Barringer High School - Athenaeum Yearbook (Newark, NJ)

Page 20 text:

HIGH SCIIOOL A N N U AL. J0LGII g CHOOL UAL EDITORS: Aliikht D. Bl'uubsskk, Hattik M. Baii.ky, Ciiaklks W. Cokskli., Mahy I. Lombard. NEWARK, N. J., JANUARY 1, 1877. EDITORIAL. In pursuance of a long established custom, the pupils of the High School again send forth their Holiday greeting, through the pages of the “ Annual.” At the close of each year, we almost unconsciously pause to consider the various events which have made up its history. Thus, taking a retrospective snow of the past year, wo can but admit that it has been an eventful one—one that will hold a prominem place in the history of the world. Foremost in the ranks of great achieve- ments stands our “ Centennial Exhibition ” —that wondrous collection of the produc- tions of art, science and literature, which so fittingly illustrated, not only the development of our own nation, but the progress of civilization throughout the world. But, notwithstanding our advancement in science and invention, our country is to-day suffer- ing great financial embarrassment; the nation not haviug yet recovered from the effects of the panic which so recently swept over us. In our gloom we will cliug to our nation’s motto, “ In God wo Trust,” knowing that He who has led us so safely for one hundred years, will not forsake us in tho future. Though there is much to absorb our attention in the outside world, still we are not prevented thereby from noticing the changes that have taken place in our limited sphere of action—the High School. Our previously large number of pupils was greatly increased at the l cginuiug of the present school year, so that we now suffer not only inconvenience, but annoyance, on account of our crowded condition. We earnestly hope that the Board of Education will speedily gr ut sufficient appropriations for the construction of a building of which the city of Newark may justly be proud, and one of suitable size aud comfort for our successors. At the beginning of this year a change was made in the names of the classes. In the place of the unmeaning appellations of “A, “ B,” 44 0,” and “ D. were substi- tuted more appropriate titles, so that we are now known as “Seniors,” Juniors,” “ Second Year,” and “ First Year ” students. Greek has been stricken from the list of studies in the Male Department, much to the regret of those wishing to prepare for college. In the Junior Class, Gilmore’s Art of Expression has been provided to take the place of Greek. The young ladies of the First Year Class now study English Analysis instead of Latin as heretofore. The Junior young ladies, who never before have l een numerous enough to form two classes, this year number over sixty, in con- sequence of which the class has been divided, and the new division placed under the charge of Miss Lena A. Bosworth; Miss Isadore M. Winans has been promoted to the charge of the “ N ” division of the Second Year young ladies. The appointment of Mr. J. L. Ileffron, to succeed Sir. C. L. Woodruff, who resigned last spring, has given entire and universal satisfaction. The vacancy caused by the resignation of Mr. J. L. Johnson, is now filled by Mr. A. B. Griffon, a graduate of Rochester Univeisity; the ranks of the faculty of the Male Department have been reinforced by the appointment of a new aasistaut, Mr. R. C. Newton, a graduate of Hurvard College. At the end of each year, not knowing what the future has in store for us, we naturally resolve that we will endeavor to make the coming year a brighter and a more joyous one than that which is drawing to a close; not only for ourselves, but fur all those with whom we may bo thrown in con- tact ; and, as a good precedent is worthy of being followed, let us resolve that our lives, in future, shall be far above what they have l cen in the past; and, having formed this resolution, let us be sure that our works show our sincerity. POLITICAL. America is destined to be always subject to great political excitements; and although we are not partial to a politicals life, yet we do not regret the abovo state of affairs. The all-absorbing topic of the present time is the late presidential election. It now seems as though the question ” Who is elected!” will never be satisfactorily answered. Though there will always be the doubting ones, we hope and believe that they will have the good sense to abide by the decision of those who have l een chosen to declare the result. In Congress we may expect lively times during the winter, neither party having more than a bare working majority. From the Old World we hear rumors of war, though we cannot tell when the deci- sive blow will come; but come it must, and delay is only adding to its force. Notwith- standing