Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-06-12


80 and gifts Of its members are
hroucht TO light. So, when the time comes
,or the class 20 choose poet or an oi"
,or for the final day. why, the young i"U'
- hos nroyen herself an orator OF d
-, a,,r,ro the session is duly assigned
70 This or that feature of the class Veie
brauon. .,,,. cos
when the exercises were held this seS-
.,op the college hall was filed WIN
friends OF tho college, and parents Dro-
Yhers. sisters, and sweetheartS oil 'he
kouug ladies themselves, and YET an u
shese could not be there. For TINS reA-
pon the Dispatch presents to-day the
brieht faces of the maidens as they sat
on the platform in tho class costumes
and likewise prints what they SAID
ADDRESS OF WELCOME.
THE address of welcome was delivered
nv Miss Hattie Rudd, president OF the
plass She said: 49,
IL becomes my very pleasant duly thl9
morning TO extend 20 those OF our lHehuS
ssbo have honored US with their presence
N most cordial welcome In the name Oh
she graduating class OF 1858
we feel to-day that there has been
Hffed from our shoulders a burden whlch
sUe have carried for a number or years.
but AZ last. after toll and study we nave
gained that for which we have labofed'
have reached tho goal which has been
held I'm viaw. yet at times so Tar away,
that. figuratively speaking we couiu
hardly see 1t with telescope. but TINS
morning we have put aside the telescope
of our imagination and nave Sfaspeu
the goal with our hands,
a
ftfted from our shoulders a burden "'
kreat weight, yet we realize mat II mas
fnIy been removed to be replaced Ly a
more onerOus one.
Through the past years we have been
euided by corps OF beloved ana non
ored teachers; we have not been alone
Cor they have planned most carefully
for our every step; they have warned US
kyhen In danger they have encourasec
bs when Respondent, they nave IIte'
has when we have fallen, and they nave
braised US when praise was deserved.
In the name of my companions, l de
flre to thank them warmly-slncerel!
. Thank dhem-for it all. Our lips canno
express the gratitude that glows within
our hearts, but we will endeavor, Will
The blessings OF Heaven, 20 testify ii II
our future lives, and all that we are
md all TO which we may attain w.
shall dedicate TO the promotion Of trutl
hnd the good Of mankind.
To-day we turn TO the great and un
known future, to-day we launch on
barges upon an unknown sea, TO %
driven hither and thther by favorabl
or unfavorable winds, trusting finally t
enter some fair haven, where we shal
De safe.
The outside world may say that we ar
happy, and in one respect we are, for W
now return 10 our homes with certai
sense of pride at our success, TO glad
Den the hearts OF our parents, some Q
mhom have endured self-denial, "tha
thelr daughters may be as corner
stones polished after the simihtpde OF
palace" But there comes over us
eaSsness as we see our bosom friends an
rolieee companions packing up" an
know that in a short while we will hav
40 utter the solemn word, goodbye"
Yet. we 20 forth trusting that IN
sentiment expressed by our class-fowel
the forget-me-not. may live forever l
the heart OF each member Of the elias
OF 1895
EVERY END is A BEGINNING
Miss Edith Hatcher was orator, an
khis is the Grafton she delivered:
our motto which furnishes me with
text to-day lays no claipa 10 novelty. III
deed, IL Is proud 10 rejoice IN great al
tiQuity. AS one OF the immutable prime
ples OF life II lies az the base OF all a.
flvity and finds illustration In the con
snonest as well as rarest, phases OF e.
rerienee. Every end is beginning. III
am 70 have a text l am. ] suppose,
preach a sermon. And so, TO proceed
orthodox fashion. will, before l start {
my ninthIies and tenthiies. expound Il
general meaning. l take the phrase
mean that this life is a long chain, not
any means series Of disconnect'
events: but each link fits into q
neighboYing one, ana as II rounds 20
Symmetrical close passes on the work
The one ahead.
There Is no end Ia life. Even eternit
(which II OF itself Anal consummatio
- az itsslf nn~n6ing. The end OF dav