Lyman Hall High school - Singer Chronicle Yearbook (Wallingford, CT)

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4 THE CHRONICLE SECURING WORLD PEACE Competitive Essay At the present time it is becoming more and more evident to thinking people that wars in the future must be avoided. The ideal civilization that we are striving for has no place for war. The instruments of war, as now being developed, will make armed conflict too terrible for the human race to endure. To keep away from these horrors, extensive measures will have to be taken. The people of the entire world must be educated in peace. Co-operation of governments needs to play a prominent part. Speaking broadly, intellectual and political advancement will provide the means of securing world peace. Education of a sort that would foster peace must be far-reaching. It must include everyone. To have the world progress, its inhabitants must progress individually. Education should not be reserved for the highest; the lowest and poorest classes of every land should have its advantages. Our country is forward in this respect. Anyone with a little ambition may receive instruction and make something of himself. The opportunities offered here are far greater and better tham those of many other nations. The people here are learning more and are constantly seeking a better condition of affairs. They see and desire the benefits of peace, though many, fearing to be thought pacifists, are unwilling to do anything to contribute to ultimate peace. These people think that such a move might be unpatriotic, although it would really be of great value to the nation, The educational systems of the more backward countries need improvement. When the authorities in control of these governments meet this need their countries will be able to hold a higher rank among the powers of the world. Their people will have higher and nobler ideals, gained while receiving their education for peace. A thing that has caused much unnecessary strife has been the establishment of national boundaries without regard to the different kinds of people brought together or separated. This has been chiefly true of small countries, where sections of land frequently pass from the hands of one country to those of another. People of one race, and with certain customs, are split and made to join with people of entirely different ideas. The result of this has been a great deal of turmoil and unrest. To eliminate it, boundaries should be fixed, as far as possible, according to the race and inclinations of the people living in the land concerned. This policy was carried out to a certain extent after the late World War. The question of government and control in securing universal tranquility is an important one. It is clear that there must be some co-operation among governments. Civilization has seen the advance from the family to the tribe, to the old city state, to the national forms of government. Will there ever be an international government? Time will tell. At present, a practical, working combination of the best ideas of the present League of Nations and the World Court seems advisable. There should be a legislative body composed of representatives from the nations, given enough power to be able to act with some degree of certainty and efficiency. They should decide the relative standings of the member nations and questions like reduction of armaments. An executive body would inform the nations of the manner of carrying out the agreements made. A judicial body of responsibility and dignity would hear and give decisions on cases between countries. This department would necessarily be very important, as it would be the highest word of authority. This working together of governments, which will simplify many otherwise unsolvable difficulties, along with the achievements of the education of the future, will be the essential feature in the program of securing world peace. Henry Burghoff.

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THE CHRONICLE 3 beat with joy at the realization that Spring is at hand. His was the precious secret of blending into glorious music that season of new life and awakening, Spring; and with it he often added a touch of sweet melancholy that tenderly fills some of his songs with a moving sadness. Who has not felt the fascinating, unique sway of his waltzes? Who has not had some deeply-hidden chord touched by one of his nocturnes? Chopin has borne his cargo to a most receptive world; to a world that will never forget him, and will sometimes stop in the midst of its turmoil, to listen, for a moment, to his sweet, dreamy music, and then go on, feeling more refreshed and invigorated for having had that moment of ecstasy. But—look! Another ship is rapidly coming into view, bringing with it the wrath of Jove himself. The skies grow dark, and ominous sounds of thunder mutter in the distance and finally end in a mighty crash of thunder. The wind is rising and comes sweeping down upon the sea in a furious gale. The strong, heavily-built ship withstands the mad tempest, and comes determinedly on. One gains the impression of hidden strength and vigor from its appearance. The cargo of magnificent, sturdy oak and massive framework for huge structures is worthy of that imperial ship. Lofty monuments for heroes of the ages will be fashioned from the heap of marble and granite. The pilot stands upon the deck, steering his ship safely through the trials and struggles of storms and tempests. Richard Wagner fears nothing. He knows his cargo is of the best. He is certain it will endure for centuries, for he has poured his soul into its making and feels satisfied to think what he has done is worthy of his genius. George T. Ferris says, “The poet-musician Wagner rightfully claims that in his music-drama is found the wedding of two of the noblest of arts, Music and Poetry”; and Shakespeare says, “One God is God of both.” This puts the character of Wagner’s music in its true perspective. Wagner, a wonderful combination of two great arts, has, in a most masterful way, combined poetry and music into powerful and tempestuous creations. While this regal ship passes on, another is not far behind. The atmosphere again changes and becomes very peaceful and calm. Everything lies in a state of perfect quiet except for a passing cloud, so white and fluffy, which drifts silently along as if afraid to disturb the symphony of peacefulness. How very stately the craft looks! Its very simplicity gives it a dignified air. It is typical of its pilot, John Sebastian Bach, who is gravely steering his ship through the calm waters. He is bringing precious gems and wonderfully, most intricately woven fabrics to the world. His cargo will always be a model for others. He is proclaimed King of Classical Music, and his themes for the organ are famous for their beauty and depth. Hubbard says, “What Shakespeare is to literature, Rembrandt to portrait painting, and Michael Angelo to sculpture, John Sebastian Bach is to organ music. Bach was so great that he had no artistic jealousy, no whim, and when harshly and unjustly criticized, he did not concern himself enough with the quibblers to reply. The man who thus allows life to justify itself, and lets his work speak, and who, when reviled, reviles not again, must be a very great and lofty soul.” Thus it is. Ships are passing by forever and ever. All are different—some strikingly so; yet all have a common bond. Their one goal and destination is the great storehouse of Immortal Works. Here lie the creations of many, the treasures of centuries. An understanding heart and an appreciative mind—these are the keys to the storehouse. Enter, all who desire, and find there glorious music—music expressive of every human emotion—music, the language of the soul. Florence Koletzke.

