This essay was found inside the front cover of one of the books that Ronald R. Allen presented to the Special Collections Library as part of the Allen Poetry Collection in 2004. F. J. House indicates that this piece was written as a graduation oration on June 16, 1881. It argues that poetry is a silent, subtle influence which steals into the hearts of men, elevates and enobles [sic] them and lasts forever. As such, the poet can always be considered a benefactor. According to the author, John Milton is a particularly good example of this concept, as he used his lofty vision to promote the interests of humanity. House discusses the work of numerous other poets as well, including Homer (who he considers a father of song), Dante Alighieri, Virgil, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Robert Burns, Joseph Addison, John Gilbert Cooper, and Wesley (the author does not specify whether he refers to Charles or John Wesley). House also contends that contemporary poets, for example John Greenleaf Whittier, Oliver Wendell Holmes, and James Russell Lowell, are changing the world by promoting the abolition of slavery in their work. It should be noted that the author only gives the last names of the poets he mentions, and so many of the identifications given in this finding aid are best described as educated guesses.