The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1870-08-11

i Is cultivate In Us d refined and well-fegula
| ted imagination; have instructed rs In Va
rions sciences; and TINS have displayed be
i fore rs worlds Of wondrous interest, and in
vested rs with sources and means Of pure
enjoyment You have unfolded before N
high knowledge Of duty-duty to our
selves, our felloW-creaturess and our God
Ever viii you be held i'm grateful remem-
branoe by your pupils. As often as oul
/ thoughts revisit the scenes of our childhood
and dwell upon the events that mark oul
Youthful progress. we shall reeur to the Ole
| familiar Institute; call up its cherished In
cidents, its joys and its sorrows, its trials
and its trinmphs. and especially the memo
~ Of its devoted and faithful teachers.
DEAR ScHooLMATEs:
The collegiate year OF 80 and 20. is fast
drawing to a close. The last chapel bell has
tolled, the last recitation has been heard. the
last chat enjoyed. Such reflection touches
tender chord in the breast Of every true
scholar, and especially is it melancholy
consideration for Seniors who must bid 3
final farewell to their Alma Mater and the
thousand kindred associations around which
the tendrils of their affections cling so fond
ly; but we viii watch your progress In
study with interest; our hopes and sympa-
thies shall go with you into the future, and
we will feel your welfare and success. hence
forth, linked with our own. You will find
the paths of wisdom not only paths OF profit
but rich sources of pure and growing pleas
ure. Aim TO develop yourselves physically,
intellectually and morally to the extent OF
your ability, that your life may be s'hke q
star glittering In its own mild lustre, UNI
Gmmed by the radiance of another, and
uneclipsed by the deep shades OF the mid
night heavens We have gathered in this
great congregation and around this sacred
altar, but ali are not here. In the short
time that has elapsed since the commence
ment of our school year two of our number
have Joined that greater congregation
around hOlier altar. The thought Is SOL
emn and melancholy one. 1t is not here
that we should speak of their virtues which
we loved. These feelings belong to US as
individuals and as members of that little
circle their connection with which we shall
always hold in pleasing recollection. With
no bitterness towards any, but with the
warmest friendship for all, as we now leave
forget when Others take our places that we
too were once members of your circle and
sharers in your associations.
We thank you, friends, who have come
hither on this occasion, to encourage and
cheer us with your presence. We thank you.
you who have gone so far on your journey
of life and learned so much, that you so
kindly look back and smile upon us just set
ting out on our pilgrimage. We thank you,
you who have climbed so high up the Hill OF
Science, that you cOndescend TO pause mo-
ment in your course and bestow cheering,
animating glance on us, who, almost invisi-
bic in the distance, are toiling over the
roughness of the first ascent. May you go
on your way in peace; your path like the
sun. waxing brighter and brighter, till the
perfect day and may the light of your ex-
pie long finger in blessings on those OF
US who shall survive to take your places in
the broad and busy world.
And now, dear Kate and Annie, L turn to
you. Long and happy has been our con-
nection as members of this school, but this
rNnww -krlsN
more and we graduate. What a world of
thought is awakened at the contemplation
of such prospect So diversified, conflict
ing, and powerful are the emotions, that we
can scarcely tell whether we are really hap
Ply or not. We would not have it otherwise.
and yet the reflection that we are now about
to close forever the record of our school
days is one exceedingly sad. How can we
rejoice as we thus hear the melancholy
knell of departed hours! Is it strange that
we should learn to love her who has so long
and faithfully cherished us? or that we
should write on the tablets of our memory
the dear name and recollectiOns of our FOs-
ter Mother? Is it strange that when the
time arrives for us to leave her gentle en-
braces, and walk no more those old paths so
familiar we receive the announcement with
signs of regret and almost wish we could
live again these happiest years of our lives {?
NOlonger shall we sit in these seats to listen
to the voice of him who woos us to be wise.
OLueT SceueSs OIHeF society, OIner pursuits
await us. We must part-but parting shall
only draw closer the ties that bind US. The
setting sun and evening star which have so
often witnessed our social intimacies and
joys shall still remind us of the scenes that
are past, and cause sweet recollections to
spring up in the mind at the thought of our
school days, recollections dear to our hearts,
recalling the May of youth and the happy
hours of innocence, when the morning of
life was tinged with the roseate hues and
glowing charms of youthful Imagination.
Dear to US will be such recollections, dearer
in consequence of these days being passed
never to be enjoyed except in the shadowy
outlines of a memory made treacherous by
its conflict with the world.
sThus would /, at this parting hour, be true
To teachings which to me have priceless
been.
Thus would Like just departing child,
WhO4ingers on the Threshold of his home
Strive, with vague murmurings and linger-
ing looks,
To store up what were sweetest to recall.
And oh be this remembered! that when
life
Shall have become WEAKNESS, and hope
Thirst for serener waters, we may go
Forth to Gods wildwood temples, and
while all
It's choirs breathe music, and its leafy aisles
Are solemn with the beauty of the world,
kneel at its unwrought altar, and the cup
That holds the ''living waters" will be
near"
And now, to old and young, to patrons
and friends, to instructors and associates,
we tender our reluctant, our affectionate
farewell.