NewsAlumniAdvancementAcademics
Baccalaureate Address
May 28, 2007 12:00 AM
By Tannika King - Faculty
Read the full text of the Baccalaureate Address given by W. Gordon Neville ('55) on May 25:
Mr. Whitworth and seniors, I thank you for inviting me to take part in this service. For me, this is a high honor. I am both grateful for and humbled by this opportunity to share. May God bless us all during this time together.
Parents of our seniors, we thank you for sharing with the Darlington community these young people with whom it has been our privilege to work during their time as students here. It has been an uplifting experience seeing them grow, develop, and mature in coming to this point of readiness to step into the next larger arena in their educational careers. Like you, we are very proud of each of these students.
Seniors, having been a resident student at Darlington for four years, on the faculty a few more years, and a parent to a daughter and two sons who graduated from this school after having worked through all grades as some of you have, I can relate to many of your own experiences in this special place. I also understand and appreciate your eagerness to move on so as to explore new territories while living, loving, and learning. Thus, I will share briefly some reflections, a few thoughts, and a passage of scripture, then engage you in a short story, to be followed by a closing prayer.
Reflecting on your delivery while at Darlington, you as a class and individually are to be commended for your good works. Your accomplishments in academics, fine arts, athletics, and other areas of school life are noteworthy. Further, we salute you for demonstrating a clear understanding of and appreciation for the notion of “service beyond self,” and for exhibiting a walk with honor. We thank you for the strong example you have set for those classes soon to follow. In addition, we are most grateful for the impact you have had upon our own lives and for the great memories you have provided all of us, which we will cherish for years to come. Well done! Congratulations.
As to the journey ahead, this night will soon pass and in the morning it will be your Commencement, after which exercise we will again congratulate you and then bid you farewell. And then … and then you will go. How happy we are for you! As Dr. Seuss would say, “Oh, the places you’ll go!” and we add, “Oh, the sights you’ll see! The things you’ll do! The studying and learning you’ll savor!”
Yes, challenging, exciting, and interesting times are in store for you. Live and enjoy each day fully while keeping in mind the wise counsel you have received over the years as well as the realization that life is not always sweet, smooth, or sure. Herein, as we know, the attitude with which we respond to life under varying circumstances and conditions makes a big difference as to how well we are able to work through and manage whatever comes our way.
Finally, in all your personal relationships and involvement in worthy endeavors, be and give of your very best. Do so in honoring God, family, other loved ones, friends, and classmates – you physically present here and now and those present in spirit: Erika Binns, Anna Kipp, Hannah Tillman, as well as loved ones and friends who, just as these, have stepped ahead into Paradise, where, I believe, somewhere in time we will all be reunited.
Yes, as members of the greater Darlington community, may we all strive to do that which is right and honorable at all times as we give our very best in all and for all.
Sharing from Holy Scripture, I invite your attention to this paraphrase by Kenneth N. Taylor of a passage found in the Book of Proverbs; Chapter 3, verses 1-6. The author writes: “My son, (my daughter), never forget the things I’ve taught you. If you want a long and satisfying life, closely follow my instructions. Never forget to be truthful and kind. Hold these virtues tightly. Write them deep within your heart. If you want favor with both God and man, and a reputation for good judgment and common sense, then trust the Lord completely; don’t ever trust yourself. In everything you do, put God first, and He will direct you and crown your efforts with success.” Thanks be to God for these words of wisdom.
A story from the East echoes the theme in this passage of scripture and holds a message for all of us in these times, so I wish to share it with you now. Even though not in the Bible, this story can be found in The Book Of Life; Vol.1, Bible Treasures (arranged and edited by Dr. N. M. Hall and Dr. I. F. Wood). The title of this story is, “He Told The Truth,” and it goes as follows:
Long ago and far away lived a boy with his mother. This boy’s name was Selim and he lived in Persia, present-day Iran. Now Selim’s father was dead and his mother had become very poor. At last she was no longer able to provide for Selim, so she sent him to live with an uncle in the city of Shiraz, far away over mountains and deserts.
Selim traveled with a caravan of merchants and helped the servants care for the camels when they camped out at night. One day they went through a ravine in the mountains. The rocks were high on each side and the road wound so that one could see only a little way ahead. They were still in the mountains when night came on, so they set up camp beside the little stream and later all lay down to sleep.
But in the night robbers came upon them, and when Selim woke he found the merchants and servants bound and the robbers building a little fire for light and warmth. Now the merchants and servants were brought one by one to the chief of the robbers, who tried to make each one tell what he had with him.
At last Selim was brought. However, Selim was so small the chief robber wished to waste no time with him. “My boy,” he asked, “what money have you?”
“I have three gold coins sewed up in the corner of my coat,” said Selim.
“Three gold coins? If that is true, why did you tell me,” asked the robber chief.
