The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1865-08-16
COMMENCEMENT WEEK.

The Baccalaureate sermon was deliver
cd on Sunday afternoon by President
I.abarce. As copy Of the discourse has
been requested by the Trustees for publ
cation VIC give but a brief outline
The text was taken from Is. Fl: II, II
/ Wdtchman, what Of the night? Watch
l,nan, what of the night? The watcl,mul
-taid, The morning cometh."
These words served appropriately to
introduce Il Historical sketch Of the cole &c
its progress and tlials--as they appear
at the close of the quarter OF a century
of DIR labaree's Presidency.
a brief review was given uf the origin
OF our principal colleges in the Efforts of
religious men. MidIlebury Ike many
other Institution. was built, not OH wealth
and power, but ON hope and faith. The
periods OF special Encouragement were
alluded to, and as the preacher revived
she recollection OF the early obstacles and
inistortuncs, the Vitality Of the college
WAS made very apparent.
1t has been tried by opposition to It's
position respecting philosophy, and its
stand. as certain religious questions, by
sudden death Of instructors. the enlisting
of students in the army, by epilemics and
by fire, by the outciies against multiplying
small colleges, and by the lack Of funds
ioT its proper endowment, and ut times
Tor H. ordinary expenses. Yet Middle
bury College survives.
The President then proceeded to an
swer three questions suggested by the past
and present OF the Institution can it be
sustained ought it TO be sustained and
will it be sustained These inquiries
were answered with most emphatic al
hrmativc. In listening to the arguments
presented we ARE sure that every true
friend of the college was confirmed in the
belief that ''the morning cometh."
A full hour was given to the discussion
Of the topics suggested by the meager
skelcton we have here presented. All.
close AS the President pronounced the
words "loung Gemicmcn," fifteen fine
looking youths Of remarkably uniform
height and form arose. To them thciI
instructor babe farewell in affcctionate
terms directing THEN attention to fou,
l"intS-sclt goverument-a true man
lood-love TO their fellow men-and the
Fear of God.
TUESDAY FORENOON.
Geo. Thompson of England, addressed
the Philomathcsian Society. The church
WAS well flled-a larger audience than
rs usual at this exercise easily accounted
Tor by the fame Of the orator Ills
theme Was, Removal of the of the imrli
mcnts 10 the Progress Of Christianity.
Ia opening his theme he expressed firm
trust IN the Christian religion as the
means by which the world is TO be re-
dccued from the thrulldom Of error and
from the wrongs which sin innicts upon
humanity. lie cited as evidences of the
approaching sway Of Christian rule, the
decay of Mohamcdun and Pagan rule in
east The empire Of Turkey, is virtually
in the hands Of the Christian rulers Of
the west; Great britain has assumed
control Of 2O0, 1000, coo human beings in
India; and though the manner by which
it was accomplished was not cminently
Christian, the result opens up that vast
field to the progress Of Christianity. The
decline Of the Aiohammedan religion, the
decline Of the Papacy, the progress Of
human rights in the kingdom of Great
Britain, in the abolition of slavery in the
colonies, the extension Of the franchise.
the removal OF the Catholic disabilities,
toe repeal Of the Corn Laws, &C., were
ssveaally dwelt upon. Toward the close
considerable emphasis was given to recent
events in our own country, and the speak.
err dwelt with enthusiasm on the Cloriou.
future tor our country and its influence
ON the progress Of truth. Ills yindicatior
OF The great heart of England, as found
IN 'he middle and lower classes Of England
hoAn sympathy with our foes in our lat,