Maplewood Academy - Maple Log Yearbook (Hutchinson, MN)

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, x f . 0-if 97 ilnmjmlwwiwf if l' , JWWW f il. - Daleclictorq N U HE PHILOSOPHY of life has been that truth for which wise men have GT Q searched for countless ages. To know how to live and what to live for is the most important knowledge to be acquired by man. Fortunate in- H 'lv deed is he who makes this acquisition, and thrice fortunate is he who by f '? 5 his efforts demonstrates its truth, changes theory into practice, and y ' finds within this mortal sphere the satisfied realization of the dream of lille. 1lEach of us lives to make a life. Whatever may be the theories of life, whatever the views of ethics, morals and philosophy advanced, and the principles that have governed the lives of others as to its beginnings, its purpose, and its final destiny, nothing can be truer or more evident than this, that we live to make a life. How shall we measure human life? Shall we measure it in terms of prop- erty? Some people think wealth is life's noblest achievement. Man does not re- quire much to be happy, it is in his striving after excessive things that he finds the root of his unhappiness. This fact is illustrated by a Russian peasant who was not rich but who had enough. He was satisfied until after he visited a richer relative in the city, then he became envious and dissatisfied. He bought a few more acres with the money he could possibly spare and he prospered. But soon the rumor spread that people were moving to new places along the Volga River, where there was rich fertile land to be had for the asking. He sold his house and land and moved to the new settlement and again he prospered on a larger scale. He heard another rumor of a place where thousands of acres of land could be had for almost nothing. He sold his property and traveled to reach that new land of promise. He was told that he could have all the land he could walk around in a day for one thousand rubles, however, he had to return to his starting place within a day. In the early dawn he arose and walked on in a straight line for a long time. The land was so rich and fertile that he hated to turn-he walked and walked. When he started on the third side the sun was far down in the West and he knew that he must hasten his pace. The place from where he began was yet full ten miles off when his legs began to fail him, he dared not rest, he hurried on weary and staggering. His breath began to fail. He was coming nearer and was soon within his goal. He exerted his last energies, threw himself forward with his body reached lout his arms to the goal and collapsed. His friends dug a grave and buried him. This small lot was all the land the man really needed. Whlat, then, is the purpose of life? Is it fame? To but few comes the opportunity to perform any great deed, measured by the world's standard of greatness, but to all comes the opportunity to do deeds that are great in the sight of God. lln the eyes of Him who upholds the universe by His word, no deed in the annals of human history is of itself great. The grandest achievements of the world's great men fade into nothingness when compared with the exhibition of God.J Are we, then, to measure life by the glory of this World? The common notion of glory is false. Viewed in the light from the other shore, life is nothing but a momentary fancy. Are' we placed in this world merely to gain some personal fame or honor? lA high political office or a brilliant career does not make a man successfull God does not measure man by the office he 28 0

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K 1' X 1 ' -- ' HUTCHSONIAW c -an 'H . if 1 , ex ,H n api 2 avlllmlmlwmixxf Y JWIWZW it ' 8-L as Presidents .Jlddress ARENTS, Members of the Board, Teachers, Schoolmates and Friends: We, the class of 1931, are deeply moved as we bid you welcome on this vu evening which means so much to us, and which means more to us be- cause you are here with us at this time. We are happy to have reached the goal for which we have striven these four years. Yet with joy ' comes sadness at the thought of friends soon parting. As classmates working together, sharing each others burdens, we have forimed friendships that shall last throughout eternity. To our teachers, we extend our appreciation for your patient, loving interest in us. We shall remember not only the technical and moral instruction you have brought to us, but alsolthe example of your lives and the vision of the world's great need that you have given us. We wish to uphold the principles and high ideals that you have taught us, and reach that place you have inspired us to at- tain. But predominating is the feeling of gratitude to our parents, other relatives and friends for the sacrifices you have made in order to make our education pos- sible. Your love has never faltered, your prayers have never ceased. We have not been unmindful of your assistance and encouragement. They have spurred us on to greater effort. We hope we have fulfilled your expectations and been worthy of your faith. We can think of only one way in which to repay your kindness, and that is to consecrate ourselves to the Masters service. But we must not forget the faithful pioneers of this message who have made this school possible. They saw the need of a school that would fit us for the task that is fast becomi'ng peculiar to us as a people. To warn the world of a soon coming Saviour in this generation is the greatest task given to any people. With this duty and privilege come also proportionate tempta- tions and possibilities of failure. Never has any generation been called to meet such momentous issues or to face such great peril as we face today. In view of these conditions the call is for men and women with firm character, sta- bility of purpose, men and women with convictions and unquestioning loyalty to God. twig God holds up a high standard for the youth, for I read, Higher than the highest human thoughts can reach is God's ideal for his children-Godliness --Godlikeness-is the goal to be reached. This calls for the symmetrical de- velopment of the physical, intellectual and the spiritual powers. Our educa- tion would not be complete if we should neglect any one of these important phases. They are so closely interwoven, so definitely a part of each other, that in neglecting one the others are made less effective. Let us first consider the physical phase. Health should be guarded as sacredly as character, for without health we ca'nnot to the fullest extent ful- fill our obligations to our fellowmen or to our Creator. Since it is throu-gh the body that the mind and soul find expression, both to a great degree depend upon its physical condition. So whatever promotes health, also promotes the development, of fa strong mind, and a well balanced character. We are living in an age of such keen competition and specializing in every line of endeavor tContinued on page ninety-one! be 27 Q

