_Class of '90._
In the life of every person there are two important events, birth and
death; the former marking their advent into a state of action, and the
latter their exit from it. The one is universally a time of joy, the
other a time of sorrow. This is true to such an extent that the time
of birth is popularly designated and commemorated as a day of
feasting, the other as a day of mourning. Solomon, however, does not
agree with us in this; he reverses this order and says, "Better is the
day of one's death than the day of one's birth;" and "It is better to
go to the house of mourning than to go to the house of feasting, for
the living will lay it to his heart." Whichever view we take of the
matter this day will be one long remembered by all, for it is both the
day of birth and the day of death.
So with the birth of everything we attempt; its beginning is attended
with a sort of pleasurable excitement and diligence in the pursuit of
the study we have entered upon, which lasts until the novelty begins
to wear off. Then comes the time when we find ourselves falling into a
rut from which, if we do not try hard to keep up our standard, it will
be difficult to extricate ourselves; but, if we summon all our energy
and strive to overcome all impediments and will work hard and adopt
perseverance as our motto, we shall not fail of success in the end.
Our small army enlisted last October determined to fight against all
the obstacles which might present themselves in our journey toward
success; and after passing through the hardest and most tedious part
of our work,--the mastering of the principles,--we found ourselves
confronted by an examination, which loomed up before us like a lofty
and rugged mountain, which we knew we must ascend if we would get that
broad outlook which we must obtain for the work of the remainder of
the term.
Having safely passed that, after a week's recreation, we again
assembled freshly armed to conquer the difficulties of the speeding
course. This proved to be the pleasanter part of our work, and, after
having spent five months with our teacher in this way, and having
passed the final examination, you see here to-night all who have been
victorious in the battle.
We came before our leader total strangers to him and to each other,
and many happy days have we spent since first we saw his face, and
every day has deepened our regard for him for having been so patient
with us. When we have been on the brink of despair, he has consoled us
with the assurance that better times were coming, and that, if we did
not give up but would push ahead and persevere, we would surely
succeed.
The "unwearied sun" has performed his daily circuit, sometimes
visible, and sometimes hidden by the vapor laden clouds, but right
onward, whether seen or unseen, has he gone, and time, that never
lingers, has rolled on rapidly and in its flight has brought us to
this hour, ere we were aware, and lo! it has already begun to
snap the threads which have held us together for the last eight
months. Our lives have been speeding with the moments into the
never-to-be-forgotten past; but the tie which binds our hearts
in Christian love and fellowship death itself cannot sever.
The seeds of stenography, which were cast into our minds at the
beginning of our lessons, made their appearance as young and tender
shoots when we arrived at the speeding course, and have not only begun
to blossom, but also to bear fruit, inasmuch as eight of our number
are already holding positions as stenographers and typewriters, and we
hope they will soon arrive at full maturity when we have all become
experienced shorthand writers. These little plants need the tenderest
care and most watchful guidance, for, if neglected ere they are larger
grown, and the weeds of careless habits are not rooted out, they will
be a source of great trouble and annoyance in the acquiring of speed.
How important then that they should be wisely directed!
We have now arrived at the completion of our course here in the
capacity of learners; but only to enter an enlarged sphere of action
and there employ what we have here been enabled to acquire. Not only
have we been learning stenography but have been benefited in a number
of other ways; each lesson in its turn had some moral to convey and
some new thought to suggest, which, while teaching us some new form of
work, and suggesting new ideas, all tended to elevate our minds.
To you, dear members of the G. S. M. & T., are we indebted for
enabling us to acquire an honest, well-paying profession, which is
aiding so many young women to improve their condition in life, and
give substantial assistance to those dependent upon them. To our
Instructor are we especially grateful for his thoughtfulness and zeal
in imparting instruction, and the affectionate solicitude which he has
shown for our welfare; nor would we forget the care bestowed upon us
by the Assistant Instructors, who have in many ways supplemented the
instruction which we have received from the Superintendent.
To you, dear classmates, I give my parting word of farewell. Often
have we met together to study our beloved shorthand, often have the
difficulties seemed great enough to overwhelm us; often have our
sympathies been aroused by the need of help in one way or another, and
now, for the last time, we again assemble at this familiar spot. There
can but arise in our breast thoughts of sadness as we take leave of
each other, for never again can we meet as the Class of '90, but while
we regret that this is our last evening together, we must bear in
mind, that
"A fleeting hour, a month, a year,
Is all that God permits us here,
That we may learn to prize more high
That heavenly home beyond the sky."