Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1874-07-03
ANNUAL COMMENCEMENT
pERRYsBuRu HIGH SCHOOL.
The Glass and Muslc-FHlI Report OF
the Graduating Exercises.

Ohio, so in all our most intelligent com
munities, no event OF the year is Of deeper
interest than the Annual Commencements
in our High Schools, when the classes OF
our most intelligent and persevering
young people, having finished the pre-
scribed course, come forth to make their
bow to the public and give us some Of the
results Of their intellectual training.
At an early hour on Thursday evening
Of last week, the High School and Gram
mar Rooms (thrown into one) were filled to
overhowing with very intelligent
audience of nearly four hundred persons
among them many friends from abroad
to enjoy the exercises of the graduating
class of six yo :ng ladies.
The rooms were very tastefully orna-
mented with profusion of pictures
flowers, and evergreens, and when the
audience was gathered the Nhole looked
like drawing-room scene.
After the singing by the class and others,
of an anthem and also greeting cong,
the Salutatory was read by
ELIZA II. WEBB.
She claimed that this duty NOR properly
belonged to one of the other sex, but ss the
Lords Of creation had all deserted the
class, they were forced into "woman's
rights" at least in mild form. She then
welcomed the friends assembled, to the
evenings exercises.
The aim and desire of the class,
throughout their course had been, to gain
practical knowledge and mental discipline,
by both of which they might be fitted for
life's duties. 1t would not be expected of
them to furnish the audience with any
thing very new or profound-their efforts,
like themselves, would be necessarily i'm
matWe-but they did hope t. give some
evidence of that systematic industry
which is the chief condition of success.
Our motto Vestigia Nuila Retrorsum y
no steps acknowledgements our determin-
alton; but those other similar words
" T'estigia MtHd P0rorsum many steps
forward are written high in our imagina-
tion and ambitious purpose. May they
ever keep us from growing content with
present attainments and stimulate us to
reach out for new wisdom and culture, SO
long as we live.
After Music by the Band, the subject,
" What Will they Think? was announced,
which vas responded to by
TILLIE ROACH.
This question would be the most natural
one to suggest itself to each member OF
the class, as doubtless it had occurred to
every young man and woman in similar
circumstances. 1t was an anxious query
in the minds of all classes OF persons =
from the little hoy in his first boots, to the
by it, in the presence of even savages and
little children. Caring for the good
opinion of others is an altogether proper
feeling and deserving that opinion should
make our friends willing o commend rs
Praise is due to the careful thoughtfulness
of the husband, or to the love and un-
offices of a friend, just as really as to the
loving kindness and benefccnt ministry OF
God. Many women especially, whose live.
are full of sclf,sacrifce and devotion, GO
to their graves thirsty for praise their
ccaseless ministry taken for granted, with.
out one word of acknowledgement.
Bat while it is right to care for the ap'
probation of others, and to try to deserve
that appreciation, we should guard against
slaYish fear OF the worlds opinions -
principle should never be sacrificed to eI
pedicncy-we should do right, bravely and
truly, even though we may know that
others will censure.
With most people, there is a tendency
to take an extreme position as to what may
be called the worlds opinion some caring
too much and others too little for it. The
approval OF our own conscience is
generally safe rule. When that sanctions
We can afford to be Independent of Mrs
Grundy's frown, or appreciation. Instead
of living merely to please the world, we
should study to please God. Being true
10 him will make us true to ourselves and
true to each other.
How much better then for society, il
the question were, what will God think
and not what will they think. Miss Roach
closed her excellent essay with a feeling
allusion to the fact that they had come to
a time, long looked forward to with many
hopes and fears hoping to appear their
best, but fearing to do their worst. Oi
course they could not be insensibls to the
good or i'll opinions of the world; but as
tley were now about to step out from the
walls that had 80 long protected them
from its criticism, they would more than
ever be exposed to the influence of its
opinions. Should they give themselves
opinions, or should they do the right,
bravely and conscientiously, seeking the
approval Of one higher than man?
Miss Roach read her essay with such
distinct ehunciation and correct emphasis,
as to enable her hearers to appreciate its
excellence.
Music again followed, when
ELIZA II. WEBB
read, "The Two Heroines." This topic
was handled gracefully and we'll. After
several well worded PROPOSE ions respecting
heroism the worlds disposition to hero
worship, the deiiication of heroes by the
ancicnts Miss WEBB proceeded to state,
that while history is replete with the
names Of heros, women mono the less
heroic in their sphere--had found no such
conspicous place in history. Yet some OF
them had crossed the boundary of domestic
life, and by the greatness of their charac-
ters recorded their names among those of
the worlds heroes.