The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1890-06-27
owOssO's PRIDE.
coMMENcEMENr WEEK.

Commencement week was ushered In this
year by finished and scholarly baccalau
reate address by Superintendent j. w. Sim
mons, Sunday evening at the Baptist church.
The fitness of things was very nicely OBJ
solved In the manker In which the principals
of the evening entered, Superintendent
Simmons, the resident clergy, the board of
education and the graduating class marching
up the center aisle during the organ volun-
tary. Scriptures were read by Pastor Little
after which Rev. r. r. Davies offered
prayer. After well rendered voluntary
| by the massed chOirs of the city, Mr.. Sim
mons delivered his address on show to
Become Master of the Situation" 1t was
well received.
TUESDAY evening the fourth grades of the
central and second ward buildings celebrated
the close OF school by the elegant rendering
of the sparkling cantata 1.-The Summer
| Festival on the Banks of the Rhine" About
one hundred children participated The
| Methodist church was packed with vast
| audience, but so many failed to gain adms-
| sion that the entertainment will be repeated
this friday evening with small charge
| to defray expenses. The teachers, Misses
Annie and Fannie Bartram, are to be con-
| graduated on their work. Other exercises
were held in the individual rooms of our
| city schools.
The High School commencement occurred
on Wednesday evening in the Baptist
church. Through the courtesy of the fire
men the street and building were drenched
with water, and the atmosphere made so
coOlthat though the church was packed like
city street car, the whole program was
listened to without the slightest incon-
| yenience.
The church was the scene of decorations
OxVnSSn nj of
wound with evergreen, sustained an arch
which read, 1.-The Closed VS.. the open Way"
legend which Supt. Simmons interpreted
| by pointing to the decorations of the plat
! form. A miniature fence of evergreens was
erected midway across the length of the
| stage, with a gate near the left end and an
| open space near the opposite end. On the
| fence were the figures 1890. Each graduate,
| on coming forward to speak, entered this
| gate which was immediately closed. The
| exit was made through ''the open way"
This" said Mr.. Simmons to the class, sis
| symbolic. The past, the school life is closed;
but there is still glorious future that is
| open before you. Enter it," Miss Matte
Horsman, beautiful as fairy, presided at
| the gate.
The class this year consists of Myrtle
Flint and Aena McCaul. Latin course; Kate
Corlett, Will Brown, Edith HartshOrn and
Rey Mahaney, English course; Gertrude
Layton and May McCaul. Commercial
| course and all eyes were riveted on them
as they filed upon the flower burdened stage
A male chorus rendered the college song,
| Simple Simon" Rev. T.. L.. Little offered
praper. chorus of girls perfectly trained
by Miss Helen Duff presented charming
selection, Light Hearted are We"
Miss Kate Corlett read the first essay,
"Plated Ware" in which the cheap and
tawdry plated stuff of the jewelry shop was
compared to character. We may write the
| title ''HOn." before our names but how
much better that others should write "Hon-
est" ''An honest mans the noblest work
of God" The essayist alluded to the fact
that in character all is not gold that glitters.
Close companiOnship often reveals only a
gilded surface. Miss COrlett has a graceful
bearing, and in common with the other lady
graduates, looked charming in white with
corsage of roses.
Mr. Rey Mahaney then delivered his
Grafton, "SOcial Progress" the incentives to
which he proved were friendship. pOliteness
and religion. The hindrances are such base
metal as selfishness and misunderstanding,
the latter of which finds its expression i'm
the labor troubles of our day. In the
Feudal times the employee was rather slave
|
| things that bring social progress. The
speaker was easy and natural, and gave
| great pleasure to his friends.
Miss Aena McCaul next entered the gate,
with an interesting and well read essay,
Nothing ventured, nothing gained" He
| is good mOuntaineer who stumbl9s not;
but he is well paid who despite the difficult
ties and stumblings of the path, yet scales
the summit and gets its broad view. Thus
with school life. Much may be gained by
study and application. Some dislike mathe-
mates. but Gods ways are learned here:
God has constructed the heavens on mathe-
NAUTICAL principles. But the great reward OF
our struggles and discipline lies in the nature
of the soul; il is immortal. Therefore LET
us work Oh and never be discouraged.
The ever favorites, Misses Finch and
Patterson, then rendered Gumbert's bril-
liant duet, "Cheerfulness," Miss Helen Duff
at the piano.
Miss Myrtle Flint struck minor chord in
her essay, "Why?" Through it echoed the
undertOne of the philosophy of life. 1t was
an excellent piece of literary work. lit III
with such gems as Hollands
Heaven is not reached by a single bound:
We build the ladder by which we rise
| From the lowly earth to the vaulted skies,
And we mount to its summit round by round. '
And such as Lowell's
mot failure, but low aim, is crime"
Her essay was well received.
Mr.. Will Brown deserved the array OF
flowers which awaited him. His Grafton
elements of Success" was vigorous and
vigorously pronounced, with fine voice and
presence. The elements of success were
found to be perseverance, education and
character What work is too difficult fol-
perseverance to conquer? Theodore Parker
truly said that earnest men, through STUN
bling, learn to walk erect; every stumble is
a stumble upwards. Let us be independent
in opinion and in action. The Grafton was
very creditable.
Miss Edith Hartshon gave the closing
essay and valedctory, "After Graduation,
What?" Graduation is but the start, only
that, in the great quest for truth. Let us
keep to our specially. Let us keep to this
whether painting window screens or battle
scenes, whether studying political economy
or domestic receipts. God has called us all,
women as well as men, to some special
work. The reason for our existence is oul
''predominating aptitude" And the great
Artifcer has given us each this. Genius is
the initiative discovery of our real selves.
| Examples, Rosa BOnheur Charlotte BrOnte