454 HISTORY OF 



niaiy abilities and as a consequence, their schools advanced in 

 character in an equal degree, so that they will now bear com- 

 parison witli those of any other community in the Union. — 

 Born and bred as we were upon her soil, when we contem- 

 plate the efforts of her citizens in the cause of Education, as 

 they have been practically carried out in the establishment 

 and liberal support of our Common and Sabbath schools, 

 Lyceums — and Academies and Female Seminaiies, we have 

 abundant cause for gratulation, that our lot has been cast 

 in such a land. 



It has been said somewhere, by some one, that Pericles, who 

 succeeded Aristides, found the city of Athens of brick and 

 left it of marble. Truly the Germans who iirst penetrated into 

 and settled Lancaster county, have done more than this. They 

 found it in its physical aspect, a wilderness — they left it to their 

 children blooming as the rose, and they in turn with their 

 descendants, have so improved the mental character of its 

 people, that their light is seen and felt from afar off. Be the 

 endeavor of this and succeeding generations, not only to 

 maintain their present character, but to improve it still more ; 

 and as they gather beneath the banner vvhereon is inscribed 

 "the Education of all" — let there be one universal shoutr-* 

 Excelsior I 



