The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1884-07-02
Commencement at Burlington.

have been not less interesting than usual.
Perhaps they have been more so; for while
there has not been large attendance OF gradu.
ates-the thing which probably more than all
else contributes to making college commence
ment epjoyable-yet the present prosperity OF
the University and its fair prospects have
thrown about this commencement an atmos-
phere OF good cheer and OF buoyant hopeful
ness which has made the occasion peculiarly
inspiring. The rich gifts to the college in the
past few years-those from Pomeroy and How
ard and Bilings-have had their effect, not only
directly, by increasing its material resources
and improving its equipment, but also indi-
rectly, in pressing home to the hearts OF its
friends, by the force OF example, its worthy
claims upon them, the influence of which is
seen in the numerous smaller benefactions
which these larger gifts have suggested and
invited, and also in the renewed confidence in
the future Of the University which is shared in
by faculty, students and alumni The changes
about the College Park in the past year are OF
course less noticeable than were those of the
year before, when the main college buildings
underwent their reconstruction; but the con-
version of the former residence OF Governor
Underwood into medical school makes
prominent change in the appearance OF things
at the north end of the Green" while on the
upper side of the Park the rapidly-growing
walls of the Billings Library are already suffi-
GENTLY advanced to indicate the commanding
proportions OF the beautiful edifice which a
Marsh library and the other literary treasures
of the University. Inside the college Mr.
Howard is now finishing off some twenty-five
or thirty new dormitories and, in the chapel,
some very beautiful adornments have lately
been added in the way of a memorial window
in honor of the late Professor George w Bene-
dict, memorial tablet in memory of Presi-
dent Marsh and another concentrating the
sons Of the University who fell in the war of
the rebellion.
SUNDAY AFTERNOON,
the rarest Of June days, found the College
sti eet church filled by the audience assembled
to listen to President Buckham's baccalaureate
III sermon. His text was from John K: 10, 81
am come that they might have life and that they
might have it more abundantly." The subject
of the discourse was life-the Christian life.
At the conclusion Of the sermon the president
addressed the graduating class, impressing
upon them the fact that life has profound
meaning-that it is a mighty fact. Think of
life your life, he said, as a gift from heaven,
as Christ's gift. The great question for you
now, he continued, is, Can you convert educa-
ton into life? This is to be the test, both
of it and Of you. This only will vindicate
both us and you from the charge of hav-
ing wasted all these years. II your edu-
cation is worth what it cost it will add
something to your life, something to its
length and breadth and depth, to its fullness
and honor and beneficence. But there is an
helps to the full realization of life and that is
religion. Let this be our last word to you:
The only true life is religious life; the only
satisfying life is Christian life; the only full
and complete life is the eternal life the life that
is hid with Christ in God.
SUNDAY EVENING
came the address before the University Young
Mems Christian Association, by Professor Crit
fin of Williams College. Professor Griffin's
theme was Christian character-its elements
and its value as practical guide in life.
MONDAY.
The commencement exercises of the Medical
Department of the University took place in the
Howard Opera House on Monday evening A
very large audience assembled to witness the
graduation of the two hundred and one young
doctors, who composed the largest class vet
graduated from the school. d. c. Hawley was
the valedictorian and Professor A. F. A. King
OF Washington, D. C., delivered the address to
the class. The following prizes were an
nounced by Dr. A. P. Grinnell, dean of the
medical faculty To DR.. Martin was awarded
the first prize OF $50 in gold, and to Dr. Angel
the second prize of S25.
OF special interest was the address before the
University Chapter of the Phi Beta Kappa by
Hon. d. H. Chamberlain of New York city The
address was defense of the study of the clas-
sizes, and was framed rs reply to the attack OF
Charles Francis Adams, a year ago, upon the
compulsory study of Greek and Latin in our
colleges. At the close Of the address, Presi-
dent Buckham, in moving a vote of thanks
from the society, said that as the original ad.
dress OF Mr.. Adams came from a man OF af.
fairs, from the standpoint Of the world and not
OF the cloister, 80 it was matter Of congratu-
lation to him that the reply also came, not
from a doctrinaire, not from one who was
solely scholar but from man of the world.
AS the attack of Mr.. Adams was brilliant, SC
the reply was more than brillant-it was can
did, compact, logical, convincing. The exer-
cises OF Tuesday closed with the junior exhibi.
ton, OF which the following is the programme
-0verture-Invocation, A st. Cece, La,aotte
Personal Power in Republic. Charlie. W: Waterman
survival Of influence George B. stoSe
Mns,ic.Cyardas Hungarian dance. .Hasselnann
Sanitary Engineering wis% Big Ssoos
William hsss
The Emperor Constantine. ..........; William Clark
Hamet's Insanity william yIu ii HonRsns
-Waltz-Dolores.. Waldteu/ei
WEDNESDAY
The threatening sky of Wednesday had it
effect upon the attendance at the Opera House
but the audience gathered to hear the oration
OF the graduating class was a large one, not
withstanding. On the stage with the presiden
sat Governor Barstow, Chief Justice Royce
Judge Powers and other notables. The follow
ing is the order of exercises:
INSTRUMENTATION in Algeri :: Ro,sini
Music-Romanze-Ce Solo. Zippe
Our Foreign Element. Josiah W. yotey. shattsoury
Ideality and Science VIM NJ. Stiles, MONTGOMERY Cen
Eselecton-Chimes of coneyille. .Planqu,tt'
Inventions and National Prosperity .ne' D,..
Hiram G. Barber, Burlington.
National Peril. VIM. p. Cantwel Jr., Malone, n.
Luther and Zwinge, Herbert d. Hoffnagle Essex n
Barnabas and Shylock.. Kirby w. Smith, Rutland
Musc-selecton-ll Trovatore. :............. Verdi
Christianity and Politics. Homer q. Royce st. AIbans
Music-Waltz-Rudo Sfraus
Degrees conferred and benediction
Musc-Cradle Song, and Sherzo and Minuette .Bri0g,
At the conclusion of the speaking the follow
ing honorary degrees were conferred Maste
of Arts on A. F. A. King, NJ. D., Washington
D. c., John Henry jackson, NJ. D., Barre, Vt.
also on Joel B. Erhardt of New York, Alfre
G. Stafford Of Burlington, Vt, and william
LOOMS of Chicago, OF the class of 1863 on Ed
Heman Bethuel Chittenden of Swanton, Vt
1871. The degree of Doctor of Laws on vii
liam Robertson, Esq, OF Montreal and Hor
John l. Gilbert of Malone, N. Y. The degre
OF Doctor of Divinity on Rev. A. p Bissell
Knoxville, Tenn, and Rev. Z. c. Bass c
Rochester, N. III.
The corporation dinner was served at tn
Van Ness House. After the alumni had don
full justice TO the dinner provided for them
their alma mater, President Buckham rappe
the tables to order, and in his usual happy maj
ner proceeded TO deliver his annual after dinnt
speech. After abiding TO the absence of SON
familiar faces, notably those OF Senator Mo
rill and Judge Poland, the president proceede