Article #81 - Progression

            In this forward march of knowledge it is our duty to use all means in our power to help its onward course. it is an old saying that In union there is strength, let us then be united whether in the capacity of a Lyceum, of a Reading circle or of the social gathering it matter[s] not so that we have for our aim the same great end the universal diffusion of knowledge, that it be our study to spread the light of truth over the darkest parts of the earth and to instill into the minds of

the most hardened and benighted people the love of what is right, although we may meet with disappointments and appear to gain but little let us not be disheartened for perseverance in a good cause has worked wonders. the attraction of gravitation and cohesion were not explained in a day, nor the knowledge of the thousands of bright stars that twinkle in the blue vault of heaven

attained in a year but with minds bent on one certain end men groped their way in darkness

gaining now and then a faint ray of light. they undauntedly pressed forward attaining little by

little until they have arrived at a point of eminence which startles those of less active minds.

Let us then take courage and press forward in the paths of learning, unfurl to the fore-wind

our spotless banner and let the bright no[o]n-day sun render more bright our glorious motto

Excelsior* and as we ascend the rugged hill of knowledge the dull mists of ignorance and

superstition will flee before us like dew before the morning sun. Speak out then in thunder

tones that the remotest corners of the earth may catch up and echo back the cry of upward and

onward, and success sooner or later will crown our efforts.

*Excelsior – Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807-1882)

                        The shades of night were falling fast,

                        As through an Alpine village passed

                        A youth, who bore, 'mid snow and ice,

                        A banner with the strange device,

                 Excelsior!

                        His brow was sad; his eye beneath,

                        Flashed like a falchion from its sheath,

                        And like a silver clarion rung

                        The accents of that unknown tongue,

                Excelsior!

                        In happy homes he saw the light

                        Of household fires gleam warm and bright;

                        Above, the spectral glaciers shone,

                        And from his lips escaped a groan,

                Excelsior!

                        "Try not the Pass!" the old man said;

                        "Dark lowers the tempest overhead,

                        The roaring torrent is deep and wide!"

                        And loud that clarion voice replied,

                Excelsior!

                        "Oh stay," the maiden said, "and rest

                        Thy weary head upon this breast! "

                      A tear stood in his bright blue eye,

                        But still he answered, with a sigh,

                Excelsior!

                        "Beware the pine-tree's withered branch!

                        Beware the awful avalanche!"

                        This was the peasant's last Good-night,

                        A voice replied, far up the height,

                Excelsior!

                        At break of day, as heavenward

                        The pious monks of Saint Bernard

                        Uttered the oft-repeated prayer,

                        A voice cried through the startled air,

                Excelsior!

                        A traveller, by the faithful hound,

                        Half-buried in the snow was found,

                        Still grasping in his hand of ice

                        That banner with the strange device,

                 Excelsior!

                        There in the twilight cold and gray,

                        Lifeless, but beautiful, he lay,

                        And from the sky, serene and far,

                        A voice fell like a falling star,

                Excelsior!

First publication date: 1841                   Publication date note: Ballads and Other Poems (1841)