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CAMPUS MIRROR
1 l
Ivy Oration
Anatol Reeves
On many rocks, up trees, and rugged
walls, in dark and sunny weather, climbs
the ivy, wreathing with beauty rare that
to which its green vines and leaves cling.
Each stem and leaflet seems bound by
purpose deep to strive to reach the height
above. Too well does the ivy deserve the
tribute paid by Longfellow to the faithful
and competent laborer:
“Toiling, rejoicing, sorrowing,
Onward through life he goes;
Each morning sees some task begun.
Each evening sees its close;
Something attempted, something done,
Has earned a night’s repose.”
W hat a world of thought is epitomized
in this one phrase of St. Paul’s, “I press
toward the mark.” How significant it is of
the ivy. This is the spirit which has been
behind all the world’s great achievements
in every department of life. Why is it that
many of us with high hopes and golden
promises fail to make even a feeble mark
upon life's pages? What characteristics
that we may incorporate into our own
lives, if we have not alreadys done so, has
the ivy that enable it to “press toward
the mark”?
In order to live or have the means of
living the ivy must have a foundation.
During the past four years we have been
laying the solid foundation of the substan
tial! learning that we hope we have plan
ned. of which our graduation is but a mod
est doorway. These years have been years
of development not only of our minds, but
of our characters as well, and it is that
which makes us real women. Have we se
cured a hold on a foundation which, be
cause of its security and sturdiness, will
enable us to build structures worthy of
those who have made our opportunities
possible? Each one of us knows the an
swer to that question.
The ivy-covered building that one sees
appear so beautiful and graceful does
not become so overnight. Because the
ivy plant grows only little by little, it
takes many years to cover a building
whose walls, steep though they may be.
it grasps and clings to. thus symbolizing
perseverance and determination. W both
er it is spring with her changeable
skies and new-born shoots, or summer
when flowers unfold and skies are bluer,
or autumn with all its loveliest foliage
and fruit ushering in the harvest, or cold
winter driving all within, the ivy remains,
always keeping green. It presses toward
the mark in spite of everything.
Today the world is calling for women
of character, of attainments, and with a
spirit “to do.” Are we ready to answer
the call, to join the forces of those who
have been carrying the responsibilities of
the work-a-day world? During the past
four years we have had many successes
and failures. Our successes have given us
pleasure. But what of our failures? Have
we allow r ed them to bring us discourage
ment. or have we upon Hie broken-down
ruins of an honest attempt striven to build
a new structure? If we have done the lat
ter. w r e have power, power that generates
new confidence and makes for success in
any undertaking. Let us remember that
"Heaven is not reached by a single
bound, and that no one comes into suc
cess without previous ceaseless toil.
Have you ever noticed the closely inter
woven mass in which the ivy grows? Each
little stem had leaflet interweaves itself
around another, and is dependent on the
other, all working together to make a
strong mesh of ivy stems and leaves. We.
as a class, have not been able to live to
ourselves. We have learned to take other-
class members into consideration, and
have, or should have, realized the import
ance of working along with three other
classes in good fellowship to promote a
general school spirit. This has meant the
subergenee <.f selfish aims to the common
good.
f inally, the ivy never stops growing. It
continues to grow higher and higher. Its
task remains an unfinished one. May we
not see that what truly makes for progress
is that spirit within, ever unsatisfied with
former work, yet ever straining for that
far-off goal. Many of us have accomplish
ed great things in the past. Let u- not
now sit down folding our hands at ease,
for before us lies the future; there are
yet many rugged and steep paths to climb.
Furthermore, we must not pray for easy
lives, but pray to be stronger women.
Neither must we pray for tasks equal to
Last \\ ill and Testament of
Class of 1939
W e. the members of the class of 1939
of Spelman College, being of full age
and sound mind and memory do make
publish and declare this to be our LAST
WILL AND rESTAMENT and declare
that no other W ILL exists to be revoked.
W e will to our sisters those of our
qualities that we wish them to possess, in
the hope that these qualities of ours will
make their lives at Spelman College more
interesting and full.
To Spelman we bequeath the continu
ous renewal of our great store of energy
and of capacity to do the job fully and
completely in the hope that future Spel
man girls will have as many pleasant
memories of work and play done in its
halls as we are able to record.
To the Juniors. Sophomores and Fresh
men we w r ill our happy spirit and the
wish that they will use each hour wisely
and completely.
Nada Stewart leaves her place in
gym to Lillian Taylor; Helen McKnight
bequeaths her dignity and willingness to
work to Lillie Pearson; to Sallie Davie
Lenore Brooks leaves her ready laugh;
Annie Lowe leaves her voice to Lillian
Taylor, and Mary Kelley, her youthful
ness to Mary Edith Bennett.
Ruth Pope wills her early retiring to
Gladys Forde; Martha Mainor her jitter
bug talents to Louise Gaillard; Lucille
Hopkins her many ailments to Georgia
Oswell. To Carrie Nicholas, Margaret
Creagh leaves her speed of speech: Zel-
ma Thomas wills her dignity to Vivian
Alexander; Sarah Jones leaves her place
(Continued on Page 18)
our powers, but pray for powers equal to
our tasks.
Now that we are about to bid our Alma
Mater good-bye. may we. bound by pur
pose deep like bands of steel entwining,
ever pass on to heights above, and carry
with us the inspiration contained in these
lines from Tennyson’s “Ulysses."
“Come, my friends.
Tis not too late to seek a newer world.
Push off. and sitting w T ell in order smite
The sounding furrows; for my purpose
holds
lo sail beyond the sunset, and the baths
Of all the western stars, until I die.
It may be we shall touch the Happy Isles.
And see the great Achilles, whom we
knew.
Thn' much is taken, much abides; and
tho’
We are not now that strength which in
old days
Moved earth and heaven, that which we
are. we are,—
One equal temper of heroic hearts.
Made weak by time and fate, but strong
in will
Io strive, to seek, to find, and not to
yield.”