University of Chicago - Cap and Gown Yearbook (Chicago, IL)

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touch of nature made all kin; and the leader who brought them physically near by his strength, made them spiritually one by his weakness and pain. And since he believed so unhesitatingly in immortality, since each day grew clearer his faith that somehow, somewhere his work was to continue, shall we not make that faith our own? Quietly he said: I feel less hesitation in advancing into the unseen than I had in accepting the Presidency. His life is not to be understood apart from that basal conviction. For myself, without reference to the faith of the fathers, I find it wholly incredible that that titanic strength which changed for some of us our horizon and our career, has vanished from the universe. Taught as we have been from our youth to believe in the indestructibility of force, in the conservation of energy, surely for us to believe that the end of all service has come to our dead leader would be as great an affront to our intelligence as a mockery to our heart. We dare with John Fiske to affirm that belief in the hereafter, which is simply, uan act of faith in the reasonableness of God's work. Dr. Harper's last service was to make immortality more credible. Yes, in some far-shining sphere, Conscious or not of the past, Still thou performest the word Of the Spirit in whom thou dost live- Prompt, unwearied as here! Still, like a trumpet, dost rouse Those who with half-open eyes Tread the border-land dim l'wixt vice and virtue; reviv'st, Succourtstlethis was thy work, This was thy life upon earth. 20

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swift shining success, all the national and international fame, did not for an instant affect his modesty of bearing and genuine humility of spirit. His life was wholly vicarious, freely spent for humanity. If he demanded much of those around him, he demanded more of himself. If he was insistent and agressive and obliged at times to inflict pain, it pained him more than any other, and was always in the service of a great and distant end. This conviction of his absolute unselfishness, drew his colleagues to him in strongest bonds. While he must always be the fountain of authority, he never treated his lieutenants as employees. He insisted that scholars should have time for research, for travel, for production; and his conduct of this University has lifted the station of the University professor in America. Of his amazing power to toil I can tell you nothing, for you have seen it daily. He recognized clearly that it was not his function to give the University repose of spirit, but to give it impulsion and Vitality. His dynamic quality was unique in the history of education. Like the radio-active substances that give off their particles in perpetual shower, yet suffer no apparent loss of energy, he steadily radiated sympathy, inspiration, suggestion. He set in movement thousands of sluggish souls who will forever live an intenser, richer, more productive life because their minds were touched by his. Fortunate indeed was it that in this western metropolis the man and the opportunity met. In the colder and more cautious atmosphere of the east his work as innovator and renovator would have been impossible By remaining in New England he would have done more for Hebrew and less for the world. His power of daring initiative could find sphere only in some plastic environment, still young, and eager to hear or tell some new thing, His break With the past could not have been made in any ancient university. Here in a city Whose stalwart genius was akin to his own, whose vast undertakings reflected his own radiant spirit, he found a 1700 5-1-5 from which he could move the world. Here in the hopeful, hospitable west, in the magnificent gifts of the far-seeing founder, and the great gifts and loyal aid of many citizens, he found the materials to incarnate his vast design- Men of Chicago! Let not his work perish! Let it not for a moment falter! You are honored in having among you what may become the greatest seat oftlearning in the modern world. When in midcareer, at the zenith of his fame and strength, he was smitten with mortal pain, he began a work more spiritual in quality, and so more lasting in result, than any done before. For the last twelve months he has won the admiration and possessed the sympathy of all Who ever heard his name. Calm, unterrified, diligent, he has walked forward with slower step toward the iron gate that was to swing inward to the World of light. Men who have long differed from him in policy, have come close to him to Whisper their friendship and gratitude. They have realized that the finest heroism is not shown in some sudden charge at the cannon's mouth, but in a twelve months march through the valley of the shadow of death by one who even then feared no evil. A great University, composed of students of every nation under heaven, of teachers trained in many diverse fields, of strong and differing personalities, suddenly drew together; the 19

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I would hate that death bandaged my eyes, and forebore, And bade me creep past. BROWNING'S PROSFXCE. Through dragging days that agonized the soul; Through nights grown'blacker with a hopeless pain And weary weeks that closer bound the chain, He watched the shape that stalks beyond control. His life behind him elike an outstretched whole Of vast achievement flashed along the brain; But forward through the years he looked in vain For all he hoped might crown it at the goal. And yet with steady will and changeless eye. Like some strong prophet that had conduered fear, He watched the face'of death with courage high; Surpassing him who lifts a sudden cheer Where others also fall, and fight, and diee Assured that past the terror dawn shines clear. HORACE SPENCER FISKE. 21