the fearful consequences which a war will occasion, we sec on all sides a general impatience, a feeling among our couutrymcn, that a war in Europe will be for our benefit; will cause a revival of busi- ness, and will place us on a sure road to prosperity. But stop! Reflect! We have just passed through a terrible war; one which caused a fatal revival of biuiuess, as a result of which we are now suffering finan- cial embarrassment. At the close of thi- European war, we will be in just as bad if not a worse condition than now, for like causes produce like effects, and an unnatural demand will produce an unnatural supply, which at tho end of the war, will glut out market and lower the prices at a ruinou- rate. Practically this war may prove a a transient benefit, but morally, that pros- perity which is founded on the adversity of others,, is not real. Let ns hope, however, that wheu the dark clouds have passed away, the sun will again shine upon our country, and the world at large ; for, “ O’er the darkest night of sorrow, O'er the tlra Hic»l Hold of strifo, Dawns a brighter, clearer morrow. Spring» a nobler, truer life. OUR SOCIETIES. TIIK MONT AO I! ASSOCIATION. 1876! The Centennial of our Country and the Decennial of the Montagu Society • May we not take thi» at a sign that tho growth and prosperity of the Society shall run parallel with that of the Republic ? Wo think this Is not too much to hope, and as if to encourage us in this idea the member- ship has this year reached one hundred ; and h » we “ take it as a sign.” But if wo look away from the air-castle building for the future, we find that the “ actual present ” is filled not only with fair promises but with positive good. Not only is the memliership large, but the mcml crs, are active and en- thusiastic, and the weekly meetings interest- ing and profitable. The Anonymous Box ” furnishes the So- ciety with abundant criticisms, suggestions, and stray bits of information which are cx- ccdingly valuable. The initiation fees, monthly dues, and the proceeds of the annual public meetings are supplying the Society with the ! cst of read- ing matter, and the shelves of its library are taring filled with valuable books. Among the recent additions to the library we may mention the “ Little Classics,” “ Milton An- thology.” “Carlyle Anthology, “Draper’s Intellectual Development of Europe,” Mrs. Whitney's “ Sights and Insights;” and even Helen’s Babies ” have found their way to its shelves. The members cannot forget a golden gift in the shape of an English sov- ereign which came to them not long ago from a former memlter of the Montagu ; the name of the donor we are unable to give, but the gift has been transformed into three ele- gant volumes in green and gold, entitled “ Half Hours with the Best Authors,” and a hundred girls are day by day reaping tho benefits of this kind remembrance. In addition to the two hundred volumes in the library the members have also, for gen. cral information, “ Youman's Popular Science Monthly.” “ Harper’s Magazine,” “ Scribner’s Monthly, “Appleton’s Journal,” “ Tho Inde- pendent,” and the “Semi-Weekly Tribune. It is also the Society's intention with the beginning of the new year to add to this list

Page 19 text:

3 REST. BY ANSIK k. TICHBBOR. Rest—the being free from whatever vcarios or disturbs—there is joy in the very word. It seems to imply all that is peaceful and quiet—it is like the fragrance of a flower stealing over the wearied senses. We have arrived at that season of the year when all nature seems to bo at rest. The waters of the rill are quiet, and the mighty torrent is silenced by the icy hand of winter. The voices of the forest are stilled, and «ature is enjoying its long night of repose, only to awake more l cautiful and resplen- dent when spring shall come agAin. Our Heavenly Father has in Ilia infinite kindness set aside one day out of every seven as a day of rest, and He has com- manded that we should “ remember the Sabbath-day to keep it holy. He knew how we would enjoy these little rests from the daily cares which vex us. With his far-see- ing eye Ho saw how these blessed days would seem like flowers scattered over the prairie and like green oases in the desert. Have you ever thought how all-wise it was in the Creator to give us night, in which wc may forget everything and lose ourselves in refreshing sleep ? Perhaps the first thought suggested by the word rest, is the ever-recurring need which every creature has of that which rest signifies. Even the smallest insect seems to require some cessation from its daily round of duties; as often as the body becomes fatigued, just so often docs nature Assert itself and call for rest. Rest is so great a requirement of nature, that sailors have been