Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1908-06-13
Commencement Of the Martinsburg
High School.
OR. REEDS SPLENDID ADDRESS
Impressive Scene in Central Opera
House When Twelve Young
People Receive Diplomas.


Martinsburg high school were held in
the opera house Thursday night be-
fore an audience that filled every
seat In the auditorium and gallery. It
was good looking audience and al
together representative Of the town.
Occupying seats on the stage we're
the graduating class, superintendent
of the city schools. high school facul-
ty the speaker of the occasion and
two of the local clergy This, -ogeth
er with many beautiful flowers, potted
plants and class colors, made very
attractive stage setting.
After beautiful Hungarian fan
tasia by Thompson's orchestra the ex-
ercises began at $3.50 O'Clock with an
invocation by Rev. C. s. Trump.
The FIRST graduate to make his bow
TO the audience was Mr. Frank Catrow
the subject of whose defamation was
THE New Patriotism" He was fol-
lowed by Miss Laura Virginia Cushwa
who gave well-written biographical
sketch OF Sir Walter Scott. The next
graduate to appear was Miss Hen
rietta Farnsworth She recited in a
very pleasing and effective manner
Boyesen's celebrated 'Brier Rose"
Following them came Miss Elizabeth
Trump, the subject OF whose essay
was 1.-THE Girl OF Today" She han
died her subject in a very pleasing
manner. The next was Miss Elizabeth
Mildred Aler who recited Mrs. Brown
ing's THE Cry of the Children" She
delivered The lines with fine effect.
The next speaker was Mr.. Gilbert G.
McKown The subject of his Grafton
was 'fThe Value of Athletics and he
handled his subject in a graceful and
tpleasing manner.
: The last class speaker was Miss
Beulah B. Rutherford to whom was
assigned the exacting duty of writing
the class prophecy, and better Sc
lection, perhaps, could not have been
made. En the very nature of the case
it was the hit of the evening.
Next on the program was the GUS
tomary presentation of diplomas foI
the class. This act was performed by
Prof. George w Brindle, superinten-
dent OF the "Marttnsburg pubic
schools He addressed few words
10 tine class. commenting their good
work Ia school and expressing the
nope that their future lives might De
happy and their careers ,uccessful.
prof. Brind.e then introduced, as
the speaker of the occasion, Rev. Dr.
George Edward Reed, president OF
Dickinson college, Carlisle. HIS SUD-
iect was 1.-THE Opportunities OF the
Age" 1t is generally conceded that
II was one of the ablest addresses on
any subject or on any occasion ever
heard in Martinsburg. The people
knew beforehand that rich orator.
cal treat was in store for them ana
they were not disappointed.
After indulging In some pleasantries
that at once put the audience IN
good humor, DR.. Reed gave graphic
dissertation of the launching or pat
tleship in the Delaware river at Phif-
sdelphia, which magnificent spectacle
was witnessed by thousands OF people.
But this spectacle. said the speaker Is
not half so significant as the scene
here enacted and which is but coun-
terpart OF thousands that are being
enacted all over the land during this
month of June All eyes, said he, are
turned to the spectacle OF the thous-
ands of young men and women who
are this month launching on the sea
oyf life from school. college and uni
-,yersity. He said that the strength or
the republic does not lie in guns and
'~fortre sses. but in its true manhood
@ and womanhood.
TThe class. said DR.. Reed. are fortu-
mate to come on the stage of life at
This time. Never was there time
lin the history of the world when men
ssad women OF worth are in greater
demand. This is an age of work and
the opportunities for success n life
were never so great, but the intelli
gent faithful and industrious worker
will get the prize.
This age, said the speaker, demands
men of Initiative; men who can dc
things without being told how or dc
them when told once. But above all
the world today wants men of char
acter which he enjoined the class to
cultivate in order to become useful in
life.
The address OF DIR. Reed was greet
ed with loud and prolonged applause
at its conclusion.
The rnuSipaI faaturaa IF fha o0u,