Lincoln High School - Lincolnian Yearbook (Kansas City, MO)

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22 THE LINCOLNIAN tory. For the past explains the present. It is in the study of history that we find out the ambition of Philip of Macedonia, the splendor of Rome and the greatness of Charlemange. From the earliest time of government we find politics and history interwoven; they are insep- arable. ‘‘No political conclusions of any value for practice can be arrived at by direct experience.” In early times his- tory was the record of the kings, but in modern times it treats of the doings of the people. The people have largely become the real rulers. History pictures the time, the laws, the arts and progress of humanity from one generation to another. The re- markable progress in history that caused so much change was the invention of gun powder. The mode of fighting has been revolutionized. From the use of clubs by the primitive man, the use of javelins and swords by the mediaeval man, the use of armor and lance by the man of the sixteenth century, there has never been such a universal change in history as when the invention of gun powder made the use of firearms pos- sible. Before the invention of. the cotton gin by Eli Whitney in 1794, the cotton had been of little value, because it took so long to manufacture the raw cotton into material for wearing. But now cotton threads are made by the thousands in less time than it took to make one thread before the cotton gin was in- vented. Gun .powder was an improve- ment in the mode of fighting and there has been less hostil and barbarous wars since this invention. Yet gun powder is destructive to humanity, while the cot- ton gin is a cause of progress in civiliza- tion. It has made clothes cheaper and more plentiful, and has helped the peo- ple to maintain neatness and cleanliness. “Facts are the mere dross of history; it is from the abstract truth which in- terpenetrates them and lies latent among them like gold in the ore that the mass derives its value.” Estelle Greer. The Last Day. Mary Crosby. The deep biack shadows of tin u ghf enrobed the world like a great mourn ing gown and over the sky hung tin ' darkest of clouds ; the silvery moon beams could not pierce its blackness, d not a star was shining; everywhere rested that inky blackness. Not a breeze stirred the , rooping leaves; everything without was a qui i as the lifeless body entombed within the grave. It seemed as tho’ the univers. held its breath in fear of a coming evil. The light music played on a.s tho’ mocking the dullness of the night, and the dancers, arm in arm, glided on to its fitful strains. The brilliant, blinding bghts shut out the world of darkness; they knew not how threatening and frowning the heavens above and how dense the atmosphere, feeling like a great wet fog closed down over the city and cutting off every breath. Darker grew the night, denser the at- mosphere. The old town clock struck the hour of 12. Barely had the twelfth stroke died away in a faint echo when there came a flash of lightning that lighted for a sec- ond the land with a ghastly light, then a low rumbling of distant thunder, then a pause; again a flash of blinding light- ning, accompanied by a sharp, loud peal ; the doors and windows rattled. Seven times in succession came that deafening roar, the earth trembled and shook, the walls tottered like a drunken man, and a sickening dizziness came over me. A.s suddenly as tho’ the lifted hand of death had checked their measured tread, so did the swaying cease to move to the sound of the dreamy waltz. All for the first time beheld that indescribable dark- ness that the glaring walls shut out, and at every window appeared anxious faces and wild, staring eyes. Throngs gathered in the streets, but not a baby’s cry broke J the stillness, not a word passed the blanched lips of the living. There was that in the surround- ings that stole away the speech, numbed the. senses, clasped the heart in an icy grip, ceased the blood flow of life and threw over the shivering body the chill of fear.

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THE LINCOLNIAN 21 scarce. This year the class ’09 suc- ceeded in having eleven pupils to con- tinue the study of Latin. We should not stop, but strive to learn more, as it may in future years be of some bene- fit to us. MANUAL TRAINING. The time has arrived when the man who does not know how to do every phase of his work well is crowded out by the man who knows. But when one looks at it from the right standpoint he will be convinced that it develops one’s taste for good workmanship, beauty of design and finish. It is generally ad- mitted by educators that “manual training stands for a specialized form of that sensory and mortar training which underlies and conditions the finest fruits of mental culture.” The manual training department is under the supervision of Mr. C. H. Evans, a gentleman who is thoroughly (acquainted with the work and has taught both wod and machine work in several of the largest High schools of the country. The equipment consists of six lathes of the long leg type, together with the accesories, a combination cross-cut and rip saw which is adapted to mitering, tongueing and grooving and tenoning, a band saw of the latest type, and a grindstone with turning device. Beside the ten work benches, with the usual as- sortment of tools, there are router, fdlister and circular planes, together with a miter box and schute board. The power for the saws, lathes and grindstone is furnished by a large elec- tric motor, each having its counter shaft with set and loose pulley. The same method of instruction is used in the teaching of this work as is used in some of the scientific schools. The first year’s work consists of mak- ing joints and later on the making of small articles, such as taborets and foot stools. The second year work is in cab- inet making, and many tables, chairs and couches have been constructed by pupils of this and higher grades. The third year work is ijh wood turning, and the fourth year a continuation of this interesting work. Along with ' the other work mechan- ical drawing is taught. The pupils are taught to make and read mechanical drawings. Without a knowledge of working drawings one’s mechanical edu- cation is very defective, as everything is put on paper before being constructed. It is said that “the basis of civilization is and must e ' ver remain the material,” and it is an educational effect of no small significance or value to be in sym- pathetic touch with the working world. History. “History is not really history except as we grasp the connection of events- which succeed one another, and except it appears in its completeness as the evolution of a people.” The long string of events from an- cient times on up to the present day all came just in their order, and nothing can change them. They are united just as the material in a twine string is united. Each event must be attached to the one that precedes it, and both must be read to get the connection. His- tory is alive. Tomorrow is always bringing up some new event that in- creases the thought and adds more pages. History teaches us many practical lessons. The Spartans and the Athen- ians have set some good examples that will stand through the ages and will teach artists lessons that they can re- ceive from no other place or people. The statue of Zeus and the painting of Aurora are some models in art that have stood and will stand. The names and dates of battles are of little conse- quence and have no lesson to teach. History learned in High school is the foundation upon which we build in col- lege. Many students owe their first en- thusiasm for the study of history to the outline ; that is, the general history they studied in High school. The study of history broadens the mind, increases power of progressive thought and imagination. It also ac- quaints us with the things that have gone before. Although one may be broad-minded, his education is not com- plete without some knowledge of his-

