Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-06-12
ERMONT WATCHMAN & STATE JOUR
Vermont Methodist Seminary.



On Friday evening Of last week Professor and
Mrs. Southworth gave reception to the Gradu-
ating Class and some other invited guests No
pains were spared by the worthy Principal OF his
wife to make all enjoy themselves, and when Mt
length the company broke up II was with many
thanks to the host and hostess for their pleasant
entertainment Refreshments were served during
the evening
Tho exercises Of commencement week proper
opened with the annual sermon in Trinity church
on Sunday Although the day was cloudy large
number was present The choir was composed
almost entirely of singers from the Hill and there
were many students in the audience. Choosing
for his text the address Of Paul to the Athenians,
in the seventeenth chapter Of Acts, Professor
southworth went on to say that in all ages God
has chosen human agents 10 perform his work on
earth, and Joshuas and st. Pauls have been raised
up in all ages to guide and instruct the children
of men It has been the divine purpose to make
mankind the ministers to men. Paul was chosen
for this work because of his steadastness of pur-
pose and devotion to his Lord Rome was power
full at this time and the arts and sciences iourished
in all their splendor in Greece, yet the spendor
of Rome and culture of Athens needed the re-
ligion the humble disciple brought them If they
would endure. The speaker noticed the other
important travels and teachings Of Paul. his
courage in dangers and devotion to his purpose.
The great want of to-day is for like qualities
The world of the present is much like the Athens
of two thousand years ago, and has as much need
of earnest teachers to denounce the false religions
and effeminate tendencies of the age. Young
men and women however intelligent are not COM
petent to resist the temptations or to decide the
important affairs of life, in their own wisdom.
The lawyer with all his learning needs to be
taught of Christ. The doctor ought to point the
departing soul to life beyond the grave. lie
should himself learn of the great physician. The
wife should have in her home the patient forbear-
ance and tender solicitude which are the out
growth of Christian faith. In conclusion the
speaker addressed few words of cheer and
counsel to members of the Graduating Class ad-
vising them to take Christ with them through all
their course il they wished for perfect success.
Oral examinations on Monday and Tuesday
passed off quietly Only few visitors were
present The standings of the students were read
on Tuesday afternoon
At forty-ive minutes past seven o'clock Tuesday
evening, lecture was delivered in seminary
chapel by Rev. p Krohn, d. D., on "Woman's
Sphere" The speaker used no notes, but spoke
clearly and concisey for about an hour and half
on woman's duties and responsibilities He COM
menced by noticing the properties of the circle
and sphere. In nature, he said, the circle is the
symbol of beauty and strength. The dome of the
zenith, the curve of the rainbow, the sweep of the
horizon all prove this The same is true in the
| intellectual world Existence is but circle whose
centre is the cradle, whose radius is life, of which
the terminus is death, and whose circumference
Is eternity. There are four kinds of circles in
which mankind moves-the school circle, the So
cia circle, the political circle and the religious
circle Woman's place should be in all these cir
Giles. Too often she is considered of no account in
the world, of no more Importance than the cipher
on the right of a decimal Quantity. Woman S
sphere is especially in the home circle. She should
use all her influence for the improvement Of home
influences and the raising of mankind. Man is
the head of society and woman is the neclS-the
way the neck bends man is turned. Woman ed
ucation is often superficial and incomplete. Ladies'
Neutrality-suspicious. are apt to be mere examining
machines Woman's influence over man is great.
As she led the first Adam away from right, she
is now leading the later Adams back Let her go
on with her holy mission. Not noisily and bus-
teringly, but quietly and lovingly. The greatest
effects not produced by noise and buster, but
| by quiet, determined effort Finally he noticed
| the need of young ladies being religious If they
wish to become true women. Let them have the
Star of Bethlehem to guide them, and their bark
| will never be stranded on the shoals of tempta-
| ton or wrecked by the tempests of sin
This afternoon at three clock the cass-trep ey-