See more of this title: American Commencement: Graduation Speeches That Inspired a New Nation

For graduates whose foremost question is likely, "What comes next?" esteemed educator and constitutional lawyer Michael Farris gathers historic commencement speeches from the early days of America, an era marked by great dreams and much uncertainty. "I believe that these speeches possess timeless qualities. And there is absolutely no doubt that America needs future leaders whose character and convictions parallel those of these early American graduates," writes Farris in American Commencement. Farris adds an introduction to each of these seventeen speeches plus a biography for every speaker. They include: Samuel Davies: "Heroes Who Inspire" John Witherspoon: "Principles of Greatness" Chauncey Whittlesey: "Sowing and Reaping" William Smith: "Consecrated to God" Barnabas Binney: "On Religious Liberty" John Wheelock: "The Value of Art" Josiah Stebbins: "The Importance of Character" Paul Allen: "The Call to Patriotism" Benjamin Allen: "Battle for Truth" Timothy Dwight: "The Folly of Intellectualism" David Tappan: "A Discourse on Liberty" Jonathan Maxcy: "Attack on Atheism" Otis Thompson: "On Religion and Government" Asa Messer: "In Defense of the Bible" Jedidiah Morse: "A Faithful Guide" Ebenezer Fitch: "Truth versus Reason"

Tristam Burges: "A Time to Fight"