The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1879-12-12

wooden ones. l am not thinking O
the comparative comfort of riding ovel
them. This Is something. You ar,
not obliged to stop your horse and lei
him walk, when you come to ono, o,
balance yourself and lay firm hold
upon your carriage, lest you be thrown
out. But in the matter of economy
how often were you obliged to repair
or renew the old wooden culverts? n
q stone culvert Is properly built. il IL
substantially permanent. The build.
Ing Of stone bridge, when practicable
would be wisdom on larger scale.
The village and town generalIy are
putting on look octhrift in many ways,
You hear those who have been absent
for no more than two years, exclaiminp
upon the great improvements. Does
1t cost much more to build a comeIy
structure, than an awkward oneY to
build straight and comely fence.
than a crooked and uncomely one
A coat of paint upon an old house or a
new one. is q matter of economy, and
gives an air of effectiveness and thrift.
Does IL cost much to set out a row of
trees along ones premises? Yet, all
these are the works of public spirit and
enhance the goodness of our heritage.
Education constitutes a verv jmpor-
tant element In our goodly heritage.
There are foundations here laid. which
properly builded upon by this genera.
ton and by those to come after. should
leave little TO be desired. Public spir.
II in this high interest has characterized
the town from its early days. The
College,, founded early, has fixed the
standard high in these matters, for the
county, and to a considerable extent
for the state. Middlebury has been
proverbial throughout New England, i,
as q community attractive by reason Of
its intelligence and culture. Its names
OF educated men and cultivated women
would make an enviable roll for any
community of its size and Its age in the
land. Our public school building is in
part one of the fruits of this historic
spirit. The tax has been heavy TO meet
1t. But building is, in itself, doing
work of great value. 1t stands, too, as
the gift of this generation to those
who are to come after; q foundation
TOR the public instruction of all classes.
The fidelity with which this important
interest is guarded, and the ability with
which 1t is administered from wear TO
year, becoming constantly better and
better in Its workings, constitute one
OF the most attractive features of our
heritage from the fathers, and for the
future as well as ourselves.
Inc time has come, in my opinion,
when the college should be provided
with all the facilities the present day sf.
lords, This generation has debt of pub
Lie spirit to this institution, that the work
OF the fathers may bo perfected and
rendered permanent for wider field.
The Champlain Valley, the state of
Vermont, the world indeed, for it's in.
huonce has gone beyond the seas,
would be bereft by its ceasing TO exist'
One OF the most elevating forces Of this
community and of the state would die
in Middlebury College. 1t is not to
die. Temporary clouds have before
now hung over Its heavens. They
have been scattered. Out Of adyel sc
influences, as churches and commun-
ity. we should see to 1t that q higher
and broader success is Organized.
Anything, save the ark of God, had
better go down stream than she: this
for the community's sake as well as
wider influence, Her sons are honor
cd In every calling throughout the
land: at the bar they have borne an
honorable and useful part among our
legislators and executive officers: they
have brought healing to the sick: they
are preaching the religion of Jesus, and
the WORLDS hope in many lands. We
nave momentous duty 10 render per-
manent and more potent this inestilna.
BILE force. Our words and deeds and
prayers and gifts, il possible, should
conserve her fair name and her inesti
mable worth.
One word upon an interest, higher
still. The religion of Jesus Christ.
brought here by the Pilgrims and Puri-
tans, has made New England the
staunch and noble country She is and
the mother of noble states TO the west
ward. A thorough gospel, and thor
ough christian life, have placed these
New England towns at the front in i'm
telligence, in good morals, and beneyo-
lent enterprise for the welfare of man.
KIND. Travel through the land and
round the globe, and you can find no
heritage more goodly in these exalted
elements of life and character. 1t is
doubtful whether, In these things,
there is better state than our own.
AS men estimate, we are in some things
Tar below others. AS God estimates,
we are far below his standard. But In
these highest aspirations and duties, the
''lines have fallen unto us IN pleasant
places" The fathers have wrought no.
bly for us. Our churches, christian
doctrine and spirit, are as the fountain
OF all else that is good in our heritage.
The public spirit that would bring in
better day, must conserve sacredly all
these, and give them the first place in
that which we would build. IL IA the
old riddle Of the heart In broader life.
In field, there is q chest-in that
chest, there is box; in that box there
10 cup; in that cup there is a drop |;
no man eats 1t, no man drinks 1t, vet
no man goes without it. As sacred as
the hearts blood in this life's chalice, is
the religion pure and undefiled of onr
Lord. Leave that out, and all this ont
er framework OF civilization shall de-
cay.
Let us make vital then, the life of
God In the souls of the people, and per-
wade oil business, all social life, and all
Institutions with the power from heav-
en-. -ii
Our congratulations today, are most
OF all, for this drop of life from heaven.
| Let us make il central and vital. nv
brethren, in the hearts of the people.
and at the spring and fountain OF all
we build for the present and for time
70 come. Then shall other generations
through this valley, numerous, intelli.
gent, christian, be able TO say: "The
lines are fallen unto us in pleasant
| nIQcQa. Yea hav. .~>olI..