The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1914-05-29
|1ENPLE PACKED WITH FRIENDS, RELATIVES
AND ADMIRERS OF THE GRADUATING CLASS
Baccalaurate Sermon Preached BY Rev.
Bunyan Stephens Sunday Morning
At The Methodist Church
Corner Stone Of The Magnificent New
School Building To Be Laid Today

The members of the class of nine
teen fourteen of the Ocala High
School have most successfully COM
Melted their school course, have held
very bright and attractive commence
ment exercises, and are now ready to
commence their college courses, or TO
begin on their life's work in earnest.
This class of twelve members has
been a very bright group of students,
and their friends are very proud of
the work they have done The class
roster Of those receiving their diplo-
mas was as follows: Moses Alice Sex
ton, president; Rexie Todd, vice pres
dent; Nellie Beckham, treasurer;
Theo Wallis, secretary; Gladys Mar
tin, Gladys Wallis, Lorayne Kemp,
Annie Pope Eagleton, Wynona Weth-
erbee and Messrs. Homer Small, Carl
ton Erwin and Robert MacKay.
The ocala High School commence
ment began Sunday morning at IL
o'clock, when the Rev. Bunyan Ste
phens, pastor of the First Baptist
church, preached the baccalaureate
sermon, and rarely wRs ever "a preach
er complimented by so large a con-
gregataion.
The main body of the church, the
annex, the aisles, and the vestibules
were all crowded. There was not a
vacant seat in the building, and some
were compelled to be turned away.
Six rows of seats were reserved for
the teachers, the graduating class
and their parents.
DR.. Gross of the Methodist church,
DR.. Dodge of the Presbyterian church,
Rev. j. G. Glass of Grace Episcopal
church and Rev. Roy Bowers of the
Christian church, all assisted in the
services.
The church was tastefully decorat-
ed with flowers, ferns and pot plants,
and choir composed of all the choirs
Of the city, rendered appropriate and
exquisite music. Their singing of
The Heavens Are Telling" from
Haydn's Creation, was very beautiful,
indeed.
The young preacher was IN splendid
voice and delivered a magnificent SER
mon. When he arose in his place, aft
er his Introduction by DIR. Gross, his
Youthful appearance reminded one of
the STRIPPING David, and as his clear
annexation penetrated to the remot-
est corners of the building and his
earnestness of delivery made one feel
that he was anointed like one of old
70 carry a special message to the
class before him, whose members are
about to embark on the important
voyage of the sea of life.
His theme was "The Choice of
Life Work." and he took for his text
! Kings 3:1-15.
He said that the ancient and even
some of the learned are now called
ureamers, but that vision" is ne
cessary to a choice, and that choice is
necessary to success in the great
struggle of life.
The following epitome but imper-
lectly traces the theme and splendor
Oh Mr.. Stephens fine address, which
received encomiums from all who
heard it:
angelo, at 90, wrote on one of his
Productions, "Still learning"
Senaca made the following quota
1lon: IF had one foot in the grave,
should still wish to learn"
From these two quotations he drew
an Illuminating and inspiring lesson.
which was particularly appropriate to
me occasion. And he added: "Since
'uere is no limit to the realm of hui
man endeavor, there must be choice
y the kind of work each one under
takes"
Dreams" he said, visualize our
lueals." Those who have visions have
snem because they have a purpose in
me He told how the young king in
me text went to his tent that night
% dream. He was in the mood to
uream, and had a wonderful, awe-in-
spring dream-a dream that meant
'0mething. Then he said we find