Year: 1879

1 ESSAY, tue Cd,'llOu Ol WHICH Ndn
Simply" was easily understood,
and received full measure
of appreciation. Her theme was a
consideration of the value OF little
! things, and of the important conse-
quences to the world OF a right use OF
trifes at the opportune moment. In
closing she said that il we would gain
honor here and happiness hereafter, We
have simply to do what our hands find
to do with earnestness and faith.


Both Of these young ladies were ac-
corded warm applause, and both re-
| ceived a wealth of floral testimonials OF
| approval from friends in the audience.
Miss Faupel had probably the most
| bouquets of all the members of the
class.


CHARLES J. SHEETS


| won the heartiest and most spontaneous
applause of the evening. His subject
was noticeable for its originality, and
| for the fact that il was OF political ma
ture, and prominent in the minds
OF the public. 1t was The
Modern Exodus" and the title printed
in the programme caused his per-
formance to be looked for with much
interest and curiosity. We think
the discussion OF such living questions
on such occasions would result in good
if generally resOrted TO. Mr.. Sheets
started out with quotation: slavery
is curse-a crime against humanity
and God" He took the ground that
slavery, though extinct, has left its
baneful influence upon the South, and
that it is this influence that is driving
the blacks from the old slave States to
seek homes in Kansas and the more
Northern and Western portions of the
country. "Whatever may be the result
of this exodus; however it may effect
the Southland it cannot help injuring
it; however it may effect the negro him
self-and the result cannot be fCretold
it proves conclusively that political
and civil prescription is a crime, and
will bring its own punishment in the
end" was the closing sentence. AS we
said before, the applause called out by
the Grafton was vOciferOus and con-
tinued. A professional gentleman Of
color in the audience was affected to
tears, and almost everyone seemed to be
disposed TO give the honors OF the even
ing to Mr.. Sheets.


MISS JENNIE LAUAA WISE


had prepared a sort OF valedictory as
the concluding performance on the part
of the class. Her choice of subjects was
"Past and Future" Her voice is pecu-
liarly sweet, clear and strong, and the
appreciation of her hearers was well
expressed by lady in the rear Of the
audience, who said: at is rest to
hear her read" Her essay was in the
form of an allegOry, and was creditable
i'm every respect. The class was likened
to vessel launched on 4 great ocean.
From the peaceful and protected har-
Dor, where the waves are ripping and
dancing in the bright sunlight, it sails
out OF sight of all familiar landmarks
without thought OF danger; but storms
will come, and fortunate is the ship if
every precautiOn has been taken to
make her seaworthy; for there is no go
ing back to build anew. The figure was
consistent throughout, and the essay
abOunded in felicitOus expressions. The
audience applauded roundly, and the
ushers were laden down with the bou-
uuets bestowed upon her.


This ended the portion OF the enter
tainment furnished by the graduates,
and after music by the orchestra, the


PRESENTATION OF DIPLOMAS


took place. Rev. J. w. Toland, of the
NJ. +. Church, making an appropriate
and beautiful address on behalf of the
Board OF Education. lie extended the
congratulations of the audience on the
success OF the evenings entertainment,
and the happy auspices under which the
class entered upon the wider domains OF
life. This is an hour fraught with in
terest TO YOU, but not TO you only. 1t
is a glad hour TO your teachers, your
parents and your friends. But perhaps
down deep in your hearts there is a feel
ing that your work is done. Lest you
fall into this mistake, | want 10 point
vouto the responsibilities with which you
will meet, as well as few Of the illu-
sions in which you are likely to indulge
on such an occasion. You look back
from this moment over the tolls and
conflicts which have brought you up
through all the gradations OF this insti-
tuition of learning, step by step. As you
stood at the foot OF the stairway looking
up the long line of steps reaching from
room to room, which you had to climb
before reaching your present position,
how often in your childish heart did
you wonder whether the time ever
would come when you could occupy this
elevated stand But you have reached
it. Now do not delude yourself by sup
posing your work is done, or by think
inc that You have grown up in a day and
are out Of debt to the world for what you
possess. The distant ages have all been
workingup to this climax. You occupy
vantage ground TO that occupied by
your fathers when they passed through
this ordeal. You stand upon an emin-
encc higher than their highest. The
good of six thousand years enter into
the moral and intellectual resources Of
the present, augmenting mind and
giving bias 10 your souls. Some Of the
greatest scientific facts were discovered
the other side Of the flood, facts
which have added cubits 20 your in
tellectual stature. You arc plants
which run back into Anetdiluvian soil.





is given US and one which We ourselves
acquire. The first OF these you seem TO
have in degree of perfection, 50 far as
We can Judge tonight This is the foun-
dation. You are now to build the su-
perstruCture, 10 work out the most i'm
pcrtant part. The true meaning OF the
word "educate" draw out, should be
taken as your motto, you must deyelope
what is good in your minds and hearts
and souls. Each life has sowing time
and a reaping time, a wedding time
and a harvest.


To be able To construe Homer and TN
darstand Horace, or read Virgil, is well;
but 10 learn to subdue your passions, 10
become grateful, compassionate, Just
and holy is better, Your education TO
be complete must 90 on refining and
cultivating your religious as well as your
intellectual nature. Education is good
wall by which 10 plantthe vine OF grace,
letting il spread It's branches over II, bat
it is not the vine itself. You need both