Sequachee Valley news. (Sequachee [Sequatchie], Tenn.) 1896-1952, 1910-06-30
THE MEANING OF LIFE.

After gazing on Deautltul lahd-
scape with its green grasses and tall
stately trees, there appears TO my mind
most vividly lifelike picture set aside
by the thrilling and inspiring words
THE Meaning of Life" By some this
is classed as sad and gloomy picture,
while by others it is known as par
adise of all things good. Is it not
wise to agree with the poet in saying,
Every cloud has silvery lining. !
Let us now center our minds on the
poorer class of people who earn their
daily bread by the sweat of their
brow. Are they not happy, and light
and gay with their little ones playing
about their feet, bringing sunshine in
to their life, and lifting their minds
and ambitions to loftier heights OF
knowledge2 In contrast use the mil
lionaire Is he always ready with a
good, kind word to cheer up the fallen
and start them out again on higher
lines of living2 Or is he a reticent
looking person, always plodding along
in deep study for fear some one will
in some unthought way, cheat him
out of a dollarH All people do not
interpret the meaning of life the
same. That is because it doesn't mean
the same to them. You ask a child
the meaning of life. Possibly no ans
wer would be uttered at all, but You
would know and understand its
thoughts by the bright beaming eyes
and teasing smiles about the lips.
When the child has reached the age OF
about sixteen or eighteen it will tell
you this is the study period of their
lives and the time to learn to depend
on themselves entirely as Miles Stan
dish in Longfellow's beautiful poem
has said, "If you wish a thing well
done, do it yourself - And in our
ripe old age we will not look back ov-
er our lives regretfully as some people
do, but rather with consoling
thought that we did "our duty.
For example use George Washing
ton, the Commander in Chief of the
American Army in the Revolutionary
War, who fought bravely and courage
ously to help free our country, endur-
ed many trials and hardships and dis
appointments, and at last secured In
dependence for our American Colonies.
All this was noble and great, and yet
it was nothing more than his duty.
In Longfellow's poem of "Th- Build
ers'' he pictures to us life from the
cradle to the grave with all its vicissi-
tudes. Doubtless the poet intended to
impress upon his readers that they
must earn for themselves livelihood
and this must be started early in life.
But enough of this. To the Eighth
Grade we would say, fortunately for
us our teachers have tried to impress
upon our minds this very important
thought, and now as we leave their
guidance tonight, let us not forget our
early training, but firmly stand for
what we believe is right, and always
do our duty. And now to you. ex-
teachers, we owe much, for your earn
est and patient care with our young
minds lest we should misunderstood
you and get the wrong conception of
your teaching. And for this we assure
you our lasting gratitude.
Yes, and to you Seventh Grade, we
want to encourage you in your work to
come. Go into it with determination
to succeed, and when you take our
places next year, complete your grade
and move on higher up leaving your
place to others.
Prof Rogers, we have waited almost
till the last to turn to you as we desire
our most heartfelt thanks to be given
you for your almost miraculous teach
ing during the past year. Good i'm
pressions have been made on our
minds by your skillful training, and
as we part tonight may the memories
of happy hours spent in our school
room be linked together and never be
forgotten
Prof. Brown, we thank you for ma
ny, many things and especially for
helping to cause this school building
to be erected for our benefit
Friends and relatives. our hearts go
out to you with hearty thanks for your
good attention and behavior and espec
tally for your presence here tonight.
BEULAH CHADWICK,
Alton Park High School.