Yale High School - Bulldog Yearbook (Yale, MI)

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Far beneath these is the average person in Ii is un- derstanding and appreciation of nature. There is as much difference between these as the skilled me- chanic and the common workman. In spite of this fact the appreciation is not wanting and the man of the world still finds time to leave the buzz and excitement of business life and live near “nature’s heart.’ Perhaps without knowing it he is paying her a worthy tribute. Some have grown so indifferent to nature that only when it is attired in its most gorgeous apparel does it appeal to them yet, there cannot be a soul so dea d that the wonders of nature do not prove to him the supremacy of God. Since nature with her “various language” has an influence on each and every one of us and appeals to the best that is in us why not “go forth and list to nature’s teachings.” “Live thou in nature! Live with the stars and the wind P Take all that nature gives you. Take sweetness from the grass, strength from the storm, patience from the growing seeds, gentleness from the twi- light and every virtue from the wholesome day.

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Nature’s Voice By Mabel Phillips “To him who in the love of nature holds com- munion with her visible forms, she speaks a var- ious language ’ Nature has a voice for each individual whether great or small. It is true that we do not all appreci- ate it to the same extent. Nature does not speak to all in the same language, but we would be little better than lumps of clay if we were entirely indif- ferent to her offerings — the birds with their joy- ous carols and the bright fresh flowers tossing their heads in welcome to us. Then what a dis- play of surpassing beauty is brought out in the varying colors of the landscape. Every tint seems to reflect a beautiful thought. And is this not of use to us. It cheers our spirits in our sorrowing moments; it lifts our minds to regions of higher thought and we feel less inclined to the common things of life while the deeper propensities of our souls are being wrought upon. Indeed, the genu- ine pleasure that can be drawn from the beauties in nature are enough to compensate us for all the trials and sorrows we have to bear. As God in his wisdom has created men of var- ious minds, so too, he has fashioned the forms of nature to suit these minds. The scientist studies nature in a systematic way. He experiments and seeks out her mysteries and gives them to man- kind. The astronomer, botanist, physicist and chemist have revealed to us worlds of wonders which we would never have received had they not given their entire life to this wonderful study. We ought to appreciate these inheritances more and more as we become intimate with and are able to read a little from nature’s infinite book of secrecy. Nature does not teach the scientist alone but also the poet. Although the poet does not study her laws and seek to explain her workings, he is none the less sensitive to the voice of nature. His poetic soul responds to every sound and scene of beauty. Wordsworth had an especially keen eye and ear for her charms, and the colors and sounds are vividly reproduced in his poetry. Tennyson’s love of na- ture was scarcely inferior to that of Wordsworth. He felt a rest in her steadfastness patient progress and hopefulness, and saw in it the glory and great- ness of God. Bryant, our own American poet, was a true apostle of nature. He loved to roam alone in the fields and woods listening — “To winds that brought into their silent depths The murmur of mountain waterfalls.” Truly nature spoke a “various language” to him for above three fourths of his poems are direct sug- gestions from her. Thus God has called the scien- tist. poet and philosopher to interpret the three- fold meaning of his works and as the voice of na- x ture speaks to them, they give it to the multitudes.

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Outward Bound Class Poem By Olive Goheen Out of the harbor of safety Away from the sheltered cove Sailing upon life’s ocean Braving manifold dangers In infinite numbers of forms Ready to meet life’s conffiicts Ready to fight life’s battles And wrestle with winds and storms. Full long have we lain in the harbor, W here storms and winds are few. Where the dark heavy clouds come but seldom To mar our heaven’s bright blue. Full long have we lain in the harbor Being built and equipped for the voyage And the shipwrights have labored early and late Toiling with ceaseless efforts and care That each might built and fitted be To cope with the furious hurricanes That rage on the open sea. But at last the craftmen’s work is o’er The anchor’s raised; the sail unfurled; And our little fleet is outward bound For the far-off shores of an unknown world. But as proudly we sail from the harbor How Bright our hopes! Our prospects how fair As we think of the worlds yet untraversed by us Of realms never touched by our feet What glorious visions! W hat golden dreams! Mount up in castles of air. In fancy we see ourselves conquering worlds In victorious battles engage. And with beating hearts we hear our names Go thundering down the age. What care we now for dangers Ere our voyage of discovery’s begun While yet safely sheltered within the bay What hardships cannot be o’ercome? But, ah ! as we reach the end of the bay And launch out on the mighty deep The time will have come to separate. Then each frail craft of our little fleet Must sail through life’s billows alone, Alone must fight bravely ’gainst wind and gale And steer clear from rock and shoal. But may each bark obey the hand Of the helmsman and heed his beck Whenever threatening rocks surround That each may weather the storms of life Of those who tonight are outward bound.