This is the last night of our course, and since we have studied our
final lesson together, it has occurred to me that this would be a good
opportunity for a little talk with you, as you are about to leave this
school and go out into the world. First of all, I want to tell you, as
I have many times told you before, how very much I have enjoyed my
work in connection with this class during the past Winter. There is a
certain satisfaction in feeling that I have been able to help you to
learn something, and this feeling is increased by remembering that I,
too, have been learning, and that my knowledge of the art of shorthand
has been enlarged by teaching it to you. You, on the other hand, must
keep in mind the fact that you have not learned all there is to be
learned about Phonography. Though you may live many years, and
practice Phonography all your life, you probably never will feel that
you have a perfect knowledge of all the details of the art. This,
however, need not discourage you, but, on the contrary, should fill
you with pleasure to think there is something yet to be learned, and
thus the fascination which the study of Phonography has had for you
during the past few months, can never diminish so long as you have a
desire to advance more and more towards perfection. It is not to be
expected that you will for any length of time remember everything that
I have ever said to you with regard to the advantages of shorthand or
its practical use; but of one thing I feel very sure, and that is that
whatever I have said that is worth anything will at some future time
recur to you when you need it most, and when it will probably be
better understood than it is now.
There is one fact that I wish very strongly to impress upon you,
namely, that you have, by your diligent study of the past Winter,
gained something which is of priceless value to you, and, if used
aright, something which must some day, sooner or later, prove of
particular advantage. This practical knowledge of shorthand which you
now possess is something which cannot be bought or sold; it is
something which you can never wholly forget; it is something which
many persons would give a great deal to obtain; and I therefore charge
you to guard it with care, and treasure it as a talent for the right
use of which you will some day be held accountable. Do not by any
means give up your practice. Even if you cannot continue it regularly,
do not abandon it altogether, but look upon your shorthand as a mine
of intellectual wealth which, if rightly worked, will yield rich
results.
And now, one word more: be diligent, be persevering, be true to
whatever trust is reposed in you; and, if you seek a reward outside of
the natural satisfaction that will come from work well done, remember
the word of One who said, "Thou hast been faithful over a few things,
I will make thee ruler over many things."
With hearty congratulations upon your success, and with the most
cordial wishes for your future prosperity, I bid you God-speed.