Case High School - Chief Yearbook (Swansea, MA)

Page 11 text:

4cUfU U tMtiOH

Page 13 text:

‘P’U tcifrtU ' 4- ' Tlt i ciye Dear Members of the Class of 1 955: I would speak to you of an unwanted trust. In the material world those things which are most plentiful are usually held in least esteem. An object has value in the eyes of most men according to the degree of rarity which it possesses. The ordinary commodities of everyday life are noticed little, and, as a rule, valued even less by those who use them. They grow tiresome after long familiarity and man en¬ deavors to refresh himself by seeking new and different sub¬ stitutes. One of the most extensive and commonplace elements of life and one which is often tossed aside as of little worth is that group of duties which form man ' s responsibilities. Common everyday duties imposed by man ' s position in life and relations to those around him, carry with them a prosaic obligation without any of the thrill of the new and untried. Around these duties his severest mental struggles are usually fought, yet finally he must come to realize that loyalty to them is one of the most efficient agents in building character. History offers notable examples of great men and women who have willingly met their responsibilities, however burdensome they have been, and have fulfilled them unflinchingly. .Milton, who had given up his poetic work to write for the cause of the Commonwealth in England, cheerfully sacrificed his sight rather than shirk the duties he had undertaken. Sir Walter Scott spent the best years of his life working to pay off the debts of a publishing company in which he had invested, and, for a similar reason, our own Mark Twain undertook several extended lecture tours which severely taxed his health. An all-pervading realization of the necessity of subordinating personal con¬ venience to the obligations of life is the basis of actions such as these. So far in life you have had few responsibilities of importance. You have been dependent upon others to a large extent in the determination of your everyday duties. Now you find yourself met by greater responsibilities. Now the time comes when you must decide what duties and obligations you will undertake in life. When you have come to a decision, you will find yourself bound to a set of duties. These duties will become greater as you grow older. Knowing this, you must have the courage to accept the responsibilities of your trust. One of the strongest criticisms against the youth of today is that he lacks a sense of responsibility. Such an accusation is probably no more true of you than it has been of every younger generation, yet this fact does not free you from the obligation of acquiring the same sense which is lacking. There have always been human beings who have rebelled against the trust placed in them. Since the beginning of time people have tried to slip out from under the burden of their responsibilities. We all feel at some time a desire to repeat the question which was defiantly flung at God when the world was yet new, Am I my brother ' s keeper? Always we have a definite answer. We know the answer before we ask the question. Each one is truly entrusted with the keeping of his brother and in the fulfilling of this trust we will find the happiness of keeping ourselves also. We must all come to realize the truth of the words: No man is born unto himself alone, Who lives into himself, he lives to none.