Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1885-07-16
ADDRESS BIZ II. @. CONRAD
Before the MT. Vernon Literary Sos
ciety of Washington College.
ri,aatartou,n 1,ranacriDt

Chestertown Transcript
A large and appreoiative audience gath
cred in the court house Tuesday eyen-
ING week TO henr the annual address before
the Mt. Vernon Literary Society of wash
ineton College. The exercises were
opened with prayer by the Rev. j. ID.
Kemp. Music was furnished by the Kent
Cornet Band, led by Prof. j. Holland of
Baltimore. The president of the society,
Mr.. George E. Wood, introduced the
sneaker for the occasion, Henry @. Con-
rad, Esq, of Wilmington, Del, who an
nounced as his subject, "The Worth OF
Life."
Life that begins with. the cradle and
ends with the grave, said the speaker, is
of all others the problem fraught with
gravest import TO each human being. He
then proceeded at length to discuss the
question, sis Life Worth Liying9" first
showing the dark side of life with its
manifold trials and discouragements.
While admitting that some through
wickedness or weakness might SO wreck
their lives as to make them unworthy the
living, yet the race as whole priced
existence and life, because well worth
the living to most individuals. He
claimed that in spite of the discourage
ments the age is advancing, and that there
is much of beauty and benefcence in life.
He maintained that American civilization
is ineomparably superior to any golden
age of Greece or Italy or Palestine su-
perior because it is deeper and purer. He
urged the young men to take broad and
lust views Of life that the present age Of
work and activity needed broad men TO
A ls,tl nI,at Of lnt.nr xnfno
as binding to-day as in the olden times.
He pointed to the fact that labor was
honorable, and that America with its toll
ing millions was the fairest inheritance
that intelligent industry has ever wrought
out for man. He cited briefly few in
stances of men in America who had risen
from the lower walks of life. In speak
| ing of the progress of the times, he took
occasion to suggest that our county is
only lacking in one thing; the failure OF
our railroad to give us better facilities,
and his remarks upon this point brought
forth considerable applause.
Character, and not wealth, was sug-
gested AS the important factor in life, and
Instances cited of men whose names had
survived because of their value to the
race. But the fact of all others that
makes life worth living is that we art
immortal. Without immortality, life Il
many would not be worth living; bu
when we realize that we are to go on for
ever, that tile issue of every act and pur
pose is in eternity, it invests our live
with solemnity, n character, q priceless
value that gives them infinite dignity AM
importance.
iu closing Mr.. Conrad gave the youn
men belonging to the Mt. Vernon Literar
society much sound and practical advice
reminding them of the worth and in
portance of life, and showing how n
that is sweet and gracious in life mus
share in the immortality of goodness
All would not reach high places of hone
or fame; some would be second, and nC
first, but each could do well his par
building for himself n character that shn
, be rounded and beautiful.
Mr.. Conrad is n comparatively youn
/ man, has fine and impressive appea
ance, and pleasant delivery. He spoil
. about 40 minutes, and was listened
D with close attention. The band befo
and after the address entertained Il
. audience with some excellent music.