to drink from the same fountain of knowledge from which their
fathers' lips have quaffed in past days, and which, far from dimin
ishing, flows now as pure a stream and, stronger than in the days
long past; those not so blessed by fortune as to have sons or
daughters may yet speak a word in season to some friend who
has a dear boy or girl ready to go away to a school for the higher
education ; may tell him of the happy time of our boyhood or girl
hood at this School, and of the foundations of character here laid;
and my friends, however, moderate our successes in life may have
been, if we are living examples of upbuilded character, we shall
thus be strongly upholding the hands of our Alma Mater.
Again, the time may come to some who have no boys or girls
of their own to educate, when a great joy may be both given and
received by aiding some struggling youth to secure what next to
health has been called by one "Life's first great gift." When that
cl.y . comes—while I believe the choice of a place to study should
be largely with him who studies there—yet, when that day comes,
remember your Alma Mater and the dear days gone.
I remarked last year while here on the occasion of the reunion
of my class, twenty-five years after graduation, that the key-note
of the whole commencement celebration was "Progress."
The key-note has not changed. The music still rings true, and
as the years go by let us hope that the only change may be that
the song may be sweeter and the chorus louder.
My class had only seven graduates, and in those days seven was
more than an average class. I rejoice very heartily that in the
past quarter of a century we have advanced from seven to seven
times seven.
Well may the chorus of Progress be sweeter and louder, when
the Choristers are so multiplied 1
When I look back thirty years and remember the equipment of
the Agricultural College as it was in 1872, when I first entered
its doors, and contrast its conditions then with its condition now,
I am literally amazed at the advance shown.
The only college building then was the main building, and with-
Alumni Association.