354 College mil Commencement. [August 



awaken serious emotions and thoughtful foreeastings in minds 

 better schooled in the experiences of life and life's sober realities. 

 "While the countenance of the one was all redolent with summer 

 sunshine, the other was not devoid of smiles of parental satisfaction ; 

 still, they were half hidden by shadows of anxiety about that 

 undeveloped future towards which their sons and daughters are 

 advancing with the rapidity of time. Here were the Alumni, who 

 had come up from their various fields of labor, to unbend the 

 mind and " drive dull care away," and stroll an hour or so beneath 

 the shadows of the old College walls. Here there is a discount, 

 a draw-back; that Alumnus does not find things just what he 

 expected, or as he expected. He thought, or rather dreamed, as he 

 entered the sacred enclosure, the airy groves, and hill sides, and 

 inner walls of the great temple would echo his bold tread and free 

 voice as in times of yore. But alas, for the fearless treadings and 

 free voices — his movements are more timid and thoughtful than 

 those of the stranger. He is really in suspense whether he ever 

 did dwell and reign there, and if so, how and by what strange 

 method have their present occupants got possession. 



Kind reader, this may be mere sentiment, without meaning in 

 your estimate — not so in ours. Deferring to your judgement we 

 will pass along. In this assemblage were those from the immediate 

 vicinity interested in all things pertaining to the present and future 

 weal of these Colleges ; and just now perhaps more interested to 

 hear and to see, that they may the better judge of the abilities of 

 the incoming President, and the wisdom of those calling him to the 

 Presidency of " Farmers' College," into which office he is soon 

 to be inducted and solemnly invested with the symbols of prerog- 

 ative pertaining thereto. Such were some of our reflections on 

 entering that new and beautiful edifice, approximating in the in- 

 terior our " beau ideal " of what a home to worship the Invisible 

 God in should be. It reflects great honor on both the architect 

 and the artificers. 



At this point the speakers, accompanied by the Board of Trustees 

 and other professional gentlemen, entered the house, and moved up 

 the middle aisle ; the former, together with the retiring President 

 and Pastor, ascended the Rostrum. The Rev. Mr. Jamison addressed 

 the throne of grace in prayer. It was an appropriate petition, 

 because of its adaptation to the occasion, and a prayer to Heaven 

 rather than an oration to the people assembled. 



