Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1847-08-06
Commencement Anniversaries of the
University of Vermont.

We venture 10 say that seldom, in the some
what chcclarad history of our noble Collegiate
Jns,i,ution, have the customary anniversary ex-
ercises connected with it been of so creditable
and interesting and gratifying a character as
have been those which have lust terminated.
The University, herself, as Il living agent of
power and good, and those participating in the
ceremonies and literary festivities which she
annually offers, and that larger class who, hav-
ing in times past drawn intellectual noursh-
ment from her willing fountains, find the lapse
Of years but strengthening their attachment for
their alma mater, all appeared to feel the elastic
spring which the recent and SUCCESSFUL efforts to
give stability TO her foundations are so well cal
cnlated to impart. The dignity and the quietude
and power Of assured prosperity, the com'orta-
BILE consciousness o! perplcXing difficulties and
obstacles overcome, and the bright prospect OF
calm days and cloudless skies for the future
appeared to MS TO be mltif st in the ADDRESSES OF
her Orators, the beautiful and exalted Theme ct
her Poet, and in the Exercises of her Pupils
Prominent among them were the enobng topics
of LIBERTY & INDEPENprNcE--topics discussed
not so much with reference to their mere Politi-
cal Significance, as to man in his relations to
God and to his fellow men--the Liberty and ln-
dependence which result from the effort 10
- think most, feel the modest, act the best
and " hose highest development is seen only in
the OBEDIENCE Of the Christian man TO the Laws
Of his physical, intellectual and moral nature.
We have not time, il we were able, to speak
of the peculiar eXccllencics Of the numerous
orations which were pronounced before the
large audiences that attended the various EXer-
cises that were crowded into the first four days
9th present week Tie patient and well re-
warded attention with which they were listened
to, and the warm appreciation that was bestowed
upon them by the most intelligent of the audlto-
", are perhaps, better testimony than anything
we could say in behalf of their general excel
lencc. We must content ourselves, therefore
with chronicIing the order Of arrangements,
and With such running remarks as may be sug'
gcsied.
On Sunday afternoon the lst inst, Preslden
WurrLrE pronounced the usual Haccalaureat'
Address to the graduating Class, IN the Congre
rational Church. Oar absence from home pre-
vents our saying more Of it than that 1t Is spoke'
of a, an able aud ailectonste eXhorlalion 10 IN
Young gentlemen who were about to embark oil
the perous voyage Of active life On Monda
Evening, Rev. EDWARD BEEcHER ~ ~
BOSTON. delivered the usual anniversary ad
dress before the 4" Society for Religious Ehqn'
~" 1t was an earnest animated anu 'e'
interesting exposition of the progress "hlcn III
ancient doctrine ofPaniheism has recently pee
making in the speculative philosophy OF uo'
many, England and the United States A''e
defining the System and indicating the points
which it contradicts Christianity Dr. b. pre-
coeded to speak OF the several authors III eac
Of the several Countries named by whom
has been most ably set forth, OF the progress
,.bich il ha, thu far made aud OF the dause