#36 School Days 52 Ancestors in a Year
Della Kurtz Shaffner was my grandmother. She was Salutatorian of her High School Graduation Class at Muncy, Pennsylvania in 1905. We are lucky to have the memorabilia of the program and her Salutatorian Speech. Written 114 years ago, the message is still valid! Please read!
Della Kurtz
Graduation 1905
The Voice of the World
Essay by Della Kurtz, Class of 1905
Salutatorian Speech
There is one question in the minds of modern people that is doing much harm, and that is “what will people say”? This question influences a greater portion of the actions of the people. It is the fear of what people say that prevents them from doing that which they ought to do and promotes them to do what they are not to we do.
We do not live as we want to live but according to the standards by which we fancy others will judge us. We dress ourselves for the eyes and opinions of the world. We visit people not because we have an interest in them, but because we consider it our duty to do so. We would rather be dishonest than discourteous. How much of the present “calling” would remain if by some x-ray force the minds of the average hostess and caller would be revealed at the time of the call.
Now the question naturally arises how long are we going to remain under this thraldom? Are we going on year after year not daring to do what our own conscience tells us is right?
There are a few of us who are brave enough to simply when we say of such people, that “they are sensible and go their own way.” We really mean that they are, what it is a pity that more people do not dare to be, simply themselves. In the final analysis it is always true that people are not one-half as much interested in us as we sometimes choose to think they are.
If we preferred to live simply: to do only the things worthwhile, then you say people will talk. By the word talk we mean gossip or criticism. But what if they do? They cannot harm us so long as we do what we think is right. There are some people who are wisely leading lives fashioned upon their own convictions. They live simply, dress plainly and educate their children sensibly. They are happy, rarely ill, their nerves are strong, their skin clear and their eyes sparkle. They are just plain happy. And they are called sensible people
These people differ from the majority in that they do not allow anything to become a part of their day, that isn't worthwhile. The people of same, simple life always have the advantage they do not waste their energy and burning with ardor for that entire human family.
Instead of walking through life with their eyes fixed on some marvelous reforms and treading on the toes of those nearest them, they see first the duty which lies nearest. They are first of all about their own duty. The base of our operations should be in the field of our own immediate duty and happier indeed would be countless people today if that immediate duty were
more clearly seen by them. The duty which they overlook in a senseless and fruitless chase after distant wrongs to right. There is a book called “The Simple Life”, by Charles Wagner. It is this savest book on the simple living that has been published and inits words that there are health and salvation for thousands of American people. It dwells in the main intentions of our lives. We must be simple in our thoughts to become simple in our actions
Such is the lesson the American people need to learn; That the way to live a simple life is to be simple and that means first and foremost to make our own mind simple. Simplicity is purely a thing of the individual, a personal state. A man who is rich and happy is not happy because he is rich but because he knows how to be happy. To have small means makes the problem of simple living easier. The way to simple life and truest happiness begins in a mental attitude born of simple contentment. There must be no invitation of others. Friends we want and must have, but let us be sure that we seek our friends for themselves. Let are words speak for something: stand for something, be interpreters of our ideas and intentions
The true life is in other words forgetting accessory and remembering the essential. The more simply we live and truly, the more sincere is our future. And from it come those most precious of all blessings, contentment of mind and perfect health. There are no nervous breakdowns in the simple life. The capstone of its structure is health. From its alter Springs love: it days give rest and it's old age is of quiet repose. Only happy people dwell in the realm of simple life
The first page of the speech
It is a copy and located in the Kurtz Scrapbook
The High School Graduation program and banquet menu
A page in the scrapbook of her report cards.
The report cards are glued down & I haven't tried to remove them.
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