The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1884-01-16
Randolph State Normal School.
COMMENCEMENT WEEK.

baccalaureate sermon, Sunday evening, Janu-
airy g. In the Congregational church, by Rev.
James A. Pierce, pastor Of the Baptist church
at West Randolph Rev L. o. Sherburne as
sisted in the religious exercises OF the evening,
and the Congregational choir furnished appro-
pirate music. The subject OF Mr.. Pierce's dis
course was 1.-THE Element Necessary to Sue
cess, Alliance with God" Two scenes were
wrestling with God; the second, Moses and
Aaron before Pharaoh-as showing the differ
ence between alliance with man and alliance
with God. No person can put aside his spir-
itual nature; he is either for or against God
The power OF the human will, whether for good
or evil, is appalling and more souls are kept
from heaven by the stubborn will than in any
other way It was fine sermon, full OF hope
and encouragement. The congregation was
smaller than is usual on similar occasions,
owing to the severity of the weather.
EXAMINATIONS.
Wednesday and Thursday, Hon. Justus Dart,
superintendent Of education, and Principal Q.
ii. Duton OF Poultney, examined the GRADUATE
ing class. All the candidates were successful.
ALUMNI ADDRESS.
President s. c. Bartlett of Dartmouth col
lege delivered the semi-annual address before
the alumni Wednesday evening, January 9, in
the Congregational church. double quar-
tette, composed of Misses Katie Wood and
Minnie 7. French (soprano), Misses Marcia L.
Palmer and Ella Herrick (contralto), w. W.
Spr,gue and George R. Knight (tenor), w. s.
Williams and F. B. Eaton (basso), and F. G.
Putnam (organist), sang selection entitled
"Praise Ye the Lord" The subject OF DR..
Bartlett's discourse was The Value OF the
Study of the Ancient Classics in Higher Educa-
tion." The headings under this discourse
was as follows (1) The study of the ancient
classics forms high and varied discipline,
since they are language in its highest form
and light and heavy gymnastics, suited to the
mind as 1t expands. ~ In the ancient classics,
the student sees the literature of the world.
The Greeks were finished writers and speak
ers, and copied from every civilized nation.
They have. in their turn, been initiated by
every nation that has added to the world
store of thought (3l The beginnings OF poetry
and history were in Greece, and the geometry
OF to-day is nearly identical with that Of Greece
while, to be well informed one must under
stand the classic illusions in everyday use.
(4) The classics give wide range of knowl-
edge. II person understands Latin and
Greek, he can much more easily learn any
other language, and a large per cent OF English
words are of Greek and Latin origin. (5) A
persons range of activity Ii widened by the
study of the classics, for he has learned how to
learn and can study and pursue any calling
with ease. 1t was great treat to listen to DR..
Bartlett, and his lecture was very scholarly
and strong.
COMPETITIVE SPEAKING.
lQ6 competitive bpthhluB OCCuIrou
day evening, January 10, in the town hall.
The attendance was good, and the speaking
fully as good If not better, than is usual. An
organ duet, Breezes of Ocean," was given
by Miss Mary A. Wilcox and F. G. Putnam.
Miss Lizzie A. Butterfield, Roxbury, was the
first speaker, and made good appearance in
rendering We Two" Herbert j. Bass, Brain
tree, spoke Keenan's Charge Miss Minnie
L. Cobb, Woodstock. gave 1.-THE Little Stow
away" in very good style, Miss Phoebe
Chubb, Post Mills, spoke "Biddy McGinnis on
the Photograph as though fresh from the
Emerald isle. Misses Katie Wood and Ella
Herrck sang a barcsroe by Kucken in q
pleasing manner. Miss Bessie F. Macomber
appeared we'll in rendering 1.-The Courtier. !"
Willie M. Newton, Barnard, spoke Voices OF
the Dead " very impressively. Lockery Set.
ting Hen" was one of the most humorous
selections on the programme, and we'll spoken
by Earl A. Gaylord, Brookfield. Brier Rose, +"
by Miss Ella M. Burditt, Rochester, was one
Of the most finely rendered selections of the
evening The Day is Done" Longfelow,
R. lngraham. " Blaine on Garfield was we'll
spoken by Ethan Allen, Randolph Miss Daily
]. F. Hosford, Charlotte showed that she had
given Tours Little Star" careful study and
preparation. "The Brides of Enderby" is a
difficult selection, but was so well spoken by
Miss Marcia L. Palmer, Woodstock, that the
board Of judges were unanimous in awarding
to her the first mention. George r. Knight
Norwich, was the last speaker on the pro-
gramme and acquitted himself with great
credit Misses Wood, Palmer and Herrick sang
an excellent trio, "Queen Of the Night" after
which the committee made the following re-
port of their decision: First, Miss Marcia L.
Palmer; second Miss Minnie L Cobb; third
Miss Ella NJ. Burditt. Rev. L. 0. Sherburne,
Miss Caroline B. Weymouth and Miss Frances
II. Graves composed the board of decision
An admission fee OF twenty cents was charged
the proceeds of which 1856 20) will be used for
the benefit of the school library.
w.. GRADUATING EXERCISES
The public exercises of the graduating class
was held in the town hall on Friday afternoon
January IL. The large hall was closely
packed Curtis orchestra OF West Randolph
furnished music at intervals during the exer
cises. The following Is the programme
Prayer, Rev. r. G. Bugbee; class song, Miss
Lulu Cobleigh :" The Teacher as Citizen,
Elmer T. Hart; "The New Education" Miss
Mary A. Wilcox; music, orchestra; Color.
Fannie A. Brown; music, orchestra; "Th'
gett; "The Mission of Fiction" Emma A
Hollister; music, orchestra; 1.-THE lndispens
able" Julia p Parker; "Science a Mora
Force" Nellie S. Williams; music, orchestra
presentation of diplomas; parting hymn; bene
diction, Rev. L. o. Sherburne. The produc
tions were all good and deserve particular men
ton. Miss Hollister showed the good infu
ence of fiction in q way which proved he
knowledge of books Miss Parker moralizec
on the Indispensable in an attractive way
Miss Brown gave her object lesson on colo
with the utmost GOODNESS, com bining he
colOrs with excellent success. Miss Wilco
made good appearance in reading her essay
The gentlemen's productions were very good.
LIST OF GRADUATES
The following is a list OF the graduates: Orl
W. Allen, Brookfield Eddie j. Blodgett, RaI
dolph Charles L. Brewster, Braintree; Georg
w. Clifford, East Bethel Elmer T. Hart, Strai
ford; Willie W. Sprague, East Brookfeld
Willie s. Williams, Hartland; John X. WOOD
ward, Braintree; Fannie A. Brown, Williams
town; Hattie M. Church, West Randolph Lul
L. Cobleigh, West Burke; Nellie A. Fay, Sout
Pomfret; Clara E. Fuller, Westford Minnie ,
Conant, Gaysville; Ida F. Hazen, Hartford
Emma M. Hollister, Marshfield;' Fannie
Jackson, Williamstown; May McDonougl
Hinesburgh; Martha L. Noyes, Tunbridg'
Julia p. Parker, Waterbury; May s. Parson
Bethel May G. Rice, Brookfeld Hattie
Sawyer, Gaysville; Ella +. Titus, Chelsei
Mary A. Wilcox, Brookfield.
IN CONCLUSION.
The parting reception in the town hall, Fl
day evening, was well attended. The sprir
term opens Tuesday, February H. A larl
attendance is expected, especially in the secoI
course.
Vermont State News.
RUTLAND Is to have musical festival in Ma
Two st. Johnsbury boys have been sent