Rensselaer Republican, Volume 17, Number 40, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 June 1885 — Commencement Exercises, [ARTICLE]

Commencement Exercises,

Of the Rensselaer High School. The third annual commencement of the Rensselaer High School, was held at the Opera House, last Thursday eveping. The stage of that tine hall was beautifully decorated with plants and Howers, and floral emblems and mottoes, while the auditorium was comfortably filled, with an intelligent and appreciative audience. Thp essays of the graduates were, without exception, comprehensive and well written, and gave unquestionable evidence of the possession of well developed minds upon the part of their respeetive authors. As to the relative merits of the several essays it would be invidious and unjust for us to express any opinion, as they were so uniformly and nearly evenly excellent that if the question of mer it were put to a vote of those fortunate enough to be present, when they were read, it is probable that the ballots would be pretty evenly divided among the four graduates. We/.regret that the facilities of a' country newspaper makes the publication of all the essays impracticable; and it is proper to state here, that the fact that we make room for one, and only one, of the essays, in another column of this paper, is not because, wo would wish to be understood as singling out this one, as of greater literary merit than the others, but rather because, from the nature of its subject, it possesses a local interest which none of the others could. ‘

The exercises opened with two pieces of music by the orchestra, and then followed “The Life of St, Paul” by Fred L. Chilcofe. It was a masterly sketch of the life, writings and influence of the Great Apostle. It showed fine powers of thought and good command of language upon the part of its promising young author, and was read in so clear and distinct a manner as must have made every word plainly audible to the remotest part of the house. > Then followed Miss Etta E. Spitler’s essay entitled “Sunshine”. This too was excellently read; and plainly audible to the whole audience. The author first treated her subiect from q literal point of view, and gave an intensely interesting sketch of the all potent and all permeating power of the sun’s rays, on this and other worlds; and then in briefer limits the young lady treated the subject from a figurative point of view, and spoke wisely and w.erl of the effects of moral sunshine. Of the “Hjstory of Rensselaer”, by Eugene Spitler, we need not speak a length, as the essay will be found, nearly in full, in anothei* place. It is an excellent and painstaking compilation of the more salient points in the early history of the town, and will, we doubt not, be read with interest and profit, by the majority of our readers. The subject chosen for Miss MaryS. Washburn's essay was “Pi4ce of Tryth”.. It was a worthy production, full of bright, clear thoughts, expressed in the choicest language. The infinite cost, in labor, blood and tears, which marks each forward step, in the great march of Civilization, is a fruitful theme, and Miss Washburn handled it well.

The presentation of the diplomas was Blade by Dr. 1.8. Washburn, one of the School Trustees, in a brief but remarkably sensible and appropriate address. Prof. George P. Brown, President of the State Normal school, had promised to be present and to deliver an address, but was prevented from filling the engagement, by sickness Change on Time. —A new time table went into effect on the Monon Route, last Sunday. The changes in the time of passenger trains passing Rensselaer, are as follows: The south-bound day train passes at 10:48 a. m. or fifteen minutes later than before. Of the south-bound night trains, No. 4, the through Louisville train, passes at 10:45 p. m., 17 minutes later; and No. 8, the through Indianapolis train, passes at 11:28, p. m., there being no change in this train. Of the north-bound trains, the afternoon, day train, or regular mail, passes-Rensselaer at 4:12 p. m., or one hour and s.ixjpiijutes earlier than before. Of the early morning trains No. 3 passes at 4:39 a. m., or 10 minutes ..earlier; vnd No. 7 at 4:07 or 7 minutes later. ■ •