St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1886-06-24
Graduates.

/ MaDel H. hluuer
Principal C. E. Putney addressed
the class and presented the diplomas.
Said he:
Ladies and gentlemen The privi-
lege of speaking the last words that
will be addressed to you as students of
this academy has been accorded to me.
A privilege 1 deem it; for it gives me
one more opportunity of thanking you
for what you have been and done dur
ing your stay with us; for the fidelity
with which you have discharged the
duties assigned you, for the courtesy
which has characterized your depOrt-
ment towards each other and your
teachers, and for what your influence
has contributed towards the good Or
der and efficiency of the school. For
many good deeds l could commend
you, and l do; but it is emiDently
proper that l mention one act, your
last and browning deed. 1t is the Gus
tom for classes to leave in or about the
institutions from which they are grad
uated some object by which they shall
be remembered. The desire is ma
tural one to leave some conspicuous
object, such as the stately elm, the
graceful vine, or the solid granite in
stead of yielding to the desire for out
ward show, you have made a noble
contribution for the benefit of needy
students who in future years may
crave the privileges you have enjoyed
and priced in this academy. Trees
and vines are pleasant for shade and
ornament, but your reward will be the
dearest of earthly rewards, the loving
ID Of 70 hnl
aged by your benevolence. Trees and
vines will wither and die, but you
have set in motion influences which
will broaden and perpetuate them
selves, for those in whose reach you
place the means of securing culture
will i'm their turn bless other lives
thus your act will in its results reach
with blessings remote generations.
Generous sympathy for those who
have to struggle for an education finds
little place in small and ignOble minds.
This and kindred qualities betoken
true manly and wOmanly characters
such sympathy you have shown.
1t is gratifying to know that the
mantle of the good men who founded
this institution has fallen upon it's sons
and daughters that so many of you
have thus early caught the inspiration
of their lives and characters. Your
deed was noble in its conception and
has been admirable in its execution. In
behalf of the trustees accept the gift
and extend to you our sincere thanks,
with the assurance that it shall be
used as you desire.
You now go from us, but let me urge |
upon you not to leave behind you your
excellent motto, "RecOgnize your op-
Let me ask you to look
for opportunities everywhere. Young |
men and women will find their chOic- |
est opportunities in the home, where
may be rendered the tenderest minis
tries that fall to the privilege of men,
to comfort and cheer old age, and by
cheerful and kindly sympathy tighten
the burdens of those with whom we
come into the dearest relations. In
college recognize your opportunities
not only for broad intellectual culture
but for the development of manly
character. In business and profess
siOnal life recognize your opportunity
of dignifying yourselves and your call
ing by honesty of word and deed. In
short recognize your opportunity of
doing your part, by culture, purity of
life and loyalty to moral and Christian
principle, towards solving the prob
lens of which yeu have heard so much
Of late; which problems must be solv-
ed within the next quarter century and
the principle actors in whose solution
will be many of the young men and
who are to-day graduating
rom our academies and colleges.
The exercises closed at 1890 o'clock
with the benediction by Rev. E. T.
Fairbanks and were every way sue
cessful.
Alumni Meeting.
The academy alumni met in the hall
N the afternoon at 2.30, president w.
P. Stafford presiding. The main fea-
lure of the meeting was an address by i