The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1874-07-14
commencement OF NiddieDury
college.

The annual commencement of Middle
bury College began on Sunday with the de-
livery of the Baccaaureate sermon by Rev.
George n. Weber. d. D., of Troy, N. Y,
from the text
knowledge pufleth up, but charity ed.
fieth. And if any man thinketh he know
eth anything he knoweth nothing yet as he
ought to know-I Corinthians, viii 12.
The discourse was one of rare power and
beauty, and has been eXcellcd by few, if
any, i'll the history Of the college.
We are compelled for want of space to
omit the discourse IN this mornings issue.
THE PHILADELPHIA SOCIETY.
On Sunday evening was held the ami
versary exercises of the Philadelphia
(Religious) Society. After voluntary by
the choir PRAYER was offered by Rev. S. w.
Boardman. d. D., of Auburn, n. Y. The
president of the society, Mr.. G. G. Ryan,
then introduced Rev. w. b. Wright of
Boston, who proceeded with the delivery
of the annual address, taking for his sub
ject
TIE DECLINE OF BIBLICAL PIRTY.
The speaker sad what the world wants
to-day Is biblical Christianity. Whatever
definition we adopt as TO the inspiration OF
the scriptures all must accept the truth that
the Bible is the true rule of life and should
be respected accordingly.
Ia ,aIprVoJ to IN fa;lpv, Of ('hrictiav
instructors to use the bible as a text book
source of instruction as well as to ac-
knowledge it as the rule of life. 1t has
fallen into neglect in society, in literary
circles and among scientific explorers.
There were three causes for this growing
unbelief. He would not say science, for
science was light and ought to lead to faith.
The first cause having a tendency to bring
the Scriptures into disrespect is tradition.
The gravest objections made to the Bible
were not made against the actual teachings
of the Scriptures, but against the infer
ences of men as to their teachings. Illus
trated by objections to observance of the
Sabbath and the infallibiity of the Scrip
ture in respect to immunity from errors.
The first duty of every educated man is to
learn to read the Bible as it is, and not look
ing through other eyes than his own. And
in the interpretations he may use all the
helps of new discoveries in science, even if
it compels a revision of accepted theories.
The second cause for growing unbe-
lief was the arrogance of indolent inter-
peters. The child by taking his first i'm
pressions would be burned by flame, killed
by poison, etc. If the.bble is given by the
same author as nature why should not We
expect to have to study its meaning and to
discover new ideas as we study it.
What the world was hungry for was
God, and what we are giving them is creeds
We want larger charity although all
creeds give something of truth. The third
cause more potent than either of the Others
is hostility of the spirit of the age to The
spirit of the scriptures. The spirit of the
age is selfish while the spirit of the Bible
is sacrilicial.
No abstract of this admirable address
could do it justice. The delivery occupied
one hour and a quarter and every auditor
was interested throughout. Mr.. Wright il
considered in Boston as the peer of Rev
w. II. II. Murray in the pulpit