Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1875-06-09
Barre Academy. Anniversary Exercises.

The annual anniversary exercises Of Barr,
Academy are in progress the present week, clos
ing with the rhetorical exercises Of the graduating
class, on Thursday tomorrow afternoon. Tn,
programme for the week. ~ announced hereto
fore, is one Of unusual interest not only 10 Tn,
students and members Of the alumni many o
whom are In atiendance-but 10 the general pub
lie as well
On Sunday afternoon the annual sermon to IN,
graduating class was delivered at the Congrega
tional church, by Rev Dr. Lord, Of Montpelier
from the text, Luke "a: 10" Friend 20 NJ
higher The discourse was one Of great power
and was eminently fitted to the occasion.
The subject, as announced by the speaker was
What faith can do for man." The influence,
OF religious faith upon man in his period OF early
instructive life, the period Of passion and appetite
was first considered. It was restrictive control
ling aud directive, and always led n man up from
the region Of the natural into the realm Of tho
spiritual The influence OF faith upon man in hi,
period OF reflection and Intellectual strength wa,
next alluded 10. It was the only adequate guard
against the vices OF the mind and the lusts Of tho
soul as it was the only security against the vice,
OF tho body. It led man up even higher than
which is infinitely higher than the natural or tho
Intellectual.
The effect Of faith was next discussed in It's in.
auence upon the general character, in unfolding
the spiritual life, in giving strength against III,
world, It's temptations and rs trials II is the
only principle which teaches the difference be.
tween things valuable and things invaluable. be.
tween that which money can buy aud that which
Il can never buy, and also give man possession
Of that which is nvaluable-the virtues and graces
Of Christian character.
The sermon closed with brief and earnest ad.
dress 10 the young men and women Of the gradual.
ing class, urging upon them the choice Of those
things In life which would secure for them, all
along their career, and at last also the invita-
ton from the lips Of the Saviour, "Friend 20 ur
higher"
Monday evening occurred the prize speaking
at the church. between four members each Of the
seniorand middle classes The first prize Of SO was
awarded to Eugene W. Davis, Of Rutland, mem
Der OF the middle class, who delivered Beecler' :
eulogy on Lincoln the second prize Of 81 was
won by John d. Canerdy Of Waterbury, Of the
senior class, who spoke Mrs stephens poem Of
" The Polish Boy" The judges were Messrs.
Dorchester, Of the Vermont Methodist Institute Of
Montpelier, + T. French Of Barre, and Henry
Priest, principal Of Goddard Seminary.
Tuesday evening occurred the rhetorical exer-
cises Of the middle class, numbering sevepteon-
six ladies and eleven gentlemen.
To-day wednesday, the Grafton before the as
sociated alumni will be delivered by Rev. Frank
lin TuNburyi Of Brandon, and the poem by Miss
Amy D. Fisk, Of Mortified In the evening the
annual Grafton before the Social Fraternity will
be given by Hon John NJ 1hacher, Commissioner
Of Patents, Washington, ID C., a member Of the
alumni and formerly associate principal Of the
Academy
Tomorrow the rhetorical exercises Of the senior
class will occur at the Congregational church, at
two =. NJ The cl.ss numbers sixteen-thrteen
gentlemen and three ladies
spectator adds the following. The rhe-
torical exercises Of the middle class were held in
the Congregational church, on Tuesday evening
June othi and passed of very pleasantly
The exercises consisted " music, selected ora
tons and original essays The music was under
she direction Of Miss A. L. Tenuey. and 7, elected
great credit on her musical taste and skill The
singing OF Misses Wheaton and Keith was really
excellent Miss Wheaton possesses voice Of
singular purity and sweetness, and the best Of it
all it, that she is not quite so fully convinced Of
this fact as the audience; thus the latter were
spared the aicctation usually so prevalent on such
occasions
The original essays were quite interesting Some
Of them were remarkably fresh and piquant, es-
pecially those Of Miss Ticker OF barre, and Miss
Abbott, Of Wnliamstown, though meditatiye would
be more applicable to the latter
As general thing the orations were well
selected and delivered. a few ofthe orators we're
somewhat embarrassed, and in one or two in
stances their embarrassment was increased BY the
knowledge that their Grafton was not perfectly
committed; but with these exceptions, it was an
unusually pleasant exercise, and does credit to Dr.
Spaulding's management and instruction