Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1901-06-27
The CLOSING DAY
Ut the Commencement Ex-
ercises at Colby College.
Program at Baptist Church--Diplomas
Conferred on Graduates.
new Corporation Officers. Trustees and Faculty
members- Honorary Degrees.

Waterville. Me-. June ec.-(SpcoiaD.
-Whew! But wasn't it hot? But il was
fair and the heat could be endured and
the Baptist church was crowded to the
doors by people anxious tosee the class
Of 1901 receive its diplomas, Wednes-
DAY forenoon. The audience was a
seething mass of fans and for once the
dress of the ladies was envied by the
men as they We're obliged to swelter in
their coats But 1t was = good gradu-
ation day and there were people from
lar and near to witness the scene SO
familiar to the old church. 1t was the
same crowd that has been present
every year so far as could be seen
There was the block of alumni in the
center of the church up front and there
We're the pretty and artistic graduation
dresses all around. over On the light
of the stage the caps and gowns were
conspicuous and covered the same
beating hearts as of yOre Sprinkied
about through the audience were the
strangers. Here and there the care
worn faces of fathers and mothers
lighted by the joy that comes but once
in a lifetime could not be mist aiened
The red line of sacrifice. of work of
high resolve and years ofstruggle wove
in and out through the listeners and
could be easily traced for none know
better what graduation means than
Colby men and women.
Outside was the crowd. catching a
bit here and there of the music and the
essays, coming and going. In the old
church and around il there was the
spirit of graduation that it has known
SO often.
There was the music floating out
across the park and down the shady
streets attracting at the attention of
| the busy ones and turning it towards
| the church. The applause. the praise
| and the honors of commencement
| day were all there and at the end great
| joy and gladness.
! Perhaps no spot is dearer to the
| Colby man than the old Baptist church.
1t is not celebrated in song and story
as other sacred spots in Colby life and
| it's picture is rarely seen on mementoes
| or programs. But ii is the scene. year
| after year. of some of the most memoir
able events in the life of the Colby
| graduate and it is loved for this. Its
| walls have echoed and re-echoed the
| words of the graduate and scores and
! scores of young men and women have
| stepped down from its platform with
| the bit of parchment and gray ribbon
/ that marks the end of school life for so
| many ''The church in Colby life
means the Baptist church just around
| the corner and its memories and its in
| SEPARATIONS have been carried around
| the world.
| The procession was formed according
| to the usual custom on the campus and
escorted by the band the graduating
class marched down to the church. The
exercises were opened by prayer by
| Rev. George r. Berry. a graduate of
Colby and now of Colgate The first
| speaker was Richard Waite Sprague
! and he had for his subject: THE Mis-
| sion of Our Nation" 1t was strong
| esay finely delivered. America was
| eulocized with all the love and patriot
ism of loyal son who understands
| and realizes what America means.
| Greece has given the world philoso-
ply, Rome law. Italy art. Germany
science. England commerce and
America democracy.
A nation is judged by its intellect
and intellect is constituted of the men
who are eminent in scientific research.
America is the most scientific nation
in the world. Other countries have
made greater discoveries than she but
none are reader to put these dis
coveries to a practical use ana TO pehe-
fit by them. Democracy has Deeh
Americas gift to the world. For TINS
she has worked in the past and this IS
to be her mission in the future. 1t IS
the duty of every citizen to assist with
all his power the spread Of the bless
lings of self-gOvernment throughout the
world.
Miss Mary Emma Blaisdell chose for
her subject: ''rhree Poets ana Ihelr
Religion" The poets selected were
Wordsworth, Browning and Tennyson.
The religion of each as expressed Ill
his poetry was outlined and the three
compared. The articles showed most
careful preparation and was very IN
teresting.
Alexander Maxwell Blackburn was
the next speaker and took for his sub
iect: Realism in Literature. Ihe
tardancv of this school in modern
times was sketched and compared win
others. The benefits and faults OF tne
school were carefully handled. Inc
objects and true purpose OF the no.e'
were mentioned and examples OF the
various schools quoted and compareu'
The handling Of the subject was excel
II lent. 100.
Ernest Egan Ventres took the SUI
: iect: THE Champion of the Ne"
South." The champion" was hel'S
w. Grady. the famous Southern editor
and orator. The life of this man VINO
did so much for the South was ske, n,,.
Cd briefly and his work outlined. me
eubiect was "A most excellent one III"
was in good hands. Mr.. Ventres SHOW
:, od great admiration for his champioil
Z and a careful study of his lie ana
: work. ..D,o,o
= Miss Lou West Peacock had ao,o
i and Francesca" for her theme anu 'oi'
: the beautifully sad story OF 'nis ID
nous poem very finely. The charac