Elmwood School - Samara Yearbook (Ottawa, Ontario Canada)

Page 3 text:

SAMARA 3 Dear Elmwoodians, As another school year draws to a close, I find myself deeply grateful that we have made some progress towards developing at Elmwood worthwhile values in the world of today. Our School motto, Success is naught; endeavour ' s all has had practical application. Many of you have tried sincerely to develop to the best of your ability the talents you possess. Even though your results have not always measured up, you have made a be- ginning. Your effort will not go for naught. Our Friday afternoon discussion groups have seen you busiest with problems of Current Events, Drama, Music, Art and Philosophy. I have felt your young minds searching for truth, and I have been reminded of the words cut in stone over the entrance of the College I attended years ago, shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free . To get a glimpse over the wall, to shed a pin-prick of light on the riddle of the universe, is what men down through the ages have been struggling to do. This takes vision. May you have the vision of Elmwood ' s purpose. May you realize the opportu- nity that is yours to make the vision a reality. William Temple, Archbishop of Canterbury, explains the purpose of the present day in these words: Now is arising on a scale never before seen in the world the Christian fellowship which extends into almost every nation and binds the citizens of them together in true unity and mutual love: it is the great new fact of our era . I feel that in a small way, we too have taken steps in this direction. It is an adventure to be a Christian. It is an adventure in faith or in confidence. It means the arrival at the conviction that you can succeed. You must believe in yourself. You must be willing to pay the price of self-discipline day after day. You must believe that your little bit counts, that whatever talents have been given you are for some purpose. I am bold enough to think that God needs each one of us, from the student who stands last in the class to the one who heads the list. He needs us to give back to Him, in whatever way we can, the talent He has given us. When we have the confidence that He is behind us and will guide us in all we do, then and only then, will we realize the necessity for self-denial in unnecessary things that we may finally stand like towers when everything rocks around us and when our weaker companions are blown with every blast. Finally, as you search for knowledge, may you acquire wisdom, remembering that true wisdom comes only with reverence for God. If you keep these thoughts before you as you search for truth, indeed you shall know the truth that will set you free and you will be worthy daughters of your beloved school. Sincerely and affectionately.