St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1881-06-24
Academy commencement.

JohnsDury Academy began on Sunday,
with an able baccalaureate sermon to
the graduating class by Rev. j. G.
johnson of Rutland. Mr.. johnson
spoke from the passage in Romans
viii 24-"For by hope we are saved -
etc. The following is a brief abstract
of the preachers remarks !:
Mans best inspiration comes from
the future; nothing new can be attain
ed while our eyes are turned backward
until we can make Paul's motto our
own, and "press forward for the mark
of the prize" There are SUBMITS i'll
our ives-crises the mighty issues of
which God only can know. What are
the voices of experience 1t speaks
first of all of the lost chances
to be regained no good resolutions
will ever bring them back no prOmis-
es in regard to the future can roll us
back to pick up the lost hours, and the
past is beyond recall /; poorer we shall
be to eternity, that we did not heed
the admOnitiOn of those wiser voices.
This teacher tells lis also the story OF
our sins we have been false to our
sense of right, and there are pages
to erase, if that were possible.
True repentance does not linger over
its sorrow; it rises to new obedience f;
it leaves the old things behind and
presses forward to the new and better
things. SO our boosted teacher offers
no higher standards for us than we
have known.
Whatever we can gain from our past,
it does not come from any long con-
temptation of it. We may discover
some mistakes and see where our
weaknesses are but this gain is a
negative gain. 1t brings no inspira-
ton, no courage, no new and broader
vision, no better heart. Whatever
strength comes to us, whatever new
position we take tonight, comes to us
not from a study of the past, but from
the vision vOuchsafed to us of the flu
ture and whatever that vision is, it is
the creation of our choice let us real
ize this truth, that is so important to
us. Not what man has done
so decides his position, as what he in
tends to do. There is no power in
earth or heaven to save soul from the
effects of intended wrong. The Script
IRE proves that the future is our source
of consolation and courage and hope.
at shall come to pass" is Gods word
of encouragement 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 we should
be taught gloomy lesson. But God
speaks a different message. He saves
us by hope. He 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 invincible us he was. This
revelation out of which Paul gained
courage stands the test of time. 1t
lures us on by faith. 1t prOclaims that
what has been shall not be. Passing
out into new eras of life, we may leave
behind us our dead selves and take
with lis 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 con-
querOrs it has been the foundation of
UIlOSt uIlN IlUitIl lllSJOlICS vi IdllIlClS
mothers who have wrought in hope
and silence and self-sacritice. 1t led
our ancestors from their homes across
the seas to Il new continent; with God
and an untrammeled future they were
content with these they have forged
IL nation which is light and a refuge
for all people. This revelation sets
forth Il work worthy of IA Deity the
perfccting among men 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 life
the life to come-was here dwelt upon
its teachings and its glorious induce
ments through the promises of God t.
men. To one who has grasped these
promises, said the preacher, there is ne
despair.
Speaking more directly to the gradu
ating class, the preacher said: We
stand with you on summit, and cal
catch some rays of the rising sun. |
seems to us that they partake more o
the future than of the past, and we cal
perhaps catch some CLEAN of inspira
ton as we with you look out into TIL
future. 1t is yours to enter into glo
rious possibilities. There is power il
every soul to triumph over the fears o
this world and rise unto an invitation
of him who is altogether lovely. TIL
past appeals to our self-lOve and less
ems the severity of our Judgment. w
shall be tempted to believe with tn
wise man who, in the gloom of sinfu
recollectiOns, declared that "what Ina
been shall be-" But the angel of tn
future points forward with radiant face
He beams with love that believes AM
hopes and endures all things. He gOe
before lis and cries out, "FOllOw me.
His watchwOrd is Hope, and he point
to the possibilities of labor, and sol
row, and self-sacrifice, and endurance
crowned by certain triumph.
The sermon was listened to by
large audience, and was replete wit
good thoughts aptly expressed. TIL
pulpit was handsomely decorated wit
flowers and the quartette choir flu
nished excellent music.
THE CLASS CONCERT.
The concert, under the auspices {
Graduating Class, was given by Eas
l mans orchestra of Manchester, n. II
; at Academy Hall, on Wednesday ev,
ming. There was good audien'
: present, and all seemed pleased wit
, the entertainment. The club play we
together, and the sOlOists were all el
? cored. Mr.. G. ii. MOrey gave famili
f airs with variations upon the violiI
1 Mr.. C. II. White played the clarin
f finely, and Mr.. E. b. Marbles air f
viola. and Mr.. G.. +. Eastman's flu