Medina High School - Medinian Yearbook (Medina, OH)

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MEDINIAN We never know how small a thing may become a benediction to a human life. “Only a thought, but the wor is wrought Could never by pen or tongue be taught; For it ran through a life li e a thread of gold And the life bore fruit a hundredfold.” Every singer who has sung a pure, joyous song has given something to earth to make it better. Every artist who has painted a worthy and noble picture, or made the smallest thing of beauty which will remain in the world, has added something to 1 he enriching of our human life. Every lowly Christian who has lived a true, courageous life amid trials and temptations has made it a little easier for others to live aright. Everyone who has let fall into the stream of life wholesome words, good deeds, divine lessons, has put into the current of humanity a handful of spices to sweeten a little the bitter waters. It is always worth while to live nobly, victoriously, struggling to do right, showing the world even the smallest fragments of divine beauty. Few are called to do great acts in life, but “He who does the best his circumstances allow Does well, acts nobly — angels could do no more.” Our happiness, strength and ability to rise above the trials, troubles and condi- tions that surround us depend upon our own being in harmony with the Divine. Without the union of the human and Divine, no man can understand his place and work in the world. He may be as rich as Rockefeller, as great as Alexander, and as wise as Solomon, but without this harmony in character he will ultimately be a failure. He must bring out the best development possible of body and spirit, of mind, conscience, heart and soul. This is the end; all else ought to be regarded as the means. Accordingly that is not the most successful life, in which a man gets the most pleasure, the most money, the most power of place, honor or fame; but that in which a man is most serviceable to the race and honorable to his Maker. His sphere may be humble and his deeds unsung but He, whose great roll of honor bears no unworthy names and leaves no true life unrecorded, will recognise and reward such a life. Without a consideration of duty, the ideal life, then, is that which gives the greatest amount of real happiness, contentment and it would seem that there is none that would be more beautiful than that of the Prince of Peace. Those who follow His example seem to be the most unselfish, and the happiest, the ones whose influence seems to give out light and sunshine throughout the world, in and whose presence we seem to be lifted up to a broader and better land. Twenty

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MEDINIAN -President’s Address- WITHOUT A CONSIDERATION OF DUTY, WHAT IS THE IDEAL LIFE y Robert Searles In all ages the search for happiness has been the ultimate aim and desire of human effort — happiness here and here-after. When a common purpose actuates all men, it may seem strange that human life should be so diversified in method and so contrasted in achievement. It is the ideal happiness, however, wherein men differ. To some happiness means fame, to others honor, to others wealth, to others knowledge. Whether it be one or several of these, or something else one must have an aim to live to good purpose. The ideal dominates the life, determines the character and fixes a man’s place among his fellows. THE MASTERS IN EVERY ART of the world and in every moment of time, have been mastered by a noble ideal. They stemmed the current, bridged the stream, tunneled the mountains, and spoke around the earth while other men were driftwood moving with the current. Watt and Faraday and Newton saw dimly at first, but their visions proved to be realities. All great discoveries and inventions all magnifi- cent productions in music, in literature and art have been the result of masterful minds inspired by visions that reached beyond the matter of fact existence and caught brief glimpses of better things. The wonders accomplished by the few reveal the supreme possibilities for all. An ideal is above price. It must be far enough above us to keep us looking upward all the time, and must be far enough in advance of us to keep us struggling toward it to the end of life. Though it may never be obtained we are better for the effort. For in the words of Goethe: Life ' s no resting but a moving; Let thy life be deed on deed.” It is in this way that all true life must be constructed; its activities must ar- range themselves according to a principle, as the stones that are built into a noble edifice are not thrown together at random, but laid one upon another in accordance with the system and symmetry of an architectural plan. The aim or purpose we have should give shape and order to our life work. It is the architect that drafts the plan: and in accordance with this plan must all work go forward, until the capstone is laid amid rejoicing, and the completed structure of life stands forth, its own reward. Every person, man or woman, should recognize the obligation to contribute to helpfulness. Whatever adds even in the smallest way to the world ' s brightness and cheer is worth while. One who plants a flower in a bare place where only bleakness was before is a benefactor. One who says an encouraging word to a disheartened neighbor, gives a look of love to a lonely one, or speaks a sentence which may become strength, guidance or comfort to another, does something worth while. Nineteen

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MEDINIAN The Influence of Good Literature On Character Although many of us enjoy reading as a pleasant pastime, but few realise how important a good book can be in the formation of character. Any number of examples however, may be cited of famous men, who were guided by books which they read in their youth. There are a great many of us, who, after reading a book, have felt that we would like to imitate some character who had particularly charmed us. Fortunate are they who carry out this ideal; providing, however, that they secure their character from a good book. The library of any man is often an index of his character, for it shows his literary friends of all ages, and reveals his intellectual and moral sympathies. Good books are among the best of companions, and by elevating the thoughts and aspirations, they act as deterrents from low associations. “A natural turn for reading and intellectual pursuits”, says Thomas Hood, “probably preserved me from the moral shipwreck so apt to befall those who are deprived in early life of their parental pilotage. My books kept me from the ring, the dog-pit ,the tavern, the saloon. The close as- sociate of Pope and Addison, the mind accustomed to the noble, though silent discourse of Shakespeare and Milton, will hardly seek, or put up with low company and slaves.” “While books are among the best companions of old age, they are often the best inspirers of youth. The first book that makes a deep impression on a young man’s mind often constitutes an epoch in his life. It may fire the heart, stimulate the enthu- siasm, and, by directing his efforts into unexpected channels, permanently influence his character. The book, in which we form an intimacy with a new friend, whose mind is riper and wiser than our own, may thus form an important starting-point in the history of a life. It may sometimes, almost be regarded in the light of a new birth. Many great literary careers were begun as a result of reading the masterpieces of others. Keats and Cowley, noted poets, were inspired by the reading of Spencer’s ’Faerie Queen. Coleridge was greatly influenced by the poems of Bowles, a con- temporary. Scott was moved to collect and compile his ’Border Ballads’ as a result of the perusal of Percy’s Reliques. James Fenimore Cooper, upon reading an Eng- lish novel, remarked that he could write a more interesting book than that, and then started his career as a fiction writer. We may use or abuse books. If they are made a means of educating, expanding, ennobling the character, these very results become a reward. If literary associations be of so low a character intellectually and morally that their influence is to cramp and cripple the mind and corrupt or poison the heart, the retribution comes by a natural process. The way of those who transgress, either intellectually or morally, is hard. Books exercise an influence that is positive, and must be regarded as either very bene- T wenty-One