Montpelier High School - Mirror Yearbook (Montpelier, OH)

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THE BEAUTY OF LIVING A long time ago, yes-even hundreds of years ago, stories were originated by various races to be used to entertain, and while long hours away. Al- though constructed aimlessly, these tales involved the very fiber of the race which they exemplified, and therefore they stand before us today as an ac- curate account of the lives of our ancestors before us. There is one of the Greek stories of which I am tremendously fond because it holds in store such a grand philosophy. This is the story of Pul- lux and Castor, two brothers who held a boundless esteem for each other. These boys were noted for athletic skill and they entered upon all unknown paths together. Their hopes and ideals were the same and they dismounted each task only after a complete victory. Then one day they had to sum- mon their courage and go forth into battle. Still together they strove, but fate would take its course and Castor was fatally wounded. Pollux, incon- solable for the loss of his brother's life-since he knew life to be a thing too beautiful to lose--be- sought the King of Gods, that he might be permit- ted to give his own life as a ransom for him. lup- iier so far consented as to allow the two brothers to enjoy the boon of life alternately, passing one day on earth and the next in heavenly abodes. As I have said, I like the philosophy embodied in this legend, for it shows that the Greeks had found the art of living and realized its worth. It seems all the more symbolical to me since I think we have wandered upon hasty and heated days and are intensely over powered by the God of Swiftness and Greed. Too many of us accept flashing pictures of life for life itself and therefore miss all beauty on they way, we hasten here and there, and having arrived, rush away again with- out gaining our purpose. To be still awhile and breathe of the beauties of life would be good for all of usl By this I do not mean mental stagnation nor lazy contentment, but life more deeply thought about, and more intensely realized. For it is cer- tain that our grasp of life is in direct proportion to the variety and warmth of the way in which we consider it. Where there is no thought, there is no beauty and no joy. There are so many ways by which we are able to enrich our lives, and therefore enhance the lives of those about us. I speak of comely things and intangible beauties such as every man might share. We all know that wealth and power can secure many things which are not available to the poor and humble man. Yet in life there are bound- less treasures of beauty that are open to the rich and poor alike, these are to be had for the asking and although no amount of money can purchase them, they are ever at hand for people who have the eyes to see and the minds to comprehend them. I believe that Ruskin, a famous nineteenth cen- tury essayist, very well summed up these intangi- ble treasures in what he termed the Seven Lamps of Architecture. I-Ie believed these Seven Lamps to be Sacrifice, Truth, Power, Beauty, Life, Memory, and Obedience. The first of these is one of the most common, and surely one of the most necessary. Every day presents to us a chance to sacrifice either for the benefit of others or ourselves. For those of us who cannot see the beauty in the sacrifice of a mother for her child, in the sacrifice of one friend to an- other or in sacrifice for the cause of any loved one, life still holds this vision in store. And truth is so closely connected to sacrifice, because it involves all those principles which are necessary to gener- ous living. By this I mean that any man is gener- ous who is truthful to himself and those about him. For truth invariably wins, and where licentiousness brings defeat, truth shall set you free. Power is one characteristic that can either bring beauty into a man's life or bind him up in the bounds of eternal misery. But usually its pul- chritude is victorious for if a man knows power, then he believes in his own convictions and he knows in what things he is strong. Thus to know your own mind, and realize when your ideals are truly great is an asset which any one might avail himself of if he can only conquer his soul and have power within him. I shall pass over beauty and life, for as I have already said beauty is ever present, and we all know life a thing to come unsought. Now memory is a blessing with which many of us are not en- dowed. But this is a fault of no one but ourselves since memory must be cultivated and matured. Yet once obtained memory proves itself to be of infinite value for so much beauty might be brought into our lives by recalling those pleasant past experiences and happenings. Lastly, obedience is a thing which we all should strive to nourish in our being. Obedience has such a scope and includes so much but one of its greatest meanings is obedeince to self. Still I would add another to Buskin's list, for it is one which, in my mind, seems to dominate the others. This is the companionship that we find in our friends and acquaintances. If a day passes in which we have exchanged no friendly greeting, nor given a word of comfort or sol-ace to a fellow- man-that day is wasted indeed. My heart cries out to those who in their moment of despair have had no one close enough to bring them bliss from their worldy trouble. What greater form of beauty can we know than that which is stimulated by human re- lationships? And now I have given my prescription for finding beauty in living. If it only touches one single human and brings them into a fuller life, I shall be satisfied! Dorothy Gump, Editor Page I2

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PERRY FQAULKNER A. I. BROWN, Pres. THE BACKGROUND OF AN EDUCATION The subject of any successful picture must be presented against a fitting background, the melody of a song is enriched by its ac- companiment, a drama is not complete With- out a proper setting, likewise in summarizing the traditions and standards of our chools, We cannot fail to recognize the background against which they are presented. This background is our Board of Educa- tion. lt is their selection of an efficient Fac- ulty, their loyal support of the student body, their advancement of a Curriculum includ- ing a Wide range of subjects, and their Well organized control of school and finance which allows our school to appear as a complete and potential unit. While We exalt our school and our schol- astic achievements, We scarcely think of the ever-ready assistance Which they offer us. But We are grateful for their interest and en- couragement and it is our aim as students to be found Worthy of their jurisdiction and support. -Vivian Briner DR. L. H. LOGHERY RALPH BOONE I OHN HELLER Page l3