The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-06-14
ADDRESS IS MADE
 ID YOUNG WOMEN Col. I, G, Bush Speaks to Grad
 uating Glass DIPLOMAS ARE PRESEN TED Pollock-Stephens Institute Graduating Exercises Were Held Last Night. Assembly Room at School Was
DIPLOMAS ARE PRESEN TED

in the large school assembly room in the presence of large audience.
 The feature of the evening was the address delivered to the graduates by Colonel T. G. Bush.
 The school hall was decorated in the institutes colors red and white, with palms. tall ferns and woodland green, while little vines of light tralled through the green
 The exercises opened promptly at S:SO with an invocation offered by the Rev. Dr. L. s. Handley, pastor of the central Presbyterian church.
 A song by Madame Kern-Mullen fol- lowed. Her voice is a rich contralto. and her technique is admirable. She was giv- en hearty encore
 The Rev. Quincy Ewing, pastor of the Church of the Advent, then introduced the speaker of the evening. Colonel Bush, whose address was as follows:
 Colonel Bushs Speech.
 Young Ladies of the Graduating Class,
 Ladies and Gentlemen:
 While 1 highly appreciate the privilege of speaking to you this evening on an oc- casion that Is all important to you 1 fear that l will fail to interest you. The orators at the commencement exercises of the various institutions in this county and other parts of the state have stolen all my thunder. However, it is supposed to be necessary, where young ladies have finished their academic course at school and are about to assume greater and more serious responsibilities, that they must be amply provided with advice and suggestons-all of which may be forgot ten before the rising of the mornings sun.
 All occasions connected with the educa- tion of woman are important and inter- esting, for she has not always occupied her present position Progress of the world has marked the stages of the posi- tion of woman, and step by step has fixed her position in society and her station in the affairs of the country in which she lives. Every student of history knows that for ages and generations womans position was anything but an exalted one. She was more the slave of man than the dominant factor in the home. Womans s condition has been improved, and her station exalted from time to time as the religion of the Old and New Testament has dominated the souls of men. F or many long years she was held a slave of man, and her work was limited to the menial duties of the household-which were thought best adapted to her ability ana caDHclLY. The tTTePK SCHOOLS any body could attend but slaves and women except those Women however, who were willing to live the lives of courtezans- they could be educated in the dances music literature, history, philosophy and even in craftsmanship. Ignorance and modesty were associated ideas. Woman who was pure and upright in social re- latlons was the drudge of the household. In the ancient Israelitish days she oc- cuoed a hyhpr Dosition than in any h. CT oriental land There was no limit to her rise, functions or position. She led religious services, she was a prophecies, a judge and even a leader of arms. You can find no place in the Old or New Testament limiting the position of woman, except Paul's writings about the Grecian women, and that because the education of Grecian women was associated with lieentiousneSs.
 Passing the dark ages and coming again to that period when the Son of Righteous ness scattered light over the world, a mighty change has taken place. Instead of only one here and there. like a meteor that crosses the sky, as in the days of Solomon, there are thousands today with force of character and irresistible charms that cause men to bow down in their presence; and everywhere where civliza- ton prevails woman Is asserting herself, broadening her sphere of activities and her aDlllty to uO things as well as Illdn Woman is nowhere today restrained in civilized Christian countries She has so risen in intelligence that she is now the teacher of our children in the household and in the schools She has attained the professorshp in colleges and universities, and in some instances in this country the presidency of universities for women. She is admitted into the schools and uni versailles on equal terms with men, where she can equip herself for the highest po- sitions as a teacher; or, if she prefers for professional life. The widening of her scope for earning livelihood has placed her where she can assert her independ- ence, earning her daily bread. and even being able to contribute to the support of others, so that she can remain an "unap- propriated blessing" long as she chooses. By her cultivation of intellect and the force of her Christian charac ter, and by reason of her love for mankind she has become the leader in all charit- able and benevolent work. She is today, and has for a long time been, the leader in great reform movements. one of the most illustrious examples being that of Mrs. Francis Willard in her wonderful crusade against intemperance Today women are occupying many responsible positions. and many positions of trust and be it said to their credit and honor that such a thing as breach of trust by woman Is rare indeed.
 Responsibility Increases.
 have thus referred to the exalted posi- ton now accorded woman. particularly in this country, because 1t has greatly in- creased her influence. She occupies this enviable position by virtue of her purity of life and her devotion to the true, beau tiful and the good. But 1t must be remom- bered that in proportion to this measure of influence her responsibility increases. It matters not whether she enjoys the right of suffrage, and able to cast a ballot as men do, for 1t is well understood that "if man is the head, woman is the neck, and thus controls the motion of the head. It is Idle for any person, especially Il woman. to shirlS her responsibility by claiming that she is without influence. The influence of woman over man is uni versal, and If there are cases where if does not appear, it is because she fails of her own accord to exert it. There Is scarcely man living but who desires to he dares not incur their united opposition CT disr easure. History is replete with in- stances where woman has been the mak- ing or undoing of men. and in many cases she has thus affected the fate of nations. So great is this influence that 1t seems tc me that no woman should dare be other than pure, noble and ChriSt-lfke. ln- oeed when we come to consider what Christianity has done for woman. We can understand how she stands out as the highest exponent of Christian faith and Christian living Men of shallow brain, or men of some intelligence, who are eaten up with their own conceit. may talk and write flippantly of Christian re-