known to fall asleep on the gun-decks of their ships while in action. The French soldiers during the retreat from Moscow, foil asleep while on the march, and could only be aroused by the cry “ The Cossacks arc coming.” Men being exhausted, have been known to sleep while on horse-back; and torturer! persons are said to have slept while on the rack. Rest docs not simply imply inaction; Goethe has very truly said, “ Rc«t is not quitting this busy career; Rest i Uie fitting of self to one's sphere.” Ono of the most pleasant and beneficial kinds of rest is that of the mind, while the body is in action. We all enjoy our vaca- tions from study. We take great pleasure in roaming over the hills And through the wooded dells, examining and admiring the varied works of nature. Some times we rest beneath the bright autumn foliage and eujoy the songs of the harvesters, as they gather in the golden grain. All these experiences are like wild flowers in our path- way, and we should find many more oppor- tunities for glad, cheerful, helpful rest, if we would only take them as they come, and let none slip by unimproved ; for HIGH SCHOOL “ This life ia not all sadness. Its days aro not all gloom; Thoro aro many hours of gladness ’Twixt tho cradle and tho tomb. There ia no wave that rolloth On tho bosom of tho lake, But hath some white foam near it, Whon it may chance to break.” The very idea of rest, implies as a matter of necessity, some previous action, exertion, something which has taxed and wearied cither the mind or tho body. Just as wc could know nothing of the beauty of light, were there no shadow, so without exertion and weariness, the sweetness of rest would be unknown to us. If wc Jiavc been labor- ing and have become wearied, the rest which comes after only seems the sweeter on account of our great fatigue. So if in our life work, wc become fatigued in our appointed task, are we not assured that rest awaiteth us at the end of our pilgrimage? In every stage of life, in childhood, in youth, in middle age, and in the autumn of old age, we need and have our periods of rest. Those which we now enjoy are only glimpses of that which is to come hereafter, only suggestions of that unalloyed rest which shall 1« lasting as eternity. Life is like one grand piece of music with its rests here and there. There are the glad lively strains of joy and pleasure, and tho sad refrains which arc the echoes of sorrow. First come the joyous lively strains of child- hood and youth: there are peaceful tones, sweet, gentle murmurs, like the rippling of a brook through the forest. Sunbeams of rest arc scattered here and there, and once in a while the wild, tumultuous notes of the soul struggling against temptation. Then there is a lull in the storm, and the delightful rests occur again. Then follows the sadder more subdued strains of middle life, tho period in which wc generally encounter our greatest trials. The beautiful rests come in once in a while to make the harmony more complete. Then comes the grand final symphony of old age, which holds the audi- ence waiting to hear still another note, and there the final rest. These last tones repre- sent the winter of life, the drawing rear to the tide which rolls between us and the Infinite. The final chord is the merging of a life well spent, the passage of the soul into that grand sweet rest which lasteth forever; for “ Blessed aro the dead which die In tho Lord from henceforth; yea, saith the spirit, that they may rest from their labors; and their works do follow them.” POETRY. BY ACOC8T OIKSK. sands of years ago; and the poetry of the ancients excels that of the present day. Poetry tends to ennoble and retine us, having the same aim as Christianity, that is to spiritualize our natures and the love of it; like the love of all that is pure and noble, should be and is our talisman. The countries that are the most familiar with poetry, are nearly always the most civilized and learned. By means of poetry, conquerors have often l)een checked in their ruthless careers, and almost all of the ancient nations had their poets, who, in the times of their countries’ peril, aroused them to a sense of its danger, cheering and encouraging them in the struggle for their freedom and their homes. The so-called bards of England, by their poems inspired and warned the people against tyranny, and so, to a certain degree, have our own poets. How grand is the mission of the poet! It is above all earthly glory; his is to banish vice and all bad passions, to purify our thoughts and to ennoble our feelings. It is bis mission to restore our faith in mankind, to lift us above all that is ignoble and im- pure, to teach us to scorn evil and temptation, and to love all that is good and righteous. There