Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-05-30
DIPLOMAS FOR GRADUATES
THOUSAND PERSONS WITNESS
COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES.
Washington Seminary Students Re-
ceive Their Rewards-Address by
Mrs. Della G. Smallwood.

In the presence of nearly a thousand
persons, ten fair young graduates of WASH
| ington Seminary were awarded their diplo-
mas at the Gunton Memorial Presby terrain
Church last night. The platform was a
| bower of roses and flowers, and the walls
| of the auditorium We're beautifully decor
ated with greens and flowers and the col
! ors of the school. Mrs. Della G. Small
| wood, president of the school, presided.
and presented the diplomas following an
| address on Liberty and License"
The ten graduates marched into the
| auditorium single file, carrying a long
| chain of daisies, and when they took their
seats on the platform they retained hold
| upon the chain. They were followed by
the undergraduates, who took seats in the
front rows. The exercises We're opened
with the salutatory, an essay on Citizen
ship" by Katherine Louise Ladd of the
District of Columbia. The remainder of
the program consisted of: Essay, Marie
Antoinette," Clara Marie Holderman, Ohio;
violin solo, Alice Maynard Ripley, Michi-
gan; piano duo, Anne A. Henson, Tennes-
see, and Ruth Winter. Iowa; essay,
Juvenile Court" Hazel L. Flickenger,
Ohio; solo, Miss Rim: class history. Amy
Pearl Langley. District Of Columbia; piano
solo. Esther Irene Smith, Kansas; class
poem, Louise Dublin GoldsbOrOugh, Mary
land: valedictory. Dorothy Archibald
Smallwood, and violin and piano solo,
Messrs. Hcimendahl and Gloetzner.
Mrs. Smallwoods Address.
In her address Mrs. Smallwood said in
part:
In former ages government was entirely
in the hands of the powerful, and they held
control over men by physical strength,
mental keenncss or worldly position, and
used all the attributes at their command of
craft and force to induce fear and subjec-
ton, but with diffusion of learning and
freedom of thought has always come po-
litical liberty the condition of a people who
participate in the making of their own laws
not subject TO the domination of foreign ma
tons nor autocratic rulers. This implies
the subsection of the individuals to the laws
imposed by the community as whole,
which is civil liberty.
Every mature mind has the natural right
to form opinions according to the dictates
of judgment, and to worship God according
to the promptings of conscience. God de-
clared His laws to the Hebrews as ma
ton. They We're spoken to the multitude,
but the Divine plan made their adoption
voluntary act. and obedience was demanded
of the individual
Claimed Absolute Power.
Religious liberty was unknown to an
Gent or medieval nations. Kings and en-
perors claimed absolute power. Religion
was only one of many divisions of this
power, and even enlightened Rome made
religious laws as natural department
OF state affairs. Rulers were hostile ID
Christianity because it encouraged personal
judgments. When kings became Christian
they still exercised this authority. Re-
ligious liberty could only be possible in new
lands, and America was settled When in
dependence was attained the Constitution
protected this right, and today its influence
is felt in letter and spirit throughout all
Europe.
;r,I,t "a
the world in country and our time, it
has been the object of advanced states
manship of all ages and nations to ulti-
mately extend political power to the whole
body of citizens. Each national ideal of lib
erty has been shaped according to national
characteristics. In France it means politi-
cal equality. In England, personal indie
pendence: in America, that cherished
phrase. All men are born free and equal
meaning equal rights, not equal powers,
position worth. for God gives powers,
and moral Influence We make ourselves.
A Safe Basis.
ITO have perfect freedom and yet realize
the price of it, to know that higher than
the states law. Thou shalt not injure thy
neighbor.' there is Gods law, Thou shalt
love him as thyself,;' to make judgments,
not because have the right to do SO,
but because we have the higher right not
to do, If it causes some one else to offend, Is
a safe basis to settle doubts. Pilates ques-
ton, What will advance my interests the
Pharisees question What will people
| think? should give place, in Christians
mind to the all-important question, What
Will God Think?
| You may be called upon to take a high
| position in life; to hear like the guest at
| the wedding feast. Friend. come higher
You may be asked to do work that is
| dstasteful 1t may he a prepare ton for
! greatness. Find comfort in the fact that
when God wanted leader for His chosen
people he found Moses tending sheep.
You may he required to give up career
and position. 1t takes noble nature to do
this sweetly and beautifully, and say, as
did John at the call of the Master: The
friends of the bridegroom rejoice to hear
His voice
Award Of Diplomas.
Diplomas were awarded as follows: Col
lege preparatory and French diploma
Dorothy Archibald Smallwood, District Of
Columbia. College preparatory diploma
Esther Irene Smyth, Kansas. Academic
and Latin dploma-Anne Alberta Henson
Tennessee; Amy Pearl Langley. District Of