326 ANDREW J. SHIPMAN MEMORIAL 



student less, but to afford him more of all that becomes a man. 

 And at the same time it should afford him the means to think, 

 to weigh and appreciate the panaceas, the loudly shouted nos- 

 trums of the soap-box and hired-hall oratory, which are her- 

 alded as being able to overturn the old established order of 

 things. 



Now, gentlemen of the graduating class, it is your task to 

 take an active part in these matters for the future. This is 

 your Commencement Day ; the time when you are to com- 

 mence to examine the state of affairs around you and to take 

 a more or less prominent part in the direction of things. 

 Above all things examine carefully the basis and foundation 

 of things you are asked to consider or to promote. It be- 

 hooves you as sample products of your Alma Mater to take 

 stock of theories and statements, either before you espouse 

 them or condemn them. 



You may otherwise fall into the same position as the little 

 girl, who listened attentively but did not understand, and told 

 her mother that she had learned at Sunday-school that King 

 Herod of Judea was in the habit of running down his people 

 in automobiles. The mother was astonished and sought out 

 the teacher and found that what the teacher had given the 

 class was that "Herod overran the people with taxes." 

 Therefore examine all things ; find out their true bearings and 

 application, and be sure that you understand the meaning. 



In this way you will best apply your learning; in this way 

 you will honor your Alma Mater ; and in this way you will 

 be true citizens of this great commonwealth. And when to 

 this you add character, uprightness and fair dealing, with the 

 sense of reverence and devotion which only a religious train- 

 ing inculcated day by day can give, you will have demonstrated 

 the value of a solid secular education reinforced and but- 

 tressed by religious principles. It will keep you straight upon 

 the road of life, although it may not lead you to riches. 



I wish the Class of 1913, the first to issue from these walls, 

 happiness, health and a long and honorable life of success in 

 the true sense of the word. 



