Opening Day speech [undelivered], 1891

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My husband has expressed the wish that I would address a few words to the students to-day. Perhaps it is befitting that I should do so, for since the first conception of this work Mr. Stanford and myself have been in unison and we have, not only conferred together earnestly and deeply, but we have made this work a subject of deep and earnest prayer. We fully realize our own weakness and our inability to accomplish anything by ourselves. We are not deserving of praise for what we have done; we are merely following out a great plan that was conceived by one far greater than ourselves, our Heavenly Father, and we are but lowly instru ments in His loving hands. Our hearts have been more deeply interested in this work than you con conceive. It was born in sorrow but has now become a great joy to our hearts. While Mr. Stanford has dilated on book education I desire to impress upon the minds of each one of these students, both male and female, that we have at heart and very closely the hope that you will each strive to place before yourselves a high moral standard; that you will resolve to go forth from these class rooms determined in the future to be leaders with high aims and pure standards; and live such lives that it will be said of you that you are true to the best you know. I hope your lives will be truly earnest, not in the sense of going forth to acquire great wealth and great names; but to be conscientious workers, to be helpful to others, to send cheer and goodwill to those who need lifting up, and to always follow the Golden Rule, "to do unto others as you would have others do unto you." For a while you will be obliged to practice great patience. You have gathered together from different parts of the United States, strangers to each other and everything is at present unorganized. It will take you some-

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time to accustom yourselves to your new surroundings, and to the different elements you will come in contact with; consequently we are desirous that you should be tolerant until all of the machinery is in good working order. I am also anxious that these young men should treat the young ladies who have entered this Institution with the greatest deference; that they will be helpful in aiding and cheering them in their ambition for a thorough education. We have started you both on the same equality and we hope for the best results. Many of the young men who have entered this Institution have come not only to improve their mental faculties, but to teach their hands to be skilled in manual labor and for these young men my heart goes out with great sympathy and hope; for many will have nothing but the work of their hands to sustain them in the future. We are anxious that they should have all the advantages possible. I feel that the laborers of our country have not that encouragement and cheer they should receive from those who have had superior advantages and larger means. Skilled laborers should be held in higher esteem and given more respect and consideration. I have in my mind the engineers who carry our great railroads across the continent and our great Leviathans across the oceans; they stand at the helm faithfully through darkness and storms, and hold our lives as it were in their hands. To their watchfulness and faithfulness we certainly have to trust ourselves. They as a class are our most self-sacrificing, heroic and daring men. I never cross the continent or the ocean without asking blessings and reward to be bestowed upong them from the highest source for their faithful service to mankind

Perhaps it will not be improper for me to say these young men and women who have gathered here as students that this day is held by us as one of the most scared of our lives. We thought it a sacred day when we laid the cornerstone of this Institution, and how often we have wondered if it would be our Heavenly Father's will to allow us to remain on earth to witness its inauguration of this Institution. His tender loving heart has seen fit to spare us to take part with you this day. A great sense of thankfulness pervades my being that He willed it thus and deem it proper I should give public testimony of my gratitude. Our hearts go out to you in a peculiar manner. I think that we btoth feel a personal and individual interest in each one of you; in fact it seems to me that you have become a part of our lives. Our hearts have yearned for a work which might rouse our interest in the life of the young and in this field our hearts are filled almost to overflowing with deepest interest. While we are permitted to remain in this life we shall watch closely your efforts to improve your opportunities and closely follow the results when you go forth to battle with the world. I believe there are loved ones beyond the life here who are joining us to-day in our prayers for the success of this Institution. Four of our trustees have been called to the world beyond this, but I feel sure they, too, continue to remember us and our needs. An impression has gone forth that we were indifferent to religious influences and instructions being taught here. I am quite sure that if all could be made to understand that this project was born from a great sorrow, the greatest that parents can endure, that the Creator has lead us through the deep waters out into the sunshine of faith and belief in a future life; that we have wholly and entirely as far as possible given our lives to Him, and only ask that He will guide us to do His will; that every

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stone that has been laid in the buildings of this University but numbers the prayers that have been offered up to our Heavenly Father for strength, guidance and help. That we should forget His love and mercy and be indifferent as to the Christian influence to be used among the students, it would be an impossibility. We desire all of these young men and women to pay due reverence to the Creator, to remember His precepts and to obey His will; and so live that their deeds will tell better than words their love for the Master. There is only one failure for you and that is not to be true to the best you know. Always be gentle in manner, resolute in purpose, and you will develop characters on which others can depend; and you can safely dispense with the more brillian qualities if you can be depended upon for truthfulness, honesty of purpose, and each example of a good student will reach out and have an undying influence. One has passed away from earth life has said, "Kind words and liberal estimates and generous acknowledgements, and ready appreciation, unselfish delight in the excellence of others, these are the best signs of a large intellect and a noble spirit. To be true, to be loving is the secret of Christian growth." I hope each one of you will hold up this ideal before you and then you will go forth as Missionaries into the world. This is what we wish what we hope and what we pray for.

Jane. L. Stanford.

[Soh?] read as [affected?] as I did not have the courage on that [offering?] clap of the 96 university. So important in our lives Oct 1891