The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1892-06-29
Additional Local.
COMMENCEMENT.
A GALA WEEK.


A Crowd of Observation-Disclosures
Of Interested Spectators-Music,
Flowers, and Presents Galore
Alumni Festivities.
The thrill of excitement with which
the student prepares for the moment
Gus events of graduation, has this week
penetrated to the outermost limits OF
our pretty village, some ripple OF 1t
reaching even into the surrounding
country, and our Union School has been
the radiating centre of much hustle and
activity.
Baocalaurate Sermon.
This opened the program and was
delivered at the M. 4. church on Tues
day evening by Rev. j. A. Johnston OF
kalamazoo, who took as his text Mark
IV-2S, First the blade, then the ear,
after that the full corn in the ear" He
spoke of the gradual development OF
youth into manhood, calling attention to
the fact that education is the one force
adequate to produce the manhood and
womanhood of the future. That it looks
upon man as complex being yet 'un-
developed and, by iteration and
rieteration," produces fineness OF
quality. The sermon contained much
of sound advice that we hope may not
be at once forgotten by the class to
whom it was addressed.
The music of the evening was fine
and varied, being rendered by male
quartet including Messrs. Free, Jones,
Gilman and Hutchins; female quartet
comprising Mesdames Chappell, Nc
CahOn and Ferguson, and Miss Will
son; with a bass solo by X. +. Jennings.
Rev. A. G.. Jones offered the prayer and
took general charge of the exercises
which were pronounced excellent by
all who attended.
Grammar School Exercises.
On Wednesday evening the Opera
House was crowded to its utmost
capacity to witness the graduation from
the grammar school of a class of twenty
That it would be Sailor Exercise"
had been announced, stills it was a
grand surprise when the rising curtain
disclosed veritable sailing vessel filled
with its student voyagers all in sailor
costume, looking like fairy boatmen
beneath the roseate light that glowed
above them.
Then the curtain fell and when it
rose again there was just time to note
the tasteful decorations of fern and
flower, mingled with our national colors,
before the boat came sailing across the
stage right merrily, with Verne Myers
acting as first mate and FlOy Snow
seated near the bow singing Sailing,
sailing over the ocean blue" Other
more distant voices soon joined IN the
refrain and, as the boat dropped anchor
and part of the cabin came into view
from its companion-way there emerged
the sailor lads and lasses, all singing
as they came, part taking seats with
in the boat ana others grouping them
selves about it. 1t was IA pretty picture
and reflected much credit on its design
er.
After prayer by Rev. A &. Jones,
Messrs. Butler, Gilman, Cummings, and
Reynolds sang an exquisite piece of
music, and Kate g. Coy, the salutator.
an, told how eight of their crew had
drifted away, leaving only twenty to
set out for the four years cruise III the
high school. All the selections had
been arranged with reference to this
same figure, and the exercise was
carried through IN accordance with the
printed program in last weeks paper,
without Il break from start to finish
Had we space, we should like to par
tculariZe but the SIZE of the class rem
ders this impossible. Suffice it to say
that, after the valedictorian, ROlla Love
land, had expressed wish that all
might safely cross the Ocean of Time
and drop anchor in the presence of the
Great Pilot on high, the quartet attempt
ed to render another selection, when
Jupiter Pluvius decided to take hand
in the program and flashed his light
nings SO persistently as to alarm the
assembled crowd, many of whom with.
drew, causing such commotion as well.
nigh drowned out the unfortunate quar-
tet.
The diplomas were then conferred by
o. w. Rowland, president of our Board
of Education, who bestowed upon the
class the commentator they had Sc
well earned, telling them that the stud.
ents about to graduate from the high
school must look to their laurels, il
they would not be out-done by the
grammar school pupils. Rev A. G..
Jones then sang solo entitled,
anchored" and dismissed the audi
ence with benediction.
The little flower tables in front of the
stage were loaded with floral baskets
and emblems, and many valuable gifts
were presented. Altogether, June .;
will be red letter date in the annals o
every one who then set sail from oul
grammar school under the motto
Sailing, not anchored"
High School Exercises.
Almost a cloud burst on the Afternoon
of June % had purified the air to sucl
an extent that the hundreds who assem-
bled at Corners Rink in the evening
were, with the aid of Goodale's fans
able to keep cooler than is usual OIL
such occasions.
The electric lights shed their radianc,
over the lace-canopied stage, bringing
out each detail of its tasteful decora
tons, while the well-simulated design
of a rising sun in the center seemed I,
emphasize the class motto suspended il
front, "In the Dawning."
AS they marched in with measured
tread to the sound of music. no on,
wondered that they had received tn,
appellation of the Elegant Eleven" s,
fine an appearance did they make. A
they took their seats, vacant chair
told the sad tale that one of their mum
bar Dorcu NJ ppaJ Iaxy et,otoLoI 90