Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1896-06-10
COMMENCEMENT.
The Class Of '96, BenwOOd High School,
Held It's Exercises Last Night.
The Benwood M. E. Church Crowd
ed-Some Very Meritorious Per-
formances by the Graduates-Dr.
Riker Addresses the Glass.

6lkGG AQOIGSSGS OnO OACsoS'
The fourth annual commencement OF
the Benwood public school took place
in the NJ. E. Church last evening. De-
spite the inclemency OF the weather,
the church, which is of goodly proper
portions, was taxed toits utmost capacity
it being impossible to procure enough
chairs for the seating OF the audience.
The evenings exercises opened with
PRAYER by the Rev. j. S. Robinson, pas
tor of the church. This was followed
by a musical selection by the Benwood
orchestra under the management OF
Professor Nelson. The orchestra rem
dered several pieces during the even
ing in a very creditable manner. Inc
salutatorian OF the class was Mr.. Henry
Farmer. the only young man in the
class of four members. His subject was
citizenship" a very good theme, IN
deed. for a young man just entering
upon life. Mr.. Farmer dwelt princi-
pally with qualifications Of a good cit
izen of the United States Of America,
and his Grafton was very well compos-
ed. showing evidence OF careful study
upon the subject.
The next Grafton was that OF Miss
Mary z. Dixon. She chose as her
theme 1.-The End Crowns the Work,
and handled the subject in thoroughly
communicable way. The speaker took
numerous examples of historical char
acters, whose work in life won crown
in the end. Among those were, John
Milton, the poet, who. after long years
of strife and trouble, succeeded in pro-
ducing one of the finest poetical works
in the language, Paradise Lost
work that has won its author name
among the first of poets.
Among others she mentioned Chris
TOPPER Columbus a man who was ridi-
culed for his ideas, and, who not until
after long years of suffering and labor,
finally succeeded in the accomplishment
of that browning work, the discovery of
what is now our glorious country. She
said that every soldier, scholar or mem
Der of any walk of life, must have an
end in view in order to make crown
| ing success of their existence on earth.
The performance was one of the best
of the evening, and the young lady de-
! serves the highest praise for her sue
| cess.
After the first two members of the
class had concluded, musical number
was rendered by the orchestra, during
which some very pretty floral tributes
Of friendship were presented TO the
speakers.
Miss Bertha E. Riddell apparently
| the youngest member of the class, was
the next speaker on the programme.
Her subject was 'Nobly Bear the
Cross" and her performance deserved
full share of applause. Miss Riddell
| urged that a cross that it was not i'm
possible to bear be made by us all.
Then nobly bearing the cross would be
a thing Of much less difficulty and in
many cases hardship. Her elocution
was particularly good.
The valedictorian, Miss Ida r. Bow
ers, had for her subject Golden Mean"
Her Grafton displayed much careful
thought and very good use of lam
| guage. She began by giving as an
t<NoAlPi lAV t-Oiuti iAit1h VI NliC III"
ers when in full bloom, how when it
faded away it was a thing of disgust
and unpleasant to look upon, when its
| former beauty was remembered. She
also spoke Of the fields and animals in
! the same manner of Illustration and.
| finally referred to men and empires.
The Roman Empire, for example, once
| the most powerful monarchy on earth,
now thing of bygone centuries decay
ed and ruined.
Further, she spoke of America as not
yet having reached her golden mean"
| The country, she said is improving as
time goes on, and its golden mean"
may yet be far in advance. The speak
er next talked of some of the great
| questions of the present day which have
not yet reached their golden mean"
such as the temperance cause and the
suffrage question.
J In addressing her classmates at the
close of her Grafton, Miss Bowers told
them to aim at the Golden Mean" in
life. 10 take full advantage of their op-
portunities. In closing she extended
the sincere thanks Of the class to the
! board of education and the teachers of
| the school for the part they had taken
in the advancement of the members of
the class since their entering school.
AT the close OF this, the final speech,
music and the presentation of flowers
! took place, after which the diplomas
were presented by the chairman Of the
board of eudcation.
DR.. A. B. Riker delivered the address
to the class, making a very pleasant
and interesting talk. He began by
giving a definition for the term COM
mencement, saying that it was truly
the beginning of life proper. and that it
should be among the proudest days in
| life of every scholar at any school, Dr.
Riker then bestowed upon the class
some very good advice during his talk,
which if taken advantage of would
surely tend 10 keep them from going
astray.
The music which followed closed the
evenings exercises, the Rev. Roberts
| pronouncing the benediction.
The church was very prettily and
tastefully decorated with floral festoons
I 1 Il In. r,,ft,