Marshall County independent. (Plymouth, Marshall County, Ind.) 1897-1902, 1899-05-05

CENTER TOWNSHIP GRADUATES
OUT IN SPLENDID COLORS.
Dr. Brown Delivers a Worthy Address
Schuyler Helm Is ValedIctOrisn-Miss
Emma HOlem Presents the Glass
Other Detail.

The Center township commencement
was successfully conducted Wednesday
night. The audience was large, but the
greater part was comfortably seated.
The entire body gave careful attention
throughout the evening.
After the opening piece of music by
Mrs. James Mcdonald, Rev. Smith ad-
vanced and uttered the invocation, an
eloquent and touching prayer, well
suited to the occasion.
At the close of the prayer the audi
ence was favored with the chorus.
"Praise Ye Jehovah" by double circle
of singers. A number of ladies formed
the front row. while the seven gradu-
ates-all boys-stood in the back
ground and aided the singing in its
heavier parts. When the last note had
died away, Mrs. Mcdonald adroitly
changed the solemn straiDs into a
march. The young ladies took the
hint and quickly setting their steps to
the rythm were thus enabled to grace
fully pass over to their chairs.
DIR. Brown, who had been chosen for
lecturer of the evening, now advanced
and Immediately launched into his
subject. success" He is to be CON-
plimented: first, for choOs ing that sub
ject; second, for the plain, unpreten-
tious, direct manner in which he PRE-
sented it. 1t is needless to say that the
young graduates received an impressive
lesson, perhaps the most impressive one
in their lives. He spoke no longer than
thirty minutes, hence his speech was
peculiarly devoid of any tiresome ele-
ment which often creeps in longer
talk, even though the subject is inter
esting and the speaker eloquent. We
regret sincerely that space limits us to
but few sentences upon the excel
lent advice he gave the graduates.
Among other things be derided the
idea that wealth was synonym of
success. Let wealth be secondary,
not a primary. object in life. When
selecting q vocation, single out one
with the idea that you shall never die,
and that it must last you through
eternity. BE careful in laying the
foundation for your vocation. Here
followed on example of the oak, which
for two hundred years did nothing but
grow strong. Finally, after that prep
aration, it is made the keel of our
battleships and aids Dewey in the vic
At Manila.
at the close of the address, Miss
Holem rendered vocal solo which was
received with great applause.
Then followed the presentation of the
class. The remarks by Miss Holem on
this occasion were indeed eloquent.
She pointed to the ivy that wound
around the oak, and when the big tree
fell and rotted the little vine lived on.
Let your lives be the oak, she said, and
your deeds the ivy. When you die, the
deeds you have acted will live.
Superintendent George ID. Marks now
presented the diplomas. His speech
was terse and pointed. Among other
things, he referred the class to their
motto, knowledge is the Defense of
Nations"
Schuyler Helms the valedictorian, re-
sponded to the remarks of the county
superintendent. The young man was
decidedly cool headed, and spoke in an
even, distinct tone of voice. Not q
single hitch marred his speech. He ad.
dressed himself to the several instruct
ors, to the audience and to his class
mates in turn. His speech was full of
life and was certainly one of the most
entertaining of the evening.
Mr.. Gunder arose on behalf of the
teachers and presented trustee McCrory
a chair, which the latter acknowledged
in q becoming manner.
The last number on the program was
a trio charmingly rendered by Mrs.
Thornbury and the Misses Woodward
and Behrens.
The following is the names of the
graduates: Schuyler F. Helm, Alvin f.
Beyler, Roy A. Wiseman, Edgar Rob-
erts, Charles Lish, Charles f. Hennessy,
Oliver III. Lawrence.