The fifth annual commencement of the Shanghai American School was held on Thursday afternoon in the Masonic Hall, 30 The Bund. There was a large attendance and much favourable comment was nie on the prettily decorated A number of excellently rendered musical items were sung by the girls' chorus, the school chorus, and the Glee club, assisted GIN. James, Dr. J. Proctor delivered the invocation; the Rev. A. N. Rowland,.a., pastor of the Union Church, gave the Commencement address; the presentation of the class was made by Mr. W, W. Bartlett, aa., principal of the school; Judge C. Lobingier, of the U. 8. Court for China, awarded the prizes, and the benediction was announced! by the Rev, J. M. Blain of Hangchow.
The graduates were Margaret OG, Blaim, Charles H. Duff, Gertrude Eckvall, Edward T. Lockwood, Peter P, Parker, Helen Proctor, Ruth Robertson, Helen H. Smith, Waltex J. Seymour, and Frances White, class president.
In his address Mr. Rowland spoke on the two words "Commencement Exercises." The end of school life, said the speaker, was life's real commencement. It had takem four years to make the commencement a possibility. He ungod the graduates to have ideals and carry them. through! the world.
"Always promote," said Mr. Row-Jond, "what tends to good fellow. ship and good will, Look at the world in the light of your. old school as a unity—a comradeship."
The speaker went on to speak of rewards and work and urged the graduates to play the game. "Deal square to opponent as well as colleague. Do not shirk your part,"
counselled, "Do not be. cast down by defeat or elated by success. Stand by your guns, and God will be with you at the great finish as well as at the commencement."
Last night, followin ug the gradual tion exercises, a reception was held in the school in honour of the graduating students. On Wednesday evening they were guests of Mr. W. W. Lockwood after which they gave a clever and delightful comedy in the Eliza Yates School auditorium, entitled "Daddy." Tt4 was greatly appreciated by the 300 odd persons who attended.
In connexion with the school, it is worthy to mention that word has just been received in Shanghai that the Shanghai American School has been incorporated under the laws of the District of Columbia. The board of trustees will be im America while the board of managers will reside in Shanghai.
The school is shortly to start 3 campaign for $150,000 io be used for the purchase of a site and the building of the first unit of the school's new building. Six
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.