Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1899-06-29

~
u s- the fond and just
ly proud parents
of the fifteen boys and girls who com
posed the graduating class OF 1899.
Every heart beat in unison and the
gladstone smile on each countenance
indicated that all present were anxious
for a successful termination OF the
auspicious occasion.
The stage had been exquisitely de-
corated under direction OF Fred +.
Smith, who had arranged the lawn
and foliage scenery, the ferns ana
potted plants, and a soft pale light in
the background to harmonic with the
class colors which were olive and white.
Across the centre was constructed q
graceful arch Of lattice work which
bore the class motto Eearly the full
length of the stage in fine large let
ters, "Out of School Life into Iife's
School" One Of the special features
Of the evening was the orchestra music
furnished by the high school orchestra
composed entirely of scholars and an
organization in which Prof VanWin-
kle is much interested as it together
with the graduating class has grown
and developed during the four years
of his superintendency. They are Fred
ireland, Louis Leonard, George Wag-
ner Roy Reynolds, Palmer Fales and
Morton jerks.
1t was after eight o'clock when the
class filed on the stage and recited in
concert IAN Hundred Gates Rev.
Gorrel Quick followed in an effective
and earnest prayer and the high
school chorus composed of fifty voices
sang 80 Lord, Most Merciful.h
~
Edwin Quick Webster the class pres
ident who has "a commanding presence
gave the presidents address in excel
lent voice and fine rhetoric. In part
he said:
"One year ago when we, the class OF
'99 commenced the closing year OF our
school life, we entered its duties with
hopes and ambitions to make our last
wear an eventful as we'll as a success
| full one. la what measure we have
succeeded we leave our parents and
friends to Judge We expected TO have
an orator this year who could have
told you better of our qualification, our
work and our successes; this being
denied us by the honorable board we
come before you friends tonight with
much inexperience and many mlsgiY'
ings and doubts as to our ability tC
portray these things to our advantage
Tonight is the closing scene OF oui
school existence. While tinge o.
sadness fills our hearts, as we recall
the pleasant hours of the past, anC
think OF the partings To come, we still
look forward with bright hopes for The
future as we go "out of school life int
life's school :" Life is school. M
learned teachers with special prepara
tion for each line OF study, to instruc
US; no books containing geometrica
theorems, rules in arithmetic, con
structious and equations to be pore'
over and solved by the students mid
night lamp, but those deeper lesson
that either make or mar our future
are learned through the greatest o
teachers experience. Lessons taugh
by this teacher are not often forgotten
We should not wait to learn by ou
own experience, but should be guided
} and should profit by the experience
Others To most men, experience
like the stern lights OF ship, whic
illumine only the track it has passed
Patrick Henry says: II have but on
: lamp by which my feet are guided an
that is the lamp OF experience.
School life is the happiest time !
/ our career. Some boys and girls fee
} obliged to leave school ERE they hav
completed their course, In order
= earn something for themselves; but d
they stop to think they are earnin
more in school than they can in fa'
tory at dollar day, for knowledg
" is wealth, and with this knowledg
v that we obtain in our public school
the skill that it puts into our hands
these two possessions that money caI
. not buy, enatle us to earn more an
:. make wages easier by utilizing tn
product of both brain and hands. On
y does not necessarily need to go to co
lepe after finishing the public scho'