The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1886-06-23
st. JOhnsbury Academy.

st. JOhnsbury Academy.
Commencement exercises at this institu-
ton occurred last week. The village pre-
sented an unusually attractive appearance,
adding greatly to the pleasure of the large
number of visitors in attendance.
The baccalaureate sermon before the grad
uating class was given by Rev. Franklin ID.
Aver of Concord, n. H., at the North Con-
gregational church on Sunday evening,
June 18TH Taking for his text Matthew
xxi: 21-" Render therefore unto Caesar the
things that are Caesars, and unto God the
things that are Gods the preacher gave
an able discussion of the relation between
the secular and religious in life, saying that
perfect harmony existed between the two.
In conclusion, he said: Young friends of
the graduating class, this theme suggests
that to prepare for life is to fit ones self for
the best possible service to God and to man.
Here is an end worthy of your ambition and
effort. | give it not as hardship or trial.
but rather congratulate you that there wait
for your coming so many avenues by which
you may touch directly every interest of
human veal, every work for the divine
glory. Never were the opportunities
greater and believe that those now the in
heritors of the worlds thought, institutions,
examples and opportunities may be privi-
legged to give such a service, have such ex-
amples set in motion or quicken such laborS
of love as the world has never seen. Why
and the best the world has ever seen?
The way to such life, the spring in and
through it all, is found in the power and
| spirit of him who is our Lord. 1t is yours
to be sensitive to such motives, obedient to
their behests, untiring to work their will
| Yours it is, If so you do, to realize also
their benediction, the courage and calmness
of heart that rests on God. The rewards
of such life are not all yonder; they are
there, but they are here also. They are
| nlthpran hatwaan
and satisfy; they sing and we are glad-and
| the soul that misses that sweet conscious
ness of duty done, of the world as better
that it has been pattern through it, and
Gods glory more because it has been rem
dered back from grateful heart, misses
| the privileges between cradle and grave.
| | rejoice with you, young friends, to whom
the best opportunities and possessions of
! life are coming. l should like to see life
| that met them all, that went out in loving
and tireless service to man as far as human
life can go, that in its Godward progress
lifted as high the likeness to God as human
life could lift it for earth and heaven. For
you each and all l covet the best gift. Be it
| yours to possess it"
Thursday evening, June II, Eastman's
orchestra gave concert at Music Hall, as
sisted by Miss Annie Coffin, elocutionist of
Boston. Among the pleasant features of
the entertainment were the selections from
the Mikado together with the clarinet obi-
/
for flute by G. T. Eastman. Miss Coffin
rendered a number of pieces, the majority
of which were humorous, such as Joel
Pops the Question" and "The Ship of
| Faith" b" in an acceptable manner.
The graduating exercises occurred at
Academy Hall on Friday. The stage was
tastily trimmed with evergreen and flowers
from the lighthouses. At halfpast nine
o'clock the hall was filled to its utmost
capacity. After prayer the following pro-
| Orar narraI ont Eastnap's orphac-
! ira furnishing most excellent music for the
occasion Latin salutatory, Burton S. Gill
man, Randolph; essay, I" a Cruel Fashion,"
Bessie h. Oughtred, LennoXville, Quebec;
Revolution" Edward p. Drew, West
Charleston; essay, Unappreciated Po-
etry," Abbie NJ. Case, Woodstock; discus
sion, Ought Ireland to Have Home-rule?"
Edward d. Raymond, Bridgewater, taking
the affirmative, and Frederic o. Grover, st.
c. l.. B. o. p. c. G. Co." Alice G. Clark, st.
Johnsbury; Grafton, "The Supremacy of
Thought" John f. Putnam, Salt Lake City,
Utah; essay, "Clubs," Emile A. Young,
vantages of College Education Dan B.
Holt, Plainfeld; Grafton, Our Nobility"
Will E. Reed, Weeping Water, Nebraska;
class prologue (after Chaucer), Edith l..
Hovey, st. Johnsbury; class essay, " A Puz-
zled Poet" Mabel f. Kidder, East Hard
wick Grafton, " Honors." William 7. Alb
bott, Wells River; valedictory address,
William G. Stoughton, ST. Sylvester,
Quebec. The diplomas were then pre-
sented and the exercises closed with the
benedicton.
One of the most enjoyable features of COM
mencement week was the alumni meeting
at Academy Hall on Friday afternoon.
Various classes We're represented and the
shaking of hands and the general good time
was one long to be remembered. The meet
ing was addressed by Hon. Phil Carpenter,
a member of the class of '73, and poem was
read by Miss Carrie Clark of the class of rs.
Class-day exercises took place as usual in
front Of the Academy at half-past four p. NJ,
the following programme being carried OUT
Grafton, George E. May, Post Mills; The
Charge of the Fifteen" Annie A. Smith,
Richford poem, Thornton b. Penfield, New
York city; prophecies, Abbie NJ. Case,
Woodstock (read by James A. Leach; ode,
James A Leach, Pawlet
1t has been the custom of former classes
TO leave some memento TO the Academy-as
a tree, stone or vine. This year it consisted
of scholarship fund which, placed ON in
| terest, will grow and be of material AID TO
the cause of education in this school, The
class numbered tifty-eight. Some go TO
Harvard College, others to Dartmouth and
Amherst while the majority this year Will
attend the University of Vermont at Bur
lington. go
The exercises of the week closed with
banquet at the st. Johnsbury House, given
by the classes of 'S3 and 81. Histories OF
both classes were read, John Ross being the
historian of the class OF S3 and clinton
| Cheney that of the class of 'S4 Many of the
Dartmouth boys were in attendance, add
ing much TO the reunion by their jokes and
witty savings. Reunions of the above
classes will not take place again for three
years. H.