Rome Free Academy - De O Wain Sta Yearbook (Rome, NY)

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H c ' ' ' if - -?- ..' A ' ' 4u f' H l ll'Hl l 1 Il'1 1lI , . ,M ,ca am, 1 - , N f Nl' ' U ' f'aQi--:1f:,rr1e- 1 -:wen ill -'M '- 'lf H , at , S - - - I rc .1550-wAm-su ' ax' TRIBUTE TO DR. STRYKER For several years the stalf of the DE-O-WAIN-STA has built the theme of its current issue around one central thought, such as Our City's Past or 'lThe In- dustries of Our City. Both of these annuals, however, were dedicated to mem- bers of the faculty. This year we have selected a single subject for both dedica- tion and theme, viz., Melanithon Woolsey Stryker, D.D., still among us, and full of years and honors, the composerrof our Alma Mater song: a graduate of R. F. A. '66, when he received recognition for the first of his long list of scho- lastic attainments. Q 1Here.he worked under the watchful eye of a teacher, since of pre-eminent fame the world over, in law, politics, letters and statesmanship, Elihu Root,f among the foremost living Americans. Doctor Stryker, leaving here, matriculated at Hamilton College, where he was graduated with distinguished attainments in the class of l872. While there, among other honors, he took first place in the Freshman Essay, Declama- tion, Junior Essay, and was a Clark Prize Orator. After theiusual course in Auburn rllheologicalrSeminary he was ordained to the ministryn by the Cayuga Presbytery. Thereafter he served the course of Christianity 2in several well known charges throughout.the country, including the Founth Presbyterian Church in Chicago, where he succeeded the Rev. Dwight S. Moody, foremost among American Evangel-ists, honor enough for one man. There he remained until 1892, 'when he was chosen president of his AlmaClVlater at Hamilton Col- lege, and td Hamilton for a quarter of a century he gave of his best for the advancement of that institution. His work there was capstone of a career of constructiveelfort that will remain his great monument. Now he again lives among us in a house erected on the site of the northeast bastion of Fort Stanwix, the geniali- person and the outstanding personality of our community. All honor to him who comes back to us to live with us, to be of us, and to show to us that he Vremembers the day of small things . He is known, less perhaps here than elsewhere, as one of the supreme masters of the English tongue. Read, as consummate proof of the quality of his English, his orations Nos. l, 2 and 3 on Abraham Lincoln . Of highest culture and character, of devoted and de- lightful family life: of assiduous industry: of that modesty of performance that forbids all self-exploitationg of a truly catholic generosity, his is an example to 4

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i , 1 A '- -- , . k . - -'M 1 -1 .jf M N -M ,4A, - - fHm!?!f ' do -UEO-VAIPFFM fs . l'1 l wx fxfy ,N 1 .,7xj:, .f-. f ,., Lffi fs' 3 -.,x ,KJ AAN Y 1 ty, 1 4 W DEDICATION To Dr. M, Woolsey Stryker R F A '66, whose life is a truly noble and worthy guide for those that seek learnmg we ded1 date, with profound respect the 1928 DE C-WAIN-STA. W C o L, A 25 rfffllwii' 3

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- f . Eg fb f .,-,L in 7, ,....i.i. f .. ..-ak , -5 -nn-gmui45...5 -, ,hm ,-Q i J Xl! il - ' Q,1Mi'l1'r 1 ri r'l''r'1'm11r3 , f l Deo n- ---4-f' tx: be followed and cherished. Everything that interests man interests him, in music, poetry, art, beauty, joy of living, work, play and sport, consider his prints, etchings and engravings so beautifully culled and exquisitely set: his col- lection of hymnology of all ages and tongues: his own and adept settings, one of which at least may not falter in showing its head with Bowring, Jones, Watts or Wesley for elevation and breadth and loftiness of phrase beginning thus: 'Behind the horizon's misty skirt, Beyond the melancholy sea, There lies a city, glory girt In 1ight's immensity- Even today he has on manuscript near to completion, a labor of years and for love only, a complete, dignified and learned translation of the entire New Testament from the Greek into the vernacular. Still with hand on the plow, hearty in his work, lilled with the elan of a divine enthusiasm, he looks into the future with assured hope and high courage. We can envision him as speaker in Browning's Prospice -- I was ever a fighter, so-one fight more, The best and the last! I would hate that death bandaged my eyes, and forebore, And bade me creep part. Pk lk lk Ik For sudden the worst turns the best to the brave, The black minutes at end, And the elements rage, the Bend-voices Shall dwindle that rave, Shall change, shall become first a peace out of pain, Then a light, then thy breast, O thou soul of my soul! I shall clasp thee again, And with God be the rest. DE M. A. '28. A fb 5