The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1874-07-14
BY TELEGRAPH.
Special TO Globe.
COMMENCEMENT WEEK AT MIDDLE
BURY COLLEGE.
Address By REV. w g. RUSSELL.
OF CORNELL UNryERSrTY.
MIDDGEBuRY, July 10.


As among the interesting exercises Incl
dent to the commencement of AIiddlebury
college. an address was delivered this
evening before the Delta Epsilon (Anti-
secreD society by Rev. Prof. w. C. Rus
sell, vice-president of Cornell University.
The address was given before fair audi
cnce at the Congregational church.
Mr.. c. c. Cove, president of the society,
introduced the speaker who held the undi-
vided attention of his hearers for nearly
two hours in discussion of the subject,
"The Upward Tendencies OF Civilization"
The orator commenced from the founda-
ton of knowledge among tho earliest ages
and carried his theme step by step up to
the present time, all the while through al
ages it was noticed that mankind were ever
struggling after something higher aud bet
ter.
War was considered as first among the ten
denotes brought to bear by different nations
for improvement of themselves and in as
sorting their supremacy over others, and al
though its tendency throughout was fraught
with misery and wickedness, yet much Of
good was the result.
The development of the reasoning facul-
ties of man as an effort in civilization was
considered with an exhaustive argument
and in all It's phases. The inventions made
slowly at first, gradually increasing. were
referred to with many examples considered
in peculiarly manner and to the evident
enlightenment of all hearers.
The pursuit of truth without regard to
outward gain was handled with mastery
power. The reasons for improvement, for
personal or national gain, which had influ-
enced man in his struggles were each one
touched upon and each received due atten-
ton. The labors of such men as Agassiz,
Farraday, Kepler were reviewed and the
reasons for following out their convictions.
The tendency of men to rise by means
of religion were considered in closing, and
the mistaken idea that men worked through
fear rather than love of the Supreme Being.
was considered at length in all its bearings.
Ignorance was considered the mother of
fear. Religion was believed to be desire
to rise higher, to approach nearer the di-
vide-thc polarity of human nature--point-
ing upward ever from temporal to spiritual
things.
The address was thorough digest of
the great subject, and couched in scholar
ly, thoughtful language.
RECEPTION.
The Senior class held a reception this
evening at the residence of Mrs. VAIN
wright, and despite the unfavorableness OF
the weather, has been well attended.
PERSONAL.
The Alumni of the college are gathering
from near and from far and many promi-
nent men among the number have already
arrived. Among others who are in attend
ance at present, both Alumni and others,
may be mentioned Rev. George IN. Board
man, d. D., of Chicago, Rev. $. w.
Boardman Of Auburn, n. Y. Hon. James
Barrett of Woodstock, Judge OF the Su-
preme court and graduate of Dartmouth
Rev. L. Taylor of Pennington, H.; &. w.
Hall of Onatonna, Mimi, and many others.
ALUMNI MEETING.
Tomorrow occurs the annual meeting OF
the alumni association, when the annual
Grafton will be delivered by Rev. S. w.
Boardman, of Auburn, N. Y, and poem
will be given by Prof. II. II. Shaw, OF
Manchester, concluding with the usual
alumni dinner at the Addison House. Ii
the evening occurs the Parkeran prize
speaking. Sol