The Forrest City times., 1913-05-23
COM M MENCEME MENT.
Baccaiaureate Sermon by Rev. Dr. Gee Gem, and Enjoyable Exercises
 Following at Courthouse.

Knowledge is Power" That is a familiar quotation, and very old and salient truth. It was the text of Rev. Dr. F. W. Gee for his baccalaureate sermon, delivered to an immense con gregation at the Methodist Episcopal Church in this city last Sunday morn. Ing, beginning at II o'clock.
 Long before the hour arrived. the house was filled. Every seat was oc- cupied, chairs were brought in and placed in the aisles, and even stand. Ing room was tat premium"
 The choir, augmented by the cornet accompaniment of Mir. J. Worley. had arranged program of very beautiful music, which was thoroughly enjoyed: ana the sermon was one of the most eloquent and deeply interesting ever heard in this city Those who failed to hear it missed a real soul treat. Ii was uplifting, powerful, encouraeing satisfying in its great truths. and went to the hearts of his hearers. and strengthened them in their pursuit of knowledge. Several citizens have re. quested us to publish this sermon, and possible, with our limited space and if Dr. Gee will consent, we will endeayor to do so next week. as the demands on our space make it impos. sible this week. It was literary gem, as well as strong appeal to the best that is in our hearts and lives.
 Profusely decorated in the school colors, blue and white, while about the rostrum and judges bench were banked ferns, cut flowers-roses. mag. nolias and evergreens-the spacious courtroom of the St. Francis county courthouse was filled to capacity on Monday night to witness the con- mencement exercises of the graduat- ing class of 1913 of the Forrest City High School.
 The program of exercises of the class, augmented by musical numbers by the class of the tenth grade, sever. al pupils of Miss Palmer, Miss Edith Fadakin and Mir John Schlosser. was perhaps one of the most beautiful in local school history, and will long be cherished in the memory of many who LOOK part in it and also many who wit nessedi it, as one of the most thorough ly delightful events of their lives.
 When, tell us, please, does the heart Of boy or girl glow so warmly and with such high degree of pride as when he or she is taking part in com mencement Day exercises? On Com mencement Day the world is at the graduating pupils feet. The parent who sits near sees an auri0le about the child's head-the father is proud of his daughter, the mother is proud of her son-and this is as it should be. It IS an occasion for love tributes, an oc- casion for tender sentiments, an occa- sion for unity of thought and purpose, in which all hearts join in concord and love.
 The graduating class this year was small, consisting of only four mem- bers, with Miss Virginia Rollwage, one of our city's most attractive and charming young ladies, as vaedicto- rian; the other three being boys, viz: Messrs. Morton Neel, Fred and Tom Stout, who are twins, All honor and praise to these splendid representa- tiyes of the younger generation. They are looking out on life. Their feet are set firmly in the right paths and they are sure of their ground. Along the way they will meet many things in facing life's battles Some things they meet will be pleasant; others. perhaps, will be unpleasant; but we join in the wish and the hope that in meeting the vicissitudes along their several pathways, they will do so sure footedly and firmly and in the knowl- edge that truth and morality is the sure foundation upon which must be builded the characters of all good men and women.
 The program opened with a lively and most engaging little chorus by the members of the tenth grade, followed with the Lords Prayer by the Rev. George H. Kirker. Morton Neel, in a clear strong and confident voice, then delivered a stirring and patriotic ora tion, entitled The New South, into which he put the natural elation and spirit that goes with Southern