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

ADDRESS Bv G. m. THOMAS
To The csassstsas Class ss
the hesyasnd
AGRICULTURAL coklEcE,
June e, teo7s
Mr.. Presidents; Hou0rahls Board
OF Trustees; Young Gentlemen OF the
|Graduasing Glass; Ladies' and GEN
tlemenl
When ! received she invitation so
address this grAdasting Glass. / re.
piled a. ! now feel. thas the honor
was TOO great for me - decIIue.
Stnnewall Jackson e1es sid. q, /
have heard. that q man should never
refuse O call 10 duty or interest, be-
causehe felt nworthy ofo- unequal
TO 10; and relying on the wisdom cf
that great man, i am here, to per-
form my part in the ceremonies OF
the day. as best I can.
The Commencement season is al
ways full ofinterest. inspiring seuti-
ments OF mingled JOY and sadness.
To the young. it brings rest from
labor and the sunshine OF home.
with all the charms of summer vaca-
tion. To those who have gone be-
yond the bounds of youth. it recalls
bright visions of the past. now veil
ed in the twilight. but not less dear
to the heart. To the graduate, the
central figure OF the occasion, com.
mencement comes with q fuller mean
ing. Hestands as on some lofty emin.
ence, looking back with fond regret on
the green valley he has trayersed.
Farewell forever to those happy
scenes. never to be revisited except
ip memory Before him, lies q wide
spread field Of new and wonderful
things-full OF activities and achieve.
ments-to cope with which he will
need. under the grace of God. the
very best that braEn and brain and
heart can give. Loving friends are
gathered round with smiles OF praise
and outstretched hands OF blessing.
The Promethean fires of his soul are
stirred with bright hope and eager
anticipation. But ahi my friends,
what does the future. hold in store
.EGnf This In the, solemn ques-
snoehsss each heart and
-calls-f6 vain for reply. None OF ms
can tell. But one thing is. certain.
whether 1t be his destiny to'reach
the mountain top and bask In ths
sunshine OF success. or drag wearily
along in the dark valley OF despair,
this day must always be fondly
cherished as one of the brightest
epochs in his life.
Young gentlemen of the Gradual
ing Class, wish to congratulate
you on the privileges you have here
enjoyed and the good use you have
made OF them, as evidenced by the
diplomas which you are about TO re-
ceive. l know full we'll that the
course you have run was not alto
gether strewn with roses. Discip-
line is irksome. and Scripture war
rants the saying that much study
is o WEAKNESS TO the fiesh;" but
these things are necessary to the
development OF character aud intel
lect. At the same time, the attrac.
tive features aud beautiful surround.
ings OF this place must haye given
much sunshine to your labors. The
excellent equipment OF this College,
always at your service, and the
kindly assistances of the Instruc-
tors, whose sole inspiration, / am
sure, has been the promotion OF
your interests, have combined to
relieve. in great degree, the tedium
of your work and to insure you q
richer reward. These reflections
will arise amid the crowding senti-
ments Of the parting hour and they
should streng then the cords OF CRATE
full love which bind you TO your Alma
Mater. You have every reason 10
feel proud Of this Institution, which
has fostered your youth and nourish-
cd your strength.
The Maryland Agricultural Col
lege occupies Q unique position
among the educational Institutions
OF our State. Not only does she
give full attention to the usual course
OF scholastic training. but she de-
votes special study to those arts and
sciences which apply directly 10 the
development Of agriculture. In
deed, / may add, she is the pioneer
in this field Of educational work.
While others may lay claim to this
honor. l believe it is q well estab-
lished fact that the Maryland Agri-
cultural College. With its depart
ment Of experimental investigation.
is the first chartered Institution Of
Its kind in the Western Hemisphere.
Even now in the prime Of existence.
she has securely established her
position among the leading Agricul-