Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1897-07-01
THE GRADUATES.
Glass of '91 Launched Their Bark-"Row-
ing not Drifting" Their Motto.

through the different grades of the
Belding schools and stepped out Mon
day night as graduates was composed
of seven young men and three young
ladies. The class motto was Rowing
not Drifting, "A very suggestive one
and the intelligent earnest look of
each member as they appeared on the
platform and received their diplomas
was evidence TO all who saw them that
they will not go drifting hither and
yon through life but will grasp the oars
and do their part in guiding the boat
safely and landing on the broad shores
of eternity.
Never in the history of any gradual
ing exercises held in this city has the
stage presented so beautiful an appear
ance. Under the direction of Will II.
Ricaby assisted by several of the
young ladies and gentlemen of the
school it was perfect beauty. The
drapings and profusion of flowers, ferns
and plants being in exquisite harmony
which under the mellow light of the
muffied incandescants made a beauti-
ful picture. The class colors were
white and gold and the flower, the
rose.
The graduates were assisted in the
program by the Holmes & DeCoster
orchestra whose music is always great
ly appreciated, the High School
chorus which under the direction and
excellent drilling of Miss Agnes Spen-
Ger sang praise ye the Father,
Spring Song and "Appolo Strike
the Lyre" in a most satisfactory man
ner, the blending of the fifty or more
voices being in perfect unison, and +.
T.Vanderkar who rendered fine solo.
Miss Kittie Smith presided at the
piano.
During the exercises many lovely bo-
quets and gifts from parents and
friends of each member of the class
were sent up to the rostrum.
In the absence of Henry j. Leonard
on account of illness who was 20 have
presented the diplomas that duty fell
on Supt. Van Wrinkle, which he did,
talking to them IN fatherly way, Civ
ing them good counsel and advice. At
the close of his remarks limo Ireland
who looked as sweet as little fairy
brought ii the diplomas 1t was after
eight O'Clock when the class came upon
the stage and gave a scripture recita-
ton, remaining standing while Rev.
II. A. Mcconnell pronounced the invo-
cation.
EDWARD CHARLES DRIESE
was the class orator and chose for his
subject Lost Opportunities. He had
it nicely memorized and many good
thoughts and points were reasoned out
In part he said: From the time that
Adam first tasted of the forbidden
| fruit in the garden of Eden history has
been replete with instances Of lost OPP
portunites The lives of our greatest
men have been spoiled and blighted by
an opportunity gone, and those who
might have become some OF the bright
est stars in the history of nations have
passed into eternity leaving us but
dim recollections of what they might
have been. The fate of empires have
been shattered by the failures to seize
the best opportunities. Rome, mis-
tress of the world in her splendor and
|
glory fell. Had her people striven to
work in unity and in pursuit of virtue
and national honor such might not
have been the case, but the love OF
power and ambition of a few OF her
noblest leaders soon made itself mani
fest, and for what Caesar and his fol-
lowers toiled and fought soon crumbled
in the dust He said that Napoleon
dying miserable death on st. Helena
was "a notable example of a lost oppor-
tunity. In our own lives we see many
opportunities lost. Centurys passed
after civilization was spread over the
orient and the American continent re-
mained undiscovered. Discovery was
/
world but the opportunity was lost to
them until Columbus grasped it. We
should be keenly alive to every oppor-
tunity before us, that our latter years
may not be filled with regrets. He
closed by saying the golden opportuni-
ty is never offered twice. Seize then
the hour when fortune smiles and duty
points the way.
LEILA EDNA EDDY
Spoke upon "Silent Forces. " She
looked very pretty and handled her
subject in such manner as to at once
gain the attention OF the large audience.
The world is not greatly influenced
by those things which come with great
pomp and splendor, boldly proclaimlng
their existence, but rather by forces so
silent that they often remain long un-
discovered and finally brought to light,
sometimes after long investigation and
study and at other times il would seem
almost by accident. We have but to