St Josephs Academy - La Lumiere Yearbook (Prescott, AZ)

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8 ACADEMY CHIMES. “OLD GLORY.” Each nation’s flag appears to be the most beautiful in the eyes of its people, so to every true American the “Stars and Stripes ” take pre- cedence of all other emblems of national existence. The flag that to-day waves o’er the “ Land of the Free,” is made from light material, capable of being extended by the wind, and serves as an assertion of national rights. An insult to a flag is an insult to the nation represented by it. The noble woman who made the first flag under General Washington’s in- structions, when told by friends and neighbors that the Tories might take her life if she persevered in her work, showed as much bravery and patriotism as did Washington or any of our heroes, by completing her task without shirk or fear. Originally our flag had thirteen stripes and as many stars and the plan was to add a new stripe for every State ad- mitted into the Union. This plan was found inconvenient as it would make the flag too large or the stripes too nar- row, so it was decided that a star, in- stead of a stripe, be added upon the introduction of each new state into the Union. In tracing its origin we find that to- wards the end of the year 1775, Dr. Franklin and two other gentlemen were appointed to consider the subject of a national flag. The result was one of thirteen stripes, alternate red and white, together with the King’s colors or Union Jack. When independence was deter- mined upon, this representation of the sovereignty of England was dropped. The stars were a natural symbol of the states. The first flag was made in June, 1776, when a committee of Congress, accom- panied by General Washington, called on Mrs. John Ross of Philadelphia, and engaged her to make amodel flag from a rough drawing. This was modified by Washington in pencil, he substituting for the six-pointed star one of five points. This was the first flag ever used on land or sea and, on June 14, 1777, Congress adopted the basis of the existing national flag. Old Glory has furnished a theme for many modern poets and composers. “The Star Spangled Banner” and “The Flag of the Free” are the most familiar. Our late esteemed friend, Rev. E. O’Growney, has awakened popular interest in his translation into the Celtic of Francis Scott Key’s cele- brated poem. The old flag of Freedom! It is the gift of the free. It droops o’er the grave of the hero, whether the mound above him be wreathed in laurels or shrouded in snow. It teaches us that worth alone is royal; that fame and honor open only to the faithful and the brave. Its red should remind us of the blood shed by our nation’s heroes, that we might live in the land of the free. It is an emblem of peace and speaks of defiance to our foes while it tells of valor and courage. The spotless white of the beautiful stars means peace, purity, and inno- cence. Its blue is for truth eternal and is also an emblem of faith. It should keep us true and loyal to our country’s honor. Its stars should enlighten the world and prove to every one that our people can be trusted with the boon of liberty. Its stripes mean justice sure to fall on all offending foes. Children should be taught to love their flag. This is done effectively by telling them its origin and victorious