“Because,” said Selim, “my mother made me promise three things when I left her: the first, to be kind to anyone whom I could help; the second, to pray to God every day; and the third, always to tell the truth; so I told you the truth.”
“Let me see your coat,” said the robber chief. He took it, cut open the corner, and therein found the three gold pieces of which Selim had spoken. Then he took from his own girdle three more gold coins and gave the six to Selim saying, “Sew all these up in your coat, and always do as your mother said. Had I had such a mother I should not have become a robber.”
Then turning to the chief of the merchants he instructed, “See that this boy gets to his journey’s end without harm, and I will protect you when you come back through the mountains. Persia needs boys trained to be kind, to pray, and to tell the truth. Speak truth one with another.”
Indeed, even today, in Iran, Russia, Australia, Vietnam, India, China, Switzerland, Brazil, America – the world, needs boys and girls, men and women, trained to be kind, to pray, and to tell the truth. So won’t you consider the effects of and begin to effect such a way of life; yes, even here and in this hour?
This so as to melt down the ice-walls of hate, prejudice, and oppression while ushering in genuine human fellowship, true brotherly love, and deeper understanding among all people; so as to reestablish that vital line of communication between God and man, man and his Creator, who loves man, and whom man needs; so as to cut through and lift this fog of uncertainty and mistrust, which permeates so much of our every day, and replace this with an atmosphere of open acceptance, respect, and trust.
Yes, this for a better world today and tomorrow, here on Earth and even so into eternity. Is this not our wish? Is this not our prayer? Is this not our hope? Then having considered it, tried it, and finding it to be good, may it so be in your lives and in mine from this time forth, every hour of every day, now and forevermore.
Seniors, Darlington Class of 2007, the world needs you. So in the morning, go and make a difference for the greater good … ever seeking to lift life for all mankind and God’s creation. And as you go, know we love you, we are here for you, and we wish for you the very best. Have a wonderful journey!
Shall we pray? Almighty, most gracious, merciful, and loving God, at the close of day we turn to you with hearts filled with thanksgiving for the way you have cared for us and blessed us, for the beauty all around us, for life and all its mystery and splendor.
On this occasion we pray specifically not only for these our seniors, but for all young people. Be and abide with them, allowing them daily to keenly sense your presence in their lives – ever guiding, comforting, sustaining, and loving them. In turn, may we all love you with all our heart, mind, strength, and being, and our neighbors as ourselves. This prayer is offered with eternal praise and thanksgiving. Amen
Mr. Whitworth and seniors, I thank you for inviting me to take part in this service. For me, this is a high honor. I am both grateful for and humbled by this opportunity to share. May God bless us all during this time together.
Parents of our seniors, we thank you for sharing with the Darlington community these young people with whom it has been our privilege to work during their time as students here. It has been an uplifting experience seeing them grow, develop, and mature in coming to this point of readiness to step into the next larger arena in their educational careers. Like you, we are very proud of each of these students.
Seniors, having been a resident student at Darlington for four years, on the faculty a few more years, and a parent to a daughter and two sons who graduated from this school after having worked through all grades as some of you have, I can relate to many of your own experiences in this special place. I also understand and appreciate your eagerness to move on so as to explore new territories while living, loving, and learning. Thus, I will share briefly some reflections, a few thoughts, and a passage of scripture, then engage you in a short story, to be followed by a closing prayer.
Reflecting on your delivery while at Darlington, you as a class and individually are to be commended for your good works. Your accomplishments in academics, fine arts, athletics, and other areas of school life are noteworthy. Further, we salute you for demonstrating a clear understanding of and appreciation for the notion of “service beyond self,” and for exhibiting a walk with honor. We thank you for the strong example you have set for those classes soon to follow. In addition, we are most grateful for the impact you have had upon our own lives and for the great memories you have provided all of us, which we will cherish for years to come. Well done! Congratulations.
As to the journey ahead, this night will soon pass and in the morning it will be your Commencement, after which exercise we will again congratulate you and then bid you farewell. And then … and then you will go. How happy we are for you! As Dr. Seuss would say, “Oh, the places you’ll go!” and we add, “Oh, the sights you’ll see! The things you’ll do! The studying and learning you’ll savor!”
Yes, challenging, exciting, and interesting times are in store for you. Live and enjoy each day fully while keeping in mind the wise counsel you have received over the years as well as the realization that life is not always sweet, smooth, or sure. Herein, as we know, the attitude with which we respond to life under varying circumstances and conditions makes a big difference as to how well we are able to work through and manage whatever comes our way.
Finally, in all your personal relationships and involvement in worthy endeavors, be and give of your very best. Do so in honoring God, family, other loved ones, friends, and classmates – you physically present here and now and those present in spirit: Erika Binns, Anna Kipp, Hannah Tillman, as well as loved ones and friends who, just as these, have stepped ahead into Paradise, where, I believe, somewhere in time we will all be reunited.
