Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1873-07-16
From the Messenger.
Vermont Methodist Seminary.
HARMON.

The fifth anniversary of this school, COM
paratively new in location, but in real ex-
istence mature in age, occurred July %.
Under the administration of the new
Principal, j. c. w. Coke, the institution has
enjoyed year of prosperity. Again and
again in the history of this school have its
friends feared lest changes in the board of
instruction should cripple its power for
usefulness, but as often have men and wo
men been raised up who have led it on to
continued, if not to increased, success.
Notwithstanding the almost entirely new
corps of teachers, the money pressure and
the competing schools in the vicinity, the
attendance for the year has been fully up to
the average of the last four years. 1t would
be unfair to compare the number of pupils
with the greatest. number enrolled at New
bury and judge of the success of the school
by this standard. Many circumstances not
then existing, now greatly affect the patron
age. Graded schools are springing up in
almost every large village, afording the ad-
vantages superior to the old crowded dis
trict school, which were formerly sought in
our academies and seminaries.
Some new institutions similar to our own
have been recently opened in the state, and
the normal schools draw large number of
those who are preparing for teachers. 1t
would be remarkable, with no great increase
of population, if our Seminary should suffer
no diminution. The
EXAMINATIONS
for the summer term comm enced Monday J
afternoon and closed Tuesday. Very few
failures were noticed in the classes. Some
recitatiops were highly satisfactory, giving
good evidence of close application and
thorough instruction.
The visiting committee taking ten as their
standard, found, on comparing notes, that
but two of the sixteen classes presented, fell
below zine. The review IN Common En-
glsh by the senior class was one of the
finest features of the examination, credit
able both to the good judgment of the faculty
and the common sense of the pupils. HAD
the heat been less intense perhaps there
would have been more zeal and spirit in the
recitations, but who could be enthusiastic
with the mercury at ninety-six? The
COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES
to place Wednesday. Six young ladies ane
eleven young men composed the graduating
classes. One of the latter received diplo
ma in the commercial course, department
of no small Importance, lately added to th
school and from which six young men have
graduated.
The exercises of the classes were exceed
ingly interesting and we'll sustained fror
beginning TO end. None need fear to com
pare them with similar exercises in other il
stitutions or in other days. If We may judg
from the tone of the articles presented, ther
were several in the class who, with mind
well disciplined by study. and hearts sui
dued by grace, will go forth to honor the il
stitutlon and bless the world.
Many who assemble to enjoy these excl
cises will be greatly glad when the extreme
of fashion are not considered necessary to
proper graduating attire.
The Board of Instruction will remain et
sentially unchanged. The trustees, we ar
told, voted unanimously to retain the Prir
cipal, if possible. 1t will be fortuna'
for our Conference Seminaries when the
shall secure an endowment sufficiently ampl
to enable them not only to obtain the bes
of teachers, but also to coptinne their COZ
nection with the school through a series (
years.
The financial interests of the school are r.
ported to be in g very hopeful condition.
The twenty thousand dollar subscription
completed at our last Conference, brighter
the prospect not little. For the honor
Methodism in our State, the time ought nj
to be far distant when every embarrassmel
shall be removed, and means be at hand
increase the library and apparatus, beauti
the grounds, add departments of instru'
ton, making the school in all its interes
and facilities fully equal to the demand
the times.
EMMA B. TApLfN, Sec. Visiting Com.