Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1880-06-23
Goddard Seminary.


d., Rev. J. Edward Wright and Rev. j. Kimmel
acted protempore and report everything salts
factory.
THE ANNUAL SERMON.
Below we give brief abstract Of the annual
sermon before the graduating class delivered
In the UDiversalist church Sunday afternoon by
Rev J. Edward Wright Of Montpelier His text
was from Daniel, first chapter and eighth verse.
" But Daniel purposed In his heart that he would
not defile himself with the portion Of the king
meat nor with the wine which he drank, therefore
he requested the prince OF the eunuchs that he
might not de6le himself" He first spoke Of Dan
lei, of his advantages in bis youth, Of bis ambi-
ton peculiar to that age, OF his ability to accept
or refuse to obey the king and its results of his
caring for something besides popularity, Of his
considering 1t sin TO partake Of the food pre-
pared by the order Of the king, Of his possessing
that principle which Of all things to-day needs
developing moral courage. On account Of the
great lack OF this principle he found people dress
ing, not according to their own convenience but
according to fashion, playing games because they
are all the rage, staying away from lectures be-
cause "nobody will be there" attending the
church where their friends and acquaintance at
tend falling to express opinion of the last veto
till other opinions have been heard It is to be
regretted that, has been said " It is rare that
mans acts are his own acts" This dancing to
the opinions Of others Ia detrimental to the prog
ress Of reform, morality, and every good work.
| 1t was not 10 be understood, however that people
youth especially, were to pay no Difference to pub
lie opinion, for 1t will hardly ever be entirely and
absolutely wrong; and often, when we are not
quite sure what Is right, the light of the public
| opinion may greatly aid us. But, he urged, take
advantage of the good that society offers without
taking society's yoke In impressive language
was set forth the present want OF more courage
| TO do what Ia right instead Of more knowledge Of
the right OF more keeping Of our own sef-respect,
| for, however sad to be born or consigned Ia
slavery, 1t Is sdder still TO give ones self up to
slavery; OF more breaking away from society
when health demands; Of more mechanics and
artisans in the labor Of whom the greatest ability
is shown, aud less professors and trausporters of
the results of others labor-middlemen; of a
greater field in which women can labor-and the
hopeful signs OF the times in this respect were
noted-nstead OF their crowding the few depart
ments in which custom has said they might work
| We want, he says, more integrity in business
more men who will tell the listers and the man OF
tHty WISH 10 DOrTOW money the same StOry,
more choosing who shall be our companions-and
this was to be noticed largely, not wholly by the
ladies; more who will have their own opinion in
politics; and lastly, we want those who will have
their own opinion in religious matters for IL sin
certify Is expected anywhere, it Is at the altar of
God. The day Is coming and now is, when men
are judged, not wholly by their company, but by
themselves The class rising, lie said "You are
now going out into the world and you will find a
pressure to lead you from duty. Two forces will
| prompt you, on the one hand the voice OF God and
on the other the alluIements Of society; but, as
You expect to be beneiactors in the world ad.
| jnre you, assert your Independence and for the
sake Of independence yield not to the temptations
of earths Babylons'
| JUNIOR CLASS EXERCISES.
| On Monday evening the members of the junior
class fifteen in number-entertaned good
audience with original productions, eliciting
hearty applause We heard many of the Older
people present speak of the exercises in terms
highly commendatory. "Bobolink Polka" a
piano solo from Warren, by Miss Cara j. Whit
comb, was followed by prayer by Rev. W. S.
| Ralph of Summewille, Massachusetts. Another
piano solo, Estramand ra," from Leybach, b,
| Miss Georgia Smith, preceded the opening ora
ton, which was by Frank A. Broadwell of Nor
risonville, New York, with "Trifes for sub
ject. 1t was his opinion that every thing comes in
its order and is brought about by sufficient
cause II we only study and find it, and secuted
the idea that trifles always turn tn. scale f.
| William Coburn Of North Montpelier followed
| with an Grafton on diamond Cut Diamond"
| The prominent idea was, as diamonds being so
| very hard are used to cut each other, SO men
| and so nations contend with each other and thus
| form their characters His speaking was easy
| and tone conversational. "Retrospect and Pros
pect " was the subject OF the Grafton of J. Harry
| Holden Of Middlesex. This speaker has a fine
voice, well cultivated, and had nicely written
| article, but the latter part OF it was delivered
under little embarrassment, the speaker not
being quite at his ease. Miss Florence NJ Ben
amin Of Barre essayed on Wait " She recog-
nized the fact that we fast people, but that
all nature says, Wait, and that it is not best to
be in hurry to know what people have to say
about us. Music-song-" Do | Love Thee"
Wegand, by Miss Julia NJ. Stanton. Adams
Kezer of Rochester eulogized Lincoln He chose
this name because in these times 1t is well for US
frequently To study and think Of one who was
honest, and in " Honest Abe" we find one of the
best examples BERTHE Martin of South Barre
GRATED on Hope" His tone and appearance in
dictated that he full of his subject which we
were told is the first thing with which the child,
and the last with which the aged man, is inspired
" Stone Lilies essay by Miss Mary L. HOLSTER
of North Montpelier She traced the changes
from the living animal by that name till the last
is reached-tinding a marble monument. Miss
HOLSTER has a rich, heavy voice, and having to
refer but little 10 her manuscript, her paper with
curious subject proved quite interesting Harry
d. MeCrlis Of Marshfield chose "The Law OF
Human Progress" and with it ranked himself
among the best OF the evening. lie knew that
progress had always been the ORDER but the law
was more recently discovered. lie presented nu-
merous facts showing the rapid progress human
ity is now making toward higher plane Music,
lie Dernier Lourine, from wollenhaupt, by Miss
Jennie Warner of Orange. Grafton, depth"
by Theodore b. Mcdonald of Mayfort, Florida
This was OF the spicy sort His effort was to
prove that silence in a man does not always indi-
cate depth of thought, nor talkativeness Away,
foolishness His speaking WAS spirited rapid
and distinct Miss Julia NJ. Stanton of Paterson.
New Jersey, read an essay on Surface" which
WAS Dy no means Surface essay. She COM
mented on some OF Dickens characters and
from other observations concluded that judgment
from external appearances will often be wrong
A False Heart was exposed by James +. Mill
ken Of Alstead, New Hampshire. His voice was
pitched little too high and he was too earnest
to give long words their proper attention. Thi,
production aimed to give politicians of to-day re-
gardless of party, just dues for their short.
comings. George Smith OF Gaysville chose
Grit" His tones were good, but a little more
vim on his part would have enabled those in the
back part OF the room to appreciate his effort
more fully. Duett, by Misses Stanton and Hol-
lister, "When Life is Brightest" from Pinsuti
Miss Cara j. Whtcomb Of Essex Center read of
" Alice and Phebe Cary" She made judicious
selection OF facts concerning these two ladies' so
widely known through their poems Henry
Stone Of Rochester brought out the old scenes OF
THE Rebellion" and showed its more remot,
causes traced out its worst results and concluded
by saying that II we escape another and even
final overthrow OF the republic, it must be by ed
ucating the masses The closing Grafton was by
Harry W. Whiicomb, who selected for his sub
ject Garrison and Anti-Slayery." A Just tribute
was paid to the man who, with church, state
society and wealth arrayed against him fought
still, till his good purpose WAS accomplished"
Piano duet by Misses Smith and Warren, "Perle,
ct Dentelles" from Ludone.
ba