West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1895-07-11
fALEOICTORY OF THE AMERICAN
LITERARY INSTITUTE.

npon his graduation from Bethany
College, June 18th, 1895.
Ladies' md Gentlemen and Co Uork..
ers Of tie american Literary IN
Stitute:
This evening is the occasion OF
the Doth Anniversary of the first
graduating exercises of this Society.
gentlemen of the A. l.. l., it is
with grateful appreciation of your
regard In bestowing this honor upon
me. that comply with your wishes
IN delivering the parting address
to, and in behalf of, our graduating
members of the class of '95.
-Four brief and happy years we
have met together from week TO
week for the cultivation of our
minds and hearts for the real and
active duties of busy world await
Fng our service. During that tim @
many new and strange faces have
Joined our mum Der, and old ones
beloved by us through long and
intimate association, have mingled
with the world, and Others have
been touched by the cold and lev
hand of Death.
1t is neither choice nor chance
that has brought us to this hour.
but time. which is ever past, pres
ent, and yet future. Time that
sweeps onward as the current of n
mighty river, witnessing the rise
and fall Of Empires. the formation
OF continents, the crumbliug of the
marble shaft, the birth of islands
from the bosom Of the sea. This
same ceaseless ebb and flow of time
has brought us to this hour and
says depart, prepared or unprepared
bidding each of us take his place in
the world-be that mean or honor
able.
Some of us have come from
homes OF wealth and culture, some
from hamlets, and others from the
quiet cottage on the hill side, un-
disturbed by the noise and din of
the city, where nothing save the
growing and ripenlng of the grain.
the song of the birds, and such
scenes as inspired Sophocles ut
Calonus, and Irving on the Hudson.
to I'LL the idea of the beauty and
unity of the external world. Yet
eacn OF us is asked to play his part
In the drama of life regardless of his
early environment.
While science has greatly reduced
the cost OF labor and cheapened the
necessary comforts of life, yet the
increase of population and compe-
tltlon have alike added to the diff.
Guilty of obtsining livelihood.
Nearly every department of science
ana division of labor is calling for
the specialist, ard at the same time
demands broad and liberal knowl-
edge IN every department OF learn
ing.
Hence, never before were there
greater demands made upon the
young man who is being usbered
INTO the work of life. Professions
OF all kinds are crowded, not more
men, but more efficient is what the
world Is demanding. 1t is a mis-.
taken idea to suppose that every
young man who has been graduated
from College or University is
educated or capable Of battling with
the conflicts of life, even though he
mas stood first in his class. II il
possible TO be able to give every I'm.
portant date and event in the
worlds history, be thoroughly con.
Tersant with all the names and
places connected with the antioui.
Ties, and stall be as ignorant of
history as the savage. The world is
not calling for men who can simplv
Ghant and chatter the sounds made
by professional gentlemen, but it
calls Tor men Of thought. Of pur-
pose and will. Many suppose the
man to be educated who spends ali
ms time IN the library or at the
desk. There are many who desire
70 De scholars who feel that time
not spent with book i'm hand Is
wasted, forgetting that the great
oooy Of current literature il short
lived rs the paid advertisement that
give its mention.
Those OF weak minds and flexible
wills often peruse with eagerness
every new publication that thew
can Obtain, and are passive to every
impression and arc moulded IA tbe
dentist would cast wax or nlaster
paris at bis will. Forgetting or
ignorant Of the fact, that ain written
wisdom - contained i'm but few
DOCKS which arc unknown To- them.
The men and women who ovort
an influence in the world. are those
VINO thlnk with y purpose and fol.
IoW out clear aud definite lines Of
thought. There are those who are
almost thrown into convulsious
when obliged tn wait for The train
an hour IF they do not have
oaily" with which TO amnse them.
selves, forgetting that God has
gwen each Of us mind and soul
capable Of reason, elaboration and
Improvement apart from the print.
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