Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1867-08-09
NUMBER SIX.

lowed by decadence and death?
Seeking for an answer to these questions.
we find that great vital force, which the
old world acked,-that of Christianity-has
been brought into the problem. On two
great points the ancients were lacking
First, they did not comprehend that the pro-
lection of the indiridual should be the great
end of government. Their political systems
began and ended with the state, and for it
the individual existed. Second, when ancient
society began to decay they had no means Of
salvation, by the saving Of the individual
no spiritual force to resist corruption and de-
cay, and by raising the nation, man by man,
make new institutions and fresh life possible
For this reason when Christianity came it
found the civilization of the old world
wreck, and a wreck not worth saving. But
Christianity evolved new civilization from
new gsrm. Christianity makes the indi-
yldual the political unit, and the protection
Of individual rights the true end of the state.
Only when Christianity had made known the
value of an immortal soul, did civil liberty
become possible. If government now be-
comes hindrance to the progress Of the race
and is destroyed, the spirit of God remairs,s
great vital force to mould society, lifting it
up man by man. The ten righteous men
may thus save the Sodom, and the handful Of
corn on the mountain tops become a harvest
the fruit whereof shall shake like Lebanon
Thus, thanks be to God, and thus alone, may
We hope for the future. We may believe in
our future as nation, because the salt and
life Of christian truth are working through
it. The love of God in Christ is the one
hope Of nations, as Of men.
This truth has been sadly lost sight Of by
the liberal leaders of Europe, who, because
the state religions sustain civil tyranny, are
most of them opposers OF religion. 1t needs
also to be better appreciated by some of our
own cOuntrymen. The peril of every nation
lies In the undue emphasizing of its domin-
ant idea. Our dominant idea is individual
liberty, and We are in danger Of forgetting
its true relation to Law. We have too much
Of the spurious indIvidualism which finds
liberty in license. Our territorial develop
ment can not save US, but only make our fall
the greater, as with Rome. Our intellectu-
al development is no better pledge for our
future than was that Of Greece for hers. We
must have more-that Faith which is both
Belief and Obedience. We must be that
people whose God is the Lord. This is
simple truth, common sense, craftsmanship.
Let US then continue steadfast in the work
of the Lord, forasmueh as our labor is not
in vain, in the Lord.
This fine discourse was followed by the
address to the Class, who occupied front
seats, as usual, and rose when addressed
GESrIExEs OF THE GRADUATING Class,
My Belorsd Pupils aud Friends
Most afectionstely and earnestly do I urge
you to show by your lives that you comprehend
the true relation of Liberty to Law. May you
each strive with your whole might after that
freedom, which is in Christ Jesus. and which
fits you for the worthiest citizenship in the State
and in the Kingdom Of God.
Some Of you have known what it is to make
sacrifices for civil liberty by hard service in the
battlefield and by suffering in the prison pens Of
the South. Your Alma Mater, as she sends you
forth with her maternal benediction upon your
heads, gladly confesses that she has already
been honored by your deeds. All Of you, | am
sure, are ready, if need be, to make equal SAC
rifces Though happily the din Of civil strife
has ceased. there is still occasion for you all
with pen and voice and example to defend the
good cause Of Christian liberty in the individual
and in the State. The FIRST and second and last
condition Of success IN your effort, and in your
whole life, is that you seek for that perfect,
balanced manhood which was in our Lord and
Master. know no simpler, better, more COM
prehensiYe rule Of life.
We, your Instructors, must now forego the
| pleasure Of directing your studies and labors-
Believe me, we would gladly continue our work
with you longer While it is with proud joy
that We see you going forth in the fulness of
manly strength to the duties Of active
| life, our Joy is tempered by sadness at the
| thought that we shall miss your companonship
| in the familiar scenes Of our daily life.
Do not suppose that our interest IN you will
cease. We shall watch you with tenderest soli-
citude, we shall rejoice in your successes. We
| shall share the burden Of your sorrows We
trust that you will look fondly back to yonder
halls, and regard them as your home and the
home of your sincere friends. You have brave
ly stood by the University in her hours Of dark
ness and trial. You have thus rendered her
true service You have aided in assuring the
incoming of that day of prosperity. which we
believe to be dswning upon her. May she not
STILL may she not always, receive the aid Of your
influence, your affection. and your prayers
Above all, if you would be her crown of rejoic-
ing, aim at reaching the highest type Of Chris
tian manhood. With this worthy aspiration go
forth, my dear friends, to your various posts in
life. Go without misgiving. There is room
enough for every earnest worker. No true work
shall fail Of its reward. And ''the God Of peace
make you perfect in every good work to do his
will, working in you that which is well pleasing
in his sight, through Jesus Christ to whom
be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Choir and congregation then joined IN
singing, to Pleyel's Hymn, the following
original hymn, prepared by one Of the grad
uating class, to accompany the Baccalau-
reate
HYMN