Michigan University

During the past four days, Ann Arbor, the gem city of the state, and the "Athens of the West," has been the theater of many varied, interesting and pleasant scènes. Commencement week always means a "feast of reason and a flow of soul," and this week has been no exception to the general rule. Comedy and Drama, Poetry and Song, importuned by their devotees, have lavishly contributed their gifts to the end that the Commencement of '88 might go down to history and posterity as the most intellectual, the most perfect, and the most enjoyable ever held in the ghadow of our noble halls of learning. That it has proved such is the unanimous verdict of all alumni. Those who have attended the exercises express anbounded delight at the eloquent orations, classical lyrics, ever interesting class histories, and 8agely told prophecies that peer so unerringly into the "dim and distant future." Class-mates of decades past have met and revived friendships that have laid dormant through all the ing yeara. Alumni meetings, class receptions, and class exercises have been the order of the week, and today in the Annual Commencement, occurs the last act of the perennial drama written for her children, by that most prolific of all play-wrights - "Our Alma Mater." Sunday night nearly 3000 persons assembled in University hall to hear President Angeli's address to the graduates. The University colors over the stage and around the gallery were the only decorations in the hall. The exercises were opened by the Choral Union singicg "The Kyrie," by Gounod. Prof. D'Ooge then read from the Scriptures. "Come Unto Me," a solo, was sung in a beautiful voice by Mrs. Sylvester, a daughter of Prof. WinchelL Prayer was then offered by Prof. D'Ooge. After singing by the choir of four male voices, and Miss Ida Winchell, soprano, Dr. Angelí delivered his discourse on the "Propuhive Forces in ChrÍ8tian Life." PBESIDENT ANOELLSi ADDRESS. My friends of the graduating classes : At the stage which you have now reached in your careers, there is one question which every one of you would do well to consider. It is this : What are to be the great propulsive torces in my life ? What motives, what ideas, what purposes are to incite me to activity, and to hold me up to the plane of my best endeavor ? You have already advanced far enough in life to see that unless under tho stress and impulse of some dominating sive forcé, men do not long push forward with great vigor. You have yourself found that at times you have grown weary in your work of preparation for actual Ufe and have crowded on merely under the spur of some high motive or strong ambition. It is a sad fact, that in almost every graduating class, of every college or university, there are some who on the day of their graduation, reach their culmination, and never again hold relatively to their fellows so conspicuous a place. Among the incentives which seem to be stirring most men to active life are these : The necessity of gaining a livelihood, the desire to accumulate wealth, ambition for professional eminence, and the love of the reputation of the social consideration or of the political distinction to which wealth or professional eminence often leads. A smaller number are impelled to stringent and earnest studies through life by a genuine love of Belf-culture, or by passion for scientific investigation, and the discovery of truth. Now any or all of these incentives may under proper conditions furnish worthy and effective stimulus to us in life. But the incentives that furnish the highest aspirations of life, are set forth in the exemplification of the life of Jesus Christ. It has indeed been asserted by some that Christianity cultivates only the passive virtues, and so that while it is fitted to meet the wants of those in distress, or of recluses, or of wonen in the quiet of domestic life, or of the aged bowed under the burden of years, it does not especially minister to the courage, the enthusiasm, the tireless enterprise, which alone can succeed in the sharp rivalries and hard contests of busy and conspicuous lives. This accusation against Christianity has been due in large part to an inadequate conception of its principies, and the inadequate conception has been due in part to one sided representations of it by its friends. Even good men, weary and worn by the trials of life, have dwelt so much upon the consolation and repose which Christianity brings to troubled hearts in this world and upon the rest which it promises in the world to come, that they have failed to appreciate and describe its inspiring and impulsive powers. Henee in the presentation of it they have often failed to touch the heart of youth. But I wish to direct your attention to the fact that our Lord has brought to us no gospel of quiescence and inaction, but pre-eminently a gospel of life. He came not to extinguish or weaken the propulsive forces implanted in us by our Creator, but to direct them to worthy ends and then to strengthen and stimulate them by setting before us the highest motive to activky. First - He who has the spirit of the Master works under the strongest pressure of the sense of duty. As he sought supremely and constantly to do the will of the father, so his disciple is impelled to his most strenuous endeavor by his sense of duty to God and to his fellow men. In all ages it has been the men who have feit most keenly the promptings of this high motive who have led the most efficiënt and heroic lifes. The man who with reverent spirit surrenders himself