The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-06-19

four ways OF thinking of your position In
life. am sure.that all OF these views are
compatible and may be consistently em-
braced In true view. The mischief
arises when undue prominence Is given
any one, as " hen ones position is held
primarily or solely as a chance to make
money-to hoard or to.spend 1t for self
qualification.
One of the demoralizing ideas that is
current Is that success depends chiefly
upon good position and that good
position is to be gained as girt OF some
influential friend. There can be no legiti-
mate claim TO any position which is not
based upon ability and an honest purpose
to bear the responsibilities OF IL.
am sure that Ii IL the desire Of every
one OF you to disseminate as much good
as possible and that you regard the new
position you hope to occupy soon In life
as your privileged opportunity of render
is entirely legitimate that your position
should bring you pecuniary profit. The
workman IL worthy OF his wages. 1t IL
only requisite that he be an honest work
man, interested to accomplish his work,
not merely interested in drawing his pay.
You have chosen a worthy work-there
is none worthier IN the world, and you
have faithfully labored to qualify your
selves for an important position In the
world. SO far you have done well. Let
me suggest to you today that choosing
and gaining noble position does not
make any one n worthy person. Occupy
ing a position of trust may indicate
worth, ability, honesty, but 1t may In
dicste something very different. In any
case, worth and position are not identi-
cal. The ancient oriental conception did
confound the two and men were noted
by the position they happened to hold
and into which they were torn. Vestiges
of this conception are common enough
yet, but il does not prevail in our day
what is in them, not by the position
they are in. Places OF authority and re-
sponsibility are respected but the man
who holds the place must show by his
work and worth that nc deserves honor
before he receives much.
The magistrate ust dignity his office
with he qualities OF the worthy citizen
or he Will oe less esteemed than II no
were a private citizen.
The clergyman must adorn his sacred
Office with the traits of the worthy lay
man, honesty, piety, learning, liberal
ity, ETC., or he il held in less honor than
il he were but a layman. So in all cases.
The honor that inheres i'm any place or
calling is small and may be easily turned
into contempt or ridicuie upon the un-
worthy occupant.
The honor or fame that belongs essenti-
oily 10 any teachers position Is not
worth great deal, but there is abund-
ance OF room and opportunity in the
teachers calling for the attainment OF
honorable distin ction. Colonel Parker
ella inns for Horace Mann the third place
among the bniiders OF the American ma
tion. am not inclined to pronounce
the claim extravagant.
Every calling has produced its heroes
and its shining examples, and whGt is
perhaps equally Inspiring for US, its
efficient and worthy representatives.
"Honor and fame fromNno condition rise,
act we'll your part, there all the honor
lies"
think that you will be right and that
you will be standing right with the
world if you think of the position you
are To occupy. LIST, as your opportunity
to ender useful service where it may be
needed; I'd, a. your opportunity t0rough
ser, ing The world CORDIALLY, TO develop
your own personality md find your hap
piness; Sd, as the channel through which
you may gain the means OF living, and of
entering into the life OF the world and OF
enjoying lite.
You will then aspire 10 the noble reali-
ties and not to the deceptive or uncertain
appearances which delude many.
Young ladies, we are reluctant TO
say the last word. Your presence and
influence in the school have come to be
valued, and your teachers and your fell
low students who respect you and who
have enjoyed these years of association
with you ara reluctant to have you go.
The day of separation has come all too
soon. But so Ii is best. You enter upon
your own work now and we trust YOU VIII
find ABUNDANT compensation for 1t. You
will Re more than ever dependent upon
your own counsel and your own strength.
We most heartily desire that you bo
successful and happy in your chosen
work. We hope you will miss these sur
roundings and your friends here as you
will be missed.
Come 10 us for counsel in your difficult
ties and for sympathy In your severer
trials when we can possibly help you.
and permi. us to rejoice in the good for
tune we hope will come TO you every one.
The diplomas were awarded by Lieu