Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1882-06-28
Closing Exercises of the High School.

MISUNDERSTANDING TIT Su1lly "cdtuCI,
large audience assembled to listen to the
exercises. The decorations consisted OF
the words ''Vincit, qui Sc vincet," wrought
in evergreens upon the wall above the
stage, the usual display of flowers and
ferns, and a number of flags all tastefully
arranged upon and about the stage.
Seated upon the stage were the class OF
'S2, the center of interest for the evening,
the teachers Of the Austin schools, the
school board, Supt. Belden, Revs. Wright,
Lathrop and Spafford, and Mr.. Alton,
Principal of the Zumbrota high school.
The exercises were opened by prayer by
Rev. r. G. Spafford. Then followed a
salutatory address by Frederick Redmon
Glow of the class of 49, In few well
chosen words he greeted the friends there
assembled and expressed on the part of
the class ali appreciation of the kindly
interest taken in their welfare, from term
to term, as they had been pursuing their
course in school; and desired further that
they might show their appreciation by
applying their education to useful ends.
The speaker then gave review of the life
of Byron, which was delivered in a nat
ural tone of voice and easy manner.
The grafton bore evidence of careful prep
aration. In closing, attention was called
to the fact that as unrestrained passions
brought this great man to ruin, from SIM
liar causes others would be ruined if self
control were lacking. Byron pursued
pleasure as God, but excess of the pleas
urc he sought only gave him a useless
life and miserable death; and as his
ruined life suggests to us the question
what might he have been, so may we live
that the question may not be asked regret
fully what might I have been?
The class orator, Eugene Beauharnais
Sunny, then followed in an Grafton upon
Reserve Power. He pictured the males
tic proportions of a ship upon the calm
waters of harbor-its size; heavy timber,
strength, again and again, and more than is
necessary it would seem, but then, again
the ship encounters a storm mid-ocean
when her strength is tried to the utmost,
but because of the reserve power she is
enabled to pass through the storm in
safety. So in lifes journey we should,
in starting possess the necessary reserve
power to enable US to pass successfully
through difficulties and dangers. Our
awe of volcanoes, planets and sun sys-
TENS is due to their reserve power. The
reserve power of God is infinite.
Great men have most reserve power,
which enables them to accom-
plish great ends and to meet un-
looked for difficulties He who would be
successful in life must be prepared to
meet crises. We as pupils have been en-
gagged in accommodating latent force, urg-
ing us on to purer actions and nobler
deeds. The Grafton was commendable
effort; the illustrations were we'll chosen
and it was delivered in forcible manner.
The valedictory address was given by
Adelbert Dinsmoor He first gave a
sketch of the age of Pericles, giving an
account of the triumphs of philosophy,
oratory, and sculpture in that time, and
referring with earnestness to the great
ness of Pericles, Socrates and Phidias,
and lastly to the fall of Athens owing to
the lack of something more than this cul-
ture and philosophy to unite the people.
The speaker then turned to the Board of
Education and in formal manner ten
dered the thanks of the class for the adj
vantages enjoyed of good school.
In feeling address to the teachers he
paid high tribute to their character, ex-
ample and teaching; to his classmates a
few words of parting recalled the past
with hopes for successful future.
An appeal was made to future classes to
guard the name of the High School from
contempt. The address was listened to
with attention and proved in every way in
teresting. The speaker, was, upon retiring,
as were the other members of the class in
their turn, presented with several bou-
quets.
After listening to music by the band
the diplomas were presented by Supt.
Beldcn, He expressed on the part of the
Board Of Education pride in the exercises
and feeling that compensation was
afforded for the effort to secure good ad-
vantages for education. He commended
the class to the words they had spoken
for an example, and said that they
would watch the course of the class
with interest. In closing he hoped that
in years to come the class would look back
to this school as the place where they
started and that they would use their
powers to noble ends.
Rev. G. E. Wright followed in an ad-
dress to the class. He expressed desire
to say to them what would have been
useful to him in starting in life. Two or
three things are necessary to success
find the work to which you are adapted.
Much lies in the natural bent of the mind.
Because a man does not succeed in one
calling is no proof that he would not sue
coed in another calling to which he was
better adapted. Do not be in too great
haste to achieve success. True success
is of slow growth. Certain success surely
follows slow and thorough preparation
for life's work. Children should not be
removed from school before they have
finished their course. Enterprise, pluck,
perseverance, patience, principle, is
necessary. Success is won by hard and
persistent labor Have a right idea of
success. Get the most of true good for
yourselves and do the most for others
possible. Aim to walk first in the path
of duty and get whatever good comes in
the way. Every young man determines
for himself whether he will succeed or
not. I wish for your success in life that
it may be said Whatsoever he doeth, it
shall prosper" but in order to do that
you must draw near to Cod Walk in
the way of his commands and We shall
abide in eternal peace.