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Show j CANON CITY, COLO. j (Special Correspondence.) i The following beautiful, practical and eloquent address was delivered by the Rev. J. J. Gibbons of Leadville to a large class of graduates at St. Scho-lastica's Scho-lastica's academy on Thursday evening, even-ing, June 15.; Guests were present among the clergy. Fathers Hickey, Chrystalous. Benedict and O'Begley. Reverend Fathers. Venerable and Worthy Sisters. Friends, Pupils and Graduates of - St. Scholastica's Academy: Acad-emy: The scene presented tonight by this magnificent audiene-e is surelv an inspiring in-spiring one. The happy faces, pleasant smiles and eager desires for the closing of this commencement, indicate more forcibly than words can express the idea that this is a red-letter day in the history of every one present. . Graduation day marks a most important impor-tant milestone in the lives of these young ladies here tonight. Adieus and farewells are the least part. For them hencefotth theories are put aside and practical work begins. Hereafter there will be less of special joy to the parents, par-ents, who for these many years have waited and watched the steady progress ! of their daughters preparing- for this commencement. Tonight they behold them crowned with the diadem of victory vic-tory which comes from sterling virtue and persevering effort. Like the flower, the xdant and the tree that have been well .watered and nourished by the husbandman, they have seen these once infant minds gradually grad-ually unfold, like the leaves of the rose, to the higher ideals of life in the passing pass-ing years, until now they bask in the sunshine of noble young womanhood, possessing knowledge and power, together to-gether with that queenly expression of virtue and goodness that will enable them to be models in society. Surely these parents are proud tonight, and they ought to be.. Within these walls their daughters have been chastened by prayer and meditation, culture and obedience, and a constant admonition of the duties and responsibilities they owe the world and society, and -what should be accomplished by them along their pathway through life. These are the duties which have been taunt by the responsibilities of your education and your duties, as your own master. ' will greatly lessen the happiness of those simple and innocent years you have spent within these hallowed walls. You will find that the world will endeavor en-deavor to push you aside, and to crush you down in its onward march as you strive to attain to position, wealth and fame. Man is a peculiar compound. Let us examine him a little. You are a part of him. and perhaps the better part at least the patient, sympathizing, uncomplaining uncom-plaining and virtuous part. In the Book of Genesis we read his history, and yours, too. Man was the crowning work of creation. Man was the climax of all that God called forth from the possible into the actual world Man, as the Scriptures say, was created to the possible image and likeness of his Master. Mas-ter. Into that inert matter God breathed the breath of life and man became a living soui,- and, God sent through the brain of man the never-ceasing never-ceasing tide of undying thought. Yes, : - -' t lp.u : -nil WlMi ilh: .. ;tp ' wVp- Rev. J. J. Gibbons, Pastor of Annunciation, Leadville. the -tireless, patient and self-sacrificing sisters, whose only ambition is the development de-velopment of true womanhood. . and whose most ardent desire is that all their pupils glorify God, be true ornaments orna-ments of society, and finally save their own souls. What motive could be higher; high-er; and what desire nearer the heart of the parent than this? None: and j no other aspiration for success, honor and position should govern these young ladies on the platform about me. j This should always be their innermost I desire. Long ago this inspiration was formulated by the sisters, when they ! first began the development of mind 1 j and heart, in these young women, for j I God and family. Tonight their wish is in part realized. On the part of the sisters, sis-ters, it is, I might say. almost com- pleted. The old adage "man know thyself," thy-self," which once hung in letters of gold over the Greek temples of learning, learn-ing, has 'been analyzed, as to resnonsi- ' bilities and duties, and it now only remains re-mains with these graduate'-s" to apply what they have been taught. I can readily see in every line of their features tonight suoc-ess clearly outlined. out-lined. To us all. there-fore, this is an occasion fraught with the greatest I hopes and possibilities, with. I might say, results that will leave their marks written indellibly on family, society and state long after we have passed to the great beyond. This we know from our own experience and observation. We fully appreciate the fact that Time in its passing leaves a mark upon the mind and the heart for good or evil. We fully realize how we fait in youth and manhood, and we may well assume tonight that these young : ladies, are happy. They can see no thorns upon their future pathway, no affliction, danger or deep-souled sorrow lurking upon that unseen highway over which human nature must pass to either suc-'i cess or failure. " Success is written upon their ban-1 ner. It should be so. They behold the ripened fruit upon the tree of knowledge knowl-edge and reach out eager hands to grasp, iU ere. it. fades from theig view. Again I say, 'tis well, for the grandest prerogatives of our lives are buoyed up by Hope, w hich is half the battle of life. Now is the time for them to cast : fuel upon the fire of their young lives I and makes it glow, with inspiration, strength and vigor for the accomplishment accomplish-ment of good. Now or never should be their watchword. The world is large enough for all. There is room for. science, sci-ence, room for the application of art, room for all the grand qualities of a noble womanhood. The world requires it, society demands it, and the integrity integ-rity and purity of the family cannot be secure without it. Yes, the very republic re-public cannot be perpetuated without it. The world, at large is famishing for higher ideals of life in man and in woman, wo-man, in society and state. So, fear not, you will and can find room for your tongue, your pen. and the expression of the greatest virtue, which human nature is capable of attaining. at-taining. You will find, however, that the world is not the pleasant place you think it is. You will find, when you leave these walls of your Alma Mater, your devout sisters and sympathizing friends that the soul of man Is akin to God, himself. That spark of divine life is the key to man's power and greatness the image of God in man, his immortal soul- But what a a the principal powers of the soul? AVnat are its chief faculties? You, who ha ve studied so Ions and faithfully within this sanctuary of learning will answer that they are the intellect and the will. You will , tell me, furthermore, that the object of the I intellect is to know truth and that the . object of the will is to love goodness. You will say here are the keys to man's I greatness