Troup-Fulton-Spalding County GaArchives News.....Southern Female College. July 11 1872 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/gafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Linda Blum-Barton http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00003.html#0000645 November 3, 2004, 1:50 am The Christian Index. The beauty, cultivation and elite of LaGrange and vicinity, filled the Baptist church early on Sabbath morning, June 23d, to hear the annual sermon of the above Institution by Rev. W. A. Montgomery, D. D. "She hath done what she could," was the text; from which the preacher evolved the subject, "The duty of Christianity to the present age." The Sermon was pointed, practical and finished, reflecting great credit to the head and heart of the author. Several years before the war a distinguished Professor in Mercer University consoled a student in view of his unavoidable absence from church, on the occasion of the Commencement Sermon, by saying, "The poor have the Gospel preached to them, the rich have it read; I guess we will be numbered among the rich to-day." It would be quite an advance if all our Commencement Orators were speakers instead of readers. Monday morning the examination which had begun the week before was completed. I heard classes examined in only three studies: Evidences of Christianity, Astronomy and Latin. The young ladies showed faithful and thorough teaching. You could see from the very delay in answering the questions pronounced, that the examination was fair; no assigned lesson, as is often the case. In speaking of this to a visiting brother at my side, he replied: "No school could afford an effort to deceive the people by fixing up for an Examination." I could only think, how fortunate for the superficial in all professions that some things are so easily concealed from outsiders. I have seen many examinations where the close observer could not fail to notice the evidence of complicity. President Cox, of the Southern Female College, is no quack or humbug; his examination proves that. We had quite a pleasing little episode at the close of the examination on "Evidences of Christianity." Dr. Montgomery replied, "The same thing will prove Judaism." We then had a pleasant little debate on the subject, in which the class took a part, proving that they had been taught to think for themselves. Monday night the Junior Concert took place. Miss Sallie Cox, the accomplished daughter of the estimable President presided. The Concert was a marked success, and reflected great credit on Miss Sallie for the taste displayed in getting it up. Tuesday morning the beautiful College Chapel was filled to overflowing, to hear the compositions of the Junior class. The walls of the Chapel were adorned with paintings and other ornamental works of the art department. Some of the paintings exhibited decided talent. One, especially, attracted my attention; it was "The Lost Cause." The coloring was fine, the execution perfect, and it stood out in Nature's own simplicity. I should say that the painter, Miss Sallie Bolling, of Greenville, Ala., has talent which will insure success, if cultivated. The Juniors acquitted themselves honorably in their Exhibition. The reading was so distinct, and the young ladies emphasized so well, that out of a class of twenty-three, I heard all but two or three. The compositions were good. While all did well, two young ladies deserve special mention; they were Miss E. Ferrell, whose subject was, "School Girl's Composition," and Miss A. Baker, subject, "When you are in Rome do not do as Rome does." Prof. H. Schirmacher gave his grand Concert Tuesday night. I will not attempt a description of the sublime melody produced by the numerous pianos, violins and other instruments. I will only say, I never heard the Concert equaled. As an accomplished musician, and a successful teacher, Prof. Schirmacher has, I think, no superior, if an equal, in Georgia. Wednesday was Commencement day. -- Eleven young ladies read their essays, and received diplomas. The essays, as far as I could judge, were well written, and showed the thorough mental training of the classroom. Some of them were replete with deep thought, expressed in elegant language. Miss Pauline Ferrell, of Texas, read an essay on, "A Voice from Rome." She thrilled the congregation by her description of the wonderful events of the last few years, and by her impassioned appeals on Missionary labors in the Eternal City. Miss Sallie Bolling, of Greenville, Alabama, read a fine essay on, "Anticipation;" and Miss Mary Callaway, of LaGrange Georgia, on "Self Reliance." I mention these three, especially, because they impressed me more than the rest. I don't think I ever heard young ladies read more distinctly, and more accurately. Mrs. Maria J. Westmoreland, of your city, read a splendid essay. Subject, "What shall our Women do?" It was filled with good sense, sound reasoning, and practical advice. Dr. T. E. Skinner delivered the address to the Seniors. It was a masterly presentation of the Bible. The President's Levee followed last night. A gay and festive throng filled the Chapel, and roamed through the beautiful grounds, each enjoying the occasion in his own way. I neglected to mention, in the proper place, that Howard Van Epps, Esq., Atlanta, delivered the address to the Juniors. Thus has passed another festival of the Southern Female College. Those present will not soon forget it. In conclusion, permit me to say to parents in Georgia, and Alabama, who have daughters to send off to school, you can do no better than to send them to Pres. Cox, LaGrange, Ga. I am now en route for home, detained for the next train; and am writing from the Byington House, Griffin, which gave us a fine dinner to-day. T. H. Stout. Griffin, June 27th, 1872. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ga/troup/newspapers/gnw363southern.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/gafiles/ File size: 6.2 Kb