CHAPTER XV. 



UNDER COLLEGE ELMS. 



STRETCHED under the spreading branches of this 

 noble elm, which has seen so many college genera 

 tions come and go, I have well-nigh forgotten that 

 life has any limitations of space or time ; work, 

 anxiety, weariness fade out of thought under a 

 heaven from which every cloud has vanished, and 

 the eye pierces everywhere the infinite depths of 

 the upper firmament. Days are not always radiant 

 here, and the stream of life as it flows through this 

 tranquil valley is flecked with shadows ; but all 

 sweet influences have combined to touch this pass 

 ing hour with unspeakable peace. Here are the 

 old familiar footpaths trodden so often with hurry 

 ing feet in other years ; here are the well-worn 

 seats about which familiar groups have so often 

 gathered and sent the echoes of their songs flying 

 heavenward ; here are the rooms which will never 

 lose the sense of home because of those who have 

 lived in them. The chapel bell tolls as of old, and 

 the crowd comes hurrying along like the genera 

 tions before them, but the eye sees no familiar faces 

 among them. It is a place of intense and rich 

 living, and yet to-day, and for me, it is a place of 

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