The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1879-07-04

induced him 10 give up pressing en-
gugcmcnls ~ he ptcsCit and speak on
this occasion. lie now advanced to his
discourse; "The Special and Peculiar
Advantages of smaller Colleges In the
Rural Districts" Ills did not wish TO
disparage the large colleges. The small
Ter colleges tend to prevent despotsm
and multiply centres of independent
thought. Centres of illumination, not
like great planets in the solar system.
like stars, individual in themselves, vel
blending their light, these multipliede |
entries ofculturc tend 10 blend their ind- |
vidual thought into one grand public |
opinion. lndividualism, that has char
acterized all great minds and brought
forth all original thoughts, which seeks
truth, secures power and moves the
world, is peculiarly fostered and ell
couraged in these smaller institutions
where the number of students is not
large enough to choke individuality,
yet of sufficient size TO stimulate to ac-
ton. Another advantage of these coll
eyes is that the students arc more
closely allied to their teachers, while the
benefit of their personal mpanionship
and instruction cannot be overestima-
ted. Again, these colleges in the ru-
raj districts are the great central objects
and receive the care and encourage
ment of the community. The people,
who in academic towns are always
most refined, help the student and glad
ly introduce him into their society,
bringing the college and town into close
relationship, and rendering the place
and its inhabitants ever dear to the stu
dent. The advantage of chcapncss re-
quires no argument. The advantages,
and pai tic 1larly in Vermont, are also the
climate, the air, landscape, waters,
mountains, all challenging the student
to close communion with nature, in
creasing both his physical power and
spiritual knowledge. The homc-bred
Vermont student is the best in the
world; for, brought up in simplicity,
he is prepared by nature TO grasp truth
and values and improves his opportu-
mites, because he considers them to be
such. Middlebury college challenges
favor on account of her record. The
whole history of Vermont, bright and
honorable as it is, ovcrshadows her col
leges. This nation owes her much in
every department of usefulness. Her
usefulness is not thing altogether OF
Middlebury college is yet alive, small,
and for that reason n truly American
college, with the staunch American
principles of liberty and honor. DIR.
Post then recalled "reminiscences of his
former life in Middlebury, and of the
changes in his class since they had left
college, fifty years ago. The address
was indeed fine one, Astounding in
beautiful imagery, affecting occurrences
and sound argument, all expressed with
that poetic majesty which only those
old and experienced writers attain.
The address is to be published in
pamphlet form by the alumni.
After music at 1880, was delivered
the
POEM By REV. IL. NJ. TENNEY,
of Wailingford, Conn.,, class of '73,
which we subjoin:
Tho Ministry of Nature.
o, what is the need of the growing child
When he thrills with the touch OF time
| And life in his heart is tangled wild
| Like the wild OF tropic cline:
o, what is the need but guiding hand,
! Hand of iron, with glove of wool,
And sanctioned words of stern command,
| The way marked out with line and rule.
| And what is the want of his manhood years,
When the pulses of life beat high,
| When eyes are afame or wet with tears
| AS the budding hopes bloom or die.
All what is the want but a friendly heart,
| A communion SO sweet and true,
| That stingngs of pain lose half their smart
And the hopes with years arc new.
| When life is o'erworn and the days are slow,
| And the sun lieth low in the west,
| The shadows are dark and the chill winds blow,
And the heart creth out for rest,
o. who but a prophet with far, clear sight.
And voice OF celestial cheer.
| Can Pici,. thro' tho ohadow5 and etar the night
And repel the uprising fcarY
The chids in the man and mans in the child,
And they both feel the touch of years
| And life in the world is n tangled Wilt
| And beyond is the land OF fears.
But Teacher and Friend and Prophet of cheer,
| With the law, communion aud fight.
| The three are but one, and everywhere near
by our side in the day OF the night.
o, Nature, to thee hath the Father given,
With ministry sweet and strong,
| To make OF the earth n dawning heaven
| And to I'LL the world with song.
AnH he who doth yield to thy voice and hand
Shall be taught TO discern the way
That lcadeth out of the tangled land
| To the realm ofcterna day.
A teacher 1rst-prcceptress wise and stern
Is Nature. All the earth and sea and sky
|
Are craven with her signs. All Fields and woods
| And mountains grand, the tides that swirl along
The shore, and clouds and storms and sighting
| wind
Are chapters each, while stars and suns by night
And LAY illuminate the volume. Life
| In all its varied forms, in lowest plant
Of ocean deeps, in proudest tree That lifts
Its head above the wood, in mote, in bird
And beast, has learned her rules, obeys aud stands
| Her pupil To proclaim 10 all the world
The excellence her law and discipline
| secure. The Order harmony ana skill
With which she keeps all force ut work the use
Which every power observes; the strength and
Of beauty thrilling thro' the heart and veins
Aud mantllng every face and form OF her
Obedient lile are voices sweet and srOag
| That chant her praise. She hath no iayorlte,
The best within the scope and range of its
Intended use receiveth lrom her hand
Deserved pre-eminence. The worst must fail
And failing. die beneath her falling rod.
She calleth nothing perfect yet, but as
The gons pas, she lifts her standard, mlk,s
Eternal progress her demand, and stills
Disorder more and more until her law
Supreme, obcyed. shall sound mighty chord
OF perfect harmony thro' all the world.
Aud Nature hath this ministry for man,
To teach, enforce or sanction her eternal law
Childhood learns of her its tongue.
Its walk, the meaning of its growing powers
And then while yet II stammers oit and OF
II slnmblcth IN the way and wears and wastes
Its life by awkward and unseemly use;
IL longs TO thrust away her guiding hand
And dull its ears 10 hearing of her words
But firm and strong her iron clasp remains.
Tho loosenng fingers seem TO yield To MI
The Maynard. wandering step. at last u crushing
grasp
Brings back the shoulders to the rod the voice
That whispers its commands, II long unheard,
W iii thunder forth its sentences OF Woe.
She hath way marked out for every man,
A rule laid down for every part of life.
Her way pursued. her rules obeyed, Will bring
Man up the sleeps 10 submits crowned with iight
Aud glory. lie who spurns 10 walk the path
She pointcth out, or scorns TO keep her rules,
Must toll in chains and toiling lind no rest
While dark before him lies the prison house
And dark within its gloomy portals, waits
The solitary cell, when long and troubled day
Gives place TO long and fearful night. She hath |
No mercy. Mercy would impair her strength
IT'S hers TO make the laws so plain that none
Can fail 10 see and understand the sense
TO ring her warning bells with such peals
That echoes catch the sound and all the world
kesounds with danger signals. Then she waits
TO sanction all with penalties. The prayer,
The cry of agony, the wall Of deep
Despair, and all the myriad sounds of pain
That rise and fill the air with cadences of woe
Can never stay the falling rod.
With far on yearnng gaze she lilis her hand
And cries with every falling blow, one word.
obey
vOuth athrili with inanuiaa