The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1876-07-22

"t't W inS'toOiO, uuu JOu VIII lBCIeaSe
with the increase of God until you shall
all come in the unity of the faith and Of
the knowledge Of the son of God unto a
perfect man.
And this combined with the discipline
and culture which you have received in
these halls will be your equipment for
service In the high places of the fields
whittier you 60. Thus endowed and clad
in mail and armed with spear and shield
we dismiss all concern for your success,
Gentlemen ; For four years you have
pursued the studies and mingled in the
scenes Of college life. You have COM
manded the appreciation Of your teachers,
the affection of your college mates and
the high regard Of the community. The
ties that bind you to us are severed with.
out regret only as we remember that the
world needs you 1t is great world to
go into, and it is full of temptations and
snares and pitfalls it is also full of op.
portunity for achievement. High endeav.
or is rewarded. Victory can be yours
You go forth into a goodly country and
on goodly year. Do something to add
centennials to your country's annals. And
so live that when you come to lay off
your dusty armor you may do it with
the Apostles triumph, IL have fought
good fight; | have finished my course
have kept the faith; henceforth there is
laid up for me a crown of righteousness
which the Lord the righteous Judge shall
give me in that day."
PHILADELPHIA socIETY.
The Philadelphia society is one Of
the Oldest and most permanent features
OF the college. Formerly there were two
open societies in successful operation, one
literary aud the other religious. The
literary society, Philomathesian, has been
superseded by the private societies, of
which there are now three, all having lit.
erary features. The Philadelphian, the
religious society, still remains and must
continue to remain an effective agency
for good so long as the religious character
Of the college ia maintained. Auniver.
sary exercises we're held on Sunday eve.
ming, Mr., Il. c. Evans, president Of the
society, presiding. The music was fur.
nished by the choir. Prayer was offered
by Rev. G, b. Drake, D. d., of Royal.
ton. Rev. Hiram Mead, y. D., of
Oberlin, Ohio, gave the address to the
society upon "Thc reflex influence of the
duties Of the Christian minister" In
his introduction he referred 10 pleasant
recolloetions and incidents of student life
especially in connection with this society.
Many in this society are looking forward
to the ministry for their life work, and
the inquiries they must make are these
First, what will the work of the Christian
ministry DO for others ? Secondly, what
will it do for themselves? The first
question is the most important, but the
latter is legitimate aud the speaker an
nounced this subject as above stated,
which he commended 10 the consideration
of Christian students For the proper
consideration of the subject Of the reflex
influence Of the duties Of the Christian
minister, the speaker made three PROPOSE.
tions. First, the profession Of the Chris.
tian ministry keeps the mind upon the
most quickening and elevatipg themes OF
thought. In the pulpit the minister needs
to use all his mental powers. and age,
even, procures for him no exemption. lie
must be lifelong student.
And the themes he has to consider are
the most elevatiug and ennobling. The
Bible is the perfection of excellence, and
religious culture is suprene If we may
not expect the pleuary inspiration OF the
scripture writers, the contemplation Of
God and religion still and always affords
a marvellous inspiration and quickening.
The minister is not restricted 10 the range
of his studies. lie needs q broad and
general culture, and though he has his
own special field of study, his opportuni.
lies are unsurpassed to secure acquisitions
IN every department of human knowledge
Second, The minister has uuequaled
opportunities for general study in his nee.
'ssary relations vi ith all classes and con.
iitions Of men. Next to the mind of
Tod the mind of mau is the highest
tudy, To deal with mind is better
han to study it. Association with the
greater minds helps ones own growth.
Association with those below us, by
mparting to them and receiving impres.
ions from them, and having our sym.
9athies and better feeling stirred also
ecures us culture. A third source
If development is the superior weight.
less of their responsibilities. Illustra.
ions, children beginning to walk alone
Students shifting for themselves daugh.
ers taking the responsibilities of the
household upon them. So tho christian
Minister is developed as he has RESPONSE
'ilities. All men are starting influences
which shall 60 on to eternity, and their
responsibilities are great, but those of
he minister are overwhelming. The
Minister more than others is exerting in.
luences for good iC he tuiills his mission,
md the responsibility for souls rests upon
lin more heavily than upon others. And
hese responsibilities felt aud faithfully
'orne brings out the best there is in him.