to that great imperative " ought " never settles into lethargy, and never finds his work completed. Secondly - The Christian spirit oherishes in the heart of man as one of its dominant and impelling forces, s profound desire to do good to man. It was for this that our Lord and Master toiled and died. It is not difficult for those as yoang as young as you, to cherish this high purpose of benefactors of the race. When the true spirit of consecration of the life to the noble end for blessing our fellows has taken possession of the heart, it has begotten that which no floods of adversity can quench, but a propulsive forcé which even the strong arm of persecution could not stay. Thirdly- The follower of Christ finds a constant and most powerful stimulus in the consciousness that he is a co-worker with the divine laws and divine plans. He sees that God lays upqn every true disciple the high honor of laboring with Him for sharing in the triumph of His kiügdom. Now one who with due humility, with a proper appreciation of his own weakness and infirmities, etill so strives to conform nis life to the divine will that he may reasonably believe himself a I er with God, finds in his high vocation the noblest inspiration to the most strenuous efforts. Fourthly- The spirit of Christian faith is a tremendous propulsive power. Down through all hi.tory it has been the ir.ea who believe something that have achieved something. The Mephistophelian spirit of negation is paralyzing and destructive, never impelling and construotive. The men who lay hold of God's laws and God's plans and God's promises with a firm grasp of faith have "the evidence of things not seen," gain sometLing of the power of prophetic previsión, and press on with the inspiration of those who see with more or less distinctness tbe resulta from afar. Just as faith in the infirmity of physicsl laws underlies all our modern physical conquests over time and space, just as faith in men is absolutely essential to the maintainance of the vast world, so faith in the cor.stancy, justice and perfection, of God's moral and spiritual laws, is the great tactor in tne moral and spiritual torce of men. Christianity teaches the human spirit at so many points and in so many ways that I do not attempt to give an exhaustive light of the propulsive powers which it furnishea to its disciples. But I am sure all must concede that by placing us under a controlling sense of duty, by filling us with a passion for doing good to men, by lifting us to the consciousness of being co-worker3 with God, and by invigorating our hearts with robust faith, it affords the brightest and noblest stimulus which we are capable ot receiviug. My scholariy young Iriend, do not then repress your passion for the culture of your mind. Court earnestly the best gifts. Let your scholarly impulses lend their full propulsive power to your life. The cause of truth needs all the help the highest culture can briDg to its service. THE LAWS HOLD Í0ET Tbe law class of 1888 held their class exercises in Uniyersity hall, Monday afternoon. To the right of the speaker'a stand, oa a table stood a standard supporting a pair of scales, of the pattern generally in the grasp of the blind goddess, though these were made of the most beautiful flowers, red and white roses. After the overture, "Iolanthe," President M. S. Frost of Ann Arbor carne forward and in an easy, clean-cut, manner delivered the ad - dress to the class. Hesaid:' "We have doubtless thought that we could leave these halls, where we have so long dwelt, without regrets, but I nave learned to doubt it. There have happened some things that we wül be glad to forget, but a great many things have happened that we will all be glad to remember. Though we met as strangers, yet to-day we part friends, brothers, bound by ties that can never be broken." Chas. Alling, of Madison, Indiana, then reoited the class poem. His style was dramatic and his words eloquent. It was a brilliant efibrt and reflected much credit upon its author. D. Marión DeVries oL Woodbridge, CaL, delivered the oration : "Government by Law." The orator is posseased of a fine voice, and speaking slowly and distinctly made a good impression on those present He referred to the various kinds of laws and governments, defining each, and claimed that true eovernment was baaed on equal rights to all. Without this there can be no government by law. Law being the true exponent of the feelïngs and ideas of the people, must be acquiesced in or it ceases to be the expression of the will of the people. And good laws depend on the education of the masses, which then is the foundation of all good government. The class history was read by Perley T. Gosbey, of San José, Cal. It was wntten in an extremely happy vein, and was received with frequent applause and laughter. References to Profs. Hutchins and Walker, former lecturers in the law department, were heartily applauded. 128 gradúate. There are 56 republicana, 56 democrats, 6 mugwumps, 7 prohibkionists. 117 are married, 11 single. 