In 1871, this account of the commencement at the Baptist Female
College in Lexington, Missouri appeared in the local newspaper. Of note is the
description of Lily E. (Burton) Selph’s role at the school, the piano playing
of the Selph daughters, and a description of the girls’ exams and the school
grounds.
Baptist Female College
The stranger, who saunters admiringly, along South Street,
the Fifth Avenue of Lexington, can’t fail to notice, just opposite to where the
Southern Methodist Church rears its tall and graceful spire heavenward, a
spacious and stately edifice reposing, in calm and placid dignity, and
embowering trees and vines. In front and around it, cedars and pines, apple,
peach and cherry trees, wave their leafy arms, and the rose and lilac swing
their perfumed censers. With its substantial, stone-colored walls and dark-green
blinds, the building looks like a noble mansion of the “olden time;” but a neat
new chapel, at the western side, proclaims it a public institution. That is the
Baptist College; and it is worthy of the large and increasing patronage it
receives; worthy of the good old city, in which it stands; and worthy of the
numerous, wealthy and intelligent denomination, to which it belongs. In spite
of some drawbacks, with which it has had to contend, during the session just
past, a reference to its admirably gotten up catalogue, shows an enrollment of
a hundred and two students—a larger number than either of its competitors. Its
board of trustees comprises many of our most prominent citizens.
Its Faculty
consists of Rev. Duncan H. Selph, D.D., formerly President of the famous
Seminary at Danville Kentucky, and more recently of the almost equally
celebrated institution, at Murfreesboro, Tennessee; President and Professor of
Mental and Moral Philosophy. –
Mrs. L.E. Selph, a
veritable mother to all her girls, watchful, careful and sympathizing to all
her girls, watchful, careful and sympathizing; Matron and Assistant Principal.
…the examination which we witnessed, last week of their
classes in grammar, logic, rhetoric and physiology, would alone have been
sufficient to wreath them with well-earned laurels. The little ladies showed a
readiness and accuracy, a familiarity with the philosophy as well as the facts
of literature and science, that was positively amazing. The classes in
mathematics were pronounced by Prof. C.O. smith, of this place, who witnessed
their examination, the most astonishingly proficient, quick and thorough, he ever
saw. He declares that young girls of fourteen or fifteen years triumphantly passed
an ordeal, which would have been severe for the masculine graduates of our most
noted colleges.
The Musical Department is intrusted [sic] to the skill and
care of Miss Sade Summers. The performance of many of her pupils is admirable
evidence of her fitness for the position. Misses Fannie, Alice and Susie
Wadell, Miss Susie Chapman, Miss Belle Graves, and the little Misses Selph, are
worthy of especial mention several of these little ladies bid fair to become
brilliant pianists.
…The examinations and exhibitions, last week were attended
throughout, by crowds of our best citizens and many stranger [sic]. The chapel
was far too small to accommodate the throng on Commencement evening. And
praises of the school, its management, teachers and pupils have been on many
tongues. We understand that everything seems fair for a larger commencement
than ever, next session. The Baptists of Western and Southwestern Missouri
certainly can find no better place to send their daughters.
[Source: The Weekly Caucasion; Lexington, Lafayette County,
Missouri; 24 June 1871]
