Evening star., 1900-04-11
THE CLOSING / EXERCISES
INTERESTING PROGRAM BY Y. NJ. c.
A. EDUCATIONAL DEPARTMENT..
by Judge sPeelle and Dr.
Merrill e. Gates, Respectively
Certificates .Issued.

The gymnasium Of the Young Mems
Christian Association was filled with an in
terested audience last evening on the occa-
sion OF the closing exercises of the educa-
tional department of the association. Pre-
ceding the formal exercises, the orchestra
Of the association, undsr the leadership of
Prof. d. B. Macleod, rendered several Sc
lections. Judge Stanton ]. Peele, chair
man of the educational committee presided
and introduced Rev. E. c. Shaver, assist
ant pastor of the New York Avenue Pres
byterian Church, who led in the invocation.
In his Introductory remarks Judge Peelle
referred to the difficulties under which thu
educational work of the associa ton had
labored during the year just closing be-
cause of the separation of many of the
classes from the main building, the large
numbar of students enrolled having rem
dered 1t necessary for the association to use
the old rooms on New York avenue in addi-
tion to the available space at the G street
building
After selection by the orchestra. DR..
Merrill E: Gates formerly president of Am
herst College, delivered an address upon
the topic Take Advantage of Your Dis
great interest taken in educational work
the world over, and especially in this coun-
try. He called attention to the fact that
the greatest means of developing character
was the overcoming of difficulties. Just as
the oak develops stronger timber when buf-
feted during its growth by the storms, SO
adVarsity and hardShips in early life are
the factors that build up staying qualities
In human nature. The speaker referred to
the fact that the dominant races through
out the world follow those isothermic lines
in which energy, effort and labor are IS
sential requisites. He pointed to the
warmer climes. where nature yields a har-
vest with spontaneity, as an evidence of
the effects of the absence of the discipline
which In other climes nature exacts.
Hopeful Sign.
1t is hopeful sign, he said when the
young man of the great middle class In
American life, the brain and Drawn of it's
coming citizenship, utilize opportunities for
self-development set before them by agen-
cies like the Young Mems Christian Asso-
citation. DR.. Gates concluded with an earn
est appeal to the young men to be lifelong
students.
The roll, numbering 100, of students who,
on account of proficiency in attendance,
erort and scholarship, are entitled to the
associations certificate was read by Mr. S.
w. Woodward, president of the associa ton.
Following this the names of the young men
who have successfully passed the eXamina-
ton submitted by the international commit
tee IN New York were read by Mr. Wood
ward, who spoke of the degree of scholar
ship which they indicated. Eighty-six GER
tifcates have been won by the members
The students in the class of mechanical
and architectural drafting, taught by A. NJ
+. MaSchmeyer, NJ. D., presented their in
structor with beautiful onyx table, which
he accepted in a brief speech. reception
was given the students in the parlors fol-
lowing the adjournment in the gymnasium
and an exhibit of class work was shown in
the class rooms
The regular class work of the association
Is formally closed for the year. but few
OF the more popular studies will be con-
t1nued for some tfme longer