Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1881-06-29
st. JOhnsbury Academy.

Sunday, June 10Th, with an excellent sermon to
the graduating class by Rev. J. G. johnson, d. d.,
OF Rutland His text was Romans viii: "a "For
we are saved by hope" Paul's attitude in the
passage, This one thing | do, forgetting those
| things which are behind, and reaching forth into
those things that are before, press towards the
mark for the prize Of the high calling Of God in
| Christ Jesus" well represents the aim and spirit
in which the speaker turned his young hearers
away from the past as improbable and to the
future as inspiring Not what man has done,
but what he intends to do, gives him position and
character. The Scriptures hold up the future.
1t shall come to pass is Gods word Of encour.
agement to his people to-day as it was hundreds
OF years ago. By such promises he then made
nations; and in like manner he to-day makes
men. Looking to nature Alone" 1--WE condense
from the Cdiedonian) 1--WE should be taught a
| gloomy lesson. But God speaks a different mes
sage. He saves us by hope. lie has fearlessly
faced the troubles of the future with words of
assurance and encouragement Fear not he
| says, my grace is sufficient for thee 1t was
such hope that made Paul invincbe. This rev.
elation out OF which Paul gained courage stands
the tests OF time. 1t lures us by faith 1t pro-
claims what has been shall not be- Passing out
dead selves and take with us one who walked in
the furnace with three righteous men of old.
This consolation has enabled men to subdue the
world and come off more than conquerors; it has
been the foundation OF those unwritten histories
of fathers and mothers who have wrought in hope
and silence and self-sacrfce 1t led our ancestors
from their homes across the seas to new CONT
| nent; with God and an untrammeled future they
were content; with these they have forged a ma
ton which is light and refuge for all people
This revelation sets forth work Of deity-the
perfecting among men a love of Christ. 1t should
be the undercurrent in every life. 1t is work
wrought upon the divine plan and has the divine
word pledged to its success. The new ife-the
life to come-was here dwelt upon; its teaching
and its glorious inducements through the prom
Uses of God to men. To one who has grasped
these promises said the preacher there is despair
DIR. Johnsons address to the class at the close
was sympathetic and faithful we stand with
you, he said, on a summit, and can catch some
rays OF the rising sun. 1t seems to us that they
partake more Of the future than OF the past and
we can perhaps catch some CLEAN OF inspiration
as we with you look out into the future. 1t IL
yours to enter into glorious possibilities There
is power in every soul to triumph over the fears
OF this world and rise unto invitation of him
who is altogether lovely The past appeals to our
self-ove and lessons the severity of our judg-
ment. We shall be tempted to believe with the wise
man who, in the gloom Of sinful recollections, de.
cared that what has been shall be- But the
angel OF the future points forward with radiant
face. He beams with love that believes and
hopes and endures all things. He goes before us
and cries out, Follow me- His watchword is
hope, and he points to the possibilities OF labor,
and sorrow, and self-sacrfce, and endurance
crowned by certain triumph"
The examinations occurred Tuesday and We'd
nesday. The examiners were Rev. j. q Bitten
ger OF Haverhill, New Hampshire; Hon l.. J.
liinckley Of Chelsea; and Judge L. II. Thompson
of lrasburgh. Says one of these gentlemen !" /
have never before visited school where there
was so little dill Terence between the poorest and
the best scholars, All seem to have been stimu-
lated to do their best, and this is my ideal of
good teaching"
On Wednesday evening Eastmans orchestra OF
Manchester, New Hampshire, gave concert In
the academy hall under the auspices of the Senior
class, which was so successful financially Ms TO
meet most Of the incidental expenses of gradua-
ton.
On Thursday forenoon came the exercises of
the graduating class thirty In all, with the fol-
lowing programme; Prayer, by Rev. Y. b. Phelps
OF East St Johnsbury.
Frederic W. Phelps, East ST. Johnsbury,
Class essay. with vaeetory rank The Hindu Character
Mary n, Noyes, reriAkulam, south India.
Grafton, The Place Of the jew in History.
Edwin A. bayiey Newbnry.
Clara l.. liam. ST. Johns6ary
Arthur T. stone. 81 SosnsbaSy '"''D'
Elisabeth II. Gaies, Franklin.
Discussion. Ought Works OF Fiction TO be admitted
Public lAbrariesl
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