The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1876-07-20
MIDDLEBURY COLLEGE.
sEvENTY.sIxTH Anniversary.
Alumni Dinner.


alumni and invited guests sat down 10
finely spread feast, prepared by mine most
Schofeld at the Addison house. After the
assembly had been called to order,the divine
blessing was invoked by Rev. MIR. Amino
by of Peabody, Macs.
The feast being over, Rev. E. 2. Hooker,
president of the associated alumni, again
restored order.
lie remarked that he was an accidental
president of the association, which would
account for his presence at the head OF the
table on this occasion. 1t is happy thing
to come together on such an occasion in
this centennial year of the republic-to
mingle together in scenes which remind
us OF the earlier days of alma mater. we
had with us one who, although the alumnus
of another college, was known to the people
of our state-one Of whom he had heard 1t
remarked was rendered the election to con-
gress, but would not accept the position.
This was a remarkable and rare event in
our times, and as you might desire to hear
from such man in these times, he called
upon Hon. James Barrett of Woodstock,
a Judge of the supreme court and president
of alumni OF Dartmouth college.
HON. JAMES BARRETT.
Judge Barrett remarked on rising that he
was natural son Of Dartmouth college,
out he had received an honorary degree
from Middlebury college, which he highly
appreciated. The president had repeated
in your presence an old scandal about him
self. 1t was true he had refused all politi-
cal office since he was state senator, for
ON retiring from that position he set his
face against public office, and his heart
mad followed his face. He could not af-
ford to 70 TO congress, but they saw fit 10
Al zee him upon the bench, position in
which he HAD struggled to support family
of six children, anu it barely gave them
poor living and educated them. Three
sons had pursued a college course which
nad cost him 5000 year more than his
income. He had known Middlebury college
historically for many years. she had sent
forth from her walls many of the most
eminent men of the land. Judge Nelson,
who had graced the American bench as
few Others have done. aad Sllas Wright,
who as "a statesman and publicist had few
equals. Its ministers, its lawyers and its
.eacbers had taken high rank every
where. Mlddlebury college has done for
years, a great work for the cause OF SOUND
earning, and had given the state and
country a claes of men who had stood in
the first rank, and hoped this grand work
would be continued. This matter of edu-
cation is personal one, not an aggrega-
lon, and has its own peculiar sphere, and
thus such an institution has its distinctive
features. His prayer was that the work may
20 forward making men, great men, who
will honor the college and the country.
The president called attention to the fact
that this was the semi-centennial OF the
class of 1926, and called upon Rev. John
w. Chickering, d. D., of Washington,
D. c., formerly Of Portland, Maine,
member of that class.
REV. DIR. ]. W. CHICKERING.
Only two of the members of his class
are present to celebrate the semi centennial
If our graduation. He might narrate incl
dent, anecdote and reminiscence, OF his
class and college days, such as my friend
uere (pointing 10 MIR. BattelD but time Tor
oade heightened speech, even if he could
tind his speech at all. DR.. Chickering pro-
ceeded to narrate amusing incidents and
illustrative stories. He had forgotten to
urlng letter written by him to a friend
nifty years ago, inviting him to commence
ment, to hear his Grafton on "Matter and
light" and leave you TO guess what that
might be. 1t was written in the old fash
Toned style and was postmarked 'Singe
letter, 12k cents postage" l do love and
lonor Miudlebury college. DR.. Bates
brought me here $50 miles, even after my
,runk was packed TO go to Yale college.
He had not been In Middlebury
week before he found himself in
An apple stealing scrape, but he
.fterward became different young
man. Here in Middiebury college, he
was born again, which settled his course
n life. stood, on Sabbath day, May Z,
1926, in the Congregational church, and
took upon myself the solemn VOWS of
church membership. Just fifty years on
the Sabbath the 7th day of May 1876, l
vas present in the city of Baltimore. and
witnessed the scene of seeing just the same
Number take upon themselves the VOWS of
he church. l am glad that II Is christian
college. For seventy-six years God has
blessed it and it has been blessing to thou
sands In our goodly land and in the mis-
sionary feds Of foreign lands.
Philip Battell, esq, the other member of
the class of 1926, excused himself from
speaking, hoping to hear from some others
better known than himself.
The president then called up
REV. HARVEY d. KIToHELL, DID.
come next as an ex cidental president.
1t was gratifying to him to come back and
zee them, and was glad the college had
good prospect before it, and that Vermont
is turning back to the good old ways of
educating her children. II it be true that
! she is coming back to the old paths in edu-
eating her sons, MIddlebury can but play an
| important part and BECOME an essential fac
tor in the training to be given them.
REV. GEORGE N. BoARDMAN, d. d.,
Of the Chicago Theological seminary, was
next called. He said that the Grafton of
the morning suggested one thought that
ne still believed In, education as impaired
in this college. He trusted Mddlebury
college would come back to the good old
days of Dr. Chickering and MIR. Battell. /
| hink literature should enlarge the faculties
and sympathies of men, and scientific
studies were not to be discarded, but CLASH
cal education had its appropriate part in
this work. Such an education was essen
tial in the profession of the ministry. The
ministry is falling below It's former high
standard. A young man surrounded by
books could not fail to gather in knowledge
and assimilate II. Such young men IN
college become men OF MARI in the world
An uneducated minister has not the power
aud force 10 Impress men. He comes be-
fore his congregations ffly-two times a
year, and is subject to all the ordeals and
criticisms of his profession, and fails to
stand the test. A learned ministry is what
is needed. We have a right to the thoughts
of other men, 10 assimilate them. 1t can
not be avoided if we would, although he
had never stole sermon in his life. When
one buys book he has right to appro-
| Driate lts thCuphts His DOaition led him