Yes, as members of the greater Darlington community, may we all strive to do that which is right and honorable at all times as we give our very best in all and for all.
Sharing from Holy Scripture, I invite your attention to this paraphrase by Kenneth N. Taylor of a passage found in the Book of Proverbs; Chapter 3, verses 1-6. The author writes: “My son, (my daughter), never forget the things I’ve taught you. If you want a long and satisfying life, closely follow my instructions. Never forget to be truthful and kind. Hold these virtues tightly. Write them deep within your heart. If you want favor with both God and man, and a reputation for good judgment and common sense, then trust the Lord completely; don’t ever trust yourself. In everything you do, put God first, and He will direct you and crown your efforts with success.” Thanks be to God for these words of wisdom.
A story from the East echoes the theme in this passage of scripture and holds a message for all of us in these times, so I wish to share it with you now. Even though not in the Bible, this story can be found in The Book Of Life; Vol.1, Bible Treasures (arranged and edited by Dr. N. M. Hall and Dr. I. F. Wood). The title of this story is, “He Told The Truth,” and it goes as follows:
Long ago and far away lived a boy with his mother. This boy’s name was Selim and he lived in Persia, present-day Iran. Now Selim’s father was dead and his mother had become very poor. At last she was no longer able to provide for Selim, so she sent him to live with an uncle in the city of Shiraz, far away over mountains and deserts.
Selim traveled with a caravan of merchants and helped the servants care for the camels when they camped out at night. One day they went through a ravine in the mountains. The rocks were high on each side and the road wound so that one could see only a little way ahead. They were still in the mountains when night came on, so they set up camp beside the little stream and later all lay down to sleep.
But in the night robbers came upon them, and when Selim woke he found the merchants and servants bound and the robbers building a little fire for light and warmth. Now the merchants and servants were brought one by one to the chief of the robbers, who tried to make each one tell what he had with him.
At last Selim was brought. However, Selim was so small the chief robber wished to waste no time with him. “My boy,” he asked, “what money have you?”
“I have three gold coins sewed up in the corner of my coat,” said Selim.
“Three gold coins? If that is true, why did you tell me,” asked the robber chief.
“Because,” said Selim, “my mother made me promise three things when I left her: the first, to be kind to anyone whom I could help; the second, to pray to God every day; and the third, always to tell the truth; so I told you the truth.”
“Let me see your coat,” said the robber chief. He took it, cut open the corner, and therein found the three gold pieces of which Selim had spoken. Then he took from his own girdle three more gold coins and gave the six to Selim saying, “Sew all these up in your coat, and always do as your mother said. Had I had such a mother I should not have become a robber.”
Then turning to the chief of the merchants he instructed, “See that this boy gets to his journey’s end without harm, and I will protect you when you come back through the mountains. Persia needs boys trained to be kind, to pray, and to tell the truth. Speak truth one with another.”
Indeed, even today, in Iran, Russia, Australia, Vietnam, India, China, Switzerland, Brazil, America – the world, needs boys and girls, men and women, trained to be kind, to pray, and to tell the truth. So won’t you consider the effects of and begin to effect such a way of life; yes, even here and in this hour?
This so as to melt down the ice-walls of hate, prejudice, and oppression while ushering in genuine human fellowship, true brotherly love, and deeper understanding among all people; so as to reestablish that vital line of communication between God and man, man and his Creator, who loves man, and whom man needs; so as to cut through and lift this fog of uncertainty and mistrust, which permeates so much of our every day, and replace this with an atmosphere of open acceptance, respect, and trust.
Yes, this for a better world today and tomorrow, here on Earth and even so into eternity. Is this not our wish? Is this not our prayer? Is this not our hope? Then having considered it, tried it, and finding it to be good, may it so be in your lives and in mine from this time forth, every hour of every day, now and forevermore.
Seniors, Darlington Class of 2007, the world needs you. So in the morning, go and make a difference for the greater good … ever seeking to lift life for all mankind and God’s creation. And as you go, know we love you, we are here for you, and we wish for you the very best. Have a wonderful journey!
Shall we pray? Almighty, most gracious, merciful, and loving God, at the close of day we turn to you with hearts filled with thanksgiving for the way you have cared for us and blessed us, for the beauty all around us, for life and all its mystery and splendor.
On this occasion we pray specifically not only for these our seniors, but for all young people. Be and abide with them, allowing them daily to keenly sense your presence in their lives – ever guiding, comforting, sustaining, and loving them. In turn, may we all love you with all our heart, mind, strength, and being, and our neighbors as ourselves. This prayer is offered with eternal praise and thanksgiving. Amen
