Divine service was performed as the first ceremony.

The professors and students were in their places.

Members of the legislature and the royal council occupied seats, while the public thronged the building to the utmost capacity.
Great and heartfelt was the burst of applause that greeted Sir Howard as he took his place: greater still, when he announced the intention of the king in conferring his name upon the College.

The expressive features, high, broad intellectual forehead, earnest eye, benign countenance and honest smile perhaps were never more significant of the earnestness that pervaded every thought and action of the gentleman, scholar, and soldier, as when he uttered sentiments which shall be cherished through after ages, so long as King's College shall remain a monument to the memory of the best and greatest man that ever trod the soil of New Brunswick.
Let us make use of his own words: "I shall leave with the College," he said, "I trust, for ever a token of my regard and best wishes.

It shall be prepared in a form and devoted to an object which I hope may prove a useful incitement to virtue and learning; and at periodical commemorations of the commencement it may serve to remind you of the share which I have had in the institutions and proceedings of a day which I shall never forget." Nor did this friend of education ever forget his promise.