The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1877-07-07
SISTERS, CONVENT SCHOOL.
The Closing Exercises.

The Closing Exercises.
Editors Free Trader: On the Goth ult. the clos.
ing exercises at the Sisters Convent in Ottawa
came off. 1t was entirely private affair, only
few friends of the lady boarders being present
There was no attempt at display, our good sis.
tiers fully apprecating the fact that the times
are hard, and thus pre- renting the burden that
otherwise should be borne by the parents OF
those participating in public exercises. The ex.
aminasions and exercises were, however, thor
ough, and left nothing to be desired, and were
more than the average seen on such occasions.
The writer was deeply impressed with the clos,
ing address, delivered by Miss Mary Soran, al
young girl, apparently about fifteen years old.
II was unique IN its conception, and delivered
with all the grace, dignity and feeling Of a vel
trained young lady. The address in itself could
only be fully appreciated by those who heard III
delivered. She has the sweetest accent TIE,
clearest enuncaton and the best delivery theI
writer ever witnessed at any college commence
ment She in every way bears evidence OF the
thorough training she has received at this beau.
tlrul institution. The undersigned was so i'm.
pressed with the beauty OF Miss Soran's address
that he requested copy Of it for publication in
your paper. 1t is us follows:
CLOSING ADDRESS.
This Is q world of parting. Wherever we cast
glance around we see it to be the lot Of all
sooner or later to break even the closest ties
To-day IRE are called upon to remember this les
son of separations lesson so often and SO pain
fully learned, not only by the aged and world
weary, but also by the young and hopeful; yes,
even by the child that has scarcely passed its
infant years. Although this is truly aybyful day,
one which we must hereafter rank among the
many bright and blissful scenes OF our happy
youth; yet, like all fair things OF earth, it comes
not without some little alloy-just enough OF
cloud mingled with the sunshine to remind us
that there can be no perfect bliss here below.
Our young hearts are indeed overfowing with
ioy, happy in the possession Of the rewards be.
slowed ON our humble efforts In the great cause
of f-improvement,-hap still at the pros
! pect of soon meeting those loved ones OF the
homestead from whom We have been so long
separated. Why, then, should there be any cause
for regrctg Why should we look with saddened
eyes on the scenes we are about to leave, long
ing, as it were, to stay, yet rejoicing TO COZ All
it is because We have hearts that feel, hearts thai
have been won, as warm, young hearts ever are
by the engaging qualities, the gentle virtues
and the sincere affection Of those with whom VT
have spent the year which is just closing. Yes
though the superior claims OF home and the FOND
hearts which make home "the dearest spot OF
earth" prevail over every other consideration
causing our hearts to bound with pure, swee
joy,--yet there is one lingering regret that w
must leave our school friends. Dear companions
with whom we have been linked in closest friend
ship, these tender regrets which arise at thu
though Of bidding you farewell, are tribute t.
the many claims you have on our warmest love-
claims which we shall fondly remember hereaf
ter; yes, remember, perhaps, with tenderness
| and tears when we shall have learned the sa'
lesson which, they say, the world is so apt t.
teach that many so.called friends are such onl.
in name-summer friends, who fly when the coli
winds of adversely are upon US. Then we shall
have to acknowledge, as many have done before
that there is no friendship so sincere and endur
ing as that OF our happy, innocent school days
To our beloved teachers, the kind and gsnt
\ Sisters, we bid reluctant adieu. Dear Sisters
who have been our faithful instructors, our pa
tient and gentle prompters, who have ministere'
to our wants and supported our shortcoming
with the indulgence Of q mothers love, we thanl
you for your care aud labcrs in our behalf. W.
shall ever cherish the memory OF your virtue
nd your instructions. We hope that this re
membrane will be to us as charm to counter
act the wilcs OF a wicked world. OF you, as wei
, AS of our companions, we might ask forgiveness
for our waywardness, and perhaps, on many &c
casions, a seeming want OF affection. But VI
/, know your kind hearts too well to think thi
, necessary, though we must acknowledge on
heartfelt regret for our frequent failures In dut
and affection TO you, as wei as to our school
mates
And now the scene has almost closed. y few
short hours and our little group shall be sea,
tered, some perhaps to meet no more in thl
world. What shall we say in parting, except th'
oft repeated word Farewell! Yes, the word ex
presses well the feelings OF our hearts TO thos
dear ones whom we are about TO leave. Fare
WELL loving and beloved friends, farewell :
Whether we shall meet again in this world, o
whether we shall see one another no more unit
our Heavenly Father calls us to that llOin
where separation shall never come to blight ou
happiness, our parting wish now Is, and on
feryent prayer shall be, that you may fare wei
in body aud soul, in time and eternity.