University of Massachusetts Amherst - Index Yearbook (Amherst, MA)

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10 THE INDEX. tions ; and Discipline, with its stern front and order. We have touched all these subjects and many others no less interesting. We have learned that agriculture is a science, and not the brain- less employment that many make of it. Intelligent observation and practice will always find, in this field, their greatest reward. Nothing can be more salutary than the study of nature and her laws ; it creates liberal views, and tends to form anti-conservative minds. We look upon her designs ; we see the harmony prevail- ing all her works ; We contemplate grand results wrought out by simple processes with marvellous precision. Such training qual- ifies the mind to entertain great possibilities, and progress, which is but the weaving together of right ideas, is the result. Our classmates have been dropping away from term to term, so that now, less than one half the original number remain. We have just bidden farewell to one of our most respected members, who was obliged to leave us on account of ill-health. He was a faithful scholar, who gained the good will of Faculty and stu- dents and made many fast friends during his stay in college. We wish him a speedy recovery. During the last term of junior year we were called upon to sustain a great loss. Our honorable president was invited to other fields of labor. Perhaps no other man in the country was so well qualified to accomplish the undertaking upon which he is engaged ; it is certain that his work here has met with widely extended approval. We miss his energetic appearance, his ring- ing voice, his valuable instruction, and, above all, his example of ceaseless industry. We were proud to send away such a man, and we support our loss with equanimity. We are not of those who are inclined to fall into the distaste- ful habit of enumerating class exploits and excellencies, — of try- ing to shine on paper. If we have not anything to boast of, well and good ; if we have, it will be much more meritorious to say nothing about it. We hope that the motto which has been adopted by the class of ' 77 while in college, will cling to its members through life, — Aim at the Highest. B.

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When Time, who steals our years away Shall steal our pleasures, too, Then mem ' ry of the past will stay And half our joys renew. How swiftly the years glide by ! How short seems the time since we were Freshmen, looking forward longingly to the day when we should be Seniors ! How impatient to have completed our college course, to walk forth with honors crowned, to join the madening crowd ! How eager to reap, giving no thought to the sowing ! How hasty to cry victory, not thinking of the hard-fought battle ! Well, time has left us at the coveted station. We are Seniors. The day is very near when we shall be cast loose from our Alma Mater. Not without some sinking at the heart, do we now think of that hour when we must bid farewell to scenes and faces made dear by four years of close relationship. We review with feelings of regret those plans unfinished ; those wishes not con- summated. We ask ourselves, Has it been all for naught, — our college life? Is the harvest worth the seeding? Is the vic- tory worth the battle? The answer conies reassuringly. Our garner consists of full measures of healthy knowledge well suited to feed vigorous minds; sound bodies, enlarged ideas, with capac- ity to expand them ; a higher appreciation of a manly and self- sustaining character ; a closer acquaintance with God through His matchless works. We are well pleased with the harvest. Our years here have been full of activity. Many subjects have claimed our attention and interest. Language, with its awful intricacies ; Philosophy, with its dreary formulas ; Chemistry, with its magical reactions ; Botany, w ith its wonderful revela-

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Who of us, classmates, has not been impressed by the thought that, with this term ' s duties we enter upon a new era in college life ? For with Junior year come new experiences and new responsibilities, which are fully realized only when we reach this welcome period. Our journey hither has been quickly and pleasantly accomplished. As we proceed on the latter half of our course, our only regret is that not quite all are with us now who started under the banner of ' 78. Yet we bid the missing - ones a hearty God speed in the paths where destiny leads them, and hope that others will come to fill the vacant places. We are very happy in welcoming back our classmate who has returned to us almost from the jaws of death, and yet is as reckless and jolly as ever. ' 76, in departing, has taken from us many esteemed college mates. We feel deeply the loss of our colleagues, but hope for their highest success in the courses they may pursue. What they were to us, from the time when first we trod Aggie domains till their graduation, we will endeavor to be, in the fullest degree, to our fresh colleagues. And the new class appears worthy of our friend ship. We trust they will grow in all that improves and cultivates the man, so that when our class shall quit its Alma Mater, they may make its absence less apparent. Tnstead of boasting of our superiority in everything, we only ask you to look to the records and they will testify to the high and honorable position which ' 78 holds in studies, athletics, and in supporting the several student associations of our institution. When our honored President returns from hin distant mission, he will find, we humbly hope, that those he left as wild Sopho- mores have become dignified and respected Seniors. We will