Ellis County Texas Archives History - Schools .....Ennis High School Class Of 1926 May 20, 1926 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/tx/txfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Jane Smith Janebsmit@aol.com September 15, 2006, 9:46 pm Book Title: Ennis Daily News Thursday, May 20, 1926 BACCALAUREATE SERMON SUNDAY BY DR. VARNER The commencement exercises of the Ennis High School began Sunday morning with the baccalaureate services held in the Junior School auditorium, which was filled with those interested in the schools, the senior class and the entire student body. Dr. J. G. Varner, president of the Texas Presbyterian College for Women, of Milford, delivered the baccalaureate sermon. Preceding the opening of the service with the singing of the Doxology, the junior class, directed by Miss Willie May Rowe and accompanied at the piano by Miss Grace Etheredge, entered in twos, marching down the aisle, singing, “We are Marching to Zion”. With J. W. O’Banion, superintendent of the Ennis public schools leading, the senior class of 1926, consisting of twenty-six boys and forty-two girls, marched to the section of the auditorium reserved for them. The girls were lovely in white frocks, while the young men were smartly attired in tan suits. Following the seniors was the school faculty to whom much credit is due for the splendid record made by the students. The invocation was given by Rev. J. W. W. Shuler, pastor of the First Methodist Church. Rev. Edgar Parker, pastor of the First Baptist Church, Read the Scripture lesson, Matthew 5:1-16. Dr. Varner pronounced the benediction. Rev. M. P. Stoute, Pastor of the First Presbyterian Church, was master of ceremonies. The special music for the occasion was directed by Gabe Cazell, accompanied by Miss Helen Held at the piano. A mixed chorus of thirty-two voices sang the anthem, “Sing Praises to God,” and a chorus “Inflammatus,” by Rossini, in which Miss Crute sang the obbligato, her voice fairly soaring above the voices of the chorus. Mrs. E. F. McDonnell and Mrs. Gabe Gazell favored with a lovely duet. Superintendent O’Banion announced the program up to the graduation exercises Thursday night. Monday night the annual junior-senior banquet will be held at the High school. Tuesday night the senior class play, Mary’s Millions,” will be presented under the direction of Miss Clara B. Hutchins. Wednesday is designated as “Patrons’ day.” Specimens of the work of the children will be on exhibit beginning at 9 o’clock and all patrons are especially urged to visit the schools. The grammar school graduation exercises will be held in the Junior auditorium from 10 to 11 o’clock Wednesday morning. Mr. Groner, superintendent of Dallas county schools, will deliver the principal address. Superintendent O’Banion stated that Mayor McCulloch would declare the morning from 10 to 12 o’clock, a legal holiday, to enable all who wish to attend the exercises. Mr. Cazell announced a special musical program by the “Monday Night Choral Club,” which will be given Friday night in the auditorium. The concert will be complimentary. Rev. M. P. Stoute introduced Dr. Varner in very beautiful and complimentary terms, who delivered the baccalaureate sermon and pronounced the benediction. DR. J. G. VARNER DELIVERED BACCALAUREATE SERMON Dr. Varner took for his text Matt. 5:13, “Ye are the salt of the earth,” a passage from the Scripture lesson read by Rev. Edgar Parker, Matt. 5:1-16. He said, “I come to you this morning not as a school man, but as a minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, which I count the greatest privilege of any man to bear good tidings, the best tidings the world ever heard, the story of redemption.” He said John the Baptist came preaching the glorious message that the kingdom of heaven is at hand. Several questions: What is the kingdom? What is it for? What will it do? Who compose it? How do we get into the kingdom, only through the blood of Jesus Christ. Blessedness, the keyword of the Sermon on the Mount. The Beatitudes, is characteristic of Christians who are declared to be “the salt of the world.” That being true how great the responsibility resting upon the Christian that his salt does not lose its savor, that his light be not hidden. How important then, that the Christian be a soul winner, since he bears this saving relation to all the balance of the world. That the world will be redeemed and saved only through the efforts of the Christian who goes in the power and might of the Holy Spirit. Dr. Varner stated that Christians are indeed holding the world together at this time and but for the Christians the world would not stand, and if it did even its enemies would not want to live in a land or a city where there are no churches and no Christian influences and that it is up to the Christians to save the world, or it is lost. Dr. Varner said that the value of relationship depends upon character and that Christianity alone can produce the right character. That the grace of God makes Character and saves the world. That the world needs the Christian, and the Christian character. That sin is in the world, that it is deadly, corrupts, eats like leprosy and the Christian should carry the good tidings