108 of them have epent $43,900 in the two years they have been here, the lowest spending $200, the highest $700. Miss Altneda Hitchcouk, of Hilo, Hawaiian Islands, read the class prophecy. She did not individualize, but treated the class in a general way, her essay being fraught with good thoughts and sentiment8. The consolation, by L. F. Crofoot, Pontiao, clo8ed the exercises. The first part of this address bristled with bumorous points, which were much enjoyed by the c!as9. But towards the close the speaker dwelt feelingly on the parting soon to come, and the uncertaia future before all. Bach of the speakers received a beautiful basket of flowers at the conclusión of their address. The cornet solo by Meade Vestal, of the Chequamegon orchestra, was repeatedly applauded. MEDICAL CLASS CLASS-DAY. Class-day exercises tor the department of medicine and surgery, were held in University hall Monday afternoon. After music by the orchestra, Dr. Francia W. Brewer addressed a few words to the class as follows : "Sanitation and Hygiëne are necessary the world over, tbe presence of physicians is needed everywhere. I need not teil you as you go out into the world to be gentlewomen and gentlemen, do this and you will never be false to any one. Tbe minister, the lawyer, the teacher and physician should form one grand quadrate for the elevation and raising up of mankind. The physician attends the first and last events of life, and it should be your aim and endeavor, as you mingle with human life of all kinds and phases, to eradicate and root out as much as possible the evils of the mind and body. All may not bring in (ees ; but it bas been my experience that those physicians who are philanthropic, and strive for the advancement of mankind whenever opportunity offers, generally have the largest practice and stand higher in the regard of the people. Practice philanthrophy with your medicine." The doctor then offered prayer. George H. Oonklin then read the class poem, wnicn was a nne productioD, though of extreme length. The class history by Miss Christine Anderson, was written ia an interesting and humorous.manaer, eome of her personal referencea causing much merriment. She began with the class when they were innocent "freshies," and eubmitted to everything under the sun, at the hands of the other classes, until graduated grave and dignified seniors. The clasa began with 138 members, nearly every Btate being represented, as well as England, Canada and South America. As juniors they numbered 108, and soon informed the doughty seniors that they could no longer occupy junior seats in the lecture room. Rushes were plenty and became so frequent that Dr. Frothingham threatened to cali out the militia. They leave our Alma Mater 65 strong. The oration, by Will L. Griffin, showed in its composition much care and thought. He spoke of the continual research of man after hidden secreta, delving into mines, climbing mountain sides, exploring the mysteries of the sky. But the greatest secret and the one most desired was to know ma. What a strange make-up ; what a wonderful machine. The anatomi8t, the psychologist, and the physiologist teil us of the mind, the brain, the tissues, the delicate nerve centres, the working of that most wonderful pump in the world, the heart, and we stand awed when we comprehend the organization of the animal, man. Hygiëne, that relie of barbansm, has been resurrected, and is going forth among mankind an angel of mercy. Among the homes of the rich and poor, it is doinsr great good. Prevention of disease is its office, and should be our aim as much as the curing thereof. The class prophecy, written by Horace Wilcox, who oould not be present was read. The address by the president of the class, Henry Hulst, A. M., was scholarly and eloquent. He refeived to the fact that on the boundless ocean ships meet and gpeak, though perhaps miles apart. So we who go out into the world, separated by hundreds of miles perhaps, will speak to each other, by our good words and deeda said and done in behalf of mankind. LIT. CLASS EXERCISKS. The Hts held part of their class-day exercises ia University hall Tuesday morning, and the balance under Tappan oak in the afternoon. The exercises in the morning began with music, foliowed by prayer by Rev. Dr. Ramsay. Moritz Rosenthal, of Dixon, III., then delivered the class oration, "The College man in the World." In beginning the discussion of a subject, we should fix upoo a certain line of thought and pursue it as closely as practicable. Our investigations and lives should be as continuous and as connected as possible. Though history is made up of fragmenta, yet it is a unity. The scholar has an important duty to perform. He has no right to stand by and see great questions come and go and take no part in their discussion. His should be a continuous effort to grasp and understand these great questions of church and state that are daily being brought to our notice. Communism. nihlism. Rocialism. thn road question, the labor question, must be grappled with, and you are the ones that must do it. It is our duty as college men. The afternoon exercises of the literary cla8s were held on the campus under Tappan oak, at 2 p. m. James N. Mc Bride, of Burton, Mich., read the class history. As usual with class histories, it created much good feeling among the class. The statistical history of the class is as folio ws: The freshman class numbered 165; sophomore, 152; senior, 124. Michigan furnishesSO; II]., 21; Ohio, 7; New York, 7; Iowa, 5; Hawaiian Islands, 1; Netherlands, 1 ; rest scattering. Depew is the youngest, being 20 years of age; Kirby, the oldest, at 30 years ; average age, 23 years, 7 months ; average age of ladie?, 23 years 5 months. Millmau is 6 feet 2 inches tall. Miss ChapiB, 4 feet 8 inches. Average height, 5 feet. 8 inches. Average weight, 146J pouads. Of the class, 40 have blue eyes, 26 black, 15 gray, 13 brown. Of the state papers the following are tbe choice in the order named : Detroit Free Press, une, Journal, News, the latter having