Jón Bjarnason Academy - 01.05.1936, Blaðsíða 43

of our position. To begin with, although it is only too true
that an education does not guarantee an independent living
at present, we are not so pessimistic as to believe that this
abominable state of affairs will continue long, and we are pre-
paring ourselves to take advantage of the time when it shall
not. On the other hand, we realize that education has a value
of its own. That is, it is not merely a means of gaining some
other desirable end, but is a worthwhile end in itself. An
eminent authority states that education is the organization of
knowledge into human excellence. It is not, therefore, a mere
accumulation of knowledge but the art of making living an art.
For these reasons we feel satisfied that the expenditure of time
and expense in acquiring an education is justified.
The present is a fitting occasion for us students to express
our heartfelt thankfulness to our parents and guardians for
all the acts of love and sacrifice they have performed in pro-
viding us with an education. For many of them it has been a
hard pull. Their tender devotion to our interests places us in a
position of great responsibility. Their trust in us demands that
we pledge ourselves to live clean, honorable lives; not merely
avoiding evil but performing as many worthy actions as pos-
sible. Our parents have paved the way. We are under a moral
obligation to travel upon it, and I trust we always shall.
When we emerge from the quiet sanctum of the Academy’s
walls, those of us who do not continue our academical education
will find, more keenly perhaps than hitherto, that the present
economic situation is not all it might be desired to be. It will be
exceedingly unpleasant to find that after the preparation in
which they have invested no little effort and expense, it may
be difficult to find a job. We who scarcely remember what it
was like before the depression may not be fully aware of the
seriousness of this matter. We have become so accustomed to
hearing talk of unemployment, its alleged causes, and the con-
flicting cures suggested. We grow tired of it. It seems so
futile. We cannot, however; we must not, take this indifferent
attitude. These problems too intimately concern our future
well-being. We must not forget that the demand for pioneers
has fallen off only with respect to the discovery and settlement
of land. New and more glorious fields of exploration and pro-
mised achievement demand the attention of our adventurous
spirits, our thoughts, and our labor. The possibilities are great.
Let us not fail to redeem the sacrifices of our parents, the toil
of our teachers and the honor of our school. As the poet
Browning expresses it:
“No, at noon-day in the bustle of man’s work-time
Greet the unseen with a cheer!
Bid him forward, breast and back as either should be
‘Strive and thrive!’ Cry, ‘Speed,—fight on, fare ever
There as here!’ ”
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