Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1926-06-21
Members of Cony Class of 1926
And Friends Attend EXercis-
'es In City Hall, Auditorium,
Sunday Evening

life Is to be accepted, not as fur
nishing means for pleasure, or for
profit, or for comfort, or for gains, as
the primary purpose of all" declared
Rev. A. Francis Walch, delivering the
Baccalaureate address before the
members of the graduating class of
Cony High school. Sunday night at
City Hail." but the one thing that
must issue in all our living is a
growth in those virtues of that strong
son of God whom we that have not
seen, by faith and faith alone en-
brace. Life according to Jesus is a
fifine adventure on the basis of the
hope that following the best will lead
us on to God. If this be the chal-
lenge which living holds out to men
and women, the loss of all else may
not be greatly deplored. But If this
be not the result of life then the pro-
session of all things else can give lit
tie lasting satisfaction
He took as his text the words of
st. Luke, For a mans life consistent
not in the abundance of things which
he possesseth," pointing out that the
living of life and the shaping of the
soul is a fine art, and that to really
live it is necessary Ito catch the an
gel vision, that finer temper and more
exalted energy that belong to high
moments. and the thrilling visions of
the mountain top, and carry them in
to all the stress and struggle that
await us on the way"
$50 l am urging you" he continu-
ed" to accept life as a fine art, to
see the angel in the uncarved stone
to feel the thrill of the divine forces,
surging In your souls. to know your
selves as sons and daughters of God.
You are to be rich, not because of
the number and greatness of the
things which you possess. There will
come day when all these things will
fade as leaf But your riches, Is to
be in those splendid virtues. those
noble services. those immortal ex-
periences which shall shine as unfad-
ing stars In the armament of heav-
en-"
Three ways he named by which
such a glorious achievement might be
attained, by work that dignifies the
soul, by sacrifice which is the price to
be paid for some rich and glorious
ideal or principle and by faith.
In his direct address to the men,
bers of the class he said:
Before the discovery of America,
the Spaniards had set up at Gibralter,
the gateway of the Mediterranean,
the inscription. Ne plus ultra" Moth
ing beyond. But'after the adventur-
Gus Columbus had brought a new
world to their view, they changed
their inscription to "Plus ultra"
More beyond.
Il assume tonight that you have
the latter inscription for Your motto.
More Beyond" I trust you do not
consider in any sense that you have
completed your education and that
there is nothing beyond to learn or
experience.
This may we'll be a proud season
for all of you as you come up to
this high privilege and in view of all
the struggles and sacrifices. which
hape preceded this day, contemplate
the future. l implore you here and
now to seal the VOWS of a fresh obed-
fence and turn your faces to the
future full of faith and reSolute with
purpose. This is called your com
mencement" season and advisedly.
for you have finished one period of
preparation and are now at the point
where you are to commence to he
what your study and discipline has
contemplated all along.
Anxious parents and friends have
watched your progress with deep
solicitation. I wish it were in my
power to make you feel how deeply
and earnestly these parents and
friends have looked and prayed for
your success. The officers and
teachers of this school have studied
to make your development genuine
and deep and your culture broad and
refined. Your teachers have been
your companions and friends. They
have led you in paths of achievement
for the sole purpose of adding some
fresh and vital energy to the worlds
stock of truth and goodness. Not
until the days shall grow to years
will you be able to fully appreciate
what they have been doing for you
and in you.
Young men and women, I bid you
go forth into a great eXpectant
world, to achieve the good of all men.
Some of this graduating class will
continue with studies in higher in
situations of learning and will find
places in the. professions and in the
more conspicuous places in life. To
some this will be the end of actual
student experience. You will be scat
tered far and wide over the world. |
earnestly adminish you to make the
most of yourselves and your oppor-
tunities, wherever YOU are. Make the
world your debtors by your good
works, your faith, your love.
Young man. let me urge that you
keep yourselves strong in health.
pure and clean in body and mind
fearless in the face of wrong: kind
and gentle in the presence of sorrow
and need. Quit ye like men, be
strong"
You women: Let me urge you to
respect your womanhood, the poblest
gift of God. Keep your lives sweet
and modest brave and pure. God
made you women. Never aspire to be
other than that"
Clergy Present
The other Augusta ministers were
especially invited to attend this bac-
calaureate service and to participate
in the exercises Seated upon the
stage were Rev. Stuart B. Purves. D.
D.. Rev. Carl n. Garland, Rev. Andrew
T. McWhorter, Rev. Rush w. D. Smith
and Miss Madeline NJ. Stafford. reader
at the Christian Science church.
The members of the senior class
marched into the hall under the direc-
ton of Kenneth Haskell, the class !
marshal, the march being played by
the high school orchestra, of which
Miss Gertrude Thorne is leader. Dur
ing the evening other Cony students
furnished music, a double male quartet |
consisting of Messrs. Eastman. Den |
nett. Mower, Soule, Trask, knight !
NJ