PRAYER.
• MUSIC.
• Oration—The Tendencies of Modern Science, JAMES S. ABBOTT, Perry County.
• MUSIC.
• Oration—Diversity of Opinions in Religion, WASHINGTON WILKES, Barbour County.
• MUSIC.
• Masters Oration, JOHN T. BARRON, M. D.
• ADDRESS AND DEGREES CONFERRED.
• MUSIC.
• BENEDICTION.
The first speaker engaged the attention of his audience by the solidity and value of his thoughts, and by an earnest and forcible delivery. His object was to show that the ""Tendencies of Modern Science"" are mainly on the side of religion, that the efforts of infidelity and scepticism to array the one against the other have proved signal failures and resulted in the discomfiture of the enemies of truth, whether natural or revealed. His theme was interesting, and handled in an eloquent and skillful manner.
The second Oration was alike creditable to the head and heart of the speaker. His object was to describe some of the different opinions which have prevailed among men on the all-important subject of religious belief; to explain their causes and prescribe their cure—a wide and mazy field of investigation. Mr. W. [Washington Wilkes] is a pleasant speaker, easy and graceful in his manner, and quite capable of interesting an audience on almost any theme.
The Oration for the Master's Degree by Dr. Barron, was a production of high order. His theme was a different one—its nature and its influence over man, individually and collectively. Some of his illustrations were exceedingly appropriate and elicited much applause. The Dr. has an active and discriminating mind of his own, and it was easy to see that he was a favorite with his audience.
The President's address on the advantages a community derives from good Literary Institutions, was well timed and appropriate, at the conclusion of which he conferred the degree of Bachelor of Arts upon Mr. James S. Abbott, and the degree of Master of Arts, in course, on John T. Barron, M. D., of Marion; William S. Blassingame, Esq., of Autauga county; Singleton A. Williams, of Montgomery, and Milton M. Weissinger of Marion, members of the first class of Graduates. They were also the first on whom the Institution has conferred this degree.
The Honorary degree of Master of Arts was also conferred on the Rev. Rufus C. Burleson, President elect of Baylor University, Texas. Certificates of having completed the Theological course were conferred on Messrs. James S. Abbott and Washington Wilkes, accompanied with appropriate remarks on their duties and responsibilities as ministers, by the Professor of Theology.
Music was furnished at both the Junior Exhibition and the Commencement by the young Ladies of the Judson Institute, under direction of Prof. Wurm. Though not the best the Judson is capable of doing, it was excellent and afforded an agreeable alteration with the Orations.
On the whole, the entire exercises of the Examination, Exhibitions, and Commencement passed off exceedingly well, giving great satisfaction and encouragement to all the friends of the College. We understand the prospects for another year are very flattering."

Sources for

AMP065-18680402