Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1879-06-11

God is a God of the living and not of the dead, so
we know these must have been living somewhere.
But beyond the fact Of future life we read
that It is to us eternal, and it may be one Of
felicity. Christ says, "Those who deny them
selves here for my sake shall receive an hundred
fold in this world and hereafter eternal life"
The reward in the skies is the unsurpassing re-
ward after all.
1t is not hard to understand that there are
rewards and punishments in waiting, but we can't
see how they will be infinite. It is easy TO con-
template the measure of human life, but when
we cross over to contemplate nfnity we are lost"
one says: q" II we were to live while the SHOWS
of the earth are melting one flake ut time, each
flake taking a thousand years. a thousand
years for each sun ray that has been shot through
the solar system, eternity would stretch far be-
yond us as though we had not yet begun"
After short stay here we are TO go hence and
there exist. However much we may desire other
wise we cannot stay longer here nor escape the
existing there. We may speculate in regard to
the future-we may doubt-we may, needless Of
it, busy ourselves with our worldly aifairs-or we
may wisely prepare for the change.
Young people before me are thinking what they
can best do in this life 1t will be well for them
to try and do what will be best for the next also
Addressing the class, he said, Z" You have now
come to an important milestone in your lives
You are now to graduate from this school, probably
to leave this place New scenes and new studies lie
before you. You and | are working for immor-
tality, and what shall be our relations to the
Master is n matter of utmost Importance for our
consideration. Do ask him day by day to help
you to do his will and hereafter he will welcome
you to his fellowship. God bless you wherever
You 60"
Monday evening the Congregational church
was well filled, the people having assembled to
listen to the oratorica contest in which members Of
classes of 20 and 80 participated. w. A, Wheaton
presided at the piano. Prayer was offered by
Rev. L. Tenney, followed by the quartette d" Fair
Luna" by Misses wheelock and Keith, and
Nessrs Putnam and Wheelock George L. Hooker
OF Barre, took the rostrum with Last Days OF
IIercuaneum. This interesting narrative was
given in a manner indicating that it had been well
studied by the speaker 1t was given in clear,
smooth voice, excelling in enunciation and pro-
nunciation, Elliott b. Watson Of Williamstown,
came before us with "Toussaint L'Ouverture,"
and gave it very acceptaby lie evidently did
not expect to win the prize, but to do himself
credit, and in this he was successful lie will
make good speaker. Henry II. Cushman, OF
Rochester, gave go The Honored Dead" A slight
degree Of embarrassment detracted somewhat
from the good effect of the speakers effort at the
beginning His apparent honor, respect and ap-
probation for those of whom he spoke compelled
an interest in him. Song, "a Free Land" by
Mr. Wheelock. Henry W. Thurston of Barre,
spoke on "The Ordinance OF Secession" Elroy
y. Clark of North Hero presented parrhasius
and the Captive" Mr.. Clark possesses a rich,
heavy voice. and this selection enabled him to use
it to the best advantage. His facial expression
was excellent and gestures easy and natural. lie
held the audience completely during the entire
rendition. lie seemed to appreciate keenly the
feelings Of the ambitious painter, and was able to
make his hearers see the picture as he saw it.
Clelan W. Fisher, of Barre, rendered "Ances-
tors very well indeed with good voice and ac-
cent carefully studied There was a noticeable
lack OF gestures, though the selection did not re-
| qure profuson. On piece of a little different
style, giving some thought and care to pronun.
| citation, Mr.. Fisher will yet mark a speaker
among the best Music followed trio, Give me
| a cup" "The Defence OF Lucknow" by Mr..
| John W. Gordon of West Bolton, was another
| selection which offered one n chance to exhibit
ability in rendering, nor was that offer in this
| case sighted in the least 1.-THE Beseged City,
| by Willie C. Tillotson of West Topsham, was very
well given. Mr.. Tillotson is the possessor of a
| fine voice, and has it quite well cultivated. Ills
appearance was easy and natural, and although
he came last upon the programme, still his rendi.
| ton Of the piece was enjoyable
After another piece of music, Pleasures
OF YOUTH Rev. Mr.. Tenney dismissed the au'
dience with the benediction.
The judges Of the evening, Professor Charlie.
Bates of Goddard Seminary, Charles Ketchum Of
Dartmouth College and Ed. w. Bisbee, Esq, OF
Montpelier, after considerable deliberation, gave
| first prize to Mr. Gordon, second to Mr.. Hooker
and honorably mentioned Mr., Clark,
Although the weather was extremely warn
| Tuesday evening, yet the church was well filled
with people who had come to hear the rhetorical
exercises OF the Middle Glass. The exercise,
opened with music, quartette, Swiss People,
Song" Prayer was offered by Rev H. Webster
Of Barre, followed by piano solo, " Carnival ID
Venice by Miss Keith. This was finely exc
cuted and was much enjoyed by all lovers Of goot
| music present, The Grafton, Cavalier ant
Roundhead," by Henry Winfred Thurston, wa
well written and interesting. Grafton, "Athe
nian Political Life" by Harry Clay Patterson o
! Barre, gave us good idea of how Athens re
ceyed her power. Grafton, 1.-THE Worth of {
Firm Belief" by Warren Joseph Hutchinson, o
Barre, was strong argument in favor OF our be
lief that we will be successful in whatever W,
undertake. Grafton, "The Crnsades, by Will,
| Clinton Tillotson, OF West Topsham, narrated thu
causes, continuance and final influence of tn,
crusades Grafton, american Snobbery," b,
Timothy Bronson, OF Ilardwick impressed upoi
the audience the idea that America has he
snobs, and that they are no credit to her
Grafton, Assault upon Charles Sumner" b,
Fred Rabbit Mitchell, OF S, Adams Bay, contane,
some good comments upon this deed. Essay
" Beneath the Surface" by Miss Ella May Town
send, of Barre, was good subject well treated
and was nicely read. Oration "Robespierre,
by Richard Sawyer Currer, of Barre gave goo
outline Of the mans history without comments
Grafton, "Origin and Growth of English Parlia
ment, by Henry Herbert Cushman, of Rochester
was delivered with considerable feeling. Grafton
"The Capture of Constantinope by the Turks, " b.
Charles Grin Thurston, OF Barre; the story wa
told in a conversational tone, very pleasingly
Essay, "Being and SEEING" by Minnie Emmi
Dickinson OF Barre, contained good advice and wa
read in II manner leading us to think she believed
what she had written to be true. Grafton
Picturesque America" by Clellan Waldo fishe
OF Barre, was patriotic and eloquent.
The exercises were interpreted with fine music
and closed with the benedction by Rev Mr.
Webster.
GRoToS. Dphtheria has again made Its aI
pearance in this town. A child Of Merrill Welcl
is very sick with 1t at present; also child Of Mr.
Kdder Is down with the same complaint, /
team belonging to John Hood, hitched in front o
the harness shop, became frightened and brok
away, and ran up the road, tipping the bugg,
over which was n new one, and completely de
molishing il. The horse was badly cut at tn
ankle
CAIAIs.-'The stages time Of departure from
Calais and Montpelier has been changed aud nov
stands Leave Calais & 40 instead OF 10 A. NJ, ar
rive for 20 train south. Leave Montpelier A. n
instead of $40 A. A. Goes into effect ON ant
after Thursday.