Grand Rapids herald. [volume] (Grand Rapids, Mich.) 1892-1959, 1892-06-29
TOLL FOR THE GOOD
Ferris s. Fitch's Address 10 the
Graduates of
WEST MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
Saxty-Seven Students Received Thar
Diplomas Last Evening IT the
COMMENCEMENT

Commencement exercises we're held
last evening IN chapel hall for the
graduates of the Western Michigan
college, of which Prof. A. K. ierex 70
president. At the right Of the stage .
massive hank OF tropical plants showed
. dark green background for the de-
sign .. 90" In punk and white earna-
tons, the class coiors. Bowls OF pink
roses and clusters OF white water lilies
| further adorned the stage, and the PAL
lars were wound With the class colors.
Suspended over the stage Was the class
motto. The Glories of the Possible Are
Ours" worked in white marguefites
on q green background. The Hen.
Ferris S. Fitch, Presi1ent A. 4. Yerex
and the Reys. A. NJ Gould, w. A.
Frye and j. w. Reid occupied seats on
the platform.
During the time of waiting before
the exercises began, baskets. bouquets
and clusters Of sweet summer blossoms
were brought in and laid on the outnr
edge OF the platform for the sradu-
ates. The predominating colors were
| pink and white, the colors adopted by
| the class.
The audience assembled early and
filled the hall, every sert being occu-
pied. but it was nearly 3 o'clock before
the march played 10y Miss Cowles an
nounced the entrance of the teachers
and members of the graduating class.
The Rev. A. NJ. Gould invoked the
divine blessing eloquently, aud James
Paddon, the celebrated viollnist Of
Utica, N. Y, played the Fontarie
Caprice by Dieuxtcmps. To state that
Mr.. Paddon 10 master of the violin Is
stating the case mildly. He il a won
derful player and the music he evoked
last night was of the highest artistic
merit. lie was loudly encored and
played in response the exquisite Noe
ture by Charles Daucla, who was Mr..
Paddon's instructor in Paris, where he
took the full course aud graduated
from the Paris conservatory, being one
of the lucky six who passed the pre-
hminary ordeal and entered the con-
servatory of the ll5 who applied.
| At the conclusion of the music Mr..
Yerex introduced the Hon. Ferris S.
Fitch, state superintendent Of public
instruction, who spoke as follows:
| Ferris .. Fitehs Grafton.
Ladies and gentlemen of the class of
1872, / think you fully apprecla te the
disadvantage labor under IN trying TO
entertain you after you have listened
to such divine harmony.
1t seems to me no more fitting occa-
sion could be had than the present 10
consider the advantage of education.
This IL prominently . practical and
utilitarian ago. yield to no man In
my claim Of beng practical. 1t 10 OF
great importance that all should arrive
at q correct solution of the question,
"What shall do with my educat,onr'
All the views of education may
be summed up in two. Some claim
that it is but the storing of facts
for future use. Others claim that il is
the development Of the intellect which
enables it TO meet and solve all prob
lens which may come up. You will
each be able to answer this question
for yourself. The boy or girl should
be educated first for the inner life, then
he will be fitted for that outer WORK.
Education develops the thinking power
and enables him to better enjoy hfe.
The sister in the household should be
educated as her brother 10 educated.
The wife should be in intellectual one
ness with her husband. 1t 10 too late
in the worlds history to say that q
womaIi's mind is not worthy of the
education that q mans mind ie. The
amount of knowledge which you have
acquired is but IN atom compared
to the great ocean of labor. Self-deny-
ing labor, toll and study are necessary
to gain knowledge and attain success,
Labor is good in itself alone prospect
i've of consequent results. II shor
time hence you find you have forgotten
your studies, do not regret, but il yot
J find that you have not imbibed q de
sire for study, then you may mourn
You will make better lawyers, bettel
doctors, better housekeepers, bette
men and women for what you hav,
acquired here. The object OF you
! teacher has been 60 far to lead yot
into paths to enjoy the riches of all thu
: ages. Garry the habits Of regulaTit!
and system with you in your efforts q
lf-education. IL your talents ar
: many and great, so much the create
: the result of your labor. If your tai
ents are few, SO much more the nee,
of cultivating them. Some of the mos
) successful feats have begun IN failure
Make a success Of defeat. Let no oh
| etacle 0eter you. rlGnt tnem tO Va
J last ditch, and let that ditch be tn
grave.
Should study Politics.
Young men, il is your duty TO tax
your part in politics. Read the bes
works on political economy and th
histories of America and England. l
! 10 your duty to attend caucuses, &c
that the best men are nominated, the
vote for them irrespective of party
| You cannot all be leaders OF society
you cannot all be presidents, but yol
can all be vlrtuous and helpful mem
| bers of society. Don't think your col
I ,ege education would be degraded b
: your work in the shop. on the farm o
. in the Office. Honor your calling. an
, do not let your calling honor you Al
| young men most highly honor tb
young woman who can do eomethin
useful. and sll young women hav
greater respect for the young man vh
j, | tolls honorsblv than for the dude VIII
: tolls not. neither does he reap, vet q
? his Heavenly Father clothes him in q
= the beauties of The tailor chop. i
: closing will add, keep you
. hearts with all diligence. Kee
your hearts unsuilied from IN
III 1 Il i A.