Springfield College - Massasoit Yearbook (Springfield, MA)

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26 The In olden time, when knighthood had its day, An ancient armorer, whose head was gray, Whose face was wrinkled, and whose form was bent, Who’d wrought in honor, and was well content With life, as he had fought for right and truth, Was giving farewell counsel to a youth. The lad was strong and eager tor the fray; And, after training well, was on his way To seek adventure far abroad, and fight To prove his worth to wear the name of knight. The old man armed the youth from head to heel, In burnished armor of well-proven steel. Gave hint an ashen lance, and sword well wrought. And last, a charger strong and nobly taught. Now, as his hand in farewell grasp he pressed, His eye grew light, and all his mien confessed rhe pride he felt in this his pupil dear, W hose skill and strength he ' d watched o’er many a year. “My son, he said, “at last has come the day We both have longed for, and you’re on your way To win your knightly belt and spurs of gold; l ake words of counsel, then, from one who’s old. I’ve tested you. lad, like a well-forged blade. And of your strength and skill I’m not afraid. THE MASSASOIT You’re eager now to get into the fray; Too soon you’ll find it’s work you seek, not play. Do not lose heart. For many men you’ll find W ho haven’t your equipment of the mind, Who know not all the latest tricks of fence; Do not despise them. They’ve experience Which helps them use their strength to win a fight From many a younger and a subtler knight. Tis from such men as these that you can learn To strike with skill, and hard blows, off to turn. Each one, perhaps, some favorite trick may know, And, learning it, you will more skilful grow. “Sometimes you’ll hear men tell what they can do. I’d silence keep then, lad, if I were you; For, when a youth, I got in many a scrape By talking, and was lucky to escape. You’ll prove your manhood best by keeping still, Although I own ’twill sorely tax your will. ’Tis folly when young men begin to boast; The modest men are those who do the most; The strongest men most often silence keep. Still runs the water where the stream is deep. You are in training for a perfect knight; A true one always keeps his armor bright.

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presenting to you some great English classic but for that which one member ably described as unnecessary diplo- matic censorial procrastination. Time and space will permit only the casual mention of the Senior trip, so fresh in the minds of us all, and of the recent resurrection, in a somewhat different form, of the fire department which for various reasons was dis- continued in our Junior year. All these events have been a part of our life, but we are preparing for a religious profession and some mention should be made of such training. The curriculum provides no course in dogmatics, yet I venture to state that there are few points in the vast realm of dogmatic theology which we have not at some time learnedly discussed. A few of us have attempted pulpit oratory and many have taught Bible classes. If sometimes these classes were of the opposite sex, it but augurs well for the future. We have had our weekly prayer meetings where for a few minutes each week we have paused to consider some serious problem of life’s experience. These with the personal discussions of two or three together have assisted the efforts of the faculty to build in us an earnest, sincere, practical religious life. A few of the events of our history have been narrated. If I should attempt to describe the lives of the men who have figured in our history, it would necessitate a biography of every man who today receives a diploma, and more than a brief mention of many who have passed out into the world, and of many whom we leave behind in the other classes. Of the forces which have helped to mold our lives, I must say a word. First, of the spirit of the School, early manifested to us by the Junior reception. The spirit of “Old T. S.” has entered our lives and warmed our hearts. I he personal fellowship with the various members of the faculty and the power cf their lives over ours is a fcrce ever present in our minds. We can never too highly estimate the self-forgetful efforts they have made in our behalf, or the care with which they have guided us through the intricacies of difficult subjects. The influence of our natural environment, the campus, the buildings, the ever-changing vista of the lake, the tall green pines, the beautiful winter mornings, and the glorious autumn sunsets, — their subtle influence has entered our lives and has given us a keener appreciation of the presence of God. The School traditions, the stories of men who passed our way in years gone by and who are now doing a man’s work in the world, the stories of the lives of Henry S. Lee, of Mrs. Woods, and of Dr. Durgin, who gave of themselves that we might be abler men, — these have stirred in us yet nobler ambi- tions. And I recall that the Class of 1908 is the last which ever sat at Thanksgiving dinner with Mrs. Woods; we have the choice privilege of saying, “ I remember her.” Dr. Durgin we knew better. For more than a year we enjoyed his presence, his kindly advice and wise sayings. We loved him because he loved us; and the memory of him is to us a constant inspiration. We stand now at the parting of the ways; we are to leave each other; we are to leave those happy, serious, helpful experiences which stand today so vividly before us. But the future is bright: we go to prove our souls. For us a new day is dawning. The east is all aglow. And ere the light of that great day shall fade, may it be said of each of us, “He has fought a good fight, he has kept the faith, he has been true to his calling, to the traditions of the Training School, and to the ideals of the Class of 1908.”

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CLASS OF 1908 True courtesy and chivalry combined Will make you well beloved of mankind; And courtly manners often win a fight That would be lost if only fought with might. “My boy, though tempted you may sometimes be To leave your principles for policy, Yield not, hut always keep your purpose true; Respect and honor then will come to you, For honesty is justly more admired Than policy, though in success attired. At times, you’ll long to lay aside your sword For riches, power, or some such reward. They sorrow bring, and are not worth the cost, If for their price, my lad, your honor’s lost. Your best reward in service you will find; It is an honor great to serve mankind, And honest joy comes but to those who work; So go straight on, and duty never shirk. Where’er your banner’s to the breeze unfurled, It stands for love and service to the world. Fight hard you must if you would win your race; Stagnation conies to those who slacken pace. “The common things you’ll daily have to face Will blast your ideas sadly out of place; But do not set your standard lower down 2 7 If you your efforts with success would crown. A high ideal, though never quite attained, Is better far than one easily gained; For, reaching it, you’re tempted to remain, Instead of striving greater heights to gain. No man e’er did the worse for aiming high, Though many fail by setting goals too nigh. “Go forth, my son. Our greatest joy in life Is to bear bravely our part in its strife; To fight the wrong, howe’er attractive made; To aid the right, wherever ’tis displayed; To guide the lost ones to the homeward road, Strengthen the weak, lighten the heavy load. Lift up the fallen, shed in darkness light, Serve God and man with our God-given might; And as we climb with vigor every day, To help mankind along the upward way; That at life’s close, when we have done our best, And lay aside our arms to take our rest, All men will say, and hold our memory dear, ‘The world is better for his living here.’” With such ideals, the youth, leaving the sage, Did noble service in his knightly age, And for the good that he accomplished then, Won life immortal in the hearts of men.