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THE CHRONICLE 5 THE QUEST Valedictory Essay “To every man there openeth A way, and ways, and a way, And the high soul climbs the high road And the low soul gropes the low, And in between, on the misty flats, The rest go to and fro. But to every man there openeth A high way and a low, And every man determineth The way his soul shall go.” In the olden days, the days of chivalry, it was the custom for knights to set out upon a quest and give hand and heart to fulfilling it. It was not with the knights that seeking originated, nor did it end with them. The desire to seek is ages old—as old as man is. You see it in every page of history. Every man has a search in life, whether it is for wealth, or power, or just his daily bread. But beneath and above all other searches there is another and a greater—that of the heart and soul. Some indescribable longing calls us to enter this quest. Sometimes it comes with the dawn from the Land of Unknown Things. It may come with the sound of wonderful music. It may come when we look into the eyes of someone who is very pure and good. It may come just at dusk, when the beautiful sunset gates are opened in the West. It may come at night, when we gaze at distant, shining stars and wonder at a beauty we cannot understand. But to everyone this longing comes, for in each of us lies a seed of divine discontent, and we know not how to explain it, nor exactly why and what we desire—but men call it Truth. Tonight, we, too, are setting out to new fields of adventure and noble deeds. We, too, shall undertake the quest for Truth. And, first, we should ask ourselves what it is. Truth is the Great Principle of the Universe. We cannot say exactly what this Principle is, but we believe it is Love and Goodness. It is to be seen in all that is worthwhile, and good, and beautiful, in life. The most beautiful flowers, the loveliest songs, reveal Truth; but Truth, which governs these flowers and songs, is still more beautiful and lovely. When we understand fully this Principle, this Law of Life, it will enable us to live in complete harmony and happiness. Sometimes we are afraid to look for it lest we should cease to be happy. This is not so. In Truth’s path dangers, troubles, and crosses lie, but also true joy. There is no happiness in wrong. Indeed, Truth is the secret of real happiness. Now, how can we find this wonderful thing? By holding it the highest thing in life. Truth is very precious, and the price of obtaining it is great—complete devotion. He who would find Truth must, at the first step, dedicate everything to his cause; at no step, hold anything dearer; at every step, be willing to sacrifice all for it. The search for Truth is told by Olive Schreiner in a beautiful allegory called “The Hunter.” In this story, a hunter sees in a lake, the reflection of a beautiful, silvery-white bird—Truth. In a moment it is gone, but within him. burns the consuming desire to see it again. So he spreads a net of wishes and gathers many birds—but Truth is not there. At last, Wisdom tells him if he would find Truth he must enter the Land of Negation and Denial, and then climb many high mountains and suffer much. So he sets free the birds of his wishes; he leaves his friends and goes alone, an outcast, seeking Truth. He travels a long way, where never man went before; he overcomes temptations; he climbs many jagged rocks. Somewhere above is Truth. Lonely and weary and brave, he