Valedictory Address

By Miss N. C. Stephens.

Class of ’87.

“The Spirit of the Time shall teach me speed,” says Shakespeare.

How truly that applies to the present day, when one might say we are living, as it were, in an age of rapidity, and cannot fail to catch the infection, for the very air seems filled with it. Competition is met with on all sides, and, in many branches of toil, “the race is to the swift.”

Contrast the world of a hundred years back with the world of to-day.

These people were satisfied to plod along in the good old way which their fathers had trod before them; content because they knew no better, and the times demanded no better.

But, think you, would the simple appliances used then, meet the demands of to-day?

No! decidedly, no! I hear you say. Why, may I ask? Simply because the necessity makes the demand, and the necessity is the ever-advancing spirit of to-day, which urges all to attain something that will not only benefit themselves, and be an incentive to others, but will enlighten and ennoble the coming generation as well.

But the world has made rapid progress and if we would keep pace with it, we must call to our aid every known means of saving time and labor.

And not the least among the many methods and inventions for this purpose is Phonography or shorthand, which is finding a place in almost every branch of business.

Man’s thoughts fly faster than his fingers, and it is only by the “wingéd words” of Phonography that the hand is enabled to keep pace with the mind. Almost inseparably connected with shorthand, is the typewriter.

These two go hand in hand. What a boon they have proved to the busy merchant, the lawyer and the literary man!

To this end, the General Society of Mechanics and Tradesmen, recognizing the growing demands for the use of Phonography and typewriting, added to their already large benevolence a class for the study of these branches.

And it is to this Society we owe a debt of gratitude which words are inadequate to express.

Our hearts are full, and “out of the fullness of the heart, the mouth speaketh.”

Especially to the School Committee would we convey our grateful thanks for the interest you have manifested in the Class; and for the kindness and consideration with which you have met all our wants, doing all in your power to facilitate our studies.

We trust that our success in the future may be such as will reflect credit on this Society.

To our teachers, Mr. Mason and Mr. Spaulding, you who have so well performed your part, we hardly know how to thank you for your patient and persistent efforts to fit us for the calling we have chosen. Taking up this work after the fatigue of the day, with body and brain already wearied, your task, as well as ours, has been a difficult one.

But you have ever been ready with words of encouragement to help us over the hard places. Faithful, conscientious, you have gained our respect and esteem, and we feel that in parting to-night we bid good-by not only to teachers, but to earnest, helpful friends. And yet, not a final good-by. For, are we not looking forward to many pleasant meetings of the “Phonographic Alumnæ Association,” when you have promised to meet with us, and by your presence aid and encourage us to continue our practice and by united efforts help one another?

For we believe the old maxim is true in this connection as in many others,—“In union is strength.”

Fellow classmates: For seven months we have met and studied together; and now that the term is over it is with mingled feelings of joy and regret that we meet to-night for the last time in this place.

Joy that our task is done; that the time to which we have looked forward has come; for to many it has been a severe strain to continue to the end. We alone know the difficulties we have had to contend with; the pleasures given up and the sacrifices made to be present at the class.

But who shall say it has not fully repaid us? Is not this knowledge we have gained all the more precious because so dearly obtained?

Some have already begun to reap the reward, others are eagerly looking forward to the time when they shall be able to put this knowledge into actual practice.

With what bright anticipations we took up the study of Phonography last October!

But what a mountain loomed up before us in the shape of the alphabet. Then the strokes and curves, and circles, how we puzzled our brains over which was which, and how proud we were when we began to form words and to air our knowledge of these mystic signs; only to be met with such questions as these, “How many words can you write a minute?” or, “Do you think you could take down a sermon?” “Let me dictate this piece from the newspaper to you,” all of which made us feel how limited was our knowledge and how much we had still to learn.

Then the examinations; how they hung over our heads like dark clouds threatening us at every turn!

But that is all past and gone, and time, with its never ebbing tide, has brought us to this parting hour.

What our future will be depends upon our own individual efforts. Let us remember: “What is worth doing is worth doing well.”

In climbing the ladder of fame, let us gain a firm footing on the bottom round, then, if we fail to reach the top, we will, nevertheless, command the respect of our fellow beings.