are many great men who have over- come all obstacles to perform the literary duties that tlicir minds have set before them. They have toiled and struggled against all misfortunes, and have conquered in the end. Such men are truly noble, and though too few in number, their names will remain im- mortal to all who can appreciate such genius. Alexander Pope was one of these; even in his childhood his health was broken, and his bodily infirmities remained through life. But did he shirk from what he considered his duty ? No, he worked on, and has pro- duced some of the most pure and unblem- ished writings. Milton, whose eyesight failed him in the latter part of his life, did not give up his labors, and as if he had collected all his energy for a final effort, he produced his two immortal poems, “ Paradise Lost,” and Paradise Regained.” It is a lamentable fact, that some of the greatest poets, during their life, were shun- ned, scorned And laughed at. It is hard to believe it, yet it is tho sad and bitter truth. How cruel must the world have been not to appreciate their efforts. Posterity first appreciated their great talents, and they are kept in memory, and their names shall live forever. Is it not sad to think that we can- not recall all those cruel taunts they bad to bear, and that the monuments now erected for them, cannot blot out the shameful treat- ment they received? Would they could know how their names arc respected and honored here below; they might in some measure be reconciled for all their sufferings on earth. But who cab say they do not t Poetry and music are the two arts that have the strongest influence over our charac- ters, that enlarge our sympathies, stir the heart with benevolence and love, and unite man to man. They were cultivated thou- A N N U A L. “ With equal pace, impartial Fate Knocks at the palace and tho cottage gate.”

Page 21 text:

of periodicals, “Appletou’» Art Journal,” and the “ International Review.” Surely wc are not too enthusiastic when we recognize in the “ Montagu” one of the best friends, one of the greatest aids to the culture for which wo are striving. TUB llKSPBItlAJt. This 8ocicty is still procuring under the plan of “self-government” commenced but two years ago, and which, this year, has been continued with increased popularity. Al- though the numlicr of names on the roll is not much greater than last year, yet in the character of the exercises there is a marked improvement; but in no other manner is the Society’s prosperity shown in a stronger light, than in the interest which each indi- vidual member feels in its welfare. Up to the present time, the Society has had no library connected with it, but toward the close of tho last school-year, a fund was appropriated for that purpose, and with this addition, tho Society will l c more than ever an aid and incstinnble help to the scholars of the Senior anti Junior Classes. We wish it a prosperous future, and may it be an increasing means of usefulness—an aid to its members, and an honor to the School. A CHRISTMAS ODE. BY T. W. I.AUTBKBOKN. A Merry Chri»cmas. joyful lime». To school-mates, ®,,c d : May Same help me wnic «hc»c line» And to his Jcrvioc call. For merry Ohri»tma now is here. And warms each loving heart. To sing his praises loud and clear Around the blazing hearth. O'er hill and stream and highland snow. The merry chimes arc borne. Till rich and poor, the high and low. With gladness welcome morn. Tho day has come, the joyful day. That gave this world a king; Oh I may wc all. each in our way. His name with praises ring. The houses of the rich «re filled With children bright and gay. Who little know or feel the chill Of those across the way. And when the sun beneath the sea. Concealed its dazzling rays. The cosily presents on the tree. Each one of them surveys. They did not think, they did not care. Of those across the way: With noisy mirth they, filled the air. Because they were so gay. The poor without, that hitter night. Did rich folks never move; They Hd not think that “ God is might, And never would approve. Thus every Christmas passes by. The poor there arc to feed ; But up in Heaven there is an eye, Which marks cadi kindly deed. Then let us now. dear school-mates all. Divide our bounteous stores, With those who do upon us call, And open wide our doors. HIGH SC H OOL A N N U A L. CIRCLES. PRIZE ESSAY, CLASS OF ’70. BY MINNIK b. LYOX. Tho circlo is of all ligures most beautiful. Its symmetry and completeness suggests thoughts of beauty and perfection, which lead us away from the Unite to that which it symfmlizcs, the infinite. Nature everywhere tells of the circle, from the beautiful lino in which the sky descends to greet the earth, to the endless curve in leaf anti flower, in