Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1895-06-21
The Graduates.
The Themes Which They Considered at
the UnIversalIst Church.

The Themes Which They Considered at
the UnIversalist Church.
Because of Miss Sawyer's illness changes
were made necessary in the commencement
program of North street school, as arrang-
ed, by which the junior promenade was
abandoned altogether, and the graduation
program, planned for Monday evening at
the school, was given in connection with
the address Tuesday morning at the church.
AS the guests arrived they were ushered
in by four young ladies from the school,
Misses Annie Leonard, Gertrude Perkins,
Florence Retting and Ruth Carpenter.
The program opened with the overture
to "Stradella," rendered by Lucien Howe.
Under the title "Argonauts of '95'' Miss
Sadie M. Wells presented in well chosen
language, the old story of the fitting out of
the Argo and the voyage of Jason and his
friends for the golden fleece, the tale serv-
ing as an illustration of the arduous and
more or less venturous voyage of the class
of '95, always seeking their golden fleece,
the highest and best things. attainable.
The Grafton upon the class motto, "Out
of the harbor into the sea" was given in a
dignified manner by Charles H. Niles, the
class president. The custom of giving to
vessel leaving port sealed orders, to be
opened in turn as the preceding orders
are carried out, was applied to the class,
now leaving the school harbor for the
larger and untried waters before them,
and the advice emphasized was never to
drift, but always to sail as the orders indi-
cate, when the zigzag lines made upon the
chart will become ineligible and full of
meaning.
The class historian was Miss Inez NJ
Matthews, who gratefully acknowledged
her Indebtedness to Diedrich Knicker-
booker in her great work, and modestly
claimed that the distinguishing characters
tics of all the great writers of the ages
would be found in her contribution to lit
erature. A clever characterization of each
member of the class, with sketch of their
work together, was presented. The class
has dwindled from 20 members to the pres
ent eight.
"Young men in history" was the sub
ject upon which Harry L. Ford had pre-.
pared a thoughtful grafton. From the
fields of war, art, science, invention and
literature were brought forcible illustra-
tions to prove that the real power in all
great achievements had been the enthu-
siasm and fresh vigor of youth, and the
world is now looking to the young men for
leadership in the important events to be
wrought in the near history of the country
and the world.
The prophecies of the class was Miss
Ollie L. Warner. She told of her search
for the famous talking oak" and then
from oak leaves gathered therefrom she
read the augury for each member, inter-
preting it and with the presentation of the
leaf itself giving sage advice and counsel.
This was one of the most pleasing num-
beers on the program.
The key note of the address to the
undergraduates, given by Bradford j. Cut
ler was found in the words, "Never strike
the flag of my Ship striking the flag
meaning defeat. 1t is not ease but effort
that makes men, and mistakes often make
the most valuable experiences. Winning
without difficulty is no honor, but difficult
ties overcome by perseverance are victories
indeed. The requests of the '95 class in
cluded an array of lanterns to the '9S class,
there always being need of light, to the '97
class bank book with 1.-TWO hundred and
one cents" and to the class of SO the flag
presented by Post Sedgwick was entrusted,
with admonitions to guard and love it and
let it teach the lessons of patriotism which
should make better citizens of all.
William A. Roleau responded fittingly
for the class of 96 and the school, accept
ing the trusts given the classes, and wish
ing the outgoing class God-speed on their
untried journey.
Miss Lila NJ. Park brought "The mes
sage of the sea-" gracefully weaving to-
gether an account of the wonders, beauties,
terrors and mysteries of the mighty deep
In closing a selection from Holiness
"Chambered Nautilus was well rendered
The next number on the program was
Memorabilia, by Miss Edith A. Barnard
She spoke of the glorious future spreading
before those who are fortunate enough to
be the young of this latter part of the 10Th
century. This century has been called
woman's century; the goth century may
be called the young peoples century. The
seed being sown now promises a magnifi-
cent harvest in the coming century.
The souvenirs were presented, with a
suitable address to each. Chas. Niles, as
pilot of the argosy, was given a compass;