129

28

Constitution of the United States; the Journal of the
General Convention of 1859; with the Constitution and
Canons. The latest Journals of the Dioceses of North
Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama,
Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas and Tennessee. Documents
pertaining to the founding of the University, copies of
Church Review, Protestant Episcopal Quarterly, South-
ern Episcopalian, Spirit of Missions, and all the Church
newspapers published in the United States; and lastly
a Pocket Almanac, containing a complete clergy list of
the Church of England and Great Britain, Ireland and
the colonies. As the first three deposits were an-
nounced, Bishop Elliott used the following language:

HOLY BIBLE.

This sacred volume, being the Canonical Scriptures of the Old
and New Testament, is deposited, before and above all other me-
morials, in this cornerstone, to testify to the present generation
and to all future ages, that the University of the South recognizes
the Word of God as the fountain of all true learning, and as the on-
ly source of that knowledge which maketh wise unto salvation.

BOOK OF COMMON PRAYER.

This copy of the Book of Common Prayer is deposited in this
cornerstone, next after the Word of God, to testify that the Univer-
sity of the South believes it to be in perfect harmony with that
Word, and to exhibit, in its ministry, doctrine, and sacraments, the
Church of God, as that Church was founded by Christ and His
Apostles.

CONSTITUTION.

I next deposit in this cornerstone the Constitution of the United
States, the time-honored bond which binds together the States of
this Confederacy, to testify that the University of the South, while
it holds itself superior to the State in all strictly spiritual matters,
acknowledges itself subordinate to it in all matters of Government
and Law. Esto perpetua!

As these words were uttered, so pertinent to such
time of anxiety as that through which our union is now
passing, all hearts in the vast circle joined in an earnest
audibly murmured Amen!

The Corner-stone being lowered to its place, the Bish-
op of Louisiana, the projector of the great undertaking,

29

applied the level, and then, striking the stone three
times pronounced it laid in the name of the Holy Un-
divided Trinity.

The Benedicite was then sung.

The procession then forming again moved to the spa-
cious audience shed, where seats for 3000 persons were
furnished:

The Orator of the day was Col. J. S. Preston, of South
Carolina. The Oration was a highly ornate production
filled with a profusion of fine thoughts.

After prayer by the Bishop of Mississippi, and the
singing of the Gloria in Execelsis, the benediction was
pronounced by the Chancellor of the University, the
Bishop of Tennessee.

A plentiful collation was then served up in the refresh-
ment shed to more than a thousand guests. It was
preceded by a hymn of praise, and concluded with prayer
and blessing. Appropriate sentiments were read by the
Chancellor and responded to eloquently by Com. Maury,
President Barnard, Hon. Mr. Bright and the Bishop of
Kentucky.

Twenty four designs for the Central Building of the
University have been offered for the consideration of
the Trustees, by artists of talent from Boston, New York
Washington, Baltimore, Charleston, New Orleans, Nash-
ville and St. Louis. We know not which of several
beautiful plans will be adopted; the Trustees were bus-
ily engaged in this and other business for several days.
There was a large attendance of the Board.

Among the Clergy present were several from abroad.
Those from the ten Southern Dioceses, were the Rev.
Drs. Curtis and Mott, of N. C.; Rev. Messrs. Campbell,
Cornish, Glennie, Habersham, Jones and Pinckney, of
S. C.; Rev. Messrs. Benedict, Clark, Curtiss, Hawks and
Rees, of Georgia; Rev. Dr. Scott, of Florida; Rev. Messrs.
Denneston and Mitchell, of Alabama; Rev. Drs. Barnard
and Ingraham, and Rev. Mr. Miller, of Mississippi; Rev.
Messrs. Douglass and Miller, of Louisiana; the Rev. Mr.
Eaton, of Texas; Rev. Drs. Pise and Quintard, and Rev.
Messrs. Everhart, Harlow, Harris, Harrison, Judd, Law-
son, Morris, L. L. Smith, J. B. T. Smith and Webb, of
Tennessee.