Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1865-07-28
COMMENCEMENT AT CAMBRIDGE.

larger numbers together than usual. On Tues
day was the annual visitation of the Divinity
school. In the forenoon came the addresses of
the graduating class, which were as follows -
"'The Humanity of Christ" William Ranney
Cole; "The Christian President" Richard
Coleman; "Christ of History and Christ of
Consciousness" Minot Gardiner Gage; "The
Voice of Christianity Concerning the Future
Life" Thomas Lamb Elliot; symbols in Re-
ligion," Charles Edward Grinnell "Chrstian-
ity in American Affairs" Joseph May; "Soci-
MAN Theology" Charles Christie Sater.
These addresses were all fine productions,
and reflected much credit upon their authors
they were also very generally devoid of that
heavness which sometimes characterizes col
lege productions. These efforts of the grad
uating class were listened to with careful atten-
ton by the large and intellectual audience
present.
The Alumni of the school, at the conclusion
of the forenoon exercises, repaired to Harvard
Hall, where they partook of the inequalities of
the university.
AT four o'clock the annual sermon was de-
livered in Appleton Chapel, by Rev. f. H.
Sears. The discourse was an extended discus
sion of the doctrine of naturalism, what it
can prove and what it cannot prove. Natural
ism, the preacher commended, although compe-.
tent to overthrow, cannot build; it can show
nothing for the grand old religious structures
which it demolshes. The doctrine of natural
10 70 Oh IL r.
out Of which comes an absolute Christianity.
The discourse was a very elaborate and care
fully prepared paper, and the subject upon
which it treated was ably discussed. 1t receiv-
ed the close and careful attention of the con-
gregation.
The exercises closed with prayer and tn e ben
ediction.
Wednesday was Commencement; the day
was fine and the crowd Of people was immense.
procession of undergraduates was formed at
10 o'clock, in front of Holworthy Hall, with
the Brigade Band, and proceeding to Gore Hall,
received his Excellency the Governor and suite,
the Board OF Overseers and the Alu mni, and
escorted them to the church, where the exer-
cises of tho graduating class were to take
place.
Prayer was offered by the Rev. President,
after which the graduating exercises COM
menced.
The audience evinced great interest in the
exercises, literally applauding the young can
didates for honors.
Among the distinguished persons seated upon
|
the platform were Major Gems Meade, Benham,
Devens, Macy and Force; Brig. Gems. Alex
ander and Alvord Adjutant Gems. Baker of
Iowa, Bishop of Arkansas and Schouler of
Mass. Senators Sumner and Wilson, and Hon.
George II. Pendleton of Ohio. The last named
gentleman came in with Senator Sumner.
After the class exercises had been gone thro'
with, the Rev. President took his seat in front
of the pulpit, and the candidates for degrees
came forward in groups and received their d.
plomas with the customary interesting ceremo-
MES.
Among the honorary degrees conferred was
that of Doctor of Laws, conferred on General
Meade, when the graduating class arose and
gave him nine rapid cheers.
After leaving the church a procession of the
Alumni was formed, the oldest graduates TAX
ing precedence, and, accompanied by the band,
marched to Harvard Hall, to par,ake of the
annual dinner. When order was restored, Rev.
DR.. Hosmer of Buffalo invoked blessing.
Dinner being over, President Hill made a
short address, and after speaking of Edward
Everett he made the following statement referr-
ing TO the recent donations to the Unworthy:
In the same month of July in which Mr. Ev-
erett was appointed 10 lecture in the Law
School, the College received from the executor
of Mr.. Charles Sanders the munificent bequest
of $50, 900 in addition to the gift of his estate
which he had valued at S24, 900 the whole sum
he appropriated towards the erection of a hall
in which we might hold our public services or
our festival day. In October the university
received as the gift of DR.. Asa Gray valuable
herbarium. In addition to this great collection
of DIR. Gray, embracing some 100000 speci-
mems, many of them of great value because
they are typical specimens, he has given Ii
brary OF great value, which was added to the
gift of another valuable library, given by John
Lowell.
Smaller gifts have been given as usual
among which are $4,000 from Augustus Story
t of Salem, TO found scholarship, and the gift
by merchant of $4,000, as STANDARD fund, a,
the disposal of the President, for the benefit o.
; INDECENT students, OF which have distributed
in one term alone about $1,000. In the winter
we received the gift of 800 from one indi
} vidual, to complete the work which his honored
. father had begun in the gift Of 100000 fol
= founding the Lawrence Scientific School; o
r this $685. 800 $4,000 were to be expended i'm
mediately for the equipment of the laborator,
of the chemical department. The $4,000 hal
g been divided equally between the department
: of engineering and the department OF chemis
j try.
: And, now, am authorized to make. at thi
4 meeting, an announcement from another mer
y chant of Boston, noble representative of tn,
d princey merchants, who desires me modest,
g to conceal his name, that he will transfer to thu
# university $4,000, as soon as the necsssar!