Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1904-06-17
COM MENCEMENT DAY.

"Brite and fair" were the words used
by the little boy to describe the day in
his diary, and these words are emf.
nently applicable to yesterday, the great
day OF Alma's 18th commencement.
Prof. ]. w. Ewing was on hand to
act as "generslissimo" and he led the
procession OF trustees. clergymen, grad
yates and alumni from Wright Hall to
the chapel where the exercises began
promptly at 10 O'Clock. The opening
number was spirited selection admir-
ably performed by the Alma orchestra.
After prayer had been offered by Rev
VIM. +. Jones, moderator of the Synod
OF Michigan. and Miss Sadie Messenger
had played piano number, the first
speaker, j. Writ DunniDg. gave his ora
tion, The Beginning of Light" Mr..
DunniDg's idea was that, as much OF
the philosophy OF the middle ages has
shown TO be false, so much Of our phil
osophy is probably only aclatively, not
absolutely true. There are some things
a man cannot know. Probably future
ages will look upon this as dark age.
The idea was clearly worked out and
strongly presented.
Miss Bertha Higbee's essay was en-.
titled. Soul Gardening" True Gull
ture, said Miss Higbee, has not yet
been attained IL is the end of long
process Of development, striving
toward an ideal not Of the head, but
Of the heart. Christian ideals are the
highest, and best investment Of life is
where IL will yield the largest returns
in the shape Of bringing others to adopt
high ideals Soul gardening brings
the largest returns in foreign field"
McBrice spoke on "SeiZing
Opportunities. He showed in the eyo-
luton OF society there have been three
aristocracies first. an aristocracy OF
law and muscle; second, an aristocracy
of blood and high birth; third, an arts.
tocracy of the rich. Mr.. Mcbride
showed the duty of the modern wealthy
classes 10 the poverty stricken masses.
He recommended organized charity as
against indlscriminate giving TO the
Door
At this point Miss Linnie Udell
played two pleasing violin numbers,
Miss Schmidt resumed with her ESSAY
on What Seek Y. The points she
made were that happiness for its own
sake is not the highest aim ~ life and
that happiness does not depend upon
external conditions So much as upon the
inner states OF the heart.
NJ. J. S ormza d s. rlii IN Ethics of
Modern Diplomacy, showed that chris
tan states, both IN their relations to
one another and in their relation TO un-
christian people, ere showing chris
tian spirit of liberation and peace
Herbert A. WilcOx's Grafton Deter
manism and Indetermanism" was very
philosophical but he used his terms so
carefully and was so clear in his expo
8 ion that hi heaters got great deal
out of his discussion of what has always
been the great question OF philosophy,
how to reconcile predestination with
free will. Mr.. Wilcox believes that
Can be reconciled.
Another inspiring number by the
orchestra was INTERCEPTED in the pre-
gram alter William Winton gave his
GRAFTON "a Change Of Front in the
Orient" He showed by rapid review
of Japanese history and careful analy-
sis OF japanese character, that Japan
is destined TO become and remain one OF
the great world powers. He concluded
with plea for the Christianization of
the Japs.
Miss Kate Bair the last speaker on
the program (four members of the class
did not speak gave an essay entitled
Excellence True Measure OF Value"
She said that Americans are making
the mistake of thinking that CONNER
cial supremacy is everything. We are
behind the other nations in art, litera-
ture and other valuable things Amer.
leans care too much for popularity. IL
is important 20 teach the people TO
respect, II not TO appreciate excellence.
Miss Bair was valedictorian of her
class, and her closirg words TO the board
of trustees, the faculty. the undergrad
mates, ard her classmates were very