Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1907-07-04
Saint Maru's Beacon

classic shades and soft dreams of
your Alma Eater to encounter the
strenuous realities and trying or
deals OF the world. This is your
commencement. From today, you
must lay aside all childish things
and put on the armor Of manhood.
The future presents an unlimited
range of possibilities, the contem-
plation Of which must fire your souls
with ambition-but you have with
in you also an unlimited range Of
forces. 1t is for you TO decide how
far you will cultivate these forces
and what conquests you will make
In the battle Of life. The task re-
quires seli-sacrifice and hard work.
Your Education is not completed.
nor will il be, until the curtain falls
on the last scene in the drama OF life.
The one glorious privilege Of Ameri-
can citizenship is that no honors are
too high for the humblest. II he is
only willing TO make the required
effort. Who had poorer opportuni-
ties than Abraham Lincoln and
James A. Garfield Neither OF these
men had more than one year s school
ing altogether. while extreme pow
erty surrounded their youth. Lin
coin. when nineteen years old, was
employed on fat boat at the magni-
ficent salary of SO a month, and
Garfield, about the same age, was
driver for 3 canal boat-yet both OF
these men rose TO the highest posi-
tions in the gift of our county. There
are hundreds OF other cases, Just as
strong as these. in illustration OF
the fact that in this county there is
absolutely no bar to preferment or
honor for those, who have the ambi-
ton and the determination to back
il. Talents are not necessary
wealth is not necessary-social pres
tige is not necessary. With the
given conditions OF sound character.
good health, and well balance mind,
firmly believe it is possible for one
10 gain nearly any position TO which
he may aspire, provided he is will
ing to strive for il with untirinp
energy and unyielding resolution.
Have some definite aim in life and
and let tibet aim be high-not
directed by selfish motives, for
they can never bring contentment-
and without contentment, the wealth
OF Croesus would prove but a hollow
mockery. Happiness is the chief
end Of human existence. Few peo-
pie attain il. because they seldom
pursue the right course. Consec-
rate yonr lives to the good and hap
piness of others-and you will find
that this it the surest and, in fact
the only way to secure your own hap
piness.
You have my profound sympathy
and most earnest prayers for hap
piness and success. AS l look upon
your fresh young faces, so full of
courage and hope, as think of the
circumstances connected with this
solemn and joyous occasion, I am
forcibly reminded of the noble youth
in the days of Chivalry who, after
years of rigid discipline and train
ing. fasting and prayer presented
himself before the king as a candi-
date for the high and sacred order
of Knighthood. There were differ
ent standards then and they were
not so good as now. There were
high and noble virtues, but they be-
ionged TO an inferior civilization.
The Observation-Disclosures for knight
ly honors were physical prowess
and skill in arms. The Hottest ideals
were stained with blood and the
rapacity of of the barbarian. Even
the tournaments of those DAYS were
sometimes attended with bloodshed
and death, the plaudits of fair women
sounding in the ears of the dying
knight. Thanks be to God for the
Christian age in which we now live.
Mental and moral qualifications
are exacted of you. Not with the
hattie axe. and ringing steel, but
with trained intellect and Christian
character, must you wage the fight
and win the victory. Not by blood
shed and cruelty, but by kind deeds
and loving intercourse with your
fellow man, must you build your
temple OF fame. Cherish those splen.
did ideals which biazonedtheshield of
Chivalry. Honor woman, foster re-
ligion, be loyal to your country.
"Naught is more honorable to knight.
Nor better doth beseem brave chIyalry.
Than to defend the feeble in their right,
And wrong redress In such as went awry."
Equipped with the education of
your Alma Mater full panoplied in
truth and righteousness. l bid you
now 60 forth into the world. Sir
Knights OF Modern Chivalry, under
the noble motto of Chevalier Bayard