New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1843-08-08
THE TRIBUNE
NJ the University of err
Observation-Disclosures of Rev. T. Bliss. .. a.
Rrovvnsom, G. Il. Chceyer. &C.
,ondanc. Of TIL. .Tur rilune
BURLINGTON, Vt August, 1873

BURLINGTON VT August }, 1873.
| wrote you a hasty note from Saratoga some
DAYS since, intending to write farther concerning
the fashionable doings during the fashionable
season at that renowned place OF fashionable re-
sort. But my party Of friends suddenly deter
mined to take their departure for Niagara: and
as my own plans could not allow me to bear
Them company, and as, furthermore Saratoga
10 one alone is infinitely dull and tlresome, re-
serving only day for glorious fishing excur-
zion TO the Lake, five miles from the Spa, l
took nv flight towards the Arctic, and have
nrorressed thus far on my Northward Journey.
The route from Saratoga to this place through
Lake George cia Ticonderoga, IS one OF the most
DELIGHTFUL that can be imagined. The scenery
i tbrouchout of the most magnificent and i'm
nosino KIND and the historical associations con-
nected with almost every furlong Of the way are
Of some of the grandcst acts Of herosm ever cx-
limited on the American Continent. This tune,
however. came for the sake Of greater cxpcdi
ton by way of Whitehall; which place, leaving
Saratoga at o'clock in the morning, we reached
st half past lin ample time for a capital, well
served dinner at the Clinton Hotcl-now kept by
, DR.. Harrington in style not whit inferior TO
That Of his deceased predecessor, Mr.. hitchcock.
lnoticed here by the way, a contnvance new to
me.-but productive of essential comfort to his
mests. Above the dining tablc-whch extended
tbe whole length Of a long hall-was suspended
inm horizontal rod a fan of cotton fixed to a
suitable frame and this, by some slight water
power outside the house, was kept continually
waving, relieving the guests at once from heat
and the ANNOYANCE of flies, which are such pes
lilent tormentors during the summer season. |
commend the machine to the attention Of uni
yersal Landlordom. The splendid steamboat
Whitehall, Capt LYoN-interlor TO nothing upon
the lakes unless to SHEnMAN's magnificent
Burlington, landed US at early evening at the
beautiful village whence date my present letter
The exercises of the annual Commencement
Of this University were celebrated yesterday and
as they were of decided interest, ! shall give you
an outline of them as extended as your limits
will allow On Sunday afternoon Rev. DR..
WHEELER, the accomplished President of the
University delivered the usual farewell sermon
TO the class about to graduate. 1t was a beautiful
truly affecting, to the interesting connections
about to be severed, and to the nature Of the
stormy, uncertain struggle with the passions,
interests and manifold cares of active life on
which they were about TO enter. The necessity
of adherng to the great principles of moral and
religious truh--as the only safe guide through
the world, as the only worthy teachers to short
sighted and passion-governed man, was ably and
alphabetically urged.
On Monday evening Rev. ZENAs BLISS, of Bur
ngton, delivered the Annual Address before the
Society for Religious Inquiry. The subject which
be chose was the one which would seem most
naturally 10 grow cut Of tins occasion. He spoke
first OF the Nature and proper Method of all Re
Esious Notwithstanding how and why 1t must
be such as should comprehend the developemcnt
OF all religious truth and account satisfactorily
for the progress of religion IN all the ages that
have passed. He aSsertedth THE BIELE--com-
pretending the sacred writings Of the Old and
New Tcstamcnts-is the highest word of Rclig
ion up TO the present time and that It's lntcrprc-
taton-thc translation Of its letter into spiritual
doctrine and lile-is now the highest ann of re-
hglous teaching. Introducing his subject in this
way, he proceeded, at great length, TO unfold his
idea Of the nature of Scripture Interpretation.
He spoke fully of the evidence OF the Inspiration
Oh the Scriptures, centending that It could not be
purely historical or prescrptivc; but that the IN
trlnslc character of the writings themselves must
he their own highest evidence Every man must
lind for himself in the sacred writings the evil
dencc that they are from God he must feel that
they answer perfectly and precisely TO the most
essential needs OF his spiritual being; that they
alone raise him TO that spiritual hight for which
ms soul was originally created, and redeem him,
by the vital lie OF the doctrines they reveal, from
TIE guilt and corruption OF sin into which he has
ialIen. Tie spoke with much earncstness of the
utter inctnc!ency OF the mere verba! knowledge OF
lhe word OF God, contonding that Its proper inter
pretaton consisted not IN merely properly transla-
ing Its disputed passages from our language to
another, but IN transferring TO the soul the life and
night OF the truths therein revealed lie pointed
out with the greatest clcarness and force the eS-
sentlal, necessary connection between Philosophy
and Rchgion-showng how all our practical
views OF Christianity must be modified and con-
fol!ed by our belief concerning the facts OF our
own moral and intellectual being.
lie spoke with great severity OF those protested
Christian teachers who counsel those committed
10 Their guidance TO reject and distrust all Phi
iosophy-to receive the truths OF rcluion without
inquiry ino Their ground and essential reason.
and TO weld y blind, unquestioninr faith 10 the
doctrines o! the Bible as ordinarily received. The
utter hollowneSS--the frUitleSS naturc-the dry.
dead, unprodrciye character Ola religion which
grows from such teaching was very cmpha,ically
enforced. In this part Of his discourse, Mr..
Bliss made very pointed and severe reply to a
Sermon delivered before the graduating class of
Dartmouth College in lS42, by President LORD
m which all religious Philosophy was declared to
be vain babblinr, and all severe inquiry into the
grounds of religious faith was deprecated as dan
gegous and unwise He showed how impossible