Bridgewater State University - Alpha Yearbook (Bridgewater, MA)

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22 NORMAL OFFERING do it heartily as to the'Lord, and not unto men. There was singing by the Normal Glee Club. Ellie Chnrnvg Frizz Behatr. N the evening of June 17, 1912, occured the Fifth Annual Gurney Prize Debate, which was heard by a large and interested audi- ence. A The Question:-Resolved, That the Initiative and Referendum should be generally adopted throughout the American states. Speakers for the Affirmative:-Harold R. Blake, William J. McCarthy, Bernard J. McDonnell-Alternate.' John J. Lane. Speakers for the Negative:WJames E. Murphy, Walter J. McC-reery, J. Stearns Cushing--Alterndw' John J. Lane. The Judges, Edward A. MaclVlaster, Rev. Walter B. Williams, and Edgar A. Grout deciced infavor of the Affirmative. H. R. B., '12, Cnraimatinn. TUESDAY, the eighteenth had arrived, our Graduation Day. The day was cool and pleasant. Very early in the dormitories the hurry and scurry began. Soon all was excitement, and all were active. Breakfast was but aipretense. The eventful day had arrived. Everyone hurried to make ready for it. White dresses were donned. Mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, friends arrived until at length the buildings were fairly overflowing with strangers. The time soon came when we must seek our places in the Assembly Hall. In the centre one hundred thirty-eight members of the graduat- ing class massed together. Each wore a red carnation that she might be distinguished from the under-graduates. Friends crowded the remainder of the hall. For years we had looked forwarded to our graduation. The time had arrived. The Class of 1912 had assembled for the last time. We must part from our school and from our school friends. Not a member of the class but felt this parting, and gayety left us. The clock struck ten. As in a dream we listened to the devotional exercises and heard the singing of the Glee Club.

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NORMAL OFFERING 21 Zliarultg ilhfrvpiinn. This castle hath a pleasant seat, the air Nimbly and sweetly recommends itself Unto our gentle senses. F URELY the air of our June Commencement Days affects us sweetly, especially as weogo to our Principal's castle for our own Faculty Reception, the first of the sad sweet meetings of our last weeks of school days together. On that evening we gather to meet our instructors for a few social hours before we leave them. Swiftly the time passes, leaving with us a blur, which, as we recall it, slowly becomes a series of little memories of our teachers, our friends, and our classmates, with the words of greeting and farewell on their lips. Music, chatter, and laughter prevail until we go from our recep- to gather around the quadrangle for our songs and our Alma Mater. Then it is overg we are soon to go out from our school home: we are to part: and we are to choose. Who hath not, With life's new quiver full of winged years, Shot at a venture, and then, following on, Stood doubtful at the Parting of the Ways. M. B. H., '12, Qlnmmvnrrmvnt Eramatirn. N Friday evening, June 14, the Commencement Play was given by the members of the Bridgewater Normal Dramatic Club, under the personal direction of Miss Moffitt. The play chosen was Endy- mion, one of the many successful works of Marie Josephine Warren. Incidental music was played by Miss Margaret Crane at the piano, Mr. Robert F. Colberg, violin, and Mr. Wilbur, flute. Earralaurratr Svvrmnn. N June 16, 1912, at the Congregational Church, the Baccalaureate Sermon was preached by the Rev. Walter Byron Williams. The text chosen was from Genesis xxvii, 20: How is it that thou hast found it so quickly? and from Collossians iii, 23, Whatsoever ye do,

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NORMAL OFFERING 23 Dr. Marshall L. Perrin, of Boston University, then gave a helpful address on American Ideals, encouraging us to seek higher ideals for the future and congratulating us on our past success. Other selections were rendered by the Glee Club and, in behalf of the graduating classes, Mr. George Hayes presented several pictures to the School. These are are now in the reception room of the new dormitory. The diplomas were presented by Miss Sarah L. Arnold, a graduate of the Bridgewater Normal School and now Visitor of the Board of Education. The exercises were completed by all uniting in singing America. We, the graduates of the class of nineteen-twelve, must leave dear old Normal and enter alone into strange paths, but never can any of us forget the years of trials and joys under her protecting care. I F. s. W., '12, Ghz Jing illiarrh nf 1912. And what is so rare as a day in Jnne, Then if ever come perfect days. URELY no day could have been more perfect than the twentieth, nineteen hundred twelve. Indeed, it seemed as ifall Nature looked her best, but even she could not remove the feeling of sadness which was in our hearts. Why, -did I hear some one ask? Because we fully realized that the time had come for us to leave our Alma Mater. Hand in hand we marched beneath the arch formed by boughs held by the Juniors. Soon we were gathered about the campus pond singing that song so dear to us all. Shortly afterwards we found ourselves seated in the chestnut grove, where we listened very attentively to the Oration, Poem, Prop- hecy, and History. Ah! how much those inspiring, encouraging words meant to us! Leaving the chestnut grove, we marched two by two to the Gym- nasium, where we planted our ivy, sang our class song, and gave' up our Senior responsibilities to the Juniors. And then we were-Alumni. H. J. W., '12.