Westfield State University - Tekoa Yearbook (Westfield, MA)

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PUBLISHED BY THE 5E1NIOR5 OF THE UOTflELD NORMAL 3CI100L 1923

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jforetoorb Through our ivorld of sun and shadow Runs a woof-thread of romance — Sudden, fleeting, Wavering, narrow — Fairy-like it seems to dance. In our days of joy and sorrotv We shall drift on happy seas — Wondering, dreaming Of tomorrow — To our land of memories. Through these pages ever-ready, In our fairy-ba,rk well go — Sails of fancy, Keel e ' er steady — To our land of long ago.

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AM MOUNT TEKOA. For ages uncountable I have been the silent guardian of Westneld and its river valley. From the Bible was I christened. From my rugged summit the eyes of Indian chieftains scanned the surrounding lowlands. I have stood unchangeable while wild animal creatures and untamed human life roamed up and down my valley. Sternly I watched the invasion of the white man, and my heart could find no love for him. But he con- quered impassable obstacles — dense forests gave way to his homelike houses; the red men became his friends; gleaming rails carried him fast across the miles ; the power of the river whirled his mill-wheels; delicate wires flashed his invisible m essage to waiting friends ; schools educated his children that they might work more wonders in the ages to come. All this did I see the white man accomplish in the river valley. Slowly I grew to love the red man ' s white brother because of his mighty brain and creative power. Still I stand, the silent guardian of the valley and the town. Suns rise and set again ; flowers blossom and fade away; tides wash in and go out to sea ; human life hums and is still ; but I — I am steadfast — and in my heart dwells love for the well-being of my valley. I am Mount Tekoa — the silent watcher. He built even Bethlehem, and Etam, and Tekoa. II Chronicles 11:6 And Joab sent to Tekoa, and fetched thence a wise woman. II Samuel H: 2