Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1881-05-19
COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES.

exercises of Sacramento Seminary took p!ac,
last evening at the Assembly Chamber in th,
presence of an exceedingly large audience
which tested the capacity of the hail. Ths
Faculty occupied seats upon large stage
over and back of which was suspended TIE
design CT horseshoe in evergreen and bear.
ing in white flowers the class motto, amino
ct Eide" which inclosed an anchor worked
out against an evergreen background in white
buds and flowers. Elegant stands of flowers
also graced the front of the rostrum, and
their penetrating fragrance permeated the
great chamber almost to the degree Of OPP
pressiveness. The exercises opened with an
excellent overture by Jones, Beebe & Grants
full orchestra. which was located in the west
gallery of the hall. Rev. L. ii. B. Anderson
pronougced an invocation, when Miss Belle
III. Knox and Miss Clara Winters gave a
piano duet. "Grande Polonaise Briliante !"
Top. A., by Kucken. Miss Nellie Dunlap
then read an essay entitled, 'The
Shrines at which we Worship The
young lady expressed the opinion that the
constitution of cur nature is such that it
must have some object upon which to con-
centrate the love veneration and highest
aspirations of the soul. Each one has some
ideal before which be lays the souls tribute.
This has led some to abject slavery Ambi.
ton to excel in bodily strength is with some
ruling passion, and at times engaged ma
tions. She asked if perfect physical strength
and agility is not an ennohling quality? May
not the deyotee of nature well worship at
the shrine of beauty, and has not art paid its
| highest tribute to it? Doas it not oft WELD
a greater influence than gold or imperial
sway? At present she thought the shrine of
wealth has the greatest number of votaries,
| and it is due to it to say that il has been the
means to some of the grandest developments
of science, art and discovery. She consd-
cred the shrines of noble parentage, the al
lurements of royal power, of the vocation of
arms etc. and the effect of these upon
the cause of civilization. The panorama of
voted and earnest worshipers than the de-
voices at the shrine of virtue. The higher
moral qualities have in all ages led men to
yield them reverence. All peoples, whatever
their conditions, have some system of ethics by
which to gauge their conduct. Some instinct
coeyal with our birth warns US of future ex-
istence, and implants a longing for the life to
come. 1t is right therefore to reverence the
divine qualities which allies us to God in the
perceptions and love of the good and true
| Only the pure and lofty principles Of
heaven, inspired with truth or absolute
perfection in the object of devotion, can sat
isfy the measureless depths of the sonl's de-
sires. After music by the orchestra, Miss
Belle Knox read an essay entitled beyond
the Alps Lies Italy" She believed that it is
general and true rule that reward follows
labor, and that it is not disproved by excep-
tions that may be traced to adequate causes
Some reap not for lack of patience, or because
of misconception of ability, and others find
the noblest talents of no avail for lack of OPP
portunity to afford them scope. Moral and
intellectual rewards especially follow labor.
One may be great by chance, but not wise
and good without painstaking. Sterile soil
may be made fruitful by persevering
industry. The contrast of genids and me-
diocrity is not infrequent, yet the former
often sinks. while the latter, by plodding in.
dustry, often works slowly upward. Genius
must be allied to labor to attain great re-
suits. So in art, science and the world of
literature success is the result of earnest
effort. Men may suddenly appear among
the prominent and the world not know what
patient application brought them finally to
the surface. Such are not content to con-
tinue as they begin. These were the central
thoughts of the essay, which were elaborated
at length. Music by the orchestra was fol.
her subject being A Little Farther On"
She believed the desire for happiness to be
Heaven-born. Mediocrity is common ex-
cellence rare. She considered the ambitions
which actuate men, the desire for fame in
science, in ruling, in the attainment and ex-
ercise of power, in political contests, in selfish
and unselfh causes, etc. The highest am
bitten is tina. which actuates one to excel all
others in doing good. She considered the
Isngth to which inordiuate ambition will lead
one, and also the spur of activity it proves to
the wise and good. In brief, she compared
human ambition to the aIcher's bow, which,
bent to its proper tension, sends the arrow
with directness and certainty; but over.
drawn, called to bear too great
strain, breaks, and utterly fails to move
the shaft in accordance with the aim.
"a little farther on" to the needless
and over-ambitious is dangerous
motto, but those whose ambition is open and
honest, and within reason, it is helper, and
promotes that vigor of effort which is 50 de-
sirable. Miss Knox then played piano colo
with ease and good taste. Souvenir des
Capuleti," by Rosellap. Miss Nettie M.
Winters then read the vsledictory "Our
Class" 1t was a brief, neat and most hap
PLY framed farewell. 1t treated of the hopes
and desires of the class, Of their personal
tastes as to vocations in life, and of
what they had studied and attained.
1t was modest. in recognizing that their edu-
cation was by no means complete, and was
characterized by pardonable pride in the sue
cess attained in the finished scholastic course.
With few words of grateful acknowledge
ment to the faculty and brief words of fare
well to the schoolnates of the graduates, the
young lady concluded graceful vsledictory.
Professor I. n. Well of the faculty adj
dressed the class, giving the young ladies
sound advice as to continuing the habit of
study, and as to resolves to do and be some
thing in the world, which he said was open to
them. In no age had woman such advant-
ages the field Of activity for her is broad.
Nearly all the professions are open to her, and
her opportunities for usefulness are manifold.
Mrs. Hermon Perry, Principal of the Sem
mary, then delivered to Misses Belle M:
Knox. Clara Winters, Nellie Dunlap and
Net.ie III. Winters their diplomas. E. w.
Maslin then made brief address to the class.
He dwelt upon the necessity for cultivating
the imagination, especially in women. He
thought the great question with graduates
always liz, What shall we be in the world ?"
He thought the field for women very linn
tied one. She cannot enter upon mechanics,
and the structure of her mind does net fit her
to shine in the forum. He was not disposed
to deny her place in the administration Of
the aft airs OF State, but thought there is for
her better and broader field. We livein an
age of doubt aud unrest and woman has 3
mission regarding it full Of weighty
import. She il is who must greatly shape
the tendency Of human thought. In con
clusion he pointed out one thing as an exam
| pie 10 which she can at once work, to wit: the
universal tendency Of the current periodical
| literature of the day, which is poisoning the
youthful mind and corrupting thu very fonn-
tains of innocence. Upon this subject he
enlarged with warmth, and urged wives,
| daughters ard mothers to enter upon a cru.
sades against the liceDtious ard dehasing
exhibitions of illustrated criminal and in-
decent literature which is spread on the
streets for the corruption of the children Of
the land. A final selection by the orchestra
concluded the exercises, and the assemblage
was cismissed. During the evening great
number of rarely beautiful bouquets, baskets
Of flowers, floral horse-shoes, wreaths aud
other designs in flowers were sent up to the
young ladies who were graduating. These
| horal offerings, placed on the stage, gave it a
border of great beauty.
MENDKLssoHs QUINTET CLUB.-The grand
concert to be given in this city by the
Mendelssohn Quintet of Boston, will take
place at the Congregational Church this
evening. The reputation of this club is such
as to require comment, and the concert
will furnish a rare treat to all who enjoy the
classic realm in music. The club is com.
! posed of Isador Schnitzler Thomas RYAN.