418 SCIENTIFIC ED VGA TION. 



iconoclast has not attacked. The commencement season is no meaningless 

 formality, but an important epoch in the life of each generation as it passes 

 along. It is at once the beginning and ending of a never-to-be-forgotten 

 period of one's life. From the controlling influence of home and the instruc- 

 tor, the young man steps at this season into the arena of wordly strife, and 

 thenceforth must bear the responsibilities of his own actions. Further than 

 this, every graduating class adds just so many units to the world's educated 

 intellectual forces, out of the clashing of which are evolved those ideas upon 

 which the progress of humanity depends. Commencement day is therefore- 

 not alone a time of public congratulation for the honorable completion of a 

 task, but a solemn occasion to signal the entering upon a new life of a class 

 of young men, to whom is given a very important j)art to play in their 

 country's development. As such it will alwaj-s have an interest for society, 

 the members of which will gather on all commencement occasions, year after 

 year, as they have always done, not only paying a cheerful tribute to intel- 

 lectual success, but also warmed up by that great under-current of human 

 sympathy, that makes life worth the living. Like the wedding day, com- 

 mencement day will never lose its interest for society, but will stand as long 

 as the school and college from the basis of our social well being. The laudable 

 ambition to excel in educational advantages, has in recent years taken a firm 

 hold of the American people, and countless schools and colleges have beeBi 

 established all over the Union. While some are the outgrowth of a pardon- 

 able vanity on the part of a wealthy donor ambitious to j)erpetuate his name 

 in a community out of which he sprung, the greater jiortion have been 

 created in response to a demand for knowledge among the masses, impelled 

 as it were by the exactions of increasing culture. Taking them altogether, 

 they are evidence of a nation's effort toward intellectual advancement, and 

 are a standing rebuke to those pessimists who love to dwell mournfully on 

 the "degeneracy of the times." It is a matter of regret that so many of these 

 ncAver colleges are weaklings, anticijDating by years the capacity of the com- 

 munity in which they are situated to jDroperly support. While giving every 

 credit to the motives which founded them, they are costly evidences of the 

 unwisdom, with whichmen of wealth, ambitious to serve the cause of edu- 

 cation, often discharge their self-imposed stewardships. Had the same 

 amount of wealth that has been scattered throughout the country in num- 

 berless higher class schools and colleges, that for years must have a struggle 

 for existence, been concentrated in well established educational centres, theben- 

 efit to the cause of sound learning, would necessarily have been very great, 

 and it is to be hoped that future donors will add their benefactions to exist- 

 ing schools, rather than increase their number. The educational period 

 through which we are passing, is in marked contrast to that which gave 

 character to the generation now fading out of sight. This contrast is sharply 

 drawn, and it will be in harmony with this evening's celebration, to ask 

 your attention to some of the leading features of the "new education" — what 

 it has done for society, and what course its future development will i-)robably 