of salvation to those about us. He said that the business world wants young men and young women of characters. The minister said that Christianity has not failed, that some Christians have failed, some philosophies have failed, and ought to have failed. That the Christian must be a different, a peculiar people. The future is going to be what our young people make it. That influences are going out from their lives and it is important that they be the right kind of influences, those of vital Christianity. He said that the way to grow a great Christian life is by prayer, reading God’s word, communing with and letting the Holy Spirit have His way in our hearts and lives. That there will be a judgment upon those who fail to measure up to their responsibilities and their opportunities. He concluded by quoting the great commission to go into all the world and preach the Gospel. It was a great message, one that ought to bear fruit in the lives of all who heart it. Owing to the size of the auditorium, the speaker was not heard distinctly by those in the rear of the auditorium and in the galleries, which was very unfortunate, for it was a wonderful message. Clipping from “Alma News” in the same newspaper: Those present from this community in the high school auditorium in Ennis last Sunday to hear Dr. J. G. Varner, president Texas Presbyterian College for Women deliver the baccalaureate sermon, were: Miss Ruth Wright, Mrs. Josie Lewis, Florence Wright, Nadine Treadaway, Myrtis Ward, Ulabelle Ward, Vergie Smutherman, and Arvela Bryant. Miss Ruth Wright and Miss Myrtle Ward are among those who graduate from the Ennis High School this school term. Program for BACCALAUREATE SERVICES Public School Auditorium Sunday Morning, May 16, (1926) 11 O’Clock (Ennis High School) (a) Doxology (b) Invocation……………………….Rev. J. W. W. Shuler (c) Hymn, Come Thou Almighty King (d) Scripture Reading………………..Rev. Edgar Parker (e) Anthem, Sing Praises to God (f) Announcements (g) Duett, Guiding Star………………………….Bragdon Mrs. E. F. McDonnell and Mrs. Gabe Cazell (h) Baccalaureate Sermon……………..….Dr. J. G. Varner President Texas Presbyterian College for Women (i) Chorus, Inflammatus G. Rassini (j) Benediction…………………………..Rev. W. E. Brittain Master of Ceremonies………………..Rev. M. P. Stoute Director of Music…………………….Prof. Gabe Gazell Miss Helen Held, Pianist FACULTY LIST FOR SENIOR CLASS 1926 ENNIS HIGH SCHOOL Superintendent…………………………. J. W. O’Banion Principal…………………………………F. C. Street English Teacher………………………….Sadie C. Richmond History Teacher…………………………..Maud Barkley Chemistry Teacher……………………….Lorana Dry Domestic Art Teacher…………………….Miss Blanks Physics Teacher…………………………...Miss Lesley Latin Teacher………………………………Miss Ross History Teacher……………………………Miss Vivian Algebra Teacher……………………………Miss Day English and History Teacher……………….Miss Raphreal Typing and Shorthand Teacher…………… Mrs. Gray Bookkeeping Teacher………………………Mr. Barnes General Science Teacher……………………Mr. Nelson Program for GRADUATION SERVICES (Ennis High School, Class of 1926) Public School Auditorium Thursday Evening, May 20, (1926) 8 O’Clock Junior Chorus Salutatory Address………………Mary Serena Mayfield Piano Solo……………………….Miss Mae Logan Shipp Valedictory Address…………….Mary Merle Weir Address to Graduates………………………………… The Honorable Cullen Fuller Thomas Awarding of Diplomas……………..Mr. J. B. Murdoch, President of School Board Class Song GRADUATION CLASS OF 1926 ENNIS HIGH SCHOOL Chester Buell Allen Jessie Mae Beasley Thonpierce Borin Houston Frederick Brooks George Edward Caldwell Martha Elizabeth Carr Zelman Elender Cave Bobbie F. Champion Thelma Calvin Ivanetto Louise Conway Lillian Deavers Lillian M. Dunkerley Marian Dea Dunkerley Annie Wilma Ellison Parris Elizabeth Ellison Fay Fallen Willie Marion Forston A. Zack Fowler Raye Wendall Franks Wilma Anna Gaida Frances E. Garland F. Richmond Gilmore Mary Harper Laurine Henderson Laverne Herring Ana Horn Joe F. Houdek, Jr. W. F. Howard Ruth Naomi Hubbard Joe Carl Hubbard Billie Jane Irwin Doric Allen Johnson F. D. King, Jr. Bonnie Ola Langham Lillie Fern Lanier Hugh Arthur Lemmon Rosa Mary Littleton Arthur W. McCanless Kennedy K. McElroy Louise W. Maddox Janice Maureen Marshall Isabel Martin Harry Borden Matthews Mary Serena Mayfield Mary Ophelia Morris Charles J. Novy Mary Novy Jewel Arline Osborne John Welborn Parker Annie Mae Payne Julia Leigh Slagle Bennie Stein Walter C. Stout Willie Lee Stubbs Thomas Owen Sullivan Bernice Lannery Edna Mae Thomas Jesse E. Thomas A. Thorndyke Turner, Jr. Myrtis Mae Ward Mary Merle Weir Murale Wetzel Melba Neoma Willis Jack Edgar Wilson Kathleen B. Wilson Mabel Lee Wilson Herman M. Wood Annie Ruth Wright SENIOR CLASS HONORS OF 1926 Merle Weir…………………………………………….First Honor Rena Mayfield………………………………………..,.Second Honor Freddie Brooks…………………………………………Third Honor George Caldwell…………………………………………Fourth Honor Additional Comments: This is a collection of Newspaper articles, Ennis High School Programs from Baccalaureate Services, Graduation Commencement Exercises and Memorabilia from the School Memory Book of my Ruth Wright, daughter of Thomas Gabe and Mattie Treadaway Wright of Alma, Texas. She graduated from Ennis High School in 1926. 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