Brilliant High School - Blue Devil Yearbook (Brilliant, OH)

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most noted physiciansf, Thus we see him going on through life. perfumed with asafetida, giving pills and powders to all who are ailing. Once more the vision faded and another took its place. l beheld a school- house in Florida. On looking closer I beheld an old, gray-haired teacher sitting at the desk, busy with her work. From her appearance she had grown ol:l-maid- ish in the profession. Turning again to the prophet, I said, I see nothing inter- esting here. Wfhat does this scene mean ? The prophet answered thus: Do you not see in yonder teacher the likeness of yourself? ,lt seems to have been decreed that you must teach other people's children till the end of time. Then this vision faded, and no more took its place as I continued my walk through the wood, rejoicing in the fact that I alone 'had been permitted to peer into that future that awaited each member of the Class of 1915. EMMA lll.x1,L. Hilhnla zmh Zlhvala' HE average man in the street will not hesitate to tell you that we are the greatest people a11d ours the greatest country in the entire world. XN'e, as Americans, are immensely proudnof ourselves 1- we are proud of our prowess in war, of our natural equipment as a nation, and the limitless resources which God in His mercy has given us. We realize that we occupy the center of the world's stage, ours is not the complacency of mediocrity. but of success. To- day it is to a tune we are playing that the world is marching. XVe areboasters who make good our boasts. Gfttimes we sing our own praises with more enthu- siasm than good taste, but despite this fact our pride is so true that criticism loses more than half its point. Ive have self-confidence. and that. based on reason and optimism, can hardly prove disastrous to the nation. But like most great virile national characteristics, it is the source of some evils which can and should be attacked. . Infatuated with the theory of our greatness, we as individuals are indif- ferent to the abuses that do not closely concern us. and slow to take action against those that do. This is the chance given for reformers and exposers to arise and point out the gulf of ruin yawning for us, but generally, the average citizen, secure i11 his belief of his country's greatness, heeds them not. VVhat is tl1e true test of a uatiou's greatness? Is it wealth? Of course, in some measure, for wealth makes possible churches. schools and hospitals. as well as parvenues. undemocratic castes, and asinine ostentation. Is it power and prestige among the nations? Undoubtedly. for power breeds self-respect and responsibility as well as selfishness and greed. Is it the general well-being? Indeed, yes! For the welfare of the citizen is necessary to the permanency of the state. But is there not still something else? Is this out- cry against commercialism and That Almighty Dollar all bosh? The worn out notion of old fogies, who are out of step with our civilization. and blind to the greatness of our success and triumphs? Or does it COHIQ from incompetents 1 l

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who had formerly been a member of the class of 1910, and Uldene Yermillion, who came to us from Smithfield, made the Class of 1915. But before school had closed Harry Cox had dropped from our ranks in order that he might accept a position at XYeirton, XV. Va. Thus but four remained to go down in history as the class that did thingsfl For this was the first class that had made the physical geography and agricultural field trips, having made three trips of this nature, it was during the history of this class that the piano and library were installed, this was the first class that had the honor of being entertained by the Alumni, a sym- bol of the recognition given their extraordinary efforts, and, last of all, this was the class that had conceived of the idea of publishing an annual. Thus far we have put our motto of Either Find a l'ath or Make One to practical application, and it is the desire of each member of the class that this same motto may Gnd a practical application in the life of each individual. 0112155 rnphrrg 7 HILE walking alone through a wood, musing on the past, and wonder- XN' ing what the future might holcl ini store for each member of our class, suddenly a beautiful goddess appeared beside me. saying, Lol I am a prophet. I have come in answer to your musing. Come, I will let you peer into the future. I looked down the long vista of time. At first all was in- clistinct, but objects and people gradually began to take shape before my eyes. I saw myself seated in a large theater in London, awaiting the rising of the curtain. At length the curtain rose, and the prima donna of the world ap- peared upon the stage, and delighted the large audience with her singing. She was encored again and again. It was revealed by the prophet a little later that this prima donna was none other than Uldene Vermillion. After graduating from Brilliant High School, she went to Boston Conservatory and began the study of vocal musicg from there she went to Heidelberg, and thus was produced one of the world's geratest singers. This vision seemed to fade from my sight, and another took its place. This time I saw myself seated in a large auditorium in Chicago. After waiting aishort time, a dignified lady, with brown hair streaked with gray, came upon the stage and addressed the audience on XVoman's Rights. She gave a very learned address upon the subject, but s-he failed to tell how her husband must care for the home and the children while she was lecturing. Toward the close of the lee- ture I recognized in her Mrs. Asteth, nee Alice Alvey. , Again this vision faded and another took its place. I saw myself watch- ing the crowds hurrying along the streets of New York City. One of the pas! sersby attracted my attention. Turning to the prophet, I said, XVho is that tall, distinguished-looking man ? The reply was this: IV hy that is Robert Faulk- ner, of the Class of 1915. After graduating from Brilliant High School, he went to the Medical College at Baltimore, then to Vienna. He is today one of our

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and failures, who would solace themselves with the delusion that they cherish a more tender conscience than their prosperous fellow-men? Wie will find wher- ever we go the worship of Umaterial success. Its temples rise on every side. This is no mere fancy, the evidence can be found in whatever way we turn. Cities are run 'iwide-open, with all that that phrase implies of vice and shame, because it helps business and swells the stream of revenue. Rivals in business light Teach other with all the cunning and ferocity that they can muster up. They pay absolutely no attention to the Golden Rule: their Golilen Rule is Do others before they have a chance to do you. If truth does not tit in. they just tell a little lie and consider it perfectly all right. Everywhere 'illusiness is Business. Apparently ethics and business have no connection whatever. lVhen the business man has won a competency, what then? Surely he will soon be waving again the Hag of high ideals, and hearken back once more to the spirit of the Golden Rule. But we do not realize how hard this will beg old habits are hard to break, and so, gold and the power it brings is the Idol, and greed is the dominant principle. The Scriptures say, Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's. And so these sacrifices are laid upon the altars of the goddess, and the gold is gathered in. Surely this is not the rule of Christ? No! lt is simply modern philosophyg they seem to think: Be strong and masterful, be honest as you can, and 'Succeed !' Perhaps many of you think this makes all men ambitious rascals, but this is not so. All those within the temples are not worshipers. In the crowd you will find many goodly persons: those who thinkg yes, those who know they will win success. but not through tricking and vice. They will not bow down to gain success at the price of their ideals. To them the temples are shrines of honor and sacred trust. Golden Rule Jones of Toledo was one of these. VVoodrow Wlilson is another. The moralist need not despair. VVe have still many citizens who arc mczz. But let us not deceive ourselves, although we may regret the facts, they arc here. If we look the situation squarely in the face, we are forced to admit that the men of high ideals are not in the majority. 'What is to be done? How shall this theory, Success at any cost, be abated. Q Wlhatevcr change comes, must come through the realization by individual men and women that ideals are distinctly worth while, and if the nation is to pro- gress morally. as well as materially, it is of vital moment that our future leaders understand this truth, W'here can this best be taught? There is no better place than our present day schools. These schools can, and are teachers of High ldealsf' Throughout the land the fight for purer govermnent is being led by edu- cated men. fln every comnuinity they belong to the moral aristocrats. They are those in whom idols have not displaced ideals.. Let us then learn to believe. yes. learn to know, that the pocketbook is not the symbol of our national devotion, nor the dollar-mark the seal of our greatness.