ocean shell, anti waving smoke. The round of sunrises and sunsets, of twilight and starlight, give us the days, and the revolving tlaya make up the week. The months, in their turn, are but the embodiment of the circling weeks. The great full years with one hand grasp tho months, and with the other, touch the un- born days. And so, as the sunset of the year touching the sunrise of the day, bounds the circumfer- ence of nature’s rounds, wo learn that “ there is no end, but every end is a login- ning,” that the finite is but a portion of the infinite. To men, the home circle is more lieautiful than all others. The literary, the scientific, and the social circles dwindle into insignifi- cance, beside tho one in which love forms the centre, and the blending of hopes, hearts and aims, the sacred circumference. Our nation, for one hundred years, has been describing its circle. To day we are proud of its expanse, as around thecentre,— independence,—a circumference has been drawn, within whose enclosure the whole world is glad to step. As circles are large or small, according to the amount of space which their circumfer- ences enclose, so are men's minds considered broad or narrow, os the comprehensiveness of their intellects is far-reaching or limited. Every man lives in a circle of his own, which is varying each day, either widening as his knowledge increases, or growing smaller as he allows the range of Lis thought to become contracted. Shakespeare’s writ- ings reveal the immensity of the circle in which mentally, he must have lived. Dryden says of him: “ But Shakespeare’ magic could not copied bo; Within that circlo nono duret walk but ho.” The circle of Milton’s life seems almost boundless, so far-reaching was his imagina- tion. Our range of thought may seem small and limited; yet out of the world’s fullness of knowledge, wc may gather new ideas every day, and thus breaking away from old limitations, the circles of our learning may become greater and broader. Our lives may bo a scries of circles. Wc may think we have drawn our bounding curves, .when lo! a new thought looms up 6 before us, aud what was the circumference, now gives centres for other circles. Emer- son says. “ There is no thought so sublime, but it may lie trivial to-morrow, in the light of our thojghta ” Anti again, “ There is no outside, no enclosing wall, no circum- ference to us.” Some day, when we can no longer widen our earthly circles, while the world may consider them mere circlets, God will judge of them by their completeness. If the curves are even anti true, if every point of the circumference is equally distant from, that is, equally near the centre, God will give to our lives, thus rounded out and complete, greater development in the life beyond, greater thoughts, which will serve as centres, around which circumferences may l o drawn to infinity. Every day we hear of men, who, tired of the hurry and bustle of the world, long again and again for the simplicity of their childhood. They forget, that as they walk life’s broad circles, they are to gather knowl- edge and wisdom which shall teach them simplicity in its highest sense. It is the thought of a noted writer, that V the higher men rise, tho simpler they becomeand a wiser than man has said, “ Except ye become as little children, yeean in no wise enter into the Kingdom of Heaven.” Little children in their play, as they join hand with hand, joyously (lancing around the chosen one in their centre, ever ready to enlarge their circle for each new comer, beautifully typify the most perfect human life. For that life is most pe:fcCt in which men, dropping all discord and contentions, in a touch that signifies unity of heart, thought and aspiration, join their bauds around the centre of centres—God. As we ;isscmbled in September, to c6m- mcnce another year of study, wc saw many familiar faces, and were glad to find so few wautiug. But among the friends vve missed was one in particular, Mr J. L. Johnson, Professor of Mathematics, whose hearty grasp and cheerful voice always-welcomed aud encouraged us. Mr. Johnson is a man of sterling integrity, great executive abilities, and a gentleman. Ho labored hard for the benefit of his pupils aud for the good of the school generally. He has left the city and adopted the profes- sion of Law; but although he is not with us iu person, lie will always occupy a prominent place in the hearts of the scholars. “ Such wm his worth, our loss is such, Wc cannot lovo too well, or grioro too much.” C. L Docoukrty. It has been three years sinco death has entered our midst; but In October one of our school-mates. Jennie Church, who entered our school in September last, was called up to that Higher School, whore “wo shall know as wc are known.”