Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1885-07-03

and well said, of the Christian conscious
ness as a test of truth, but ii is the collec-
tive or general, not the Individual, con
seriousness to which rightful appeal IS
made. Now to have II conscience void of
offence toward men in ones religious
position is not necessarily to. agree with
them in the main or in detail but to de-
sire to agree with them-to prefer to agree
rather than disagree with them, to sus-
pect first ones self, and not others, OF err
ror in case of difference, and. most OF all,
to recognize and joyfully and heartily ac-
knowledge that kinship with them in the
common religious life which will enable
them and us, amid all differences, to hold
the unity of the spirit in the bond of
peace
And, secondly, man is bound to have
regard to his fellowmen i'll respect 10 the
help he gives them by his religious faith
and profession. \ man can neither affirm
nor DENY in matters of religion without
affecting the belief of other men. Now
it is conceivable that man may righttul-
ly, even piously, disturb the faith of 9TH
ers. Paul did so, but it was not in any
proud or scornful spirit, not from any
love of singularity, or vanity OF differ
ing. 1t was because in no other way. eX-
ercise himself as he might, could he dis
charge his conscience toward the brethren
whom he loved with an ardor beyond his
power to express need not suggest how
of some disturbers of the faith now-how
little they have of his courteous regard
for the rights and feelings of Others, how
recklessly they invade the sanctuaries OF
faith, how cruelty they mock the most
sacred beliefs of men and women.
Every man, whether he wills it or not,
stands SO related to Others that the truth
must pass through him to reach them.
When God reveals Il truth to asingle soul,
it is not for that souls benefit wholly, or
even mainly it is for all souls, and their
right to it is even prior to his. in the
Christian dispensatiOn every man who Is
faithful to his trust is a prophet to his
brelnren. The test to which Paul put
profeSsed fellow-laborer was that the
communication of his faith should be
made etfectual by the acknowledging OF
every good thing which was in him i'll
Christ Jesus.
Consider further that this conscience,
this solictuie respecting the influence
one may have on others opinions and
lives will have most happy reflex inllu-
ence ON his own. He who takes other
mems interests into account in his views
OF life, shall be rewarded by having
brought INTO his own life larger and just
er views of truth.
And this brings me to say, finally, that
one of the supreme joys of the blessed
state will be the consciousness of having
been faithful to this trust which we hold
for other men. AS there is no wickedness
greater than misleading others in this
supreme matter of religion, so there is no
pain greater than the remembrance of 1t.
On the other hand, what greater JOY can
there be than to have the perpetual thanks
and blessings of those we have helped in
the ways of truth and holiness This Is
the supreme Joy of Christ himself-that
for which he endured the cross, despis
ing the shame. This is the JOY of all mar
tyrs and confessors. This is the one joy
which Il Christian may covet with all the
intensity of his being, and yet be free
from the small est faint of seliishness.
This is the more excellent way-better
than gifts, and knowledge, and utterance,
and prophecy, be- err than sacrifice, better
than mart yrdOm-for charity is the bond
of pertectneSS.
Remarks to the Glass.
The president then addressed the follow
ing remarks to the class:
Young gentlemen of the graduating
class One of the sureSt guarantees OF
character is 4 sense of Responsibility.
With the awakening of this sense charac-
ter begins with its growth, character
grows; where it is feeble, where 1t cannot
be awakened, character is an impossible
ity. The main object of all true education
is to develop this sense of responsibility.
AS the student passes from class to class
growth of this feeling; we measure his
progress and our fidelity by the strength
of it. 70 be graduated, to be advanced
from pupllage to freedom, means that you
nave been SO trained that your own sense
of responsibility may he safely substituted
for teachers and rules and restraints.
Hitherto others have been more or less
responsible for your opinions and conduct.
1enceforth you alone must take that re-
SpUnSlOlilty. IL Is SOLDERING thought.
You yourselves have felt its influence
stealing over you rs you have been APP
proaching this hour. 1t is an educating,
stimulating Thought, thought which
sometimes makes men and women out of
| idiers and butterflies. 1t is no llattery.tO
you to say that you carry into life from
this high privilege OF education, large
power and influence. 1t is sometimes IL ques-
ton whether this influence Is to DE desired
or dreaded. Ii it We're not violating the
condolences Of my position | could
tell you of questions coming from
| the communities where the influence of
| young graduates is to be felt. They are
| ANXIOUS to know your opinions, your
| habits, your character. VIII his Influence
| be pure and wholesome Can we safely
| trust to him our children, our public in
terests, the social, moral and religious
tone of our community And, of course,
bnat on which most emphasis Is laid, mas
much rs it regards the most important
ana Wlde-reachlng interest OF men and
communities is the religious character
To say nothing of Gods estimate OF a man
the worlds best opinion requires HIM tC
be religious, and requires this especially
of intellectual men and women. Witness
! for example, the eagerness with which it il
Insisted that certain popular favorites such
as Victor Hugo and George Eliot, had in
their characters, in spite of appearances
to the contrary, the religious element
Both God and men demand of an educat
ed man that he should have given suilici-
ent time and thought and study to this
paramount question, to have reached con
vlctions which he can justify and the in,
fluence of which as heeXpresses them, and
especially as he lives them out, will be
benetcent upon other men and upon com
munities.
1t may seem to you TO be schoolmas
ter's view of life, but as | can conceive nc
greater joy, 50, can wish for you NJ
greater than that of having helped many
TO right beliefs and through them t
right lives. There are other ways of help
ing and blessing men than through then
oplnions-by means of wealth for exam
pie, if God should entrust it to you
nobler examples of which you could hard