Benjamin Franklin High School - Electron Yearbook (Philadelphia, PA)

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Mr. Martin .57 joAnJon Sponsor TWELFTH AND THIRTEENTH CLASSES FRANKLIN ALMANAC PageB

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My ibear griencla 0K lLe graduating CZIM GRADUATES of the twelfth and thirteenth class, you are more fortunate than those who have preceded you. You are more fortunate in that, while you face induction into one of the Armed Services, your term of service will probably be far shorter than that of those who have preceded you. Certainly the end of hostilities in Europe is in sight; and while no right-rninded person would attempt to forecast the date for cessation of hostilities in the Pacific area, the likelihood is that, once the combined power of Great Britain, China, France, and the United States, and we all hope, Russia, is brought to bear on the Japanese enemy, the collapse of Axis resistance will soon be completed. By the use of the word soon , I do not mean to suggest that a few days will suffice to bring about Allied victory; nevertheless, the war cannot possibly go on as long as it, has. On this score. I rejoice for you who may be able to live normal civilian lives in the relatively near future. Likewise, I am happy at the thought that those who preceded you in the Armed Services will soon be back with us to work for the betterment of society in general and for the Benjamin Franklin High School. Your job when the war is over Will be to help build a better world at peace. How we shall do that, no one can say; but it is my conviction that an application to normal civilian pursuits of the principles of social living which you have learned at Franklin High will result in more satisfying lives for all. I hold this out to you as an ideal worth striving for. In conclusion, I want you to know that you have not only our best wishes for success and safety in the days ahead, but also our assurance of help, if you need it, at any time when you feel this school can be of service to you. Good luck to you all! Sincerely yours, CHAS. H. WILLIAMS Principal

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J4 pfain jag zn' you ant! We NCE upon a time a little boy was born into. this great world of ours. His parents adored him, as parents should, and their dreams and hopes for his future knew no limits or bounds. As time passed he grew strong in body and mind. In his boyhood he played as a boy should, and when he reached man's estate he worked hard, as a true man should. He did not amass great wealth, he did not have thrust upon him the plaudits of an admiring world. But whatever task was given. him to do, he performed to the best of his ability; Wherever he could help some other human being, he never failed. As his declining years drew near, he often felt that his life had been somewhat of a failure, for he had never led mighty armies, or guided great governments, or directed the fate of nations. It was therefore with great diffidence, yes, even terror, that he approached the final day of judgment, and appeared before the bar of Divine justice, in that court where so many of the world's most prominent figures had been weighed and found wanting. His soul failed him, for What possible chance could such a poor humble creature have? But the words that came ringing to his ears came not from mortal lips, but from the Divine searcher of all hearts and lives: Well done, faithful servant; thou hast been faithful to thy appointed tasks, and thy reward is sure. Enter thou into the joy prepared for thee! .70 m? $ear grienold 0f tAe Graaluating Cfadd: Page 7 1945