but one regular reader in the class. In religión, 20 are Congregationalists, 16 Methodists, 11 Baptist, 11 Presbyterian, 7 Unitarian, 5 Episcopalian. In politics, 50 are Republican, 13 Democratie, 13 Prohibitioniste and 2 or 3 mugwumpe. The most extravagant spent on an average $850 peryear; the most economical $200 ; average expenses, $393.44. Eleven per cent, of this amount was of the student's own earnings. In choice of avocations 43 will teach, 20 will study law, 10 will be civil engineers, 8 will study medicine, 4 will preach and 3 will follow journalism. The class is the largest ever graduated from the literary department. One death has occurred since the freshman year, that of Miss Lizzie Wagner, Ann Arbor. The cla8s prophecy was quite long, and was well read by Mis9 Laura Oliver Tupper, of Bay City. The class poem was read by Miss Elsie Jones, Ann Arbor, and showed much real poetioal genius in its composition. It will be found in full in another column. The address by the class president, John Harvard Powell, Bowen, 111., was terse and to the point. He hoped that all had profited by their four years' work, and that all would be successful in life. He expressed the hope that in the future a gymnasium would aid future classes to develope body as well as mind, though he did not think any of the class had suffered for want of one, aa all were known to be hard workers wherever they were. H01ICE0PATHIC CLASS DAT. Owing to the rain the exercises of the Homceopathic class were held in Adelphi hall. After music by the Chequamegons j and prayer by Rev. Mr. Sinclair, J. H. Lawrence, Leslie, delivered the class oration, " Our profession." He considered the duties that would devolve upon the physician as he entered active practice, and urged all to aim high, and work bard. The clasa poem wa8 read by Mrs. Porter, Black River Falls, Wis., and the class history by Miss Lizzie Hendershott, Irving. THS DENTAL CLASS. The exerciseg of the Dental Class were held in the Dental building Tuesday morning, consisting of address, poem, history and prophecy. The alumni met at 2 p. na., re-electing the same officers as last year. THE SENIOR RECEPTION. Under the beautiful display of more than 200 Japanese lanterns reaching from the front entrance of the campus to the main building, Tuesday evening, walked the proud seniors and their friends to the "pavilion" in the rear of the building where the dancing took place. A large crowd of curious people, many noticeably poor, hned the walk onboth sides, eagerly, and some of tbem enviously, watching the favored ladies who, iu fine raiment, were hasteniog to the scène of enjoyment, from which the epectators were excluded. Although many " old slagers" grumbled that it was not so large and fine an assembly as had been seen in former years, it was certainly a brilliant scène. The semi-centennial of last year, together with the commencement, brought a large crowd here of course, but this was large enough to satisfy any reasonable senior class. Nearly 1000 persons partook of refreshments. The " pavilion " under which the dancing took place is a camp-meeting tent from Battle Creek. Following the timehonored custom, the class had ordered a tent from Philadelphia. It was still on the way when the dancing began. The boys were almost frantic about ita failure to come, and were talking of giving up the reception, when S. A. Moran, a member of the class, and a "hustler" who never says die, rushed to Battle Creek on Sunday last at 4 p. m., and returned the next morniug at 9, having a tent on the way. It is larger than the one ordered from Philadelphia, and was none too large. The Chequamegons sat in the center, and opened with muic for the grand march at 9:30 o'clock, which was led by Miss Ashley, of Toledo, and Louis K. Comstock. The dancing was very generally participated in. Among those present were ex-Governor Blair, President Angelí and wife, Re? Dr. Sunderland and wiie, Judge Cooley and wife, Prof. Hawley, of Orchard Lake, Regents Clark, Whitman, Draper, and Butterfield. ALUMM DAT. Testerday afternoon, James L. High, L' L. D., of Chicago, addressed the law alumni in Univer8ity hall. The speaker was introduced by Judge T. M. Cooley. The address was an able, scholarly dissertation on the law as it is, and as it should be. The speaker clearly pointed out how the different laws of the different States could be brought to a uniformity by an amendment of the constitution of the United States, which would do away with such a mass of decisions and reporta as we now have. This would be a great improvement. At 4 p. m. Wednesday, Floyd B. Wlson, A. M., of New York, class '71, delivered a fine oratioH on "A Neglected Science," before the alumni of the literary department. It contained much practical good advice, and the speaker pointed out a great many ways by which the young man just atarting in life might avoid making minous mistakes. THE CONCERT. The annual Commencement concert given in University hall last aight by the Ampbion Club, assisted by the University Glee club, was a brilliant success. The The singing was of high order, especially the solos of Miss Mary Whedon, Miss Katie Jacob, of Ann Arbor, and Charles B. Stevens, Detroit. "Spanish Qipsy" (in costutne) was handsomely presented. The cantata, "The Passing of Summer," by Miss Elsie Jones, of Ann Arbor, lit '88, musió by Ross Q-. Cole, '88, is a triumph of musical and poetical genius. "Carpe Diem," by Charles M. Gayley, A. B., '78, was finely rendered by the Glee club. Two thousand people were present