Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 41, Number 72, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 28 May 1909 — Large Crowd Attends the Annual Commencement [ARTICLE]

Large Crowd Attends the Annual Commencement

Another large crowd was assembled at the Christian church Wednesday night, on the occasion of the twentysixth annual commencement of the Rensselaer high school. The graduates were in one of the rear rooms of the church until the large audience was seated and at the rear of the stage the girls who compose the Junior glee club were seated. The graduates .marched in and occupied two rows of chairs across the front of the stage. Other girl members of the high school were seated at the left and the program began with a chorus of about seventy voices. The music was very appropriate and pleasing. * Rev. Parrett invoked Divine blessing and Superintendent Warren introduced Dr. Frank W. Gunsaulus, president of Armour Institute, Chicago. He at'once entered into his discourse on the life of William E. Gladstone, the famous English statesman and orator. Having come into personal contact with that great man and having visited England to pursue his study of him, he was thoroughly embued with his subject, and yet it was not in the least biographical, but a discussion of the virtues of the man from which conclusions were readily drawn that should Inspire the best efforts of the graduates. The masterful lecture would be worthy a much fuller account than it is possible to give. Following the lecture another song was sung by the chorus and then Principal Bradshaw in a very nice speech presented the -class to the Secretary of the School Board, who accepted the class and presented -each member with a diploma of graduation. The program was concluded by Rev. G. H. Clarke, who pronounced the benediction.