Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1908-06-24
MISS N|NG|N 5 SPEECH
An Able and Masterly Address DE.
livered to the Graduates
OF kindergarten Dept.
COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES
In Academy and College With Senior
Promenade. Reception and Alpha
Theta Banquet.

Tie graduating exercises of the
kindergarten Department occurred
last Tuesday morning in the college
chapel. The address was given by
Miss Clara W. Mingins, principal OF
the department. was one of the ablest
speeches ever delivered from the col
lege platform. Miss Mingins chose for
her subject The Power of Purpose
and showed by the logical and clear
unfolding thorough mastery of her
subject. In addressing the students of
the department Miss Mingins said in
part: Graduation is the completing
of a certain kind of work-Now what
next2 What has called for the educa-
tion and wnat must it have given to
one that success may follow? Then
what next2' First. the moral life is
choose who has no idea of the conduct
of-life. He must have an understand
ing of the ethical principles that
shonld guide mankind for this is
necessary. If this is lacking there is
no power of purpose. Therefore one
must first know if one has the power
of choice; and if he has an interest,
no matter how small, he is as worthy
as anvone.
Purpose belongs to the individual
for we have not the same interests.
Each one has some special place in life
and are guided by them and not bv
the interests of others. Interest then
means purpose and all purpose must
center in the moral life all interest
must be founded on moral principles.
This means self sacrifice and self for
getfulness. but the individual of will
power who has purpose is capable of
these things Then all purpose must
be carried but in the moral life Pur-
pose also calls for struggle, when one
has made his choice, for nothing is
accomplished in the mere choosing
that is only the intention to get
under way. A great many have no
purpose but are constantly wishing
such people have more wish-bone than
back bone, and no purpose will take
the place of backbone if taken out
in a wish. If you wish to do
thing do it; purpose is not wishing
but doing.
The next question for you to de-
eide is what you want" What are you
wishing forS Are we deciding this
Sor ourselves or leaving 1t to others? |
and if we do. who is to blame for /
failure or who is responsible for sue
cesH Here again one must have pur-
pse, and work for Ii. Is it money
you wantY There is a wav to get it.
One may gather money from the
sale of mushrooms. There Is a for
tune in them-if it is only money that
is wanted. But is that of service
the mere wanting and getting? Is it
fame? Fame is but shortlived and
gone forever. forgotten, leaving no
mark of advancement or of help in
the world; Is it personal advance
ment? Anyone may have it who will
stoop low enough. Politics offers op
portunities for il on every hand, but
what reward will it bring; 1t lasts
but little time. running all other
and making life of an
uplifting purpose impossible Or
is what you want the power of doing
good? There is no short road to this.
Ope must not do thing because it is
he fashion or fad, but Heart and
Brain must travel together; one must
be In his work with mind and soul
The great and purposeful life OF
Beecber is an illustration of his row
sr of the mind and the Heart in the
work. as Is shown in his wonderful
influence over little children.
Back of all wonderful things that
nave been accomplished. painting,
music, there is the [
'ower of a great purpose, the result of
ACoib anu ioidiu WOIhlnS together. I
The Bread line in New York is the
working out of a great principle and ]
criticised in one of the mob.
est efforts of mankind to aid the poor \
md needy. This takes great pur- {
lose and determination. All great I
hings must have determination.
Another element that must be con- |
idered is the time element. One {
must not expect to reap the reward 4 q
rs harvest. All great and noble pur- G
oses take time for their unfolding q
he mushroom grows in a night, but ,
he stately oak in a hundred years.
Which is the grsnder, the more worthy =
( our admirationf II is true 1t does '
OF grow rapidly. hut 1t is constant
md what IL one does not see the hsr- .
ests II you do a great purpose you
ill not have the glorys you are
'orking for mankind; strong courage )
far of result is necessary.
n a life of purpose one will meet