Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1900-06-19
the emo OF the TERM.
ALL THE SOUTH PARIS SCHOOLS WILL
CLOSE THIS WEEK.

ALL THE SOUTH PARIS SCHOOLS WILL
CLOSE THIS WEEK.
This is the last week Of the school
year In South Paris. All the village
schools will close this week, each one
having exercises Of some sort.
The graduating exercises Of the South
Paris High School will be held In the
Baptist church, Thursday evening at
o'clock. A class Of thirteen, Ave
young men and eight young women. will
graduate.
The Grammar School graduating ex-
ereises will be bald at the Baptist church
Friday evening at ! 10. The graduating
class numbers eighteen. Admission to
the exercises cents. AL are cordially
invited to be present.
The baccslaureate sermon to the High
School graduating class was given at the
Methodist church ut O'Clock Sunday
afternoon. The class marched In, mar
shaded by H. n. Wheeler. The music
WAS By the Partisan Male Quartette. Mrs.
II. E. Wilson orgsnist. Rev. DR.. Brooks
and Rev. Mr.. Ramsdell assisted In the
services. The sermon was by Rev. A.
w. Pottle, who spoke In substance A.
follows:
Text. Samuel u. 81.
Samuel, the prophet, and judge Of
Israel, Was q remarkable example Of In
tegrity. He possessed sterling moral
character. He unswervingly adhered to
the right. Because Of this his life was
successful.
am called upon to address you who
are In the morning Of life. You have
been making preparations for your fu-
ture career; attending school, securing
mental trimming, cultivsting and calling
out the powers and faculties OF the mind.
You haze come to q milestone In your
educational work. You are about to
graduate from the highest grade OF our
common schools-some to pursue your
studies In other Institutions, others to
take up your chosen calling In life.
You occupy an important and critical
point In your history. You are at the
commencement Of your career. Very
much depends upon your beginning.
The present Is intimately related to the
future. To-day gives birth to tomorrow
AS the twig IL bent, the tree Is In
clined." ut Ia difficult to straighten In
the oak. the crook that grew 10 the
sspling." We say, then, consider care
fully your principles, select carefully
and lay well the foundation stones OF
your structure.
Would that could inspire you with
an ardent, well-directed ambition for q
truly successful life. There Ia nothing
like true success-so enchanting In Its
anticipation, 80 inspiring In Its pursuit,
30 gratifying Ia its achievement, so salts
factory In its enjoyment.
But what constitutes truly success
ful life: Men have their different ideas.
The miser, the student, the epicure, have
each their measurement. But all must
know that life's true aim Is far above
riches accumulated or honor achieved,
or power exercised or pleasure enjoyed.
The ultimate, legitimate and highest aim
OF life, the realization of which consti-
tutes its possessor successful, Is rirtno1s,
manly character.
Now In the formation OF this manly
character, there are conditions to be
met. God takes man into co-partner-
ship with himself. God gives character
and true manhood and womanhood TO
those who plant and SOW for such
products.
In the formation of such character,
and so achieving success, there is one
fundamental and so all-im-
portznt, which wish at this time 10 EN-
phasize. mean by II integrity. There
Is no success without It. Its lack Is the
<atl ~. inf 20
mean Observation-Disclosures
to sound moral principles. He IL gov
erned In all his conduct by his moral
sense. he acts conscientiously. He IL
bound to do right. Duty and moral
and not pleasure, are his
master motives. Such men you can
trust anywhere. Pleasure cannot entice
them. The plesdings Of friendship can
not blind them. The threatening OF
foes cannot intimidate them. He Is true
to his convictions.
You may say that such integrity Is q
rare virtue and that every man has his
price. Be that as IL may, IL Is virtue
we demand and admire In others, and is
a crown Of glory to its possessor.
History affords US examples OF men
who were incorruptible-menw who would
die rather than be false. And believe
we have men to-day who have the mar
tyr spirit. We read that all man hath
will he give for his life; but not few
men have lived who would die rather
than deny by word or practice their
principles.
Such trait Of character is Q reward
itself TO Its possessor-a pearl or great
price. IL sscredly regards the rights Of
others. Ii secures harmony between
profession and practice. It's never two
faced, the truly honest man
would not natier Neptune for his trident or
Jove for his power 10 thunder His heart Il his
mouth, What his breath forges. thai his tongue
must forge"
When young man or young woman
place their feet firmly on this foundation
stone, who resolve they will never be
bought or sold, coaxed or driven from
the principle OF strict integrity, but
who under the gaze Of others or far
away, will do "a they agree to do, and
will render just service, such persons
are already success-the uoblest work
Of God. He may or may not amass
wealth. His fame and his deeds may or
may not 90 before him. But such
person Is on the ascending scale. He Is
reaching life's goal. He Is already reap
ing his reward. Step by step he Is rising
TO the high pinnacle Of true honor and
coming into possession Of imperishable
riches. Give heed then, my young
friends, 70 this crowning virtue, this con-