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12
THE HESPERIAN.
vital ardor glows," the occasion was quite enough to inspire
any sneaker, ami truly the sermon that followed was one of
strongest ever heard in Lincoln. Following the sing
lug, Chancellor Canflcld stepped lo the front and intro
duced the Rev. William Kirkus. I) 1)., of New York City
who took for hi ibject ''Scholarship a Hurdcn of the Lord."
Those who were somewhat disappointed with Gladden
had no criticism for Dr. Kirkus. "The true scholar" said he
"must cultivate, at any cost, openness to truth and freedom
from prejudice. Others may guess hut he must know. He
must not only swallow hut chew and digest and assimilate.
Space forbids even a brief synopsis of this excellent address.
Art Itccrptinn.
Tuesday afternoon of commencement week the art de
partment in charge of Miss Moore was thrown open lor pub
lic inspection. There was a large Attendance ami the rooms
remained open all day Wednesday. Many favorable com
ments were made by the many visitors upon the work done
by the first year class. The more advr.uced students of
course had a higher grade of work on exhibition. That of
Miss Wilson especially dcscives mention. The charcoal
woak and oil paintings especially showed careful training
and not a 1 ttle talent. Miss Hawcs also had some excellent
work on exhibition. Miss Mjore who for about eight years
has had charge of this department expects to leave soon,
having resigned her position. While here she has made
made many lasting friends, not only in her own department
but also among students of the whole school. Her in ny
friends will be grieved to hear that she will not return next
year. She. however, has earned a rest and her friends wish
her success wherever she maj cast her lot.
Cotiinirncenirnt Concert.
The commencement concert was held in the chapel Mon
day evening. June 13. There was a larpe attendance and
the perft rmcrs iveie liberally applauded. The fact that there
were two graduates from this department this year lent ad
ditional interest to the concert Miss Iouise round and Miss
Carrie M. McClurken are the fiist to graduate from the de
p.-u linen t of music. Mr. and Mrs. Meuzendorf have Iwen
untiring in their efforts to build np this department and the
skill of their pupils Monday evening showed how successful
have been their efforts. The chorus too shows, a woudeiful
improvement since last year.
ClaftH I 3 lxerclr.
Tuesday, exercise commenced at 10 o'clock a. in. with
the senior clas. day pu ram at Funke's opera house. C. M.
iskiles the wuilhy and venerable president of the cla, pre
titled with dignity and a beaming smile.
Misses Andru.. and Dcl'uc opened (he ptogtam with a
piano duet, " The Jolly Blacksmith." I E. Tniycr followed
with the history of the class during the preparatory ycai,
"Fiom the time Baikley recited algebra with his Iwnk wide
open before linn till the last term ol the senior year, when 110
one pietended to look 111 a book, the class .t) '92 ha nude
itself agreable to many and duagrcablc lb many othns."
The experiences of the modest plowboy and lh-i bashful
country girl in the libiary, in the class jojin and in society
were giaphically recited.
I lie ilass m a oijjai.icd during the teiond prep 11 ,ilm
yeai and after a caicei wlndi tin- liistoiian cousidcied most
glorious icached the freshman year. J. C I'orlei field tb n
took up the narrative and told how they carried canes and de
ed o I and '93. Hut when they got to the sopj-omorcsliedid
they punished the chief barber, l'ortcrficld summed up the
senior year with a tribute lo those who had fallen iky the
wayide.
"The Apotheosis of the Common" was the subject of
what proved to be a well prepared oration by Mist Louise
P.iund. She dwelt upon the worship of that which is common
by the American people. The tendency is to make everything
common and to take pride in being common. When man
was surrounded by nature, by forests, slreams.thc wild birds,
etc., he was poetic. Nature is poetry. Hut with the intro
ductinn of the inventions of man hi. becomes prosaic. Ma
chinery develops piose by making man a machine, by plac
ing him in a narrow niche and making him a part of the
great whole.
The tendency towards the common is engrailed in our
democracy that looks upon all mrn as equal; in our thoughts
that exhibit sentimentality, not sentiment. It shows itself
in literature under the name of rcaMsm that takes the com
mou for its ideal.
This worship of the common is fostered by a perversion
of the old saying, "AH mrn are created equal." Men no
longer say "I am holier than thou" but "I am as good as
you." If the mass takes the place of the individual it will be
through the apotheosis of the common. The tendency is to
make all "one dead level as a lifeless, soulless sea." The
production was delivered in a clear ami forcible manner but
tee speaker showed nervousness.
"Love's Old Sweet Song" was sung by Miss Mull in in
her sweet and alt 1 active anner.
MissTrceman read an essay upon "Mrs. Socrates," which
proved to be a defense of the wife of Socrates. Xauthippa.
A papyrus manuscript found by Dr. Schlieman in his Grecian
excavations proved to be a diary of thi womn, and show
that she was of royal blood, of noble character and not at all
what she is painted. To prove that she was a much abused
woman it is necessary only to cite some facts regarding Soc
rates how he lived, his bad habits, his evil associate, his
generally repulsive nature. The wriier characterized Soc
rates as "an inconsiderate old heathen."
J C. IWterficld followed with a baritone miJo, "The Ban
dit's Life" and received hearty applause. One of the most
interesting parts of the program was. a recitation "A College
Hoy's Storj," which was very pleasingly recited by Miss
Del'ue. She was distinctly heard thioughcut the whole
house.
T. F. A. Williams followed with an oration. He ilcpn -cated
the tendency of he eople to look at the present only
without pioviding for the futme. Wc Iritle with questions
lorteaisand settle them onlv when we have to. We aie
faying lines for untold millions to follow. We have been
charged to proielhe prpcticabilit) of republican government.
Out country is an empire, our nice a rmal incc.our language
destined lo be universal. Hence our mission is gical. We
must mould the future still plastic in our hand, but fast be
coming fixed. Are we doing it right' The speaker then
dwelt upon some of the questions that confront us. Voters
are led by demagogues. Even in our ciy, so moral. m iclig
ous. so educational, we suspect the "ring" rule. The cities
are seats of ciniption. et they aie glowing flcr than the
10.11.11 -iiiut v.lw- Hi,- .,.siioi. .,f mi,ui,,j ....,
inenl. "W aie awakened I.) a iiois, ; it is onlv a mob di.ig
gmg 1'hill.ps tluough the streets of Bo,ton. W- fall avv.,
again and are .moused by ihe dejlh of Lovejo) Again we
sieep ami are stutlcd by the firing , Port Sumptet and the
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