Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1860-08-03

yersary of
The Society for Religion. Inquiry.
After music by the choir. an earnest an.
impressive prayer was offered by Rev. IsAA,
WORCESTER Of Waterbury, Mass, which WA
followed, after music, by the discourse of tn,
evening by REV. DR.. CUTTING Of Rochester
Ny.
In introducing his subject, the speaker
recalled the remark of a distinguished Massa
chusetts divine, who lamentei the uuftnes
Of the Philosophy taught in the University Oh
Vermont for the comprehension and use of Tho
dairyw9men on the banksof Lake Champlain
| The remark was more than a sheer at tn,
dairy it was meant to imply that
Philosophy was useless, and unfit for the
duties and labors Of practical life From this
unjust impression, then shared by 50 many,
the speaker yindlcated the University, and
the memory of the revered teacher Of its
system Of Philosophy Gentle and unoburu-
sive, he was like the great agencies of Nature.
which quietly effect the great phenomena Of
the universe. His influence and example were
eminently practical, and if ever young man
left his study without higher and more earn
est views of life, his experience was the
exception, and due to singular dullness or
perversity.
Mr. Cutting declared that he could not be
mistaken in asserting that IN this University
high culture is valued, not for itself SO much
as for its usefulness, and because this was so.
be had selected for his subjact-C5,is5qa
Culture aNea'.s rather than an End In descrl-
ing and defining Christian Culture, which is
the culture OF the man who pursues gooc learn
ing in the spirit Of Christian the speaker
alluded to the indissoluble connection between
Religion and L tiers. which is So striking
feature IN the Development OF the race in the
Christian Era. In the Church originated
the schools and colleges which lostered letters.
Its influence has given US a literature cast in
the mould of christian thought-molern Gull
ture is christian culture.
The aim Of the course of studies in cur
Universities is not 50 much to cit the student
for particular lines of life, as to put him on
the highroad to knowledge-to enable him to /
use his powers and make himself useful /
When to this discipline is added the spirit Of
personal devotion to Christ. then, whatever
o9 MS calling we must still suppose the man +.
to be christian and scholar. scholar and
christian, to the close of life. He is not truo
to himself, if his pursuit OF science j. ,o+
lifelong. That such culture Is a means and
not an end, was, as the subject implies. the
chief argument Of the discourse. The Rev.
speaker urged that man himself is not an
end but a means lie combatted the assertion
Of some, that there can be no high culture,
unless it is pursued for the sake Of the culture
tself, lie mentioned two classes who
Ire especially liable to the temptation to
worship culture for itself, viz the professors
n our Universities who are in danger lest
heir teaching terminate in the facts of
cience, without hint or example that knowl-
dge is Po,cer +; and the Christian ministry,
he power of whose learning has been by no
means equal to their learning-who are too
ften recluses, allowing the man of God to
ecoDe absorbed in the man Of letters. I
Mr.. Cutting proceeded to present some t
Illustrative instances Of the higher dignity i