Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1875-07-05
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knowledge and multiphes its power Z
invests. even the dryest subjects Of study
with an almost heavenly halo. So. too
IT exalts man and works a wonderful
transformation in his spirit when b
heeds its call 1t Is as potent now as il
the first century. Ii is the power o.
God. So says Paul. and be spoke in tht
most powerful epoch Of the Roman En-,
I pire. and the religion Of which he Wa.
the minister has swept that mighty nation
before it. and exalted him above The
Caesars. Christianity Is also wisdom
Ii is therefore. fruitful. and the highes;
object Ct research. it gives rse to the
noblest deductions. Ii Is the fountain
Of all truth Mere Pretenders talk Of
the stagnation Of Christian thought. and
would give the impression thar religion
Is the real obstacle TO intellsetn2l PRO
gress: but, in fact. DO other fore Or III
fuenoe has given such an Impulse to
mental activity. Ii far outweighs all
heather systems Henceforth philOSo-
ply must tim Der lamp IT the altar Of
the Chureh. And science. too. As \
faithful handmade. must bring the fruits
Of her toll IS jewels to deck Its bride
groom.
But next religion Is not less valuable
to man as a member Of society. The
world eagerly looks to men of intclli-
gence. The scholar, indeed, is the only
royal member of the body polite The
sceptre is in his hands The history of
the development and progress of modern
society is the history of learning. The
men who developed States, won for prin.
ces and mobiles an apotheosis of fame,
and framed the constitutions of Empires,
have been scholars; sometimes Princes
themselves have had the needful quail
ties; but Oftener some crafty Minister,
Ximenes, Richelieu, Wolsey or Bismarck,
gives the law and builds the social fab
nc according to his Will. In the earlier
times, the Ministers Of State were Chris
tians, at least IN their learning. Prob
ably the recognition Of Christianity
among the nations Is due to this cir
eumstanos- Henry the Second dong
! peDance al the tomb Of Beckett is an IL
lustrative example The power Of
Christianity has always been command
Ing. and Its wisdom pure. Do not sup
pose, young gentleman, that the Office Of
the scholar Is less potent or its obliga-
tons less solemn and vital now because
learning Is more widely dfased. This
is one Of the departments Of life Of
which the demand always outruns the
supply. The world Is waiting for yOa
to display whatever requirements You
have. and it viii give you any place You
are competent to I'LL But alas for you.
alas for the world, if your seuteness is
to Be exercised only on empty specula-
tons, if you do not turn in humility to
Him who Is the teacher Of all ages. and
Of every soul. However brilliant your
powers. if you have nothing more. the
stone which the builders rejected will
fall on you and grind you to powder.
You touch the heart Of humanity at a
thousand points, and it waits for You to
I give some token Of love and devotion.
Finally. let me remind you Of the val
ue Of Christianity to man as an immor.
tai being. 1t Is the GROWING excellenes
Of religion, that its blessings are nOt
confined to this world Tongues viii
cease and knowledge will vanish away
but love remains. II is taken into tht
substance Of the soul and lasts forever
The cross Of Christ is both power anC
wisdom, because IL prOelains our in
mortality. There Is no class Of men I
whom this revelation Is more preeiou
than 70 scholars. 1t consoles and bless
Is them in their studies. They do 10
I feel that they are like the aneients
/ forced to grope among shadows, an
stumble over narshy ground; but the,
walk IN the brightness Of noon. an
plant their feet on the Rock Of Ages. I
strengthens them for obligation. Wber
they think that they are 70 be the teach
srs Of mankind. DO doubt the weight q
responsibility expresses them. Bu
let them remember the tzunt Of the muI
titude around the Cross. ..Hs save
: others, Himself He cannot save" and :
learn the law Of philanthrOpie efor
: he who seeks his own ease cannot Be
. benefact0r; but be who endures an
l waits has great peace and foretaste
: Immortality. 1t comforts then in the
sorroEs. and here let ne remind vol
young gentlemen. that though you stan
: on the threshold Of bright career. yor
: breasts heaving with joy and hope.
that the freshness aud beauty Of yor
lives are ftly typi6ed BY these June day
sOrroEs will cone to you by and b
. with overwhelming force. They M
: sweep your spirits ike ware Of the Sc
:, and leave you cold, desOlate and forlor
:. Then. if you lean solely On your eultur
| you will find it poor support On
as You look into that face which Is mo
marTed than any mans: enly a. v
l-raanN .