Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1883-06-01
Farewell Address.

The following is a copy of the farewell
address delivered to the senior members of
the Enosnian Society of Columbian Uni
versity, Washington, ID. c., on May 18th, by
Mr.. Lee Davis Lodge, of this county:
NJ. President, Ladies and Gentlemen.
The silver-haired philosophers tell us,
with gloomy brow and troubled men,
Earth has no perfect joy. The sunny smiles
of April day are soon turned TO tears,
Springs brightest flower must wither away,
and our hearts sweetest pleasures are not
free from pain. Alas it is all too true
So, favored by the presence OF beauty, en-
chanted with melody, and surrounded by
all the accomplishments Of festivity, a shadow
fingers on the face and a sigh Of regret es-
capes us as we remember that when these
hospitable doors close upon us the gentle.
men of the Senior class will be Enosinians
no more. 1t is with almost maternal anxiety
that Enosis views her sons move out from
the golden strand upon the uncertain waters
of Lifes restless ocean. The skies are cloud
less now, the waves gleefully dance about
the vessel outward bound, and CHEEKY songs
are heard. Will it always be thus? Will no
terrific blast, no lurd lightning, no yawn-
ing gulf Of rushing waters be heard or seen
These are the trembling questions of Enosis
as she stands on the beach, shading her ewes
with her hand, and gazes earnestly at the
precious ships till they pass far into the
hazy distance,
Let us read the future by the past, and
prophesy of what will be from what has
been. Ii we do this, trust and confidence
will drive away all fear and foreboding.
Homer, power, and industry in youth, will
not give place TO shame, imbecility and sloth
in alter years. The owl may screech his song
OF evil, let us think for moment of those
days that have fled like the dew which
sparkled in the morning sun.
Although now so stately grown, so icy in
dignity, our senior friends were once moved
with all the impulses of a giddy Fresh
mans heart. Oft, when the skies were blue
and the fields were green, they cast aside the
classic pages and preferred at the risk of
the awful zero, to read the beautiful stories
in Natures book, or play ball They too
trembed before the angry brows of certain
august pers0nages, and called upon the
hills TO hide them at examinations. Step
ping higher, their revels in the garments OF
the gay and festive Sophomore would have
made old Bacchus dance for joy, while no
wicked Juniors ever surpassed them in the
subtlety of their nefarious schemes. But
those were the follies Of youth, far other
thoughts now fill their minds. High aims,
noble aspirations, proud ambitions, burn
within them. Their eager gaze is fixed on
the glistening pinnacles of the temple that
crowns the storied mountain. -Four wears
have they roamed at will amid the pleasant
fields of knowledge, gathering rich and
abundant harvest They have imbibed the
spirit OF the intellectual and aesthetic Greek,
and sympathized with the stern and in
tensely practical Roman. Science has car
ried them down into the floweress yet won.
drous valleys of the deep, and borne them
with unwearied wing beyond the starry
arch of heaven. Philosophy's kindly hand
has lifted the veil from thousand profound
mysteries, poetry has charmed their spirits
with exquisite music, and they have COM
muned with the greatest souls of the cen
turtles.
Now from the peaceful solitude of the
study, gentlemen, you emerge into the hum
and hustle of the great contest. The day of
preparation is gone, the time for action, the
time TO initiate the noble deeds whose re-
cital stirred your hearts to their depths, is
at hand. How much of hope, how much of
dread, is in the present crisis As you leave
us we can not help calling upon you to be
claims of Him whose voice speaks TO you in
the roaring ocean and the purlng brook,
whose goodness is whispered by the rustic
of the forests and sung by joyous birds,
whose love is written in fowery letters on
many sun-llt valley.
LET all the ends thou aim'st 1T be thy
country's,
Thy Gods, and truths"
Your country well deserves your love-
As you look abroad over her fertile plains
and majestic rivers, as you gaze upon her
lofty mountains and rolling hills, think of
her glorious history, think of her grander
future when she shall lead the nations in
their onward march, and then resolve TO
live for her, nay, If need be, for her TO die.
You Will have duties TO your felow.men.
We are sure you will not neglect them
Take the burden from the tired shoulders,
support with your strong arms the tottering
steps, wipe away the tears, comfort those
whose hearts are broken, and smiling angels
shall record the deed in words immortal
and divine
But we must hasten TO say the sad word
at which all checks turn pale,
"For in that word, that fatal word, howeer
We promise-hope-bel there breathes
despair
Though you leave us, gentlemen, cherish
the memory OF these days. AS the strains
Of distant music are borne on the twilight
breeze, so even when life's day Is closing
and the shadows fall about you, may the
loving recollections of your college compan.
ions make sweetest harmony in your souls.
Thus we say, not goodbye, but the older
and far better partlng-God be with you