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ACADEMY CHIMES. 7 chance to read this imperfect tribute of love and gratitude to our highly gifted and lamented friend and father. Rev. Eugene O’Growney was born in Ireland in 1862, and early in life de- voted himself to acquiring the neces- sary education to fit him for entering upon the still higher and more extended duties required for the exalted vocation to which he aspired. After his ordina- tion he became deeply interested in the movement for the preservation and the extention of the Irish language. He devoted his life to a careful study of it and his efforts were crowned with the laurel wreath of fame, and distinction that entitles him to recognition as “one of the best masters of the Irish lang- uage.” His scholarly abilities were brought more prominently to the front after having succeeded the late John Fleming as editor of the Gaelic Journal His distinguished and remarkable work as professor of Irish at Maynooth Col- lege is a matter well worthy of record in history and his efforts at Maynooth are certainly entitled to more than a passing notice, since the task he started has outlived him. He always spoke most enthusiastically of any movement toward the advancement of the Gaelic race. His last literary work on record was the metrical translation of Amer- ica’s national air, “The Star Spangled Banner,” into Irish During his sojourn in Arizona he made many friends who mourn his loss and admire his virtues. His patience, while laboring under the grim monster Consumption, and his resignation to the inevitable, proved him to be not unlike Him who endured the thrust of spears and the crown of thorns. He was a friend to all and a consolation to those in bereavement, and a generous minis- ter to those in distress. His gentle manners, his words of kindness, and benevolence, his fatherly advice and wise counsel joined to his Christ-like meekness and devotion, will linger in the tender memories of those who knew him long after his unfinished work shall have been completed, moulded and fallen to decay. The merit of his life work is now the measure of his reward as he had in view only God’s honor and glory and the good of his fellow-men. Though he had been ailing for years yet his wonderful energy of mind and constant cheerfulness made it appear to many that the Angel of Death would yet delay some time before delivering the final message. He did not fear the end. Why should he ? Death has no terror for the truly Christian soul. It is not the end but the beginning of life. He saw beyond the grave the glorious sunshine of God’s presence. The final moment at last came and, and as the setting sun on a calm September eve sinks beneath the horizon, gilding the heavens with its mild yet glorious splendor, so did the soul of Father O’Growney pass to his God, leaving behind him the bright light of genius and virtues. How much could be said and said truly, were my pen and lips eloquent enough to proclaim his praise ! Love for God’s poor was a marked trait in his character. His generous nature and warm heart were ever moved by kind impulses and influenced by chari- table feelings as became his priestly calling. He was esteemed during life by numerous persons of all classes and denominations for his sympathies were as broad as humanity. May his soul rest in peace ! His remains lie in the cemetery in the “City of Angels” and though it is not given us to strew flowers on his grave yet we can give him love’s purest and best offering — a fervent de profundis for the happy repose of his soul. Priest of God, sweetly sleeping, May thy sainted spirit rise Up above, and in God’s keeping, Dwell e’ermore in Paradise. Anna Burke, ’02.

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ACADEMY CHIMES. 9 record in days of peace and of cruel war, and also by keeping a flag on every school-house. We can never show too ranch defer- ence for the flag of our country, that has ever been the symbol of liberty and justice. The New York Times gives an interesting incident of how this truth was impressed on a number of boys. When the American flag is flying in the play-grounds of a certain private school for boys, one notices that all the lads who approach it take off their hats. This pretty custom, which sends a thrill of patriotism through passers-by, grew out of the following incident: During a general frolic one day a young and heedless student threw a stone through the waving Stars and Stripes. His companions started an outburst of approving laughter, which was suddenly hushed by the grave aspect of the approaching principal. Pointing toward the ugly rent he asked in an awe stricken voice: “Who has dishonored his country ?’’ The culpit hung his head. “ I am willing to pay for the damage.” he be- gan hurriedly, w'hen he was interrupted with— “ What price could pay an insult to an American flag?” “It’s just an old piece of bunting,” the boy insisted. The stern gravity of the principal’s face increased. “ An old piece of bunting when it is of red, of white, and of blue, star- spangled,” he said reverently, “becomes the spirit of American institutions. To insult that ‘old bunting’ is to insult your country. When there is no love of country, there is not a good citizen.” As the principal spoke he moved nearer the flag-staff. “Hats off!” he ordered. At once every head was un- covered. “ And now on your honor as good American citizens, let no one of this company ever again approach that banner except in love and reverence.” With it in beauty no flag can compare, All nations honor our banner so fair; If to insult it a traitor should dare Crushed to the earth let him be. Louise McKinney, ’02. THE BEAUTIES OE NATURE. “ The works of God are fair for naught, Unless our eyes, in seeing, See hidden in the thing the thought That animates its being.” nature means “Created by God.” All nature is beautiful in the eyes of the pure, though noth- ing so perfect in form as the human body—this “ Temple of God,” which is the dwelling place of the soul. Its elegance of outline, deli- cacy of mold, and beauty of color dis- tinguish it from all other objects in nature, and also this peculiarity, that man’s reason is placed above his pas- sions to be the director of his will. Nature is to be studied with the eyes of the heart as well as with the micro- scope, and ever so scanty a knowdedge of its laws helps us to feel that the realms of nature are very near to the human heart and its sympathies, and that the truth of nature is a part of the truth of God. How the heart of man blesses flowers. They are wreathed ’round the cradle, the nuptial altar and the tomb. Witness the love of nature expressed by Words-