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I x f ., . HUTCHSONIAN X ,,,., up t . .., I.. K I Y: in 04,31 29 oillmmhmmsti if 'Q - 1 MWWW ' Ls., fills, but by the way he performs the duties assigned to him. Every man has a mission to perform, not to his own glory but to the glory of God. By what, then, do we measure life? By success? Shall we say that he who has achieved what he set out to achieve has re- ceived the most from life? fThen those of the lowliest ambition, whose aim in life is the most commonplace, would have to be illegal victors by this test. For it is they who succeed most. The man who has such high ambition and links his destiny to a soaring vision, who puts away the little tasks near at hand for the distant goal, is not likely to succeed. His goal is too far distant. His arms cannot reach what his soul desires.b No, achievement is no more a true measure of life than it is a true index of character. There are men who are great in the realm of thought and character and helpless in the arena of action. How, then, shall we measure life? Not by wealth, not by fame or glory, not by success. By what? By growth! By mind and soul growth. How inuch have we bettered our yesterdays' best? Do we see beauty now where before we could see none? Have we cast away our fears, hates or bitterness, selfishness or self- deceptlons? If so, we have grown and lived. All life is growth. Throughout all creation there is an unceasing, throbbing life which manifests itself unceasingly in endless variety. Some plants live longer than othersg some are hardier, some more fragrant than others. But they all have one thing in common-it is growth. Some men live longer than others, are richer, happier, more successful, but they like the plants have one thing in common. That, too, is growth. If we have made our past fruitful and our present one of greater prosperity, if we ever strive upward through labor, pain, and struggle, if every year our minds have keener perceptions, if our hearts are more loyal and our judgments sounder, then we are alive -and possess the greatness and glory of life. Kind teachers and board trustees! On a day such as this we feel especial- ly obligated to you. Before. leaving this place it behooves us once more to express our gratitude for the help you have given us, for the encouraging words you have spoken to us in trying times, and for the support you have given us. To you, kind instructors and trustees, we say farewell, assuring you that we! will never forget you who are our best friends. May God: richly bless you for all you have done in our behalf. , Parents and Friends! We sincerely thank you for the kind support rendered us als students of 'this school. We appreciate the kindness shown us and your timely counsel amidst trials and difficulties. We shall never forget you. Fellow-students! Soon our relationship will cease. We shall enter upon new activities but you will remain here. We thank you for your comradeship. Juniors' you are to be the graduating class of 1932, and as such Godspeed. Classmates! Let not the thought of separation distress us. It is true that the sun of our academic school days is sinking, but another sun is rising. Our days here will soon be a thing of the past, but the future is calling us into a broader and wider arena where we are to put into practice what we have learned here. And though we separate in body, each going out to fulfill his duty, let us not separate in spirit and may each be true to his sacred trust. As we leave our dear old school, we bid her a last farewell! Words cannot ex- press our feelings. We leave hopingthat God will continue to bless her in her endeavors to prepare Christian young people for that greater service. Dear Friends, One and All! The class of 1931 now extends to you its last farewell. ii2 I21 f.1ZifQfi QfTiEf.fS! 29 il .1532fgEiQ.LsE,.Qgelf.Qs40