East Hartford High School - Janus Yearbook (East Hartford, CT)

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SALUTATORY VISIONS For almost everyone there is keen enjoyment in little anecdotes concerning the successes of great and noble men. Whether they tell of brave deeds, of lasting struggles, of supreme sacrifices, or of mental achievements, they are alike appealing. The interesting story of Constantine the Great's conversion has always been particularly attractive to me. Christianity had been slowly spreading throughout the Old World and by 300 A. D. had reached the Roman Empire. It had not been easy going, it was with difficulty that a foot- hold was established in any country. Every new movement, whether religious, political, or scientific, is sure to be opposed, and this new faith was no exception. It is almost impossible for us to realize the hardships endured by the early Christians. They were scorned, thrown into prisons, and in many cases killed. Therefore, when Con- stantine became Emperor of Rome in the early part of the fourth century, he was confronted with the most important question of the time, that of Christian toleration. He was uncertain. There seemed to be something in this new religion which drew men to its ranks, but Constantine could not alto- gether disregard the teachings of his fathers. Then one day there happened something which decided his course. While he was marching at the head of his army, he saw the image of a fiery cross in the noonday sky. Coming from a superstitious race, believing in omens, Constantine in- terpreted this sight as a symbol of the importance of the new religion. As to the reality of this symbol, we can say little. Some scientists claim that such a thing was possible, in that it might have been a flash of lightning, an optical illusion, or a deception in the Emperor's mind. The important part of this story is not the reality of the vision, but the impression it made on Constantine. That it was great is proved by the fact that from then on he tolerated the Christian religion in Rome. Moreover, having founded the city of Constantinople, he gave the right of building Christian churches there. Although Constantine's actions may have sprung from what some might be inclined to call a foolish be- lief in a dream, nevertheless through his work Christianity gained a foothold in the Roman Empire. Such was the im- portance of a vision. Wherever we look, we find similar instances: in history, fable, and song. In Virgil's Aenead we have the characters often governed by visions, real or imaginary. For instance, while the Trojan hero Aeneas was delaying in Carthage, instead of seeking his new Italian home, there appeared to him a vision of Mercury, ordering him to set out at once. Then, Aeneas, stopping at Sicily, was visited by a vision of his dead father, who advised him to leave the feeblest followers behind and to continue on to his new home. Let us note also The n 22

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hand, a strong character will eventually lead- to material advancement. The present business world is not looking for young men and women with enviable financial standing. It seeks, rather, in its applicants the foresight of a Lincoln, the perseverance of a Roosevelt, the tact of a Franklin, the brain of an Edison, the judgment of a Marshall and-shall we say-the economy of a local Democrat, while last of all but greatest of all, come the qualities of honesty and sincerity. I say honesty be- cause it is the foundation of all good business, and as for sincerity -just think of those people whom you know whose friendship is prompted by the same motives which govern the behavior of a child in December. In today's vast store of industries everyone has a place. He may chose for himself the branch of work in which his future will be shaped, for the day of the trade guilds has passed over by the industrial horizon. And just as nations differ in regard to political, financial, social, and religious con- ditions, the people who compose the nations differ in intel- lectual, physical, and artistic abilities. Hence, no two indi- viduals can in all fairness be judged by exactly the same standards, since no two are in all details similar. Therefore, in proportion to the abilities of a man together with his oppor- tunities for exercising those abilities should the grandeur of his accomplishments depend. Thus, we find at the conclusion of our self-examination, that a man of few inherent talents who strives as hard as he is able is even bigger than he who has great inherent talents but who allows them to mould and rust in the vaults of time. The final analysis will uphold neither the cold standards of business nor the fickle standards of society and will vindicate only that success which is based upon earnest endeavor. Classmates, tonight we have gathered as a class for the last time in exercises which mark the termination of courses through which we are preparing for later life. Accordingly, it is a fitting occasion to contemplate the material which we have acquired and the most suitable methods for its utilization. And although we must part from the East Hartford High School, time can neither erase nor lessen the memories of our associations here. We are standing on the thresholds of lives filled with opportunities never before surpassed. Let us, as we leave this building and go our several ways, make the most of every task that falls to our lot so that when life's embers fade we can look back upon a work well done. To that end I bid you-Farewell ! CLIFFORD R. WALKER. 21

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Vision of Sir Launfal, a poem by James Russell Lowell, tell- ing how a knight of King Arthur's court sought a cup seen in a vision. However, people will say Times have changed, the age of miracles is past. Unfortunately so. But although we may not have a material vision guiding us, somewhere in our minds are stored up pictures of future success. That is our vision! With it we can succeed. We have a set goal and we will reach it for it is already gained in our minds. We have proof of this in the life of Abraham Lincoln, who , having a vision of the United States as a great republic to guide him, struggled and worked to preserve the Union. A more recent instance is that of Commander Richard E. Byrd, first to reach the North Pole by air, who probably had in his own imagination conquered the polar air regions many times before the actual event. If the objectives of this senior class could be collected in a composite picture, I believe we would have something both strange and interesting. Here, perhaps, we would see a great surgeon, an engineer, a lawyer, and many successful business men and women. No matter what the vision, I think success is bound to come when we' have the mental picture to guide us on. Tonight we wish to welcome the parents, teachers, and friends, who have thus far helped prepare us for our life work. I imagine that they too have visions, not of themselves, but of us as successful business men and women. The best way to repay them for their interest in us, I believe, is to bring about the materialization of their visions. JAMES FORBES. 23