The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-06-11

ious enrecr of untold usefulness with
accelerated pace and ever increasing
scope and power. Certainly 1T must be
40 il | do not greatly over estimate the
love and loyalty OF two generations or
her children who rise up and call her
blessed
"And 10 you also, young ladies Of the
graduating class, | offer my most SIN
ccrc and heartfelt congratulations As
I have stood here on occasions like this,
year after year for u quarter Of cen
fury and Witnessed the award Of these
modest diplomas to the graduating class
fhe thought has invariably occurred to
ME had rather be DR.. Smedes, the in
atrument and agent Of such merit0rlOus
awards than to decorate the breast Of the
ntOAt successful warrior that lives or has
lived. And why2 The jewels and stars
aud crosses and badges and decorations
that glitter, amid n prOfusion Of gold
lncr. upon the breasts Of the soldier
mem courage and bloOdshcd and desc
mtcd homes; wives made widows ana
children fathcrlcss, countless uptimely
graves, untold suffering and sorrow and
sin aud crime, and all fOrsoOth that some
fellow mortal or puny power may toy
with the ba1lbc fame for their little day
ANA men pass away. Nlmt IS All cafthly
glory at such n price?
Now, on the other hand, what do
these little rolls Of parchment mean?
They are meant TO acccmuate those eter-
nal principles Of right, OF mental and
moral discipline. and Of duty faithfully
done. that are at the very basis Of all
that IL good and wise and holy; OF all
real human progress and blessing and
happiness.
They are token Of industry and dill
gcncc and sclf-dcnal; Of obedience to
authority and Of conscientious faithful
ness that bespeak for you severally
carccrs Of happiness for yourselves and
Of usefulness and blessing to all about
you.
The great Erasmus, first scholar and
teacher OF his age, taught his pupils to
say, We boys Will always remember our
Master Jesus. the Boy Of boys. If I
may venture to paraphrase this wise
counsel Of "A great man | should say.
young ladies, that you cannot adopt
better class motto for your subsequent
guidance than We girls will always re-
member st. Mary, the patron Saint of
our Alma Mater and the Woman of wo-
men,
How dear that name to every Chris
tian heart! What a perfect model of all
that is pure and holy and Of good re-
port And yet how little we hear of her
in the gospels. Honored and blessed as
never woman was in being the chosen
mother OF the Son of God, she was
content to abide at home: bordering
Gods messages in her heart ministering
to her Divine Son as in her humble home
He increased in wisdom and stature and
in favor with God and man'-last at the
cross, first at the empty tomb looking
ever unto Jesus and making her whole
life subordinate to His love and service.
Young ladies, never forget the glory
and dignity Of womanhood, Heavens
last, best gift to man. and never forget
from whom You get this dignity, ever
from our Lord Jesus Christ.
1T was on woman's breast that the
Son OF God found earthly refuge. 1t was
to a woman that Jesus gave the first
news of His resurrection.
And this, young ladies. is the true
mission Of every Christian woman to
teach those around you the household,
the busy men. the gospel of the higher
life-the Gospel Of the Resurrection. And
better far than with the most gifted
preachers voice from the pulpit is this
done with the still small voice of love