Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1895-07-11

VICE E1ceisIoT u the fistufe t4-
preston Of his noble purpose, TO at
tain she heights Of human excel
lsnce. His brow is sad, bis eyes
are cleaning with the FIRE Of lofty
thought, his step is firm and elas-
tic whilst his deep, earnest cry "Ex-
celsior" rings with startling effect
among the surrounding crags and
glaciers. Ease, in the form of an
enchanting cottage with it's cheer.
ful fireside, invites him to relax his
effort. Danger frowns upon him
from the awful ayalanches, and
from the pine trees withered
branch. Caution, in the person
OF an aged Alpine peasant, shouts
IN his ear, and bids him beware;
whilst Love, in the form Of a gentle
maiden. with heaving breast and
bewitching voice, woos him to her
quiet bowers. But in vain are the
seductions Of love, the voices of fear
or the aspect of danger. Regard
less of each and all, animated by
his sublime aims, intent on success,
he grasps his mysterious banner
more firmly and bounds with swift
er step along the dangerous steep.
Through falling SHOWS, along mn
seen paths, amidst intense dark
ness, beside the most horrible
chasms, he pursues his way, cheer
ing his spirit and startling the ear
of night with his battle-cry Lex
celsior ~ until, on reaching the
summit, in the moment of accom-
plislied purpose, his work is done,
his manly form, chilled by the cold
breath Of the frost, he falls, and
There, in the twilight. cold and grey.
i-:feless, but beautiful. he lay:
Aud from the sky. serene and far,
voice fell. like falling star,
Excelsior!
Young gentlemen, long addresses
upon such occasions are ever tedi-
GUS and in poor taste. | would,
however, remark that nv task
would be untitled if / failed to saw
few words of praise in behalf or
those who have charge of Charlotte
Hall School. In this respect Won
have been especially favored, for
You have most finished and ae-
complished gentleman at the head,
assisted by others who are known
to be thoroughly competent for the
discharge of their duties. Their
calling is high and noble, for they
rule over the dominion of the mind
and heart. In their hands you are
as tender plants which 1T is their
duty to culture until in bloom and
fruition their labors shall have been
rewarded. Let them work upon
generous soil that the harvest may
be abundant. Be true to their
teachings and you will be true to
others; be true to these, and you
will be true to God and yourself,
for after all, what will your past
life have been worth if its retlec-
tons sweeten not your last mo-
ments
To al Of you, gentlemen, the
world ia just opening wide its por-
tails. To some of you here today
the license will be given to cross its
threshold. l know the emotions
which stir your hearts as from this
spot you look beyond the interven-
ing barrier and catch glimpses of
its inviting pathways. You are all
impatient for the race. You long
to enter the contest; your nerves
are as those of the trained athlete:
your courage is high; your aspira-
tons are lofty; your aims are pure;
your desires are unselfish; your
hopes are undimmed. You long to
be useful, to be good and to be
great. Every instinct of your ma
ture impels you onward. Every
pulsation of your heart carries with
it keen delight of conscious puri-
ty and power. Every susceptible
ty of your soul thrills in responsive
harmony with the psalm which the
heart of the young man sung to the
prophet
Life is real, life is earnest
And the grave Is not its goal.
AS You sever the moorings that
fastens you TO the old homestead.
as you start out upon the white and
whirling sea of life, what sugges-
ton can | make? What language
can ] use in urging upon you ever
to keep fresh and green the great
truths that have been instilled into
your minds and hearts whilst stu.
dents at Charlotte Halls Germanv