The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1891-07-03
COMMENCEMENT DAY EXERCISES.

'o ~" yooo Ceuoo W. We NStOTy ~
the school, eighty-three in number,
receice their diplomas. Carefclly
prepared essays, and mastery ora
tions. Il great crosod of visitors.
The grandest 4lunsni reunion in
the history ofthe school, Il splendid
banquet
Thursday was indeed, and rightfully,
to all true Normalites, the greatest day
of the school year. 1t was Commence
ment Day, and this, in itself, is suffi-
cient reason for our rejoicing
The town of Bloomsbury, and all
the surrounding country, is very much
interested in our large institution, and
is ever willing to do all in their power
to foster its every interest.
Ten O'Clock was the time appointed
as the opening hour, but long before
that time great crowds of people were
hurrylng to Institute Hall lest they
should not find comfortable seats even
in so large an auditorium.
ON THE PLATFORM. ..
On the platform were seated
the members of the Faculty, the
Board of Trustees, and a large
numb er of visiting friends.
THE PROGRAM.
Promptly at 10 o'clock the vast
audience was led in a most timely and
beautiful prayer by the Rev. w. c.
Leverett, Rector of the Protestant
Episcopal church, after which the
beautiful chorus Hail Smiling Morn"
by Spofforth, was rendered by select
chorus, under the management of
Prof. |. w. Niles.
INDIvIDUALIsM.
Ida q Wenrich.
The subject chosen by Miss Ida G.
Wenrich, of Mahanoy City, Pa. who
came first on the program was, "In-
dividualism," She rendered her pro-
duction in clear, and forcible man.
ner, and many were the kindly re-
marks afterward heard of her thought
full and careful handling other subject.
Among other things she said:
From the time that civilization was
first planted in the river valleys of the
East, it may be observed that some
single governing principle has been
the foundation of each prominent ma
ton of antiquity. Each was central
lied around one idea, and thus each
was comprehended as a unit. The
individual in the ancient nations of
China, India, Persia, or Egypt, counts
for nothing. Confined in narrow
boundaries, the true worth of the in
dividual was never grasped in its full
ness.
Individuals, among the eastern
nations, were lost sight of in the
consideration of great masses, and be-
came undistinguishable, in part or
member. We notice, however, a
gradual deviation from this as we study
the progress of civilization. We OBJ
serve breaking away from traditional
ideas. In the Greek and Roman we
very easily see traces of individuality
and freedom, which tend to differen-
tate and make each one unit.
This progress, aided by the intro
duction of Christianity, the Reforma.
ton, and the spread Of popular educa-
ton, which recognizes the fact that in
dividual manifestations must be en-
couraged, has been so rapid in these
closing years of the 10Th century that
opportunities are afforded the individ-
ual that are unprecedented in His
tory. ....
The feeling of individual respon-
sibility awakens the spirit of inquiry,
and makes intelligence necessity.
The individual, no longer kept in
darkness, ignored and crushed but, en-
lightened by the onward march of
civilization, sees the error of subjec-
ton. The conservative tendencies
have been removed, and certain oc-
equations are no longer limited to
certain family lines regardless of in
dividual adaptation or applicability.
Through strength in the individual
we obtain strength in the government.
If the units are strong the whole must
be strong. Through this growth of in
dividualism, the present age stands far
above all the proceeding ones, and
years hence it will be said that the
reason this age stands out SO promi-
nently is because the central idea was
the development of the individual.
AMERICAN PROGRESS OF THE 10TH
CENTURY.
W. B. Sutlit:
The member of the large class cho-
sen to appear second on the pro-
gramme, was Mr.. w. B. Sutliff. of
Shickshinny, Pa. His subject although
not new one, was discussed in way
that showed the gentleman had read
much and thought carefully. His de-