The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1918-05-20
The Commencement Sermon


and fair yesterday which is an omen
of the success which is to follow.
The commencement sermon was de-
livered at the Temple theater at IL
o'clock by Rev. G. A. Ottmann, rector
Of Grace Episcopal church, who had
arranged the order of the exercises,
which were beautiful indeed, and car
ried out to the letter with precision
and taste and without a flaw.
The stage was tastefu1ly decorated
with oleanders, magnolias and ferns,
with the Red Cross ittingly placed
in the center. The music was fur.
nished by the Episcopal choir, assist
ed by the choirs of the other churches,
and all the congregations of the city
joined in the hour of worship. Miss
Irma Blake was the pianist for the oc-
casion, James Ellis the cross bearer
and Frances Pasteur the flag bearer.
After the announcement of the ex-
ercises for the day, Rev. Ottmann took
his text from the 9Th verse, 9th chap
ter of Isiah: "Here am I, send me-"
Some special points of the sermon:
Those whom God chooses, he lifts
up and gives to them a vision. God
does not choose the high and mighty
as his instruments; he takes the ord
mary men and women, whose spirits
soar above the level, and gives them
vision which enables them to see
above the things of ordinary life.
Visions necessary to choice: There
are things to do. Were all dreamers
we would soon be bowling down to the
kaiser as supreme ruler. But men
looking out into the world had seen
visions of universal peace, of dem
ocracy where our wives, daughters
and children could live in safety. Ou
boys are giving their lives that the
world may be lifted up. Thus we
should look toward the great things
of life so when the call comes we can
say Here am I, send me-" Thus we
may do the work of God and human
| ity the best we can.
| Our dreams present our possibili-
| ties. When we graduate we have not
finished, but have only fitted our
selves to take up our work. We are
pupils as long as life lasts and only
graduate when the final step is taken
| that calls US into the larger life. God
! is calling today as never before, fol-
us to arise from our dreamland sleep;
even here in our own little city, we
are not united in the greatness OF
work as we should be, and what won
derful works might be accomplished
/ if we were! What a spiritual uplift
we might attain. How the morals OF
our community might be uplifted
How many in our town have taken 9
deep interest in the Boy Scouts How
many have worked for the civic inter.
est, for the young men and women OF
our town? What wonderful possibili.
ties might be in store for Ocala i
time were spend in bringing it up tx
the beautiful city is might be. Blu
if we are not ready when the cal
comes our, town will not be made
clean. Let US ask ourselves thu
question: Are we content to go OF
through life taking no thought of thu
morrow? The boys and girls gradual
ing today are men and women of to
morrow, made in the image of God
with minds capable of grasping tn
great truths of life. So let US reacl
out and at least touch the hem of hi
garment, that we may be lifted up t.
do more than the ordinary things o
life. God today stands ready to he'll
US, to give all we possess if need be
1t is for 20 uand l to make answer
Here am |, send me-"
One of the most inspiring of a.
the songs given was "Te Deum Laud
anus" which was wonderfully beau
tiful and uplifting, sung by the choi
standing. After the singing of tn
grand old hymn, "AIl Hail the Powe
of Jesus Name" the choir and grad
yates passed out, followed by tn
dismissal of the audience.
Mrs. Simpson of Weirsdale is i
the city on an extended visit to he
daughter, Mrs. Harvey Kindall.
Miss Noelwah Blankenship of Dur
Mellon, is the charming little guest c