The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1883-06-29
COMMENCEMENT WEEK.
Written for THE TIMES

nous business just now. Ii issonly
wet, and more wet, and when we
think the rain has '1et up" for sea-
son we find it has only stopped to
increase in quantity, and down comes
another deluge. 1t is too discouraging
to think about, let alo, write of it.
In lieu ofthis subject then thought,
Gas the letter writer would say. Il
would write you" about the Com
mencement week Of the Owosso High
School, Though why commencement
never can understand.
Prof. Pettpgill visited the. school
on the IAth to see if worthy 10 DE one
of the body guard of the University.
Report, highly satisfactory. That
was pleasant.
The teachers gave a reception
(that is the right term | believe,) TO
the older classes of the High School.
1t was held at the residence Of Mrs.
Gould, and very pleasant affair it
was 100 teachers, parents and chill
dren Il hope the Juniors and Seniors
won't be offended at being called
children), enjoying pleasant, social
time together.
Sunday night, Mr.. Wilson, the
Congregational pastor, delivered an
address 10 the scholars at which the
people generally were present. AS
you have sent his sermon TO your
readers, and they eau read it for
themselves, I will make no remark,
concerning it, only on this one point
He said it was not the amount Of
knowledge gained that would last the
scholar, but the power to gain knowl.
edge and character formed in gaining
it. Then your correspondent NOR
allied thus. If this be true, and it
certainly is true, how necessary 1t
becomes that the teachers selected
TO preside over this formation OF
character should be persons Of sterl-
ing, individual worth in themselves,
as well as in the requirements they
possess, that the lessons they uncon.
sciously teach by their presence and
force Of character may not subverl
the desired end of their paid labor.
And now let me diverge to pay a
tribute to the present Superintendent
of the Owosso Schools. | do moi
think it well to wait till a man is
dead, or takes his departure from us
in some other way, 10 say word in
his favor, but if we see man is do.
ing his duty, let him know we appre.
ciate him and value his labors. II
the purpose of our schools is to de.
= velope the noble and useful qualities
of our children and make of them
honest, selfrelant men and women,
we will do well to keep so true heart
ed and steadfast a nan at the helm.
But the sermon is over and our
scholars have been adjured by the
sad fate Of Theseus not to sit down
in selfcomplacent idleness, thinking
they have reached the heights oil
attainment, which advice tits need
less to observe they will do well to
follow.
And now comes the grand event;
the event to at least few. l dare
sas in after years when new ambitions
and real, not imaginary work call.
forth their energies, they will smile tc
think how iearfully important seemed
the work OF the graduating exercises
of the Owosso High School class o
1883. This is not describing the ex
ercises. First, the decorations; the,
were under the supervision of tn
junior class, comprising two youni
men and six young ladies. These
very kindly and generously 1 think
took upon themselves all the worl
and trouble of arranging everything
and great praise is due them for thei
success. "No step backward" mean
the Latin motto above and befor
us, wrought beautifully in evergreen
AT either side of the front of tn
stage are grouped pyramids of flow
ers, houseplants, gracefully forme,
ferns, mixed with cut. flowers. ant