Annie Wright School - Shield Yearbook (Tacoma, WA)

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2 THE HYAK COMMENCEMENT ADDRESS . “From Strength to Strength!” Up yonder on the walls of their room in plain view of all who enter it and in constant view of all who are wont to use it for the purpose of study, are the words, “From Strength to Strength ” It is the motto of this school, the motto in which is set forth the constant and steadfast aim and purpose of this institution of learning for all who are entrusted to its foster- ing care. Each class, as it comes and goes, may have its particular precept, expressing according to its own judgment its individual endeavor, but this, year after year, stands as the motto of all and for all, pointing the way along which all are to be led, and giving to each one walking in this way new courage and incen- tive to press ever onward and upward. Since it belongs then in such a complete sense to this school, as a whole, I trust it may not be amiss if I take it this morning, as I was about to say, the text, until I remembered that the sermon was preached some three days ago, so I will rather say, as the motto of the address which it is my privilege to make to this school and its friends who are met here to celebrate the going forth of another class, as we fondly trust fitted and trained in some, degree for the duties and responsibilities of life. From Strength to Strength. They are ancient words penned centuries ago by some sing- er of ancient Israel to whom the name “the Psalmist” is given. As we read these words, together with those in the midst of which they are set, we may catch at least some faint glimpse of the picture which was before the mind ' s eye of the Psalmist. He had been singing of the blessedness of those whose privi- lege it is to serve God, abiding continually in His temple. “Blessed are they that dwell in Thy house, they will be al- ways praising Thee.” But now his thoughs turn to those with- out and yet those whose faces are turned toward the temple toward which they are ever pressing onward, a company of pilgrims, in whose hearts are the ways as they seek the goal above and before them. Perchance it is a steep and toilsome way. Perchance it is rough and rugged, filled with difficulties and discouragements. Now they are wearied and worn and the temptations to turn aside into some smooth and easy path are many. Or now they are almost ready to sink down in de- spair, to give up the journey, since with all their toil and labor the goal of their hopes still seems so far away. But the ways are in their hearts, and from their lips there starts a song, and once again, with new determination they grasp their pilgrim

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SHE • HYA VOL. I. TACOMA, WASHINGTON, JUNE, 1902. No. 3 EIGHTEENTH COMMENCEMENT OF THE ANNIE WRIGHT SEniNARY. ORDER OF SERVICE Hymn No. 311. “Ancient of Days.” The Lord’s Prayer. Vehicles and Responses. Psalm XXVII. Scripture Lesson. Te Deum. Apostles’ Creed. Versicles and Responses. Collects. Anthem, “Praise ye the Father,” Gounod Address, The Right Reverend, The Bishop of Olympia Chorus, “Voices of the Woods,” Rubinstein Presentation of Diplomas School Hymn No. 510, “Go Forward, Christian Soldier.” Collects. Benediction. Hymn No. 522, “On our Way Rejoicing.”

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THE HYAK 3 Htaffs and start anew, and then out from their goal, as from a fountain of perpetual youth there comes a stream as of new courage and strong incentive. The difficulties which but a little before seemed insurmountable, seem now to make them stronger as one by one they meet and rise above them in the way, and thus onward and upward they go from strength to strength, until at last the journey is done and they find rest and peace in the attainment of that for which their souls have longed. It is a picture from life, dear friends, of a particular phase of life, I grant you, as the Psalmist saw it, and yet, also, it is a picture equally illustrative of other phases of life, and cer- tainly of all and every phase in which our growth and devel- opment are seen. All our life is but a journey and all our life through we are pilgrims journeying onward, journeying ever over a toilsome way and slow, continually meeting new perplexities and difficulties, oftentimes wearied and worn, many times discouraged and cast down, but always, if forgetting the things which are behind, we continue to press on to the things which are before, finding that each new difficulty overcome does but make us stronger to go on to the next. And thus we may go from strength to strength until at last the goal of our ambition is reached, when our journey is done. On this day, and within these walls, I am sure there is not one of us who can fail to realize the force of this truth. There is not one of us with whom the remembrance of school days is not fresh enough to make this picture live again. One and all we remember that the way of learning was not an easy way. Lessons were hard, problems were difficult, translations were troublesome, discipline was annoying, holidays were few and far between, term time was long and vacation surprisingly short. But somehow or other, we kept on, and if we were only faithful to each new duty as it came we found ourselves grow- ing stronger and stronger, better fitted to meet new difficulties as they arose, and thus going from strength to strength. But while it is, perhaps, easy enough for us to know and appreciate this truth after we have advanced some distance on our way and stop to look back upon the way we have come, it is not always so easy to appreciate it when we are still in the way and have the difficulties all around us. And here this morning, speaking more particularly to the members of this school, my desire is to show you that there is so much real truth in this motto which is kept ever before you to the end that it may have a meaning for you and be ever a real source of courage and ambition for you. I do not forget, of course, that this is the end of the school year, and not the beginning