San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1889-08-15


Said grandmother In my hearing,
"what better legacy can I leavo the iittl,
ones than tho diploma with its soven seals,
earned In my old agei That diploma will
teach q useful lesson long years after
have mouldered In the dust"
And another writes me, "Thero was only
ono way I could procure the books-for
strict economy had been the rule so long II
seemed impossible to curtail expenses moro;
and that ono way was by doing the washing
and ironing, that ill-health had long forced
me, as the best economy, TO hire done, and
so save the weekly stipend. Hope gave me
strength. 1 did so, and continued until I
had saved enough to send q set Of the books
to widowed friend, too poor to procure
them for herself"
What have tho readings accomplished in
these four yearsi
Prof. winchell's delightful "walks and
Talks In Geological Fields" in the required
reading three years ago, awakened love
for geology. and caused many to read with
ayidity every work that could be procured
on that interesting topic, and to re-read
books read years ago with renewed interest
and moro perfect understanding of the
subject. Henceforth, the readers Of that
book will understand clearly what IL is to
shave eyes, and see not" Hereafter. they
will see tho handiwork Of the Everlasting
God in every blade Of grass, every leaf,
His footprints in every rock at their feet.
The "Plan of Salvation last year, an-
swered questions and settled doubts that
have troubled many all their life. We can
all do mission work by giving that book q
wide circulation, and should look upon it
as duty to do 80.
The books on French and German litera-
ture awakened strong desire to read the
authors In their own language, and many
have taken up the study of the languages
mentioned, and in the original are revealing
In delights and pleasure unattainable here
tofore, and which no translation can posi-
bly, bestow.
You can scarcely take up book, maya
zine, paper, but there are illusions to
Grecian characters and events, that this
years reading has made Ineligible.
1t has placed some in college by increas-
ing their desire for a higher education it
has renewed the youth of some 'whom the
world calls DID," by charging their hopes,
and giving them new interest in life; it
has added years to many lives by giving
them new aspirations, new motives for
living; il has soothed the troubled, sor-
rowful soul, given hope to the discour-
aged. broadened the outlook of the igno-
rant, raised the standard higher for the
and frightened many lonely
hours.
And what of the future?
Permit me to remove ''the veil that COW
ers the face of futurty," and looking down
the long vista of Time spread out as q pic
ture before my prophetic gaze, foretell the
future of the class of '89.
Lingering in the past, as we have, the
future seems clearer as we view the steps
that have led up to this time making that
future possible.
The readings of tho G. L. s. 9. cover 30
broad field, they are necessarily super
fetal and scrappy but the design of every
writer is to awaken a curiosity and desire
Tor more extended knowledge in the same
direction.
It is safe to predict that not one who has
end the full four years. course, and filled
,ut the White Seal memoranda, viii ever
top with that, but will continue to take up
he special courses one after another, year
Ifter year, each course increasing their
hirst for more.
You cannot afford to and will not,giye
Up your daily hour of reading. "Habit,"
is said, sis the deepest law of human
lature," and this habit once formed will
lot be easily broken. Hencoforth, ''Uiana
st ant t'aciana," (there is q way or will
make one), will be your motto,
You will read systematically, pencil in
land, marking the passages that strike you
most forcibly, and you will re-read your
looks, remembering that book that is
vorth reading at all, is worth reading
vice, and on second perusal you will
md many gems of thought that escaped
our notice at the previous reading.
You have learned to look upon the score
r more of books that belong to the course
s friends-silent but well beloved.
They are white and frayed ct the edges,
They are worn and ribbed at the ends,
hey are rather sorry collection,
But all of them are friends"
You have CONTRACTED the taste immor-
al" for good books, and can say with Fem
lon, eff the crowns of all the kingdoms Of
Europe were laid down at my feet. In ex
hange for my books and my love of read
ng, would spurn them ALL"
You will read only the best books. Life
) too short and good literature too vast, 10
taste precious time in reading any but the
est
Couture" says Matthew Arnold, ''is
o know the best that has been thought |
nd said in the world" and "the book to
cad" says DIR. McCosh, lis not the one
,hich thinks for you, but the one which
mikes you think" Henceforth, with you,
he best books and periodicals will |
lnk, not with the Injuries, but with the
ecessaries Of life.
You will use your leisure time for i'm
-o-o.,o,t vo;s;no the efandard hiOher