Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1882-06-21

Vermont Methodist Seminary.

The anniversary exercises Of this widely known
institution were opened Friday evening" June 9th,
by the reception given to the senior class by
the trustees and alumni were represented. Re-
freshments were served and an ENJOYABLE time
was had. Not the least enjoyable feature was the
presentation by the class, OF an elegant class al
bum to Professor Bishop
BACoALAUREATE SERMON.
The baccalaureate sermon was preached In
Trinity church, Sabbath, June IL, by Professor
William North Rice, Phi. D., OF Wesleyan Uni
versty. DR.. Rice took for his text Galatians vi :
9, I" Let us not be weary in well doing for In due
season we shall reap II we faint not" His theme
was the :" harvest of usefulness derived from q
consecrated life" Any sketch Of the sermon would
fail to do justice to the preacher there being much
In the matter well AZ the manner. The
points made were rs follows Present age il very
impatient OF waiting for legitimate harvest Of
sowing. The Jews began life at thirty, we much
younger. When in active life we waste energy
and exhaust our vital power in the first few years
and hence experience an early break down
Highest usefulness found in place for which each
IL adapted whatever that may be. Ministry not
necessarily more useful profession than others,
yet 1t gives authority TO declare truths Of vital i'm
portance. Great intellectual ability not 20 i'm
portant as the ornament OF a meek and quiet
spirit Should not seek an apparent success only,
since this will lead to unwise methods TO secure
success and to think that we can be useful with
out being good. Our usefulness depends not
upon which we can do but upon what we can BE-
Life Of Christ an apparent failure after three
years OF SERVICE but now, through the perpetual
and increasing influence over the world Of his
character, seem TO have been the highest possible
success. Loyalty to duty and undoubted faith in
God will give the harvest he designs. The adj
dress to the class was tender and practical en-
forcement OF these truths all OF which are i'm.
piled in the two watchwords, Faith and Duty.
DR. Rice also preached in the evening on ' ] am
not ashamed Of the Gospel OF Christ" At both
services the house was full and the audience more
than satisfied.
EXAMINATIONS
Examinations came Monday forenoon and az
ternoon and Tuesday forenoon. In their report
the committee said Z" In general the examinations
have been such as to reflect great credit upon both
teachers and scholars, eyincng wise methods OF
instruction vigorously pursued, and faithful ap-
plication on the part OF the classes. As would be
only natural, some classes have specially excelled
while a few have fallen below the hopes Of the
committee"
ANNUAL LECTURE.
Tuesday evening Rev. Charles Parkhurst, A. NJ.
B. D., formerly pastor Of Trinity Methodist Eps-
copal church In this place, but now pastor OF
Baker Memorial church, Concord, N. H., deliv-
cred the annual lecture before the Esthetic Soci-
ETY.. His theme was "What and How" and
treated mainly of the need OF long preparation
for the work Of life and Of spirit Of unselfsh-
ness in the work Of life. These points were
abundantly illustrated by citations from Biblical
and modern history. The lecture was carefully
written and delivered in the authors best style II
more than met the expectation Of the large audi
ence present
ALUMNI MEETING.
At one o'clock on Wednesday afternoon the
alumni association held their annual meeting, AT
which, among other items of business, 1t was de-
cded to raise fund to secure a large addition to
the seminary library. The semi-centennial cee-
braton Of the founding Of the institution will be
held in 1884 and the proposed addition to the Ii.
brary will be made at that time.
CLASS DAY EXERCISES
At half past three the same afternoon the class
day exercises occurred. Following Is the order
of exercises: A prayer, Rev. John Currier solo,
Miss Porter; class poem, Miss Robinson GRAFTON,
Mr.. Rowland; recitation, Miss Hopkins; presen-
taton OF the key of knowledge by class president
Mr.. Thacher; response by MIR. Dexter for class OF
80; quartette, Misses Porter and Gale Messrs
Roberts and Poland. The exercises were good.
The omission of the chronicles and prophecies
was regretted by some and hailed with pleasure
by others The
PRIZE SPEAKING
came on Wednesday evening. The chapel was
crowded. Many had to go away for lack Of room.
While hardly up to previous contests, the present
one showed much drill and on the part OF some,
n faithful and natural Interpretation OF the seec-
tions. The successful competitors were, first
defamation, F. L. Goodspeed, prize, copy of
DOCK - museum OF Antiquities second uecla-
nation, A. H. Hobson, prize. copy OF Macauay s
complete History of England y first recitation,
Mary A. Ford, prize, Hollands Complete
Poems second recitation, Clara d. Browne,
prize. The following prizes were also awarded
for general scholarship and department during
the year. a copy Of Webster's Unabridged diction-
airy to Katie Macomber; for excellence in exam
nation papers in Latin, purse Of money to Ada
j. Blanchard; for best examination papers In
geometry, purse Of money to Lizzie NJ. Bickford.
The judges were Rev. j. Edward Wright OF Mont
pelier, Hon. w. p Dillingham; OF Waterbury, and
Miss Flora Averill Of Mortified.
COMMENCEMENT
came Thursday at 30 A. NJ. The stage was
tastefully decorated with flowers and evergreeps
The class motto was VeStigid Nulld Retrorsun,
No Steps Backward. The articles all showed
study and careful preparation; some of them
evinced wide reading and good degree OF power
in discernment and deduction In nearly every
instance the enunciation good and the man
ner easy. Practice will remedy nearly all Of the
errors noticed Thus closed the forty-eighth an
nual commencement of this Institution. It has n
past OF which II need not be ashamed and its
prospects for the future are better than for a
long time past With the aid Of his capable
board of teachers, President Beeman will make
the school an inspiration to its pupils, an
honor to the church, and the pride of central