The Portland daily press., 1894-06-29

ana interesting SpeecheS-RespOnse at
the Dinner-Needs of the Institution.
Yesterday was Commencement day at
Westbrook Seminary, and the occasion
of the annual dinner of the alumni.
The graduation exercises IN All Souls
church in the forenoon were interesting
and largely attended, the programme
when was printed yesterday being car
ried out.
AT O'Clock the alumni dinner was
enjoyed in the dining hall. Those pres
emit were:
IL. Elder, "A. Rider, E. r. s.. Stevens.
Francis r. Stevens, Sadie P. Todd, Alfred
Woodman, Mrs. Persis M. Martin, Martha
Adams of Springfield, Mass, Mrs. AL
fred Woodman, Mrs. HIS. Whitman, H.
S. Whitman, Rev Henry Blanchard, Alice
blanchard, c. A. Hayden, George G.
Hamilton, Sidney Perham, John p.
SWasey, Ella l.. Swasey, Anna M. Files
,S6, Rose Bennett 'S5, Annie Nichols rs,
Deborah Morton 70, Helen M. Staples,
A. e. Peterson, Sadie F. Peterson, Han
nah L. Woodman, Charles S. Fobes 81,
a. Is. Fobes. Lucy G. Coolidge '65, L.W.
Thompson, Frederick M. Thompson '65,
N. E. Willard, William E. Willard, D.
r. Moulton 'SS, CIV. Foster '67, Rev. l.
J. Mead. Rev. W.P. Burnell, Mrs. Jennie
G. Walker, Jennie Williams, Eli Merri-
man, Lizzie A: Rogers Elinor P.Spofford
Josephine Walker, Flora M. Stoddard,
Carrie Emily Swasey IA, Walter q. Whit
man '94, Gertrude Louise Mcdonald a,
Herbert Payson Delano '94, Nellie Grin
nell Mason '94, MaudsLtllian Phipps '94,
Paul Kicker 1874, Helen Il. Moore '92,
NJ. H. Merrill '92, Dollie Wood, Fay
G ates, Clifton G. Pooler,, J, P. CLARK,
3. Hunt, Susie l.. Hunt, W. H. Vinton,
Jessie Nickerson, W. W. Hooper, Lottie
0. Harmon, Alice P. Moore, f. Ella
Bradley. j. V. Bradley.
After the dinner had been enjoyed
President Whitman greeted the alumni
with the pleasant information that dur
ing the year just past the seminary had
mum bered more students than at any
time within the last sixteen years.
Scholarships had been endowed for $1,000
each by Judge knight, of HalIowell and
by Alfred Woodman. of Portland. Ex-
Governor Sidney Perham had given
valuable books for the library. A move
ment is on foot to raise $780, 900 for the
institutions; and there is another move
Seminary building. A Thousand dollars
has already been raised, although only
twelve of the thirty classes have yet
been appealed to. When repaired the
building is to be called Alumni Hall.
Rev. DR.. Henry Blanchard spoke of the
charm of these graduating exercises, and
the beautiful picture of his young friends
as they went up on the platform to re-
ceive their diplomas. The hearts of all
the alumn and friends of the institution
went out to the young graduates. 1t
was pleasant sign also. that the themes
treated generally of the things of the
living present. 1t is we'll enough to
know about Greece and Rome; but it is
better to Appreciate the problems of the
present. Mere selfish ness is not the only
lmpelling force which has governed the
ascent of man. Henry Drummond has
established that there existssin nature
principle hitherto overlooked, the strug-
gle for the existence of others-in short,
sympathy. An institution like Vest
brook Seminary is living example of
the operation Of the law of sympathy:
and to the thoughtful mind the Com
mencement exercises reflect the labors
of generations of struggling parents
and teachers who have labored tor the
good of others.
Rev. George Hamilton, of Everett
Mass, the commencement orator re-
viewed the personnel of the institution
twenty years ago when he graduated
He complimented the broad and compre-
hensive range of the treatment of their
subjects by the graduating classes: and
Thought it a good sign that the minds
of the younger generation of educated
men and women are turned to topics of
public interest He rejoiced in the sue
cess of President Whitman, and expressed
the hope that soon some man of wealth
would come forward and relieve the
Seminary of all anxiety as to the con-
tingencies of the future.
Ex-Governor Sidney Perham excused
himself pleasantly from making a long
speech. He remem bered the school for
forty years, ana had been on the board
of trustees for over twenty-five years
without missing a commencement. APP
plausel. He was gratifed at the pro-
gress the institution was making, and
was proud of the influence it had exert
ed.
Rev. Mr.. Hooper missionary agent for
Maine. after bright Introductory por-
ton of his speech, dwelt upon the I'M
portance of WesJbrook Seminary as an
educational institution, and as child
of the Universalist church.
Hon. John P.Swasey of Canton, was
introduced, and made a delightful
day experiences at Hebron, Westbrook
aud Tufts, and his army life. He said
that in education he had always been Just
behind the diploma, and in war just
ahead OF the enemy. Speaking of how
unworthy he was to speak after DR..
Blanchard. he said it reminded him of
the fellow who crawled into a log to
escape a shower. The shower was ire
mendous one, wetting the log and swell
ing it so that the fellow found himself
stuck fast and likely to be kept until
he should die Then the fellow began
to review his past life and his misdeeds.
And when he recalled that he had once
in oft RI i'm on b fol
tor of divinity, he felt so mean and
shrunk up so that he crawled out of the
log without an effort. Loud laughter
Mr.. Swasey closed with spirited
by Westbrook Seminary today.
Charles Fobes, Esq, followed Mr..
Swasey. very pleasantly, keeping up the
vein of humor. Speaking more serious
ly he said that Westbrook Seminary was
the fruit of the efforts of men who were
not pessimists. No pessimist ever built
a railroad, upreared a factory, or