17 August 5. Homer returns from Pittsburgh. September 7. Clayton and Jason start high school at Selma. September 11. Homer and Clara attend Cedarville College. September 14. Paul starts at McMillan School. September 26. Fred home for visit; first time since August 1895–returns to Chicago Sept. 28. November 25. The MacKenzies (Rev. Tom) accepted a call to Port Jarvis, N.Y.–leaving Pine Bush pastorate. November 26. Fred and Harlan home for Thanksgiving. 1897 January 1. Martha records where all her family is located. January 15. James and Martha’s 30th wedding anniversary. January 26. Martha’s 53rd birthday. Corn 20 cents a bushel; potatoes 25 cents a bushel delivered to Springfield. May 23. Martha starts an afternoon Sabbath School at the McMillan School house. June 10. Homer graduates from Cedarville College–the 1st graduating class–a class of five members. [Note: the entry below was not included in the notes] “Mr. Mc, Clayton, Jason, Paul, and Uncle Joe and I attended the first commencement of Cedarville College, at ten o’clock in the Opera House. The five graduates Raymond Poster Garbald of Ross Ohio and J. W. Bickett, of Xenia Ohio and J. ? Orr, and Cal. C. Waston, and our son Homer McMillan, all of Cedarville, and the trustees and faculty filled up the center and side of the stage. Rev. Charles Frederick Pass of Cincinnati delivered the class oration. The principle thought he tried to impress on the class was to consecrate, devote and dedicate their life–soul and body to the best and highest good in life. The blessings and privileges we enjoy today is the gift and sacrifices of those who have gone before us. The greatest height that is possible to be attained is through consecration and dedication and devotion to what is best and highest in life–that reaches beyond the present–the speaker said there was a hallowed charm and beauty and brightness and interest in this day that the graduating class that sat before him could never forget but would follow them to their latest days. “Dr. David McKinney of Cincinnati, President of the College, conferred the diplomas. He said–young men of the graduating class–and my boys–I can not dismiss you without a few words from my heart. You bid your alma mater farewell today. We say farewell. We can no longer direct you or bid you to do this or that. But boys we will follow you with our prayers. We hope however high the position you may attain you will never forget Cedarville College or duty. Consecrate yourselves to God. Live helpful lives. And God will bless and direct you. This was a grand gathering in the Opera House today. If the graduating class can never forget this day I feel sure that some of the rest of us will always remember it. It will always stand out above and over days bright and beautiful. But while I speak of this day, I remember another day that stands bright and beautiful too and towers above the ordinary days of life–that day is the 11th of June 1896. It si a year ago tomorrow since father and I sat in a gathering in Monmouth. The “Commencement Day” in Monmouth College–then another son was counted among the graduates, Fred McMillan. We were happy there. We were happy today. May the remembrance of that day and of this day help and strengthen us through the years. “Commencement Day” not finished but beginning! May all that is good and best and highest and grandest and noblest and holiest in life crown my boys is the prayer of this Mother.”
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