Evening Republican, Volume 18, Number 127, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 29 May 1914 — "THE GREAT VISION" FOR OUR GRADUATES [ARTICLE]

"THE GREAT VISION" FOR OUR GRADUATES

01*88 of 191* Heard Inspiring Address by Prof. R. L. Lymon, of Chicago University. Dr.’ R. L. Lymon, of Chicago University, delivered the address Thursday evening to the Rensselaer high school graduates, thirty-three in number, who were seated on the stage at the high -school assembly, while parents, patrons and friends to the capacity of the assembly enjoyed the exercises and paid the closest attention to the speaker, whose earnestness, (forcefulness and fairness impressed his hearers as have few addresses ever delivered in this city. :“7• - —~ The program was begun by the singing of Verdi’s “Triumphal March” by the high school chorus. A piano trio by lone Zimmerman, Edith Sawin and Anna Leonard followed. Rev. Parrett then offered a short prayer. The next was a quartette composed of Lura Halleck, Marjorie Loughridge, Wilda Littlefield and Ruth Wood, who sang “Wynken, Blynken and Nod.” Then came Dr. Lymoh’s address. His subject was “The-Great Vision and he encouraged forward, not backward looking, the having of a vision for the future, as himself or herself would like to be. He said that the future was in the power of the young man and young woman and, that it could be made valuable If the effort was rightly made “It is not books alone, not simply the attainment of learning, but the working habit, the acquiring habit, the willingness to do whatever is to be done and to be prepared to do it right that counts. The apprenticeship of life follows the high school. You are just entering the school that is to formulate you for • the life th at you are to lead. Education is not limited to the school rooms or the college walls, but all the period of formative traits of character compose the habit of education that you must guard that you learn aright. Do not look with scorn upon those who have not had the opportunity to learn, or who are engaged in the menial tasks that are s so important. There is nothing; so contemptible in life a® to look-'dcwn upon and to scorn honest, creditable labor. I recall an incident that occurred not long ago in Wisconsin. I was riding in a car when a crowd of high school graduates entered and <in their merriment attracted the attention’ of aH. As the train was pulling put Of the station it passed a point where a number of laborers were engaged in repair work and members of the class called derisively to them, and I thought what a shame that they had failed to learn the dignity and importance of labor, tor were these workmen not careful to a painstaking degree in seeing that there were no faults in the construction, the very train that tarried these light-hearted and light-headed youths might be dashed to pieces. But they were doing an important work and doing it well and we rode on in safety. Dpn’t get the notion, that your education is to fit you for a life of ease, dbtft tty to c’ram your heads full of learning with the idea that your hands will be soiled with labor, but acquire the habit of laboring with a determination and combine the ability of your minds and your bodies to the great vision you have formed. The dignity of honest labor, simply honest, honorable labor, has « reward that will never come to those who have tried to

get through life on an easy road.” The speaker told of the janitor of a school house in a Wisconsin 'town, who ranked fliet'in citizenship as a factor in the moral and educational welfare »-of'the town. His living was earned by sweeping the cobwebs from tire 1 walls and the dirt from the floors, but his importance to the community could not be realized by seeing him at his daily task. He was a member of the library board of his town and ivas a leader in one of the protestant churches of the city and he never lost an opportunity to shed his influence for honesty and good morals and to inspire those with whom he came into contact with the necessity of striving along right lines and that success was accomplishment in the way of service. He saw his son educated in the public schools and out of the meager salary he had drawn he had saved for ah those years 25 cents a week in order that his son could have the accumulation as a nucleus to further educate himself and it was a proud' day when the son graduated from a university and entered' Upon the important dutiei of a life that was to aid many, many othereto •better living. "Aye, if we are working, we should'Be content and happy. The greatest disgrace of life te to be dependent upon others when you have the ability to stand up to the full height of manhood and wo-

manhood and make things win lor yourself. The standard of lite can only be measured by the reply to these questions: “How good a worker is he?’ and *What can he do?’

