Princeton University - Nassau Herald Yearbook (Princeton, NJ)

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14 f THE Nassa U HERALD. Ourselves are our greatest treasure, and the life of man is laid in the loom of time to a pattern which he does not see, but God does. ' Tis ours to give form, polish and proportion to that im- mortal inheritance of ours. ' Oh, this wonderful life, so strange, so mysterious, so deep 5 making or wrecking manhood, and so forecasting eternity. And yet so many live without purpose or passion. y , We have no time to sport away the hours, All must be earnest in a world like ours. No matter, then, how humble your position in life, make the most of it, climbing, like the ivy, upward and onward to the light: where ltis rough and rugged, there fastening its tendrils only the closer. f i , i r Entering a new era in our lives, let us feel, as it doth feel+ . H-A tremor shoot ' ' Through all its fibres to the' root. Free the light and see the ray, f And strive to blossominto day. ' Make your life noble, for it is the heart, the inspiring motive, not the calling, that ennobles or degrades. In life let your primal -objects shine aloft like stars, knowing that the battle of life cannot be fought by proxy. Be' your own helpersli Be earnest! Be watchful! ' Be pure! ' ' ' i X

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ZTIE Missa U HERALD. A 13. not less had that character in silence and obscurity pursued its constant way until it broke into the light. v In the world to-day there is no life so low, no calling so high, but needs a leading motive to give it direction and constancy. How we need it in all departments: some motive to give life- direction, some sovereign aim to give it constancy. One's heart aches to look upon the lives of men and women and see how pur- poseless, oftentimes worse than purposeless, they are. Rudder-- less ships, which bear precious freight, but only drift with the current, or iride restlessly t around the narrow limits of the whirlpool. A i What wreck isso mournful as the wreck ofa life equipped for all noble being and doing, but useless and stranded, because no- purpose stood constant at thenwheel to give it direction ? And life must have ,a central object, a definite aim, to give it stability and might and meaning. ' ' v a Like 'the mighty fly-wheel of an engine, is a definite aim in ai man's life. It gives to life balance, symmetry and momentum. It gathers up into. one effort the wasted and unproductive forces, and there is immense power in energy concentrated. As in busi- ness it is the specialist, so in life it is often all the men,of one idea that to-day succeed. We need not only the power to achieve, but the will to do. Human life offers numerous avenues of growth and usefulness, holds out on every side splendid oppor- tunities, and men must voyage on rough seas sometimes to grasp and use them. But so many only rock idly in the harbor, while- life surges about them with its mighty tides and its tremendous issues. Oh, that some providential crisis might waken them to life's realities, and inspire them with zeal and .ardor in their work. , Q Blessed is that poverty which enkindles in the soul higher aspirations to make the most of life ! Blessed is that, whatsoever it be, that forces a man into inten- sity of action, though it may be distress or pain or seeming suf- fering! For he Who does the best his circumstances allow, Does well I Acts noblyl Angels could do no more I

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ZHE' NASSA U HERALD. 15 PRESENTATION ORATIQN. BY JOHN BARCLAY KEENAN, PA. i-9.1 LADIES AND GENTLEMEN 5--Since our historian has so kindly explained a11d so fully illustrated the workings of the new regu- lations in regard to Class Day exercises, it remains for-me to add but a few words on that subject, and those words shall be, prin- cipally, words of deep gratitude.f In former days historians, prophets, even presentation orators, had actually indulged in per- sonalities, and one or two of them-bold, bad young men-ehad, in -a ghastly way, attempted afew mild jokes. Cf' course, the Class of' '80, with the consent of the Faculty, resolved to put a stop to such disgraceful proceedings. Then the question arose, What, sort of exercises should we have? Should Eli be allowed to tell the story of the 'Democratic Congressman and his remark- able stock of clothes? Should Cress and Cully relate their boating experience? Should Sheldon make a few simple remarks upon the Deanthropomorphization of' the Individual- istic Ego ? 'Cr should Paden repeat his criticism of the life, character, works and end of the late lamented Judas, with direct application to the cases of Messrs, Davidson, Hardin and Stud- diford? These, and many other schemes, were proposed and referred by the -class to a committee composed of Crist Blair, that massive intellect that decides all disputed questions in the College of' New Jersey. He, after due deliberation, took unto himself two other equally massive intellects, viz., Butch Bryan and Jim, the great weather prophet and apple vendor. They reported in writing-strange, but true,-against the other plans, and recommended that instead Butch Bryan ought to get off' his famous sell, in which, you know, he offers some one a cigar,