THE LEGEND OF THE CAP AND GOWN
WB Tom McCarthy
Long ago, in ancient Greece, when formal education was for the very rich or the very determined, a wise old teacher was approached by a group of noblemen. “Our sons have completed their studies and it is time for them to return to their homes and live in the style befitting their station. Tomorrow we will present them at a great banquet. Be sure they are appropriately dressed in their finest robes.”
The following day, the banquet hall was filled with royalty dressed in dazzling finery. The great moment came when the students entered the banquet hall with their beloved teacher. A cry of disappointment arose from the crowd for, behold, their young men were dressed, not in the garments of the noble, but in simple robes of sackcloth, each carrying a mortarboard – the mark of a common workman!
“What is the meaning of this?” cried the noblemen. “Our sons were to be dressed in their finest garments!” “But they are!
Your sons are dressed in the clothing of the mason, for their destiny is to build. Some, as architects, will build cities, some as teachers, will build lives, some as physicians, will restore bodies – but all will be builders on the solid foundation of knowledge.”
And to this day all graduates wear a cap and gown – proudly symbolizing the value of education, and the fact that they are buildings of their future and the future of our world.
We cannot all be great and famous in the sense in which these two words are usually defined, but all of us can use what time and talents God has given us to help others. “There is not greater sermon than a sermon in shoes” leaving a shining footprint for someone else to follow.
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””Most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by people who have kept on trying when there seemed to be no hope at all.” —Bro. Dale Carnegie
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Indifference never wrote great works, nor thought out striking inventions, nor reared the solemn architecture that awes the soul, nor breathed sublime music, nor painted glorious pictures, nor undertook heroic philanthropies.
All these grandeurs are born of enthusiasm, and are done heartily.
-Anonymous
Comment
Papers such as this never seem to amaze me. Here is a subject that I have never given a second thought to & now here is a explanation.
Whether it be true or not, I have absolutely no idea, however, it is truly believable.
Have a wonderful Day & God Bless
Norm
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