The Brookhaven ledger. (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1875-1883, 1876-07-20
A Fine Composition.

was read by Miss Lizzie D. Ruth, OF
New Orleans, on behalf of the gradua.
ting class of the Hebrew School. Our
onlysreason for publishing it is because
of its worth:
A drop of water in the ocean of time!
A handful of dust added to the dust of
centuries-but how much is this day to
us Time, which brings SO many dis
appointments, so many griefs, as well
as so many pleasures and joys, has, 81
lently, brought to us an anniversary,
which contemplated at all past seasons
with anxiety and doubt, comes to us
now laden with new import and gild.
ed with the dawning of new hope. 1t has
brought the hour when years of stead
fast effort, developed into life and pow>
er By the devotion of our able teachers,
are to be crowned with the highest
award of their approval, gilded by the
ssnctioning smiles of parents and of
friends.
It is but now however when our long
hour of recess from study has but just
commenced-now, when forgetting all
the little troubles and strife that mark
the students life, and casting back
ward glance at those years-it is now,
only, that we begin truly to realize all
that they represent as rewards of faith
full industry, and all, especially, that
they suggest to US for continued efforts.
Continued efforts-for we can never be
unconcious that what we have accom-
plished here, under the guidance of a
beloved teacher, is but preparation
for what we are expected to achieve in
after life, through our own capacities,
such as they are.
With host of happy memories now
thronging our eager hearts we feel that
we can never, never forget how kindly,
how tenderly, we have been led to the
quiet sanctuaries of knowledge, from
which, day by day, our dear teachers
have aided rs to transfer the garnered
treasures there to enrich and adorn our
own hearts and minds.
And, although this day our beloved
teacher releases us from the guidance
of her hands, and we pass as pupils
from her authority, yet, We must faith
fully remember that hers has been the
unerring influence which ever steadied
our steps and encouraged our expert
ence; hers the almost unfelt control
WHICH, tempered by affection and per
vad.d by sympathy, ever made pleasant
the tolls of study and light the yoke of
discipline. Remembering her thus.
rlust not gratitude be ever blended with
affection?
Yes, dear teacher. in parting from
you as we do to-day, we may truly say
that the vivid memories which must
heneeforth cluster about these halls,
sacred to us by your kindly forbearance
with youthful errors by your unvary-
ing gentleness and patience-sacred by
all that we have gained through your
careful vigilance and faithful zeal
these memories will be forever engraven
upon our hearts, which Will retain them
with fidelity until they cease to pulsate
with life! In paying this tribute to one
preceptor. vacant place reminds me
that there is another, who, though alb
sent from this scene to-day is with us,
we are sure, in heart aud spirit; one
who richly deserves our grateful recol-
lectiOns for the care and interest he has
ever evinced throughout our school life.
We thank him also for his faithful ef
forts in our behalf, and we know that
in our future lives the name of DIR.
Baar will be linked with some of the
brightest associations of our school
days.
To the dear friends who have been
our schoolmates so long-those whom
we leave upon the road which so lately
we have traversed-we would express the
sentiments of enduring affection which
have grown in strength and beauty
through all these years in our hearts.
We would pray that you might ever
learn more perfectly to appreciate the
care and devotion of your teacher; that
you might earnestly strive through all
things to mark your career, both in the
schoolroom and in the home circle, by
aspirations for the good and the pure,
the holy and the godlike; that you
might persevere in all well-doing and
patient industry, and ever advance near
er and nearer to the goal of success in
all that you attempt And, dear
friends, let us have hope that the hap
py hours we have passed together will
often serve, in the coming years, to re-
call lis to your memories; and through
these recollections may your friendship
for us be kept pure and fresh.
To the Superintendent, the President
of the Hebrew Educational Society and
the gentlemen of our School Board we
would say that we are duly mindful of
all that we owe them; that We could not
fail to estimate the value of the benefits
they have conferred upon us, through
their successful administration and the
faithful discharge of the duties which
their offices have entailed, and pray
that continuance of their generous eff
forts may result in the permanent well
fare of the institution in whose tri-
umphs and successes we must ever
feel deep and tender interest.
To the kind friends who now witness
the termination of our school life we
would express our appreciation of the
interest which they have displayed in
our endeavors and the kindliness with
which we know they have judged them.
Even now, when looking upon their