Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1880-06-09
Barre Academy.

"eeA' Inc ueiltn OF Ut. SpaululhS WAS
crushing blow to the school, and almost
threatened its immediate destruction; but
by the untiring efforts of Prof A. N.
Wheelock. aided by j. b. Richardson. A.
NJ, the school work has been carried on
in the usual manner, and indications of
existing life are yet seen.
The annual sermon to the graduating
class was preached by Rev. l.. Tenney at
the Congregational church Sunday, June
9th, from words found in II. Chronicles
81" Ask what l shall give thee"
After speaking of Solomon, Of his
situation when these words were addressed
to him, and of his answer, the preacher
proceeded to ask his hearers what would
be the answer should the voice of God ask
the same question of them sitting now in
the sanctuary. Judging by the subjects
upon which they most eagerly and fuently
conversed, and by their actions, which
speak louder than words, money would be
the thing requested. Not a few would ask
for fun. gayely, simply. Others still would
be satisfied with some other inferior thing,
aspiring for nothing beyond what this
world affords. But what should be the
responseP
In the spring time do we sow for an
inferior harvest Did you sow weeds or
thistlesp Or did you ask for a full harvest
of rustling grainP So when in the spring
time of eternity you sow what you will
reap, then see TO it that you SOW in right
eousness, that you may reap in mercy and
rejoice in life eternal.
He then spoke of the late principal of
the school, whose memory is in our minds
daily, and so sadly missed rs being an
illustration of this truth. Like the wise
king of Israel, be sought to obtain both
wisdom and knowledge. Since his purpose
in life was fixed, his work has been that of
q Christian teacher. During the past
forty-six years more than fourteen thousand
pupils have been under his direct instruc-
ton, and many times that number have
listened to his addresses upon Christian
education. None of us can tell how much
good that life consecrated to the work of
Christ has done for the world.
He then appealed to the young people
and especially to the class before him to
follow the example of their late beloved
teacher and seek that better part which
may not be taken from them.
On Monday evening, at 1880 o'clock
came the prize speaking. The school
elected the contestants from the classes of
80 and 81.
The Methodist seminary sent down a
large delegation, and the church was well
filled at the appointed time.
Over the arch back of the pulpit had
been placed in evergreen the sentence:
:" His name shall be called wonderful"
j. b. Richardson, A. NJ, now of New
York, but formerly n teacher here. occu-
pied the chair of the principal. Quiet
reigned among the audience when Miss
Hattie A. Keith began the skillful execu-
ton of the piano solo, - Les Deux Anges ("
by Blumenthal.
Rev. l.. Tenney offered prayer, when
Misses Ellen c. Wheaton and Hattie A.
Keith and Messrs. G. S. Putnam and Prof
Arthur N, Wheeock, with Will A.
Wheaton at the piano, sang" Now the day
is over" by Barnby.
The first speaker of the evening, G. w.
Fisher of Barre, then took the rostrum'
and in manner that we thought would
be hard to excel rendered " The Famine"
the favorite poem by Longfellow. His
gestures were easy, tones clear, and he
seemed unembarrassed.
w. Ii. Glover of Groton, with high
and prevailing sameness Of tone, gave the
Address at Bunker Hill," by Webster.
II. w. Thurston of Barre in telling
d" The Pilots Story" written by Howells,
showed considerable skill in this line. 1t
is terrible story of slave life, and his
conversational tone and interest in the
subject of the narration won for him our
best opinion.
Trio, Mariners" was rendered by Miss
Wheaton and Messrs. Putnam and
Wheclock
F. H. Clapp Of Barre detained The
Martyrs of the American Revolution" by
Kossuth. His gestures seemed better than
those of some of his associates, not being
afraid to use II " straight elbow"
Z. E. Iazen of North Hero selected
Phillips "Toussaint L'OnYertuer." He
appeared determined and was successful
in presenting to US the ideas of the author
in q manner to have them accepted.
G. II. Fisher of Cabot took Webster's
renowned speech, Reply to Hayne." and
delivered it with much credit to himself
His appearance on the stage and animated
GESTURE tended to make US feel that the
language was his own and IIayne, too,
was with us.
We were then treated to a song. "Safc
Home at Last" from Pinsut, by Prof. A
N. Wheelock.
w. j. Hutchinson with u good deal of
feeling made touching appeal for " Irish
Aliens" in the language of Shell.
II. II. Cushman, of Rochester, the last
speaker of the evening, in the rendition of
Phillips eulogy on Daniel O'Connell ex-
celled especially in pronunciation.
Another quartette, by Miss Emily d.
Wheelock, who sings alto, was given
" Drops of RAIN by Lemmens. This, as
well as the previous music of the evening,
was excellent; in fact, those acquainted
with the parties know it was the very best
without our saying a word about it.
The Judges were DR.. j. II. jackson,
Rev. James Kimmell and Prof Alonzo
Priest, and Prof Priest now gave in the
decision. Though closely contested, they
gave the first to C. w. Fisher of Barre
and the second to f. f. Lazcn of North
Hero.
Very handsome floral offerings were
presented to the speakers as they tool
their seats. having been sent forward by
the friends.
The audience was dismissed with the
benediction by Rev. L. Tenney.