Hobart College - Echo of the Seneca Yearbook (Geneva, NY)

Page 11 text:

ECHO OF THE SENECA. 7 EDITORIAL OF '75. m iHE prophet with his ever ready wit again attracts our atten- tion hv his somewhat Hurried countenance: and having admit- o ted the revered personage to our sanctum we ask • What will •P the gentleman have?” In a very plaintive tone he replies: Ye men of Seventy-Five, your course is almost run : twill soon be time to pack your “Saratogas ' and tear yourselves from your dear mother’s apron strings. Hut before this, ye are permitted, through the medium of the Echo or the Seneca, to extol your many no- ble acts, to review your past life, and to speak a kind word for your Alma Mater. Tis indeed an easy thing to suggest, oh. Prophet! but how diffi- cult to do ! “ IIor opus, hie labor is . But il ’twill please you. tho’ causing sorrow to us, the sacrifice will be gladly made. When, having escaped from the name and place of school boys, we entered Mohan, a College not only remarkable for its age and standing, but also famous as the alma mater of a large number of the most eminent men that have ever adorned our country, there was an all-important era formed in our lives. From the first we had a character to sustain, and how nobly have we sustained that character ! That we have “ profited thereby is the humble wish of the prophet. Our college course may now be looked back upon by us all with mingled emotions. The retrospect of its advantages, its pleasing associations both with professors and fellow students, will never fail to inspire gratitude. There may be recollections of main mistakes, many failures, many losses of prTt ious opportunities and many false steps, which shall cause us a great deal of sell-it pioach ; but how unspeakably more would we profit by the privileges dieted if we could be p rmitu d to enjo) them again. But we are run to be cl ejected In this reflection, lor we leave be- hind us a glowing record. Our lour ears of labor ha t been but the st dpping-stom to a higher field of life, to which we are now l nding, and whie h lies t}J i.lt I U re us. 1 or nil this, O, mether !

Page 10 text:

6 EC IIO Jl ! !-iK SENECA. will be so sad and full of grief to us. When gathers around us fast amid the purple gloaming the sad, sad evening of our college days: when in th drrp and tearful draught in whirl) we drain the cup of sweet remembrances and happy days gone In . »1 boyhood s recol- lections and associations dear, we e’en must taste the dregs of bit- terness at parting, let not the hilling thought that we have accom- plished nothing, that four of the sweetest years ol our life have been thrown a wav, add one more drop to the cup already overflowing with grief. My task is done—my song hath ceased—my theme Hath died into an ECHO; The torch shall he extinguished which hath lit My midnight lamp,—and what is writ is writ— Would it were worthier. Farewell !

Page 12 text:

8 i :cho mi im si:xi: a. we ;in indebted l' thee. Hut do vr not also thank thee for send- ing us fort 11 thus imbued with those powers and faculties, which thy nourishment hath bred within us? He it as it may. we leel re- signed to jo) forth as dutiful and grateful sons, having thee foremost in our hearts. Thou hast.watched over us with a great deal of care and svmpalhv. hast been ever kind to us, and now must we so soon leave thee r Hut. (). Mother! do not begrie ed. There are others who will rtrt r have the same love lor thee that we have al- ways had : they will support and strengthen thee, and that they may bear with thee in thy joys and sorrows is the parting wish ol the Class of Seventy-h ive. Let each one of us, then, who has acted the part of a dutiful son while under thy care -who has received that faithful and affection- ate training which has never been withheld from us, ever be ready to exclaim of his literary parent, with all the delightful emotions of filial respect and gratitude— A1 run. mater, semper llorens, semper honoratissima, semper beam.