New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-06-26
THE GENERAL THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY

THE GENERAL IHEOLOClCAll SEMINARf.
ANNUAL COMMENCEMENT FXERCisFs-ADDREss TO
THE CLASS BY BISHOP NEEIEY or MAINE
PRESENTATION OF DIPLOMAS 10 FOURTEEN
GRADUATES
The annual Commencement of the General
Theological Seminary OF the Protestant Episcopal
Church took place yesterday at St. Peters Church,
Tyentieth-st.. between Eighth aud Nnthave-. Bishop
Potter presided The usual Episcopal service opened
by the Rev. Mr.. Caldwell OF Long Island. The First
Lesson read by the Rev. DIR. Hoppp, and the second
by the Rev Dr. Edison. both VI Massachusetts The Rev.
Dr. Francis Harrison Albany read the prayers the
itany and the Rev Canon Knowles OF the Cathedral Of
Illinois read the Iany The address to Tie Graduating
Class Was delivered by Bishop Neeley of Malue. Ills dis
course was oil the various conditions Of in the
ministry.
ADDRESS or BISHOP NEELEY.
suppose it 10 expected that the speaker this
casion will address his words chiefly to those Who having
completed the prescribed course of study are awaiting
only the commission OF the Church 10 60 forth as minis
trs of nris aud stewards Of the mycrics OF God" And
IL would give great pleasure to feel that
any suggestions OF mine at this tine might
be Of immediate service to you, helping you
to enter upon your work with some OF those
advantages which ordinarily to be derived only from
experience and thus contributing somewhat both to
your usefulness aud your comfort 40 the outset Of your
career. II Is not my intention 10 dwell upon the import
ance Of those studies, in which you have been for
some time engaged to assume for the hour the chair
of any one OF the learned professors whose instruction II
Ia. been your privilege TO enjoy II yod have diligently
pursued those studies, the value Of them will soon be-
come apparent to yourselves and TO those whom you
serve In Chri-ts name II you have neglected them,
Offering OF mine atone for your fault, supplement
your deficiency and only beg to seek FOR grace
9Th 10 redeem wasted Time, and cal OppOftm
ties by earlier aud later toll amidst the distractions aud
cares and manifold duties of active lie.
Nor will urge what must htfcaher be presented
considerations tue necessity OF having right and
worthy views OF the nature duties sud responsibilities OF
with sincerity and singrness Of purpose, Win the u
persuasion that you called thereto OF God, with hu
miiity with readiness of heait with unciged thank
fuluess that you counted worthy OF serving ia
the lowest ranks OF the sacred ministry OF the Church.
But what would now cay Is suggested chiefly 10y tins
fact that many who have completed here elsewhere,
with honor and credit the appointed STUDIES whO far
a. man can Judge deficient in the graces of true
Christian character, who have been declared APT and
meet for their leaning and cody conversation 10
exercise their ministry duly 10 tho honor VI
God and the edlicaOn Of Ills Church." who
have sought aud received. II they sought
Alright the enabling grace prOffted and bestowed In
dinaiiOn yet not successful In the mplsry do not
find sphere OF labor, vast Is the 1eid wLere their
ILLUSTRATIONS at once acceptable aud profitable. do
refer TO those who have far forgotten the sig
nihcance and sacfedness or their ordination To
decline work, under certain coveted worldly and
social conditions those vhO, Notwithstanding their
prue ssOh-. never had any higher aim than their
"rgs aud emsrt huI Of men who ieft the halls ~