Trafalgar Castle School - Yearbook (Whitby, Ontario Canada)

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vox COLLEGII 9 After Joan of Arc had crowned Charles King of France, the voices ceased their speaking. How gladly would she have returned- to the seclus- ion of her own peaceful home, and to me it seems that it would have been better for her could she have done so. But her superiors, realizing the in- fluence which she exerted over the sold- iers, said she must remain. In vain she pleaded that the voices were no longer with her — in vain she told them that she could no longer promise victory. She was forced to remain, and day after day she saw the French conquered— day after day she heard rumors of discontent among the generals— the soldiers loved her but the officers hated her. Many times, though in a lesser de- gree, we may find ourselves in the same position. Sometimes the days seem dark and we have to act contrary to our own knowledge of what is right. It is .bet- ter when a work has been done, to go quietly away to seek inspiration and help from the great fountain of all knowledge. But if peculiar circumstances make this possible, let us labor to do our best, and wait for an opportunity to follow our own inclinations ; or if this never comes, to rest in the assurance that God has a crown greater than we could fashion to reward our trustful labors. Joan of Arc did the latter, and never in the pages of history has a more pathetic yet grander consummation crowned the life of anyone. Betrayed into the hands of the Eng- lish by those who should have been her friends — those for whom she had wept, starved and suffered — she was left to her cruel fate. In vain bishop and general tried to draw from her, confession of sacrilege or witchcraft, but she remained faith- ful to her inspiration. Apparently little or no effort was made by the French to resue her from her cruel persecutors, and now behold her, standing in the midst of faggots — priests and people crowding around to see her die. The fire is lighted, and slowly inch by inch the flames creep up, and the heroine of Orleans is burnt to ashes. Ah, do they think to burn her mem- ory ? Do they hope to destroy her beautiful life work ? Truly God is greater than man— for we think on her now as a saint — receiv- ing perhaps exaggerated homage, but nevertheless honored and loved by the world. Let us remember that though our very heart may be crushed and torn by the onslaughts of an unrelenting race, that if we try to faithfully do our duty — it we try dav by day to die to every- thing that is base and ignoble, to rise triumphant over discouragements and failures, some day God will take away all that is human except the broad sympathy for all His creatures, and crown our lives with the Divinity of a God. ALICE BUTLER. Will of Graduating Class. This is the last will and testament of us, the Graduating Class of Ontario Ladies ' ' College, in the Town of Whit- by, County of Ontario and Province of Ontario, made this 14th day of June, in the year of our Lord, 1913. We revoke all former wills or other testamentary dispositions by us at any time heretofore made and declare this only to be and contain our last will and testament. We appoint Dr. J.J. Hare and Mr. W. J. Greenwood to be the executors of this, our last will and testament. We direct all our debts to be paid out of the treasury of our successors by the person in charge of aforesaid treasury.

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8 VOX COLLEGII Graduates Day. Saturday, June 14, was Graduates ' day, that is, it was set apart for the Seniors so that they might have their class exercises. These started at 4 p. m. and were held outside on the lawn, where a platform had been erected for the purpose. The graduates all wore white, and they walked out two by two, each couple being joined to the next by a thick chain of daisies. First of all the oration was given by Miss Alice Butler, next Miss Corona Garnham read the class poem, which was written by Miss Belle El- liot. After that the lives of the grad- uates were foretold by the three fates —Misses Gillis, Tucker and Doherty. Otie of them gave the prophecy, anoth- er held the daisy chain, and the third cut off the chain between the girls as her fate was told. Finally, the presi- dent of the class, Katherine Dynes, read the will of the graduates, who bequeathed the most of their property to the Juniors, even to their debts. At 7.30 p.m. the Juniors gave a ban- quet to the Seniors, followed by toasts. Margaret Ramsay was toast- mistress, and although it was her first attempt, she filled the position splend- idly. At about 8.30 p.m. the Seniors and Juniors went outside on the lawn, where a bon-fire had been made ; and each Senior threw into the flames the book which of all the others she had hated most during the year. When this was over the Juniors and Seniors again went in and coffee and cakes were served. Thus ended one of the most eventful days in the closing week. Class of 1913 Oration. There have been many great lives in the world, many who have sacrificed themselves, not only on the battle- field, but on the altar of literary, artistic and domestic success. But the greatest of all, it seems to me, is the God-inspired life of the pea- sant maid, who lived and thought and worked and at last died for the honor of France — Joan of Arc. There are three distinct features of her history which we will endeavor for a few moments to study. First, her mission. Joan of Arc was horn in a little French village, She grew up under the influences of the church and the study of God in nature. She was a very religious girl, and although untaught from a human standpoint, she felt within her a power which drew from her all that was best, and she knew that power was God. Rumors had come to the village tell- ing of the awful destruction and havoc which England had wrought in France. No doubt she made it a matter of prayer — no doubt she longed to do something for her country, and the answer came at last. ' Perhaps it was in the silence of her own room — perhaps she was standing beside the sheepfold — all we know is the voices commanded her to go forth, raise the siege of Orleans, and crown Charles, King of France. Joan of Arc did not wait to ask how this was to be done — she simply obey- ed, and in obedience found victory. How often in every day life, be it ever so secluded, comes the call to go forth the word of God, the advice of our friends, and the rational conclusions of our own intellects are the voices which we may follow. Perhaps, as in the case of Joan of Arc, the way may be hard and long, the opposition of superior forces al- most insurmountable — but let us re- member that every true ambition will be fulfilled sometime— somehow.

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vox COLLEGll MAY DAY EXERCISES