Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1862-08-08

which almost preclude such attachments. 1t is
now nearly thirty yesrs.-it is just twenty nine
years this present anniversary-since NY conhec-
ton with our common Alma Mater yours and
Inine-began; and that connection, first as student,
then as instructor, has been, until the present
year, unbroken, with the exception of short time
spent in preparing pupils for its clssses-which to
my feelings was then and is now no exception. 1t |
has been to period of great personal benefit, |
and Of happiness as nearly uualloyed, perhaps, as
earthly Conditions admit. Il has been my pTiyi- |
lege, first and last during that time, to enjoy the
intimacy and confidence, in its Faculty, Of the
best the wisest, and most disinterested men have
ever met, or expect TO meet-some of whom we
shall see no more, until meet them a. the feet
of the Great Teacher, above. The friendships
which | have been permitted to form among its
successive classes az the dearest AMI strongest
have ever formed, or probably, ever shall. The
satisfaction have felt in seeing Of its g. adu
atss realizing cur best hopes, and others surpas-
sing them, is the purest have ever known. The
chief regret which mingles with these pleasant
collections is that my own contributions, in the
the mean time, to its usefulness and strength,
have been SO much below my desires and my
: hopes.
Your class, Young Gentlemen, will be the
twentieth whose graduation l shall have witnessed
with feelings akin to parental interest and solicit
tude. In the Discourse to which you have just
] 1 ~
ring to lay before you as the last lesson Of your
pup lsge, some thoughts which may guide with
out checking your better youthful impulses 1t is
equally the spirit Of your training and the demand
o. the tmts, that you should enter, without uunee-
essary delay, upon some worthy p'rsuit, as under
the gaze Of exciting, but atsetionate and sympa-
thizing eyes, great " cloud OF witnessesr-aud
looking into Jesus" Nov, as there never was
before in this century, and in your life time,
probably, will be again, there is a call upon
young men, for the highest and hottest enterprise
and the most patient continuance in well-doing.
You should fiji your minds, therefore, this day
in this house, before God ami these witnesses
with thoughts and resolves which will, at the
same time, most stimulate and establish you. You
hould seek for both impulse and yaiisHee,-unlik,
as these may seem. Place before ycu, then. Sc
before you,-steady and bright as a Star,-a
your inspiring and controlling JOY, some necessa
~ and excellent service Of your generation o.
your Country Of your God: and in the pursuit o.
it, look unto Jesus"
There are some familiar faces am sorry not SCI
among you. DREw is not here. LASDoS is mo-
here. But I am glad that their absence is at th'
call Of their country. 1t Is t. their everlasting
honor. How much nobltr is Incarceration in
rebel prison, incurred in the discharse OF pa
triotic duty, or confronting the ranks Of aTme,
and desperate treason, than the free occupancy @
the lordliest mansion, enjoyed by declining o
eyading such holy service Their names shoul,
be written in capitals Of blood IN your Cata
.s;ue aud when the lStars shall distinguish
them, they should be stars o: fire GO ye to-
where duty calls. Obey the first summons. sta.
no; to ask: who shall De the greatest God vii
take care Of that. Ask who shall serve the ear
lest, the longest, and the best.
Young Gentlemen, from this pom, GA
ways in lie will more aHd more diverge
Let US 60 cur several ways looking unit
Jesus 1t is not likely that shall al
meet again on Earth. Let US pledge ourselye
here, that We will,-God willing-meet again
where we shall be like Hin, for We shall see Hin
as be is. Farewell. God be with you. Amen
Mr.. Pease never spoke with more earnest
ness and power, or was listened to with NOR
absorbed and asserting interest. His address
to the class, especially, was received by tn
whole audience with obvious emotion. W,
trust that the sermon will be given To th
public in pamphlet form.
, The Exercises closed with the singing by
choir and audience. Of the following