Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1908-06-24
Concluding Exercises.

Concluding EXERCISES.
In the afternoon the concluding eX-
ercises Of Glass day were held under
tho historic Thorndike oak, which
Glands. strong and straight in the CEN
Tar of the campus. The speakers occu-
,,ed the small stand at the foot of the
nsk while the audience occupied
benches arranged in front of the stand.
The exercises were presided over by
The class president, Clarke Noyes Alb
bott
At about o'clock the Glass of 1905,
in caps and gowns, led by the class
marshal, Walter d. Lee. marched from
Kings chapel to the oak and the exer-
cises of the afternoon were commenced.
THE opening address was delivered
IN a mastery manner by Charles Ed
ward Files of Cornish. The address
follows:
OPENING Address BY Charles Edward
Files.
Words of welcome to the halls and
campus of old Bowdoin were never
more unnecessary than on Glass day,
for this is a day of pleasure and re-
ioicing to the graduating class and the
college, and one on which they desire
TO be surrounded by their parents and
friends. You are therefore welcome
to our Class day exercises.
Four wears have passed since we as
q class entered Bowdoin, four years
work in which we have looked for
ward to this day. Now the sought
far dav is reached and we are given
q chance for reflection. The thoughts
and feelings which fill our minds are
not so pleasant and happy as we an
ticipated. How could they be? We be-
gin to realize that our college days
are drawing to close, we can no
longer lounge about in our rooms, care
free and unthinking. nor wander aim
lessly about the campus. Now it is
a case of being Independent and of
making use of what we have learned
here rather than of being dependent on
parents or relatives and wholly
thoughtless in this respect. 1t is not
because we feel unprepared to enter
the battle before us that we have re-
pretful feelings at SeVering our con-
nections with the college. On the con-
trary, we do feel prepared and anxious
for this test. but we cannot in such a
short time forget the days spent here,
the happy relations that have existed,
and the firm. true friendships which we
have formed.
We must, however, put aside these
thoughts for the time being: life has
taken on Il more serious aspect. it has
become reality. We knew that it
has not become a passage of happiness
and ease but one in which there are
many crooks and turns. one in which
we must always keep alert and have
in mind some high ideal. This step
simply marks the most important turn
Of our life We have now reached the
age of fair understanding. due to our
college experience and are given a
chance to test our usefulness.
To certain limit, a college may be
likened to the world at large. With
four years. experience here, man has
had opportunities to meet with the ac-
custom himself to the good and bad
ways of life. 1t is place for a test
of character, as we'll as place Tor
the development of character. III a
man has been thoughtful and careful
to do right. to cultivate high ideals he
will carry the habits so formed to the
outer world, and by his example and
acts, do much good. If he be thought
less and unconcerned in regard 10
these same habits and ideals. h" Will
be untitled to make his college train
ing benefit to those who have been
denied such an experience.
We look back to the fall of 1904
when we as class entered RoWdoln
We were unsOphisticated, and Ignorant
of the customs and unwrittcn laws OF
the institution Our ignorance OF these
did not cause us much worry, | can
assure you. but the way in which they
were taught made lasting impress
sion on our minds Gas well as on our
bodies) The ordinary class has no
trouble i'm learning the ancient tradl-
tons and customs during Freshman
year. Ours must have been an eXcep
tional class, as we not only learned
these. but inauguratcd new customs
which were passed on to the present
Junior class in such way that TINS
class is acknowledged to be the best
in college, and one of the best in its
history. So if our class record Shoulu
show no other accomplishment give IL
credit for this one. During Sophomore
year we heard much talk of Junior
ease" but on reaching Junior year, we
found this ease a myth, and no way IN
which this year could be distinguished