Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-11-15

| VINO mere
than q century ago Christian COL
lege. 1t is indeed significant and re-
assuring that after the lapse Of more
than n hundred years the first build
! ing to he given the honor of a re-
dedication is the Chapel. 1t shows
that the heart of this institution is
today the same as at the beginning.
Though We may perhaps speak a
somewhat different language the
Same high purpose guides our steps.
Colby is rich in traditions. They
form part of her intangible assets.
But ii Is unfortunate that in the past
those traditions have not been
caught and expressed in symbols as
they should. Possibly the struggle
for existence has been so strenuous
that the inarticulate habiliments
have been overlooked. If 50 with the
promise for castor times let us make
amends for the omissions of the past.
; Thirteen presidents have stood Mt
the head of this institution and guild
cd It's affairs. or these / have per-
sonally known nine. having entered
college during the administration Of
President Champlin and either rs
student. alumnus or trustee been acr
quainted with all his successors and
also with DIR. Sheldon a predecessor.
What sentiment would gather around
q chair that had been occupied all
these years by these worthy men!
How sacredly would 1t be treasured.
AS that cannot be, let us seize the
opportunity afforded by this menu
orable evening and provide q presi-
dental chair for the future.
Your modesty will forgive me, Mr..
President. if l say that under no ad-
ministration could 1t have been more
appropriately installed. Thirteen is
superstitiously supposed to be an un-
lucky number. In your case 1t has
been proved the luckiest OF all, both
for yourself and for the college. Your
term of service now reaching into
the seventeenth year is the longest
of any in the college history and I'M
der no former president, to put 1t
mildly. has the college prospered
more than under you. Students,
friends. money and fame have come
to us and at no point in our history
has Colby College stood higher or
been more worthy of confidence than
at this very moment.
1t is therefore most fitting, and |
must add 1t Is with peculiar personal
kpleasure, that l have the hon6 to
present to you and through you to
the College love so deeply this off,
cial chair. 1t is made of solid oak.
fiber symbolic of the strength of
the institution. 1t is clothed in the
college blue. 1t bears the college
seal, proclaiming to the twentieth
century as 1t did to the nineteenth
Lux mentis scientia".
May you be spared many, many
years to occupy it and to leave the
impress of your rugged yet kindly
personality upon the classes of young
men and women as they shall sue
cessiveiy pass before you and out
into the world Of active life.
one wave, two waves, three" waves,
four,
Sliding up the sparkling floor;
Then 1t GIBBS to flow no more.
Wandering off from shore to shore
With its freight of golden ore"
And may those who succeed in
this high Office lead the institution
into even larger paths Of usefulness.
And now as the final act in this
pleasant ceremonial may l have the
cherished privilege of installing you
In this emblem OF authority, Of con-
secration to lofty ideals and of un-
told influence over the lives OF the
men and women Of tomorrow. who
shall seek the doors Of your alma
mater and Of mine as a preparation
for life's work.
God bless Colby College and the
men who shall be responsible for her
destiny in the years to come.
At the words Your modesty will
forgive me Mr.. President" Judge
Cornish turned to President Rohnrt
ana as ne closed he grasped the right
hand OF the President and led him
from his seat at the front of the
platform back to the arm chair and
seated him in 1t. Amid a storm OF
applause all present rose In greeting
TO President Roberts whose face,
wreathed in his characteristic genial
smile, expressed the great pleasure
he felt. When Judge Cornish had
given the President possession of the
chair and the chair possession of the
PRESIDENT. standing by the side of the
President he spoke the final words
OF his address, God bless Colby Col.
iege and the men who shall be re-
sponsible for her destiny in the wear.
TO come" and then leaving the Pres
ldent In fuH possession he returned
TO his seat.
President Roberts after a moments
pause arose and came forward IN the
pulpit and nicticned the audience 70
be seated. No man possesses