and power, to his success, both in life and in death. You will tell me that on the proper use of these two powers depends man's happiness in this world and in the world to come: That God alone is eternal Truth that .God alone is infinite Goodness, and for this Truth and this Goodness was man created and without them he can never be happy. Again, you will sav that the abuse of these powers has been the cause of all the misery and affliction,, war and pestilence, murder and suicides sui-cides and all other crimes, committed by the children of men since the days when our first parents sinned amid the bowers of Paradise. Yes, you will say to me, this proposition propo-sition is true, and that, any deviation from its principles will bring ruin upon society. If society has anything grand and beautiful in it today, anything any-thing noble in the family or in the state, it is because it has adhered to these principles that man was created to fill his mind with truth, and to love goodness. , Hence the object of your lives is plain, and your actions are prescribed within certain limita You cannot be mistaken. 'There is no round-about way. Faithful adherence to these truths is as necessary for success in life as your very existence in your present condition. ' But, you must re- , member that over all these qualities of mind and heart Almighty God has cast the garment of Free Will. Y'ou can follow His commands or you may resist them: you may do His will or violate His law-; but in acting you seal your own doom. If you fill your intellect in-tellect with the things of the world merely, and for the world's sake; if you become great in science and art, only, like the pagans, you lead a material ma-terial life, a life that does not rise above earth, and flower and tree and sun and star a life that does not seek its ultimate end, the very beatific vision vis-ion of God; for" there, and there alone, must be centered the nobiest affections affec-tions of your hearts and your souls; there you will receive the plentitude of ! knowledge and goodness. That you ' might be able to assume the duties and obligations of this life in relation to the eternal life, you came here for instruction, for an education which means, when completed, a drawing draw-ing out, a . full development of intellect, intel-lect, a strengthening of the will in the habits of virtue, a cultivation of the affections of the heart yes. of your whole being relative to what you ought to know and What you ought to do; a knowledge of the law your duty in the home and in society. ' These truths you ; have "received through the Sisters and your own individual in-dividual exertions. For you it remains j to practice those virtues in the world and apply those principles w hich alone can enhance the glory of your lives and the dignity of your womanhood. I might say many things about what I think, you ought to do at home, in the counting room, in society, and generally through life, but time will not permit. However, be not proud I mean intellectual pride. Remember that jrou will find young women in all the walks of life who may surpass your best exertion. Young women who have never graduated never perhaps the opportunity to attend a seminary or an academy, whose lives were given to hard, unrelenting toil, but who by their untiring energy have pushed their way to the front rank in every position. Be not like the young man. who came home from college during vacation and thought he' might fool his father and mother hy showing his smartness, , It appears that the hens did not lay very well on the day pre-vioua pre-vioua to the young man's coming, so at 'breakfast,. his mother said: "John, my sort I am very sorry that there. are only two egga for --breakfast," "But, i mother, said John, there are three eggs there on the plate: don't you see them?" "How can that be," said his mother, for one and one make two." "Let me show you mother," said John, "how we fount at college: "There is one, this is two, is it not?" said John, "and two and one make three." "Yes," said the mother," but I can S!ee but two eggs all the same." "Well said the father. "I shall settle this dispute. Myself and your mother will take these two eggs and, John, you mar have the third." 1 Be religious, for -remember that without with-out religion you cannot be good and faithful members of society; you cannot can-not protect the purity of the fawiily and the home; you cannot succeed in life as you ought to succeed; you cannot can-not be respected or honored by either God or men. In life, be active and practical and ha-ve common - sense. Do-not sleep your lives away or spend your time in persuing the. trashy literature of the day literature that -feeds and flatters the sensual appetites, without improving improv-ing the intellect or the heart literature litera-ture that, debases your moral being, and disqualifies you for the ardent and strenuous dutiep of a good life. Never be ashamed of hard work at home or abroad, and especially in assisting those fathers and mothers who have done so much to make you what you are tonight. Unfortunately many of our young men and women are carried away by the glamour of life on the day of graduation and learn very often, after a sad exDerience. that in college and academy they have acquired only the foundation to begin practical life in the world. To bo ible to lay our hands on the' things around us and use them intelligently for the purpose best suited to our lives is the knowledge knowl-edge that counts in the world. Therefore There-fore neither the mending, the cooking, nor the daily routine of home life should be forgotten nor lightly thought of. The home, is especially yours. There you live the enthroned aueen of ,the affections of the household. There you will dispense your charity and hos-' pitality, your virtue and patience, your sympathy and love. The home is yours, and was created for you, and no human power can ever take the place from you. Woman, and woman alone shall ever be mistress of the home. Make the most of life by using well the powers God has given you. Be cheerful, happy and contented, and bear patiently with the faults of others. oth-ers. Forgive and forget wrongs quickly, and should you deviate frnm the ppath of truth and goodness at any time, rise at once with a -firm resolve re-solve to go onward and upward to the higher life with renewed courage, always" al-ways" remembering -. the admonitions which were imparted here by these Sisters wio have sacrificed their lives for the education and training of young women. Remember that, the passions of the human heart are : always the , same. History, only repeats1, itself. Today i,he faults of mankind are the same as whdn. St. Benedict and hip sister.. St. Scolastice, built their cells on Mount Cassino In the fif th : century. Men sadv.Mlrv.e . and ' sadly die. while Care siti , beside, their pillow. .Neither - the -farm nor the five yolk of .oxen, nor the j marrying , nor - the, , giving - in marriage can satisfy the longings of the human soul here below; and the tone of the Psalm of Life is still the swine: "Vanity of vanities and all is vanity, but to love God and serve Him alone." |