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THE LINCOLNIAN 28 With bated breath we waited for what was to come ; only a second we waited., but in that second we passed death in its blackest forms and looked : ark with dread into the frowning, icked past. On our strained ears tloaied from somewhere music. It was not the piano, violin or cornet, nor the oi, thing strains of an organ, but music ■ ne sweetness of which I had never heard before or since, then voices sweet and clearing singing, ‘Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty.” The chorus came from the skies, still all was deepest dark- ness. Some bowed down in prayer, ' .ome in shame; some stood still, dazed by wonder. The music played on and voices still repeated, “Holy, holy, holy, ■ ord God Almighty.” Then slowly the darkness parted, the sun shone brightly ‘ midnight upon frightened women and ahid faces of men. Children frightened by the sudden change, screamed and clung ' o their mothers. The sun shone in all ts splendor, yet not a soul moved i opoke. We gazed with awe at the midnight sun, when slowly it faded, and far brighter than it shone another light. Blinded and dazzled, we fell upon the earth to shut out its brightness. I tried in vain to pray, but the words of that clear old prayer were forgotten. I tried again and again. Oh, that now I could live again that life I wasted for worldly vanities ! Oh, that now I could sooth a heart my bitter words had broken ; that I could give now to the beggar the crust I refused ! I tried to pray, “Our Father” — I gave up in despair. My life was ended. I was weighed in the balance and found wanting. Not since I kneeled by my mother’s bed of sickness, years ago, and laid my hand in hers, had I prayed those sweet prayers she taught me in my inno- cent babyhood. that would drill V brightest diamond — He wdio H v u cross, Our Savior and Rede ' if ■ , ot look into a face sc- hob ; ‘ al pure. In shame I bowed o • id sed the earth. Then it se.eme- a a h ug again my infancy. When in -ic .tiler’s arms I heard her sweet voic • .ring chat dear old song, “I shall hi like Him when I see my Savior’s smiim, ace.” Again I tried to pray, but could not. Again I looked heavenward. Around Him stood angels with robes of spotless white, and I saw my mother kneeling at His feet. She turned on me her sweet, loving eyes, but again I bowed my head and wept as a child. I heard her speak my name; I looked up, but her smiles were tears, her face was sad. Then the Ruler of heaven and earth parted the throng to right and left; the moans and screams from thou- sands rent the air. Moved by some un- seen power, I passed to the left, and I heard a cry that echoed and re-echoed in my soul. My mother fell at His feet ; I lifted my hands up to heaven, I longed for forgiveness. . “Too late, too late, I know you not,” was the answer. I tore my hair, I buried my nails deep in my flesh. I wept in despair, but still that voice repeated, “Too late, too late, I know 7 you not.” Again that music, and the gates of heaven were closed against me, and again reigned that unearthly darkness, when flames seemed to envelop the uni- verse and there came over me a feeling of sinking into a pit of fathomless dark- ness. I awoke with a cry. It was early morning. But that dream shall not be forgotten until that last day. History of the Class of ’09. James E. Williams, ' 09. All things have a beginnig; so has the clas of ’09. All great events go down to make history; the class of ’09 may feel flattered for having a sufficient number of great events to have a his- tory of their owm. Some things are great front the beginning, but the class of ’09 have acquired their fame. Four years ago more than a hundred boys and girls entered Old Lincoln on Eleventh street. On the opening day we find our boys and girls in line ready to assume the duties of freshmen. As “verdant Freshies” there was very little doing, as the class was then unsophisti- cated in ways of High school life. But to keep our “Freshie” days from