Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1900-06-28

The eXerci e 1
were held in the opera house, as usual,
which was beautifully adorned for the
occasion under the master hand oil
Glenn Pope. Rain fell steadily but
could not damper the ardor of friends
interested in this great event of the
year and the seats were all filled with
an eager throng long before the time
for opening.
Miss Helen Baker opened with a
piano solo, following which Rev. j. J
Staley, pastor of the Congregational
church offered the invocation.
SUMNER HOWARD WILSON
then gave the salutory address which
was done in excellent style and put all
in the best of humor to enjoy what
was to follow.
GEORGE EASTMAN WAGNER
made the presidents address and it
also was a most worthy effort and de-
livered in faultless manner.
NORA REvA STRONG
chose for the subject of her essay
''Smile at Misfortune" and proceeded
to give many reasons why it would be
best for each individual so to do. Life
is too short to be spent in repining and
mourning.
CLAUDIA FLORENCE STALEY
sang vocal solo "Estudiantina" in her
usual fine voice and style, Kittie EN-.
ma Spicer being the accompanist.
EYANGELINE FRENCH
gave the class history in admirable
style, faithfully portraying the trials
and tribuIations, as well as good times
enjoyed, the official records and other
interesting features. 1t was evident
that much labor had been bestowed
upon the preparation of this paper and
it received much praise.
CHARLES MELVIN CHAPMAN
gave recitation 1.-THE Whistling Reg
iment.' A fine selection given in ex-
cellent style.
ARTHUR EUGENE PECK
In his Grafton entitled "Our Country,
Its Possibilities and Its Perils," gave
evidence of careful thinking. He said
in part:
If a nation grows materially and
stands still morally there is something 2
wrong at the core of society and If SO.
ciety is impure, spirituality belittled,
intellectually not uplifted to its high
est standard, no material expansion
will ever avail. What we need to
keep pace with our material eXpan-
sion, what our hope depends upon is
pulpits which may be maintained with
out sensational oratory, books which
are leading the mind to higher
thoughts, newspapers which have high
er aims than to fan prejudices, schools
in which the heart is educated, col
leges in which more than money max
ing schemes and material advantages
are taught, legislatures free from the
control of monopolists, government
in which politicians and demagogues
are held in check In the words OF one
of our historians. "America Is glori
Gus boon to civilization, but only a:
she fulfills new mission in history
not to become more potent in material
forces, but ia those spiritual agencies
which prevent corruption and decay
And now in spite of the Bunker Hill;
and Gettysburgs, in spite of the Santi
agoes and Mauilas, as we see the evils
which are gradually laying hold OF so
ciety the degrading influences creep
ing into the affairs Of government we
are forced to PROFOUND those mournfu
inquiries relative TO the decline anC
fall of nations. We all know that
Christianity is the saving power OF the
world, and the only question is wheth
er America is more conducive to it,
growth than the nations OF antiquity
Well firmly believe that IL is. II it IL
not, we will simply repeat the oft-triet
experiment, we will attain an extensive
material expansion and then fall int
decay and ruin. II It's, tongue canno
picture the future glories, imagination
cannot conceive Of the future power o
America The 10Th century will wit
ness such progress in the arts and sci
ences as has never been conceived, ,sucl