“Learn that public opinion Is based upon real accomplishment, modest bearing and a desire to perform service for the sake of the good you may do and not for you to point a finger of pride toward. Let this be the first vision that you have of life and then keep it before you while you toil unceasingly. A greater vision hath no man than this: ‘All honest work is honorable.’ .Erect in your head the mental requirements; build in your heart the qualities of bravely and confidence that you are able to do the thing you have had as a vision and then you can accomplish it. The difference in the important positions of life is entirely one of responsibility. There is no disgrace to sweep the streets of a great city unless you are capable of doing a more important work and then the disgrace is because you had not prepared yourself or could not do so, but if your work is sweeping streets >or running a donkey engine or being a janitor thep. be a worker in the true sense of the word and command for your place the highest dignity of a labor well performed. “Th ere are three visions I would recommend to you: first, of becominga workman, second, of rendering high service, and third, the difference between having a vision and a day dream. Have a modest confidence, not a conceit. The first is secured by preparation in the mind and the heart. Conceit is a false pride that must sooner or later, generally sooner, run into the solid wall of inability. Don’t drop out of line, stay in line ants labor throughout the days and years before you. “The odd idea of success was to accumulate money. It’s an honest and creditable thing to win for yourself by honest endeavor everything that you can, but that is a very small idea of success if you really have a great vision. Build yourself into the kind of a man or the kind of a woman that a community can not do without. You can not afford to get tired. The reward is in having so lived that people will say ‘He was a useful man,’ “She was a useful woman,’ ‘What would we do without them?’ Be a king man or a king woman in usefulness. A high school commencement that does not impress the young men and young women with the importance of service to the world and create within each breast a desire to render to the

world a life of “purpose and service, has- failed of the greatest opportunity before it. Give of yourself to the accomplishment of a great result. Learn this and learn it well: Have a vision, a great vision for yourself of becoming an earnest, forceful, high-grade, energetic woman or man, and the preparation you have made in ihlgh school fits you so well to do this thing and to make your life fulfill the highest purpose of life.” Dr. Lymon was a professor in Wisconsin University for some time before he went to Chicago University, where he has taught for the past year. His address was highly complimented by all who heard it and should be a great influence in the lives of the thirty-three who received their diplomas. The class was presented by Principal Sharp and Dr. A. R. Kresler, of the school board, with the diplomas. Feme Tilton, one of ‘the graduates, responded in a very pleasing speech.

On behalf of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Mrs. H. J. Kann al made a report on the award of prizes fop the two best papers on American history and for the neatest dress made by a member of the graduating class, also for the best designed dress by any graduate. The awards were as follows:

r ßest essay on. Ainericaii history, Beatrice Tilton, grade of 94.4. Second best, Kenneth Groom, grade of 90. Neatest made dress, Edna Price. Best style and design, Beatrice Tilton.

A prize of $5 in gold was given each winner. Beatrice Tilton receivedtwo prizes. Mrs. Kannal stated that the Daughters had been pleased with the results and hoped to make rewards for some attainment each yean'. Superintendent Dean spoke briefly in appreciation of the interest the Daughters had taken in the school and of the benefits received from the competition. He also spoke of the growing closer relationship between- the schools and the public and that other plans were on foot to improve this condition next year. In many towns and cities parents’ teachers’ clubs are organized to co-operate with the teachers and this may be organized here. • The commencement included a very pleasing selection by the high school orchestra and concluded with a benediction by Rev. Wright. The members of the class are: Orpha C. Barton, Amy M. Bringle, Jennie L. Chamberlin, Ethel G. Clarke, William D. Crooks, Nellie H. Delong, Gertrude Faylor, Harold L. Fidler, Ernest Garriott, Neva Garriott, Kenneth A. Groom, Lura Halleck, Emil W. Hanley, Lucy W. Harris, George W. Healey, Edward M. Honan, Ralph I. Lakin, Marjorie Loughridge, Isabel L. Martin, Gay Alakeevei', Worth McCarthy, Paul G. Miller, Alarian A. Parker, Edna Price, Hazel M. Reeve, Edward W. Rose, Ramsom F. Sawin, Emily Thompson, Beatrice Tilton, Feme E. Tilton, Lorene Warren, Catherine L. Watson, Laban R. Wilcox.

John J. Walsh, state inspector of buildings, and Edgar A. Perkins, chief inspector, Wednesday advised the state board of agriculture that the building known as the art department at the state fair grounds should be closed, as it is in a dangerous condition.