Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1871-07-06


of an essay composed and read by Miss
Kittie Schrom on commencement day of
Salem College, which will no doubt be
interesting to many readers of your ex-
cellent paper. j. ii. WI
What are scholars hopes? Are they
hopes intended to degrade rather than
elevate? Are they bright hopes that soon
will be blasted by the cold winds of adj
versitys Is it the hope of being an inc
briate, Stunned and despised by mankind,
and inherit the drunkard's destiny in
eternitys Is it the hope of being a muir
deer, whose existence would perhaps be
brought to a close in dreary prison, or
by an ignominious death upon the scat
fold? Is it the hope of gaining a good
education, whose golden wreath should
glitter with bright stars of honor and
fame-and then devote that education to
pursuits of life that are absolutely wicked
in their nature?
No, mol Such are not the true schol-
ar's hopes. If such, indeed, was true,
how long would it be until our college
and all other institutions of learning
would be desolated and cease to exist?
In our earliest school-days we often
grow weary and discouraged, ready to lay
aside our school books, never TO look at
them again, and wish to seek pleasure
among the beautiful and sublime works
of nature. But our teachers gently and
earnestly remind us of the great import
ance of having a good education; and
the hope of possessing this pearl, as it
were, of great price, strengthens and ami
mates us, and We draw our attention from
vain and frivolous things, and renew our
studies with the determination of becom-
ing masters Of our school-books.
Thus We pass Oh year after year, with
Hope constantly shedding her bright,
golden rays of light upon our pathway
gliding many long-studied school book,
painting upon the grim walls around us
the glorious picture of true scholar
career, from early childhood to the day of
graduation. How it delights and en-
chants the studious scholar, as he gazes
upon the enrapturing scene Hope has
painted upon the walls of his school-room
in brilliant and living colors, Heat first
beholds a large valley, carpctcd With
green verdure, inteTminglcd with beauti-
ful flowers of rich, variegatod hues. charm
ingly blended together; bright blue skies
above, little songstcrs in harmony with
each other, warbling their sweetest songs
of praise among the bouglIs of the stately
trees and far away in the center of the
valley his eyes rest upon the Hill of
Science" with IFS towering summit point
ing toward The sky, impressing upon the
heart of the gazer the motto of Onward
and Upward" He pauses moment; the
air, filed with the fragrance of sweet
verdured flowers, cools his heated brow
he hears many voices, and looking around
him bcholds muliitudes of children in
this valley, representing the sunny hours
of childhood, marching toward the palace
of learning with eager footsteps. But he
cannot lingcr in this beautiful valley; he
must go on. He at last arrives at the
base of the hill. Casting his eyes up
ward, he beholds its steep and rough side
4 shadow of disappointment passes over
his countenance as he thinks for a mo-
mcnt of the MANY weary days it requires
to reach the desired haven; but that
thought is quickly banished as smiling
Hope beckons him on over the steep, rug
ged side, where many others are climbing
step by step. lie soon learns that he can
not climb the Mount of knowledge in
one day, or in one year; but his progress
must be higher and higher-step by step.
He applies himself to his studies with
renewed vigor; his aim is high, his OBJ
ject noble one He listens not to the
enticement of idlers, turns deaf ear to
the fascinating voice of amusement and
dissipation, and soon is prepared for col
lege life, where he merits the esteem and
admiration of his teachers and school
mates, proving himself a worthy member
of the institution. He meets with diff
culties and troubles, but they are encoun-
tered with brave and noble heart. He
looks forward with hopeful spiri; and
beaming countenance TO the time when he
shall see lis name written on the highest
pinnacle of fame and honor, in letters OF
living light; but if this be a sincere de-
sire, he must work and labor hard from
early morn to dewy eve, for God has
promised to help only those who help
themselves Hope, sweet Hope, points
out wreath of rcnown, with bright, gilt
tering stars in thick clusters, bespangled
with dazzling gems, waiting to crown
him if he proves faithful.
| Thus The scholar meditates upon the
scene fancy has so pleasingly spread out
before him. He hopes that when he has
arrived to years OF manhood he will be a
true and noble mana brilliant star in
the church, a man worthy of imitation
i'm the gay circles Of society, and man
of pure motives in his business life.
But all! how many scholars have cher
ished fond hopes, never to be realized
Many plans for the future have been frus-
trated, and gorgeous castles built in the
air have crumbled and passed away.
How the scholar in deep meditation in
the silent solitude of the night, dreams of
the futurel What glorious prospects and
bright hopes! How it cheers and re-
freshes his mind, and enables him to per-
form the several duties involved upon
him in the school-room, with a hopeful
and determined spirit
To-day closes this term of school, and
what were our hopes when we entered
Salem College, which hopes were known,
perhaps, to no one but God and ourselves +?
No doubt We had previously formed many
plans to be carried out during the three
months now passed-forever passed II