Category Archives: Invocations

Education – Tenafly Rotary Invocation

Education

I was fourteen and a freshman at Tenafly High School when I heard John H. Knebels, a social studies teacher, say “The child is father of the man.” Was he saying to the class, “whatever you are to become, you had better stat on it now,” or was he thinking, “the attitudes you have today will probably have when you grow up”. I graduated from Tenafly High School in 1938 and had the good fortune to have attended three class reunions since then, the 25th, the 50th and the 55th. The graduates were always thrilled to see some of their teachers present. They were sad when only one could attend the 55th reunion.

Graduates look up to their teachers. They respect them. They are part of their lives. They help make them what they became. Through example and through values taught, teachers live on and on, through an inseparable bond they have with their students.

Let us pray: Lord, we thank you for those who spend their lives helping mankind through their teachings. There is no finer profession than one that helps educate mankind, preparing it for honest work and mobilizing its conscience for justice.

Don Zeiller

 

Enviroment – Tenafly Rotary Invocation

Environment

Lord, we thank you for those who take an overall, serious, genuine look at things, cautioning mankind to take steps that will benefit life here on earth.

As the prophets of old cared about the world around them and pleaded for brotherhood, there are those who bring forth today’s needs, to conserve and preserve our world’s environment.

Lord, you have given man dominion over this land. We pray for guidance as we grapple with this timely matter.

Don Zeiller